STOGURSEY NEWS

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May 2017 Deadline for June contributions: 10.00am Monday 15th May

Your contributions are always welcome Editorial Handwritten or typed - please put into the Stogursey News box in the Post Office. When you read this issue I am sure you Email - please send to: [email protected] will be impressed, as I was, at the GUIDELINES number of people involved in For ALL contributions, please community activities around the Parish. ✴ Submit your contribution by the deadline date. ✴ Limit your contribution to a maximum of 500 words. These include the Parish Council and ✴ Provide your contact details so that if editing is its efforts to provide a bus service, a necessary, we can contact you. Stogursey News lengthsman, road signage, and so on. Team reserves the right to edit contributions for length There are those who run the and layout. Stagecoach scheme, the organisers of ✴ Ensure that all illustrations or PDFs in your the Arts Festival, those who cut the contribution are free of copyright. Stogursey News grass on the Victory Hall field, and will not be liable for costs resulting from prosecution if this condition is ignored. many others. These are the things that give our small Repeat publication: If you would like your contribution to appear in more than one month’s issue, please community its unique character, and the resubmit it for each month you wish it published. people involved deserve our full support. For EMAIL contributions, please ✴ only send your contribution as a word document, Editorial Team (without any text-boxes) ✴ Send the document as an attachment to your email. Distributors Thank you The magazine is distributed to every household in the parish by a team of magnificent volunteers. We are most grateful. Stogursey-Online.uk Jan Ford Catherine Hawkins Jane Cassidy This is the parish website. It hosts pages for events, Deborah Robins Joy Burt societies, community links and Parish Council news . Dick Blomfield Liz Dyer You can post local upcoming events on the parish Dorothy Carpenter Paul Welbourne website www.stogursey-online.uk Dulcie Touchin Pauline Webber Stogursey News is posted every month on the website - Heather Hallett Peter & Barbara Oates useful if the delivery of your paper copy is delayed. Jackie Lucas & Anon E Mouse Editorial Team Stogursey-Online.uk Stogursey News Aubrey Knowles Jeremy Wilson Catherine Hawkins Jo Cavill This is an independent voluntary initiative. It is printed Paul Welbourne free of charge as a contribution to the community by Steve Stoneham Archive Hinkley Point B (EdF). Teresa Miller Paul Welbourne The News offers an extra page monthly for the use of Hinkley Point C (EdF) to keep local residents well- informed.

Please send email articles to: [email protected]. Put handwritten or typed contributions in News box in Post Office. Regular Events

Stogursey Fun: bumps, babies, toddlers Victory Hall 10.00 - 12.00 am Short Mat Bowls Victory Hall 7.30 - 9.30 pm Monday Zing Health Stogursey Walk - 2nd Monday as listed in Diary below 9.30 am Zing Health Steart Marshes Walk - 3rd Monday Steart Marshes Car Pk 2.00 pm Parish Council Meeting - 2nd Tuesday Victory Hall Main Meeting: 7.30 pm Bingo Afternoon St Audries Centre 2.00 pm Tennis Multi-sport court, Vic Hall 6.30 pm Tuesday Poetry Meeting - 2nd Tuesday Church Rooms 7.30 pm Quantock Musical Theatre Company Youth Club 7.30 pm Apple Blossom Sangha (contact Ralph 732690) Shurton 7.30 pm Community Employment Advice Hub (fortnightly) Church Rooms 9.30 am - 12.30 pm Movement to Music (Age Concern) Victory Hall 11.30 am - 12.30 pm Wednesday Craft Club - 1st Wednesdays Church Rooms 1.00 pm - 5.00 pm Women’s Institute Meeting -2nd Wednesday St Audries Centre 7.30 pm

Thursday Bingo Evening Victory Hall 7.30 - 9.30 pm

Coffee Shop Church Rooms 10.00 am EdF Monthly Drop-In see details below venue specific Friday St Andrew’s Church Junior Youth Club Church Rooms 6.00 - 7.30 pm (for details contact Nicky Morgan) Line Dancing Victory Hall 7.30 pm

Football - Men September - April Saturday Football - Boys September - April Sunday (for details and fixtures contact Steve Dixon) 2.00 - 3.00 pm

