STOGURSEY NEWS

! West Window Detail – from the scaffolding – Thanks to Kelvin! PW

December 2017 Merry Christmas To All Our Readers! Deadline for JANUARY contributions: 10.00am Tuesday 12th December

Your contributions are always welcomed. Editorial The photo on the cover of December’s edition of Put your handwritten or typed contributions into the Stogursey News is a gentle reminder of how many Stogursey News box in the Post Office. things we probably pass by without even noticing Send your email contributions to: they are there. How fortunate for us that the [email protected] people working on the church recently took the GUIDELINES ON CONTRIBUTING trouble to draw attention to the image so that it For ALL contributions please: could be captured and shared. ✴ Submit your contribution by the deadline date. ✴ Limit your contribution to a maximum of 500 words. The tribute to Dorothy Flooks demonstrates how ✴ Provide your contact details so that if editing is much can be packed into a life lived to the full. necessary, we can contact you. Stogursey News How the village benefits from such a life. In the Team reserves the right to edit contributions for length news of Peter Farmery’s award we can appreciate and layout. how much continues to be done by members of the ✴ Ensure that all illustrations in your contribution are community today. free of copyright. Stogursey News will not be liable for costs resulting from prosecution if this condition is Finally, it would not be possible for readers to pass ignored. by the fact that Christmas is coming! Many groups For EMAIL contributions please: in the village will be celebrating the festival with ✴ only send your contribution as a word document, activities of one sort or the other. There are a (without any text-boxes) good number of invitations extended to join in so ✴ Send the document as an attachment to your email. there are many choices to be made. As they say in Repeat publication: If you would like your contribution to cafés these days, “enjoy”. appear in more than one month’s issue, please resubmit it for each month you wish it published. The Editorial Team wish everyone peace and joy this Christmas. Thank you Distributors The magazine is distributed to every household in the Stogursey-Online.uk parish by a team of magnificent volunteers. We are most grateful to our distributors: This is the parish website. It hosts pages for events, Catherine Hawkins Jane Cassidy societies, community links and Parish Council news . Deborah Robins Janet Mitchell You can post local upcoming events on the parish website Dick Blomfield Joy Burt www.stogursey-online.uk Dorothy Carpenter Liz Dyer Stogursey News is posted every month on the website - Dulcie Touchin Paul Welbourne useful if the delivery of your paper copy is delayed. Heather Hallett Pauline Webber Jackie Lucas Peter & Barbara Oates Jan Ford Anon E Mouse Stogursey News Editorial Team Stogursey-Online.uk This is an independent voluntary initiative. It is printed Annie Rivers free of charge as a contribution to the community by Catherine Hawkins Jeremy Wilson Hinkley Point B (EdF). Paul Welbourne Jo Cavill Steve Stoneham The News offers an extra page monthly for the use of Teresa Miller Hinkley Point C (EdF) to keep local residents well- informed. Directory Archive Phil Griggs Paul Welbourne

Please send email articles to: [email protected]. Put handwritten or typed contributions in News box in Post Office. Regular Events Stogursey Fun: bumps, babies, toddlers Victory Hall 10.00 - 12.00 am Stogursey Craft Group (1st Mondays) Church Rooms 1.00 - 5.00 pm Monday Zing Walking Group as listed below 2.00pm Short Mat Bowls Victory Hall 7.30 - 9.30 pm

Parish Council Meeting - 2nd Tuesday Victory Hall Main Meeting: 7.30 pm Bingo Afternoon St Audries Centre 2.00 pm Tennis Multi-sport court, V Hall 6.30 pm Tuesday Poetry Reading (monthly - ring Phil 733377) Church Rooms 7.30 pm Quantock Musical Theatre Company Youth Club 7.30 pm Apple Blossom Sangha (contact Ralph 732690) Shurton 7.30 pm

Community Employment Advice Hub Greyhound Inn 9.30 am - 12.00 noon (fortnightly) Movement to Music (Age Concern) Victory Hall 11.30 am - 12.30 pm Wednesday Stogursey Craft Club (3rd Wednesdays) Church Rooms 1.00 pm - 5.00 pm (contact Cathy - 734707) Women’s Institute Meeting (2nd Wednesdays) St Audries Centre 7.30 pm

