Link–Up

November 2019

E-Magazine

From the editor

It seemed only last week that we were enjoying hot sunny days and now are already planning Christmas functions, several of which are advertised in this issue and all for good causes so please support them when you can.

Before that of course is November the 5th. I won’t apologise for keeping on about it but please remember, animals are very frightened of fireworks, also little creatures hibernate in piles of garden debris destined to become bonfires so please move the pile or check carefully before setting alight.

Some pleas for help in this issue from litter picking to fund raising and administration which hopefully will be answered, but it will be a sad day if the pre-school has to close due to an insufficient number of children, a problem which unfortunately most people are unable to help with.

We can look forward this month to nature delighting us with beautiful Autumn colours. It is always a pleasure to walk around the lovely countryside at this time of year. Let’s hope it stays the natural unspoiled, unchanged area for future generations to enjoy.

Lindy Mansfield

LINK-UP is the community magazine for the parishes of Broomfield, and . Any views expressed in LINK-UP are not necessarily those of the Editor(s), the editorial staff or the LINK-UP Board. The Board gratefully acknowledges the support of all whose advertisements appear in our magazine. However, the inclusion in LINK-UP does not imply recommendation. The LINK-UP Board reserves the right to accept any material and advertisement at its discretion. The LINK-UP Board will only use personal data for the purpose for which it was provided.

2

LINK UP OFFICERS & STAFF

Chairman Yvonne Harris 451883 [email protected] Secretary Jean Alger-Green 451732 [email protected] Treasurer Jackie Aldrich 451696 [email protected] Advertising Manager Annie Trolley (yellow pages only) 451312 [email protected] Distribution Manager Carol Platt 451605 [email protected] Duplication Manager Corrine McMylor 0773 0884413 Editor this month Lindy Mansfield 451374 [email protected] Contributor, Church pages Michele Hardiman 451257 [email protected] Editor next month Annie Trolley 451312 [email protected]

CHURCH CONTACTS Rector Rev’d Mary Styles 451189 Associate Vicar Rev’d Jim Cox 333377 Benefice Office Mon, Tues, Wed, Fri 9.00am-2.00pm 451257 [email protected]

CHURCHWARDENS Broomfield Bez Purdy 451632 Cheddon Vacancy Kingston Julia Hammett 451642 Jan Holmes 451343

DEADLINE FOR DECEMBER MAGAZINE FRIDAY 15th. NOVEMBER 2019

Hard copy 10.00am Fyne Court Farm Broomfield contributions by: 12.noon. Benefice Office, The Vicarage, KSM Email contributions to the editor by: 12noon Friday 15th. Nov.

Collation: 2.00pm at KSM Village Hall, Thurs, 28th. Nov. Distribution: From Friday, 29th. November

Only emails clearly marked ‘Link-Up’ will be opened and acknowledged

3

What’s on … in November 2019

Page Fri 1st. Kingston Film Night. Kingston Village Hall 7.00pm 12 Wed 6th. WI. Kingston Village Hall 7 Fri 8th. Kingston Youth Club. Kingston Village Hall 7.00-9.00pm 31 Sat 9th. Kingston Craft Fair. Kingston Village Hall 10.am – 4.pm. 6 Sat 9th. Men’s Group 3pm 18 Mon 11th. Cheddon Memorial Hall AGM. Committee Room 7pm. 24 Mon 11th. KSM Parish Council Meeting. Kingston Village Hall 7.30pm 28 Wed 13th. Walking for Health. KSM Church Car Park 1.45pm 14 Wed 13th. Wednesday Café. Kingston Village Hall 2.00 – 4.00pm 30 Thurs 14th. Kingston Walking Group. Church Car Park 10.00am Thurs 14th. Cheddon Parish Council Meeting Cheddon Hall 7pm 24 Fri 15th. Cheddon Film Club. Cheddon Memorial Hall 6.30pm 5 Tues 19th. Broomfield Parish Council Meeting. Village hall 7.30pm Wed 20th. Gardening Club, Kingston Village Hall 7.15pm 22 Fri 22nd Kingston Youth Club. Tropicana. WSM 31 Fri 22nd. An evening with Brian Rose. Kingston Village Hall 7pm 25 Sat 23rd. Kingston ‘Litter Pick’ 5 Sun 24th. Kingston ‘Litter Pick’ 6 Thurs 28th. Kingston Walking Group. Church Car Park. 10.00am Fri 29th. Quilting Exhibition in Broomfield until 6th. December 31 Sat 30th. Meet the Village. Kingston Village Hall 10.30 – 12noon 7

….and December Sun 1st Singles Christmas Lunch. Maypole, Thurloxton 12.30pm 12 Wed 4th. Children’s Hospice Christmas Coffee morning 10am-12noon 25 Sat 7th. Broomfield Community Cinema Mon 9th. Carols in the Cattle Shed. Tetton Farm 6.30pm 21 Wed 11th. Gardening Club, Kingston Village Hall 7.15pm 22

Some regular events

Pilates (11.30am) and Keep Fit (12.45pm) Tuesdays, Kingston Village Hall. Contact - Alison Roberts on 07850 507 489 or e.mail: [email protected] for details.

Baby and Toddler Group every Monday morning (term time only) 9.00.am – 11.00am Kingston Church. Everyone is welcome to join us for a cup of tea.

4

Kingston Walking Group - contact Sandra Matthews 01823 451 941 or e.mail: [email protected] Meet at the Church car park at 10.00am Please bring packed lunch. Dates in ‘What’s On’

Badminton and Table Tennis every Monday. Kingston Village Hall 7.45 pm contact - Janet Braund. [email protected]

Bell Ringing Practice every Tuesday 7.30pm Kingston Church. Contact - Lois Miles 451 676 or John Lock 335 776

Singles Lunch Contact - Liz Thompson [email protected] for details.

