Word Gets Around Magazine - West Somerset - Issue 32

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ABOUT US

Established in 2019, Word Gets Around Magazine is an independent community magazine and family business, run by father and son team; Clive and Paul Smith.

We aim to spread the word about local events and services and to encourage our communities to use local businesses.

The more we are supported by advertisers the more pages we can grow to support the community.

We deliver direct to homes across West Somerset on a monthly basis.

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Welcome to our April issue, and fingers crossed for some good weather over the Easter weekend, which is relatively early – Friday 7th to Monday 9th – this year. But why does Easter, like the proverbial bunny, hop around so much? In a nutshell (or should that be an Easter eggshell?), it’s because Easter falls on the first Sunday following the full moon on or after the spring equinox, which is assumed to be 21st March (even though that itself can vary between 19th and 22nd March).

Aside from Easter, there’s plenty going on this month – including Ramadan, which finishes on the 21st. St George’s Day is on the 23rd, although unlike the Welsh, Scots and Irish, England doesn’t really celebrate its patron saint’s day – a national holiday from the 15th to the 18th century, it was sidelined after the Act of Union between England and Scotland in 1707.

It’s nice to see all the spring flowers busting out in the hedgerows as I’m driving around. Masses of daffodils and primroses are all out in bloom. There is a feint tinge of green in the trees as the buds are preparing to open. This is sure welcome sign after the doom and gloom of winter. I love this time of year, it fills you with anticipation and the sign of better thing s to come.

Fun fact: the rarest date for Easter is March 24, which last occurred in 1940 and won’t happen again until 2391 – and no, this isn’t an April Fool’s joke! Until next time,

Green ngers… the Alan Titchmarsh column

He’s a brilliant presenter, accomplished gardener, talented novelist, and allround horticultural inspiration. This month, Alan Titchmarsh discusses something in our gardens that dates right the way back to 1400BC, yet is as popular today than ever before. It’s the humble pergola.

I was asked by someone the other day what my favourite thing was in my garden – a plant, a tree, perhaps something manmade.

I guess the answer is really that while in one week I’m won over by the glory and spectacular appearance of some raised beds; the next maybe I’m in awe of an old stone wall that could report on the changing of the seasons for many decades further back than me, and so the deliberation goes on and on

as the weeks and month go by.

However, if I had to pin my colours to something, I would struggle to look past a pergola. And if there’s one addition you’re thinking of making to your outdoor space this year, consider one of these. They date right the way back beyond Roman times, though were popularised by Caesar and his chums.

While the belief is you’ll need a decent plot of land on which to place it, in truth pergolas can be built in a variety of sizes, shapes and materials to suit any garden style or size. They can be freestanding or attached to a house or other garden structure and will give

you the necessary height that means you can experiment with vertical gardening – think climbing plants such as vines, roses, and wisteria – without having to worry about awkward poles, wonky trellises and more!

Mostly, a pergola provides a real focal point to the garden –I often think of mine as being akin to a church altar! It’s something that looks over an entire space with a sense of importance and prestige.

On a practical level, pergolas are brilliant for shade and shelter. There are many plants that shouldn’t be in direct sunlight for the whole of the day, while having a shaded area that can be used for outdoor entertaining, dining

or relaxing can transform an average afternoon, whether alone or with friends, into a glorious one.

There’s also the privacy element, and the fact pergolas are generally low maintenance and can last for many years with minimal upkeep.

As for cost, my advice is to shop around and see what you can get. From the very basic

costing a couple of hundred pounds to elegant stone-pillared creations that go well into four figures, your budget and your personal taste can lead the way in creating for you a garden centrepiece that will evolve in the same way that your garden does. With good maintenance, your pergola has the ability to outlast the majority of other features in your garden… just ask the Romans!

A thoroughly Modern Monarch

King Charles III’s coronation will take place on Saturday May 6th 2023, at Westminster Abbey. Eyes around the world will focus their attention once more on this magnificent London institution where the King will be crowned – alongside Camilla, the Queen Consort –in a ceremony overseen by the Archbishop of Canterbury.

This opulent ritual is the last of its kind in Europe and has remained largely unchanged for the past 1,000 years. It is an honour of course, but for a King who wants to be a modern monarch there are a few wrinkles that must be ironed out with Buckingham Palace confirming that although the Coronation will be ‘rooted in long-standing traditions’, it

will also reflect the monarch’s role today and look towards the future.

Everything we know about His Majesty’s upcoming coronation. has

For starters, it will be a relatively modest affair, even compared to Queen Elizabeth’s coronation that came in the recent aftermath of World War II. The ceremony itself is expected to last around two hours –rather than the three for Liz’s ascension to the throne – and guests will be limited to 2,000 due to health and safety restrictions. That’s considerably less than the 8,000 dignitaries from 129 nations who were crammed into Westminster Abbey in 1953.

There will also be less pomp and formality. Prince William is the only Duke expected to carry out the traditional gesture of kneeling and swearing allegiance to the King, and His Majesty has apparently decided to swap the stockings and breeches worn at coronations by his male predecessors

for a military uniform, possibly that of Admiral of the Fleet, which he wore for the State Opening of Parliament last May.

As for the crown, Charles will wear the solid gold 17th Century St Edward’s Crown. It is exceptionally heavy and contains the Cullinan II diamond, sometimes called the Second Star of Africa.

