CC&A Newsletter Winter 2020

Castle Cary & Ansford Community NEWSLETTER Winter 2020 Issue

Trade Directory 25-26 What’s On 25 Churches Together 11-15 Castle Cary Town Council The newsletter for Castle Cary and Ansford invites reports on local events and activities. Covid-19 has presented each and We welcome articles from Castle Cary and Ansford everyone of us with challenges but we groups and organisations. hope that our community resilience Please keep below 250 words. supported by Cary Cares, our neighbours, If you include notice of local future events do give full and accurate dates and times. families and friends is enabling residents to continue their lives meaningfully. The Deadline for copy for next newsletter: Town Council is especially aware of the FRIDAY 12th FEBRUARY 2021, 9.00am Distribution from: need to keep our very special high street FRIDAY 26th FEBRUARY 2021 trading, and our independent businesses operating in the very many ways that Email to [email protected] or send to they have had to adapt to. Whether it’s “Newsletter”, The Market House, Market Place, Castle click and collect, knock on the door to Cary BA7 7AH. collect a phone order, internet deliveries, We prefer copy by email, but don’t worry if this is not deliveries by bike or van or actually possible for you. shopping, albeit at a social distance, every business has risen to the challenge again. Whilst there will be no Big Christmas this year we hope our town will with this new lockdown. We look forward sparkle with lights, trees and decorations to welcoming them back in January. to make our town magical and continue to Our Horsepond volunteers continue to attract Christmas shoppers. keep control of the pond weed and we can now all admire the wildlife and flora Celebrating the community business in the pond. It all looked lovely for the successes has been highlighted by the Remembrance Day services. Similarly Community Cookbook ‘The Cooking Pot’ the Fairfield volunteers have been busy ably initiated and collated by Karin Hurd. planting bulbs and tidying up for the This is surely a fabulous testament to winter. We look forward to spring flowers the skills and talents and community and the continuation of the path onto spirit coupled with expertise of local Station Road in the new year. Without professionals. A very big thank you to the volunteers our community would feel Karin for providing us with presents and very different. My thanks also go to our congratulations on selling 600 copies in valuable Town Councillors, all of whom two weeks! Proceeds will go to the Town are volunteers. They have been very busy Charity which we think will be much building at Millbrook loos, helping in the needed in the coming difficult times. community, feeding into national planning consultations and honing their IT skills, Some of our Council challenges have severely tested in these new ZOOM times! been staffing! Zöe Godden, our Town It’s diverse ‘work’ and there is no end to Clerk, decided that she loved doing our their energy and enthusiasm. budget management so much that she would continue to train as an accountant. Our Council lost a key Councillor last We wish her well and really appreciate month in Nick Weeks. Nick has been the that she did the 21/22 budget before backbone of so many developments in our she left us! We are grateful to the Clerks community and his skills and innovation will from Bruton who are supporting us for be sorely missed. His passion and vision a few hours a week until our new Clerk for the Market House and its renovation starts at the end of the year. Our Market culminated in the wonderful building that House volunteers started back staffing we have as the jewel in our crown at the the information office, completing zillions heart of our town. We thank him as a Town of risk assessments and were thwarted Councillor and as Chair of Properties and

1 Infrastructure and we will miss him. CASTLE CARY TOWN COUNCIL The new year will bring new decisions about our County which will be made Clerk: Stephen Hill & by central Government. The issues of Patrick Pender-Cudlip Locums a Unitary Authority versus Stronger Email: [email protected] Somerset have been well documented but Tel: 07780635013 if you haven’t caught up with the latest Deputy Clerk: Claire Craner-Buckley developments please do visit Email: [email protected] www.onesomerset.org.uk and Tel: 07561611756 www.mendip.gov.uk/ss for the most up to date information. The Clerk’s Office is currently closed

Are you a disability badge holder? We Bookings and Promotions Manager: would like to know whether you think we Vacancy. should ask Highways to move the parking Email: space at the back of the Market House [email protected] to a larger, flatter space on Bailey Hill. Tel: 07752261687 Please let us know your views by emailing Information Point: Volunteers [email protected] or writing Email: [email protected] a letter to The Town Clerk at the Market Currently closed House. We are constantly reviewing parking and try as much as we can to Councillors: influence decisions that are made by SCC Highways. In a recent discussion we were Margaret Bebbington Judi Morison (Chair) made aware of a survey conducted by Philippa Biddlecombe Farès Moussa the County that established that 80% of Stephen Biddlecombe Pek Peppin people parking in disabled bays County Julian de Bosdari Sally Snook wide were not holders of blue badges. Nick Crowley Penny Steiner We urge you to park appropriately Robert Gilbey Rob Worth keeping much needed spaces available for Kenneth Gray disabled drivers and their carers. Council meetings are open to the We wish every member of our community public and are currently taking a Merry Christmas especially new place digitally via Zoom on Monday residents who have not yet discovered evenings at 7.00pm. Please email the Town Clerk if you would like to take the joys of community coffee mornings, part. fundraising events, Christmas shopping and Christmas church activities which go Full details of meetings are on the to make Cary so special. Christmas might noticeboard and website. be different this year but we hope that everyone will enjoy the festivities even if Meetings held include Full Council, they are zoom drinks parties, quizzes and Finance & Management, Marketing family events and we hope that you stay & Communications, Properties well and safe. & Infrastructure and Planning Committees. Judi Morison Chair Town Council South Somerset District Councillors: Mr Henry Hobhouse. Tel: 01963 440272 Mr Kevin Messenger Tel: 07969150646

Somerset County Councillor: Mr Mike Lewis Tel: 01935 851536 www.ansfordpc.org.uk 2 www.castle-cary.co.uk Sustainability Update Bruton Town Council’s Retrofitter Initiative bid for funding from the Somerset County The Council continues to increase its Council Climate Change Emergency Fund. sustainability awareness and work by The aim is to work with the Centre for continually improving the Council’s Sustainable Energy based in Bristol and to own environmental performance employ 2 qualified retrofit co-ordinators and by supporting environmental locally to help householders decarbonise initiatives in the community. It’s newly and future proof their homes with formed Environmental Working and appropriate retrofit technologies, installed Advisory Group’s Terms & Conditions by qualified local builders. were approved by the Marketing and Communications Committee in October Trees: The Woodland Trust are asking and will be going to Full Council in us all to plant a tree in our own gardens November so are hopefully fully adopted this Autumn as part of their Big Climate by the time this newsletter reaches you. Fight Back Campaign, as they are not The Group aims to have its first meeting able to organise any mass tree planting in the new year. The objective being to events this year. The Town Council have work towards carbon neutrality for the a number of saplings available for free if town by 2030, in line with many other you would like one or you could source authorities and organisations around the one directly from The Woodland Trust. country. www.woodlandtrust.org.uk

Green Energy: The Market House is News from South Somerset District now beginning to be supplied by a green Council about their Christmas Tree energy provider who produces 100% Recycling Service: Unfortunately they renewable electricity and ‘green’ gas. This will be unable to offer the service this is a rolling programme as each contract year as their workload won’t allow for comes up for renewal. the loss of the staff or wood chippers to The Town Council are starting to work this work following the loss of production increasingly in collaboration with Bruton during the Covid-19 lockdown period. Town Council, Ansford Parish Council As an alternative, they have liaised with and other surrounding parishes on Somerset Waste Partnership (SWP) and environmental projects. This means that together they have provided the following positive results can start being achieved advice: at scale. Where possible, SWP and SSDC would These include the ‘Solar Streets’ project: like to encourage people to consider working with One Planet Bruton and replanting trees, home composting or IDDEA, offering our communities an adding them to a corner of the garden as approved installer of solar panels at a wild habitat. Where that’s not possible, very competitive rates. IDDEA will also anyone subscribing to the SWP Garden give £50 per installation on a domestic Waste Service can leave their tree out property and £100 on a commercial next to their garden waste bin for property to a community project; so this collection. The usual restrictions apply is a win for private householders, the – branches should be 15cm or less in community and the environment as each width. Anyone not subscribing to installation of 12 solar panels will save the service can take trees to any of the about 1.5 tonnes of carbon every year. county’s 16 recycling sites Fuller details are on the flyers being www.somersetwaste.gov.uk/recycling/centres distributed with this newsletter, also on for the garden waste skips. Composted the town website and at trees – part of the 50% of your recycling www.solarstreets.co.uk/brutoncaryplus that stays in Somerset and 90% that The Town Council are also supporting stays in the UK – become Revive soil