Thursday Bingo Evening Victory Hall 7.30 - 9.30 pm Coffee Shop Church Rooms 10.00 am EdF Monthly Drop-In see details below venue specific Friday St Andrew’s Church Junior Youth Club Church Rooms 6.00 - 7.30 pm (for details contact Nicky Morgan) Line Dancing - NONE IN DECEMBER Victory Hall 7.30 pm

Saturday Football - Men September - April 2.00 - 3.00 pm Sunday Football - Boys September - April (for details and fixtures contact Steve Dixon) Diary: December

1st December EDF Monthly Drop-in Babbling Brook, Shurton 12 noon - 2.00 pm 2nd December Christmas Fayre Victory Hall 12 noon - 4.30 pm 8th December Grand Christmas Fair Stogursey School 5.00 - 7.00 pm 10th December Xmas BINGO - Stogursey AFC Victory Hall 7.00 pm 11th December Slides and Mince Pies Church Rooms 7.00 pm 12th December Poetry Club Church Rooms 7.30 pm 13th December Christmas Bingo Stogursey School 7.30 pm 15th December Christmas Quiz Church Rooms 7.00 pm 15th December QMTC “Seasonal Songs” Victory Hall 7.30 pm 16th December Xmas Party Victory Hall 4.00 - 6.00 pm 16th - 17th December Wreath Festival St Andrew’s 10.00 am - 4.00 pm 21st December Mobile Library as schedule as schedule 21st December Xmas Bingo Victory Hall 7.00 pm

2018 6th January Wassail Shurton Mill Orchard 2.00 pm 28th February Stagecoach AGM Church Rooms 3.00 pm 4th - 7th May Visit to Lonlay L’Abbaye, Normandy

Please send email articles to: [email protected] Please put handwritten or typed copy in the News box in the Post Office SERVICES IN THE QUANTOCK COAST BENEFICE : DECEMBER 2017 CHURCH 3rd December 10th December 17th December 24th December 31st Advent Advent 2 Advent 3 Advent 4/ December Sunday Christmas Eve Christmas 1

EAST QH 9.30am Christingle 8.00am 10.00am Eucharist Service Eucharist Benefice (BCP) Eucharist

FIDDINGTON 9.00am 9.00am 9.00am 9.00PM Eucharist Eucharist Eucharist (BCP) Eucharist for Christmas

HOLFORD 4.00pm 9.30am 11.00am 3.00pm Evensong Eucharist Family service Crib with Light a (BCP) and Christingle candle to remember a loved one

KILVE 11.00am 11.00am 9.30am 11.00pm Eucharist Family Service Eucharist Midnight Mass

STOGURSEY 10.30am 10.30am 6.30pm 4.00pm Morning Eucharist Benefice Crib and Praise Carols Christingle by Candlelight

STRINGSTON 11.00am 4.00pm 11.00am 7.00pm Family Eucharist Carol Praise Service Praise

WEST QH 9.30am 9.30am 9.30am Benefice Euchar Eucharist Family Service - Eucharist at ist 10.00am

Liturgical colour Purple Purple Purple Purple and then White Readings to white

Mid week Wednesday In St Andrews 13th At 10.00am December

Christmas Services and Events in Stogursey and the Quantock Coast Benefice

Sunday 10th December @ 3.00pm – Christingle in Church

Wednesday 13th December @ 5.00pm – Christingle in Fiddington Church

Saturday 16th December @ 5.00pm – Carol Singing in Church

Sunday 17th December @ 6.30pm - Carols by Candlelight in St Andrew’s, Stogursey

Tuesday 19th December @ 7.00pm – Carol Singing in Church

Christmas Eve 10.00am – Benefice Eucharist in St Mary’s, East Quantoxhead 3.00pm – Crib and Christingle in St Mary’s, Holford 4.00pm – Crib and Christingle in St Andrew’s, Stogursey 7.00pm – Carol Singing in St Mary’s, Stringston 9.00pm – Eucharist for Christmas in St Martin of Tours, Fiddington 11.00pm – Midnight Mass at St Mary’s,

Christmas Day 9.00am – Eucharist in St Peter’s, Stolford 9.30am – Holy Communion (BCP) in St Mary’s, Holford 9.30am – Family Service in St Mary’s, East Quantoxhead 10.00am – Family Eucharist at St Etheldreds, West Quantoxhead 10.30am – Family Eucharist at St Andrew’s, Stogursey.

