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The Parish of Three Saints St Christopher, St Michael, Brent Knoll St Mary, Contacts Baptisms PriestͲinͲCharge

WeareenteringintoaperiodofInterregnumplease To arrange the Baptism contact the Church Administrator. thereforecontactChurchofficeforanyenquiriesafter 31stMarch2018 Please also see Church of website for more ChurchAdministrator–MrsCaroleCarter information- www.churchofenglandchristenings.org ChurchOffice,ChurchRoad,EastBrent,,TA94HZ Tel01278769082 Weddings eͲmail[email protected] OfficeisopenMonday,Wednesday&Friday10.00–1.00 Weddings can be arranged by contacting our Church Websitewww.theparishofthreesaints.org.uk Administrator who will discuss with you availability of dates  and times, also talk with you about the qualifying Churchwardens connection you must have with the Parish and to take your contact details. StChristopher’s,Lympsham GwenHatton01934750416/[email protected] You will then be contacted to arrange a mutually convenient StMary’s,EastBrent time to meet to discuss your commitment and requirements. KathyQuinnell01278760031/[email protected] ChristineHussey01278760034 Please also see Church of England website for more StMichael’s,BrentKnoll information- www.yourchurchwedding.org FrancesJames01278760287 Funerals MikeSmith01278760691/[email protected] ChurchTreasurer–JimHanmer Your chosen Funeral Director will contact our Priest and 01934750076/[email protected] Church Administrator to arrange your requirements.  ******************* PCCSecretary–MrsCaroleCarter Visit our website – 01278769082/[email protected] www.theparishofthreesaints.org.uk Services for April 2018 . Service Time Church 1st April Holy Communion – BCP 8.00am St. Christopher’s Lympsham Parish Eucharist 10.00am St. Christopher’s Lympsham 8th April Holy Communion – BCP 8.00am St. Michael’s Brent Knoll Parish Eucharist 10.00am St. Mary’s East Brent 15th April Holy Communion - BCP 8.00am St. Christopher’s Lympsham Parish Eucharist 10.00am St. Michael’s Brent Knoll 22nd April Holy Communion - BCP 8.00am St. Mary’s East Brent Parish Eucharist 10.00am St. Christopher’s Lympsham Evening Prayer 6.30pm St. Michael’s Brent Knoll 29th April All-Sorts-Worship & Eucharist 10.00am St. Mary’s East Brent Every Tuesday Holy Communion 2.30pm St. Mary’s East Brent Every Wednesday Holy Communion 10.00am St. Christopher’s Lympsham St Michael’s Sidesmen Rota 8th April 8.00am Tim Hannah 15th April 10.00am John Harper & Sally Wingate 22nd April 6.30pm Sally Wingate Church Register Holy Baptism Noah Fox Davey 4

METHODIST CHURCH (www.brentknollmethodistchurch.com) Minister Revd. Steve Bennett The weather at the beginning of March was truly horrendous and four of our five churches in the Burnham end of our Circuit took the sensible decision to close on the first Sunday of the month. Even though the snow had melted, it was still very slippery, and very, very cold. However, we were open as usual the week after when we celebrated Mothering Sunday. It was a joy to see the young people and we were very grateful to them for their help, which included reading, taking the offering and handing out posies to our congregation at the end of our service. We are now looking forward to Easter when Rev Margaret Trapp will be taking our Easter Sunday service, which will include Holy Communion and, of course, all are welcome to join us in this very special service of celebration. Looking further ahead, after the success of our “Praise for Pets” service last year, we are going to hold another towards the end of Spring. I will let you have further details nearer the time but, as before, all creatures (great and small!) will be welcome and if you are unable to bring them, a prayer tree will be available where you may hang a photograph of your best loved furry friend (past or present) so they may receive a prayer and a blessing. But in the meantime, from all of us at Brent Knoll Methodist Church, we wish you a very joyful Easter time. God bless. Rosemary Krull Preachers for April at 10.30am 1st April : Rev Margaret Trapp (Easter Sunday - to include Holy Communion) 8th April : Mr Rob Jenks 15th April : Rev Jim McKnight 22nd April : Mr Brian Dallimore 29th April : Rev Steve Bennett Toddlers We had fun celebrating World Book Day with the toddlers dressing up as various book characters - you all looked amazing. Sadly, we had to say goodbye to Rev’d Simon Lewis as he is moving to a new parish. The toddlers presented Simon with a lovely card, which they had decorated and a gift in gratitude for the support he has given to the group over many years. It was good to welcome Rev’d Steve Bennett on the last day of term. His presentation of the Easter Story, complete with actions, was thoroughly enjoyed by both the children and the adults! Hope you are having a great Easter holiday and we look forward to seeing you all again for the start of the Summer Term on Tuesday 17th April. Jane Garage thefts Did you know there have been a couple of garage thefts in the village in Church Lane and Brent Street, near the school? They have been reported to the , but remember to keep garages and sheds locked, remain vigilant and as Shaw Taylor would have said, “Keep them peeled”. Caroline 5

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Brent Knoll Parish Council Meeting Summary – March 2018 MeetingAttendance:11Councillors,theclerkand3membersofthepublicattendedthismeeting. MinutesoftheJanuarymeeting. TheMinutesofthe7thMarchwereapprovedasatrueandaccuratereflectionofthemeeting. DeclarationsofPecuniary,PrejudicialandPersonalinterestdeclaredasfollows:Ͳ CllrRFilmerdeclaredapersonalinterestonmattersrelatingtoandCountyasthe electedCouncillorfortheDistrictandtheCounty.CllrDKnottonpaymentstoContractorJason MayoonthegroundsofbeingasubͲcontractorandprejudicialinterestbyCllrCTownsendon matters relating to Church Lane One way Proposal for reasons of being a resident of Church Lane. PlanningApplications NoPlanningmattersbeforetheCouncilatthismeeting. KeyMattersagreedandresolutionsapproved:Ͳ 1. ToCompleteFingerPostrefurbishmentin3locations. 2. OnͲgoingcompletionsofworkonthetelephonekioskandmanagingtheunit. 3. ConsiderfutureofToiletblockrefurbishmentoptions. 4. AdditionalPaintingforequipmentonthegreenandPlaySurfaceimprovements. 5. AppealtoMethodistusersforsaferparkingnearthejunctionwithChurchLane. 6. GrantConsiderationstoSomewhereHouse,WellChild,StMichaelsChurchandLegion. 7. Continuing support for consultation of affordable Housing in Station Road subject to highwaysandreinstatementoffootpathlinkfromStationRoadtoBrentStreet. 8. AppointmentofRichardYoungasourInternalauditorfor2017/18. 9. Consideration subject to both resident consultation and highways approval for the creationofaonewaysysteminpartofChurchLanetoalleviatecongestion. ParishSurgeryMattersraised NoIssuesraisedotherthanthoseconsideredbytheaffordableHousingconsultation. FinanceMatters. AllPaymentsaslistedontheagendawereapprovedunanimously. FullcopyoftheminutesavailableonthewebsiteandalsoavailablefromtheClerk. Forthcomingmeetings. Next main meeting Wednesday 4th April 2018, 7pm for public session followed by the main meetingoftheParishCouncil.ParishSurgeryforanyonetovisittheParishCouncilwithlocal issues this will be at 4.30pmͲ 6pm. Annual Parish Meeting 11th April 7.30pmSpeaker Chris BurmanHeadoftheVillageSchool.Publicalwayswelcometothesemeetings.  OwenJCullwick,[email protected]Tel07917445215 The Lamb Sheep play an important role in many religions and the lamb is often used as a symbol of purity and innocence as it is in William Blake’s pastoral poem: Little Lamb, who made thee Softest clothing, woolly, bright; Dost thou know who made thee? Gave thee such a tender voice, Gave thee life and bid thee feed. Making all the vales rejoice! By the stream and o'er the mead; Little Lamb, who made thee Gave thee clothing of delight, Dost thou know who made thee? SW 8