Diary 2017 May Events 1st May Fairfield Gardens Open Fairfield Gardens 2.00 - 5.00 pm 4th May Polling Day: Somerset County Council elections St Audries Centre all day 5th May EdF Monthly Drop-In Church Rooms 11 am - 12 noon 7th May Fairfield Gardens Open (for Red Cross) Fairfield 2.00 - 5.00 pm 8th May Health Walk: Shurton Babbling Brook Car Park 9.30 am 10th May WI Talk: “What Weeds” St Audries Centre 7.30 pm 11th May Mobile Library as schedule as schedule 13th May Coffee Morning: Fishing for Life/Beacon Centre Church Rooms 10.00 am 20th May Stogursey School May Fair Stogursey School 2.00 pm - 4.00 pm 22nd May Health Walk: Steart Marshes Steart Marshes Car Park 2.00 pm 29th May Fairfield Gardens Open Fairfield Gardens 2.00 - 5.00 pm June Events 8th June Mobile Library As schedule As schedule 12th June Health Walk: Burton Forge Corner, Burton 9.30 am 14th June WI Talk: “History and Character of Stogursey, St Audries Centre 7.30 pm Bridgwater and Cannington” 19th June Health Walk: Steart Marshes Steart Marshes Car Park 2.00 pm 23rd June Organ Recital by Daniel Moult St Andrews Church 7.30 pm Future Events 10th July Health Walk: Shurton Babbling Brook Car Park 9.30 am 15th July QMTC concert Victory Hall to be confirmed 17th July Health Walk: Steart Marshes Steart Marshes Car Park 2.00 pm 29th July Stogursey Flower Show Victory Hall 2.00 pm SERVICES IN THE QUANTOCK COAST BENEFICE : MAY 2017 CHURCH 7th May 14th May 21st May 28th May Easter 3 Easter 4 Easter 5 Sunday after 9.30 am 3.00 pm 8.00 am EAST QH Eucharist Kids Praise Eucharist (BCP) - NM NM NM

9.00 am 9.00 am 9.00 am FIDDINGTON Eucharist Eucharist Eucharist (BCP) DB NM AFT -

6.30 pm 9.30 am 11.00 am 10.00 am HOLFORD Evensong Eucharist (CW) Mattins Benefice Eucharist SC TS NM

11.00 am 11.00 am 9.30 am KILVE Eucharist Family Service Eucharist AFT NM PC -

10.30 am 10.30 am 10.30 am STOGURSEY Morning Praise Family Eucharist Eucharist - TS AFT SC

- STOLFORD - - -

11.00 am 11.00 am STRINGSTON Family Service Eucharist - NM - AFT

9.30 am 9.30 am 9.30 am WEST QH Eucharist Eucharist Family Service AFT SC NM

Liturgical colour WHITE WHITE WHITE WHITE & Readings

1st Reading Genesis 7 Genesis 8: 1 - 19 Genesis 8: 20 – 9: 17 Ezekiel 36: 24 - 28

2nd Reading Acts 2: 42 - end Acts 7: 55 - end Acts 17: 22 -0 31 Acts 1: 6 - 14

Gospel John 10: 1 - 10 John 14: 1 - 14 John 14: 15 - 21 John 17: 1 - 11

MIDWEEK COMMUNIONS Date Time Venue Presiding Readings Thursday 4th May 8.00 am WQH NM As per officiant Wed 10th May 10.00 am Stogursey SC As per officiant We will remember them He must have joined up early in the war as he is mentioned in the Stogursey Parish Magazine in September 1915. HERBERT PERRY He was killed in the Salonika Campaign in northern Herbert was born in 1897. He was the fourth child of his Greece on February 10th, 1917, and is buried in the parents John & Elizabeth Perry who lived in Back Street Doiran Military Cemetery there. He was awarded the (now St. Andrew’s Road). His father worked as a Allied Victory Medal and the British War Medal. stockman, and his elder brothers were agricultural labourers. His two older brothers, Arthur & Walter, joined the Royal Engineers, but Herbert joined the 10th Battalion, If you have a photo of Herbert, or any further information Devonshire Regiment in Taunton as Private No. 13732. please contact Aubrey Knowles on 01278-733874

Stogursey AFC FOSS Bingo

Bingo Night held on Sunday April 2nd FOSS would like to say thank you to all who donated prizes and came along to support our Easter Bingo again We had a fantastic night, raising a total of £850. this year. We made £90 on flyer for ‘Baby Willow’ which we rounded up to £100 plus a £50 donation from Mr & Mrs A big thank you to Liz & Tony for giving up their time to run ‘Anonymous’. The Football Club gave a further donation this event for us. to ‘Baby Willow’ making the total raised £300. We raised £287.50 for the school which is brilliant! We would like to thank all of you who turned up on the night to support us. Thanks to everyone for your support! Thank you to the sponsors who gave either cash or prizes. FOSS Committee Thanks to Tony & Liz for a job well done, yet again! Thanks to Allen & Martin for a great job with the bar and putting the bites out on the tables.

A Robbins & CM Palmer Leaving Stogursey We would like to express our thanks for all the fantastic times we've had at Stogursey over the last 14 years. The Quantock Medical Centre time has come to move on but we will miss Stogursey and all the lovely friends we have made. Cancer Research Bake Sale held 6th April 2017 Thanks again We would like to say a huge thank you to our friends and Matthew, Victoria, Ionie and Freya patients who donated cakes, time and money to help us raise money for Cancer Research. Our total to date is £387 which is fantastic! Lots of very yummy cakes were donated to us from both staff and patients and we cannot IS YOUR BICYCLE MISSING? thank them enough. People’s generosity was astounding all through the morning with many talking of their own Bicycle found abandoned in our garden between experiences of Cancer. Both Marion Maddison and I were Fiddington and Stogursey, on morning of 12th March. so very touched by everyone’s donations including a generous one from the Over Stowey Bowls Club. We are We notified Bridgwater Police and now we have it incredibly lucky to have such wonderful and kind somewhere safe. neighbours and patients. Many thanks again. If you think it is yours please call 01278 732097. Kate Lyness FOSS Bingo

Please send email articles to: [email protected] Please put handwritten or typed copy in the News box in the Post Office VICTORY HALL LOTTERY WANTED

MARCH DRAW Field or land to rent for grazing a small handful of sheep. As close to Shurton as possible. We will ensure the area is 1st Prize £25.00 Allan Oliver 18 managed and maintained well at all times.

