Link–Up

March 2019

E-Magazine

March winds and April showers Bring forth May flowers…

From the Editor…

The traditional first day of Spring is 20th March this year, although the Met Office considers that Spring begins on 1st March. As I am writing this, the sun is shining, early narcissi and primroses are out, and it really does feel like Spring is here already.

For some, that might bring Spring cleaning to mind - if so, do bear in mind the school jumble sale coming up. If you would rather clean up the village, there is a litter pick this month too.

Several Annual Meetings of various organisations are coming up too, including Link-up’s on 29th April. This is your opportunity to have your say, and everyone’s view will be considered carefully.

Best wishes for the month ahead,

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, 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 CHURCH CONTACTS Rector Rev’d Dr Mary Styles 451189 Associate Vicar Rev’d Jim Cox 333377 Benefice Office Mon, Tue, Wed, Fri, 09.00-14.00 451257 [email protected]

CHURCHWARDENS Broomfield Bez Purdy 451632 Cheddon Pauline Stone 277637 [email protected] Kingston Julia Hammett 451642 Jan Holmes (acting) 451343

LINK-UP OFFICERS & STAFF Chairman Sheila Jones 451170 [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 Corinne McMylor 07730 884413 Editor this month Yvonne Harris 451883 [email protected] Editor – church pages Esmé Padgham 451559 [email protected] Editor next month Annie Trolley 451312 [email protected]

DEADLINE FOR APRIL MAGAZINE:

FRIDAY 15th MARCH 2019

Hard copy 10.00 am Tara, Cheddon Fitzpaine (Bungalow next to Church) contributions 10.00 am Fyne Court Farm, Broomfield by: 12.00 noon Benefice Office, Vicarage, KSM

Email contributions to the editor by 12.00 noon Only emails clearly marked ‘Link-Up’ will be opened and acknowledged

Collation: 2.00pm, Kingston Village Hall, Thursday 28th March Distribution: from Friday 29th March

3 Jim our Associate Vicar writes ......

A few years ago, on a big hill in the Dales a fog descended and my friend and I were stranded. We had a map and a compass, we knew where we were and where we'd come from, but fog, in my experience, makes all certainties vanish. Not since losing my mum in Hamley's in London in the week before Christmas when I was six had I felt so concerned. Needless to say, my mother did find me in the toy shop and my friend and I did find our way off the hill, but there is something primal about being lost.

Today we are told to keep to the path. For good reason. Fields are the local workshops and to wander across them is to damage them. But it is a good experience to try to get lost - either by choosing an unknown path, or a different route to work or to mix with people we don't know very well. Because when we are lost we are vulnerable and more attentive, more dependent. We hopefully discover what it means to be helped and to receive hospitality - instead of being the ones always in charge.

Lent is the season when we remember Jesus getting lost in the wilderness. We are told he took nothing with him. The point being - not the heroic starvation, surely - but the trust that 'God would provide'. He probably found water, berries, things to stave off absolute hunger, we don't know. But it meant that he developed an enormous trust in God, he told his followers: 'Take nothing with you for the road' and it gave Jesus an insight into the lives of others who were lost - who didn't fit in, who didn't know how to behave in public. He learnt profound compassion which had an eye for the wanderer and the outsider.

Most of us are too terrified to get lost - and most of us are too terrified to be good hosts. "If they want to live here they must learn our ways" is our more common wisdom. To go into hospital or to court - or maybe to church - is to enter an institution which has clearly defined rules you may not be familiar with. And it can be baffling and unnerving. But each year, for six weeks in Lent, Christians are invited to 'get lost', to feel vulnerable and to share in the wilderness experience with Jesus. Unsurprisingly, it's never the most popular discipline of the church!

4 Bishop Ruth writes ...... Let Him look at you The other day, someone was speaking about visiting with her elderly mum. She was telling us that whenever she visited she would offer to do any jobs that might be needed and beyond her mum’s reach. Her mum’s response was to say: “Just sit down and let me look at you”. I’ve been thinking about that conversation ever since.

What a wonderful thing to say to your child. “Just sit down and let me look at you”.

She was sharing this vignette, a year after her mum’s death. There are no more opportunities for her mum to ‘sit and look at her’. How glad she is that she took the time while her mum was alive.

I wonder if I can say the same. Have I made time for the things that really matter or am I so focused on the tasks at hand that I forget the need for space to develop relationship? I have a sense that this isn’t just about the people who matter to me but also that it may be Jesus speaking to me as well. “Just sit down and let me look at you”.

The story of Mary and Martha opening up their home to Jesus in hospitality perhaps reminds us most of the priority of spending time in the presence of Jesus. Martha complains at Mary’s lack of support in helping with the household jobs. Jesus response is to suggest that Martha has become so distracted with the ‘tasks’ of hospitality that she has missed the point of what welcome and relationship is.