We are all very sorry to hear that our Priest-in-Charge, Simon Lewis, is leaving us after Easter for pastures new. We wish him and his family all the best for the future. This means that the Parish of Three Saints will now be entering into what is called an interregnum. The position of Priest-in-Charge will be advertised by Wells Deanery Office. The Archdeacon and the Rural Dean, who is the vicar of Highbridge, will be supporting us throughout the vacancy. This can be expected to last 10 months at least, to give the Parish time to reflect. Services will continue and be taken by various local Priests, either retired or Curates. Anyone wishing to apply will write to the Deanery Office and then be sent a Parish Profile prepared by the Churchwardens. In due course, the applicants will then be interviewed by the Wardens and others and of course shown the Parish Churches and the Rectory. We very much hope that one of them will then be elected and he or she will then be inducted as our Priest-in-Charge. Frances James, Churchwarden Easter Lilies If anyone would like to donate in memory of a loved one for the Lilies in St Michael’s Church at Easter, please phone Sally Wingate (760 610) or Marion Vining (760 612). N.B. We are always looking for more Church flower arrangers. You don’t have to be qualified, just enjoy flower arranging! Marion & Sally Coronation Oak in the Glebe field Following my request in the March edition of the Brent Knoll News for information regarding the above tree, I would like to thank Jean Owen for the following:- The tree was in fact planted by children of the village school. Unfortunately when still small, the top was bitten off by a horse which was grazing in the field. This has resulted in its rather stunted shape. Many thanks to the other people who got in touch on the subject. George Brown Brent Knoll Poppy Banners and Ceramic Poppy Display The Brent Banner Team is working on two poppy banners to hang in St Michael’s Church to commemorate the end of the First World War in November. We have also had the idea of the Brent Knoll mini equivalent of the London Tower ceramic poppy display. Anita Peach, who is a creative ceramicist and potter and lives in the village, has agreed to help with this project over the next few months. It is hoped that the poppies will be displayed behind the War Memorial for a period of time. We are hoping to gain sponsorship to help with the cost of the clay, glazing and firing and we hope that there might be some local interest in taking part in making poppies with guidance from Anita. If you are interested in sponsoring or participating in the ceramic poppy project, then please contact: Rosemary Keele – [email protected] or Anita Peach 01278 760 334 for further information. Rosemary Keele 9 Rebecca Southwell MBCha Mssch Itec Hons MGCP Chiropody & Holistic Therapies

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Alan & Steven Hello, our names are Alan and Steven. We are micro providers of care services based in Bridgwater, Somerset with DBS and Public Liability Insurance. We offer young/older people a wide range of services to help them live independently including: - Companionship and support - Driving services to doctors/hospitals. etc. - Dementia support and sitting service - All type of house cleaning - Cooking light meals, etc. - Maintenance (D.I.Y. skills, many years' experience - portfolio available) Please contact us for an informal chat to arrange a plan to suit your own personal needs. We have experience working with people of all ages with learning difficulties. Address: Bridgwater, Somerset. Phone no: 07599 709966; 07935 841443. Email: [email protected] Please mention the Brent Knoll News when replying to adverts 11

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Pastoral Care Groups Since September 2014, there have been groups running for the villages of Brent Knoll, East Brent and Lympsham, supported by The Parish of Three Saints. Care Support Groups - Alzheimer’s & Dementia Carers Group Monday April 16th at 4pm at Brentcombe House, Church Road, East Brent, TA9 4HZ Tel Carla 01278 760 041 for details. Comfort Group Thursday April 19th at 2.30pm at Wayfarers, Brent Road, East Brent TA9 4DB Tel Dot 01278 760 600 for details. Bereaved Friends Group Thursday April 26th at 2.30pm at 87, Brent Street, Brent Knoll, TA9 4EQ. Tel Margaret 01278 760 691 or Gwen 01934 750 416. For further information please contact myself or any of the others noted above. These groups are open to all. Margaret Smith “200+ Club” March Draw The March draw was made at the March Bazaar. The lucky numbers were drawn by shoppers. The winning numbers were:-

March No. Prize Name First Prize 184 £ 20 Mrs T. Hazelton-Cavill Church Lane Brent Knoll Second Prize 219 £ 20 Miss C.M. Wildash Greentrees Avenue Tonbridge Third Prize 310 £ 16 Mr & Mrs N. Field Church Lane Brent Knoll Fourth Prize 08 £ 12 Mr K.A. Blick Severn Drive Thornbury Fifth Prize 18 £ 12 Mrs M. Osborn Brent Street Brent Knoll Sixth Prize 102 £ 10 Mr & Mrs P.S. Dixon Brent Street Brent Knoll Seventh Prize 254 £ 8 Mrs M.J. Collett St Christopher’s Way Burnham Eighth Prize 276 £ 6 Mr & Mrs D. Bennett Manor Ride Brent Knoll Thank you to all the members of the 2018 200+ Club; your support will help make sure that our Parish Hall continues to meet the needs of our local community and remains at it’s heart. Bob Filmer, “200+ Club” Co-ordinator, Brent Knoll Parish Hall Committee BAD Italian Bistro The Italian evening hosted by BAD was a tremendous success. We went, not having a clue what we were letting ourselves in for! It was very funny and even more so, knowing the people who were taking part. One only had to look around the hall to see and hear how much everyone was enjoying themselves. The BAD actors were obviously as pleased as we were. The kitchen “staff” got the lasagne and salad and so quickly. We finished with a “Cornetto”. Thank you for a really good evening, and we look forward to something similar next year. Sally Wingate Thank you Thank you to all those who participated and those who attended the BAD Italian Bistro making it a night to remember and great fun. Sarah, BAD 13 CHELSEA FARM CENTRE LTD HARP RD, BRENT KNOLL, SOMERSET TA9 4HQ TEL: 01278 760 480 PLUGS - PLANTS - BULBS - HANGING BASKETS - TUBS - PERENNIALS - SHRUBS ALL PLANTS IN THEIR SEASON CITROEN SPECIALISTS - PARTS, REPAIRS, SERVICING OPEN 7 DAYS PARKING FACILITIES

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FRONT COVER Photos Thanks to Nick Pennington for this month’s cover of our recent snow! Bob 16

WHERE IN OUR VILLAGE Each month the BKN will have a small picture quiz – no prizes, but I hope you may enjoy guessing where the object shown is located within the Parish boundary. Last month’s object is one of the bee hives located in the grounds of Ball Copse Hall next to Hill Lane. This month’s feature is a wire figure holding a scythe and, as you can see from this photograph, is a little difficult to spot. So where is it? The answer and another object will be shown next month. JaPe