At its heart however, the ceremony must fulfil its key role as being the symbolic religious ceremony during which a sovereign is crowned, as well as fulfilling the physical act of placing a crown on a monarch’s head. And despite cementing His Majesty’s role as Head of the Church of England, it is thought that representatives of different faiths will also be present – to uphold the King’s wish to reflect the ethnic diversity of modern Britain. He will also still pledge to be “Defender of the Faith”, but further words will be added that allow the King to show he serves all religious faiths.

Five memorable Coronation Moments

As we look forward to the coronation of King Charles III, we take a moment to reflect on the most memorable crowning moments in Britain’s great history.

The one with the unwelcome guest

When it comes to organising large gatherings, there is always at least one family member you hope won’t show up. In the case of George IV at his 1821 coronation, it was his estranged wife Caroline of Brunswick.

Having wed in 1795, the union had long been acrimonious with the couple separating only a year into their marriage. George IV had sought various avenues for divorce, but with the pair still very much wed on the date of his coronation his only option was to lock his queen out. She was jeered by the awaiting crowds and died two weeks later.

The one where they lined the streets

Having ascended to the throne in 1377 at the tender age of 10, Richard II’s crowning was already a rare moment in the annals. His coronation ceremony featured the first-ever procession when he rode on horseback from the Tower of London to Westminster Abbey and back, amidst the cheering crowds and streets bedecked with banners and decorations.

The one who did it his way Keen to step out of his father’s shadow, George II was determined to make an impression on his subjects from the very get-go.

Subsequently, the task of writing four new coronation anthems fell to famed composer George Frideric Handel. Needless to say, the

songs were instant classics and are still performed around the world today.

The one with sibling rivalry For Mary I the coronation was not just about becoming queen, but about setting order right in the country. A staunch Catholic, Mary I was convinced that her late brother, Edward VI, had tainted several aspects of the ceremony with his Protestant beliefs.

She demanded new coronation oil sent from the Catholic Bishop of Arras along with an alternative chair to the ancient one usually sat in by incoming monarchs. Naturally, her wishes were granted, for few dared say no to ‘Bloody Mary’ (a nickname she would earn after burning 280 protestants at the stake).

The one where everyone forgot their lines

Queen Victoria’s coronation was tainted by poor organisation.

During the ceremony, an elderly peer fell down the stairs on his way to pay homage to the Queen, the coronation ring was forcefully shoved onto the wrong finger (taking an hour to remove), and at one point, a bishop told her the service was over when it was still ongoing, leading to her being called back to finish the ceremony.

Rick Stein’s Potato and Pea Curry

Introduction

Aloo dum – or potato and pea curry! – is possibly the most common vegetable curry in India. Some complex recipes exist, but at its heart it’s easy to make. If I was describing it to someone I’d just say boil potatoes, fry them with garam masala, add some tomato, chilli, turmeric and salt and it’s done; then, if you like, throw in frozen peas just before the end.

Method

1. Boil the potatoes in a pan of salted water for eight minutes until just tender, then drain well. Heat the oil in a heavybased saucepan or karahi over a medium-high heat, add the potatoes and fry over a high heat for 5 mins, or until just starting to colour. Add the turmeric and fry for 30 seconds. Remove from the heat.

2. For the sauce, heat the oil in another pan over a medium-

high heat. Add the bay leaves and fry for 1 minute, then add the asafoetida and stir. Add the onion and fry for 5 mins; then add the garlic and ginger and fry for 5 mins, or until softened and lightly golden-brown.

3. Add the chilli powder, cumin, coriander, amchur, turmeric and salt and fry for one minute, then add the tomato passata, green chillies and 100ml water and stir together. Add the fried potatoes,

Ingredients (serves 8)

For the fried potatoes

• 1kg potatoes, peeled and cut into 3cm chunks

• 4 tbsp vegetable oil

• 1 tsp ground turmeric

For the sauce

• 3 tbsp vegetable oil

• 2 Indian bay leaves

• ¼ tsp asafoetida

• 1 medium onion, very finely chopped

• 6 garlic cloves, finely crushed

• 5cm/2in fresh root ginger, finely grated

• 1 tsp Kashmiri chilli powder

• 1 tsp ground cumin

• 1 tsp ground coriander

• ½ tsp amchur (dried mango powder)

• ½ tsp ground turmeric

• ½ tsp salt

• 200g tomato passata

• 2 green chillies, sliced lengthways into thin strips, with or without seeds according to preference

• 150g frozen peas

• 1 tsp garam masala

• handful chopped coriander leaves, to finish

reduce the heat to medium, cover the pan and cook for 10 mins, adding a splash of water if anything catches on the bottom of the pan.

4. Add the peas and garam masala and cook uncovered for 3-4 mins, or until the peas are cooked. Garnish with fresh coriander and serve.

Funding boost for performance and career training in west Somerset

And we’re delighted that over half of those attending are boys, many of whom might not necessarily align with or respond well to the traditional educational system at school.

Stacked Wonky, a not-for-profit contemporary dance company based in Porlock, is delighted to receive a second grant from the Hinkley Point C (HPC) Community Fund, which is managed by Somerset Community Foundation. The team has now received a total of £15,000 from the fund since May 2022.

Stacked Wonky puts on professional dance performances ‘anywhere but the stage’ across Somerset – in unexpected locations such as the Somerset West and Taunton District Council offices at Deane House in Taunton. It also runs highly popular academies for children and teenagers in the area – and has become an important provider of dance training in Somerset. The company aims to benefit the community by enhancing community cohesion as well as building the confidence of young people.