Dragon Quilters Alternate Monday’s at Lavender Barn, Broomfield. 1.00pm – 4.00pm Tel. Kerstin 240 041 for details.

Youth Club term time only. Contact youth worker - Emma Goldsworthy [email protected] or 07771 778 552

If you would like to flag-up a forthcoming event in any of our three parishes occurring in the next 12 months, please let the next editor know. Please include a contact number This list is intended as a guide only to aid event planning.

Don’t forget to look at the village WEBSITES Kingston St Mary: www.kstm.uk Broomfield: www.broomfieldparish.org Cheddon: www.cheddonfitzpaine-pc.org.uk Kingston Facebook Kingston St Mary’s Events Broomfield Facebook www.facebook.com/broomfieldparish

HOSPITAL TRANSPORT & EMERGENCY PRESCRIPTION SERVICE The following people have kindly offered to collect your prescription or take patients for admission to, or discharge from hospital

For Residents of Kingston Parish only

Jenny Fisher 451332* Fay Huleatt Boyd 451891 Sonia Pether 451311 (* Prescription only)

For Residents of Cheddon Parish only Mary Gunning 412179 Liz Thompson 451529

Offers of transport for this service it would be gratefully received Please ring the above numbers

5

CHEDDON & WM FILM CLUB: FRIDAY 15th NOVEMBER:

Yesterday -

Comedy/drama/musical

Jack Malik is a struggling singer-songwriter in a tiny English seaside town whose dreams of fame are rapidly fading, despite the fierce de- votion and support of his childhood best friend, Ellie. After a freak bus accident during a mysterious global blackout, Jack wakes up to dis- cover that The Beatles have never existed...and he finds himself with a very complicated problem, indeed. Pure fantasy of joyous proportions. A crowd-pleaser as Jack belts out Beatles hit after hit.

All screenings at Cheddon Fitzpaine Memorial Hall. Refreshments: 6:30pm; short film: 7pm Feature: 7:20pm.

Admission is £6 per person at the door. [email protected] 01823 412278

Autumn Community litter pick: 23-24th November 2019

Our next community litter pick will take place over the weekend of 23rd and 24th November in Kingston St Mary and Nailsbourne. Slightly different approach this time - instead of having a designated time slot, I’m asking volunteers to litter pick any time over that weekend. Just bring the bags of litter to KSM village hall by 4pm at the latest on Sunday 24th ( or contact me to arrange collection).

It would be helpful if recyclable items (plastic, glass, cans) are bagged up separately from any general litter waste. I will have a plentiful supply of transparent litter collection bags. Please contact me for hi-viz jackets/equipment/bags etc (details below). Dixie Darch will be organising equipment etc for our Nailsbourne volunteers

([email protected] or 01823 451845). For your safety you should wear reflective clothing and always use 6 gloves. Children must be accompanied by an adult if they are participating. It would be good to know where you are intending to collect litter from so we don’t duplicate our efforts! I will update the Kingston Community Partnership Facebook page and KSM website with this information prior to the weekend.

Thank you in advance for your help. Jean Alger-Green 01823 451732/ 07513460576 [email protected] Website - www.kstm.uk Facebook page - Kingston Community Partnership

Kingston St Mary Craft Fair Saturday 9th November

from 10am until 4pm

At the Village Hall, Church Lane, TA2 8HR

Handmade and seasonal items for sale from a range of talented crafters including, personalised gifts, body and face products, jewellery, cards and wrap, Christmas baubles and boxes, log reindeer, decoupage gifts, local honey and more.

Tea, coffee and cakes available Tombola with great prizes to be won

Entry fee £1.00. Under 12’s free

Cash and cheques only please as card payments are not possible due to lack of wifi.

Free parking, disabled parking - Sorry no dogs except guide dogs. 7

Meet the Village Saturday 30th. November 10.30am – 12 noon Kingston St Mary Village Hall £1 to include tea or coffee and biscuit SMALL SCALE PAPERBACK EXCHANGE BRING A BOOK AND TAKE ONE AWAY NEW AND OLD FRIENDS ALWAYS WELCOME

Kingston St Mary W.I.

At the October meeting the President, Kathy Pugh, welcomed members, visitors from the village and other W.I. groups who had joined in the birthday celebrations.

They enjoyed a rousing performance from the Stoggy Men, who entertained with a variety of songs and ‘ditties’. (I never knew that there are songs about a John Deere tractor or a land rover). Thanks were given by Margaret Bigg.

In a short business meeting dates were given for a Lunch Club and an evening meal. On a sad note, if we cannot find two people willing to be a treasurer and a secretary, the Institute will have to close in December after 96 years.

November 6th is the next meeting and the speaker will be a member of the Beacon Centre from Musgrove Park. There will be a Flower of the Month competition. Visitors welcome.

Janet Lovell

8

WINDOW ON THE PAST General Titbits

BEHIND THE TIMES

In 1797 a tax on clocks and watches was imposed so many people did not carry them. Innkeepers often provided a timepiece for the travellers at their hostelries, mis-called an Act of Parliament clock. One was put on Market House in 1831 after a demand for a public timepiece in the town. However, It was only on 19 January 1848 that ‘Taunton Time’ ended and clocks were finally put forward 12 minutes 21 seconds to agree with Greenwich Mean Time. Very necessary as the trains ran according to this.