You will be most welcome at events in any of these churches. Please join us Happy Christmas Dorothy Flooks Thank you . . . Thank you . . . Thank you . . 29th July 1922 - 15th October 2017 * * * * * * * During her long life, Dorothy was involved with all the The Friends of Stogursey School would like to say a organisations in Stogursey in one way or another. Her massive thank you to Stogursey Parish Council and to Faun's greatest contribution to the life of the village was Butchers in for supporting the School Firework undoubtedly her 25 years as a teacher at Stogursey display in November. School, where she provided continuity and stability, serving as deputy head to several headmasters. She was A fantastic night was had by all and your support was really a strict disciplinarian and generations of Stogursey appreciated -thank you. children respected her. Her involvement extended outside school hours; she accompanied them to sporting events * * * * * * * and on school camps. I would like to express my very grateful thanks to Allen and his wife at Stogursey Post Office for assisting with my request Dorothy helped to raise the money for the building of the for a neighbour's prescriptions. They provide a service 'above Youth Club and was always interested in its activities. She and beyond the norm' and on 2 occasions have saved both served on the Victory Hall committee for many years, the NHS 111 service, hours of extra work and made all the helping at all the functions, most recently at the Flower difference to relieving the anxiety of a patient awaiting their Show. medication. In the early 1960’s, Dorothy started the first WI in A big thank you to you both! Stogursey and, despite having a full time job and a family John Chedgey to care for, gave her time generously as president, attending meetings and committee meetings and * * * * * * * arranging an interesting and varied programme. Xmas Party I would like to say a big thank you to the Victory Hall Dorothy loved country dancing and was a member of the Committee and the Parish Council for their very kind country dance club which met weekly in Stogursey for donations towards our party for the children of the village this several years. December. It is lovely that they are giving something to the children with free use of the hall. After her retirement, she was able to take a more active part in village life. She helped to deliver Meals on Wheels We will be hosting another event after Xmas for the village for many years. She was a founder member of the children, and if any of you have an idea for the event please committee which launched Stogursey News and produced feel free to contact me: it every month. She also helped to establish Stogursey’s [email protected] or Tel: 01278 733 838 twinning with Lonlay l’Abbaye. She took part in the first visit to Lonlay and she hosted French guests when they, in All ideas gratefully received turn, came to Stogursey. Shana Floyd Dorothy helped to shape the community that exists today and she never lost interest in the village. When increasing frailty meant that she could no longer live in the house she Stogursey AFC loved at Knighton and she went to live at the Old Vicarage, the first question she asked people who visited her would MEAT DRAW 3/11/17 always be “What’s been happening in Stogursey?” 1st Prize Greg Miller 2nd Prize John VICTORY HALL LOTTERY 3rd Prize Harry OCTOBER DRAW 4th Prize Allen the Postie 1st Prize £25.00 Ted Stone 61 Tickets for next draw available from the Post Office 2nd Prize £15.00 Liz Dyer 131 and The Greyhound Inn Thank you all very much for your support rd 3 Prize £10.00 Marie Patterson 46 C M Palmer and A Robins

Please send email articles to: [email protected] Please put handwritten or typed copy in the News box in the Post Office Letters Farm Debris or Litter? In response to the Parish Council’s ‘farming debris’ concern, should the Council be more concerned by that, Can you help, please? than the litter that lines the Stogursey approach roads?

Hello, my name is William and I am an undergraduate Stogursey is a farming village in the countryside. Large student at the University of Reading studying Physical and vehicles, horse boxes, tractors and trailers are part of our Human Geography. daily life and difficult to manoeuvre around parked cars and narrow lanes. In wet weather mud and farming debris I am particularly interested in exploring the public is par for the course. We should be supporting our hard- perception of nuclear power and nuclear power stations in working farmers and not complaining about them the UK, and as part of my dissertation I am researching especially when snow falls and they clear the roads so we the public perception of Hinkley Point C Nuclear Power can get around in our cars. Station. The litter in our lanes is awful, fast food packaging, crisp All responses to the survey are anonymous and will be packets, coke bottles and cans etc. dropped from car treated with strict confidence. Data supplied will be kept in windows are not nice to see and tell us that some people a secure place until project completion, at which point it don’t respect where we live. There doesn’t seem much will be destroyed. concern voiced about it!