2nd Prize £15.00 Marc Dawson 115 Additionally, also looking for occasional grazing land for 2 horses, again we will ensure the area is managed and 3rd Prize £10.00 Allen Searle 196 maintained well at all times.

Please contact Allan or Paul on 01278 732958 or 07525156002.

Coffee Morning in aid of South West Fishing for Life WI Report - May and The March monthly meeting saw members enjoying an The Beacon Centre interesting summary on the history and art of traditional Saturday 13th May pasta making before trying their own hands at kneading, rolling and creating many different types of pasta shapes. at Kneading pasta is very therapeutic and was likened to Stogursey Church Rooms stress balls. Some shapes were easy to make like ‘little Castle Street Stogursey ears’ or to give them their correct term ‘orecchiette’ and from 10:30 to 12:30 ‘little bows’ or ‘farfalle. Others were harder to master like the spiral curls of ‘fusilli’. After many trials and some Raffle, Bric-a-Brac, Cake stall, Aloe Vera, experiments with the shapes, the pasta was cooked and Neals Yard Jewellery, Plant Stall eaten.

Helping people who are suffering or recovering from April was the AGM and was well attended. Members were breast cancer and lymphedema advised that the WI had had a successful year with speakers, activities and outings and that the bank balance was good. Pauline Goodall was re-elected as President for the coming year and she will be supported by a committee of 7 members. Stogursey School's Forthcoming meetings include two interesting talks. One Annual May Fair on “What Weeds” on 10 May and the other “Local History of Bridgwater, Cannington and Stogursey and their will be held characters” on 14 June. Both meetings are to be held at on Saturday 20th May 2017 7:30 pm at the St Audries Centre. from 2pm to 4pm at Stogursey School New members are always sure of a warm welcome, but for more information the WI can be contacted on Inflatables, stalls, displays, [email protected] . refreshments and much, much more!

Please come along and support your My father had a profound influence on me. He local village school was a lunatic. Spike Milligan

Please send email articles to: [email protected] Please put handwritten or typed copy in the News box in the Post Office COMING SOON Events at Kilve Village Hall to a stage near you Quantock Musical Theatre Company Film Night presents A Street Cat Named Bob (Cert 12) at Kilve Village Hall QMTC Gold Wednesday 3rd May Door opens 7pm for 7:30pm start QMTC is a local community based group of singers who A comedy/drama based on a true life story and enjoy learning and performing a wide range of music, from international best-selling book, this is a moving and theatre and musical productions both past and present. uplifting film that will touch the heart of everyone. When We recently took part in the Highbridge Festival of the Arts London busker and recovering drug addict James Bowen and proudly won a gold and two silver medals! QMTC finds injured ginger street cat Bob in his sheltered were complimented on their ‘full sound, which was both accommodation he has no idea just how much his life is big and beautiful . . . excellent performance technically about to change. and artistically’. Tickets are £5 adults and £2.50 for accompanied 12-16 Our concerts raise money for local village halls and the year olds. Available on the door. Marion Evered Trust, a charity which raises money for the You are welcome to bring drinks Oak children’s cancer unit at Musgrove Park Hospital. Why not come and enjoy our ‘full, big and beautiful sound’ It’s Not Just Lentils! for yourselves and help raise money for a good cause at at Kilve Village Hall the same time. Friday 19th May 7-00pm to 9-00pm Concert dates confirmed so far. Tickets will be available A demonstration of Vegetarian Cookery by Pat Woolley on the door as well as from the local shops listed:- including lots of tasting opportunities and easy to follow th 24 June: Kilve recipes. (tickets from local Post Office) Pat will explain the health benefits of eating less meat and th 8 July: Nether Stowey the use of some less well known ingredients. (tickets from Castle Stores) ‘You don’t have to be a vegetarian to enjoy a meat free th 14 July: Williton meal’ (tickets from Tina’s Hair Fashions) th 15 July Stogursey Tickets £1 are available from Kilve Stores or Pat Woolley (tickets from the Post Office). 741157.