We often think of this story as being about Mary and Martha’s priorities. Which is of greater significance? Our attitude of service or that of spiritual exploration? However, I’m wondering if Jesus was saying something more. “Just sit down and let me look at you”. What would Jesus see if He looked at you? How does He look at you?

8 March is international women’s day, often an opportunity to remind us that society’s way of looking at women has changed over the years. The MeToo movement has revealed some of the ways in which women have been objectified resulting in forms of abuse. Alongside that growing realisation we are increasingly aware that many women and men feel a sense of dissatisfaction with how they look and can find their mental health affected as a result. Many of us find another person looking at us, uncomfortable.

5 I’d like to suggest that we might hear these words, “just sit down and let me look at you”, as an invitation from Jesus to spend time under his gaze this week. Not as a means of incurring shame but rather to receive the look of love that he so wants us to see.

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THIS MONTH'S ROTAS

Broomfield Church Cleaners

2 & 9 March Liz Woods 16 & 23 March Lindy Mansfield 30 March & 6 April John & Sonia Pether

Kingston Altar Linen and Floor Sonia Pether

Kingston Flowers

3 March - Volunteer needed Then no flowers until Easter

Broomfield Flowers

3 March ?

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Family Announcements Funeral On 31 January at Broomfield Church followed by burial in the churchyard, Elizabeth “Liz” Fackrell

Praying for her and those who mourn Baptism: At Broomfield Church on 3 February, Humphrey Samuel House

We welcome him into the family of the church and pray for him

6 NEW WORSHIP SERVICE NEEDS YOUR HELP!

‘Refresh’ will be a contemporary worship service for the whole Benefice and open to all who wish to join us!

We will gather once a month on a Sunday afternoon in School from 4.30pm to 6.00pm.

We will offer an inclusive and welcoming service: The worship will be contemporary but not overpowering and we will be creative in giving a message through talk, drama, discussion. There will also be varied ways of responding to what we have heard – craft, a discussion or meditation. There will be opportunities for healing prayer.

Could you help? We need: • Musicians • Creative people to prepare activities to link with the theme of the month • Welcome team and those who will serve refreshments • Set up and clean up team • Prayer ministry team - those who are willing to pray with people and want to learn about healing prayer • Technical team- to organise Powerpoint words on screen for songs and advertising

Please contact Rev Mary ([email protected]) or Tracey Hallett ([email protected]) if you feel able to help in any way or would like more information

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CHEDDON CHURCH 100 CLUB

The winners of the February draw were £60 – Stuart Triggol £15 – Gerry Guerrier

A Blessing What did the priest say to his ancient car? May you rust in peace.

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LINK-UP ANNUAL PUBLIC MEETING…

th Monday 29 April 2019, 7.30pm, Benefice Office, Kingston St Mary

This meeting is both a formal meeting to approve the accounts and the election of officers as well as an opportunity for you, the reader, to have your say.

If you require further information about the meeting please contact Jean Alger-Green, Secretary to the Link-up Board, on 01823 451732.

LINK-UP GARDEN CLUB…

The Club will be holding a coffee morning and plant sale at the Kingston St Mary Village School with proceeds to help the Club in its continuing support of the School Gardening Club.

Saturday 2nd March, 10am – 12 noon. Entry free

The meeting in the Village Hall on Wednesday 20th March will be the Club’s AGM when changes to the Constitution will be discussed and voted upon. These changes are designed to ensure that the Club is able to continue to promote interest and enjoyment in gardening in all its forms for the benefit of residents in the Link Up parishes and the surrounding area.

Doors open at 6:45pm – new members are always welcome.

Carla Griffiths, 01823 451513

8 ACROSS THE FIELD…

The snow came and inconvenienced us all for a few days. I looked out of the window when it was just beginning to pitch and there were two rabbits running around in the snow. The birds were ready to be fed in the morning. They get very brave when they are hungry.

The bird count went well. Most of our regulars managed to turn up within the hour, but there is a section for birds that you do see in the garden, but not on that day. I have had a report of an albino blackbird – the only black bits were a couple of patches on a wing. Otherwise it is completely white.

I was interested in last month’s mistletoe article. We have a couple of bunches in our big Bramley apple tree and a couple of little sprigs in other apple trees. The lack of leaves on the trees exposes the large ‘balls’ of mistletoe. Somewhere, in a drawer, with papers I have a card requesting mistletoe spotters to write to an address if you spot any, as there is a shortage. I think it was late 70s or 80s: there is plenty about now.

The year started fairly dry with only 22mm of rain. January 2018 was 72mm. It is lovely to hear the birds singing. But ‘welcome back’ to the church bells. We missed you.

Janet Lovell

MORE WILDLIFE NOTES…

Walking up past Tetton House the Sunday the snow lay around, I heard the sound of the bells chiming the hour of 9 o’clock, echoing round the low ridges and valleys. The bells are back but don’t seem to be ringing as before?