At the February meeting, we had Robert Turner of Air Museum give us a very interesting talk and history of the Westonzoyland Air Base, which closed in 1957. Many airmen were trained at the airbase on the Meteor jet and it would appear that an awful lot of them didn’t make the runway and crash landed all over the area including Lympsham and and many other places. Robert has some very interesting and historical photos of the times, with many of the airmen in the pictures being unidentified to date. One of the many Westonzoyland airmen was Brian Clough Nottingham Forest Manager. A very enjoyable afternoon with tea and cakes to follow. Dates for the next meetings:- April 18th - Islands of the Bristol Channel - Neil Clarke May 16th - AGM & Quilt Talk - Sara McClean June 20th - Burnham USA – U3A Group We are a very friendly group and we welcome new members of all ages. We meet in the Parish Hall at 2.30pm on the third Wednesday of every month, so just come along to a meeting or contact Karen Russell on 01278 769382. KR WI Craft Group We will meet at 2.30pm on Monday April 16th in the Methodist Church school room. We are a small friendly group which like to knit or craft, chatter and have a cuppa. We have enjoyed having some sewing friends with us who have been making some green heart bunting to be used by Somerset Federation of WI’s to draw attention to climate change. We continue to knit hats and scarves for Mission to Seafarers and are now knitting twiddlemuffs and glove puppets, but would welcome other people who craft – whatever it may be. For further details please contact me on 01278 760 691 Margaret Smith Post Office Closing Times During the month of April the Post Office Counter will close at 1pm on the following: Thursday 5th Thursday 12th Monday 23rd Thursday 26th Friday 6th Friday 13th Tuesday 24th Friday 27th Wednesday 25th Manshu Shah (Sub postmaster) Just for Fun The search for a man who terrorised a nudist camp with a bacon slicer goes on. Police Inspector Jones had a tipoff yesterday, but hopes to be back on duty tomorrow! R.Ward 17

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Brent Knoll House Histories European Heritage Year 1975 W. I. Book – 20 InApril1964aWayleaveAgreementwasconcludedbetweenLtColLeightonStevens,the tenantofthesite,PercyRich, and the South West Electricity Board (SWEB).It onlyaffectedthatpartshown asadottedlineinthepicture and consisted of overhead lines,whichhadtobeatleast seventeenfeet(c5.2m)above thegroundandneededthree polesandstays.Itdidrequire the felling of two walnut trees, one dead walnut tree, one large elm and one small elm, as shown in the underlined section towards the centre right of the picture.As compensation for ‘interference with agriculture’ they were to receive 5/Ͳ per annum(25p)forarableland,butonly2/6(12½p)forcultivatedgrassland,foreachpoleand 1/Ͳ(5p)foreachpoleasrental,thoughthecompensationcouldbedoubledifthereweretwo distinctcropsperannum.Allamounts tobepaidonthefirstofJanuary.This was modified eleven years later, by which time the payments had been converted into decimal currency and increased:therentalhaddoubledand the compensation had become more complex and showed quite a considerable rise.The poles are still there,asshowninthispicture. I was intrigued by the name of the SWEB representative in the second document: Cyril Fletcher, the same name as a wellͲknown comedian I first saw in pantomime when I had only just reached doublefigures! Notealso,onthemapabove,thattheEastTowngutterrunsalongsidetheroadinfrontof thetwopropertiesonthewestsideofGosmoor,buthasobviouslybeenpipedunderthe frontageofthathouse.Partsofthegutterdoremaintoday. ItwasthefollowingyearinwhichLtColLeightonStevensdied,onthe3rdJune1965,andthe propertywasthensoldbyLtColMauriceLeightonStevens,hisson,andasolicitormemberof thefamily,JohnOsmondStevens. Continuedonpage20 20

Brent Knoll House Histories – Continued Itwaspurchased,for£9,750,byT.W.Lansbury&Co.Limited,whohadtheirregisteredoffice at that time in “Northcott”, Parsonage Road, Berrow.A conversion is listed on the conveyance,showingTithemapnumberingmodifiedtoOrdnanceSurveynumbering.190 and190anowbecome702,191becomes696,fortheorchard,and697,forthehouseand garden,whilst191aisdividedinto703(forjustoveranacre)and704(forasmallpieceatthe northeasternend). Onthe18thNovemberthesameyearthecompany,whoseRegisteredOfficeisnowquotedas Gosmoor, used that property as collateral for his overdraft with the Midland Bank. The companyisreferredtoas‘Builders.’ Atthisstagethingsgetalittlemorecomplex because the new owner, in his private capacity, also purchased land adjoining the field listed as 702, next door to Gosmoor, shownhereasO.S.701.Thishadbeenleased by Leslie Dimmock from “The President and Scholars of Corpus Christi College in the University of Oxford” and was stated to be partoftheNorthgroveManor,whichincluded land in Burton Row, plus other land outside the parish boundary, and is said to form “part of Ancient estates belonging to the said President and Scholars.”.The landlord did, however, retain certain rights over the land, includingspringsofwaterandtrees,inadditiontoanymineralrights,etc.,plusanyhunting andshootingrights,explicitlyincludinggame,wildfowl,woodcock,snipe,landrail(including thenestsandeggsofsame),hares,rabbits,foxesandfish(notsurehowmanyofthosewould bearound!).ThelandwassoldtoTrevorLansburyonthe24thMay1968for£650.Justover ayearlater,onthe20thJune1969,thiswasalsomortgagedtotheMidlandBanktosupport personaloverdraftsforTrevorandhiswife,SusanMountfordLansbury. Planning permission was granted to Trevor Lansbury, on the 2nd June 1970, to erect an additionalunitofaccommodation,store,tackroomandkitchenextensionatGosmoorandto demolish part of an old stable block, but, as he was a builder, he then sought planning permissiontobuildhousesonthesitesheowned.Permissionwasrefusedonthegrounds thatdevelopmentonthescaleproposedwasincompatibletothelimitedinfillingpolicyfor BrentKnoll,thatitwasnotwelllocatedtothenucleusofthevillageandthatmaindrainage wasnotavailable.TrevorLansburyappealedtotheDepartmentoftheEnvironmentandI willdiscusstheirresponsenextmonth. JohnPage Dog Mess May I please ask the people who are taking their dogs walking down Crooked Lane – Do Not leave your dog faeces on the side of the road. It is quite disgusting, and very irresponsible, it gives all dog owners a bad name. Poo bags do not cost a lot (available from the village shop), and it is the work of a minute to pick it up, and then take it home with you, put it in a dog bin, or your own bin. Dogs should be owned by responsible people. It is not the act of a responsible person to leave the dirt lying around. Pauline Chadwick 21

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Women’s Society A huge ‘Thank you’ to Sarah for an entertaining evening instructing us on how to ‘felt’ using a fairly, traditional method. Most of us came home with various samples of flowers, I hasten to add some unrecognisable as such, but we had fun and enjoyed the experience! On Thursday March 29th, at the earlier time of 7.30pm, we have been invited to Julie’s home, Wick Farm, Wick Lane for our annual Hot Pot Supper. This is always a very popular evening and we look forward to sampling the many dishes that members provide. A reminder that on April 26th we meet at 135, Brent Street at 8pm when Brian will be setting a quiz for us. Thinking caps on girls! If you would like to join us at any of our meetings and need further details, please ring Julie on 751 229 or Ann 760 148. Thank you. Ann Women’s Institute At the March meeting we were entertained by Veronica Andrews and Sheena Holloway who took part in Bargain Hunt, the BBC antiques programme. Veronica and Sheena did not know anything about antiques, but had a great time picking out antiques at the Antiques Fayre at Shepton Mallet and managed to beat the opposing team. At our meeting at the Parish Hall on Wednesday, 11th April, Sean Clarke will speak on the history of Origami. No doubt we will be able to try our hand at making something intricate. 2018 is the centenary year of the founding of the Somerset Federation of Women’s Institutes and to celebrate, all the Institutes in Somerset will be parading their banners through Wells on Saturday, 28th April, led by the Mayor and Town Crier. Finally, Phyllis Loynd won the Flower of the Month competition with a sprig of Japonica. JMG “Meet & Eat” Meet and Eat will be held in the Nuttall Room, Brent Knoll Parish Hall, on Monday April 16th at 12.30pm. Please book with Liz on 01278 760 810 by Friday April 13th. We always welcome new diners to enjoy a home cooked meal in good company. Liz, Rosemary, Weit and Bella Somerset Sight The Mobile Advice Service is attending the following sites listed below between 10.30am until 3.30pm. The service is able to demonstrate items from liquid level indicators and talking watches, to talking microwaves and video magnifiers. The vehicle also stocks mobility aids such as white walking sticks and canes, and games such as large print Scrabble and playing cards. If you have any questions, then please do not hesitate to contact me. Kim Wilcox Village Agent 07943 555 519 [email protected]. Burnham on Sea B&M – Monday 23rd April Kim Wilcox 24