Amelia Thompson, Senior Programmes Manager for Somerset Community Foundation explains: “This is an exciting project to develop young people’s aspirations in the arts. Stacked Wonky identifies and responds to the needs of young people to nurture specific skills, access training and apprenticeships, and it helps them to gain more advanced, hands-on experience across all aspects of professional performance-making.

“It is a site-specific dance theatre company running academies for young people, but they also open up access to the world of professional theatre, work experience and careers advice. They build skills in, and the self-esteem of, young people in west Somerset, working closely with the local colleges and schools to share knowledge to ensure young people can access best pathways for the future.”

Sarah Shorten from Stacked Wonky agrees, adding: “We work with west Somerset landowners and organisations to source unusual places for workshops and performances. Currently, we run two weekly academies for young people aged 5 – 18 in Porlock and Old Cleeve, both of which are full and have had waiting lists since September 2021.

Sarah continues: “It’s important to note there is a limited offer in the way of drama or performing arts in our part of Somerset. There’s a specialist drama lesson just once a week for Years 7 and 8 at two middle schools in west Somerset; GCSE Dance and Drama were both removed from the curriculum at West Somerset College in 2016, and as that’s the only secondary provider for the whole of the region, career-building choices for creatives and young artists have been severely affected.”

Stacked Wonky opened a more accessible office and studio in Porlock in 2021 due to its growing success in working with local businesses, educators, and families. This has led to a number of collaborations, including Porlock Tree Toddlers, a creative, forest school-inspired learning environment for local families struggling to travel to groups further afield.

Somerset Community Foundation has awarded grants worth over £100,000 from the HPC Community Fund’s Small Grants Programme to groups since May 2022. The Small Grants Programme awards grants of up to £5,000 - or up to £10,000 over three years - for charities, voluntary groups and social enterprises that normally operate on less than £100,000 per year. There is also an Open Grants Programme which is for larger applications, typically over £10,000. Visit www.hpcfunds.co.uk for more details. If you would like to discuss your project or idea please contact Amelia Thompson, Senior Programmes Manager: amelia.thompson@somersetcf. org.uk or call: 01749 344949

The HPC Community Fund is part of a wider £20 million commitment of funding, provided by EDF through Section 106 agreements, for communities that are affected by the development of the new nuclear power station, to promote their social, economic and environmental wellbeing and enhance their quality of life. Hundreds of projects have benefitted, and in total almost £13.3 million in grants have been awarded to date.

Somerset Community Foundation (SCF) is a charity that helps passionate people in Somerset change the world on their doorstep by funding local charities and inspiring local giving and philanthropy. They aim to build stronger communities in Somerset where everyone has the opportunity to thrive. Since SCF were founded in 2002 they’ve awarded more than £20 million in funding, changing thousands of lives across Somerset.

BRAIN TRAIN

Fill in the grid so that each row, column and 3x3 box contains the numbers 1 through to 9 with no repetition.

Across

3. Chest bone (3)

7. Ceremonial procession (6)

8. Plant similar to the rhododendron (6)

9. Transparent optical device (4)

10. Disorder of the central nervous system characterised by convulsions (8)

11. Fortress (7)

13. ___ Cagney, Hollywood star who died in 1986 (5)

15. Steeple (5)

17. Gelatinous container with medicine inside (7)

21. Equestrian display (8)

22. Long arduous journey (4)

24. Large military unit (6)

25. Insect with large pincers at the rear of the abdomen (6)

26. Earth’s nearest star (3)

Down

1. Female pantomime character (4)

2. Cinnamon-yielding tree (6)

3. Official who is expected to ensure fair play (7)

4. Method of producing designs on cloth by covering with wax, then dyeing (5)

5. Equipment for taking pictures (6)

6. Outer casing of a marine organism (8)

9. Resinous substance used to make varnish, sealing wax, dyes, etc (3)

12. Merchant who brings goods into the country from abroad (8)

14. Troglodytes (7)

16. Countrified (6)

18. Surgical stitch (6)

19. Northern deer with very large antlers (3)

20. Public announcement of a proposed marriage (5)

23. Independent ruler or chieftain (4)

Human teeth are the only part of the body that cannot heal themselves Emma Bunton auditioned for the role of Bianca Butcher in Eastenders. Baby rabbits are called kits. Venus is the only planet to spin clockwise. The actors who voiced Mickey and Minnie mouse got married in real life.

In the 1600s, tulip bulbs were considered a luxury item and, in Holland, were more valuable than gold.

Count up the petals on each of the flowers below, and then add them all together. How many petals are there in total?

What do you get if you cross a bike and a flower?

Bicycle petals

What did the lady that dislikes flowers and children say? I don’t like orchids or kids

I accidentally planted the wrong flowers in my garden Oopsie daisies

LILY ROSE

DAISY PANSY POPPY VIOLA

FUSCHIA HEATHER PETUNIA

BLUEBELL SWEETPEA CARNATION CORNFLOWER SNAPDRAGON

A MINEHEAD MANSION

Cleveland situated on Minehead’s North Hill has been much in the mind of Conservation members since it is one of the listed buildings that would be adversely impacted if the recent application for 12 houses in Beacon Road were to be given the green light. I mentioned in my article on evacuees that Cleveland had been used to house some during WW2 and thought readers might be interested in two of its former owners.