Further along our walk Archie and I crossed bright radiant fields, gleaming with the intensity of the low, brightly burning winter sun. And then bang, it was as if someone, flicked a switch and the lights 9 went out. We entered the woods, coniferous trees thick with needles, crowned with densely packed snow absorbed the previously abundant light. We both stumbled a little, straining to navigate over fallen branches and tree stumps. Before we knew, having followed the marker posts we were exited into brilliant daylight and a tiny wren balancing on a fence, looking for clues!

As of the 6th February there was no wild garlic on the road leading down from Broomfield Church (although there was the day before in !). However, here’s a recipe in anticipation of the crop: “Ransom Mash” make your mash as usual, but take a handful of well washed ransom, chop it roughly, fry it briefly in a little butter, and mix it in with your potatoes. It should have a green vibrancy about it.

Nick, Millcross

CHEDDON FITZPAINE COMMUNITY COFFEE MORNING

Come and enjoy coffee (or tea) and cake on Saturday 27th April at 89 Cheddon Fitzpaine, (home of Mary Gunning ) at 10.30 am.

All are welcome to come and chat to your neighbours old and new. It’s a lovely social occasion and a good opportunity to find out what’s going on in our community.

If you would like a lift or need any other information then please just ring me on 01823 451529 Liz Thompson (Cheddon Fitzpaine Pastoral Care Team)

10 ‘PLANE SPEAKING’ - second time lucky!

Following the complete snow ‘wipe-out’ of last year’s production, ‘The Cheddoners’ will present ‘Plane Speaking’ at the Memorial Hall from Thursday 28 February to Saturday 2nd March

This home -produced play is from the pen of Dick Macy and is produced by Malcolm Lown.

The second act of Cabaret will include the ‘Hope Choir from Musgrove Park Hospital.

A raffle will be held during each performance and offers of prizes will be gratefully accepted. Donations will be sent to our two charities for this year, the Children’s Hospice South West and Love Musgrove

Ticket prices and details: Thursday 28th February, 7.30pm - All tickets £7.00, to include interval tea and cake

Friday 1st and Saturday 2nd March, 7.70pm - All tickets £13.00 to include a fish and chip supper Bring your own drinks and glasses

Tickets now available from Thelma Burnett tel. 412192 and Stuart Triggol tel. 413459

Kingston Pancake Lunch at the Village Hall

Tuesday 5th March 2019, 12 noon - 2.00pm

Adults £7.50, children 5-14 years £3.00, under 5s free

For advance tickets call 01823 451112

11 KINGSTON ST MARY W.I.

At the February meeting the President, Kathy Pugh, introduced Andy and Kevin from the Freewheelers. They are just two of over 100 Emergency Service Volunteers who carry blood, medicines, breast milk, patients’ notes, pathological specimens and any other vital medical goods that need transporting around hospitals and other units. Most of the volunteers have a full time job. They also spend a lot of time fundraising to help keep their large motorbikes in good condition. The volunteers across the country save the NHS half a million pounds each year. Well- deserved thanks were given by Sandra Mathews.

Friendly skittles has been rearranged for March 13th at . Ideas were discussed for fund raising during the year.

Next month’s meeting on March 6th with Carole Beckar – “Boost your mood and metabolism through food.” There will be a flower of the month competition. Janet Lovell

KINGSTON PLAYING FIELD COMMITTEE…

Hi, my name is Ivor Nation and I recently took over the Chair of the Playing Field Committee. I feel this valuable asset to the village is at present under-used, so would like to remind everyone that the playing field and the pavilion is available to hire at very reasonable rates for small parties etc.

We are looking to put on a summer fayre this year on 22nd June. We are hoping to have music, games, a dog show for pets, and items from the school and the local community. We will be looking for volunteers to help prepare and during the day. Anyone with any ideas can contact me; my contact details are below.

We are also looking for new committee members to help improve this facility and the use thereof.

Ivor Nation [email protected] or 01823 452399

12 Wednesday Café Kingston St Mary Village Hall (every second Wednesday of the month)

13th March

Come for the afternoon or just drop in any time between 2.00pm – 4.00pm (£1 entrance)

Table tennis, puzzles, scrabble, bridge, rummy, knitting, etc. etc. and of course…. lots of chatting over cups of tea and slices of cake!

Need more information? Contact one of the following:

Annie Trolley – 451312 Jean Alger-Green – 451732

N.B. Local lifts available: phone one of the above for details

WALKING FOR HEALTH…

13th March - meet at Kingston St Mary Church Car Park, 1.45pm for 2pm start (every second Wednesday of the month)

Our next walk is on Wednesday March 13th when we will hopefully see many signs of spring as we walk around the village. We will end at the Village Hall for refreshments at the Wednesday Cafe.

