Summer 2020 Issue: 9 Funded by Englishcombe Parish Council

Times Summer 2020 Issue: 9 Funded by Englishcombe Parish Council. Welcome to the ninth edition of the Englishcombe Times!!

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, this edition of the Englishcombe Times will ONLY be available ONLINE on the Parish Website : englishcombe.net . If you could make sure that your friends and neighbours are aware of this, as I know not everyone is on the Parish Council email list.

What a lot has happened since the last edition of the Englishcombe Times. Lockdown because of the virus caused all events in the Parish to be cancelled. Roads were completely empty of people and traffic. No planes flying in the sky. But the wild life seemed to flourish with the birds seeming to be chirping louder. One of the essential requirements has been mobile and broadband services, for all the online ordering and school work. At present the different areas of Englishcombe Village do not get the same levels of broadband speed. Everyone is getting the service fed across the valley from the top of the Hollow, a distance of at least 1400 metres to the closest houses. During Lockdown the first phase of feeding fibre cables around the village has begun. Most telephone posts now have a reel of cable taped to them, or two connection boxes at the top of the pole. This system is not yet live , but when it is will provide a “fibre to the door” connection with download speeds of 100mbps to 200mbps. At present you are on a “fibre to the cabinet” connection which if you are lucky gives a 20mbps download speed, and if you are unlucky only 2mbps, which is just fast enough to stream TV & Videos (but may buffer!). If you would like to check your broadband speed go to: http://www.speedtest.btwholesale.com As we gradually appear out of lockdown, village events will start again, and when they do they will be advertised on the parish website and parish council email list. The library still requires your unwanted books for when it re-opens. Please leave any books in the LIBRARY BIN which is in the doorway of the Old School.

Visit the Parish Website: englishcombe.net 1

Englishcombe School Year 1960.

Can you identify any of the children in the photo? It was taken 60 years ago in 1960. It would be interesting to know if any of them are still in the Parish. If you can, please send the names to the Times email address: [email protected]

VE Day in Englishcombe May 8th 1945. VE Day signifies the day when the Second World War in Europe came to an end May 8th 1945. Villagers in Englishcombe thought it would be a good idea to have a bonfire on the village green to celebrate. The village green at the time was just a tri- angle of gravel. All did not go well for the festivities as the residents of Albany House com- plained that the bonfire would damage the paintwork of their doors and windows. Sadly the idea had to be abandoned, but those who still wanted to celebrate climbed to the top of Roundhill for a bonfire and sing song. Various events had been arranged to commemorate the 75th Anniversary of VE Day this year. The Bank Holiday being changed from a Monday to a Fri- day. Alas along comes COVID-19 and stops all gatherings and celebrating. Not to spoil it completely, the bunting still went up with small tea parties and barbecues between family members.

A Swarm Spring

Englishcombe Orchard has certainly been a hive of activity. We apologise to anybody in the village who may have had several thousand unwanted, buzzing visitors in the past few weeks. This year has seen an unprecedented number of swarms across Bath. We have lost at least three colonies to swarms but we are not the exception. According to Matt McCabe, there has been an ex- traordinarily high level of swarms, so the mass of bees you have seen in your gardens and on your rooftops might not have come from the orchard. It might have something to do with the particularly warm spring we recently experienced. There is a plus side to this; we might finally get a good crop of honey this year. The orchard is still a labour of love but unfortunately one of the older apples trees and a new tree has died. The old tree it seems was diseased but why the new tree, not even 10 years old, should die remains mystery. However, the blossom this year was spectacular and there should be a good crop of apples. Look out for ‘apple juice for sale’ sign in the autumn. The wildflower meadow we planted last year is just coming into bloom. There is a variety of over 20 wild flowers including musk mal- low, corn poppies and yellow rattle. Hopefully the summer sun will encourage an array of colour that can be enjoyed by bees and anyone who takes a stroll through the orchard. Matt & Janewish you all a happy blue sky summer.

West of England Falconry. Many of you reading this may be familiar with the farm shop at our neighbouring village of Newton St Loe; but how many of you are familiar with the West of England Falconry which is located just behind the farm shop? Run by Jay and Naomi, the falconry is a registered charity and licensed zoo which provides rescue & reha- bilitation for birds of prey. They are also involved in educating the public about birds of prey and the an- cient art of falconry. For a small fee you can visit their owlery which is home to a wide range of owls, many of which have been rescued, and see some of their mag- nificent hawks. Visitors can also have the unique and incredible experience of flying owls or even a hawk (pre-booking essential). The money from visits to the owlery and these experiences help to fund their valuable work. Like many small charities the coronavirus has been challenging for them. With no visitors there is no income yet they still have the daily cost of feeding and looking after their birds. Unlike big museums and galleries, they do not get the same level of support nor media cov- erage. They have a JustGiving website to help support them during these times and they are currently just under 50% of their target. The British people have been great at supporting local businesses during the pandemic so if you would like to support a small local charity on your door-step, then this is the page where you can make a donation: https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/WestofEnglandFalconry Alternatively, on their website they offer the possibility to sponsor one of their birds – a unique gift perhaps for a loved one: https://www.westofenglandfalconry.org.uk/sponsor-a-bird The work they do is fantastic and we are incredibly lucky to have the experiences that they offer on our doorstep. I was impressed enough to build one of my Bath tours around them! Watching peoples’ faces light- up as a hawk lands on their glove is one of the reasons I set up my business of offering private tours in Bath and the surrounding area. To help support them during these times I recently sponsored the latest member of their feathered-family: a Little Owl chick who appropriately for Bath has been called Sulis! You can see a recent photo of Sulis at just 12 days old. I am looking forward to introducing future guests to Sulis on my tour. Next time you are in Newton St Loe be sure to check them out. They hope to re-open as soon as Government advice permits them to do so. In the meantime if you can help financially with a donation or sponsoring a bird, I know it will be well received & used Daniel Previous resident of Englishcombe and Founder of Bath Insider Tours (www.bathinsidertours.co.uk)