Quantock Beekeepers HOLFORD GARDENERS’ GROUP BEEKEEPING OPEN DAY May 16th at 7.00pm Saturday 27th May 2pm – 4pm at the Apiary* Candle Making at Holford and District Village Hall Honey Tasting Live Hive Demonstrations PLANT AUCTION Measure pollen grains. Members £1.00 Visitors £3.50 Virtual Hive and lots more All Welcome Free event, with tea, coffee, cakes and biscuits

*How to find us: Elections belong to the people. It’s their Spaxton Road coming from Bridgwater decision. If they decide to turn their backs on (Just 500 metres from Skimmerton Lane) the fire and burn their behinds, then they will Bee a beekeeper just have to sit on their blisters. Abraham Lincoln If there were no beekeepers there would be no bees!

Please send email articles to: [email protected] Please put handwritten or typed copy in the News box in the Post Office community events providing the village with a pleasant, Stogursey Arts Festival 2017 contained outside community space. Interest in our suggestion has been so positive that Lynn O’Driscoll is I saw the angel in the marble and carved now planning to do a village wide survey, to seek out until I set him free. further thoughts and ideas. Initial responses indicate that Michelangelo there is a lot of support for bringing the Pound back into use for all sorts of activities through out the year, not just This year’s Arts Festival exhibitions will feature a plinth the Festival. It is hoped that once the survey is complete, from which we hope ideas will emerge. As yet it is just a this will provide a compelling case for further consideration piece of ‘marble’ and we are currently putting together a by the Parish Council. programme for various artists to ‘use’ the plinth as a platform to speak from, to display sculpture, to do During May The Arts Group Stogursey (TAGS) will be out workshop demonstrations or as a stage for performances. and about working with artists from around the county, Plinth exhibits may last for just a few minutes or every day drawing and painting the local landscape in preparation for depending on how many ideas we get from now on. this year’s Festival exhibitions. If you would like to join in, book into an event or just find out more about our plans, This year we are also going to use the architectural do contact Tim Kaye on – 734550. Leave your contact features of the church to develop the format of the details and we will add you to our mailing list. exhibitions. We will be featuring some retrospective exhibits from artists connected with our part of the county To follow our progress on programming and fundraising and we also hope to feature the film from the very this year, visit us on Facebook: Stogursey Arts Festival. successful informance piece ‘Out of the Mouth of the Parrett’. Performed in Bridgwater Library by Theatre Here are some advanced dates for your diary: Melange earlier this year, the film is a voyage into the rural heart of Somerset. It’s a colourful portrait of this • ‘Breakfast at Tiffany’s (Shurton Court)’ extraordinary landscape seen through the eyes of people pre-booking essential – 17th June 2017 who live and work here. The Festival offers a great • The Stogursey Arts Festival - 11th to the 15th of chance to experience this ‘River adventure’ if you missed October 2017 it.

Many thanks, to all of you who responded last month to our request for additional ideas to use the Dog Pound for Mike Bradshaw on behalf of SAFT

Stowey Gardeners’ News

Spring has sprung in Somerset. After two fine weekends In March we had an absolutely brilliant evening with the of weather in April, the wild garlic and bluebells are just celebrity gardener, Chris Beardshaw. about to bloom as I write. We are a growing and a well- established garden club that offers a warm welcome to On 18th May, Mary Payne, will be doing a talk on newcomers of all ages and backgrounds to our monthly ‘Grasses & Perennials’. Mary is a horticultural consultant get-togethers. No knowledge of gardening, plants, flowers and expert who is known for her radio contributions. She or vegetables is necessary, just an interest in gardening was awarded an MBE in 2004 for services to horticulture and making new friends. in the southwest, and is a gold medal winner at both the Chelsea Flower Show and the Hampton Court Flower On the third Thursday of the month, at 7.15pm, we meet at Show. This will be fascinating talk. Nether Stowey Village Hall, Lime Street, TA5 1NH where we have a plant sale table, a raffle, invitations to trips as Do turn up and introduce yourselves to us any third well as the opportunity of greeting old friends. Thursday of the month and we will make you very welcome. Any phone enquires contact our Chairperson We always have a guest speaker: last month’s talk was Angela Lampson on 01278 671831 by Sarah Chester, ‘Rosemoor through the Seasons’. A gorgeous place to visit in Devon any time of year. Catherine Nightingale

Please send email articles to: [email protected] Please put handwritten or typed copy in the News box in the Post Office GRASS CUTTING AND DOGS the ground in good condition who have to clean the mowers of dog excrement. AT THE VICTORY HALL Anyone who comes into contact with infected dog faeces The field adjacent to the Victory Hall was donated to the and contracts Toxocariasis runs the grave risk of the village of Stogursey for the benefit of all residents. We various effects of the toxocara including blindness. are very lucky that we do not need to employ a firm to Children and older people are particularly vulnerable keep the grass cut as we have several volunteers who are although anyone can be infected. prepared to give up their time to ensure that the grass is At the moment a minority of people are spoiling things for cut and the ground is well maintained. the majority. The Trustees, therefore, strongly request that anyone exercising their dog on the field (or, indeed, Unfortunately, there are some people who use the field to anywhere else in the village) removes any faeces and exercise their dogs and neglect to remove any faeces takes it home for safe disposal. which their dogs deposit. This means that anyone else who uses the field runs the risk of contracting the disease We do hope that those people who are spoiling our village Toxocariasis. This includes other dogwalkers, children and putting fellow residents at potential risk of disease, who use the field to play, the football team who have to will understand why we are making this request and will examine and clear the field before they can play football, ensure that in future, they clear up after their dogs. organisers of events which are held on the field e.g. the Flower Show, etc. and, also, those volunteers who keep Thank you on behalf of the Trustees of the Victory Hall