Please just turn up with suitable footwear for muddy roads or paths, or phone for further details: Jackie Aldrich 01823 451696 - Paul Trolley 01823 451312 Heather Saxton 01823 451210 - Nigel Hounslow 01823 451358

13 KINGSTON ST MARY LITTER PICK

Sunday 17th March 10.00am - 12.00noon

Meet at village hall or pick from other agreed point. Equipment available.

See February Link-up for more details, or contact Jean Alger-Green on 01823 451732

BROOMFIELD COMMUNITY CINEMA

The Wife

Saturday 9th March

Broomfield Village Hall

Arrive from 7pm for refreshments Film starts at 7.30pm

Tickets: £5 on the door at Broomfield Village Hall

After nearly 40 years of marriage Joan and Joe Castleman (Glenn Close and Jonathan Pryce) complement each other perfectly. Joe is about to receive the Nobel Prize for literature and vainly enjoys his high public profile. Joan pours her considerable intellect, grace and charm into her supportive role as the Great Author’s Wife. The film tells the story of their lifetime’s relationship, with all its shared compromises, secrets, betrayals and mutual love.

Glenn Close has just been nominated for an Oscar for her brilliant portrayal of an intelligent woman plunged into a late-life crisis. The Academy Awards take place on February 24th. Will she win? Whether or not, come and see her shine.

All welcome. Run-time 100 minutes, Certificate 15 Feel free to leave us a message on our FaceBook page with any comments about this film, or future requests.

14 CHEDDON & WEST MONKTON FILM CLUB

Friday 15th March 2019

The Seagull

Chekhov’s play brought to the screen by Michael Mayer. The action takes place in a country house in Russia at the start of the 20th century. The house belongs to Irina (Annette Bening), a famous but ageing actress. Her son, Konstantin (Billy Howle), a struggling young writer, envies his mother’s lover, the famous writer Boris Trigorin (Corey Stall). Konstantin’s fame-obsessed girlfriend Nina (Saoirse Ronan) is enraptured by Trigorin’s success, and tries to seduce him. Masha (Elisabeth Moss) is in love with Konstantin, and is loved by the silly schoolmaster Mikhail (Michael Segen).

Drama – 96 mins, cert. 12A

[email protected] 01823 412278

Cheddon Fitzpaine Memorial Hall

Doors open 6.30pm for refreshments

Short film: 7.00pm Main film: 7.20pm approx.

Tickets £6 at the door

15 KINGSTON ST MARY FILM NIGHT…

Friday 1st March AT THE VILLAGE HALL “A Star is Born”

A multi Bafta nominated film remake starring Bradley Cooper and Lady Gaga. This is an iconic love story about a seasoned musician, who helps and then falls in love with an aspiring singer. The struggles their relationship faces as she becomes more and more successful makes this a bit of a heartbreaker, so you may need tissues…

Certificate 15, running time 136 mins

Friday 5th April AT THE VILLAGE HALL “Bohemian Rhapsody”

A foot stomping celebration of Queen, their music and their extraordinary lead singer Freddie Mercury (played by award winning Rami Malek). It shows the meteoric rise of the band and the internal struggles between the band members and how they conceived some of their most iconic songs. A must see for any fans of Queen and anyone who enjoys a good story…

Certificate 12A, running time 134 mins

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

REFRESHMENTS AVAILABLE, INCLUDING WINE, BEER AND CIDER

All profits go towards the upkeep of the village hall.

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

16 What’s on in March…

28 Feb - 2 Cheddoners ‘Plane Speaking’, p.10 March Fri 1 Kingston Film Club p.15 Sat 2 Garden Club Coffee Morning, p.7 Tues 5 Kingston Pancake Lunch, p.10 Wed 6 Kingston WI, p.11 Thu 7 Kingston Walking Group* Sat 9 Broomfield Community Cinema, p.13 Mon 11 Kingston Parish Council AGM & meeting, p.28 Wed 13 Wednesday Café, p.12 Wed 13 Walking for Health p.12 Thu 14 Cheddon Parish Council Meeting, p.29 Fri 15 Cheddon & West Monkton Film Club, p.14 Fri 15 Kingston PTFA Quiz, .20 Sun 17 Kingston Litter Pick, p.13 Wed 20 Garden Club Meeting, p.7 Thu 21 Kingston Walking Group* Sat 23 Meet the Village, p.22 Thu 28 Cheddon Annual Parish Meeting, p.29 Sat 30 Benefice Quiet Day, p.21

and in April…

Thu 4 Kingston Walking Group* Fri 5 Kingston Film Club, p.15 Thu 18 Kingston Walking Group* Sat 27 Cheddon Coffee Morning, p.9 Mon 29 Link-up Annual Public Meeting, p.7

And forthcoming events for your diary…

11 May Broomfield Plant Sale 18 May Kingston School Jumble Sale, p.20 26 May Singles lunch, also 29 Sept & 8 Dec.** 22 June Playing field summer fayre, p.11 Some regular events….

17 Pilates (11.30) and Keep Fit (12.45pm) Tuesdays, Kingston Village Hall. Contact Alison Roberts on 07850 507489 or [email protected] for details.