3 conditioner sold at recycling sites. Other Work will also be done in the spring on collection points may become available the link path from Fairfield to Station and SSDC and SWP will endeavour to Road. Sadly the contractor had to lay off publicise these where possible. staff during the first Covid lockdown and SSDC apologise for any disappointment had such a backlog of work that he had to this may cause and hope they will be reschedule our work for next year. able to have the service back up and The Friends of Fairfield had a very running next year and thank you for your productive working day on 26 September. understanding. Nearly 1000 daffodil bulbs were planted, the wildflower meadow extended and Your projects: If you have an seeded, 3 bug hotels constructed, and environmental project in mind that will the meadow gym tyres removed from the help our community to tackle the climate original location (these will be relocated change emergency or the biodiversity very soon). Thank you to everyone who loss crisis, the Council’s Environmental came to help – look out for our next Working and Advisory group can support volunteer’s day which will probably be you with a project plan template that early spring 2021. could help you formalise your aims and We would also like to thank our objectives. maintenance contractor SLR Outdoor We will also aim to help you contact the Maintenance who has kept Fairfield right people to get things going. And with looking tidy and well cared for this South Somerset District Council offering summer. environmental project grants of up to Keep using this space over the winter £12,500 and Somerset County Council months, cycling, scooting, skate boarding, having set up a £1m Climate Change walking, running etc. and join us in next Emergency fund for environmental year to “spring clean”. projects, there is an increasing amount of financial support available for this important work. The Market House Please contact the Town Council initially Castle Cary via Claire Craner-Buckley Are you organising a Party? Deputy Town Clerk on: An Important Meeting? [email protected] An Exhibition? Your Wedding? with your feedback or enquiries. The Market House, Market Place, Castle Cary BA7 7AH THE MARKET HOUSE Tel: 01963 351763 IS AVAILABLE TO HIRE as soon as we can Email: markethouse. Fairfield operate again [email protected]

Thank you to everyone who responded to the questionnaire that was distributed with the last newsletter and was available Planning on our website and for collection from the Market House. We had a good response Firstly, there’ve been a couple of changes and report that we had an overwhelming on the Planning Committee. Pek Peppin, no to a shelter being built on Fairfield but who chaired the Committee for six a wooden climbing fort will be installed in tumultuous years, has decided to apply the spring. We need to revisit the quotes her talent to another Town Council that we received to make sure the prices project. At our Planning meeting on will hold until 2021 and it would not be October 2nd I was nominated and elected ideal to build in the winter. as Chair, and Kenneth Gray, a new Town www.ansfordpc.org.uk 4 www.castle-cary.co.uk Councillor, was nominated and elected as also worry that little emphasis was placed Vice-Chair. on the need for space, especially after the For several years I’ve been in Pek’s experiences of lock down, and the need to shadow as Vice-Chair; for all those years cater for a social mix in all developments. I’ve dreaded the day that she would Our response can be found in full, along decide to hand over to me. I knew it with the latest Planning Minutes, on would come but somehow, as with the Planning page of the Town Council anything one fears, I hoped it wouldn’t website: happen. www.castle-cary.co.uk/town-council/planning Pek is such a hard act to follow; she’s dedicated many hours every month to Five Year Housing Land Supply - Planning and to the Neighbourhood Plan Good News! of Castle Cary and Ansford. She has the In the Autumn 2020 Newsletter Pek ability to sum up problems succinctly wrote an informative summary of how and she communicated the core of Cary and Ansford have ended up with the problem to the Committee in very planning permission for around 650 new detailed presentations. She’s always dwellings and what the Town Council listened to everyone, whether Town has been able to do about it. One of the Councillors, Ansford Parish Councillors or frustrations of the last five years has members of the public, taken their views been that SSDC could not demonstrate on board and written a measured and a Five Year Housing Land Supply, thus concise response to applications. leading to the granting of several Appeals. Thank you Pek! However, Officers in the South Somerset District Council Strategic Planning Team The Government ‘Planning for the have now updated the Council’s Five-Year Future’ White Paper Housing Land Supply assessment for the My main fear in taking over from Pek period 2020-2025 and have informed us was that I wouldn’t have the time to fulfil that their calculations show that South the role so meticulously but I have, in Somerset District Council now has a my Vice-Chair, a very able Councillor to supply equivalent to 6 years. This is help me. Ken’s first job was, after a small fantastic news for the District Council and meeting of Town Councillors to discuss for Castle Cary Town Council and Ansford the issues, to compose a response to Parish Council because it means that the the latest Planning White Paper. He did tilted balance towards the presumption this with the help of Graham House, a in favour of sustainable development will member of the Neighbourhood no longer apply in respect of the lack of Plan Group. a five year land supply. This should now The White Paper is a portentous tome mean that no more planning permissions (63 pages in its brief form) proposing should be granted in the Castle Cary/ centralisation of Planning Policy with, Ansford area until the current ones are amongst other suggestions, zonal completed and occupied as stated in the planning, a single, nationally set levy for Neighbourhood Plan. all development, much more use of IT, and fixed deadlines for the production of Phosphates Local Plans and determinations of If you go to the Planning page of the applications. Town website you will also see that SSDC The main concerns of Castle Cary has sent a briefing about the issue of high Town Council included the proposed levels of phosphates on the Somerset centralisation, time limits, an ambiguous Levels and Moors and a requirement for role for Neighbourhood Plans, simplistic new, or reserved matters applications to zoning and a seeming lack of attention to address the matter. the need for employment provision. We Cary Town Council has been concerned

5 about the possible danger to our local ANSFORD PARISH COUNCIL rivers and streams from phosphates Mr C. Edwards - Chair, Mr N. Begg, Mr G Clothier, and other chemical residues in the Mrs D Pinnions, Mrs B. Williams + 2 Vacancies waste produced by the many new developments. We have employed Ansford Parish Clerk: Mrs Angela Roberts, Bay Tree Cottages, 6 Torbay Road, Castle Cary, independent water analysis to monitor the Somerset, BA7 7DW. Tel.07969 399559 levels of the leachate from Dimmer Tip Email: [email protected] and, next Spring, we shall be adding the Virtual meetings held monthly but we hope to return area below the sewage treatment plant to to Caryford Hall soon. Agendas can be seen (a this list. minimum of three clear days in advance of meetings) Please do keep any eye on the Planning on the village noticeboards around the parish at Woodforde Green, Lower Ansford, Ancastle and by St pages of the Town website for information Andrew’s Church. The agenda will also be available on the latest applications, how to access on the Council website. the planning pages of SSDC, our monthly Website: www.ansfordpc.org.uk meetings (currently Zoom) and other updates.

Sally Snook our neighbourhood, and this will require an Castle Cary Town Council expansion of local amenities and services, to serve the needs and aspirations of all age-groups within our community. With your help, Ansford Council could Ansford Parish Council then provide more resources in which to plan some important improvements Parish Meetings to local infrastructure projects, such as Although we have managed to hold a Road Safety/Transport links, Recreation couple of our monthly Parish Council & Leisure and Health & Social Well-being. Meetings at Caryford Hall, it now looks as Another crucial matter we are keen to though we will have to revert to holding develop, is the care and maintenance of Zoom Virtual Meetings for the foreseeable the local Environment, and to encourage future, due to another Lockdown. If you people to help with a variety of small-scale would like to take part in these meetings, rural projects. please contact the clerk who will send By joining our small team of councillors, you a personal invitation to join. Also, we can set our sights on a greener and parishioners who wish to raise a question more sustainable place in which to live, on matters relevant to Ansford Parish for the benefit and satisfaction of all our are welcome to contact the clerk either parishioners. by email or telephone by the first day of the month prior to the meeting, and this Cary Cares will be considered for inclusion on the Looking back to the first Lockdown in Council’s forthcoming Agenda. Please see spring, parishioners in Ansford were contact details below. able to contact the extremely supportive volunteer network, who generously Parish Councillor Vacancy provided their time on countless trips to If you would like to get actively involved shop for food and medical supplies, on with local issues and help with our plans your behalf. Now that we have entered to improve essential facilities for our the second Lockdown, may we remind parishioners, we would welcome your those of you who are housebound, assistance. to continue to keep in touch with the Our current and long-term objectives are wonderful volunteers who are once again now being formulated, in preparation for here to help. Please see the contact an increasing number of new homes in details in another part of this Newsletter. www.ansfordpc.org.uk 6 www.castle-cary.co.uk Climate Emergency Community Fund (already mentioned above), the digital Application maps will show the precise location and Ansford Parish Council has formally details of the proposed buildings, thus applied for a grant for a community saving a lot of one’s time in searching project from Somerset County Council, for relevant information from multiple for the provision of energy efficient internet pages. An announcement will solar power, battery storage units and appear in the New Year when this facility a vehicle charging module at Caryford will be operational. Community Hall. We are happy to support If you would like us to add information this project, that will directly address about local events, activities or general future sustainability issues, and helps to information within our Parish, we can post lower carbon emissions. Our Council has them onto our website. already made a commitment to help with Please check the website for further the future development of the Hall, that information on COVID 19, and where should bring long-term benefits for our useful contact numbers are shown. expanding community. We always welcome your feedback on any issues or concerns that you may have Planning Applications during the current year, and ask that you If parishioners are directly affected contact our Clerk : Mrs. Angela Roberts by new planning applications in their (Tel: 07969 399 559) or email: immediate vicinity, they will probably [email protected] receive an official notification directly from the District Council (SSDC), with With Best Wishes an opportunity for them to respond Ansford Parish Council and make their personal views known. Further details about large scale planning matters and housing developments are usually shown on our website, and Somerset Beekeepers you can use the link to post either Association. South East Division your support or your concerns, that are then taken into account when The bees should by now have enough the planning officers make their final stores to keep them going through the recommendations. For help and advice on Winter and they will soon be creating the how to access this facility, please contact cluster in the centre of the brood nest the Clerk. where they will maintain the temperature at 35.5c while there is brood to take care Website of and drop it to 20c if the queen stops www.ansfordpc.org.uk laying. So now beekeepers can take Our recently revised website is regularly a break from inspecting the bees and being updated, and we are currently spend some time with the latest books planning to provide additional features, in on their favourite subject. Of course order to help parishioners with reference prospective beekeepers could spend some to the geographical “layout” of Ansford winter evenings studying with the course Parish, by using a range of digital maps described below. that will clearly show the Parish boundary. Beekeepers introductory course With the current housing developments The South East Division of the Somerset in mind, all residential, commercial, and Beekeepers’ Association will be holding agricultural properties, as well as the local a beginners theory training course on network of roads, footways, public rights Tuesday evenings, beginning on 12 of way/ bridleways and railway lines will January. Venue: To be arranged to fulfil also be featured. COVID regulations. The course will run With regard to Planning applications for six weeks and run from 7 to 9pm.