The online survey can be accessed from the Stogursey Goodness knows what the visitors to the Arts Festival on-line website, thought as they entered our picturesque village through and also from https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/ roads spattered with litter! 1FAIpQLSfTMupckM4TGOQWP9Zr6WvsTNiawOFngBpy gKXXgqt1ljMucQ/viewform If the Council cannot afford to pay someone to pick it up, maybe we should do it ourselves. Thank you very much for your time and for contributing to my research; all responses will be greatly appreciated but Sue Prosser please do not answer this survey if you are under the age of 18. To all our Family, Friends & Neighbours If you have any queries please contact me at Brian and Marlene Blenkinsop [email protected] would like to wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a Great New Year! We are not sending cards this year and will be giving a donation to Autistic Charity

Remembrance Sunday I would like to thank all those that attended including the local constabulary who diverted the traffic during the service.

At the time of writing the Poppy Appeal funds have not been counted, but I would like to thank the local businesses that accepted the boxes so willingly and especially the band of volunteers who did house-to-house collections without whom the appeal would not be possible. Not forgetting the bingo event held in the Victory Hall. I will let you all know the total for the Parish in a Despite a bitterly cold wind and the threat of rain there future article. was a good attendance for the wreath laying on the gravel. The Rev’d Dr Andrew Tatham presided over the If anyone wishes to help in future appeals I would be very short service which included a two minute silence. This happy to hear from you. was followed by a service in St. Andrew’s church. Richard Cuttell

Please send email articles to: [email protected] Please put handwritten or typed copy in the News box in the Post Office

Stogursey C E Primary School

November 2017

At this time of remembrance it is easy to think that it is Matilda’s poem talks about the loss of her father and lost on children. At school however, we have always reduced Mrs Robertson to tears. make sure that we observe the two minute silence and teach the children about the reasons why this is such an important day.

In Quantock Class where the Year 4’s work with Mrs Robertson they have been very hard at work writing some remembrance poems. When they found out that they may feature in this month’s magazine a ripple of excitement went round the room.

They are here showing us all their fantastic poems.

William’s poem describes fighting on the battlefield then going to heaven.

Each child was asked to write their poem in draft form then into best as we see here. They imagined what it was like to have a relative fighting in the trenches or to be there them-self. Words were chosen to paint a picture of the mud and chaos on the battlefield and to describe their feelings of loss.

Bronte used some fantastic adjectives to describe the scene and joined her letters beautifully.

Headteacher Mrs R Barnes Tel 01278 732389 email: office@stogursey..sch.uk website: http://www.stogurseyprimaryschool.co.uk

Mrs Robertson was rightly proud of all of the children and their work. They have shown a really good By repeating the same sentence “I’m scared” understanding of what life must have been like for the throughout her poem, Lillie creates an atmosphere of young soldiers on the battlefield and the loss felt by the tension. It shows that she has learned how the soldiers relatives waiting for them at home. must have felt. Our children will remember them.

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Join us at our Christmas Fair Friday 8th December 5-7pm

School Hall Phoebe has worked very hard on her words and her decorations with these beautiful big, bold, poppies. Visit Santa Buy Crafts Mulled Cider Games And much more!

Stagecoach News

The Stagecoach Team would like to wish all our passengers, old and new, a very Happy Christmas and a peaceful New Year.

Please note that Stagecoach will not be operating from Friday 22nd December until Tuesday 2nd January.

Please be sure to book your journeys before Friday 22nd if you intend to travel during the week commencing 2nd January.

Please note that as The Stagecoach team have been particularly busy over the last 12 months, bookings for travel to medical appointments will take priority.