Babies’ and Toddlers’ Group every Monday morning (term-time only, 9.00 – 11.00am), Kingston Church. Everyone is welcome to join us for a cup of tea!

*Kingston Walking Group – contact Sandra Matthews, 01823 451941, or [email protected]

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

Bell ringing practice every Tuesday, 7.30pm, Kingston Church. Contact Lois Miles (451676) or John Lock (335776).

**Singles lunches. Contact Liz Thompson [email protected] for details.

If you would like to flag up a forthcoming event in any of our three parishes over the next 12 months, do let the next editor know. Please include a telephone number so anyone else planning an event can contact you. This list is intended as a guide only, to aid event planning.

Don’t forget to take a look at our village websites too: www.kstm.uk/ www.broomfieldparish.org www.cheddonfitzpaine-pc.org.uk

HAPPY BIRTHDAY

Isla Davidson - 10

KINGSTON SCHOOL JUMBLE SALE Saturday 18th May, 2pm to 4pm, Kingston School Hall

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Get ready to Spring clean! We are asking for donations of any of the following - clothes, toys, puzzles and games, books, bric-a-brac, upholstery, CDs, DVDs all in a good working order, complete and clean, but no electrical items, please! If you have anything which you would like to give, could you please bring your items to the school between 10am and 12pm on Friday 17th May and/or Saturday 18th May. If you need collection before then, call Corinne Dorse on 077958 985907. (We might need help with storage next year - if anybody has a bit of space in a barn, garage or understairs cupboard, we would love to hear from you.) Then come and join us on the Saturday afternoon, you never know, you could find a bargain!!! Any unsold items will go towards Bags to School and different charities. ------KINGSTON SCHOOL PTFA QUIZ NIGHT!!

Saturday 15th March – 7.30pm Kingston St Mary Village Hall

£10.00 ticket to include a hot meal, a pudding and a hot drink! There will also be a raffle!

It is never too early to start swotting – here is one to get you going: Which three colours are on the German flag?

Get your team of 6 max organised for a fun evening out.

Tickets are on sale in the School's office

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19 QUIET DAY IN THE SOUTH QUANTOCK BENEFICE

Saturday 30th March 1000 – 1500

Kingston St Mary Village Hall

Gentle Space

A day of reflective prayer, meditation and the prayerful walking a labyrinth Facilitator Ruth Sewell: a Christian, a Licensed Reader in the Diocese of Exeter and trained labyrinth facilitator.

‘Make me to know your ways, O Lord, teach me your paths’ Psalm 25:4-5

You are warmly invited to attend this free workshop. It will be a time to stop, to be quiet, to take part in reflective exercises, of poetry, music, prayerful thought and prayerful walking on a floor laid canvas on which is drawn a labyrinth.

A labyrinth is a single path, it may turn and change direction but it leads to a single central point and the path back is the same one. It is said to be designed not to lose ourselves but to find ourselves. The labyrinth has been used for meditative and prayerful walking, in Christian practices since the early middle ages.

The day will be facilitated by Dr Ruth Sewell and is open to all in the Benefice.

There will be plenty of space and time to engage in a guided meditation and walking the labyrinth. It is a chance to be mindful of finding the inner stillness and to engage with God in a prayerful and personal time of quiet. If you would like to book a place please contact Liz Thompson on [email protected] or Tracey Hallett 07854 489753. Please note that there will be no charge, however, donations on the day will be appreciated. Numbers are very limited and places must be booked in advance please.

Tracey Hallett, Pioneer Ordinand

20

MEET THE VILLAGE

SATURDAY 23rd MARCH 10.30 am - 12 noon KINGSTON ST MARY VILLAGE HALL £1.00 to include tea or coffee and biscuits

SMALL-SCALE PAPERBACK EXCHANGE BRING A BOOK AND TAKE ONE AWAY

FROM THE TRACTOR SHED…

When I was a boy, March was the time of the year that we used to look forward to: lots more daylight so we could be out on the roads playing football with a tennis ball. There weren’t many cars in those days but you had to look out for the horse droppings.

At weekends we would be falling into ponds when catching tadpoles with a net, or newts. We would tie a worm on a piece of string and just when you got them nearly on the bank they would fall off. When we played football in the fields we never had a real football – just a woolly jumper made round with strips of motor car inner tube cut like elastic bands. The more bands you could get on, the better it would bounce.

We also used to play a form of French cricket where you used your legs for the wickets and you defended your legs with a bat. You were out if the ball hit your legs or you were caught. You had to be pretty nimble if you were the one with the bat, for the rest of us would be in a circle all around you. If you missed the ball then the boys behind you would catch it and throw it back hard at your legs.