7 The course is intended for those with Bowls Club no experience who are interested in and wish to begin keeping bees. The Winter is beckoning but the green and association runs a summer programme of surrounds have to be maintained in apiary visits which will provide a basis for readiness for next year when we hope practical experience and, where possible, that we might be able to enjoy bowling mentoring is provided when you get your once again. The autumn top dressing own bees. The fee for the course is £36 was applied at the end of September to which includes Associate membership of ensure a good playing surface for next the Somerset Beekeepers Association on year. Unfortunately, due to the ongoing completion of the course. situation and lockdown we are not able Tutor: Lionel Horler to enjoy our usual winter social events. Bookings: Please send your name, This has been a very different year for us address, phone number and e-mail and we don’t yet know what next year address, with the course fee, payable to holds, but we continue to plan our league “Somerset BKA, South East Division” to and friendly games. We look forward to Mr L Horler, 15 Ancastle Avenue, Castle welcoming our members old and new in Cary, BA7 7JE the new year. Winter well.

If you have any queries please ring Carol Lowe 01963 359573 07894039933 [email protected] OR or e-mail [email protected] www.castlecarybowlsclub.moonfruit.com

The Cooking Pot

Is out now and has been well received by all who Castle Cary Bridge Club have purchased a copy

As well as recipes from residents, the book tells Since March the Club members have the story behind the food and drink businesses played online Bridge platforms, such as in the town, and how they rose to the challenges Bridge Base Online (BBO) and Trickster. that lockdown brought. It also includes stories from a selection of artisan producers from around However a new platform, Real Bridge, is and about and shows us how fortunate we are to now being developed that makes playing have so many people who care passionately about club bridge a definite possibility. If you the food they produce. Together with great colour photographs it is a lovely Christmas present idea, are interested in joining us please keep an as well as raising money for a very good cause. eye on our web page. Castle Cary Bridge Club and then follow the link via the Bridge The reason the book came about was to help support the work that Cary Cares was, and still Webs site or contact Barry Blight on 01963 is, doing within our community…shopping and 440351 for more information. collecting medicines for vulnerable people, as well as providing food boxes and further support for others who are facing a difficult time.

With thanks to the generosity of the sponsors Castle Cary & Ansford Carnival who covered all the production costs, every single Society penny of every book sold will go back to the town charity which has been helping to finance Cary Cares. The Castle Cary Parish Charity was set This year was the 100th anniversary of up many moons ago to help people in need. As carnival in Castle Cary. Instead of Covid continues to affect so many lives within our community, now, more than ever, we need to look thousands lining the streets, a small group out for each other. of carnival stalwarts quietly walked the route. A sad and rather surreal Please show your support by purchasing your copy of The Cooking Pot experience. On sale in many shops in the town, or order Looking ahead, the Carnival Society has through Bailey Hill Bookshop or been making some changes. We are [email protected] delighted to announce that Di Pinnions has www.ansfordpc.org.uk 8 www.castle-cary.co.uk accepted the position of President. It is an both in the Wessex carnival towns and honour to recognise all the years of work the Somerset County carnival towns. Also that Di has given carnival in our towns. missed will be the benefits from carnival Paul Burch has been elected as Chair. collections, which go to local organisations, Some great news! We have been and also tourist stimulation, which nominated as a Co-op charitable cause. normally brings in £40m to the Somerset We would like to raise enough money to economy. organise costume making workshops for One difficulty clubs have faced is insurance our local primary school children with for both tractors and public professional carnival artists from Notting liability. If this was cancelled, then clubs Hill. would have to start afresh, which would All you need to do is make sure you’re a cost our club over £5000! So expenditure Co-op Member, show your card every time was necessary to keep covering those you buy anything and then choose the annual costs of £1500. Our club owes our carnival society as your local charitable existence (for allowing us to build on cause. You can support us – without their land over many, many years now) spending anything extra! to the Boyer family of Cockhill. Our club Calling all newcomers! I would like is extremely grateful for their interest and welcome anyone one who has recently help over the years and it has allowed moved to the town and maybe wondering the club to become one of the county’s what on earth this guy is talking about?! most successful comic feature clubs. Please get in touch, and I can explain why The carnival spirit survives despite these Carnival is as special to Somerset as cider difficult restrictive times and the club and cheddar cheese! wishes everyone a happy, healthy, Covid Finally, the all-important date for your free Christmas and New Year and hopefully diary next year is Saturday 16th October the return of carnival in 2021. at 7pm.

Paul Burch For latest news, visit our web site: Cary Cares www.ccacs.org.uk , FaceBook page: www.facebook.com/CaryCarnivalSociety or • Provides free food and essentials, if contact Society Chair: you are in need Paul Burch on [email protected] • Collects medicines/shopping for you if you are sheltering, whatever your age. • Arranges phone calls if you are feeling isolated Cary Comedians Carnival Club To arrange for help, please contact our volunteer coordinators: • Phone: (01963) 602013 9.30am – Despite the impact on the voluntary 1pm (Mon- Sat) organisations such as our club, by the • Email: [email protected] Covid19 pandemic, club members have • Facebook: Cary Cares@carycarescorona (until this second lockdown) been able to This has been a challenging year for us limit six members to continue construction all! Since March, Cary Cares supported of the carnival float in the hope that by the Parish Charity, has provided over carnivals will be returning in 2021. All 300 supplementary food boxes to around fundraising functions and social meetings 70 families in need within our town. We have not been possible. Zoom has enabled would like to thank the entire community monthly discussions between members to for supporting us in this on-going work continue. either through your generous financial Community activity and this unique donations or through volunteering with traditional art form are greatly missed deliveries etc. We would especially like

9 to thank Dan Patrick and his team at The new Constitution which has been checked George and Toni & Julian Shave and the and approved by a solicitor. Next we must team at The Market Garden for their help hold a special meeting of Hall Association with sourcing, packing and distributing members and local residents who will be these food boxes. asked to vote on the plan. If you would like to make a financial Because of the latest lockdown, we are donation to support the work of Cary planning to hold this meeting online on Cares you may send a cheque payable to Tuesday 15 December at 7.30pm. We will Castle Cary and Ansford PCC. This should advertise the details on our website, and be sent to David Baldwin, PCC Treasurer, through announcements on Facebook, The Linen House, Bailey Hill, BA7 7ED, in the local press and on the town’s with ‘Cary Cares’ written on the back, noticeboards. Look out for this important or an accompanying note. Alternatively, meeting and how to join it! if you prefer, you may transfer money We have also restarted preliminary directly to Castle Cary and Ansford PCC, planning work on the next phase of the 60-04-33, 68682514, using the reference building project which will extend the hall ‘Cary Cares’. and equip it with an additional meeting room, improved toilet accommodation Cary Cares Christmas Appeal and a revised foyer entrance with bar. We Cary Cares would like to ask for your support. We know that many in our community are facing soon expect to resume fundraising efforts a very challenging time and with Christmas though subject to Covid 19’s inconvenient rapidly approaching we are hoping to bring a little restrictions! seasonal joy to those families who have been receiving supplementary food boxes from us. To help us achieve this we are asking for donations Ian Bynoe of festive treats e.g. chocolates, selection boxes, [email protected] 01963350655 Christmas cakes, assorted nibbles, toiletries etc (no alcohol please!) If you would like to donate to this appeal, please drop your gifts into either ‘Cooper & Tanner’ or ‘The Market Garden’, both in Fore St, Castle Cemetery Chapel Cary, who have very kindly agreed to collect all donations on our behalf. Last date for donations: 17th December, thank you! Whilst the unveiling of the tapestries is still [email protected] 01963 602013 “on hold”, I can bring news about another project we have been working on. Every Caryford Community Hall visitor to the cemetery, whether from near or far, will find it much easier to find a grave they are looking for. Until the latest lockdown started, Caryford A green box with the words “Grave Hall had been open and hirers had Finder” on it has been put up next to the resumed many regular sports, leisure, numbered plan of the graveyard. So long training and recreational activities. All the as you have a surname, and first name or necessary modifications needed to prevent initial, you can look up their plot number Covid 19 infections have been in place. and will be able to find that number on Thanks to everyone who helped to make the graveyard plan. You will then find the reopening safe and successful. grave. In December, when this latest lockdown is The Friends of the Cemetery Chapel lifted, we expect to resume hirings. We will became aware of this need especially still have to restrict maximum numbers so from those who just turn up looking for some of our large gatherings will not yet the burial spot of a relative. Thanks must take place till these limits are removed. go to Margaret Bebbington who spent a The Committee is pressing on with its considerable amount of time collating the plan to convert the legal status of the Hall information from ledgers that go back to Association into a Charitable Incorporated 1897. That was the year the land for the Organisation (CIO). We have drafted a cemetery was acquired by the town. www.ansfordpc.org.uk 10 www.castle-cary.co.uk Castle Cary Choir Sometimes that is due to poverty. Where people are crammed together in poor Unfortunately, the choir has not been able housing without clean water the basics to meet physically for the past 6 months of hand washing and social distancing but we have been having very successful aren’t possible. And the disease spreads “virtual” rehearsals on Zoom with nearly unchecked. 75% of members joining in with an Christian Aid works with other average attendance of about 35. organisations in many places to bring immediate relief in disaster areas, but Many of our choir members were new also supports long term projects to Zoom but have taken to it like “ducks improving agriculture, community care to water”. Our Musical Director has led and education. Sadly, these projects us at our 60-minute weekly sessions are also affected by covid-19 as many with a varied and interesting selection of supporters in the UK are themselves hard pieces for us rehearse and sing along to. pressed. Unfortunately, when rehearsing on Zoom A significant part of Christian Aid’s income we are unable to hear the other online is raised during Christian Aid Week each choir members due to the latency effect May. This year we were in the middle of created by the internet, but we all seem the first lockdown so many of the usual to be enjoying it, and it is maintaining the fundraising events couldn’t be held. Here sense of community for choir members in Castle Cary and Ansford we couldn’t do which is so important. our usual envelope deliveries, collection Our Musical Director is putting together or coffee morning. Nevertheless, many of a “virtual” Christmas concert with guest you gave online and we received £360 in stars and readings so rehearsals from cash and cheques. Thank you all. now on will be focusing on carols and We don’t know how much was given festive songs in the run up to Christmas online from this area but nationally CA to get us up to speed. Week raised £4.3m, which was a good We had a very successful fund raising result and more than expected. However, event in Castle Cary in late October so it was only just over half of what was thanks to all of you who cam along and raised in 2019. supported us. This winter, give a thought and a prayer We hope to get back to meeting for people across the world who are also and singing together, and of course struggling. And, if you can, also support to performing concerts, as soon as the worst off through Christian Aid or possible but at the moment we will keep one of the other relief and development “Zooming! organisations. May we wish everyone a good, if different, Christmas and look forward to David Osborne: seeing you all in 2021. [email protected]