WHO WERE THE SEVEN SISTERS? The well-known landmark on Hill is sadly much reduced by old age, but is being replaced by more trees, this time not on a possible pillow mound (for holding rabbits). Martin Hesp, Somerset journalist, says that the beeches were named after Sir Matthew Stawell’s daughters. He lived at Cothelstone Manor and it was his land on which they were planted. He is said to have had twice as many sons as daughters.

TAUNTON COURIER SNIPPETS 1819

o Bull baiting near Taunton reported o Velocipede invented o Sale at Hestercombe – late J.T.Warre o Blackdown Waterloo Fair at Wellington Pillar – backsword, wrestling, donkey races o Thief whipped at Staplegrove highway for stealing apples

A BROOMFIELD P.O.W. ESCAPE

1n 1942 Charles Dickens of Broomfield was taken prisoner in North Africa by the Germans. There was not enough water in the camp and consequently 20-30 men died every day. Food consisted of meagre 9 portions of bread and a tin of bully beef between three. Charles was there for a month and then sent to Naples and later Lucca. It was not until the Red Cross brought them clothes to replace those they were wearing, as well as food parcels, that there seemed any hope. However, when Mussolini lost power Germans took over the camp and then a few men including Charles, managed to escape up into the mountains. They walked towards where British troops would be, hoping to pass un- noticed by changing uniform for rags. But it took from August until October to reach freedom. Charles Dickens according to the 1935 Directory was then a traveller who joined the Army in WW2 and became a sergeant. (From ‘Somerset in the Second World War’ – Felicity Hebditch)

BROOMFIELD URN

In the misty dark of an October evening, looking at the Bronze Age urn ploughed up on Westleigh Farm, we felt strangely close to the first settlers on our hills. Nearby is the site of an iron-Age hill-slope enclosure and another existed at Rooks Castle, although the working of a medieval slate quarry meant its partial obliteration. Better was Ruborough Camp, the largest earthwork on the Quantocks, with adjoining Moneyfield, but traditionally its demon guardians will thwart any attempt to uncover its treasure. Audrey Mead

Across the Field

I have belonged to Butterfly Conservation for many years and the Big Butterfly Count has been running for 10 years. We used to get forms to fill in. You counted before June and then after. I did it for years. I had to send my results to a Regional Collator Mike Ridge, and in return I received a lovely butterfly postcard from him, thanking me and with comments about the season. Now, it is all done on-line. Luckily, I have a son who can do this for me. We duly sent in our count. I was amazed that the top butterfly was the Painted Lady. (We were warned they were coming, 420,841 sightings were recorded.) Now, we have a 10 garden full of butterfly friendly flowers and plants, and we see Red Admirals, Peacocks, Commas, small/large whites, orange-tips, Brimstones, Gatekeepers, Speckled Wood, Ringlets, Small Blue, Tortoiseseshell, a Silver Washed Fritillary and only ONE Painted Lady, and that was badly damaged. 1½ wings. Were they blown off course? Was there anyone lucky enough to see more?

It was lovely and warm in the supermarket car park. The sun was shining on the wall and we could see many Red Admiral butterflies sunning themselves. Some with wings open and others with folded wings. There was a Buddleia bush nearby but it was in the shade. I always like to see something that makes me smile. Coming through the lanes, we saw a cock pheasant perched a top the telephone wires, it was using its long tail to keep its balance as it was blowing a gale. It reminded me of the toys – with a brightly coloured parrot balancing on a stick frame.

Rainfall: Sept 2019 - 37½ mm Sept 2018 - 18 mm

Janet Lovell

SOMERSET APPLE CAKE

4 oz Butter or marg. 8 oz. SR flour 4 oz Sugar 1 Teaspoon mixed spice 1 Egg 8 oz Peeled and diced apple Little Milk

Rub butter and flour together. Add sugar, spice, egg, and apple ( I use eating apples) Mix well. Add sufficient milk to give a sticky consistency.

Put in a 7 inch greased baking tin. Bake at 350f. - 180c for about 1 hour until firm.

Nice served warm, sprinkled with demerara sugar and with a blob of whipped cream. 11

KINGSTON ST MARY PRESCHOOL

We returned to a very quiet September. We have only 6 children on the books, hopefully 2 more starting after half term. Last year was a successful year where we filtered into 8 different primary schools, a record number for us. However the 30 hour funding that is available now for some parents and a new school built locally with a Foundation stage unit attached, along with a lower number of families coming into village has had an effect on us.

The preschool has been in existence for over 30 years and for many of those we were at the village hall. This gave the preschool space and with a lovely back garden. However time was limited and the preschool opened when the hall wasn’t used by others. Back in 2010 we moved into our current premises, on the primary school site. Our capacity each session is 20 children and for much of the past years we have had very few spaces available, due to our good reputation and wonderful environment. We have been supported and run by a parent volunteered committee and this has thrown up many challenges over the years as the statutory requirements tighten.

So with the low number of children on the books, sadly in July Sue Derben who has been with us for 19 years took redundancy. This was a decision not taken lightly by both Preschool and Sue. The remaining staff, Sarah Trott, Emma Chant, Sarah Hancock and Sarah Grant will miss Sue and everyone wishes her well. The preschool is collecting towards a present for Sue. If anyone would like to make a donation, please drop it into preschool.

The preschool is working with the Primary school and helps to run the Breakfast Club each morning. On Wednesday mornings the Preschool is running Stay and Play sessions to help generate interest. We have lowered our intake age to 2 years old.