I don’t know where we boys got our energy from for food was scarce in those days at the end of World War II. Everything was on ration. A typical breakfast was bacon and potato cakes and toast with jam or

21 dripping. Lunch would be corned beef, jacket potato with beetroot or pickle and rice pudding with stewed apple or bread pudding. Tea consisted of bread and jam or marmite and eggless made cake. You had plenty of tea to drink. For supper there was a cup of oxo or warm cider. They tell me that was about 1800 calories – no fear of becoming obese on that!

The farmer across the road from home had a lot of free-range hens, ducks, geese and turkeys – and I mean free-range. They had the whole of the farmyard and nearby fields to roam. But not all of them went back to the laying boxes. Therefore, after school the farmer’s wife would give me a basket to go around the yard and find any eggs that had been laid. You would be surprised how many odd places and well-hidden places the hens would lay their eggs in. The ducks, geese and turkeys mostly laid before they were let out in the morning. I suppose I was on a sort of bonus, for the more I collected I was given an egg or two to take home. Sometimes a hen would hide her nest so well she would sit on them and hatch them out. The first thing you knew about it was when the hen would walk across the yard followed by a dozen chicks.

One afternoon when I was collecting the eggs a single black day-old chick appeared lost. There was no hen about so I picked it up and put it in my pocket. The farmer’s wife told me to take him home and keep it warm. He was put into a small basket with a woolly jumper and placed on the hub by the fireplace to keep it warm and I fed him twice a day on oat flakes soaked in warm milk. I named the chick Joey. When I came home from school he would get out of his basket and followed me around the house. As he got older he became a bit of a nuisance jumping up on the table with droppings going everywhere, so he was put in the yard with all of our hens. But that did not stop him for when I came home from school and he heard my voice, he would be up over a high wall and back into the house. He must have thought I was Mother Hen for he would peck anyone who came near me. He was getting a big bird by now and his pecks did hurt. One day when I came home from school there was no Joey. That Sunday we had chicken for dinner. I never did find Joey …. To a farmer March dust is gold so he can get all his field work done. Let’s hope we get some. Last year we did not get any. Perce

22 WINDOW ON THE PAST: MORE MEDICAL MATTERS

WALKING AIDS were recorded quite early. William Stone was provided with a wooden leg for 5 shillings (25p) in 1803 and a half boot for 6 shillings (30p) the following year. Those were probably obtained from Stringfellow of Chard, a friend of Andrew Crosse. (He also invented an early aeroplane). William Burge, a school master in Kingston in 1830s, had a wooden leg which he was apt to throw at unruly pupils. (Chard Museum shows interesting examples of Stringfellow’s work)

CURE BY ELECTRICITY was used by Andrew Crosse of Broomfield to treat those with rheumatism and paralysis. It had first been tried in 1700s by Middlesex Hospital and advised by Joseph Priestley and John Wesley, we do not know what method Crosse used. His wife Cornelia, set up a DISPENSARY at Fyne Court to help poor neighbours, taking counsel with her husband on more serious cases. The most frequent request was for a ‘drop of brandy’ considered a ‘cure-all’ and requested for one man whose wife said, ‘he was a mere nottamy (skeleton) through being so bad with the louisa” (influenza). “Our rural population has always kept in fair health in spite of excessive cider drinking, living mostly beyond the Psalmist’s term of years” said Cornelia.

KING’S EVIL or SCROFULA was a form of T.B. an infection of the lymph glands in the neck which swell and degenerate. From the time of Edward the Confessor to Queen Anne it was believed this could be cured by royal hand. Some Kings gave a ‘touch piece’, a gold or silver coin, to anyone they touched, Charles II was said to have touched 92,000 persons! A royal surgeon had to attend the ceremony. In Kingston records there is a note to churchwardens not to send someone as he had been touched before. He perhaps needed the coin!

BLEEDING was frequently carried out in past centuries to cure all sorts of people. Monks were bled regularly – up to 4 times a year – followed by a good meal of eggs and herbs. A cut was made in the arm and a cup applied to catch the blood, or leeches could be used. About 2 oz of blood was generally taken. The barber-surgeon carrying out 23 this would have a red and white pole outside his premises – red for blood, white for bandages.

SPRING TONIC ‘In the springtime the judicious use of aperient medicines is much commended’ says ‘Enquire Within’ of 1887. For children an excellent medicine is brimstone and treacle; mix 1½ oz sulphur, ½ oz cream of tartar with 8 oz of treacle. According to the age of the child give a small teaspoonful to a dessertspoonful, early in the morning 2-3 time a week.

17th CENTURY PLAGUE To prevent danger of spread of infection booths or tents to be erected outside to house any travellers from London or other infected places. To be ‘kept and ayred’ for at least 20 days. Anyone not complying ‘to depart from the Town or to a House of Correction’. Audrey Mead

THE BELLS of the Church of St Mary the Virgin, Kingston St Mary…

The six historical bells, dating back to pre-1520, have been restored thanks to the total support of the Friends of the Church and the PCC.