Concessions are available from 9.30 am – passengers Stogursey Parish must show bus pass to the driver. Stagecoach Charges are for a return journey even if passenger(s) only travel one way. Stogursey Parish Stagecoach is available to all members Waiting time over 2 hours will incur the cost of two of the parish, with or without a bus pass. It is also journeys. available for passengers who wish to come to Stogursey A minimum fare of £1 per head will be levied for journeys to visit friends and family. Passengers are reminded, in within Stogursey. line with Somerset County Council guidelines, that bus The above fares are the published prices. Other journeys passes are to be shown for each journey in order to claim are calculated at 50p per mile plus a £1 booking fee. concessionary fares. Passengers are also requested to Passengers travelling together may split the cost of the have the correct fare ready for the drivers. journey between themselves. Passengers will pay car parking fees. The current fares (at 1 Apr 2017) are as follows: Cheques are acceptable, make payable to Stogursey Car With / Without Scheme. Bus pass PASSENGER BOOKING NO: 07908 239 609 Quantock Medical Centre (Nether Stowey) £3.00 £5.00 Stagecoach News Cannington Health Centre £3.75 £6.50 Stogursey Stagecoach is always happy to enrol new Bridgwater Town Centre £6.00 £11.00 drivers and we are at present experiencing a real need for Bridgwater Hospital £7.00 £13.00 more. Somerset Bridge Med Centre £7.00 £13.00 Williton £5.50 £10.00 If you feel that you could spare a couple of hours now and Highbridge £9.50 £18.00 then to help the community by taking residents to medical Taunton £10.00 £19.00 appointments or into town, please contact Linda Brown on Minehead £10.00 £19.00 734794. Burnham £11.00 £21.00 Note to passengers: could I please remind all Musgrove Park Hospital £11.00 £21.00 passengers that it is a Somerset Council requirement that, Other destinations POA POA in order to qualify for a concessionary fare, your bus pass is shown to the driver each time you travel. General operating times are Mon – Fri, 9am – 6pm (except in an emergency and subject to driver availability). Thankyou At least 48 hours’ notice is required. Please send email articles to: [email protected] Please put handwritten or typed copy in the News box in the Post Office ‘English’, who needs it? “Would have been a bit rough though!” “Well sore I’d say, what with the breeze soughing through the boughs, and then I cough.” Some time ago, during a French conversation lesson with our lovely French French teacher, she started reminiscing “What did you see when you sought it?” about how difficult and full of pitfalls the English language “Naught, not nought you understand, just nowt.” is both to teach and learn . . . We blithely take our language for granted . . . “Fair enough.”

In light of our recent French Twinning Visit I’d like to share “Time to bow out I fancy, bit rough.” with you some thoughts that this little conversation got “You would!” me thinking about . . . “Are you conversing?” “Just when you sought the right to write about the right “No I bought these for boarding – these are my boating place to place an apostrophe, a writ appears to plough shoes, not court shoes.” you back into the rough trough of life . . .” PW “Hmm, clever clogs! I wouldn’t be caught wearing court Conversing in a punt shoes!” (Talking, not the Shoes - The Boat, not the Kick) “So, when you thought it went through, were you whole in your thoughts?” “He threw it though! I did warn him.” “Not thoroughly, it’s not a through hole, it’s stopped.” “Worn? No, it looks new to me. I’m through with it though”. “It’s only rough when I cough though…” “Did it go right through when he threw it?” “It’s rough being in a trough, but I laugh when it’s through.” “No there’s no hole, it’s whole, what do you think though?” “Well there’s the catch, it’s locked . . . ” “What do you think?” “No, the next lock’s straight over there, where the Weir is.” “Well I thought it through and, on the whole, the hole’s not through.” “Wearisome, but not wearing . . . !” Paul Welbourne

News from the Quantock Medical Centre Low mobility Exercise Group (chair based exercises and weight management support group) As well as the usual services a practice has to offer, we I would like to increase awareness of a few things we also run a low-impact chair-based exercise class on a have going on at our Practice that you might like to get Thursday at 1pm. Our trainer and nutritionist, Sian involved with/ join in. Cocks, is very friendly and is cardiac rehab trained as well as running other exercise classes around our Patient Group Quantock villages incorporating pilates and back fitness. We have a very friendly and informative Patient Group who meet at the Nether Stowey Library four times a year Sian is very helpful if you have any questions about food/ to discuss and debate issues relating to health including nutrition and exercises to keep you mobile. (We ask for changes to the health service locally and nationally, local a small donation to help support the costs of the trainer). services, issues affecting our local population, and ideas on how we can improve things. Anyone is welcome to Website come along and join in or just listen to what is happening. We have a Practice website: The next dates for our meetings are 7th June, www.quantockmedicalcentre.gpsurgery.net where you 6th September and 6th December at 10.30am in the can find more information about what services we can Nether Stowey Library. Tea and coffee and biscuits offer. provided. Helen Stacey (Practice Manager) 01278 732696 Please send email articles to: [email protected] Please put handwritten or typed copy in the News box in the Post Office Copper Beech Rosy Reflections