To keep updated check out: www.castlecarychoir.org or contact our secretary John Roberts 07970 039007. Church Services

As we have been in another Lockdown and Government directives and church Christian Aid guidelines for the use of church buildings are being revised frequently, it is not Covid-19 is affecting the world. While as possible to say for certain what church a country we are being badly affected, services there will be during the next others, we know, are having it worse. three months. But churches will meet for

11 worship if they can. Please check websites St Luke & St Teresa Catholic Church, to keep up to date. Wincanton The Church will only be open Two United Services are planned: for private prayer until Lockdown ends. It United Carol Service Dec 20th 5.00pm is hoped that once restrictions are lifted www.Facebook.com/castlecarymethodist Mass will start again on Sunday at United Service Jan 24 th 10.30am 10.30 am and 6.30 pm. During the week www.us02web.zoom.us/j/3024651369 there is Mass on Mondays and Tuesdays at 9.00 am, on Fridays at 11.30 am, During the lockdown both All Saints’ and on Saturdays at 10.00 am, followed and St Andrew’s parish churches are by Confession and Exposition. Mass is closed for services. St Andrew’s Church, not being celebrated at other churches Ansford, is open for private prayer on or mass centres. For more information Wednesdays from 10.00am till 2.00pm contact the Parish Office on 01963 34408 and advice or email: [email protected] on health precautions are posted in the www.stlukeswincanton.org.uk church. After lockdown, All Saints’ can be used for other meetings. Quaker meetings are closed but hope to The church produces a weekly newsletter start again after Lockdown - and a service containing a reflection by weekly in Wincanton at 10.30am. one of the local ministers. To receive www.quaker.org.uk/meetings/wincanton these either as an e-mail or printed please contact: If you would like to receive the weekly [email protected] service of one of the churches please or phone 07483 866400. contact: When the lockdown is over, it is hoped to Catholic Church have Holy Communion on the first Sunday [email protected] of each month and another service mid- 01963 34408 month. To keep up to date with changes Church of England please check the notice board in The [email protected] Pitchings, the website 07483 866400 www.castlecaryallsaints.org.uk Methodist Church or ask for the weekly newsletter. [email protected]

The Methodist Church is continuing with When we are able to return to our normal its weekly Zoom service each Sunday pattern of services it may be as morning. follows: www.us02web.zoom.us/j/3024651369 Readings, prayers and a Reflection from Church of England 8.30am Holy Communion or Morning Prayer the Minister are also available each week 10.00am Parish Communion on [email protected] On the first, third and fifth Sundays of each month Printed copies can be requested the 10.00am service is at All Saints’, Castle Cary. On the second and fourth Sundays the Regular updates of events and future 10.00am service is at St Andrew’s, Ansford. worship are available via the online The 8.30am service is always at the other church. notice sheet [email protected] Methodist Church You can sign up to join the mailing list for 10.30am Morning Service notices on 4.00pm Evening Service www.Facebook.com/castlecarymethodist Catholic Church of St Luke & St Teresa, Minister Rev Craig Manley 01963 351598 Wincanton After Lockdown it is hoped to also resume Mass at 10.30am each Sunday the fortnightly afternoon service in the Quaker Meeting at Friends’ Meeting House, 30/32 church. Because of limited numbers High Street, Wincanton, BA9 9JF: 10.30am bookings must be made on 07595 655292 There are usually special arrangements at festivals. (up to 24 hours in advance). www.ansfordpc.org.uk 12 www.castle-cary.co.uk All Saints’ Church Development are hoping to be open for Christmas, but Group (ASDG) who knows? In the meantime we continue to send out weekly services and notices Thank you, Castle Cary and Ansford! The by email, and post the services on our work of repairing and insulating the roof website. is well under way and after that we will The churchwardens, with much help move on to making the tower pinnacles from others have been very busy safe. Then comes the exciting job of re- with the process of preparing a Parish ordering the interior to make it more Profile, advertising for and interviewing flexible as a multi-purpose building, and candidates for our next Priest in Charge improving the access. (Vicar). At the time of writing we have The roof repairs are costing £175,000 nothing to report, although this may have and we are grateful to everyone who changed by the time this goes to print. has contributed to this: Viridor Credits, Th PCC have continued to have regular Allchurches Trust, the National Churches meetings on Zoom, but we were glad Trust, Somerset Churches Trust, the that we were able to have our Annual Congregational and General Charitable Meeting live in All Saints’ church. All Trust, and, not least, many of you who Saints’ has also been the venue for the have made donations and supported services that we were able to hold as St. our events. The latest news is that we Andrew’s is too small to accommodate the have been given £1,243 by the Co-op congregation in compliance with Covid-19 Local Communities Fund. Thank you to safety. This is likely to continue to be the all Co-op shoppers who chose us as your case for a while after lockdown eases, but preferred charity. we are opening St. Andrew’s for private Sadly, with covid, we had to cancel our prayer on Sundays and Wednesdays from programme of events this year. We can’t 10am- 2pm. Please visit our website currently hold social events or services in castlecaryallsaints.org.uk for updates on the church but, even with the roof work our news. going on, the church can still be used for some support groups and educational Katya Duncan 07483 866400 events. The space means social distancing [email protected] can be maintained. To check out the possibilities please get in touch on 01963 351275. Catholic Church Things will change, and looking ahead we’ve booked the Tekanna Jazz Band St Luke & St Teresa, South for a barbeque on 15th August 2021. Street, Wincanton, BA9 9DH So, book the date in your new diary and look ahead. Think of summer, sunshine, When the current ‘lockdown’ restrictions good music, and food with friends in this are lifted and we are able to reintroduce beautiful community space. communal worship in church again: David Osborne Mass will be celebrated on Sundays at 10.30 am and again at 6.30pm. During the week, we will celebrate Mass on Monday and Tuesday mornings at 9.00 From the Anglican Church am, on Friday morning at 11.30 am, and on Saturday at 10.00 am, followed by We were so pleased when the lockdown Confession and Exposition. lifted and we were able to start having These times will apply during Advent but some services again, so the second in Christmas week: lockdown has been a disappointing, if not On 24 December, Christmas Eve, Mass entirely unexpected development. We will be celebrated at 6.00pm, 8.00pm and