The bells were lowered from the tower and transported to Taylors at Loughborough at the end of June 2018. The four heavier bells required the numerous fixing holes and their clapper indents to be welded to strengthen their crowns. The bells were then fitted with new metal headstocks, in place of the old elm woodworm-infested ones, new clappers, wheels etc. and were transported to our church on the 12th December 2018. Over the following three days they were lifted into the bell chamber.

While the bells were away, our ringers, who also assisted with the removal and reinstallation of the six bells, repainted the ringing chamber wood panelling, wire brushed all the accumulated ingrained grime off of the existing oak frame and support beams, and treated all the wood surfaces with preservative. The timber flooring was cleaned and replaced where necessary, and in the process numerous bags of accumulated debris were removed.

24 With a lot of effort by local ringers the bells were rehoused and secured in the frame. However, our hopes to ring them for Christmas services were dashed as the wheel positions were not aligned with the existing rope guides.

Taylors’ bellhanger returned on the 21st January and completed the installation ready for ringing on the 1st February. We tried them out for the first time last week. Currently the clock is only striking the hour, because the quarter chime hammers have to be redesigned to fit the new installation.

Prior to the restoration the bells were difficult to handle, even for experienced ringers, so were not suitable or safe for new ringers. Now they are in pristine condition they are ideal for anyone interested to give it a try, and your support for our small band of local ringers would be very much appreciated. It is very good exercise both physically and mentally and you will be ensuring that these bells, which have been heard by many generations of village residents for hundreds of years, will be heard by many future generations. It does not require great strength or age restriction and the only requisite is that you can manage the 40 steps up to the ringing chamber.

We practice on a Tuesday evening at 7:30pm, so please come along to see the newly restored bells and find out what bell ringing is all about. If this is not convenient, a time to suit you can be arranged. Please contact Lois Miles (451676) or me (335776) to arrange a visit or for more information. John Lock, Tower Captain ROAD SAFETY UPDATE…

You may have seen some of our nine volunteers wearing hi-vis jackets using a speed gun in the Village, so what’s it all about?

Community Speedwatch is a nationwide initiative which trains volunteers to become their eyes and ears and report speeding motorists. The police warn offenders to drive within the law and sometimes target and prosecute them.

OK but why in Kingston St Mary? Our Community Plan identified the widespread concern about the volume and speed of traffic, which continues to increase, and identified Speedwatch as something we can do about it.

25 As well as encouraging motorists to drive responsibly, Speedwatch demonstrates the community’s concern to the Authorities and gathers data to support road safety improvements. Thanks are due to our volunteers.

So what improvements? Road conditions in many places along the Kingston Road, running from Taunton to the Village, mean that higher speeds are unsafe even though they’re within the current National Speed limit. We’re seeking the introduction of a 40mph limit. As well as improving safety on Kingston Road the speed restriction will mean that traffic will arrive at the start of the Village travelling at a safer speed.

Extraordinarily, Nailsbourne, Fulford and Yarford don’t have any speed restriction and we’re trying to introduce 30mph limits.

Pedestrians and cyclists have to use the road through much of Kingston St Mary putting them at risk. Road conditions do not allow the creation of an active travel route to protect them. Thus, we’re seeking a 20mph limit, through the centre of the Village and past the Primary School, to allow all concerned to share the road in greater safety.

We also wish to have a speed indicator device to flash at motorists who are breaking the law. You see these illuminated signs all over the place drawing attention to the start of residential areas. We hope to have one, operated by our Speedwatch volunteers, which can be sited at various suitable places across our Parish in rotation.

Who are we? We’re the Community Partnership working with the Parish Council and with the support of Somerset County Councillor Rod Williams.

The Parish Council has earmarked a sum in next year’s budget for speed control measures and we hope that as 2019 unfolds we’ll start to see the introduction of our proposed road safety improvements.

Kingston St Mary Community Partnership, February 2019

26 PARISH COUNCIL NEWS…

KINGSTON ST MARY PARISH COUNCIL…

At the Parish Council meeting held on 11th February 2019, the following items were discussed:

• The Parish Council Annual General Meeting will be held immediately before the Parish Council meeting on Monday 11th March at 7.30: all villagers are invited. • Please continue to report blocked drains and gullies to , via their website. They have extra funds to utilise, so if you are experiencing drainage problems please use this service. • Planning this month was application 20/18/0030, at Cala on the Kingston Road. The council had no objections to planning but had reservations on the height of the single dwelling within the overall street scene. • Salt/grit is being held in Church Lane if it is required for the roads in the parish during icy conditions.

Your Parish council chairman for February is Marcus Anderson and he will hand onto Natasha Bradshaw on 11th March.

Marcus Anderson (Acting Chair) Katie Gibbins (Clerk) Tel: 01823 451644 [email protected]

CHEDDON PARISH COUNCIL…

This entry in Link Up is sent one week prior to the February Parish Council meeting:

Somerset Wood: We have had an amazing response from volunteers far and wide, and thank you all for helping with the tree planting. The last of the 1600 trees and shrubs were planted on 10 February; extraordinary as we all learnt how to do it together!