We thought that people may like to know why the copper As I write this I can see three flower pots, each containing beech tree at the front of The Coach House had to be a rose. The label on each pot proclaim that it is a Rose felled in February. We are sad that such a magnificent de Bagnoles de l’Orne and has a picture of double pink tree is gone but it was infected with the fungus ‘Meripilus blooms. This trio of delight was a gift from our fifty French Giganteus’. This fungus attacks the tree roots making the visitors from Lonlay L’Abbaye, and is a reminder of the tree liable to be blown over and so we were given lovely time spent in their company over the Easter permission to fell the tree to prevent an accident. The weekend. arborists came back at the end of March to finish off the stump; we have counted the rings in the traditional manner They arrived on Friday evening to a reception in the and estimate that the tree was about 130 years old. bunting-decorated Church rooms, and a welcome in sound from the Stogursey Village Band.

On the grey, cool and breezy Saturday morning the French, with a few of the English hosts, headed out to Westonzoyland for a brief experience of the levels.

Approaching Musgrove Willows, the stacks of drying osiers hinted at the activities to come. The groups were given a tour of the withy plantations, processing area and basket making rooms, although the sight of willow coffins was quite a shock to them. Our French guests returned to the coach proudly carrying the willow place mats they had made.

Steam and smoke eddied about the Pumping Station Museum enhancing the atmosphere amongst the whirring and hissing machinery. There, the importance of water management, and the impact of living at, and often below, sea level was appreciated.

A buffet lunch at the Sedgemoor Inn was followed by a tour of the church and trips up the church tower. On the way up, we paused in the bell chamber to look at the bells, before climbing even high to enjoy the wonderful panorama from the top.

Saturday evening was spent in revels with hosts’ families.

Easter Sunday was a “free” day with many possibilities including a service at St. Andrews, an egg hunt, a visit to Fairfield gardens. The day culminated at Combe House Hotel with a dinner for 99 and a live band.

On a cold windy Monday morning the French coach The photographs show the brackets of fungus growing at pulled away to a cloud of waving hands, but the cold wind the tree base last autumn, the fungal hyphae growing could not extinguish the warm rosy feeling. through a section of the split trunk, and the infection coming through the tree base. Once we have cleared the But, now a question remains - where to plant the roses? site we will plant another tree. We are assured that a The Twinning Association would like this gift to be young tree will withstand the fungus and grow healthily for enjoyed by the Stogursey community. future villagers to enjoy. Ian Elenor Steve Wardle & Sukey Elstob