The World of Now: Health and safety in a time of shielding

How are you? I’m fine. Am I really? I don’t know. I’m scared. I’m calm. I’m strong. I’m vulnerable. I’m positive. I’m inert. I’m mindful. I’m distracted. I’m relaxed. I’m watchful. I’m lucky, blessed, privileged, loved, supported. I work. I walk. I talk. I eat. I try not to drink. Nature, family, chocolate bring joy; dogs uncomplicated physical contact. I enjoy my small world but yearn for its expansion. But I deny myself thoughts of the bigger world, the future world, the unlocked world. Because when will the world be a place of safety? Where will that place be? How even with this new world be? Everyone is uncertain. Waiting for instructions. But instructions don’t help if you’re vulnerable. You can go out, but will you? Your health and safety are in your own hands. Your future a series of personal micro-decisions. Risks assessed and managed with every action, every interaction, every gate post touched, every parcel delivered, every stranger approaching, every thought of gathering again. So, unanchored, indecisive, uncertain, distanced, we focus only on the Here and the Now. With no safety in numbers for the vulnerable, no net to catch those around us keeping us safe, no blanket to envelope us, no pair of pristinely clean hands to help us put safety first, can we allow ourselves to look to the future? We must pass through an uneven world of the safe and the shielded; safe spaces redefined. And then we will return to healthy spaces, life filled with hugs and happiness, friends and futures, uncomplicated chance meetings. We will be healthy, happy and safe. This Will End.

Kate Swinburn

Preparing for the Armada. The CHAMBERLAIN was a man, elected for a year, who looked after the money belonging to the city council. At the end of his year he made a list of the money he had received and spent during that time. This list was called the ‘Chamberlain’s Account’ and was written in ink on a roll of parchment. Most of the rolls, starting from the reign of Queen Elizabeth, have been kept and are still stored in the Guildhall in Bath. The copies are of the ones made in the year of the Armada. They show that besides the usual money spent on houses, road repairs, water mains, etc., a lot was also spent on preparing fighting men who could be called out in the event of an invasion (rather like Dad’s Army). Many years before the Armada, Queen Elizabeth had ordered that each town and village was to provide a certain number of men, aged between 16 and 60, to be trained as soldiers. This was called ‘the press’, and although it was compulsory, most of the men were probably vol- unteers. From time to time, say once every few months, all the soldiers in a certain area, were brought together to see that they were properly armed and drilled. These assemblies lasted 2 days and were called ‘Musters’. They were not always held in the same place and the men of North Somerset (known as the Bath Regiment) would often go to towns like Mells, 10 miles away. When they were at Bath, the muster was held in a meadow called ‘Kingsmead’ which extended from the present ‘Kingsmead Square’ to the river, where a tent would be set up. After the inspection followed by a religious service, the men would be divided up into Companies of 100 commanded by a Captain, and divided again into groups of 25 called ‘bands’. Each band was then trained by a Corporal and it is for this reason that the whole force became known as the ‘trained bands’. At other times the soldiers who were Archers or Gunners had to be given practice in shooting. This was once a fortnight on any day except Sunday and on those days no games were allowed. Targets were set up on banks of turf called ‘BUTTS’. There were butts in what is now the ‘Orange Grove’ and also in the ‘Saw Close’, which was then still used as a timber- yard. These were probably used by the Gunners who did not fire at long range. The Archers, who could shoot further, may have practiced outside the city wall in a small field called ‘Butt- hayes’ near Kingsmead meadow. Prizes were often awarded to the best shots in both weapons. The accounts show that there was a lot more preparation than usual just before the Armada arrived, but no mention that they were called out to meet it. We do know, however, that some of the men from Somerset were sent to London and others to the Dorset Coast (probably Poole Harbour!) Orders had been given that if the Spanish soldiers landed, all the crops and houses should be burned and all the animals driven away so that they would not be able to find food and shelter. This would then give enough time for the trained bands to gather into a large army to fight them. As things turned out, they were not needed, but it should be remembered that even when the Armada was destroyed, people thought that King Philip would try again, so they continued to hold the musters for many years after. They could not have known that only 50 years after these events the trained bands would be fighting against each other in a Civil War, and that one of the worst battles would take place just outside Bath.

THE MUSTER MASTER’S LETTER May it please your Lorshippes to understand I have vewed and trayned the nombers bothe of foote and horse twyce since my comings into this Countie of Somerset, and for the olde charge of three thousand men I fynde them brave and verye well furnished, especiallye the pickes and shott whereof theare are manie musketses. And for the fowerth thousande I have vewed them likewise, and do fynde them for the most parte not inferior to the three thousand in the men and furnitures. For that wch is wantinge there is no faulte in the contrey, who are moste willinge to provide hit yf they mighte have the same for money. The want is verie lyt- tell or none. So that in trewthe I cannot give that Commendcon unto yor Lordshippes of the

Levetenntes and Justaces care as also the forwardnes of the Contrymen as they justelye deserve. But the trewthe is it is a moste gallaunte contrey for the men, armor, and redines.

They may well garde her Maiesties personne yf she had occacon to use them. For the horse- men I have for the moste parte vewed them twice likewise, and have founde them (unless yt wer verie fewe) in verie good sorte but especiallie certaine gents. I ame now passinge into

Wiltes to beginne the musters therre beinge crediblie informed that I shall finde althinges in as good sorte as I have founde heare in this contrey. And so in most humble sort cravinge pdonne for my boldnes do leave you to the moste blessed safegarde of thalmightie. From

Bridgewater this XXthe of March, 1588.

Yr Lordshippes poore servaunte,

THOMS Owrd.