A wealthy chemical engineer called Mr Thomas Lomas, who was born in Salford in 1828, settled in Minehead in 1875. and opened the Bristol Channel Chemical works The arrival of the railway had opened up the area and its attractions, encouraging many properous people to seek it out, as a place to live. It was described at the time as ‘a favoured spot where the climate was kind and the views facing South magnificent.’

He looked around for a place to build a family home and favoured a spot in the woods above his works but his attempts were unsuccessful largely due to the lack of a reliable water supply, although there is evidence of some foundation work having taken place. Two years later however an article in the WSFP recorded:

‘A splendid residence has lately been erected near the church for a Mr Lomas.T he site is most suitable commanding a charming view of scenery. On Saturday last , all the men who had been employed on the work were invited to a substantial dinner in the Feathers Hotel with Mr Lomas presiding.’

The Bristol architects Foster and Wood were commissioned to design a two storey house of brick and timber in the Jacobean style with five projecting gables with carved strapwork, decorative bargeboards and tiling.

Thomas and Jane had two sons John, the younger became a painter. His wife was also a painter and enameller. After she died he moved to Timberscombe where he died in 1950. The older one Harold was a pioneering photographer. He started his photographic work in 1888 at the age of just 16yrs old. He often rode to hounds carrying a heavy plate camera. The results provided magic lantern shows or pictures for journals and newspapers. As the result of being awarded top prizes in an International competition he became a member of the Royal Photographic Society in 1900. As soon as they became available Harold obtained a motion picture camera. He used it in 1901 to produce the first film ever taken while riding with hounds called ‘The Chase of the Wild Deer.’ This was shown both in Minehead and the Palace Theatre, London.

Thomas brought William Shrive to Minehead to lay out his gardens at Cleveland. Later, Shrive became well known in the town when he opened a seed, florist and greengrocery shop at the corner of Market House Lane and The Parade.

The Shrives were prominent Methodists and closely linked to

Clevelands as early meetings to discuss the building of a chapel were held there, and Jane Lomas, Thomas’ wife was asked to lay the foundation stone of the new Avenue Church.

Sadly, the Lomas family did not live many years at Cleveland as they encountered financial difficulties. It is thought that a fire at the chemical works or the wreck of a ship carrying supplies for the factory could have resulted in bankruptcy. Machinery and contents of the works were put up for sale by auction in 1886 and in 1889 the family moved to a more humble dwelling, Cleveland Cottage. The house was sold to a Belgian Baroness.

This lady had the unbelievable name of Baroness Marie Amelie Phillippine le Clement De Taintegnies. It has been said that she was an aunt of the King of Belgium but had lived in Britain most of her life. She frequently visited the West Country and stayed for a short while at Woody Bay followed by 10 years at Ashley Combe, Porlock Weir , as a guest of Lord Lovelace. Then she bought Cleveland in 1889 to which she made some alterations and additions.

Cleveland from the garden

Compiled by Sally Bainbridge on behalf of Minehead Conservation Society.

She loved birds and had a great many aviaries in the gardens some housing very rare species. She was a regarded as a fearless huntswoman and frequently followed the Cloutsham Hunt. She was very keen on the Foxhounds as well as hunting with the Devon and Somerset Staghounds and the Minehead Harriers. In fact it was the Baroness who laid the foundation stone for the new kennels for the Minehead Harriers at the end of Periton Lane in 1895 ( I drew attention to the plaque marking the building in my Parks Walk article).

Some people now deceased spoke of how she used to make frequent trips into town complete with her complement of carriage and livery footmen, which inevitably drew attention.

The Baroness was a generous benefactor to The Sacred Heart Catholic Church as well as to the St Louis Convent which provided sanctuary for Belgian refugees. 250,000 came to Britain during WW1 fleeing the German invasion. A young lad called Brittan, who worked in the gardens at Cleveland signed up in 1915 despite being a few months too young, and was

JOIN US FOR A SING ALONG

sent abroad. The Baroness arranged for cigarettes and tobacco to be sent out to him from the Army and Navy Stores in London!

She opposed the introduction of the first motorised charabancs into Minehead. We know this because her name appears on the petition which was presented in 1908.

We know that Marie de Taintegnies born in 1848 married Edouard Emile’ Honore’ Roussille, born in Mons, Hainaut, 1843 and they had a son called Edouard. When Edouard Snr died is unknown, he is simply recorded as having ‘passed away’. It was obviously before the Baroness came to Cleveland. She herself died in Minehead on August 10th 1932 at the age of 83 yrs. Her ghost is said to haunt the house up until today. Maybe someone living there now would like to let us know if they have seen her!

I should like to thank everyone who has already bought a copy of the ‘Minehead and Beyond’ book in aid of Minehead Conservation Society , and especially AR Computing, Park Lane Home Furnishing, The TIC and Townsend House for agreeing to sell copies.

Singing is good for both the brain and body, but most of all it is fun. The Voices of Exmoor invite you to a Sing Along in Dulverton Town Hall on Saturday 29th April between 10 am and 1pm. Drop in at any time to listen or sing and talk to our members over a cup of tea.

The Voices of Exmoor is a mixed voice community choir open to all, regardless of ability or experience. Its members enjoy singing with others and, in doing so, aim to spread an enthusiasm for their love of music to all.