But at the time I write this, we will have started the closure process. Unless a miracle happens the Preschool will close at the end of this term in December

12

KINGSTON ST MARY FILM NIGHT

“The White Crow”

Friday 1st November at the VILLAGE HALL

Tickets £6.00 on the door DOORS OPEN at 7pm for 7.30pm start

REFRESHMENTS AVAILABLE (INCLUDING WINE, BEER AND CIDER)

The incredible true story of Rudolf Nureyev’s defection to the West in 1961 during the Russian Ballet’s tour of France. This event took place during the Cold War, when all the Russian ballet dancers were watched and warned against fraternising with Westerners. His decision to defect was considered an act of treason by the Soviet Union. Written by David Hare and directed by Ralph Fiennes, this is an unforgettable film about a dangerous political period in our recent past, with some stunning ballet scenes.

Certificate 12, running time 124 mins

All profits go towards the upkeep of the village hall.

For more details please contact Serena Lumley on 451877 If anyone needs a lift to the village hall then Annie Trolley is happy to organise this. Please contact her on 451312

Christmas Singles Lunch

Cheddon Fitzpaine Pastoral Care Group are organizing a Christmas Singles Lunch on Sunday December 1st. at 12.30pm. We are hoping this will be held at the Maypole, Thurloxton Please let Mary Gunning (01823 412 179) or Liz Thompson (01823 451 529) know if you would like to come along.

13

Neighbourhood Watch – Kingston

As a result of the significant increase in the number of thefts from sheds and garages across Kingston parish over the last six months, it has been suggested that the Neighbourhood Watch scheme should be re-established in and around Kingston (the Nailsbourne scheme is still running). Contact has to be made with the , and work is needed to establish what is involved generally, how it has worked before in Kingston and is working in Nailsbourne, and how technology might now assist. If anyone would like to help to re-establish the scheme in Kingston, or have an involvement at any level once it is set up please contact David Stripp on 01823 451455 or on email at [email protected]

HINKLEY POINT

When I heard that EDF organised visits to the Hinkley C site I collected a few friends together and booked a date in September to join a tour. We arrived at the office in Angel Court, Bridgwater with our identification documents, and signed in making sure that our names matched the names on their list with our date of birth, country of origin and nationality. Thank goodness they did or we wouldn't have been al- lowed on the tour.

First we had a security warning with a list of things that we must not take with us. Weapons, animals, knives, gas cannisters, explosives of any kind - things you would not normally think of taking on an outing like this. Some of us were singled out to be frisked. It was random they assured us, not because we looked suspicious. Coats off, pockets emptied, lots of fumbling to find loose coins and keys, and finally we were all ready to sit down and listen to a talk on Pressurised Water Reactors, much simplified of course. Then some propaganda on behalf of EDF – their safety record, their opportunities for jobs and their support of worthy projects in the area.

After that we got onto the waiting coach and set off for the site, with a guide giving a commentary along the way, making the point that most

14 workers arrive at the site by bus so that there isn't too much individual traffic on local roads. When we arrived, a rather fearsome looking security officer boarded and went through the same list of all the things we shouldn't have with us. As we weren't going to get out of the coach, there was little chance of being able to use the forbidden items even if we had them, but he stayed with us throughout - just in case.

We were completely bowled over by the size of the site. Unlike Hinkley A and B which seem to be visible wherever you are, the construction of Hinkley C is mostly hidden by the 5.3 million tons of earth shifted and banked up to the south. You can only see the cranes from a distance, one of which is the tallest in the world.

We drove round slowly with an excellent commentary from our guide. It was hot and stuffy in the coach, well sealed for security, and my neighbour kept dropping off. Cranes and concrete everywhere, and a lorry going round and round sprinkling water to stop the dust rising. Thank goodness for the Green Lane, a prehistoric path running through the site lined with trees, and the bat bridge, both lending a human touch to this unworldy scene.

What was our verdict? One said he thought it was boring. One said he had an overriding feeling of almost horror that this was the world our grandchildren were going to grow up in and maybe would regard as normal. The rest of us were glad we had gone, but wouldn't want to go again, and we gave full marks to EDF for organising these free tours.

Cicely Taylor

Kingston St Mary - Walking For Health Wednesday, 13th November

Start at the KSM Church car park at 1.45pm for 2.00pm start. We finish at the Village Hall for a cuppa at the Wednesday Café. Walk lasts about 30/35 minutes. Wear suitable footwear. Newcomers always welcome. For more details please phone one of the following who will explain more. Jackie Aldrich 01823 451696 Paul Trolley 01823 451312 Heather Saxton 01823 451210 Nigel Hounslow 01823451358 15

From Mary, South Quantock Benefice, Nov 19 It’s not all about the money!! Giving defines us as human beings - who and what we give our attention to, our time and our talents to, and indeed who and what we give our money to. Do we ever “give” something of ourselves to others?

November is a time when we might be thinking more than usual about giving. Early November has us remembering those who have given up, even their own lives - in service of others and of their country. Our annual service of Remembrance will be taking place on 10th November this year in the church. Even before that, on Sunday 3rd November we will be giving thanks for the lives of those dear to us who have died, remembering all that they have given to us. Before we even reach December most of us will be thinking about buying presents for Christmas. Will we already be tired of the incessant advertising around us, I wonder - or perhaps taking delight in the season of Advent that helps us give attention to God as we prepare to celebrate Jesus’ birth?

So a moment to reflect, perhaps, on how and why we give. I hope, in this season of giving, we won’t go spending beyond our means but instead follow Jesus’ example of giving of Himself to enable others to live the best lives they can - the gift of our time is so precious to friends, family and even strangers. Maybe you have heard the saying that “love” should be spelt “t-i-m-e”.

Jesus’ command to us is to love God with everything we have, and to love our neighbour as ourselves. I know I struggle to give love in those proportions, but I am committed to try to do so - perhaps you would too?

We do look forward to seeing you this month - check out our services - regular and special - in this season of giving.