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Key points from the Annual Assembly and Highways Parish Council Meetings held on 11 April 2017 After many years of asking SCC to renew the collapsed pipe under the road at Idson Lane which has caused that Electors Session area of road to frequently flood, at last it has been repaired The only item raised was a thank you to Parish Councillors and hopefully this will now resolve the flooding problem. for their commitment and hard work carried out on behalf Over the past year a large number of pot holes have been of the parishioners throughout the year, especially with repaired in the parish but our concerns still remain about regards to assisting with an alternative bus service. the constant damage to the grass verges, mainly caused by the huge tractors that travel from farm to farm in our CHAIRMAN’S REPORT (Cllr Allan Searle) area. After speaking to a member of Somerset County During the past Council year 2016/17 we said goodbye to Council highways a few weeks ago, I was informed that Val Boxall, Paul Tipney and Keith Turpin. We also said there is no resolution to the issue. goodbye to Aly Prowse, Clerk to the Parish Council for the After much pressure from the PC, Somerset County past 7 years. The role of Parish Clerk is now in the very Highways and Transport team have reinstated the signage capable hands of Gillian Orchard who is already doing an to Stogursey from Cannington by-pass. excellent job for the PC and the community. We welcomed three new councillors on to the Parish Council; New Community Bus Service James Brereton, Patrick Coll and Jill Dillamore who were I wish to thank our County Councillor Hugh Davies and co-opted on to fill the vacancies that arose. Peter Grandfield of Holford Parish Council for all their work in negotiating with EDF and Crossville Bus Company for Hinkley Point C bringing about a much needed bus service for Stogursey The financial investment decision was announced in the and other villages in West Somerset. The free service is Autumn of 2016. This has seen a large increase in the much more than anyone could have hoped for and is number of people working on the Hinkley C site, the noise certainly a life line for many of our parishioners. I hope level has increased dramatically owing to the very heavy this service will continue in the long term. construction plant and machinery in operation during the working day. The noise levels are being monitored very I wish to thank our County Councillor Hugh Davies and our closely at all times. We trust that action will be taken if District Councillors Chris Morgan and Sue Goss and all and when the noise levels exceed the permitted levels. the members of the Parish Council, and our Parish Clerk Gillian Orchard for all her hard work and commitment CIM funding re the Lengthsman scheme since taking up her role and hope that we can continue to The PC's application for CIM funding to provide a improve the quality of life for the people of the Parish. I Lengthsman scheme for the parish was refused by the would also like to thank the Vice Chairman, Councillor planning obligations board. Councillors agreed to Chris Morgan for his help and support. I would also like to approach EDF to try and find a way forward to reinstate take this opportunity to thank you all for your support. the scheme. Discussions are still on-going. ANNUAL ACCOUNTS TO 31.3.17 (Clerk): Parish Enhancement The total income for the year was £26,717; £21,000 of This past year the PC has renewed the flower boxes on this was the Precept and £5,399 for the VAT reclaimed the gravel and at Shurton, the bench seats on the gravel from expenses the previous year. Expenditure for the year and the wooden window frames at St Andrew's Well which totalled £19,112. The normal annual expenditure items were re-varnished by our trusted volunteer Ron Calder. I such as insurance, audit, grass cutting and amenity wish to thank all the Councillors and other volunteers for enhancements was similar to the previous year. The net all their help throughout the year keeping the gravel area bank balance at 31.3.2017 was £39,848; £9,506 higher looking so colourful with the spring and summer flowers. than last the same period last year. Finally, the schedule Not forgetting the volunteers who put up the Christmas of the Parish Council assets totalled £128,155; a small tree and decorations for the festive season. decrease on the previous year reflecting the change of planters in the Parish. The accounts will form the basis of Planning the Annual Audit to be submitted by 5 June 2017. The PC has received and responded to a number of planning applications. Most of these required site visits STOGURSEY CHARITIES (Pauline Kaye): from the councillors. Observations and our comments The Steward issued a summary of the Accounts and a were sent to West Somerset Council Planning copy of notes issued prior to a consultation meeting Department. regarding the deregistration process from Homes &

Please send email articles to: [email protected] Please put handwritten or typed copy in the News box in the Post Office The Pound in your Pocket is Changing Communities Agency (HCA). Income is generated from maintenance contributions (rent) and various investments Notes from your village agent, Izzy Silvester associated with the Alms Houses. Expenditure can range from building refurbishments through to individual Have you seen one of the new pound coins yet? You payments to beneficiaries. won’t miss them – they are 12-sided like the old three penny bits (remember them? – I certainly do!) They are Please note a full copy of all the Annual Parish lighter than the current ones so shouldn’t weigh your Council Reports and Accounts will be placed in the purse or pocket down quite as much. Parish Council file held in the Stogursey Post Office and on the website Stogursey Online. The bad news is you’ve only got until 15th October to change old pounds for new ones. You could spend them or give them to charity. Just be sure to empty them out of PARISH COUNCIL MEETING the jam jar you’ve been saving them up in for a rainy day. One chap I know is going to glue them into a groove S106 funding – Recreational facilities in or around round a coffee table top, yes really he is. I am sure it will Burgage Road look brilliant, but I can’t help thinking that pennies would Two expressions of interest has been submitted; one, to be a lot cheaper! complete the tarmac path from the back of the houses from Vicarage Road to the path from Burgage Road and After 15th October, you will be able to take them into your leading to the play area, to facilitate pushchair and bank and get them changed, but probably only in bags of wheelchair access; the second is to provide picnic tables/ £20! The old fivers are also due to go the same way, on benches in the play area. There has been little interest or 5th May. After that - well, it’s the long trudge to the bank replies to questionnaires to source an adult outdoor again. exercise facility and other options are being looked at. New polymer £10 notes will start to circulate in the Somerset Stars Volunteer 2017 nominations summer, with the £20 note following in 2020. As part of the annual National Volunteers’ Week, Engage West Somerset organises the local Volunteer of the Year Coin operated things like car park machines and Awards. The Parish Council have nominated Mike supermarket trolleys are being adapted to take the new Maddison and Stogursey Parish Stagecoach. coins – lets hope they are all done by October!

THE NEXT PARISH COUNCIL MEETING WILL BE ON If you are finding life a bit hard going at the moment, TUESDAY 9 MAY 2017. I may be able to help. Please phone me, Izzy Silvester your village agent, on 07931 018045. Leave I look forward to hearing from you on any issues you wish me your name and number and I will ring you back, to discuss. My phone number is 01278 653824 or you can or email me on [email protected] e-mail me at [email protected] I do only work part-time so it may take a day or two Gillian Orchard, Clerk to the Parish Council for me to return your call. Thank you