After we have covered our concert costs, we make a donation to our chosen charity for each year. Over the 16 years that we have been singing, thousands of pounds has been donated to many local charities.

www.voicesofexmoor.co.uk

Mr & Mrs Thomas Lomas when they had moved to Cleveland Cottage

Ambitious plans to transform education in Somerset

As a result, schools from across the county and Council education professionals have committed to join forces to tackle challenges head on, support each other, and deliver much needed improvement.

Claire Winter, Somerset County Council’s Acting Director of Children & Families Services said:

“Though the recent exam results were disappointing for everyone working in education in Somerset, they’ve provided us with a really strong mandate for change. We have significant work ahead, but we’re united by a shared vision of a better future for children and young people in Somerset.

Somerset County Council’s new five-year education strategy was shared with professionals from across schools, local authorities, Ofsted and the Department for Education at the Somerset Education for Life event, held at Fleet Air Arm Museum in Yeovilton last month.

The new plans have been developed following reports that Somerset is in the top ten Local Authorities nationally for the proportion of inadequate schools, and recent poor exam results across the board.

Clear 5-year goals were proposed at the event, including:

• Improved access to support in the early years of life so that every child is ready to start school confidently

• Increased inclusion in all schools, educational settings and in our communities so every child is actively involved in their education 100% of the time

• Strong and supportive leadership capacity within and between Somerset schools so that improvement is shared, sustainable and educational outcomes are improved in every key phase

• Ensuring young people have access to further and higher education in the county, so they can develop adaptable skills equipping them to join and progress in the workforce in Somerset. The Strategy was shaped and informed by research conducted by think and action-tank the Centre for Education and Youth (CFEY), who attended the event. CFEY’s research led to a recommendation that Somerset’s schools and the Council should work more closely together to achieve the ambitious targets outlined in the Strategy.

“We are holding ourselves accountable for these ambitions, and have asked CFEY to develop a data framework to check we are all making progress against our objectives. For example, by surveying school leaders, we can check they feel effectively supported by the Council and have opportunities for shared training and development, and by surveying parents we can find ou t what the barriers to schools attendance are.“

Councillor Tessa Munt, Executive Lead for Children & Families at Somerset County Council, said:

“The event was aptly titled ‘Somerset Education for Life’, because a great education needs much more than just time spent in school. A great education is built on foundations of a healthy and loving home environment, access to educational and cultural experiences whether online or in the physical world, and a culture which supports children and young people to reach their full potential. This means that quality housing, nutrition, healthcare and excellent transport are all critical parts of the recipe of an excellent education.

“We have high ambitions for education in Somerset – it is, after all, a place which has nurtured many current leaders in business, culture and even politics – and their influence can be felt across the world stage. Investing in our children and young people is investing in the future – they are our future leaders, and will be the ones to tackle and hopefully overcome some of the seemingly impossible challenges we grapple with today.

“So while the old saying ‘it takes a village to raise a child’ certainly rings true, with this Strategy we are asking you to join us in imagining what an entire county can achieve. We firmly believe that by working together we can help children thrive and reach their full potential.”

You can find out more about Somerset Education for Life at Education for Life Strategy (somerset.gov.uk).

Duncan Sharkey, Leader at Somerset County Council & Councillor Tessa Munt, Executive Lead for Children & Families at Somerset County Council.

If you have any questions regarding moving into Wyndham House, please do not hesitate to call a friendly member of the enquiries team.

Somerset: A Troubled Century 1600-1699

By Allan Bunyan

The morning of the 20 th January must have seemed like another day as the population of Somerset “prepared themselves to their affairs”. Within minutes this scene of tranquillity was shattered by what must at first have seemed a surreal sight.

Eye witness accounts relate how what appeared to be “huge mighty hills of water tumbling over one another as if the greatest mountains of the world had overwhelmed the low villages of marshy ground”.

The worst affected areas were the low lying flatlands in north Somerset and the levels in central Somerset. In total perhaps 2,000 people died on both sides of the Severn in what was to prove the biggest natural disaster to hit mainland Britain. The population of Somerset could not have realised it but this was only the start of their problems.

Having avoided the worst excesses of the War of the Roses and the Barons War, Somerset was destined to become centre stage in national events throughout the century. Whole communities were torn apart by riots, civil war and rebellion. Taunton and Bridgwater were the scenes of some of the most brutal fighting in the civil war.

At one time the fighting was so intense at the siege Taunton that “nothing was seen but fire and nothing was heard but thunder.”

The end of the war brought problems of its own. Houses and bridges had been destroyed, crops burnt and livestock either stolen or slaughtered. Former enemies often made for uneasy neighbours. This atmosphere of suspicion possibly contributed to the Somerset Witch Trials which featured some of the most disturbing “evidence” ever given in the history of the county.

Believing that victory in the civil war was down to God’s will the new government embarked on a mission of moral regeneration with a puritanical zeal. All travel on the sabbath was banned, church marriages were replaced by a civil ceremony and adultery became a capital offence.

Perhaps the most famous incident was the banning of Christmas which was replace by Thanksgiving on the 30th January. Following the death of Oliver Cromwell, most places welcomed the accession of Charles II, although not everyone in Somerset shared those sentiments Taunton went out of it’s way to provoke the new regime. The town was the scene of a number of riots and disturbances. It was no surprise that it was a fertile recruiting ground during the ill fated Monmouth rebellion. Taunton suffered more than most following the collapse of the rebellion after the disastrous battle of Sedgemoor. It was the scene of numerous executions as the county learnt the folly of rebellion.