13 10.00pm and on 25 December, Christmas Holy Communion. You will need to book Day, (Solemnity of the Nativity of the to attend this by calling 07595 655292 Lord) at 9.00am and 11.00am. (in the week prior and up to 24 hours in REMEMBER ALSO to join us on Monday, advance). Tuesday and Saturday mornings before Friday 25th Dec 10 am Christmas Morning Mass at St Luke’s, when Morning Prayer Family worship via Zoom with Rev Craig. (the Prayer of the Church) is said. Also, Sunday 27th Dec 4pm Afternoon Worship on Mondays after Mass, beginning with with Rev Craig Manley coffee and a chat, a group meets to listen We hope to hold in-person worship in the to the readings, particularly the gospel, church building. You will need to book for the following Sunday. to attend this by calling 07595 655292 We also conduct weddings, baptisms and (in the week prior and up to 24 hours in funerals at the Church. advance). Our parish priest is Fr Louis Beasley- For more information: Suffolk. Please contact the Parish Email: [email protected] Office at St Luke & St Teresa on 01963 Web: www.facebook.com/ 34408 for details or email: castlecarymethodist [email protected] Phone: Rev Craig Manley 01963 351598 For further information the parish website is: www.stlukeswincanton.org.uk Churches Together in Castle Cary and Ansford Castle Cary Methodist Church The Steering Group, and C.A.P. We are continuing to worship on Sunday (Christians Against Poverty), thanks mornings via Zoom and are planning the everyone who contributed to the Lent following virtual and in-person events Appeal. Donations were £468.40, and (subject to restrictions) in December we used some money from The Together 2020. Magazine closing, to give £1.000, to the Advent Calendar Town Trail – find the Charity. clues around Castle Cary and Ansford. We look forward to an unknown future; Virtual Christmas Tree Festival – share planning face to face meetings is very your tree via our online photo gallery. difficult. We hope to use the Undercroft Sunday 6th Dec 10:30am Morning for The Crib Scene on 19th December. Worship via Zoom. A shared On-Line Service of Carols Sunday 6th Dec 4:30 pm Virtual and Readings is being arranged for Christingle Service via Zoom. Sunday 20th December. We appreciate ‘Make Your Own Christingle’ packs can this initiative, and the skills of a group be requested and delivered for free – from The Methodist Church, thank you. email [email protected] or We plan to support “inHope”, a Bristol message on Facebook to request packs/ based charity, supporting homeless and receive the Zoom link for this special vulnerable people, with a collection from Advent event. this service. Sunday 13th Dec 10:30 am Morning We look forward to a healthier, and Worship Nativity Service via Zoom. happier 2021. A service to recognise Sunday 20th Dec 10:30 am Morning the week of Prayer for Christian Unity is Worship via Zoom. planned for 24th. January. Sunday 20th Dec 5 pm United Town Carol The volunteers for Cary Cares continue Service will go live on Facebook/YouTube. to support us, telephone number: 01963 Thursday 24th Dec 2pm Christmas Eve 602013. Thank you to everyone involved. Holy Communion. We hope to hold an in-person service of Val Chainey. For Churches Together. www.ansfordpc.org.uk 14 www.castle-cary.co.uk CHURCHES IN CASTLE CARY AND ANSFORD

Catholic Church: Ss Luke and Teresa, Wincanton Parish Priest: Fr Louis Beasley-Suffolk 34408 Special Minister for Castle Cary: Nick Niven-Jenkins 351398 Website: stlukeswincanton.org.uk

Church of England: All Saints’, Castle Cary & St Andrew’s, Ansford Enquiries: 07483 866400 E-mail: [email protected] Churchwarden & PCC Treasurer: David Baldwin 359000 Churchwarden & Administrator: Katya Duncan 351581 Pastoral Visits Co-ordinator & Reader: Sue Kellagher 351992 Readers: Gillian Sinclair 350725 Madron Osborne 351275 Safeguarding Person: Judi Morison 350160 Stewardship Secretary: Val Chainey 359420 Chair of All Saints’ Development Project: David Osborne 351275 Bellringing at St Andrew’s: Philip Townshend 350502 Website: www.castlecaryallsaints.org.uk

Methodist Church Minister: Rev Craig Manley 351598 Steward & Local Preacher: Rob Haskins 350950 Pastoral Visits Co-ordinator & Local Preacher: Elizabeth Manley 351598 Local Preachers: Steve Derby 01749 860571 Patricia Fuller 351635 Anna Schiffer ex dir Safeguarding Person: Anna Baker 351659 Church Secretary: Hannah Knight 359663 Church Treasurer: Steve Baker 351659 Music: David Knight 359663 Worship coordinator: Judith Cole 350570 Sunday school and holiday club: Anna Baker 351659 Website: www.carymethodists.org

Quaker Meeting at 30/32 High St, Wincanton Local Contact: 350980

Churches Together in Castle Cary and Ansford Chair: Sue Kellagher 351992 Secretary: Judith Cole 350570

15 Castle Cary Community Larder onions to plant for early crops next year, beds to prepare. Waste not, want not! We’re choosing next year’s seeds now, It works both ways. Somewhere for including something exotic to try for you to get food for free if your covid19- the first time. We’ve experimented with reduced budget hasn’t stretched quite sweet potatoes (so successfully that we far enough for you to buy all the food now grow them routinely), peanuts, oca, you need to feed your family properly chickpeas. This year we’re trying giant or if you live alone but are without a job pumpkins and unusual squashes on a and struggling to make ends meet. And “hügelkultur” heap – rotting wood is its somewhere for you to put food if you nutritious base. But of course we grow have extra you have grown or bought beetroot, carrots, beans of all sorts, which someone else could benefit from. cabbages – all the everyday things – plus The local Co-op is keen not to waste any tomatoes, aubergine, peppers, chillies in nearly-out-of-date food, and its newly the polytunnel, where we also start off appointed “Member Pioneer” Kevin our seedlings. Wiltshire has been set the task of working Some of us have gardening knowhow, with the community to make sure this others learn from them. Usually we try to food is put to good use instead of thrown meet up together, but at the moment it’s away. the opposite – we make sure we’re there So representatives from the Town alone or just two of us, and it’s easy to Council, Churches Together, Cary Cares socially distance in such a large area. We are working with Kevin to explore the keep in touch through WhatsApp. ways and means to set up a “community The more people who help the more we larder” with fridge and freezer capacity grow, and we all share the produce – and where such food can be properly stored recipes to go with it. and easily accessed without supervision. Watch this space. We’re next to Ansford Academy – at the Obviously there’s lots to plan – where to very start of Maggs Lane turn left up the put the larder, sourcing the necessary little path and you will find us – do come equipment, how to keep the larder clean, and look, it’s always open. Then if you hygienic and tidy, how to make sure food would like to help find out more from is properly and safely stored, how to www.facebook.com/EatCary or ring Laura discourage abuse of the facility. Tilling on 01963 351461 We need good ideas, good equipment and good volunteers. Do get in touch if you can provide any of these. We hope the project can start as soon as possible. Castle Cary Fire Station As we approach the end of the second Contact Castle Cary Town Clerk town. national ‘lockdown’, your community fire [email protected] 01963 359631 station continues to operate at minimum crewing levels and with socially-distanced training ongoing as frequently as EatCary practicable. You may have noticed the firefighters We’re reaching our goal of producing wearing face coverings in the back of the salad throughout the winter – the fire engine when attending incidents; polytunnel is full of lettuce, oriental this is necessary to keep each other salads, Chinese greens. Outside there’s safe when we are unable to maintain purple sprouting, chard, spinach beet, social distancing at close quarters. We leeks. And there’s still plenty to do – also wear these (or other respiratory compost to make, broad beans and protection, as appropriate) when entering www.ansfordpc.org.uk 16 www.castle-cary.co.uk a property where the COVID status of the only practical solution. It also means that occupants is not known. If our appliance we meet on the first Wednesday of the attends an incident at your property or month rather than the usual Thursday. business and we do not know the COVID There will be restricted numbers and status of any occupants, we may display other rules will need to be adhered to. our appliance telephone number in the However that is all up in the air at present windscreen and ask you to call us prior so, as you know, things are likely to to dismounting; we are grateful for your change! cooperation in this unusual measure as We have a website which will keep we try to maintain the highest possible everyone up to date with news and short operational response times by protecting articles. We have a club Facebook page our firefighters from the virus. too so any members interested in seeing Recent incidents attended include Road what goes on there or who want to post Traffic Collisions (RTCs), property fires, the gardening triumphs – and ‘mishaps’ – barn fires and an open water rescue. contact the club to join. We have 4 potential on-call firefighters currently going through the application www.ccga.btck.co.uk process and we wish them all success in their assessments in the coming months. For any queries about this or anything else we do, please get in touch via Castle Cary Community Library Facebook, email [email protected] or drop a note into the Station and one of us The good news is that the library is still will get back to you. open, and that (unlike during the first Best wishes and stay safe! lockdown) you can order and borrow books from all over the southwest – go to Anna Kirkin librarieswest.org.uk for the catalogue of Castle Cary (Blue Watch) everything available. The bad news is no browsing, but we can find the books you want for you. Ring us on 07579049109 during opening hours to tell us what you Castle Cary Gardening want, or go to our website Association www.castlecarylibrary.org.uk to find a “Library Choice” form. As with all clubs we have been unable to Currently we open Tuesday, Wednesday meet since March this year. Our club is and Friday 10am-12noon and 2pm-3pm, a group of like-minded souls who meet and Saturdays 10am-12noon. once a month to hear a gardening expert Our many new books are displayed on give us an hour’s talk on many disparate our side window ledge – browse from topics, details on our website. I have outside and choose before coming in! however managed to re-book almost all If you are in the vulnerable category or of the speakers, which is good for us if have mobility problems so that coming to not their finances. So next December collect your books is difficult, you need we will be having one of David Moons to know that Cary Cares has offered help amazing slide show with music of gardens from its volunteer shoppers to collect of the rich and famous – including one your books for you. Just ring in to tell really special, local, very private one. I us what you want and we can arrange realise that this is quite a long way off…! delivery to you. At the moment we have to consider Do your children love reading? Ring in social distancing and so we have booked with their card number, name and age Caryford Hall for our meeting next year and we’ll organise a lucky dip of books for after many (many) happy years at the you to collect for them. Methodist chapel. Sadly it is really the The library is run entirely by a fantastic 17 group of volunteers. They were all We provided refreshments to nearly 300 shocked and saddened by the recent visitors to an NGS Open Garden event sudden death of Les Kimberley, the and made £600 and we held a well Library Manager. His role was fully supported ‘Cake Away’ instead of the Big acknowledged at the recent AGM of the Coffee Morning in Cary and again made Friends of Castle Cary Community Library, over £600. Also The Grey Dogs Jazz Band and the Trustees are determined to carry has played at the Tuesday Market and on his energy and enthusiasm into the have collected on behalf of Macmillan. future. So we would like to say a huge thank you to Quizzers, Bakers, Cake Eaters and [email protected] Musicians and everyone who puts their www.castlecarylibrary.org.uk small change in a Macmillan collecting 07579049109 pot. We really need your help and look forward to lots more activity in 2021.