Girls Just Wanna Have Fun! In 2018 we will only be doing two events, one on Thursday 21st June and the other on Thursday 6th December – a Summer Solstice party on the deck at Woodlands and a Christmas crafts evening again at Woodlands. As organisers we have found it increasingly difficult to juggle our other commitments and find suitable dates where at least three of us are available. We hope you have enjoyed the evenings we have organised and thank you making the group such fun to be part of. Caroline BRENT KNOLL BAZAAR FARMERS’ MARKET & PARISH CAFÉ SATURDAY 14th April at Brent Knoll Parish Hall - 10.00am to 12 noon Locally produced fresh Pork, Goat’s milk, cheese and meat, Eggs, Pickles and Preserves. Vegetable Stall, Speciality Bread, Westcroft Cider, Cakes and Savouries, Handmade Cards, Silver & Beaded Jewellery, Children’s Games and Toys, Local Crafts, Dog Treats, Textiles, etc., CDs, DVDs, Books and Bric-a-Brac. Plus Raffle The Parish Café will be serving drinks & light snacks Entrance FREE Good Quality, Clean items for BRIC-A-BRAC stall (No Electrical Goods, please) will be appreciated, (collection or delivery) or to Book a Table (£7 per table) Phone Eddie Fuller (01278 760 308) Proceeds to Brent Knoll Parish Hall All change for Easter collection days Easter will bring waste day changes for every household in Somerset. Pick-ups due on Good Friday 30th March will take place on Saturday 31st March, while no collections on Easter Monday 2nd April mean all that week’s kerbside services are one day later, including Friday pick-ups on Saturday 7th April. All recycling sites remain on their usual schedules, with nine sites open on Good Friday 30th March, and all 16 on Saturday, Easter Sunday and Easter Monday. Later bank holidays in 2018 – on Monday 7th May, 28th May, 27th August – will also each mean a week of one-day-later collections, including Friday pick-ups on Saturdays, but no changes for recycling sites. Claire Fawn Just for Fun – Quotes Jimmy Durante: Home cooking. Where many a man thinks his wife is! SJ Holness 25

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Kill your Speed Statistics provided by Avon and Somerset Constabulary show, sadly, that on average 100 people a year die and 150 people are seriously injured on the roads in Somerset. In more than 30% of those accidents, driving too fast has been identified as the main contributing factor. The Brent Knoll Community Speedwatch team, like all Community Speedwatch teams, are trained by, controlled by and are obliged to report any incidents of speeding, non-compliance of not wearing seat belts and the use of mobile phones while driving. Additionally any threats or intimidation or violence must also be reported. CWS teams may only operate at Police approved sites under an agreed code of practice. In Brent Knoll, two areas cause great concern, one is Burton Row anywhere, and the other being Brent Street between the School and the A38. The highest speed recorded in Brent Street was 55mph on a week day mid-morning. The Brent Knoll CWS team are in control of a pro–lite laser gun that uses invisible light waves at a very high frequency, sending out hundreds of invisible infrared laser light pulses per second, this provides an extremely narrow beam for absolute target identification. During a CSW operation, all vehicles will have their relevant speed checked but only those travelling in excess of the prescribed speed limit will be reported to the Avon and Somerset Speed Enforcement unit. So far, in the last 12 months to 31st January 2018, the average speed of all vehicles reported in Brent Knoll was 38.4 mph. Brent Knoll CSW 28

The Winter’s Tale, Wednesday, February 28th. Note the date - we were very lucky to see this on a very cold night, just before the Big Snow. It was a ballet based on the Shakespeare play of the same name, involving a trio of talented men:- choreographer Christopher Wheeldon, composer Joby Talbot, designer Bob Crowley. They collaborated on Alice’s adventures in Wonderland, which we saw last year, so we knew we were in for a fabulous night. We were not disappointed, it went beyond our wildest expectations, the acting was amazing. Ballet is often about the dance only, but this one required acting, and expression also. The story is of a king and queen happily married, with a son, visited by a good friend from a nearby country. 9 months later, the queen has a second child and the king becomes convinced that the child is not his. He orders the queen into jail and the baby abandoned, which kills the son by distress. Years later the king realises his mistake, and is full of remorse. Meanwhile the baby grows up, having been found by a shepherd, and falls in love with a supposed shepherd boy. (This is a fairy tale, so many things happen for which there is no rational explanation). Baby, called Perdita, and Florizel, shepherd boy, do get married eventually after adventures and live happily ever after, as in all good fairy stories. The choreography was a mixture of classical and modern dance, very cleverly revealing different moods with the different genres. Ryoichi Hiranu, dancing King Leontes, was particularly good at the mood swings - his facial expressions were amazing and his interpretation of the story was wonderful to watch, using all sorts of unusual dance positions. Perdita (Sarah Lamb) and Florizel (Vadim Muntagirov) had some great pas-de-deux, I am already looking forward to seeing them in Manon on 3rd May. Dancing together, they complement each other beautifully. The staging and design was pretty spectacular - the set in the 2nd act was a huge tree under which a festival was celebrated, the whole of the 2nd act was danced mainly by the corps de ballet, with a group of musicians on stage. Very colourful, and unusual to have the corps de ballet doing so much of the work, they are often in the background. This was a good contrast to the other acts, which were somewhat sombre in their sets and lighting. We are so lucky to be able to watch London performances at Burnham-on-Sea prices. Spring/Summer programme Ballet; Opera; Manon;- Thursday, 3rd May Macbeth;- Wednesday, 4th April Swan Lake;- Tuesday, 12th June Booking is taking place now for all these. Pauline Chadwick Jazzical Swing Bridgwater’s Jazzical Swing band will be playing at St Michael’s church on May 26th with a guest soloist. They will be playing music from between the wars. They are looking forward to playing in our beautiful church. We do hope you can join us for what promises to be an enjoyable event in our village. Tickets £8 each will be on sale soon from Brent Knoll shop or 01278 760 691. Mike and Margaret 29

WANT TO PLAY THE PIANO or KEYBOARD? Qualified piano and keyboard teacher in Brent Knoll available for friendly, informal lessons Beginners and nervous students a speciality Learn for fun – no pressure to sit exams! For those who do want to work through Bringing business and expertise their grades, the A.B.R.S.M. syllabus is taught. back to Somerset. Call Amy on 760 100 / 07740 167703 Sourcing, procurement and DAVID FORD AERIALS lean production. All types of TV aerials plus extra points Shopfitting, Scientific Research, Freesat, Sky and European/Motorised dishes Discreet and careful installations prototyping. FREE call out and quotations Quality installations for over 24 years [email protected] Please call http://impact-commercial.com DAVID FORD on either Mobile: 07835 739 786 TEL: 01278 489182 or MOBILE: 07740 946385 Tel/Fax: 01278 769 212 Please mention the Brent Knoll News when replying to adverts 30 Berrow Beef & Lamb Mike Lapage Property Maintenance Landscaping, Fencing, Decking, Paving Grass fed, native breed beef & Brick, Block and Stone Work lamb, bred and reared naturally Roofing, Slates, Tiles and & sustainably on our family farm. Leadwork Available directly from the farm, Gutters, Fascia and Soffits in any quantity. Flooring, Tiling Contact Sarah & Richard by Painting and Decorating telephone 01278 783087 / Mob: 07701 072 882 07977467717 Tel: 01278 783 229 Email us on [email protected] Email: Find us on Facebook [email protected] Amber Cottage, Faircott Farm, The Lodge, Shrub Farm, Burton Row, Brent Road, Berrow. Brent Knoll TA9 4BX