The county gained some degree of revenge when the Prince of Orange made a triumphal progress through the county just over 4 years later. For the majority of people the century ended as it had begun, a life of unremitting struggle just to make a living.

“Well researched and tells a series of compelling stories.” The Leveller

“Fascinating portraits of forgotten figures.”

Exmoor magazine

We have a copy of Allan’s wonderful book to give away. Simply visit wgalink.com/somersetbook and enter our competition. Good luck!

THE NEW MINEHEAD LIFEBOAT STATION

There’s been an RNLI lifeboat at Minehead since 1901 and today two inshore craft - a D class and a fast 8.5-metre rigid inflatable Atlantic class - provide 24-hour cover along 30 miles of the Bristol Channel coast from Hinkley Point to Lynmouth.

The pool of around 20 volunteer sea-going crew - backed by a team of shore helpers - respond to around 40 emergency calls a year in addition to attending up to six afloat training sessions a month.

They face some daunting challenges: the Bristol Channel has the second highest tidal range in the world and west of the station the sea arrives at the foot of England’s highest sea cliffs rising to more than 1,000 feet: a place where the speed and force of the incoming tide can put swimmers, kayakers, small boats and walkers at risk.

The crew are drawn from all walks of life including teachers, engineers, accountants, doctors and opticians. From their pagers alerting them they aim to be at sea and on the way to the casualty within seven or eight minutes.

Women have been part of the Minehead crew for more than

a decade. One of the earliest recruits, Karla Thresher, who joined as shore crew, has recently been appointed a full-time Thames Commander with the RNLI, taking the helm of the lifeboat at Gravesend, one of the RNLI’s four Thames stations.

“It was cold and damp. The crew had no changing rooms - the men had to get changed on an open balcony and the women in a cupboard under the eaves - and no proper showers. There was only a small crew room so we had nowhere big enough to hold training sessions.”

The long-awaited development will provide the crew with their first proper changing rooms, space for training sessions, and a galley. But the most important innovation is a separate boat hall for the station’s smaller, D class lifeboat where it will remain permanently attached to its tractor ready for a speedy launch through the harbour.

The Minehead station has recently undergone a £1 million upgrade, partly to knock valuable minutes off launch times, partly to provide the crew with better facilities.

Minehead RNLI chairman Richard Newton said the improvements had been long overdue.

“Basically the crew were operating from a 120-year old building which might have been fit for purpose when it was built but was certainly not adequate for the needs of a modern lifeboat service.

A number of individual, six-figure donations have helped pay for the work on the station which said Mr Newton, would completely transform life for the volunteers.

“And having the D class permanently hitched to its tractor is going to shave minutes off our response times and make launching both our boats a far less complicated affair,” he said. “We have had tremendous local support in raising funds for the project which has shown us yet again how highly the RNLI is regarded within the West Somerset community.”

Karla Thresher on Christmas Day duty in Gravesend.

TACOS: BEEF, CHICKEN, MIXED DONER, LAMB SHISH, CHICKEN TIKKA, CHICKEN NUGGETS, MIXED SHISH. MEAL DEALS AVAILABLE

CROQUE TOASTIES • SALADS • CHIPS • KIDS MEALS • DRINKS

PHONE ORDERS ARE WELCOME

1 HOLLOWAY ST, MINEHEAD, TA24 5NP

The new Minehead station after its upgrade at Quay W, Minehead TA24 5UL.

Final fitting-out of the building is now underway while the hard landscaping outside now features an area of Purbeck stone recycled from the gold awardwinning show garden for the RNLI designed by lifelong lifeboats supporter Chris Beardshaw for last year’s Chelsea Flower Show.

Please visit the station and check out the new shop opening 3rd April!

You can help our vital lifesaving service running by kindly donating to their Just Giving page at: www.justgiving.com/rnli

CAN YOU HELP US?

We need more volunteers for the fundraising group and the lifeboat station visits team! Find out more at: wgalink.com/RNLI-Minehead

Mystic Moonflower

I recently had a conversation with my best mate Blackie about fortune telling and being able to read the future, and what is known as the black arts. Now, I’m not a believer in all that mumbo jumbo but one day last week that feline called ‘Moonflower’ approached me and told me she could read my future, and asked if I would like a reading.

I have to say I declined her offer and she walked off. As she turned away, she said to me, “Tonight you will have to deal with great pain and you will see two dinners” and walked off without any explanation. I ignored her warning until I got home. I was walking over the lawn and my mummy carer was just taking down some washing from the line. As she was going inside and closing the back door I decided to shoot behind her to save me using the cat flap. As I ran in she caught my tail in the door. It really hurt too. Suddenly, Moonflowers words came into my head. No, it’s coincidence I thought.

I licked my wounds and ventured into the kitchen where my dinner was. What’s this about two dinners, I can only see one? That cat is off her

head. I ate my dinner and curled up in my basket. About half an hour later my stomach started churning and I threw up over the kitchen floor. Is this what she meant by seeing two dinners, I saw my dinner a second time.

Blackie was transfixed on my story and asked if there was more. I told him there was. She bumped into me the next day and asked me if her predictions had come true. I wasn’t going to satisfy her premonitions but agreed to a reading, just to pacify her request. “Meet me by the lakes tonight at 9’OClock for it’s a full moon”, she requested, “and don’t be late”.