God bless you,

Mary 16

SERVICES IN THE PARISHES NOVEMBER 2019 Tuesdays 8.30am Morning Prayer in the Vicarage

3 Nov All Saints Day 8.00am Holy Communion (BCP) Kingston 9.30am Sunday Seedlings Cheddon Church 10.00am Holy Communion incl baptism 11.00am All Age Service Broomfield 6.00pm All Souls Service Kingston

6 Nov Wednesday 2.00pm Communion Service The Vicarage, Kingston St Mary

10 Nov Remembrance Sunday 8.00am Holy Communion (BCP) West Monkton 10.00am Short service of Remembrance Broomfield 10.50am Remembrance Sunday Service Cheddon 10.50am Remembrance Sunday Service Kingston 10.50am Remembrance Sunday Service West Monkton 4.30pm ‘Refresh’ informal worship – last West Monkton one of the year! School Hall

17 Nov Second Sunday before Advent 8.00am Holy Communion (BCP) Kingston 9.30am Sunday Seedlings Brittons Ash Community Hall 10.00am Holy Communion West Monkton 11.00am Holy Communion Broomfield 12 noon Baptism West Monkton

20 Nov Wednesday 2.00pm Communion Service at 4 Garden Close,North Walls Grange, Cheddon Fitzpaine

24 Nov Christ the King 8.00am Holy Communion (BCP) West Monkton 10.00am Holy Communion Cheddon 10.00am Holy Communion Kingston 17

6.00pm Evening Prayer SERVICES IN THE PARISHES DECEMBER 2019 1 Dec First Sunday of Advent 8.00am Holy Communion (BCP) Kingston 9.30am Sunday Seedlings Cheddon Church 10.00am Holy Communion West Monkton 10.00am All Age Service 11.00am All Age Service Broomfield 4.00pm Christingle Service West Monkton

Sunday Seedlings

15 mins of songs, stories & fun for 0-5s & their families to learn about Jesus. Then coffee & delicious pastries.

9.30am Sundays: 3rd Nov at Cheddon Church * / 17th Nov at BACH** *Cheddon Parish Church TA2 8JU and **Brittons Ash Community Hall next to West Monkton primary school TA2 8FT

All Souls Service Sunday 3rd Nov 6.00pm Service at Kingston church An opportunity to remember a lost one, light a candle and add their name to the prayer tree

“REFRESH” South Quantock Benefice’s new contemporary worship service at West Monkton Primary School hall. All are welcome. Please join us! th 10 November 2019 at 4.30pm

Eat Pray Worship 18

FROM THE REGISTERS: Baptism: 22nd Sept Lewis Anthony Parsons Cheddon 22nd Sept Rose Eve Whitfield Cheddon We welcome the newly baptised as they start their journey of faith with us.

Funeral Service in Church: 28th Sept Peter Day Kingston 2nd Oct Richard Shirley-Smith Cheddon 10th Oct John Honeyball Broomfield 17th Oct Jim Blake Broomfield We remember these lives and pray for those who mourn them

Wedding : 21st September Nigel Howard & Lisa Shorthall Kingston We offer our prayers for them in their life together

Men's Group – Next meeting: : Nov 9th kick off 3pm:- watch Taunton Titans Rugby vs Barnes –at Commsplus Stadium, Hyde Lane, Taunton TA2 8BU. For more details contact Rev Jim: 01823 333377 or [email protected]

THIS MONTH’S ROTAS

Broomfield Church Cleaners 2nd Nov Nancy Lyons 9th & 16th Andrea Duncan 23rd & 30th Bez Purdy & Mary Johnson

Kingston Altar Linen Jean Alger-Green and Floor Jean Alger-Green

Kingston Flowers 3rd Joan Leahy 10th & 17th Sheila Hayes 24th Alison Palmer 19

1st Dec Joan Leahy Advent ring CHEDDON 100 CLUB: The winners of the draw for October are: £60 - John Pugh £15 - Gerry Guerrier

ADVENT GROUP / BOOKLETS- December 2019

There will be an Advent group looking at ‘Follow the Star’ booklet produced by the Church of . They will be available to purchase at the group or from the benefice office. A journey through 12 days Wonder.

2.30pm Tues Dec 3rd , 10th & 17th at Tracey’s – 4 Garden Close, Northwalls Grange, Cheddon Each session 1 hour . Please telephone the Benefice office if you would like to come to help us plan numbers. If you cannot attend a group but would like a booklet please pop in the office to collect one £1.50 each. It is good to make a small space during advent to journey towards Christmas

Letter from the Right Reverend Ruth Worsley, Bishop of Taunton – November 2019

Treasure the Earth

As I write this parish letter, we are in the midst of two weeks of action by Extinction Rebellion drawing our attention to the concerns of climate change. Following Greta Thunberg’s rousing speech to the UN and the various climate strikes undertaken by young people around the world, we are becoming more aware of the dangers of neglecting such an important matter. Whether we are young and passionate about this issue or one of Boris’s so-called ‘crusties’ and equally passionate, it seems to me that we are all called to be passionate about caring for the world God has made, and which He has entrusted to our care.

20

The fifth Mark of Mission calls for us to ‘Treasure the Earth’ or, to ‘safeguard the integrity of creation and sustain and renew the life of the earth’. Here in Bath and Wells we focus on placing mission and evangelism at the heart of all we do. This often means we highlight the story of Jesus and the opportunity for us to know God’s grace and forgiveness in personal ways. All really important for us to know how much we are loved. However, mission and evangelism isn’t just limited to those people we live amongst in the present day. St Paul speaks about how our salvation and that of the world or creation are bound up together….