FROM THE ACCOUNT OF JOHN WALLEY THE YOUNGER, Chamberlain of the City of Bath for the year 14 June 1587 to June 1588 Laid out for the muster as follows: First - paid to RICHARD Graye for his work done to the Chamber as appears by his bill – 16s 6d (Richard Graye was a lockier, or locksmith, who lived in Walcot and was often brought in to mend the soldiers’ armour and guns, which were kept in the town armoury. The Armoury was a small room next to the Council Chamber of the Guildhall, which at that time stood on a site behind the present Guildhall.) - paid to JOHN Sherston for a barrel of beer of 18 gallons, and a dozen of ale, which was carried to the meadow amongst the soldiers - 7s 6d (John Sherston was often sent to Bristol to buy equipment for the soldiers and lower down was paid for some horses, so he seems to have acted as the town ‘quartermaster’. He was made Chamberlain in this year and wrote the secongs part of this account. The Sherston family were wealthy businessmen, called ‘Clothiers’, in the local cloth industry who lived in Frog Lane (now New Bond Street). A few years later, in 1590, William Sherston was elected Mayor of Bath. Also - paid for mending of 5 arrow cases - 10d - more for a bushel of charcoal - 4d - for nocking of a bow - 2d - for a shooting glove - 4d - for 8 pouches 2s 8d (the charcoal may hve been needed to make a fire for on the spot’ repairs by the locksmith. The nock of a bow is the notched fitting at the end, made of horn, for attaching the bowstring. Shooting gloves were worn by archers for protect their fingers. Spare bowstrings, etc. could have been kept in the pouches, or perhaps lead bullets for the gunners. Also - more for new pouches - 18d Also - for touchboxes, and mending the drum - 20d (touchboxes were, I presume, tinderboxes for lighting the ‘matches’ of slow burning fus- es for the firearms. The Drum was a very important item. On the battlefield the foot- soldiers had to move together all at the same time, and the signal for these movements was given by different rhythms on the drum, in the same way that different calls on the bugle were made for cavalry movements.) - for a scouring stick - 1d - for 2 skins for the drum-head 4s 4d 8

- for a stock for a gun 2s 4d - for a touch box - 4d - for a pouch - 6d - for one pound of wool to stuff the head pieces - 4d (the scouring stick was a rod usedfor cleaning out gun barrels. The stock of a gun is the woooden part which holds the barrel. Wool was needed for lining the inside of the helmets, forming a cushion for the soldiers’ heads and stopping the helmets from wobbling about. Sometimes the helmet was fitted with a proper soft cap inside, apparently (see below) made of paper.) Also – paid for 6 hangings for the soldiers’ swords -5s. (all soldiers were issued with a dagger and a broadsword which was humg from the belt, or girdle, by hanging straps. The town’s swords were looked after by a local knife- dealer called Richard Cutler.) - paid to JOHN Sherston for 5 horses that brought the Muster Master our of Bath on the 8ty of March. - 6s 3d. (the Muster Master was a military expert sent around the country by the government as an adviser and to make sure the musters were properly carried out. The Muster Master who visited Somerset was called THOMAS Owrd. He wrote a letter which |I have cop- ied out separately, giving a glowing report of the men of Somerset.) - delivered to WILLIAM Dallamy to pay the trained soldiers on the 4th April at - 8d a piece which came to -14s. - paid for 8 sword-girdles, 12 hangings and 6 buckles bought the 13th day of April for the soldiers - 11s. - delivered to WILLIAM Dallamy the last of May for the soldiers -10s. (William Dallamy was apparently the ‘paymaster’, but I do not know anything about him. He was presumably related to John Dallamy the carpenter who is mentioned further on. Eight pence was the usual day’s pay for soldiers then – you can work out how many soldiers there were from the total sum.) - at Mr Mayor’s appointment, paid to John Broad for a covering for the drum - 14d. (in view of all the repairs to the drum, it was no doubt a good idea for the Mayor to order a cover to protect it. I don’t know anything about John Broad but he appears to have provided a lot of help during the Muster. The Mayor JOHN Sachfield ran a bak- ery and was elected Mayor four times during his life.) - paid for arming 2 pikes -2s. - for stuffing of the murrens - 2d. (a pike was armed by fixing the steel point to the shaft. A murren, or morion, was he 9 helmet with the curved brims: archers wore the ‘skull’ which was an iron skull cap without a brim.) - delivered the 6th of February to Richard Tucker and Marks, 4 ¼ ells of canvas, at 14d the ell, for 2 coars for the soldiers -4s 11 1/2d - for 2lb of packthread , -7d a lb -14d. - for 2 ounces of ox silk at 8d. the ounce -16d. - half a pound of wax and a pound of rosin - 7d. - more half a pound of packthread -3 1/2d (RICHARD Tucker was the Town Sergeant, that is, a civilian official quite different from the military serjeants in charge of the Companies of soldiers. He and his assistant, Marks, are here arranging for the materials for the soldiers’ coats. Further on this job is taken over by ROBERT Parrow, who was an official called the Mayors Serjeant. I suppose ox-silk was some kind of strong thread, like packthread. Wax and rosin are used to coat thread to make it stronger.)  delivered to ROBERT Parrow and Marks the 12th of February, 8 ½ ells, at 14d.  The ell, comes to -9 11d. - more 4 ounces of ox silk at 8d. the ounce -2s 8d. - more 4 pound of packthread at 7d. the pound -2s 4d. - half a pound of wax, and a quarter of thread - 13d - the 19th of February, to RICHARD Graye, in sallet-oil - 2d (a sallet was a dish shaped helmet which had gone out of fashion by this time. Perhaps the oil was used by the armourer to keep the armour and weapons from going rusty.) - to ROBERT Farrow, the 20th of February, 2 dozen of leather points - 4d. (points were laces which attached the leggings and stockings to the mens’ jackets or ‘doublets’.) - to JOHN Sherston, the same time, in cap-paper -3d - more, 2 bowstrings and packthread, to him -2d. - to RICHARD Gillians, half a hundred of bushell nails -1d (Richard Gillians was the Town Crier and Bellman, and was also paid to keep the Mar- ket-place (in the middle of the present High Street) clean. The Bell-man was a kind of policeman who patrolled the town with 2 Watchmen at night, after the gates were closed. He called out the time at intervals and raised the alarm if he caught sight of a fire or a theft. I don’t know what bushell-nails were; they might have been used as riv- ets for the armour.) - to RICHARD Graye, the 10th of March, in sallet-oil -2d. - paid for fetching the post horses from Wells -2s.