Job Seekers Zoom Workshops If you would like to get involved please e-mail:[email protected] If you have been made redundant or want to or phone Janet Loe on 01963 351112. change direction we are offering one to one support to find jobs, complete on line application forms and prepare for interviews. Wednesday mornings from 6th January The Market House at 10.15 to 12noon

If you are interested please leave a message on As many of you will know the Town 01963 351763 and we will get back to you. Council has taken a 999-year lease on Alternatively email - [email protected] the Market House from South Somerset This workshop is provided by LAMP in conjunction District Council. This building, designed with Castle Cary Community Library. by the distinguished architect Francis Penrose, was opened in 1855. It is Grade ll* listed. Only 5.8% of listed buildings have this grading and it means that our Macmillan Cancer Support Market House is very, very special. Until recently the top floor was leased, by 2020 has been a very strange time for the District Council, to a private individual everyone and now it’s nearly over we who has now left, so your Town Council are looking forward to a better time next wishes to return this part of the building year. Our hearts go out to all who have to use by us all. lost a loved one during this year across On the top floor there are two main the whole country. spaces – a light, spacious Assembly Room Whilst dealing with Coronavirus we have complete with a band platform, beamed also needed to support people living with ceiling, windows with leaded lights and cancer so we would like to say a big thank magnificent views: and next to it a former you for your help this year. We ran a Billiard Room. limited number of fundraisers and made Little has been done to the top floor an impressive £3500. We also received since the middle of the last century and donations from local people and collecting the Town Council intends not only to tins, which brought the overall amount refurbish the historic features but also raised to £5000. Our annual quiz raised to provide 21st century comforts – the £2190, which included a special donation most important of these being a lift for from Castle Cary Rugby Club in memory wheelchair users, a WC and a small of one of their members. Thank you for kitchenette. your support and to the Rugby Club for Where to put the lift is a headache as we choosing Macmillan. feel strongly that neither the beautiful www.ansfordpc.org.uk 18 www.castle-cary.co.uk Assembly Room, nor the Billiard Room wildlife projects, service and play. should be compromised. We are getting Episodes of strewn litter are sad. It is expert advice on various alternatives, always better for people to take their own but it may turn out that the only possible litter away, but more irritating still is that place to put the lift is in the Shambles. someone has to clear up, when bins are in This would not be as radical as it may the garden – thank you if you are one of seem, for with two spacious rooms on the the people who do so. top floor, the function of the Shambles We made it into the town cookbook, with could change to be a more welcoming recipes from our produce, also shared Reception area, making a better public with visitors. Hoping we can welcome information space, displays about the back the school visits again soon, the town and so on, as well as being usable school compound still needs its own for meetings after opening hours. champion to keep it ticking over for them It is our intention to retain all original between visits by the children. features, and to make the building a wonderful place for residents – and Contact us - Ida West : others - to use. However, don’t expect 01963 350899 / 07919803610 any immediate changes – these things Anne Jelliffe: [email protected] take time. We have put together a distinguished group of volunteer consultants who are working with a small posse of your Town Councillors to see this Cary Ramblers Group thing through. And of course, we are in conversation with Historic England which Just as we tried to resume our rambling is the body that must approve any works group since the first lock down, when we that we do to the building. were allowed up to 30 people meeting If Covid19 was not with us, we would be outside to ramble, we now find ourselves offering tours of the building so that you banned completely during the second could see the potential for yourselves but lock down due to end on 2 December. that will have to wait until the current As I write, this means that two of our situation improves. scheduled walks on Wednesdays 18 We very much hope that you will November and 2 December are now recognise the value of this initiative cancelled. It remains to be seen if the and will give your support. Updates on second lock down is extended beyond progress will be in future Newsletters. 2 December when further walks are cancelled. However, we have enjoyed two local walks between the two lock downs (that said, The Moat Garden two separate walks were cancelled due to poor weather). These included a leisurely Open to all, room to sit and room to circular walk to North Barrow via Lodge potter; with toddler feet to explore the Hill and Thornymarsh Lane, returning via outdoors or with fork in hand to tame the Cary Moor Drove. And a walk along Park growth. Winter still allows for work, so do Avenue, down Cock Hill, along Carymoor please do think about adding an hour in Drove and then across the fields to North the week / month for some exercise and Barrow. From there we looped back to enjoyment of a quiet green space. the River Cary and followed it back before Thank you to Caitlin for working with returning uphill along South Cary Lane. us as part of her Duke of Edinburgh A sunny, warm day but very muddy service. New ideas and ways to take old underfoot. ones forward give us all a boost and the As previously mentioned, a few intrepid additions make us smile. The garden members from our group continue to offers many opportunities for artists, walk alone or in pairs maintaining a safe

19 distance. Recent areas visited include running. In normal times we meet every Cucklington and Upton Noble. Monday at 18h30; until the clocks change We now look forward to 2021 with at the end of March outside the George hope that our group is free to continue Hotel and then from April to October at rambling in beautiful Somerset and Orchard Farm, Cockhill. We follow all neighbouring Wiltshire and Dorset. covid guidelines strictly to ensure that everyone is safe, but still support and For more information about the Cary encourage each other to get as much Ramblers Group please contact Anne Pitt exercise as is allowed. Perhaps of even on 01963 359621/07854 597158 or email greater importance during the pandemic, [email protected] getting together for a bit of exercise helps us all get through these rather dark and dismal days. Speed or level of fitness does not matter, as long as you Royal British Legion can manage about 5 km, no matter how slowly. The Royal British Legion would like to thank the community of Castle Cary and If you would like to join us, check us out Ansford, and especially all shops, and on Facebook at other retail outlets who helped make www.facebook.com/groups/caryrunners the 2020 Poppy Appeal as successful or call Dave Boyer (01963350418 / 07903 as possible despite the unusual 276315) or Dan Patrick at the George circumstances of this year. Hotel (07966 224261 / 01963 350761) We particularly want to thank all for more information. volunteers in Castle Cary and Ansford who turned out in all weathers (and some days were fairly unpleasant) to man the Royal British Legion stall outside the Scouts Market House. This year, in addition to This time last year 1st Castle Cary Scouts collection boxes and poppies we had to were celebrating 100 years of Scouting cope with hand sanitizing, face masks in Castle Cary. After the wonderful 100th and generally operating in a scrupulously year party held at the Scout Hall we were hygienic manner. planning all sorts of events during the There were no church services this year, year to mark this achievement. Along but wreaths were laid at the Horsepond with the rest of the country we have had memorial on Sunday 8 November, and to rethink what we were doing. After there was also a brief attendance there the 1st lock-down we made changes on 11 November. The Royal British to the Scout Hall to comply with both Legion committee arranged both, and National legislation and the rules and thank you to all involved. regulations set by the Scout Association. The total raised this year was £3837 Even with these changes we have to be Many thanks to all involved. 100% sure of the health and safety of the young people and the adult Leaders and helpers. At the time of going to press Cary Runners we are hoping to possibly restart in early January. We are looking for new Leaders What better way to shake off the blues and adult helpers, if you are able to help during these difficult times than to go or just want more information please get for an invigorating jog in our beautiful in touch, please contact countryside. Cary Runners is an informal [email protected] group of “runners” whose aim is to Whatever next year holds we will be back, support and help each other with our stay safe. www.ansfordpc.org.uk 20 www.castle-cary.co.uk South Somerset Community Gardens Coordinators are hoping for a Accessible Transport (SSCAT) bumper year in 2021. Many of the stunning gardens lined up During these very challenging times it is for 2020 have confirmed their willingness so important for us all to remember the to open in 2021, albeit knowing there venerable people who find it so difficult to may still be restrictions and guidance to get their fundamental requirements. adhere to even next Summer. Since the beginning of September, the The hospice is hoping to attract some CAT bus has been back on the road. early February and March gardens to Following government guidelines on the scheme, extending the season and social distancing, helping as many people opportunities to enjoy Glorious Garden as possible to leave the confines of across Somerset. If you’ve got a dazzling their homes just for a brief time to get display of snowdrops or a splash of early essential groceries or attend essential spring bulbs, your garden could help kick Doctor/Hospital appointments start the season with a colourful bang. Unfortunately, the need for funding the If you would like to take part in the 2021 CAT bus continues, so the appeal is still season, please contact Susan on 01935 ongoing. 709182, or by email on fundraising@st- If the SSCAT bus was no longer available margarets-hospice.org.uk. Full support is for people to use, how would they get to given to gardens, including insurance. their often, vital destinations? There are many easy ways available to Contact details: donate to this valuable service please see Glorious Somerset Gardens and list below: Fundraising Volunteer Coordinator: Susan • SSCAT has a legacy leaflet, so if you Bickle 01935 709182 or 07736 886145 would like to bequest a donation in [email protected] your will please contact the number Photo shows one of our 2021 Gardens at below to find out more information. West Bagborough • We also have a live donate button on each of our website pages. • Cheques made payable to SSCAT Somerset Sight • Cash • BACS Somerset Sight is an independent Charity supporting people with sight loss in Telephone: 01963 34594 Somerset. EST. 1919 E m a i l : s s c a t b u s @ g m a i l . c o m . W e b s i t e : s o u t h s o m e r s e t r i n g r i d e . o r g . u k Since the 1990s we have run our Registered Charity: 1101645 Company Flagship Volunteer Visiting Service, we Limited by Guarantees 4968756 have in excess of 200 wonderful, trained volunteer visitors across Somerset. They regularly visit local people with sight loss St Margaret’s Hospice for support, company and outings etc, making a vast difference and improving Looking forward to a Glorious Summer in their lives. 2021. We have found that during the Covid19 St Margaret’s Hospice Care is hoping to crisis many of our members have found restart their Glorious Somerset Gardens life even more difficult than usual, and Season in 2021 and have already started without fail our fabulous Volunteers have planning. Following the disappointment of really stepped up further to help and having to cancel this year’s season due to support people in their community who the Coronavirus pandemic, the Glorious live with visual impairment. Many are themselves in isolation due to age or have