‘The created universe is waiting with eager expectation for God’s children to be revealed. It was made subject to frustration, not of its own choice but by the will of him who subjected it, yet with the hope that the universe itself is to be freed from the shackles of mortality and is to enter upon the glorious liberty of the children of God.’ Romans 8: 19-21

Sometimes I hear people dismiss concerns for the world and its future as being insignificant in the light of the eternal hope we have in Christ. I think this misguided and often selfish. It’s a bit like the attitude which says, ‘well as long as it sees me out!...’

This month you have the opportunity to get involved yourself. On Monday 18th November at Wells Cathedral and in Christ Church, Weston-Super-Mare on Saturday November 9th, there are opportunities for you to find out more. Look on the diocesan website.

And it’s not just for individual action, we as a diocese want to encourage churches to look at how they might become Eco churches in the way in which they respond in worship, theological reflection, make practical changes to their carbon footprint, and in bringing about that freedom for the whole universe to be sustained and renewed.

What might you get passionate about and do?

The Right Revd Ruth Worsley, Bishop of Taunton

21

Traffic Update

If you’ve passed it you’ve probably noticed the flashing road sign in Kingston St Mary (KSM), our Speed indicator Device (SID) to use its proper name. It had an immediate impact at Mill Cross slowing down vehicles as they enter the Village to an average of 23mph. Similarly, the SID helped to slow traffic where the road narrows by the Vicarage.

We are grateful to the KSM Parish Council who bought the SID which is operated by a couple of our Speedwatch volunteers. Highways require the SID to be moved every 2 weeks and we’re working on additional sites.

Speedwatch continues with our volunteers conducting weekly sessions, speeding vehicles are reported to the Police who follow them up. Most motorists are happy for the hi-vis reminder of the need to watch their speed through our Village. A few less responsible individuals make it clear that they take exception!

Speedwatch provides evidence of our Community’s concern about speeding and collects useful data to support proposed road safety improvements.

We continue to seek lower speed limits, appropriate to the road conditions, of 40mph on Kingston Road, 20mph through the middle part of Kingston St Mary and 30mph through for Nailsbourne and Fulford/Yarford.

KSM Community Partnership

CAROLS IN THE CATTLE SHED This year the Carol singing will be on Monday 9th December 6.30 p.m. at Tetton Farm. This is a week earlier than usual but we hope you will be able to come along with your family and friends, to sing loud and start your Christmas festivities.

22

KINGSTON ST MARY & DISTRICT GARDENING CLUB

Our next meeting on: Wednesday 20th November 2019 will be at the Kingston St Mary Village Hall and will feature a talk on Orchids by Don Heyes.

The Club meets, unless otherwise stated, on the third Wednesday of the month in Kingston St Mary Village Hall at 7:15pm, doors open at 6:45pm.

New members and visitors are always welcome to attend Gardening Club meetings and visits, no previous gardening experience is required.

For more details please contact either Moira Townsend on 01823 451986, John Manning on 01823 451244 or Jas Shorney on 01823 451532.

The programme for 2019-20 is shown below.

Nov 20th. 2019 'Orchids' - Don Heyes - (Village Hall) 'Natures Pathways' - Peter Triggs - (Village Hall) Dec 11th. 2019 **Minced Pies & Mulled Wine** Jan 15th. 'Gardener's Question Time' - (Village Hall) 2020 Feb 19th. Annual Club Dinner - Venue TBC - (Evening) 2020 Mar 18th. AGM & 30 Years Celebration (Village Hall) 2020

Our Gardening Club also supports the Kingston St Mary Primary School Gar- dening Club. Judy Rhodes and her team of volunteers meet each Tuesday lunchtime in the school gardens. Judy is always looking for new volunteers to help. Kingston St Mary Village Hall Defibrillator

Many of the link up readers and users of the village hall will have noticed that there is now a defibrillator attached to the lobby of the hall and a shiny new sign announcing the availability of this life saving equipment. I hope that this will provide some assurance that in the unlikely event of a cardiac arrest requiring immediate response there is machine available in the centre of the village.

23

My thanks for providing this goes to the British Heart Foundation, and Lawrence Rayment for leasing with me. The generosity of a bequest from a gentleman in Ilminster who paid for the defibrillator, and cabinet refurbishment costs covered by Taunton International Middle School. We should also thank Trevor Heayns for having provided a defibrillator in the village for the last six years. Training on using a defibrillator will be organised in the near future.

Marcus Anderson Chair of the Village Hall Committee

MUSINGS FROM MILL CROSS

I’ve been reading two different books set in Somerset over the past couple of months. Both written over the last few years, one concerning a journey with a companion(s), the other focusing specifically on a hamlet fairly close to here, the turning of the year and his dealing with it. The former reminded me of locations familiar, introduced me to places yet to be visited and named flora and fauna I’ve probably stumbled across but failed to identify. The later looked at the finite detail in and around the homestead but struggled to find the specific name given to the bird or plant in question. I’m with the second author here. Of our three summer visitors of similar shape, swifts, martins and swallows, although I’ve been told time and again about their distinguishing features it is all in vain. The only one I can recognise is the swift and that’s because it is vocal and the others aren’t (please don’t correct me if I’m wrong!). The first book enjoyed a rant and rave about subjects close to the authors heart, sharing his opinion with gay abandon, whilst the second closed in on himself and seemed to want to hibernate like the small animals inhabiting his house! Both books were an enjoyable read, inspiring me to seek out views and vistas near and far, sometimes as soon as I had finished a chapter, putting the book down and jumping on the bike whilst others have been planned and set in the calendar for the coming months. Both works are of merit and are available from Brendon books in town, where I saw both authors give separate talks on their own works. The evenings reflected each writer, one was shared with cider and a dog (who mostly slept) , the other with wine and an art display. For those interested, Cider with Roxie by Paul Hending and Ash before Oak by Jeremy Cooper. 24

Cheddon Fitzpaine Parish Council 10 October 2019.