(in order to alert the trained-bands when the Armada arrived, each town was ordered to keep horses, called the horse post, ready to carry messages. Every village was to have a messenger or runner, called a foot-post, whose house should be near the church so that he could be easily found.) -paid to Mr JOHN Walley the elder, towards his charges, that he was at the muster -16s., which is outset in his rent. (Mr John Walley the elder was presumably the father of John Walley the younger who wrote this account and became Mayor for the next year. His father was also Mayor, three years before, and was the owner of a house, presumably an inn, next to the King’s Bath, as well as a timber business and the fishery in the Avon.) -for the writing of this account – 10s. (sum total spent) -£7.2s.6d From the Account of JOHN Sherston, Chamberlain of the City of Bath for the year 18 June 1588 to 20 June 1589 First - paid to PETER Chapman for sending a letter to Mr Hopton about the muster -16d. (Peter Chapman was a remarkable character. He was a veteran full-time soldier and had fought in the French wars during the reign of HenryVIII, so he was brought in as the local military expert. When the Armada arrived, although he was 82 years old, he went to Tilbury to protect the Queen as a Brigade Serjeant-Major leading 800 veteran soldiers. He came from a well-known family of Inn-keepers at that time who were often elected Mayors of the city. He lived to the age of 96. Mr ARTHUR Hopton was a gentle- man who lived at Witham near Frome, and was the Colonel in command of the North Somerset Regiment which included Bath.) - paid to Fletcher for mending of 2 bows and for half a dozen of strings and a warbrasse -11d. (the word ‘fletcher’ means an ‘arrow-maker’. A bow maker was called a ‘bowyer’. I am not sure what a warbrasse is, probably a ‘warbrace’. A ‘bracer’ is an archer’s wrist- guard.) - paid to JOHN Broad for arming of 4 pikes -2s 6d. - paid to PETER Chapman’s man for drum-cords -4d. (drum cords go around the sides of the drum and are for tightening the skins of the drum-head) - paid to JOHN Dallamy for stocking of a piece -2s. (John Dallamy was a carpenter and also the Keeper of the North Gate. Here he is paid to make the stock of a gun.) - paid to JOHN Broad for 3 flask-leathers -18d (gunners kept their gunpowder in a flask to keep it dry and as a handy means of pouring it into the muzzle of their gun.)

- paid to JOHN Stowell for mending of a head-piece -2d. - paid to WILLIAM Quilly for 4 flask leathers -2s. - paid to JOHN Davies for pouches for soldiers -3s. - paid to JOHN Broad for arming of nine pikes -4s8d. - paid to JAMES Chick for 7 pouches -2s8d. (I have no information about John Stowell, John Davies or James Chick. William Quilly was probably related to Thomas Quilley the painter who painted the statue of King Bladud which still sits overlooking the King’s Bath.) - paid for making 2 gorgets and 10 caps, and for flocks -4s 6d. (a gorget was a piece of armour to protect the throat. Flocks is torn up wool and rags used for stuffing.) - paid to BENEDICT Gay for mending of 2 touchboxes and a flask -10d. (Benedict Gay was another carpenter sometimes brought in to repair gun-stocks) - paid to THOMAS Grendon for lace for the soldiers -2s 6d. - paid to ROBERT Stevens for things necessary for the muster as it appears by his bill 26s 6d. (Thomas Grendon and Robert Stevens may have been sellers of fine fabrics, called Mer- cers. The lace was for trimming the soldiers’ coats which, in the Bath regiment, were coloured blue.) Mike Chapman

Who would have known when we set up the Englishcombe Support WhatsApp group just 10 weeks ago what a useful, fun and life-affirming initiative it would prove to be? It started out with humble ambitions - to offer support to one another if people became ill and needed help with shopping and practical tasks. However, it’s morphed into something much bigger and better which, I think, has strengthened our community spirit and appreciation of our neighbours for the long term. There’s no doubt that shopping and availability of key items has been a major preoccupation, but what has really struck me has been the random acts of kindness and everyone’s thoughtfulness when heading to the shops…..and helping others when there are shortages of staples like flour! Together we’ve celebrated Easter and several birthdays, most recently Anne Hancock’s 70th on May 17th. We’ve made a lot of noise on Thursdays with the evening Clap for Carers and we’ve got the bunting out and made cream teas for VE Day. We’ve swopped seeds, shopping and bread-making tips, photos of our gardens in bloom and enjoyed Patrick and Paula’s wonderful dance moves on the street, and on TV. We’ve found compost suppliers, shared hair clippers and sourced graduation gowns for medical students graduating without a proper ceremony. We’ve all learned a lot about Jane and Matt’s bees and the challenges of bee keeping (some of us have even had visits from the swarm!). We’ve been there for one another and lockdown has made us realise just how lucky we are to live in such a warm, resourceful and giving community. I’m sure that sense of connection will prevail in the months and years ahead. Fortunately we’ve remained main- ly Covid-free so far. It’s far from over but I believe we’ll face future challenges as they come in the months ahead.