We are always happy to recruit new drivers. If you feel you could volunteer a few hours now and then to help keep the community moving, please contact Linda Brown on 01278 734794

Stagecoach AGM Stagecoach will have been in operation 3 years in January 2018. The 3rd AGM will take place on Wednesday 28th February at 3pm in the Church Rooms. What’s On . . . in December

Christmas Craft Fayre Reggae Band We would like to thank you all for the wonderful response for the forthcoming Christmas Craft Fayre on the Those who enjoyed the Watchet Reggae Band at the 2nd of December. Stogursey Music Gala night a few weeks ago, (and those that missed us) may be interested to know that we are We are now completely full with 16 stalls, and have a wide playing a gig at the Esplanade Club in the harbour at range of gifts and accessories for sale. Father Christmas Watchet on Friday December the 8th. Keep an eye on will be coming and refreshments will be available. the Esplanade website for details. We look forward to seeing lots of friendly faces! Our intention is to play mainly ‘Old School Ska,’ harking Susan Dare & Susan Hocking back to the sixties, and so we have changed our name to The Skaveloys, (see what we’ve done there?) The Friends of Stogursey School It would be great to see some of you there - please tell all present their your friends! Annual Grand Christmas Fair at Stogursey School on Friday 8th December 2017 EAST QUANTOXHEAD VILLAGE Stalls, Children's Crafts, Hot Food, Raffle - and Father Christmas Market Christmas too! December 9th at East Quantoxhead Village Hall Please come along from 5-7pm and support your local village school. 10 am -12 midday

Please send email articles to: [email protected] Please put handwritten or typed copy in the News box in the Post Office Slides and Mince Pies! Fancy a Fun Christmas Quiz?

“I know if I rest I will slide downhill fast” It’s still not too late to join in this fun event at the Church Lee Kuan Yew Rooms, Stogursey (just around the corner from Nina’s) on So in the run up to this Christmas take a brief break at Friday 15th December. 7pm on Monday the 11th of December, meet up with friends and come and see ‘the slides’! Tickets at £5.00 per person include a light supper and there’s a chance to win a Christmas Hamper too. We will be hosting a Soirée of Slides and Mince pies in the Church Rooms. Please ring Karen on 732727 to book your team and your supper. If you want to join in, but haven’t got a team, Over the past three years we have gathered loads of phone Karen. images demonstrating the wealth of creativity in our local area. The evening we have planned, will provide a retrospective look at the phenomena, through previously XMAS PARTY ‘unseen footage’ from the Stogursey Arts Festival, WITH CRAZY KEV! projected on our new Big Screen. The programme th includes the World Premier of ‘The Plinth’: a short, stop Saturday 16 December frame piece, made during the Festival this year. 4pm – 6pm Stogursey Village Hall There will be an opportunity to chat, reminisce and feedback on what went well and perhaps what we may do Tickets Available from the Post Office or next. Shana Floyd 01278 733 383 £3.50 per child Suggested donation of £3 on the door to cover the use of (must be accompanied by a parent) the Church Rooms. Entry includes mince pies and a complementary glass of wine or a soft drink. All welcome. Come and have some fun with Crazy Kev and receive a Christmas Present! Mike Bradshaw for the SAF Team

HOLFORD GARDENERS’ GROUP Stogursey Poetry Club Holford and District Village Hall The Stogursey Poetry Club meets once a month in the December 19th 7.30pm Church Rooms. We are a friendly group with a good CHRISTMAS SOCIAL EVENING sense of humour; we would welcome anyone who would like to come along. Members £1.00 Visitors £5.00

th A Warm Welcome to all Our next meeting is on Tuesday December 12 at 7.30 pm. We usually have a theme, but this time just bring a couple of your favourite poems on any subject to share. Victory Hall For further information ring Phil on 733377 XMAS BINGO The Friends of Stogursey School Thursday, 21st December 2017 present Doors open at 7.00 pm for 8.00 pm start. Lots of great prizes to win. A Grand Christmas Bingo If you are able to give a prize or a donation this will be at Stogursey School on Wednesday 13th December 2017 very welcome. Doors open at 7.30pm for ‘eyes down’ at 8pm. Contact: Bigger and better than ever - Ron Dyer – 32 Town Close – 732688 or A warm welcome and loads of great Christmas prizes Allen Searle – 1 Meadow Close – 732820 await you! Please do come and join us for a fun Christmas evening Please come along and support your local village school - and help to support our local village hall. see you there! Thank you