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PARISH HALL COMMITTEE FORTHCOMING EVENTS for your DIARY 2nd Saturday Bazaar, Farmers’ Market and Parish Café 21st April Spring Jumble Sale 20th October Harvest Supper 9th June Village Fête the return of “Top Mix”! 21st July Music on the Green with “Kick the Cat” Next meeting –Monday, 9th April, - 8pm, “Jubilee Room” Sandra Few BRENT KNOLL AND MARK TENNIS CLUB The Tennis Club Annual General Meeting will be held on Friday, 20th April, at 7.30pm at the Club House. The club is always happy to welcome new players and members. For details, contact Alison at [email protected]. Alison Hillyer

North Somerset Branch North Somerset Branch (Reg. Charity No. 205284) (Reg. Charity No. 205284) TRAVELLING TRENDS RSPCA ‘Mutt Strutt’ FASHION SHOW Fundraising Dog Walk High Street labels at Bargain Prices Get a spring in your step and help to Everything available to buy on the raise money for less fortunate animals night in your area and join us for a 2½ mile walk starting from the Saturday 14th April Apex Park 7pm for 7.30pm Burnham on Sea Kewstoke Village Hall th Crooks Lane, Kewstoke BS22 9XB 2pm on Sunday 8 April You can get further details and Tickets £5 from RSPCA Shops or the sponsorship forms from our Animal Brent Knoll Animal Centre 01278 Centre at Brent Knoll or via our email: 782 671 [email protected] www.rspcanorthsomerset.org.uk All proceeds to the RSPCA North [email protected] Somerset Branch Just for fun - Paraprosdokians A paraprosdokian is a figure of speech in which the latter part of a sentence or phrase is surprising or unexpected in a way that causes the reader or listener to reframe or reinterpret the first part. It is frequently used for humorous or dramatic effect, sometimes producing an anti-climax. “I asked God for a bike, but I know God doesn’t work that way. So I stole a bike and asked for forgiveness. Mary Wridgway 32

Lympsham Gardening Club Our first meeting of this year started with a short AGM and the present committee remains unchanged. This was followed by a very informative talk by Tony Gray from Westcoft Nursery. Preparing for the coming season was the topic. Future Meetings Tuesday 10th April This meeting will start at the usual time of 7.45pm at the Manor Hall, Lympsham. Ian Williamson will tell us about Walking in Peru. Tuesday 8th May Afternoon visit to Robin and Victoria’s garden at Hawthorns in Eastertown starting at 4.00pm. Tuesday 15th May Spring Coffee Morning at Lympsham Sports Pavilion 10.30 -12.30. Mariette Denison Expect the unexpected and you’ll be delighted!! Our choir is made up of people from the surrounding villages, who have a good time each Thursday from 19.30–21.30 at St Mary’s Church, East Brent. We sing ALL sorts of music but we are currently preparing for a 90th Birthday Party and ‘A Trip Down Memory Lane’ for two performances in April. If you love singing songs like: ‘Don’t Sit Under the Apple Tree’, ‘Fly me to the Moon’ or ‘Sing, Sing, Sing’ then please come and join us. If you just want to sing along with us we will be at LEBE, Lympsham on the 24th April in the morning. You never know you might want to chat with us afterwards and even join the choir. If you need any further information please contact Sue Toon, 01278 760 753 or [email protected]. Sue Toon 33

SAM’S MINI-DIGGER KENNY GORDON PLANT HIRE SERVICES GENERAL GROUNDWORKS, PADDOCK & FIELD NO JOB TO BIG OR SMALL FENCING. EXCAVATION OF WATERWAYS & HORSE ARENAS MAN AND MACHINE FOR FURTHER DETAILS VISIT OR MACHINE ONLY. www.kennygordonplanthire.co.uk MACHINE WILL FIT THOUGH Tel: 01278 760 642 / 07885 251 697 A 2FT 6’ DOORWAY. MACHINE WEIGHT IS 750KG. ALL ASPECTS OF GENERAL LANDSCAPES AND GROUNDWORKS UNDERTAKEN FULLY INSURED, FREE QUOTES. PLEASE CALL SAM VIGAR ON 07762969707 Please mention the Brent Knoll News when replying to adverts 34

MARTYN BOLEY PAINTER & DECORATOR Interior and Exterior 10 Years Experience Recommendations on Request Free Quotation 01278 685106 07786 912191

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Your April Sudokus Tough (not too hard!) Hard Sudoku

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9

A 2 3 6 A

B 7 9 B 1 2

C 3 6 5 9 C 3 4

D 7 1 D 5

E 5 1 2 6 3 7 E 6 7

F 7 6 F 21 8

G 9 3 2 1 G 3

H 2 5 H 4 6 9

J 7 4 8 J 8 5 7 This month I’ll try to attract more persons to solve the Hard Sudoku using simple strategies! Apart from the 17 large numbers, the other cells have small numbers called “candidates” in them. For example cell H6 has just the little number 2 in it. That’s because all the other eight large numbers are in the same row, column or box. So immediately you can put a large 2 in that cell. Because 2 is now in that box of nine, just cross out the 2s in cells G5/6, H4/5 and J5 (also in row H 2/8). Cells H4/5 now has a pair (1 and 8) in them so 1 or 8 must be in one or the other. Therefore you can cross out 1s and 8s in that box as well as in row H. There’s a single 3 in H8 and a hidden single (6) in G6. So G6 and J6 have just 4 and 9 in them. Cross out 4s and 9s from all cells in column 5. Did you put a 1 in cell J9 etc.? That’s a good start for beginners! Why not give it a go?! 12 persons sent in solutions to last month’s puzzles. Comments were “I enjoyed this one” – “we did both of these without too much trouble”. Solutions came from, Klaus Brenner, Mac Hares, Chris Marsh, Frankie and Geoff New, Peter Osborn, (welcome back!), John Spiers, Ted Toon and Gordon Watson. Answers please to [email protected] or 48, Brent Street. David Filmer Last month’s Sudoku Solutions (by popular request) are below:- Tough (not too hard!) Hard Sudoku 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9

A 7 1 4 8 9 2 5 6 3 A 6 347219 5 8 6 7 1 5 9 1 5 432 6 7 B 3 8 4 2 B 9 8

C 9 5 2 6 3 4 8 7 1 C 8725963 1 4

D 2 7 3 1 4 8 6 5 9 D 7291 6 85 4 3

E 1 8 6 5 2 9 7 3 4 E 3 5 6 4721 8 9 5 4 3 6 2 1 8 4 3597 6 F 9 7 F 18 2

G 8 9 7 4 5 3 1 2 6 G 2 879146 3 5

H 4 3 1 2 6 7 9 8 5 H 9 416357 8 2

J 6 2 5 9 8 1 3 4 7 J 5632874 9 1 36

THE GUIDES, BROWNIES, RAINBOWS AND PARISH HALL COMMITTEE ARE HOLDING ANOTHER JUMBLE SALE AT BRENT KNOLL PARISH HALL ON SATURDAY 21st APRIL AT 10.30am IF YOU HAVE ANY ITEMS YOU WOULD LIKE TO DONATE TO THE SALE PLEASE RING SANDRA ON 01278 760451 AND YOUR ITEMS WILL BE COLLECTED OR YOU CAN DROP OFF YOUR JUMBLE AT THE HALL WHICH WILL BE OPEN FROM 9am on 21ST APRIL Crossword 1 2 3 4 5 6