Brigid Devlin

Here in Innox Grove, long-lasting support structures have also been built with our own neighbourhood WhatsApp group. Knowing those nearby have 'got your back' at a time like this has been incredibly comforting and, should isolation become necessary - getting supplies in wouldn't be a worry. As ever it has become so much more than a practical help though, with friendships being formed and friendly faces to celebrate VE Day with. Not having to pop to the shops mid bake because you realise you've run out of an essential ingredient and it appearing a few minutes later on your doorstep is just brilliant! We've oo'd and ah'd over each other's birthday cakes and home bread creations that we've been unable to share. We've sponsored each other doing inventive things for charity whilst being 'stuck' at home (there are many worse places to be stuck). We've shared plants, seeds, herbs, sunsets and available supermarket delivery slots. We've helped with our children's homework and left out DVD's, board games and Easter eggs for others to enjoy. We've looked forward to seeing each other's faces and small children from bedroom windows at the Thursday night Clap for Keyworkers (upsetting the peacock with all the noise in the process). In the past we moved from our houses to our cars and back to our houses again but now we see each other, chat and linger as time has been gifted to us. We hope, in time, that Covid will pass and become a memory to talk about. In the meantime, although it has been so tough for many, it has also brought a pause, increased connection, gratitude and time to reflect.

Another group has more recently been born out of all these new village connections which is for parents of school aged children. With many not going back to school until at least the autumn term, we are looking at ways to ensure our children can maintain vital connections with others their own age and so are looking at different ways we can achieve that going forwards within the village community. It is very early days for this group but already some new friendships have been formed between parents and children, which we hope will not only bring some normality to their upended lives, but also provide the opportunity for building some wonderful memories going forwards. If you are not currently part of this new network and would like to be, just get in touch with the Englishcombe Times and you'll be di- rected to the right person.

Katie Robson

Englishcombe

Kindness is the manifestation of love, Her soul-mate is peace symbolised by a dove. Harmony, thoughtfulness, tenderness & trust Are her closest allies she sees as a ‘must’.

These precious virtues are all around In a village called Englishcombe Where warm-hearted folk can be found, Never more than now in unprecedented climes When isolation & stress make for difficult times.

When all normal activities are put on hold, When we are suspended in an alien world, disorientated and cold. But here, although we are unsure of the future, We will work through’ the difficult times we are in. We will one day look back and feel happy That a new era, a new chapter is about to begin.

The hostile memories of dark, difficult days Will be lessened by those of our compassionate ways. The kindness we’ll remember, the encouragement we gave, The cohesion, the generosity the village of Englishcombe displayed.

We suddenly have times on our hands, Little or no work demands. There is time to get to know others more, To build stronger bonds than before. No driving along with a quick wave or glance, But leisurely chat or even a dance!

The youths of the village have been exemplary. They have thrown themselves out there in all sorts of ways. From cards and pictures to cookies and filming. They deserve special recognition, they have lightened our days.

I hope the qualities that were born of this pandemic Will linger and strengthen & become endemic. So the warmth, the friendship, the giving, the unity Will live forever in this unique & special community.

Sandra Jones

The Effect of COVID-19 in Colombia In Colombia, it is a tradition to eat 12 grapes with 12 bright wishes for the beginning of the year on December 31st at midnight. I must confess, that in any of my thoughts, I do not wish for patience to live four months of quarantine. I never pictured in my sweet grapes, this strange and uncertain time of Coronavirus.

We Colombians end the year 2019 with a deep sense of connection to the world, especially to our neighboring countries and France, for sharing an unprecedentedly strong social pro- test movement in the streets. We were happy and inspired to coincide with the "yellow vests" in France, the feminist songs in Chile, Argentina, and even the protests in the faraway city of Hong Kong. What we never guessed was that months later, we would be more con- nected to the whole planet in solidarity than at any other time. Now we share a global pandemic, which has left us to observe how unprepared we are to be part of globalization.

I remember that in February the international news stopped focusing on the protests to talk about the strange virus in Wuhan which had thousands of people in quarantine and a totally closed city as if it were an episode of a horror movie on Netflix. None of us were afraid, because this was an international problem that was 15, 507 km away and approximately 23 hours in the air. Impossible. Poor little Chinese people locked up in their house, we said with my mother. It was an alien subject that I forgot, while I was celebrating the wonderful news of having been selected in the Shortlist of the Chevening scholarship program of the government of England that gives the unique opportunity to world leaders to study in the United Kingdom. In February my only international concern was to prepare for an interview with the ambassador and win the opportunity to see friends again at Englishcombe.

Suddenly at the end of February, the government started to take an interest in Wuhan when 15 Colombians in serious economic trouble requested a humanitarian flight back to Colom- bia. As in a movie by Hollywood, the Colombian air force organized to save our compatriots on the flight they called "Boeing 767 Jupiter". Day and night they broadcast every minute of the rescue. From that moment on, controversy and fear of the virus were born. 15 Colombians would possibly arrive in the country infected. The government, reacting to several citizen protests, temporarily organized a shelter to receive the families and carry out preventive isolation until their state of health was known. At the same time, the vertiginous expansion of COVID-19 through Italy and Spain was becoming known. But that was still far from our homes. I was on the other continent.

Then, I have a void of what happened in the first weeks of March. My universe was centered on the interview I did on the 8th of March with the British Embassy in Bogota. What I can assure you is that I was the only person who managed to do a face-to-face interview. Just three days later the local government decided to carry out strict isolation of 4 days as a drill and to date, we continue in extended quarantine until the month of August.

In the first few days, the order from the government was not to leave the house for any reason. It is prohibited to transit the streets and all companies, commercial businesses had to suspend their activities, except the supermarkets. We all prepared for 4 days of confinement. However, on the last day, the government announced that it was no longer a drill but the beginning of quarantine until May to prevent the spread of the virus. You will probably 16 understand this was very surprising news and did not allow us even a minimum of preparation. We continued to be restricted from leaving the house, walking the streets, or driving around the city. The cities were closed. It is impossible to go into the interior of the country. Weeks later, it was decided to close the international borders and only humanitarian flights are allowed to enter and leave the country.