After a very busy September with a mass of planning applications and overgrown vegetation, matters appear to be calming down a little. All the planning applications progress through the planning process with varying degrees of speed, and details can be found in the parish

minutes. Maidenbrook Country Park & Somerset Wood: Discussions continue on the legal matters regarding SWTC passing management to

the Parishes. Neighbourhood Plan Questionnaire has been sent out to all homeowners and businesses within the combined area of West Monkton & Cheddon Fitzpaine. A good response is hoped for which will determine how future Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) money

will be spent. Your views are welcomed. Notice Board: Permission has been agreed by the landowner for a new

board in the Pyrland Fields area; to be followed up. Hestercombe Community Advisory Group meeting was held, and notes appear on the parish website. This is a useful forum for local

representatives to exchange information. External Audit: Documents are on the parish website following the

conclusion of the audit on 30.9.2019. Next Parish Council meeting: 14 November, 2019 at 7pm

Denise Webber/Chairman 07788 522266 [email protected] Jo Pearson/Parish Clerk 07891 29809 [email protected] www.cheddonfitzpaine-pc.org.uk/council

CHEDDON FITZPAINE MEMORIAL HALL AGM

Monday 11th November 7.00pm In the committee room. All welcome.

Please come along to support your local hall. Any prospective new trustees are welcome

25

AN EVENING WITH BRIAN ROSE

President and past Captain of Somerset CCC

Friday 22nd. November 7.00pm

The Village Hall Kingston St Mary Ticket £10 to include a glass of wine and canapes

Contact Lorraine 01823 451 112 e.mail: Imcbroadway17.plus.com

PLEASE NOTE CHANGE OF DATE

CHRISTMAS COFFEE MORNING

WEDNESDAY 4TH. DECEMBER 2019

At Kingston St Mary Village Hall 10.00 – 12 noon

Christmas Cards – Cakes – Seasonal Fare Gifts – Potted Hyacinth Bulbs – Raffle

PLEASE PARK IN THE CHURCH CAR PARK

SOME NOVEMBER FACTS

The first Thursday in November is ‘National men make dinner day (why not every Thursday ?)

The Suez Canal opened on November 17th. 1869

King Tutankhamen’s tomb was opened on November 26th. 1922

John F Kennedy was assassinated on November 22nd. 1963

26

Thank you

Due to Peter’s unfortunate accident while away on holiday, we were unable to attend the Harvest Supper this year. However I gather from my friends who were at the supper that it was a splendid evening with super food and lively entertainment.

I am writing on behalf of the Church P.C.C. to thank the organisers Justine Comer and Lindy Mansfield for the excellent amount of £400 donated to Church funds. We are facing the cost of extensive repairs to the tower so it is very welcome.

I would also like to take this opportunity to say how grateful Peter and I are for all the kind messages and help we have received since his accident and thank the visitors who have come to cheer Peter up while he is confined to activity on a zimmer frame.

Bez Purdy

CHEDDON FITZPAINE MEMORIAL HALL

Cheddon Fitzpaine Memorial Hall is looking to appoint a new Manager to act as the booking officer and oversee the day to day running of the hall.

The person appointed would, initially, work in conjunction with Marcus Walker, the current Manager. The position, which is paid, requires a commitment of about six hours a week.

Please contact Malcolm Lown (Chairman of the Trustees) on 01823 412 750 or Malcolm Walker (Hall Manager) on 07586 413 290 for further details and a copy of the job description.

From the Tractor Shed

When I drove into the yard of my second home, Tetton Farm, there staring me in the face was a brand new, state of the art, corn drill. In good condition for grass, it will produce a seed bed and plant the seed all in one pass. It has been proved to be 100%. For corn the soil needs to be roughly cultivated and then it will produce a seed bed and it will plant the corn in one pass. The most important part of any drill, old or 27 new, is to calibrate it so you sow the right amount of seed per hectare (10,000 sq metres or 2.470 acres). With the older model it was a bit ‘hit or miss’, turning a handle so many times and catching the grain in a tray and then weighing it.

Now with this new drill, set the rate you need, press a button and ‘Hey presto’ up will come the setting. A far cry from the seed drill that I used for the first time. It was an old second-hand one and we were going to sow spring barley, and someone had to ride on the back to put it in and out of gear. What to set it at we did not have a clue. So after the field was prepared for sowing we paced out roughly an acre and we set the drill slightly higher than needed. We did not want to under sow it so drilled the acre and bingo, bulls eye, dead-right, beginner’s luck!! The next problem for the man on the back was when to pull the lever to keep the in and outs all in line. You didn’t know how good he was until the corn came up. One year, still using the old drill in an awkward shaped field we missed sowing quite a bit. It was block shaped and much to the delight of the villagers who suggested we were going to build a house there.

Some years later I was using a drill which was controlled by its wheels where you dropped the drill to the ground from the tractor to start it to drill. When you lifted it up it stopped. No trouble I thought. But one day unknown to me the drill hit a stone and the last 150 yards remained unsown. When the seeds germinated there was a patch the size of two cricket pitches showing up for everybody to see. Not wishing to have my leg pulled for the rest of the summer about the bare patch, I went out with a bucket full of corn and a garden rake, sowed the corn and raked it in. In no time it was up and only an expert could tell the difference. But the leg pulling did not stop. There were comments such as, ‘You made such a good job on that patch, you may as well do the whole field next year.’