Please send email articles to: [email protected] Please put handwritten or typed copy in the News box in the Post Office Come along and get into the festive Saturday 16th December It is December spirit by joining the Quantock at Village Hall which means only one thing . . . Musical Theatre Company’s annual at 7.30pm Seasonal Songs:- (tickets £6.50 from the Post Office, or on the door) Friday 1st December Sunday 17th December at Castle* at Dunster Castle* for Dunster by Candlelight: between 2.00 -4.30 pm 6-7pm and 8-9pm * Admission to National Trust Dunster Castle required Saturday 2nd December at Dunster Castle* Do you enjoy singing? Want to We need a little Christmas! for Dunster by Candlelight: come along and join us? Why not 7.30-9pm come along and try it out. We meet Friday 15th December every Tuesday 7.30-9.30pm at QMTC are definitely getting into Stogursey Youth club (back from the ‘The Spirit of the Season’ and have at Stogursey Victory Hall at 7.30pm Christmas break on the 9th January). been working hard on some new fun No need to be able to read music, no festive songs as well as a range of (tickets £6.50 from the Post Office, or on the door) auditions, just a desire to sing and traditional carols. an enjoyment of music.

BENEFICE CHRISTMAS WREATH FESTIVAL wish, or leave them until after Christmas. When the Church is unlocked, there will be someone around to keep We are now well under way with our plans for our Benefice an eye on the Wreaths. If the Friday morning isn’t Wreath Festival. convenient, give one of us a call and we will arrange This will be held over the weekend of Saturday/Sunday another time. 16th/17th December, to coincide with the Benefice Carol The important thing is that you make one – make it to Service. reflect you, your likes, your hobby. Look on the internet for We have promises of several wreaths from all our Parishes amazing ideas. (Pinterest has a lot of good ideas). Some but hope for many more so please consider making one. people might like to make a wreath to mark something or They can be of any material (we have already got some someone special, so if yours has a story behind it or just with bows, some with wool pom-poms, one with shells and an acknowledgment of its inspiration, you could add a with dried leaves). Wire coat hangers make ideal bases small label of explanation. If you wish to sell the wreath, as they can be easily formed into a circle and already have please add the price to this label. Please, however, let us a ‘hook’ at the top, but polystyrene, twig, foam and even know if you are making one so we can organise where to cardboard (your cereal packet will be ideal!) can be used place it. We really do hope that every Parish will be as a basis. If you can incorporate a ribbon at the top for represented. hanging, that would be helpful. The Church will be open on Friday, Saturday and Sunday The finished items can be brought along to St. Andrew’s on between 10am – 4pm so come along with your family and Friday (15th December) morning between 10am -12 noon friends and see all these lovely Wreaths

(you can then go along to the Church Rooms for a Coffee!) Janet – 01278 733070; Helen – 01278 732620 and they can be collected after the Carol Service if you Rosemary – 01278 274498

THOUGHT FOR THE MONTH

“You alone are enough. You have nothing to prove to anyone.” Maya Angelou

Please send email articles to: [email protected] Please put handwritten or typed copy in the News box in the Post Office Notes from your Village Agent - There are lots of ways to save energy – like boiling the Izzy Silvester right amount of water for a cuppa, or fitting energy saving light bulbs. Washing clothes at 30o C uses a lot less We all know that Christmas can be the loneliest time of energy and saves time as well as money. Save even year for some people, especially when the bad weather more by turning the light off when you’re not in the room! reduces their ability (and willingness) to leave the front If you have central heating, turn the thermostat down by door. The great Christmas get away can mean that one degree – this can save £80 in a year. You need to be people are left on their own without visits from friends and comfortably warm, but not hot. Leaving electrical items family and so may be more in need of a visit. There are like the TV and computer on stand-by wastes lots of lots of local events in your area such as Carol Singing money, and so does leaving things like phones and and Christmas Markets. Perhaps you could invite an toothbrushes on charge when they are fully charged. It elderly neighbour to join you at one of these events? will usually only take a couple of hours, not overnight. Turn them all off at the wall and SAVE MONEY! Waste and recycling always comes under strain at this time of year with all that present unwrapping. Another Not sure who to turn to? ‘Village Agents’ is a charity large headache is the number of Christmas trees that that works with individuals and social groups to give need to be chipped after the event. Somerset Waste have confidential support and advice. We can enable 25 recycling schemes, as there were last year, but also people to be more independent in their home, look out for local initiatives. Every recycling site will take manage personal finances, care for family members trees to be composted and all garden waste subscribers and advise on just about anything! can put out their trees for collection and composting. Please phone me, Izzy Silvester your village agent, on Remember to save energy and save money! 07931 018045. Leave me your name and number and I As I write this, it is definitely feeling a lot colder, even a will ring you back, or email me on frost some mornings, so it’s a good time to think about [email protected]. reducing your energy use. Wasting energy is easy, but I do only work part-time so it may take a day or two for so is saving it and that saves you money! me to return your call. Thank you.