During these three months of confinement, the government has designed several strategies to keep people in their homes. First, it was decreed that they could go out to the supermarket according to the final ID number. Mondays, people with ID numbers ending in 1 and 2, Tuesdays 3 and 4, etc. This measure had a low impact on the mobilization and many people walked the streets for various reasons. As a consequence, a new more radical measure was decreed called "peak and gender". On even days only women could go out and on odd days, only men. In case of failure to comply with the measure, the police were authorized to fine the citizens. Currently, the measure has been canceled as a consequence of several produc- tive sectors having to return to their functioning. At present, only people who are authorized to go to work are allowed to leave. The textile, infrastructure, agricultural, and food produc- tion sectors are allowed to operate. Restaurants, churches, schools, universities, theatres, and the commercial sector are closed indefinitely.

Our life has come to a standstill. From that moment on, a milestone in our history has been thrown into absolute uncertainty and a deep crisis. I would like to briefly point out two fundamental aspects to understand the impact that the COVID-19 has had in Colombia.

An alarming rate of 40% of Colombians live in poverty. In spite of government policies aimed at reducing poverty, extreme inequality persists and the country trails in human develop- ment indexes for the region. Colombia is a society marked by stark gaps between social classes that determine children's futures. Approximately 20% of the country's income is concen- trated in 1% of the population. Consequently, the poorest families in Colombia have been affected by this restriction. Most families from lower social classes do not have a formal job or income, nor do they have a fixed place to live. In Colombia, 70% of citizens live in rented houses and 20% of this population pays rent daily. In addition, most middle-class families have a temporary job, with con- tracts that do not have any job security. In the last few weeks, the government announced that several companies were forced to close down permanently because the pandemic had wiped out their economy in a couple of weeks. For this reason, the unemployment rate will probably rise to over 50% from last year.

The coronavirus and the quarantine have been like a magnifying glass that has magnified the social phenomena that we have been hiding under the carpet for years. Today, it is more evident to many that we are in an unequal society and that there are people who have no food or place to sleep.

Lady Viviana Veloza Martinez

How has COVID-19 affected the younger generation.

Lockdown

Since lockdown started my life has changed a lot, now I can’t see any of my friends. I miss not being able to interact with people and other family members. Unluckily I also had my birthday in lockdown too which wasn’t much fun because the favourite thing about my birthday is seeing everyone. On the brightside I get to see my family a lot more and I’m very relaxed because I don’t have to go anywhere. Eddie

Quarantine.

Quarantine is really baffling, before it there was nobody jogging, now when- ever you go on a walk you see people going on a jog??? It is really strange when I go to the city for some things with my Mum and nearly nobody wears a mask which is a bit strange. One shop only lets 3 people in at a time, I almost queue jumped by accident. Why is the weather much nicer during quarantine though? There is much less pollution since quarantine, Do you think so? Hector Croisdale Appleby (10) Rectory Farmhouse

How has lockdown affected me?

So to start off on what has been happening, we have a new kitten, her name is Slinky Malinki and she’s a black tabby. She and Pepper (our other cat) haven't gotten off to the best of starts but I think they will be friends. In other news people have been delivering quite a lot of things, like flour and vin- egar (my mum and dad are using me as a cheap local postal service). And for kids we've been home schooling and in my personal opinion home schooling has been better than normal school. I think this is because I am not as distracted. We have built a tadpole pond out of an old black tub, and we've made smaller ponds near it. We have also worked out two village 5k runs: (1) past Manor farm to the stream, back, and there again and (2) eight times around the village. Horatio Croisdale-Appleby (13) Rectory Farmhouse

Lockdown. During lockdown I've got to do and try new things, like making an ice-cream parlour and enjoying playing in the garden with my family. Even though some parts of lockdown have been frustrating, it has been a really amazing experience seeing my village come together and everyone doing little things to help. Some parts are boring because I can't play with my friends or see some of my family, but I like that I can finish all of my school work in the morning and do what I want for the rest of the day!

Evelyn Smith, aged 9.

Lockdown. Since lockdown started in March my life has changed dramatically; I’ve stopped seeing my friends and don’t get to do team sports, both of which I really miss. I have been practicing my trampolining and also doing Joe Wicks exercise to make up for it. The advantages of lockdown are spending quality time with my family and being able to enjoy our garden, the countryside and seeing neighbours, we are normally very busy, even at weekends, so that makes a nice change.

Louis

During lock-down.

During this time of self isolation, after the initial shock of lock-down we think of those less able and how they might be managing for shopping or for company and for their medication etc.

I was very surprised to see and experience all the offers of help in every which way. The sharing of things and real community spirit, From strangers, neighbours, family and friends.

It is truly lovely to see that old time wartime spirit coming from the young and the old alike. Everyone is pulling together and making things not only bearable but like a huge family looking out for each other.

One of the positives of this is how the countryside is recovering at an unex- pected rate. The sky is clearer. The birds are singing like mad in the quiet of lock-down. Wild animals like deer are wondering what's wrong and coming closer to civilisation in towns and even seen grazing on the lush grass on housing estates, reclaiming their old territories, as it were.

The pollution is less and to the air is cleaner to breathe. Waterways are clearing and becoming how they used to be years ago, when you could see under the surface and see fish in the water.

We should take note of all the changes, and make more allowance’s for the care of and sustainability of our wonderful wildlife. These changes have occurred simply because man is not in his usual take over mode. There is little noise. Little traffic, few people around and just the things God intended to be prominent. Clear skies, fresh air, lovely open countryside, sunshine peace and quiet. Healing our planet.

Let's be more thoughtful of all the wonderful gifts we have and often abuse. Let's be more loving and caring of everyone, we have proved we can....Long may it continue.

Patti Broom.