21 family who are in the shielding category, your unwanted items and let us decide but have continued to keep in contact how they can best be put to good use. by phone offering much needed help, Ring Amon on 01749 813239 to discuss support and company helping to reduce safe collection. isolation and loneliness further at this Covid permitting, we hope to resume out most challenging time. Market House sales in 2021. We have Having spoken to many people over the sales scheduled for March, April and May, past weeks both Volunteers and Service so let’s hope we can see you then. Users, we have been struck by the praise and gratitude that has been expressed not only for our Volunteer Visitors, but for our charity as a whole and all the many Toybox Pre-School services that we provide. As we near the end of an enjoyable We are always looking for more Volunteer Autumn Term at Toybox, we are delighted Visitors to help us to support visually to have been chosen as one of the Co-op’s impaired people throughout your local causes in their Local Community Fund. area, if you have a few hours to spare Please consider selecting us as your cause and would like to hear more: if you are a member at Please contact www.membership.coop.co.uk/causes/50972 [email protected] Toybox is a charity-registered Pre-School or call 01823 333818 judged as a “Good Provider” by Ofsted. Reg Charity No: 1154472 We offer term time day care for 2 to 5 year olds at the Swainson Building next to Ansford Academy from 9.15am to 3.45pm. We have parking and an outside Tools for Self-Reliance play area at our setting in addition to our well laid out hall. Pictures and full details The Cary branch of Tools for Self-Reliance, can be found on our website a national charity which supports self-help www.toyboxpreschool.weebly.com projects in African countries, did manage We offer access to the government’s Early to meet during the autumn, but at the Years Entitlement for 3 and 4 year olds time of writing we are again restricted of 15 hours free childcare per week, or to repairing and refurbishing tools and 30 hours for eligible working families, equipment from home. as well as fee paying or eligible 2 year The Covid lockdown has also meant that funded children. Please email us on we were unable to hold any of our popular [email protected] if you would tool sales at The Market House earlier in like more information. We have spaces the year. However, if you are in need of available and would love to hear from you tools during the second lockdown, Melissa if you are looking for childcare. (07815 031778) can provide a wide range from our store in South Cary. Items there Contact number: 01963 359600 include DIY and workshop tools, garden Email: [email protected] equipment, saws and axes, work benches, and much else. We are always in need of donations of hand sewing machines and carpentry, Tuesday Market metalworking, blacksmithing and mechanical repair tools, all of which we Hello Cary and Ansford! refurbish and send to Africa. We also Difficult times once again and we hope welcome miscellaneous items, garden you are all weathering the storm. tools etc. for redistribution or sale. So if Our well-established TUESDAY MARKET you’re having a clear-out please set aside is now in its 7th year; it is respected www.ansfordpc.org.uk 22 www.castle-cary.co.uk and valued as being one of the most Next year we will be celebrating the consistent WEEKLY markets in Somerset 37th anniversary of our twinning with and as such has been featured in the Remalard and despite current and perhaps National Marketeers’ Magazine and other forthcoming restrictions, will Local Magazines on many occasions. endeavour as an Association to further I’m sure you will agree it adds energy promote this special friendship. to our Town and is a focus to our week. Visitors to Cary regularly comment on the Please contact Lesley Quick: friendliness of both the Market and High Email - [email protected] Street in general: we have a very special Tele. No. - 01963 359248 Market Town indeed! As usual the traders will be here throughout the winter months, Government guidelines permitting, and Trust U3A look forward to helping you in any way. Alongside general food produce, including The Third Age Trust is offering the chance fresh fish, there are stalls selling hot food to register for Trust U3A, an online U3A (Thai and Macaroni) plus cooked pies and where you can gain access to the Trust’s pasties. learning resources and join the U3A Despite being in the open we will be community until local U3As are able to wearing face coverings, and sanitizer will return to normal. be available for all. What is Trust U3A? Trust U3A is an online U3A community Angela Piggott launched in April 2020 to meet the continued demand to become a member of the U3A movement while face to face contact is limited. The Third Age Trust is Castle Cary & Ansford Twinning a national charity which has created Trust Association U3A to give you an opportunity to join this amazing movement and make the most of We believe this Association, like so many the opportunities on offer for members. other local organisations and clubs have What does it mean to be part of U3A? had to cancel many planned summer If you are no longer in full time work or events. Indeed our members have raising a family - we call it your third age become accustomed to receiving the email - U3A gives you opportunities to develop cancelling the next function. We hope that your interests, make new friends and looking forward to the New Year matters have fun. There are more than 1,000 will improve. U3As across the UK whose members are We were happy and honoured to have making the most of life by continuing their been represented at the scaled down educational, social or creative interests in Remembrance ceremony in Castle Cary by a friendly and encouraging atmosphere. one of our committee members, Mr Roy Why not visit the website where you will Higgins. find details of how to become a member The one remaining social event left on our of Trust U3A with new projects, ideas and 2020 calendar is the very popular ‘Fish & skills to share together with groups to Chips Quiz Night’ to be held at Caryford join and develop? Just type the following Hall on Saturday 5th December @ 6.30pm. URL into your browser, to take a look at Hopefully in the New Year, with a little our Groups page luck, we will be able to hold our Annual www.u3asites.org.uk/trustu3a/groups, Dinner during January/February and also or to join Trust U3A simply complete plan our proposed visit to Remalard, our registration form at, Normandy, France during the 2021 Easter www.u3auk.wufoo.com/forms/trust-u3a- period. registration-form 23 Ansford and Castle Cary W I a quest around the gardens to discover fascinating facts and spectacular spots. Unfortunately, due to the Covid Virus, we The Cyder Bar will keep you fuelled with do not have a date when we will be able mulled cyder and apple juice, and hot to resume our meetings. It is difficult to fresh soups made by our chefs using plan ahead for next year and arrange garden vegetables. Or warm your hands speakers for the WI but as soon as we at our new outdoor firepit, crafted by local have some idea of when the WI can open drystone specialist, Tom Trouton. again we will contact all our members. For wet weather days, we’ll be reopening I would like to send to all the WI The Story of Gardening as soon as members our best wishes for Christmas regulations allow, so that you can escape and hopefully a healthy and peaceful New the grey weather for warmer climes Year with normal life resuming. through sensory technology and Virtual Reality. The tropical heat of the Winter Committee members: Garden and cosy setting of the Garden Irene Dobson – President Café will also reopen, offering restful Diane Rickers – Treasurer spots for breakfast, lunch or tea and Chrissie Stone – Secretary cake.

If you can’t get out, remember that our Mobile Newt service is delivering 7 days Winter Walks at the Newt in a week. Fresh breads, vegetables, meats Somerset and cheeses, plus pies and puddings to see you through the cold spell. We As we bid farewell to the last of the fallen also have a selection of Christmas gifts autumn leaves and embrace the fresh and hampers that can delivered for free snap of winter, we’re looking forward to anywhere in the UK, making your festive welcoming you to our gardens and Farm to-do list a whole lot easier. Shop this season. What does the new year hold in store? Writing this during lockdown, it strikes Keep an eye out for garden-inspired me again how fortunate we are to be able workshops and a new Apiary building to keep our acres of space and woodland opening in the spring, where you can walks open for the community to enjoy. learn more about our bees and glimpse Getting outside and keeping active is into their hives. Plenty to look forward more important than ever, so we are to and keep spirits up. From all of us at proud to be open every day other than The Newt, have a wonderful Christmas Christmas Day (I’m looking forward to – whatever that looks like for you and a Boxing Day walk with a hot chocolate your family - and we hope to see in the in hand). Unless you already have a gardens soon. Garden Membership, we do ask that you book your visit in advance using our easy Ed Workman online booking system; this allows us to Chief Executive ensure your safety by easing queues at the Gatehouse during popular times.