Across 1) City in Michigan,USA (7) 4) Hooded Snake (5) 7 7) Sentiment (7) 8) Irritable (5) 8

9) Ring for ____; P G 9 10 11 Wodehouse novel (6) 12) Encroach. intrude (8) 12 13 15) Symphony by Dvorak (3,5) 17) Old Sailor (3-3) 14 18) Deciduous tree (5) 15 16 21) Pungent gas (7) 22) Chunk (5) 17 23) Young Goose (7) Down 18 19 20 1) Large bottle (8) 21 2) Detach (6) 3) Slender (4) 4) Part of a dollar (4) 5) Cricket (7) 22 23 6) Fighting force (4) 10) Long-legged bird (5) 16) Actor, ____ Day-Lewis (6) 11) Droplets (5) 18) Setback (4) 13) Notorious US prison (4-4) 19) Long-eared animal (4) 14) Turned suddenly (7) 20) Self-satisfied (4) Roy Ainsworth 37

Please mention the Brent Knoll News when replying to adverts 38 G B Building & Bespoke Gates Maintenance and Garage Conservation Builder Doors Limited Historic, Listed and Unit 5, Mill Batch Farm, Traditional Methods East Brent, Somerset, TA9 4JN Lime plastering Stonework Tel : 01278 760068 Cob Walls e-mail: Lime Wash paints [email protected] Brickwork Manufacturers of quality Telephone: bespoke wooden gates Mr Gary Broom on 07776032289 or 01823283212 Listed Heritage Member 39

Brent Knoll Nature Diary - Winter comes before Spring… As the Beast from the East approached, it was interesting to see how birds adapted to the changing conditions. Before the snow arrived, and a cold east wind blew, I watched redwings gathering on open ground by the Manor. Over much of the Winter they have been absent from Brent Knoll. Now they gathered in loose flocks. When the snow arrived they came into Gardens in large numbers, and were accompanied by fieldfares. When I walked around the village the day after the snow, redwings were everywhere. They scurried out of hedgerows and congregated in trees. Where I walked, fieldfares were less numerous, but other birdwatchers reported large numbers. However the highlight of the walk was a different bird that flew up in the air revealing it’s very long bill. I was not able to get my binoculars onto it before it landed out of site in someone’s garden. It was almost certainly a woodcock. These birds migrate from the continent to Britain in the Winter because our Winters are normally warmer. They are very secretive birds that usually remain in woodland probing the soft earth for insects. If they are approached they stay stock still and will not fly away until you are a few feet away. The Rambler has told me that his dog sometimes disturbs them in the woods along the side of the Knoll. In very cold weather, when frost has hardened the woodland floor, they may leave the woods and visit local Gardens, which was obviously what happened in this case. As I write, a rapid thaw has set in and we are reminded that the snow actually fell on what many people regard as the first day of Spring. The daffodils have taken a dreadful battering during the cold spell but appear to be recovering. By the time you read this, they will probably be over and the primroses should be in full bloom. It is worth taking a magnifying glass and looking carefully at primrose flowers. Charles Darwin did this and he discovered that there are two types of primrose flower, pin eyed and thrum eyed. The former displays the female stigma at the top of the corolla tube, and the latter displays the male anthers which contain the pollen. If you pick a single flower of each and strip it apart, you will see this arrangement more clearly. The significance of this difference is not clear, but it is clear that this arrangement is suitable for a variety of different shaped insects. Darwin counted the different types and found that all colonies of primroses consist of 50% of each type. So get out your magnifying glass and look at the primroses in your local hedge bank. You could also look closely at other flowers too. This will reveal a hidden beauty that you little suspected. Finally, March will see celandines and primroses flowering. There is no finer place to see these than in St Michael’s churchyard. Celandine flowers close up in cold weather, so get up to the church on a fine day in March and feast your eyes on a splendid floral display. Ged Keele

“I saw my Doctor the other day.” “You got an appointment then?” “No.” “Well then how did you see him?” “He went past in his car!” “I expect that’s as near to an appointment you’ll get now!” 40

Strange Stories of Somerset In the 18th century, a chapman or pedlar sold many things; amongst other wares were chapbooks, which contained such things as ballads, nursery rhymes, folklore and local news. The word “chap” originates in Middle English from the old English capman meaning trade and if you add this to the word “cheap” you get to chapman. These travelling pedlars sold the chapbooks for one penny at local fairs from one village to another. A chapbook of 1785 recounted the story of a wandering young lady supposedly, the natural daughter of the Austrian Emperor, Francis I. It seems the Emperor’s daughter Louisa was abandoned by her family after the Emperor’s death. It is not recorded why this was or how she came to Somerset. However it is recorded that Louisa lived for 4 years in a haystack near Flax Burton. The chapbook accounts that “in the latter part of the eighteen century a young girl of refined and elegant appearance and manner, forlorn and demented, took shelter beneath an old haystack, making it her home for four years refusing to change it for another abode”. She declined all offered assistance beyond the best necessities of life. It transpired that at length she became an inmate of an asylum in Bitton, Gloucestershire. By the kindness of a Miss Hannah More she was transferred to a similar institution in London where she died in 1800 and with her, her sad story. Roger Ward TENNIS CLUB WHISTDRIVE Monday April 9th Ivy Hall,Brent Knoll By kind permission of Frances James 7pm start £1.50 Prizes, Raffle and Refreshments PLUMBING BY GEORGE Ltd! 302969 Brent Knoll x Small Jobs - dripping taps - leaking toilets, outside taps, Shower replacements, etc. x Gas boiler replacement, radiators & System Upgrades x Boiler servicing Tel: 01278 760 543 or 07813 321 197 “Here to stay” Although I may be moving house (but remaining local) I would like to reassure all clients past, present and future that my reliable and professional service will continue uninterrupted in the village. Thank you all for your custom. George 41 )ORULGD9LOOD +HDWHG3RRO)RXUEHGURRPV PLQXWHVIURP'LVQH\IURP SHUZHHN $YDLODEOHWKURXJKRXWWKH\HDU &RQWDFW6XHDQG'DYH0F0LOODQ ZZZRXUYLOODIORULGDFRXN RU DQG 6NLDSDUWPHQWLQ)UHQFK$OSVIRUUHQW ZZZSX\VWYLQFHQWFRXN 'HFLVLRQ3RZHUa:HEVLWH'HVLJQDQG&RQVXOWLQJ 4XDOLW\:HEVLWHVDW5HDOLVWLF3ULFHVIRU &RQVXOWLQJ &RUSRUDWH%XVLQHVV ,7'HYHORSPHQW 3ULYDWH%XVLQHVV  3URFHVV0DSSLQJ 6FKRROVDQG2UJDQLVDWLRQV 3ODQQLQJDQG/RJLVWLFV +ROLGD\+RPHV 'DWDEDVH'HYHORSPHQW %HGDQG%UHDNIDVW+ROLGD\2XWOHWV ,76ROXWLRQV7UDLQLQJ  +REELHVDQG6SHFLDOLVW$FWLYLWLHV :HEVLWH6XSSRUWDQG+RVWLQJ &DOO'DYH0F0LOODQRQ

CASTLE MILL MOT CENTRE LTD WILLIAM PEACH v All Makes Professionally Repaired and Serviced v Latest Diagnostic Equipment v Class 4 and 7 MOT’s v Recovery Service TEL: 01934 750663 Castlehead Sawmills A38, Biddisham, , Somerset, BS26 2RE (5 mins from Brent Knoll)