Salem Chapel. As you all know the whole COVID lock-down has been so tough for all, and there has been a lot of suffering which is really hard and sad, and we feel terrible for those who have lost so much. It has and continues to be a ‘long haul’, though somehow through modern social media a sense of togetherness, neighbourliness and care in the community has been prevailing. There is an underlying feeling of we are all in this together, facing a common enemy – and this is in a global sense. With this, there comes a sense of hope for a better, more caring and united world in the future after this has all passed, where people pause to think more regarding the way they behave. Believe me, we have many differences, whether they are in politics, belief, or simply the way we live our lives. Now we hope to respect, cherish and enjoy those differences, and close the door to fighting them anymore. There have been some interesting aspects to this world lock-down, in that the level of pollution has dropped, less accidents, less crime – and so, in these things some measures of hope. I utterly respect of course, that these glimmers of hope must be very hard for many to perceive when faced with the suffering that there has been. “We will be together again”, as her Majesty the Queen said in her speech. One of the aspects of the lock-down is the lack of seeing each-other and this separation has been really tough. One of those facets, of which there are many, has been within the churches which thrive on community, togetherness, fellowship. As you are like- ly aware many churches have been running on-line services through things like YouTube, Zoom, Facebook etc.. Of course, we would prefer to be together again, but the efforts have been grand, even if a little awkward with embarrassing mo- ments as folk try to handle the technology, which for many has alluded them. Many have been listening, with a fair amount of “church-surfing” going on. Regarding the chapel here at Englishcombe, many of us don’t have access to that technology, so such things like Zoom have not been possible. However, in the last couple of weeks, we have finally managed to figure out running some ‘mini-services’ by telephone. It is very simple, a saying “hello” followed by a short reading from the Bible, a short sermon, and 5-10 minutes of prayer. We also have tried to sing some songs, which has been hilarious due to the delays and we have been very out of time! If you want to, please feel free to join in the conference call at 6:30pm on Sundays. I believe it is free. The number is 03306060403 and then at the prompt dial in the access code 1999134# It has to be said that the weather has been very fair, a definite blessing, and I for one have been able to make improvements to my garden – and that is saying something because I am a rubbish gardener! It has also been a lovely opportunity to look up at the sky as the day turns to dusk, and enjoy the displays of the bright plan- ets, the Moon and the stars for we have had so many clear skies. Eddy 21

What challenging times, yet what encouragement in the midst of it all – neighbourliness, community, celebrating one another’s joys and sharing one another’s sorrows. English- combe is showing its best nature and it is a joy to be your vicar! Thank you so much for the photos you have shared on WhatsApp of your sunflower seedlings sprouting. Mine are just beginning to peep through the compost. It was lovely to bump into some of you as Jane and I delivered the seeds round the village a couple of weeks back. Do please care for your sun- flowers and see who can grow the tallest this year. By harvest time it will be possible to meet in some way to compare our successes. Tony and Hazel Salter are the ones to beat as they grew a colossal sunflower of over 2 metres last year!

During lockdown, many people have been asking big questions and wondering where this is all headed. Surveys are showing that more people than ever are finding it helpful to pray, sales of bibles are soaring, and churches are finding that our live-streamed worship is being visited by far more people than actually attend our services in ‘normal’ times in our build- ings. I am always here to talk and pray with anyone who would like to – without making any assumptions about what you believe – so please know you are welcome to make contact any time by phone or email. Tel: 01225 478952; email: [email protected]

I am livestreaming twice a week from St Barnabas facebook page, so do take a look at that: www.facebook.com/stbarnabasbath/videos

We don’t know what the future holds right now, but during this season of Ascension and Pentecost, let us ask like never before for God’s spirit to lead and guide us, to help us to dream and re-imagine our future together, to discern what new lessons to take forwards form this time of pandemic, and what things we would like to see radically transformed for the sake of God’s creation and the peoples of the earth. God is a God of blessing, and we can be sure of his good plans and purposes, especially in the midst of crisis and upheaval. Thanks be to God! Catherine, Vicar of St Peter’s 22

Services at St Peter’s Church are Cancelled until further notice. Online Alternatives: St Barnabas Church Video Page https://facebook.com/stbarnabasbath/videos

St Philips & St James Church Virtual Services https://stphilipstjameschurch.org/virtual-services

Either copy the link to your browser or go to the Church Tab on the Parish Website englishcombe.net and click on the required Link. Vicar: the Revd Dr Catherine Sourbut-Groves contact (01225) 478952 or [email protected]

THANKYOU TO ALL THOSE RUNNING THE SERVICES & UTILITIES DURING LOCK- DOWN.

Got any Ideas for Spending Money? Thank you for the ideas received so far for the Community Infrastructure Levy money. The parish council however would still welcome more ideas so if you have any please let me know. Kathryn Manchee, Parish Clerk. [email protected]

IN MEMORY In Memory of Alan – Villager 1969 -2019

He came into being in November ’38. A difficult birth and the midwife was late! But the brave little fighter made his first cry, The struggle was over, he was now home and dry.

The first of three sons he forged his way Through grammar school and college, to his first pay day. A team player, an optimist, trustworthy and kind, A more amiable person you could not find.

He gives his all and you get what you see, He says it as it is not how it should be. He will not lie to save his own skin Or cover things up in an effort to win.

We have a joke in the family that dad can’t say ‘No’ So he ends up volunteering for clearing the snow! For strimming the churchyard or mending a fence, For organising charity functions to make a few pence.

He loves his garden and seeing things grow And the grandchildren look forward to helping him mow. Collecting the beans is always fun, And when the fruit is picked and all is done Its BBQ time and grandad’s in charge Of the chicken, the ‘burgers, the bangers so large. We wait with our plates to be served one by one Then we sit together in the evening sun. Such happy, precious, halcyon days That provide us with memories time won’t erase.

In Alan’s world everything was yellow not black. He always looked forward, never back. He was brave and bold, yet kind and mellow. He was my soulmate, a very special fellow. He lit my day, he kept me strong. ‘Wind beneath my wings’ as it says in the song. He put the rainbow into my day, He nurtured his family in his own special way.

He mentored and inspired young engineers Who worked for him in his early years. In the 70’s he developed an iron to ‘steam and spray’, Now taken for granted in this modern day.