Planning Applications: Like buses, they all come along at once! Both the ‘Relocation of Conquest Centre’ and the ‘second section of Phase One at Nerrols’ has been registered with the Planning Department at . Conquest is a new

27 application; Nerrols already had outline planning permission and this current application is for the detail. The Parish Council’s responses will be on the TDBC Planning website by the time you read this.

Annual Parish Meeting: 28 March 2019 @ 7.00pm in the Memorial Hall. This is an Open Meeting (not a boring meeting!) for all residents to hear what happened in 2018, but also to provide a glimpse on what is being undertaken within the Parish in 2019 including Country Park proposals. Light refreshments will be served; and this is an opportunity to meet the representatives for the local area.

Next Parish Council meeting: 14 March 2019 a@ 7.00pm in the Committee Room of the Memorial Hall.

Denise Webber, Chairman - 07788 522266 [email protected] Jo Pearson, Parish Clerk - 07891 529809 [email protected] www.cheddonfitzpaine-pc.org.uk/council

The Spring, or Vernal Equinox 2019 will fall on Wednesday 20th March, and is the traditional first day of Spring

HOSPITAL TRANSPORT & EMERGENCY PRESCRIPTIONS

The following people have kindly offered to collect your prescription or take patients from the appropriate parish to or from hospital:

For residents of Kingston Parish only: Sonia Pether 451311 Fay Huleatt Boyd 451891 Jenny Fisher 451332* (*prescriptions only For residents of Cheddon Fitzpaine parish only: Liz Thompson 451529 Mary Gunning 412179

If you are able to offer transport for this purpose, then all offers will be gratefully received. Please ring the above numbers

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TO THE EDITOR….

MISSING DOCUMENT Sometime during the past couple of months, a booklet giving details of war memorials in Kingston St Mary and short biographies of the men from the village killed in two world wars, has disappeared from the church.

Possibly someone has borrowed the booklet to read it in the comfort of their own home. If so, please would they return it to the church so it is readily available to villagers and visitors.

Anyone with a computer can read or download the booklet from the village website (www.kstm.uk) where it can be found under the Kingston St Mary History Society section. Alternatively, I can copy the whole thing to a disk or email any relevant sections to those who have a specific interest.

Ray Stokes, Chair, KSM History Society Tel 762417 or email: [email protected]

FOR SALE/WANTED/LOST & FOUND… There is no charge for these notices. However, because of limited space, please keep wording to a maximum of 50 words.

FOR SALE: Ninja Multi Cooker MC700QUK & cookbook £45; Krups Nespresso Coffee Maker XN3006 £30; Dolce gusto mini-me Coffee Maker £30; Tefal Actifry (family 011-1) £45; Tefal Optigrill+ inc baking accessories £50; Fissler Pressure Cooker 2.5ltr £35;

29 Reviber plus exercise machine/vibrating plate £50. All excellent condition – phone 01823 451313 or message 07516505164

WANTED: Land to buy or rent long-term, 5 -10 acres, in the Kingston area, for grazing only. • Experienced land owners, able to maintain hedgerows etc. • Would erect mobile field shelters • Road or vehicle access needed • Water, power, barn or outbuilding would be a bonus but not a deal breaker. Please ring me 07944 671343. Many thanks

FOR SALE: FLUTE, Czech made Amati Kraslice, model 212 II S. Beautifully crafted instrument in very good condition. Silver plated body inside and out, and keywork. Comes in hard case with soft velvet padding. £60. Please telephone 01823 451481.

BROOMFIELD PLANT SALE: A professional plantsman has offered to grow trays and pots of seedlings for this year’s sale. Would anyone who wishes to buy some of these at nominal price with a view to bringing the plants along on the day, please contact me and I will add you to the list. [email protected]

FOUND in Broomfield Church, probably left around Christmas time: small Perspex box with 2 pairs of gold-plated earrings for pierced ears inside. If they are yours please ring 01823 451632.

30 COMMERCIAL ADVERTISEMENTS… A commercial advertisement – approx. 1/3 of an A5 page, may be placed at a cost of £8.00, at the discretion of and following discussion with the Editor

Glyn Harris Garden Services

Grass Cutting Patios Fencing Gutter Cleaning

Please ring: 07866 731 947

DINNER DANCE AND AUCTION OF PROMISES at the Somerset County Ground, with live band Snappa

In aid of Musgrove Leukaemic Group Somerset In memory of Tom Langford

Saturday 14 September 2019, 7:00 - 12.00

£45.00 per person or tables of 10 -12, £40.00 per person Smart casual Contact [email protected]/ 07403310911/ 01823451539 Any donations for auction/ raffle would be gratefully appreciated

British Summer Time begins on 31st March 2019

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