I did what she requested, and I could see her standing at the edge of the lake looking at the moon’s reflection in the water. “Welcome George, for your future lies in the moon’s reflection” she said in a soft voice.

Blackie at this point was busting with curiosity, “What did she say Ginge, what premonitions did she have for you”?

I replied “None mate, I pushed her in the lake, bet she didn’t see that coming.”

The Regal Theatre cannot wait for you to see what we have coming up this April.

April 4th LUNANA (Cert PG) Bhutan’s first ever Oscar-nominated film is about a young man who is neglectful of his duties as a trainee teacher as he dreams of relocating to Australia and becoming a singer.

LEGALLY BLONDE 10th to 15th April. In association with Fusion Young Performers a fabulously fun musical based on the adored movie, Legally Blonde the Musical. With an upbeat score, memorable songs and a stage full of pink, it would be illegal to miss it! Legally Blonde the Musical is an amateur production presented by arrangement with Music Theatre International.

LIVE from the Royal Opera House the Royal Ballet presents CINDERELLA 12th April. Royal Ballet Founder Choreographer Frederick Ashton’s Cinderella celebrates its 75th anniversary this Season.

VERMEER: THE BLOCKBUSTER EXHIBITION ON SCREEN. 18th April. This new Exhibition on Screen film invites audiences to a private view of the exhibition, accompanied by the director of the Rijksmuseum and the curator of the show. A truly once-in-a-lifetime opportunity!

REGAL THEATRE VARITY SHOW 21st and 22nd April

This theatrical extravaganza will showcase the abundance of local talent with entertainment encompassing drama, music, dance etc from the Barnstormers, Minehead Dramatic Society, the Panto People and the Waterfront Theatre. There will also be some special guest performers.

LIVE broadcast from The Royal Opera House 27th April - THE MARRIAGE OF FIGARO (filmed in June 2022) Servants Figaro and Susanna are filled with excitement on their wedding day, but there’s a hitch: their employer, the Count Almaviva, has dishonourable intentions of his own towards the bride-to-be.

The Variety Show is the highlight of the MINEHEAD VICTORIAN STEAMPUNK VARIETY SHOW 29th April.

Feel Good Films at the Regal Theatre

Seven Brides for Seven Brothers, 11a.m.

Saturday 8th April ’23

On Saturday 8th April the Regal Theatre will be screening Seven Brides for Seven Brothers - the latest title in what is proving our very successful monthly morning matinee of favourite classic films.

Tickets for Seven Brides for Seven Brothers are just £3.00 each and the Box Office is open 9.30am to 12.00pm Monday to Saturday - or call 01643 706430; on-line booking is also available for most shows at: www.regalboxoffice.co.uk

And why not enjoy coffee and cake before the film starts at the now-weekly Saturday Drop-in morning at the Regal, 10 - 12 each Saturday?

The screening of Seven Brides for Seven Brothers is brought to the Regal Theatre by Film Bank; it is supported by the Regal Film Society and sponsored by Sunfield Hotel, Minehead.

To find out more about your local community theatre, why not drop in to the Coffee & Cake mornings at the Theatre each Saturday 10am - 12 noon, email volunteer@regaltheatre.co.uk or ask the Box Office for more information.

This festival which returns to the town for May Bank Holiday weekend. Expect some very unusual acts along with very talented musicians and of course some comedy. We hope you will join in by dressing for the occasion in Victorian or Steampunk style … and this year there will be pirates too!

Tickets for all events may be booked in advance online at www.regaltheatre.co.uk/whatson or from the Box Office (Tel 01643 706430) between 9.30am and 12.00pm Monday - Saturday; or by telephone only from 1.30pm to 4pm.

Looking for a refresh in your bedroom?

Try our ideas to create a room that perfectly reflects your individual style. If your bedroom is uncoordinated, dated or lacklustre, now’s the time to make some changes that make all the difference, helping create your own relaxing and cosy retreat.

Look at the biggest surfaces

The largest areas in any room are the walls, the floor and the ceiling. In a small bedroom there may not be much visible floor area but there will be space for a small bedside rug or two, or you might consider changing the carpet or removing it entirely, then stripping or painting the floorboards. If you do, add a large, thick rug for a feeling of warmth and cosiness. Walls may be a neutral backdrop but think about adding pattern or texture. Bold paint colours combined with eyecatching wallpaper are very on-trend right now. On the ceiling, you could continue the wall colour (even the wallpaper), choose a contrasting shade or even opt for a mosaic or gold leaf.

Ensure the lighting is right

A good lighting scheme should include functional, decorative and ambient lighting, with a variety of types of light sources, from ceiling pendants or inset spotlights to floor and wall fittings, at differing heights and spread out around the room. Consider replacing any outdated shades and if possible, fit a dimmer switch for ambience, and use warm white bulbs. Add bedside lamps that coordinate with other elements of the room while adding some personality and pizazz.

Plan suitable storage

By Katherine Sorrell

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A wall-to-wall, floor-to-ceiling, built-in wardrobe can accommodate clothes and footwear, spare linens, jewellery, make-up and so on, but if that’s not an option choose the largest freestanding wardrobe you can. Make it interesting by painting it a gorgeous colour and swapping the knobs or handles, and consider decorating the inside with a dramatic colour or bold wallpaper.