For the festive season, we have plenty of exciting activities for all ages. For the young (and young at heart), ‘The Newt Treasure Trail’ is a rewarding outdoor experience, with riddles taking you on www.ansfordpc.org.uk 24 www.castle-cary.co.uk What’s On December 2020 – February 2021

The events diary is obviously a little scant as Covid -19 has put paid to most events. We have collated these events from the articles that you have sent to us but in future if you have a specific event you want us to list please send the details to Claire Craner-Buckley [email protected] in advance of the copy date of the next issue. You can also post your event on the town website www.castle-cary.co.uk

Date Organisation Event Venue Contact

15th Dec Caryford Hall Charitable Trust Zoom [email protected] Meeting

17th Dec Cary Cares Christmas appeal Cooper & Tanner or [email protected] donations (Last Date) The Market Garden

12th Jan Somerset Beginners theory Zoom [email protected] Beekeepers training

16th Oct Carnival Society Cary Carnival Castle Cary [email protected]

Trade Directory

Business Contact Details Description ANTIQUES and COLLECTABLES Jenny Martin Antiques Castle Cary Gold & silver jewellery purchased Email:[email protected] also broken items (silver and Tel: 01963 350733 decorative antiques) FLORISTS and GARDEN SERVICES Osborne Tree Services Bruton All aspects of tree surgery Email:Osbornetreeservices@hotmail. Fully insured co.uk Tel: 07896813934 FOOD The Slow Farming Clanville Manor Farm, Farming here since 1898, our Castle Cary, BA7 7PJ mission is simple: to produce Company Email:[email protected] nutrient rich food that nourishes Tel: 01963 350313 both the people that eat it and the Website:www.slowfarming.co.uk land that helped grow it. Free local beef delivery in affordable packs. FUNERAL SERVICES Harold F Miles Winton Cottage, South Cadbury, Family-run Business, 24 hour BA22 7ES service, Pre-paid funeral plans Funeral Director Tel: 01963 440367 HEALTH BEAUTY and MEDICAL SERVICES Heal and Sole Holistics Station Road, Castle Cary, Experienced, highly qualified Somerset, BA7 7BX complementary therapists, Email:[email protected] specialising in Reflexology, Indian Tel: 01963 350639 Head Massage, Reiki Healing and Website: www.healandsole.co.uk EFT Tapping. Luxurious tranquil treatment room, safe private off road parking, AOR & CNHC registered

25 Manor Lodge Health & The Triangle, Castle Cary, BA7 7BA Relaxing, friendly health, beauty Email: [email protected] and cosmetic surgery clinic with Beauty Clinic Tel: 01963 351504 over 30 years experience. Open for all treatments. Health and safety measures for Covid-19 in operation. Secrets of Castle Cary 13 Fore St, Castle Cary, BA7 7BG Lingerie sizes A – H Mastectomy Tel: 01963 351746 Lingerie Tues–Fri 9.30am-4.30pm Sports Lingerie Sat 9.30am-3.00pm Swimwear Hosiery Suttons Stairlifts Ltd The Works, Board Cross, Shepton Family-run, local business offering Mallet, Somerset BA4 5DX new or refurbished stairlifts, either Tel: +44 (0)1749 346900 straight or curved, also rentals, Mobile: +44 (0)7711 774111 services, removals and repairs. Free survey, honest advice, no hard sell and no hidden costs. Jane Wintle West Country House, Woodcock Street, Fully degree qualified, insured Castle Cary, Somerset, BA7 7BL and council licensed Traditional Acupuncture Email:Janewintleacupuncture@gmail. Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture com practitioner. Tel: 07538 719153 Week day and evening appointments Website:Janewintleacupuncture.co.uk available. Please telephone or email for further details HEATING, PLUMBING, ELECTRICAL and TELEPHONE Suttons Stairlifts Ltd Carystones, South Street, Wincanton Chimney Sweeping, Wood Burner & BA9 9DL Flue Installations. Steve Adams Chimeys Email:steveadamschimneys For all your Chimney Sweeping, @hotmail.com Birdguards, Wood Burner and Flue Tel: 07932655267 installations, contact Steve Adams Chimneys HETAS registered installer Schimmel and Son Leyton House, Fore Street, Highly experienced gas engineer Castle Cary, BA7 7BQ and plumber. Gas saferegistered. Gas Water Heating Email: [email protected] Recommendations on request Tel: 07956 542303 FASHION HATS by Emelle 18, Clothier Meadow, Castle Cary, Marion at HATS by Emelle designs Somerset, BA7 7HA and makes hats, fascinators and Email: [email protected] headpieces, both bespoke and Tel: 01963 351423 ready-to-wear, for weddings, races, Website: www.getdressy.co.uk Royal garden parties and award ceremonies. FINANCIAL, LEGAL and INSURANCE SERVICES Max Foote Associates 2 Bailey Hill, Castle Cary, BA7 7AD Accountancy & Tax Advice, Email: [email protected] Bookkeeping & Payroll Ltd Tel: 01963 351052

Please recycle after use.

www.ansfordpc.org.uk 26 www.castle-cary.co.uk Castle Cary & Ansford LOCAL ORGANISATIONS

Action for Children – 01963 351554 Chamber of Commerce – 07860 313018 Alcoholics Anonymous – 0800 917 7650 Christian Aid – 01963 351275 All Saints’ & St Andrew’s Churches – 07483 866400 Cinema in Caryford – 01963 350132 Alzheimer’s Society – 01458 251541 EatCary – 01963 351461 Ansford Parish Council – 07969 399559 Fair Trade Group – 01963 350629 Ansford Academy – 01963 350895 Friends of Cary 2000 – 07803 855208 ATC 2277 (Cary & District) Squadron – 07717 683404 Friends of Cemetery Chapel – 01963 350276 Bellringing – 01963 350002 Friends of Castle Cary Library – 07813 628447 Bible Study Group – 01749 860571 Guide Dogs for the Blind – 01963 350182 British Heart Foundation – 01963 350022 Greener Cary – [email protected] Camelot Rounders – 07969 233760 Judo Club – 01749 890308 Care4Cary – 07803 855208 Macmillan Cancer Support – 07714 030813 Cary Cares – 01963 602013 / [email protected] Market House Dance Studio – 07805 571590 Cary Allotments – 01963 350917 Martial Arts – 07738 599670 Cary Amateur Theatrical Society (CATS) – 07715 510359 Methodist Church – 01963 351598 Cary Comedians Carnival Club – 01963 440472 Methodist Church lettings – 01963 351635 Cary History Society – [email protected] Mid-Somerset Flower Club – 01963 351811 Cary Runners – 01963 350418 Millbrook Surgery Friends Group – 01963 350210 Caryford Community Hall – 01963 351324 Moat Garden Project – 01963 350899 Caryford Fitness & Leisure – 01963 350600 Netball – 07903 244213 Caryford Short Mat Bowls – 01963 359069 Parson Woodforde Society – www.parsonwoodforde.org.uk Carymarsh Nature Reserve –01963 350418 Red Cross – 01963 350830 Carymoor Environmental Centre – 01963 350143 Rainbow & Brownies – 07985 246830 Castle Cary & Ansford Carnival Society – 07711 266969 Rotary Club (Brue Valley) – 07767 488719 Castle Cary & Ansford Women’s Institute – Royal British Legion – 01963 548009 07402 765932 Save the Children Shop – 01963 351681 Castle Cary Bowls Club – 01963 359573 St Margaret’s Hospice – 0845 070 8910 Castle Cary Bridge Club – 01935 850122 Scouts/Cubs/Beavers – 07773 515511 Castle Cary Ceramics Group – 01460 54117 Somerset Beekeepers Association – 07894039933 Castle Cary Choir – 01749 342163 Somerset Wildlife Trust (SE Area) – 01749 812127 Castle Cary Community Library – 07579 049109 South Somerset Community Accessible Transport – Castle Cary Cricket Club – 07527 628956 01963 34594 Castle Cary Football Club – 01963 350587 Table Tennis Club – 01963 351571 Castle Cary Gardening Association – 01963 350618 / Taekwon-Do Club – 07759 405601 www.ccga.btck.co.uk Tiddlywinks – 01963 350341 Castle Cary Majorettes (Cygnets) – 01963 350603 Tools for Self Reliance – 01749 813239 Castle Cary Out of School Club (The Hive) – 07496 348233 Tourist Information Group – 01963 351763 Castle Cary Primary School – 01963 350520 Toybox Pre-school – 01963 359600 Castle Cary Rainbows and Brownies – 07985 246833 U3A Camelot Area – 01963 351269 Castle Cary Ramblers – 01963 359621 Use Less Share More Group – 01963 351461 Castle Cary Rugby Club – 01963 351178 Workers’ Education Association (WEA) – 01749 860352 Castle Cary Town Museum – 01963 350680 Youth Matters – 01963 350160 Castle Cary Twinning Association – 01963 31619 Zambia Links (CMCPT) – 01963 351461

Castle Cary Town Council, Market House, Castle Cary BA7 7AH Tel: 01963 359631 – website: www.castle-cary.co.uk Ansford Parish Council website: www.ansfordpc.org.uk