Somerset Waste Get that permit, bring that permit Taking household garden waste or other household New home composting scheme materials to a recycling site for the first time this spring? SWP is continuing the scheme with Getcomposting to Please remember that vans, pick-ups and car-towed provide competitively priced home composting equipment single-axle short trailers must have a free permit. Permits to Somerset residents. You can order online, by phone on are only available to Somerset residents – with a limit of by post. one trailer permit and one van permit per household. Permits can be used at any open site: Once again, the price remains £17.98 (RRP £39.00) for Monday-Friday, and 1 pm - 4 pm Saturdays; the 220 litre bin and £19.98 (RRP £49.00) for the 330 litre (but not on Sundays, and not 8 am -1 pm Saturdays) bin. Always bring the permit with you and ensure it can be We are also continuing with the “buy one get one half seen on your dashboard. price” offer. Apply for a permit online : http://www.somersetwaste.gov.uk/sites/van-trailer-permits

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Mobile Library: Route and times for 2017 EdF Main Site Neighbourhood Forum: The library visits on Thursdays Stogursey Hamlets Stockland Bristol Burton and Knighton Mike Laver 732069 Captains 11.50 am - 12.05 pm [email protected] Sue Jones 732275 Shurton [email protected] Babbling Brook 12.20 pm - 12.50 pm Shurton Peter Farmery 732503 Stogursey [email protected] Greyhound Inn 1.30 pm - 2.00 pm Richard Cuttell 734818 Town Close (No 30) 2.05 pm - 2.35 pm [email protected] Visiting Dates - every 4 weeks Stolford: Susan E Jones 652287 2017: 11 May 8 Jun 6 July [email protected] For more information, contact Libraries Direct: Wick: Dick Blomfield by telephone on 0845 3459177, [email protected] by email at www.somerset.gov.uk/libraries (Route H) Stogursey Parish Council Members: Allan Searle, Chris Ford West Som District Local Councils & Ward Councillor: Sue Goss Parish Chair: Allan Searle Monthly Drop-Ins th Vice-Chair: Chris Morgan 5 May Church Rooms, Stogursey 11 am - 12 noon Clerk: Gillian Orchard Main Site Forum Councillors: James Brereton, Geoff Coles, Patrick Coll, Jill Dillamore, Ian Elenor, HPC Hotline (Complaints, etc) 0800 0969650 Chris Ford, Sue Goss, Susan E Jones, West Somerset Councillors: Sue Goss, Chris Morgan Ward Community Policing & Speed Watch Volunteers Councillors: Sue Goss, Chris Morgan Peter Bolton PCSO 7292 Williton Police Station Site Stakeholders Group Representatives Quantock Vale Beat 013/015/017 Sue Goss, Chris Morgan Telephone: 01823 363935/6 Somerset County Council Mobile: 07889 655193 All Services 0300 123 2224 email: [email protected] Anti-Social Behaviour (ASB) and Criminal Damage If you see any ASB or criminal damage incidents, please phone the Police on 101. Give as much information, Parish Neighbourhood Welcome Pack including names, as you possibly can. These are Police Burton & Knighton: Sue Goss 733405 matters, and the Police need our help to stop them. The Wick & Stolford: Susan E Jones 652287 number of complaints made from an area are noted. The Stogursey & Shurton: Chris Morgan more complaints received, the more justification to allocate police time and manpower to deal with problems. Stolford - St Peter’s Church Community Use Complainants’ names are not released to the Chair: Susan E Jones, Stolford perpetrators. Stogursey Oral History Project Aubrey Knowles 733874 Community Car Scheme Ralph Hammond 732690 Stogursey Parish Stagecoach 07908 239 609

Please send email articles to: [email protected] Please put handwritten or typed copy in the News box in the Post Office HINKLEY POINT C LOOK AHEAD May 2017

This information provides an overview of work taking place related to Hinkley Point C which may affect you. If you’d like to discuss any of the below, please drop in to the EDF Energy Visitor Centre, Angel Place Shopping Centre, Bridgwater, TA6 3TQ. We’re open 9.00am-4pm Monday to Friday and 9.00am-1pm on a Saturday. We’re also available in the Stogursey Church Rooms on Friday 5 May 12.00 – 13.00. Further information is available www.edfenergy.com/hinkleyc or call us freephone on 0800 0969 650 at any time, or email us at [email protected] .

Timings and Work/Item Location You may experience duration

• Site construction activities Throughout Hinkley Point C Site • Noise from activity associated with construction May work • Jetty construction On the inter tidal area of the Hinkley Point C site • Visibility of activity associated with jetty construction • Southern landscaping and HPC campus Along the southern construction boundary of the Hinkley • Noise and visibility of earth movement activity Pont C land associated with landscaping and campus construction Junction 23 park and ride and freight Throughout Near Junction 23 of M5 Noise from construction activity management facility May

Bridgwater accommodation campus Throughout In the vicinity of the old Noise from activity associated with cable diversion May Innovia site work and preparation for campus construction

Northern Bridgwater Junction Improvements Throughout Wylds Road and Bristol Traffic management to keep traffic flowing May Road / The Drove

We’re sorry for any inconvenience these works may cause.

Disclaimer: This ‘Look Ahead’ is accurate at the time of issue. However, the work schedule may change due to adverse weather conditions or other unforeseen factors.