That is what is missing with village life today. Lack of good old- fashioned humour. Maybe it’s because all the shops and some of the pubs have gone. Nowhere to gossip. It’s not the same at the supermarket check-out. I had to smile when people who do not know how the country-side 28 works. Take a group which is trying to save our trees (I am on their side). Then you get another group who have introduced beavers who will gnaw down trees for a pastime. Then you get a group who thought it would be a great idea to introduce the Red Kite. What was it expected to feed on? All of the young geese (goslings) started to disappear around the lakes. If a Red Kite will take something that size, what else will it take? They will follow a combine when working, catching anything that comes out of standing corn. Hares, born in the open, don’t stand a chance.

Perce

KINGSTON ST MARY PARISH COUNCIL www.kstm.uk Councillors have new secure contact details. Email addresses are: [email protected] [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected]

PARISH COUNCIL MEMBERSHIP We are delighted to welcome Sarah Hancock as a new parish councillor. Sarah was ‘co-opted’ at the October meeting, and will be a great addition to the team - she has lived in the village for 28 years and has been involved in many village activities during that time. She works at Kingston School and Pre-School. Councillor Paul Townsend will be taking over the role of Chair of the Parish Council at the next meeting for a period of 6 months.

NOTICE OF TEMPORARY ROAD CLOSURES: SCC have informed us of the following road closure orders: Dodhill Road from the junction with the entrance to Dodhill Court, southwards for a distance of 50 metres, for Highways to carry out drainage works. The Order becomes effective on 11 November 2019. The works are expected to last for 5 days. Rectory Road from 80m north of the junction with Lawn Road, northwards for a distance of 80 metres to enable BT Openreach to carry

29 out D Pole Project works. The Order becomes effective on 05 November 2019 and the works are expected to last for 3 days. Please visit www.roadworks.org for further information on the alternative route

PLANNING MATTERS Case ref: 20/19/0017 Erection of an agricultural building for storage at Lower Portman Farm, Fitzroy Road, . The Parish Council made no comment

Case ref: 20/19/0019 Erection of an agricultural building for housing of livestock at Church Lane Farm, Church Lane, Kingston St Mary. The Parish Council does not object to the application but have commented on the need to protect views from the village by means of suitable tree planting and other landscaping.

In late October a public meeting was held at short notice in Taunton Vale Sports Club for councillors and members of the public to view the proposed plans of Redrow Homes for the Staplegrove West planning application. We will always notify you of events in Link Up if we are given enough notice, but this is not always possible so please check the Kingston website for the latest news and notifications of upcoming public consultations and planning applications on the North Taunton development.

COMMUNITY PROJECTS The Parish Council is pleased to confirm grant support for 2 community projects which will be of benefit to the community. These are a comprehensive audio/visual system for the village hall, and a contribution towards liability insurance for Kingston Community Partnership for the Good Neighbour Scheme. Other projects are being considered and will be decided at the next meeting in November.

OTHER NEWS The village defibrillator is now sited at the village hall. Somerset Waste Partnership have published their plans for the phased roll-out for Recycle More including expanded kerbside collections. The briefing document is on our website. 30

Next Meeting The next meeting of the council will be held on Monday 11th November in the village hall committee room at 7.30pm. Members of the public are invited to attend. Sharon Farnham (Chair) [email protected]

Katie Gibbins (Clerk) [email protected]

Wednesday Café, KSM Village Hall

(Every second Wednesday of the month)

Wednesday 13th November

Come for the afternoon or drop in any time between: 2.00pm and 4.00pm.

(£1.00 entrance)

For more information contact:

Serena Lumley 01823 451877 or Jackie Aldrich 01823 451696

BROOMFIELD CHURCH APPEAL

We are launching an appeal for £50,000 which is needed for repairs to the Tower and elsewhere for our much-loved Church.

We need your help with fund-raising, donations and grant applications.

Please will you contact us at the Benefice Office and leave your details. Tel. 01823 451 257

31

Dragon Quilters Exhibition

29th November - 6th December 10.00am – 4.00pm

The Lavender Barn, Westleigh, Broomfield

(From KSM drive up Buncombe Hill, turn first right on to road to Broomfield/Fyne Court and Westleigh will be found down the first drive on the left.)

KINGSTON ST MARY YOUTH CLUB Alternate Friday’s 7.00pm. -9.00pm. Age 7 - 11 years. Cost £2.00

Friday November 8th. ‘Slime’ Kingston Village Hall

Friday 22nd November Ice Skating – Tropicana, Weston Super Mare

Other Activities run alongside the main programme during all sessions, pool, table tennis, wii, board games, chill and chat and refreshments.

For more details about the club, contact our Youth Worker Emma Goldsworthy. [email protected] or mobile 07771 778 552

For Sale/Wanted/Lost & Found There is no charge for a small advertisement. However, due to limited space please keep wording to a maximum of 50 words.

Home wanted for very elderly sewing machine - 60+ years - in perfect useable condition. Would anyone like to have it? Esmé Padgham. (01823 451559)

Bentley upright piano. Good condition. Donation please to MacMillan Cancer Support. Please Tel: 01278 455 240 32

HUGE Pumpkins for sale, with proceeds towards Broomfield Church Tower appeal. £10 and £15 each. Contact John: 01823 451 296

6 Brand new window frames in pine, 21 x 54 inches, already primed. Ideal for cold frames. £10 the lot. Having a clear out. Contact John: 01823 451 296

Commercial Advertisements 1/3 A5 page – may be placed at a cost of £8.00 at the discretion of, and following discussion with, the Editor.

LEARN TO DRIVE SAFELY,

FOR LIFE

Your local DVSA Approved Driving Instructor

ELAINE BARCLAY ADI

07791 895425 [email protected]

33