Make your bed beautiful

Transform your bedroom with sumptuous bed linens that are pleasing to the touch and gorgeous to look at. Choose the best you can afford – they will feel nicer on your skin and will wash and wear well for years. For cotton bedding, look for a thread count of at least 200. Pintucks, piping or a scalloped edge add subtle interest to all-white bedding, though for more colour opt for patterns, whether ditzy florals, strong stripes or modern geometrics. Add a throw, blanket, eiderdown or quilt – or several – for warmth, comfort and an appealing, ‘layered’ look.

Complete the look

If you love personal, quirky elements then it’s time to consider the final touches. Hang artwork on the walls, perhaps in coordinating frames for unity, and add some houseplants in attractive pots. A shelf or two, carefully arranged with books, vases and other ornaments, makes a strong statement and use a scented candle or a diffuser for a delightful fragrance.

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John Lewis’s ‘Modern’ collection for spring/summer 2023 features statement designs, inspired patterns and products that will seamlessly fit into existing schemes. johnlewis.com

Still having a laugh

He’s the celebrity that celebrities avoid, and one of our finest exports.

Many regard Ricky Gervais a national treasure; a select few consider him a national disgrace. Either way, it’s hard to avoid the magnitude of the man. In his typical black t-shirt and jeans uniform, the actor, stand-up comedian, writer, producer and director is a melange of passionate sentiment, delivering fix-eyed intensity followed by a howling hyena cackle.

A one-time aspiring singer and band manager (he looked after indie outfit, Suede, back in their earliest incarnation), Ricky flitted around the bounds of entertainment with guest spots on Channel 4’s The Eleven O’Clock Show before landing pay dirt with selfscripted mockumentary series The Office.

An overnight household name, the gritty comedy launched an unstoppable career.

Follow-up series Extras, parodying the movie industry, was another smash hit, featuring A-list contributions from Kate Winslet, Ben Stiller, Patrick Stewart and Samuel L. Jackson.

It was the perfect introduction into Hollywood, and he went on to star in a series of big budget comedies - Sky Kids, Ghost Town, Night At The Museum, The Invention of Lying and The Muppets. Some topped the box office, others crashed and burned badly, yet all of them satisfied in Gervais a yearning for originality and creativity, and that flame has never lessened in its intensity, even in returning to small screen projects such as Life’s Too Short, Derek, Special Correspondents and the recent After Life, which garnered rave reviews.

No matter what he takes on – his Netflix project SuperNature last year brought him back to the brilliant stand-up he is renowned for –Gervais, who lives with long-term partner Jane Fallon, is a bastion for freedom of speech and common sense. He has unapologetic honesty that permeates every conversation, whether discussing the “scourge” of religion, or admiring the majesty of the natural world, or

calling out nationalities, races, genders or persuasions, Gervais takes offence at people being offended.

“It’s a disease that’s getting worse,” he says. “It’s not healthy and it’s not even real. Most of the people who claim to have taken offence by a statement someone makes on Twitter are actually some of the most offensive people I have ever encountered,” he laughs.

As for where 2023 will take this creative powder keg. “As always, I have a few things on the go. I’ve had time to sit back and raid all those little nuggets of ideas that have been scattered in the back of my mind for too long. Some are pretty good and deserve fleshing out a bit, others are rubbish.

“The challenge is always to keep trying, keep things original, keep the creative processes rolling, and stay ever so slightly controversial!”

Hi! I’m Petee.

My friend Charlie the Chameleon is great at hiding. He’s hidden somewhere within this magazine. See if you can spot him and then visit...

www.wordgetsaround.co.uk/charlie

Farmer isaac

M’ son sadly wunts to vinnish wiv his girlfriend, but ain’t gut the ‘art to tell ‘er. I told ‘ee to write ‘er one of them John Deere letters instead.

My friend claims he glued himself to his autobiography. I don’t believe him, but that’s his story and he’s sticking to it. Lance isn’t a very common name these days, but in medieval times, they were called lance-a-lot.

I built a model of Mount Everest and my son asked if it was to scale. “No,” I said. “It’s just to look at.”

I have a joke about trickle-down economics. But 99% of you will never get it.

Down: 1 Carnation, 3 Cornflower, 6 Sweetpea, 8 Daisy, 9 Poppy, 10 Viola, 11 Lily

Across: 2 Fuschia, 4 Heather, 5 Rose, 7 Snapdragon, 9 Petunia, 12 Pansy, 13 Bluebell

Across: 3 Rib, 7 Parade, 8 Azalea, 9 Lens, 10 Epilepsy, 11 Citadel, 13 James, 15 Spire, 17 Capsule, 21 Dressage, 22 Trek, 24 Legion, 25 Earwig, 26 Sun.

WORDWHEEL:

FORTUNE

Down: 1 Dame, 2 Cassia, 3 Referee, 4 Batik, 5 Camera, 6 Seashell, 9 Lac, 12 Importer, 14 Cavemen, 16 Rustic, 18 Suture, 19 Elk, 20 Banns, 23 Emir.

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My wife and I have decided not to have children. The kids are taking it pretty badly.

As I get older, I remember all the people I lost along the way. Maybe a career as a tour guide was not the right choice.

I’d like to have kids one day. I don’t think I could stand them any longer than that, though. I never catch a cold on Saturday or Sunday. I must have a weekend immune system. The thief who stole my diary just died. My thoughts are with his family.