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Secure Caravan Storage Gary and Sarah Bowden G&S Storage Tel: 01934 750298 Mob:07970 950707 Highland Farm, Lympsham, Somerset, BS24 0JQ www.gands-storage.co.uk just 4 miles from Junction 22 or the M5 Insurance approved – CaSSOA (Gold) CCTV Hard standing with easy access Wash facility Storage containers to rent OPEN ALL YEAR Please mention the Brent Knoll News when replying to adverts 43

News from the Primary The Spring term has been particularly short this year, made shorter by the two days we closed due to the snow on the first two days of March. Although these extra lost days hampered the delivery of lessons, the snow itself provided many of the children with their first real experience of sledging, snow- ball fighting and snowman building. It was all very exciting and the first two days of March were clearly great fun. Despite the snow, much has been taking place in school. The older children have continued their studies of the Tudors, discussing the heroics of Francis Drake amongst other famous names of that era. The younger ones completed their China topic and have now moved on to learning about animals and habitats. In a related subject, our school ‘parliament’ spent half a day on the beach at Burnham, looking at the environment as well as getting some first-hand evidence of the litter and plastics that have made the news recently. This visit will be used as part of the presentation that two members of Year 6 will make at the Children’s Parliament in Taunton. Whilst the children have been engaged in their lessons, the staff and governors concluded recent discussions on whether the school should consult on joining a multi-academy trust (MAT). The world of academies is quite complex and somewhat political, but in essence many schools in the area are now looking at making the move as the local authority reduces its own services and MATS are able to provide quality support, particularly for the teachers in the classroom, but also for the administration of the school. There is some choice in deciding which MAT to join, but the governors and staff have informed parents that we would like to join the Wessex Learning Trust, the MAT that includes Hugh Sexey Middle School, Kings of Wessex and various local First Schools, including Lympsham. The Wessex Learning Trust has a very similar ethos to our own and has several smaller schools within its number, which face the same issues as Brent Knoll. There is much work to do to take this process to its conclusion but one benefit to all is that from 2020 all the pupils at Brent Knoll will be able to request to attend Hugh Sexey’s in Year 7, i.e. when they have completed their final year of Primary. This has not been possible before, so parents and carers will, in two years, have a real choice of secondary schools. Many of our children will continue to go to The King Alfred School, not least as they live in Highbridge and Burnham. We will, all being well, have the benefit of working with two large secondary schools in the years to come. Chris Burman, Head teacher LEBE’s Community Café We would like to Welcome YOU to LEBE’s Community café. Open every Tuesday 10-4.30pm at the Pavilion, Lympsham. Come on in for good company, great coffee/tea and excellent homemade cakes. Make new friends, meet old ones and help to make this the place you want to come! All people, ideas and well behaved dogs welcome. Tel: Lynne Booth on 01934 750 589 and 07914 003 323 or Helen Bretherton on 01934 750361 and 07740 783251 for more information. Lympsham, Eastertown, BrentKnoll and EastBrent Community Café Brent Knoll Table Tennis Club You would be more than welcome to come along, new members, old and young are always welcome!!! We meet every Wednesday evening at the Parish Hall – sometimes 8pm, sometimes 9pm - 10pm for games of doubles and singles - even if you can only play occasionally, please drop in or call :- 07414 868333. John Mathews 44

Brent Knoll Weather Report – February 2018 February 2018 will be remembered for the freezing weather at the end of the month; but the first three weeks were standard fare for February, so let’s deal with that briefly before moving on to the cold spell. February began with high pressure to the west and low to the east, a pattern which draws cold, dry air down from the polar regions. Hence the first week of the month was dry with plenty of sunshine, a little rain on the 3rd and chilly in that polar air. Daytime temperatures were in low single figures, and we had an air frost and a flurry of snow overnight on the 6th/7th. The high moved off to the on the 8th making way for Atlantic lows, with wind, rain and a milder south-westerly breeze. A lively low on the 10th drew in very warm air, taking temperatures into double figures and bringing gusts of 33kts overnight – not so unusual for February. The lows kept coming the following week, and the wettest day of the month was the 13th with 12.8mm. The 19th was mild and humid, with the Knoll enveloped in low cloud, but the following day, high pressure built to our west, the sun shone and the thermometer reached 11.3°C. This high had a sting in the tail, though: it moved across the UK on the 21st, bringing more sunshine and a chilly north-easterly breeze, and then took up residence over Scandinavia. Meanwhile a rare atmospheric event, the snappily-named Sudden Stratospheric Warming, was displacing polar air to Siberia and eastern Europe (while the Arctic had record warmth). Temperatures across Europe plummeted, and the Scandinavian high steered some of that air to the UK. The thermometer dropped sharply on the 22nd, recovered a little by the 25th, then plummeted to a minimum of -5.1°C late on the 28th. The air was very dry, with humidity dipping below 50%, and it felt bitterly cold in the easterly breeze. The cold air picked up a little moisture over the North Sea, which it deposited as snow over the east of the UK – snow only reached this far west during the morning of the 27th, but it sublimated in the dry air and was gone later that day. Our share of snow arrived in March, and rather than leave the story just before the punchline, I’ll extend this article by a couple of days to talk about Emma, the low pressure system named by the Portuguese weather service. Emma arrived in the Bay of Biscay on 1st March, and a warm front was soon stretched out along the English Channel. As warm Atlantic air met cold polar air, the snow fell: light at first, but growing heavier during the afternoon and covering the ground by evening. Things changed overnight - as the warm air from Emma moved north at high altitude, it turned the snow to rain - but that rain fell through cold air at lower altitudes, and froze as soon as soon as it hit the ground (or anything else). By morning lying snow was covered in a crust of ice, any uncovered ground was an ice-rink, and east-facing walls and roofs had an icy glaze. Oh, and by lunchtime there were happy children (of all ages) tobogganing down the Knoll. Let’s leave it there, or I’ll have nothing to write about next month - I’ll finish with the figures. Rainfall for February was 31.2mm, which is on the dry side, and the average temperature was 3.9°C making it our joint-coldest February with 2013. No all-time records were set during the cold snap because December 2010 was colder, but the 28th saw our coldest February day with an average of -2.7°C. I suspect we will have set some new records for March too. It’s Spring now (yes, really), so a quick look at the Winter - the average temperature was 5.6°C which is – er – average, and rainfall was 234.6mm, which is a little above normal. December and January were both windy months, but February was quiet. See you next month, if the editor forgives me for going over my word count. Stephen Baggs; www.knollweather.co.uk BRENT KNOLL PARISH SURGERY our Parish Clerk, Owen Cullwick will be holding a Parish Surgery on Wednesday, April 4th 4.30pm to 6pm Jubilee Room, Brent Knoll Parish Hall Please use this opportunity to meet your Parish Clerk to discuss any issues 45

Please mention the Brent Knoll News when replying to adverts 46 Shrub Farm Lodge Small Business B&B Accountancy Company Making your Stay 8 Market Street, Highbridge, Somerset Home from Home TA9 3BW Professional and Personal service at Comfortable Bed and Breakfast competitive rates Ground Floor Accommodation - * Self Assessment Tax Returns Self Contained * Annual Accounts Traditional Full English Breakfast * Bookkeeping Contact Angie Lapage at * VAT Shrub Farm, Burton Row * Payroll Tel 01278 769286 ********************** Email: * Sole Traders * Partnerships [email protected] * Limited Companies Website: Contact Ian Robson on 01278 760 067 www.shrubfarmlodge.co.uk Email: [email protected]