His ‘man shed’, his oasis, place to escape from the wife, Was our garage where the ‘boffin’ in him came to life. His strengths were many and his weaknesses few, There weren’t many things that Alan couldn’t do! But the garage resembled Aladdin’s Cave, And it will stay like that until I am brave, Brave enough to cope with the pain That I’ll never see him use these tools again. He was unique; he was all the things I would want to be We were as one, but he was the better half, much better than me.

Sandra Jones

If you would like your friend or member of your family remembered in the Englishcombe Times, please contact Mr Tim at [email protected]

The Chairman's Column.

Things have certainly changed since the last time of writing. Much more so for parishioners who travel to work and of course, families with offspring. Fortunately, in Englishcombe itself, there, for the most part, is a determined accommodation of government restrictions but facilitated by the revolution of the internet and WhatsApp in particular, It may be that we actually see and hear our neighbours more than previously, and indeed celebrate milestone birthdays. But, impressively, it is allowing people to help and be the recipients of help. In fact, I now know what species of plant many of you grow in your gardens and how to identify Matt and Jane Hulms' bees (and what to do if I come across too many of them in our garden).

It could be easy to say that this experience will only last until the 'lockdown' is lifted, and thereafter things will return to as they were. I don't think, or at least I hope not, that the community spirit will be relatively short lived. To this end, it would be great if the English- combe community came up with practical ideas as to how 'it might look' in the months and indeed years ahead. The tangible assets under the auspices of the parish council are the Millstream, Orchard and Wheelwright's - the latter two run by the Hulms. Also as assets, the Schoolhouse which is run and maintained by the Chapel, and St Peter's church. Other than on specific occasions, the weekly coffee morning, chapel services and twice monthly services at St Peter's, are at the moment the only regular gatherings open to all. I should also mention the twice weekly meetings of the Life Project at the Acorn Barn which I know would welcome your interest and presence. So, over to you of all ages to come up with ideas to explore how we can capitalize on our experience of the present. Just to remind you that we have monies set aside for local 'infrastructure' and several parishioners have contributed ideas for this. It is regularly on the agenda at Parish Council meetings.

Probably the best means of posting and promulgating your ideas is the Englishcombe Times itself which is a conduit to the parish council, church and chapel, and each other.

I would be pleased to think, as so many have expressed, that we will continue as we have set out, and hope the fine weather persists to aid us.

Robert Law

Chairman of Englishcombe Parish Council

Life as the Parish Clerk - Pre and During COVID-19.

I worked for Royal Mail for seventeen years in a variety of sales and marketing roles until 2009 when I found myself finally falling victim to the latest round of restructuring. Having chosen “voluntary” redundancy I took the opportunity of moving into a role that allowed me to work more locally and decrease my working hours. Through a friend I heard about a few parish clerk vacancies and Englishcombe Parish Council (along with Dunkerton & Tunley) took me on after the best interview I have ever had as it was hosted in a pub!!!! After a handover from the incumbent at the time I started work here in Englishcombe in February 2009 originally for four hours a week (now five a week). While I had moved from the public sector to another role in the same area I was soon to find out that life as a parish clerk was very different to my previous public sector role.

Being a parish clerk is a very interesting but often misunderstood role partly due to the low number of hours that the role is paid for. Like many people the impression you get from the outside is often that the parish clerk is simply there to produce agendas and take minutes at parish council meetings. While it is true that this is part of the job there are many other aspects of the role. An effective parish clerk needs to be an “expert” in many areas including the law relating to local government, planning, diplomacy, human resources, and finance in order to undertake the other parts of the role. These include maintaining the parish council accounts, ensuring councillors make lawful decisions, running payroll including dealing with HMRC, responding to planning applications and ensuring that parish council elections run smoothly. On top of this over the years I have had to implement various government initia- tives including pension auto enrolment and the general data protection regulations amongst others.

Now eleven years on and three chairmen later I thought I knew the day to day aspects of the role very well. Then along came Covid-19 with the result that at times this year it has felt like a new job. Like many other aspects of this job the decisions made by central government regarding local government are the same regardless of the size of the council. There- fore as a parish clerk in a small parish council I have been grappling with the changes in the law because of COVID -19 that in practice do not really reflect the situation for small parish councils in the rural areas. For example we were still expected to undertake our normal annual internal audit of the accounts as best we could despite social distancing and having to stay at home. However I think touch wood the parish council is now as near as possible back up and running as normal. While in the early stages of the pandemic we were advised to cancel meetings such as the Annual Parish Council Meeting and the Annual Parish meeting from June our meetings will be held remotely using Zoom.

Kathryn Manchee Parish Clerk

Planning Application News. The parish council has responded to consultations on the following planning applications since the last issue of the Englishcombe Times was published. For each application outlined is the current status of the application with B&NES Council planning department. Planning Application REF 20/00791/FUL Homestead Englishcombe Road Provision of loft conversion involving removal of existing flat roof rear dormers and replacement with roof extension APPROVED. Planning Application 20/01068/AGRN Parcel 2400, Fosseway, Englishcombe, Creation of new access track Agricultural Prior Approval NOT Required.

If you are not receiving Parish Council communications and would like to, please contact the Parish Clerk asking to be put on the Email Register. Email address is [email protected] or phone 01761 411305.

However some things have remained the same. As a parish clerk working for a small parish council the one aspect of the job that hasn’t changed for me at all as a result of COVID-19 is working from home. But I am still looking forward to the time when we can meet back at the Old School for a normal pre COVID-19 style parish council meeting.

768 Bus operating normally. Latest timetable on englishcombe.net

FROM THE EDITOR This is the ninth issue of the Englishcombe Times, initially funded by a grant received by Englishcombe Parish Council from Bath & North East Somerset Community Empowerment Fund, to be delivered to every house in the Parish. The next issue for the Autumn is scheduled for September. If you have any articles for this issue, please let me have them by August 18th. If you do not want to receive a copy, again, please let me know so you can be removed from the delivery list. Further copies will be available to download from the Parish Website www.englishcombe.net Contact : Mister Tim on email address: [email protected]