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More Ramblings of a Rambler First “Oh to be in England now that Aprils there”, wrote Robert Browning in his, “Home-Thoughts, from abroad.” That’s not a concern you have unless you are reading this in Cornwall or Wales. The poem relates to the fact that Spring has sprung, nature has come out of it’s Winter sleep and that fauna and flora are moving into their reproductive cycles once again. Birds are busy gathering nesting material and constructing marvellous abodes for their new families, that is any bird other than those from the Pigeon/Dove family. They seem to build two or three twigs together and chance their luck as recently I spotted a Collared Dove in the Silver birch at the front of Holywell Nursing Home sitting on the smallest of platforms and I thought to myself “Coo”. There is also plenty of activity outside our pony’s stable because at this time of the year, the Rambleress gives him a good comb out as he is shedding his winter coat and that means there is vast quantities of horsehair. Birds both big and small are queueing up to take it away to line their new nests. At the time of writing, the trees are still bare and I for one cannot wait to see the leaves appearing, so that the unsightly flailing of the hedges will be hidden. It seems this year those responsible for the management of hedges have left it to the very end of the permitted season before any flailing has taken place as there are miles of flailed hedgerows awaiting their Spring growth. Sightings this month included a flock of Lapwing, but these may have also been spotted by Ged, which gives us a problem so was it one flock or two? Rabbit, Deer and Fox are also spotted frequently. More excitement on the Rambler estate, we have discovered a new bough of Mistletoe; we are hoping this one will produce berries. Let me finish with a confusing piece of data, Spring started on the 21st of March followed by British Summer Time on the 25th of March, keep rambling. The Rambler 48

Useful Village Contacts: Contact e-mail Telephone St Michael’s Church, Brent Knoll Carole Carter [email protected] 769082 Parochial Church Council, Secretary, Carole Carter [email protected] 769082 Church Administrator Carole Carter [email protected] 769082 Church Warden Miss Frances James 760287 Mike Smith 760691 Church Cleaners Weit Harper 760803 Church Flowers Mrs Marion Vining 760612 Poppy Organiser Mrs Sally Wingate 760610 Brass Cleaners Miss Frances James 760287 Methodist Church, Revd. Steve Bennett 782306 Janet Southwell 760445 Baptist Church: Burnham, College St. Revd. Steve Ayers 783920 Catholic Church: Burnham & Bridgwater Father Tom Kelly, 422703 James Heappey [email protected] 01749 343255 County Councillor Bob Filmer [email protected] 760760 District Councillor Bob Filmer [email protected] 760760 Andrew Gilling [email protected] 01934 750580 Parish Council, Clerk Owen Cullwick [email protected] 07917 445215 Chairman Richard Hall 769256 Planning enquiries Cynthia Trivett-Bill 760198 Footpath Contact Peter Osborn 760839 Parish Hall Booking Secretary Jenny Butters [email protected] 760477 Bazaar Eddie Fuller 760308 Chairman Bob Filmer [email protected] 760760 Secretary Sandra Few [email protected] 760451 Doctor Dr S L Aung 760313 NHS Non-Emergency Urgent Medical Helpline 111 WRVS Prescription Service 760313 Brent Knoll Primary School Chris Burman [email protected] 760546 Toddlers Group Jane Hannah [email protected] 760629 Brent Knoll Tadpoles Pre-School Cathy Hurley 769126 Village Shop Caroline Chennells 760225 Village Post Office (Sub-Postmaster) Manshu Shah 769281 Brent Knoll News, Production Editor Bob Filmer [email protected] 760760 Distribution Elaine & Eddie Fuller 760308 Police Non-Emergency Number 101 Rhyne Problems Lower Axe Draining Board 789906 Village Agent Kim Wilcox [email protected] 07943 555519 National Trust Honorary Ranger Ged Keele 769010 Village Societies: Brent Amateur Dramatics (BAD) Sarah Joyce 787493 Cancer Research Campaign t.b.c. Conservative Branch Bob Filmer [email protected] 760760 Ecumenical Group Revd. Margaret Trapp 760573 Good Companions Mrs Ann Robson 760981 Guides/Brownies/Rainbows Jane Sinnott [email protected] Horticultural Society (Burnham) t.b.c. Royal British Legion Rod Southwell 760445 Short Mat Bowling Club Alan Castle 760424 Table Tennis Club John Mathews 07414 868333 Tennis Club Alison Hillyer 01934 815407 Women’s Institute Janet Southwell 760445 Women’s Society Julie Baker 751229 E&OE 49

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Diary for April 2018 Page 1st Easter Sunday 4 2nd Short Mat Bowls (Every Monday) Parish Hall 2.00pm 3rd LEBE’s Community Café (Every Tuesday) Pavilion, Lympsham 10.00-4.30pm 43 3rd Knoll Group of Ringers (Every Tuesday) St. Michael’s Church 7.30pm-9pm 4th Parish Surgery Jubilee Room 4.30-6pm 7,44 4th Macbeth Ritz Cinema 7.15pm 28 4th Parish Council – Public Session Jubilee Room 7.00pm 7 Parish Council Meeting Jubilee Room to follow immediately 4th Table Tennis Club (Every Wednesday) Parish Hall 8/9.00-10.00pm 43 5th SORT IT+ Recycling & Green Waste Your House Early!! 5th All-Sorts Community Choir (Every Thursday) St Mary’s Church 7.30-9.30pm 32 8th RSPCA Mutt Strutt Apex Park, B-o-S 2.00pm 31 9th Tennis Club Whist Drive Ivy Hall 7.00pm 40 9th Parish Hall Committee Jubilee Room 8.00pm 31 10th Lympsham Gardening Club – ‘Peru’ Manor Hall, Lympsham 7.45pm 32 11th SORT IT+ Recycling & Rubbish Your House Early!! 11th Women’s Institute – ‘Origami’ Parish Hall 2.30pm 23 11th Annual Parish Meeting Parish Hall 7.30pm 7 14th Bazaar, Farmers’ Market & Parish Café Parish Hall 10.00-12noon 24,31 14th RSPCA Fashion Show Kewstoke Village Hall 7.00pm 31 15th Deadline for May Brent Knoll News 12.00 noon 50 16th Meet & Eat Nuttall Room 12.30pm 23 16th WI Craft Group Methodist Schoolroom 2.30pm 16 16th Alzheimer & Dementia Carers Group Brentcombe House 4.00pm 12 17th Toddlers (Every Tuesday) Methodist Schoolroom 10.30-12 noon 4 18th SORT IT+ Recycling & Green Waste Your House Early!! 18th Good Companions - “Bristol Channel Islands” Parish Hall 2.30pm 16 19th Comfort Group Wayfarers 2.30pm 12 20th Tennis Club AGM Club House 7.30pm 31 21st Spring Jumble Sale Parish Hall 10.30am 31,36 23rd St George’s Day 23rd Somerset Sight B&M, B-o-S 10.30-3.30pm 23 24th All Sorts Choir at LEBEs Café Pavilion, Lympsham 10.00am 32 24th “And if it’s True?” St Christopher’s Church 7.30pm-9pm 25th SORT IT+ Recycling & Rubbish Your House Early!! 26th Bereaved Friends Group 87, Brent Street 2.30pm 12 26th Women’s Society “Quiz” 135, Brent Street 8.00pm 23 27th Mobile Library [Friday] Village Shop 10.05-10.50am Anything missing? Make sure your events are listed in the Monthly Diary and Website DEADLINE for the April 2018 Issue – All contributions to be received by NOON on Thursday, 15th March, to:- Bob, e-mail: [email protected] or Wascelyn, 48, Brent Street. The Brent Knoll News welcomes all contributions. Views expressed are those of individual contributors and do not necessarily reflect the view of the editor or the standpoint of the Brent Knoll News. The Editor reserves the right to edit or amend any contribution. BRENT KNOLL VILLAGE WEBSITE: www.brentknollvillage.co.uk HAVE A GO!

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