and in 2018 . . .

Ever been to a WASSAIL? Intrigued?

Technically a Wassail is the name of the beverage of hot Then why not assemble at the Babbling Brook, Shurton mulled cider traditionally drunk as an integral part on January 6th 2018. The procession, energised by “The of wassailing, a Medieval English drinking ritual intended Big Noise” band, will leave the pub at 1.30 pm to walk to ensure a good cider apple harvest the following year. across the fields to Shurton Mill orchard. Hot soup will be available. The word wassail comes from the Old Norse "ves heill", meaning "be healthy", and was probably introduced by (NB by kind consent of ‘The Babbling Brook’, there will be Danish-speaking inhabitants of , according to the parking at the pub until 6pm, but there is no parking at the Oxford English Dictionary orchard.)

Each year the Stogursey Twinning Association organises an event which involves processing to a local apple PLANS FOR A NEW VICTORY HALL orchard and partaking in customary chants, dances and noise-making. These activities are performed to awaken On the following page is the Floor plan for a new the tree spirits from their winter slumber, to ward off the Vjctory Hall that the Trustees expect to submit for unwelcome spirits, and to encourage the beneficial ones. planning approval in the Spring. A larger version We toast the ‘Wassail Queen’ with mulled cider and eat is in the window of the Victory Hall entrance - apple cake. viewable from the outside of the hall.

Please send email articles to: [email protected] Please put handwritten or typed copy in the News box in the Post Office

Stogursey Parish Council Key Points from Parish Council Meeting held on Tuesday 14 November 2017 EDF-Energy Application for a Non-material Change at Awareness training for the use of the Defibrillator is Hinkley Point C planned for the New Year – all members of the parish are The Parish Council invited members of EDF-Energy invited to attend. (David Eccles, Matt Olley, Zoe Auckland and Phil Cruse) to speak to councillors and interested residents and to THE NEXT PARISH COUNCIL MEETING WILL BE ON outline their application for a non-material change at TUESDAY 12 DECEMBER 2017 Hinkley Point C and answer questions. Matt Olley gave a I look forward to hearing from you on any issues you wish brief synopsis of their proposal including the new to discuss. My phone number is 01278 653824 or you can temporary jetty pipework, the sea wall re-alignment and e-mail me at [email protected] the increase in size of the fuel store area and storage building. He explained the fuel store needed to be larger Gillian Orchard, Clerk to the Parish Council because EDF Energy wanted to change from a wet to dry interim spent fuel store as the method of storage but that Recycling and refuse collections would be the subject of a separate application to the Christmas and New Year Environment Agency and the Office for Nuclear Regulation. Following experience in the UK of building a Mon 18 – Fri 22 Dec No change Dry fuel storage at Sizewell B, the UK context has led EDF to decide on a Dry fuel storage route for HPC. Although Mon 25 – Fri 29 Dec All two days later: the Dry store will be larger than the Wet store outlined in Mon collection on Wed 27 Dec the original DCO, the store will still house only HPC spent Fri collection on Sun 31 Dec fuel. Mon 1 - Fri 5 Jan All one day later: Fri collection on Sat 6 Jan Somerset Chairman’s Award – Parish Champion Peter Farmery was presented with his Chairman’s Award Mon 8 Jan onwards Normal collections resume by County Councillor Hugh Davies in recognition for his services to Stogursey School over many years as both Garden waste collections will not take place during governor and Chair of Governors; his involvement with the Mon 25 – Fri 5 Jan Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme as award leader; and his pivotal role in promoting local community participation Recycling centres are closed on Christmas Day, Boxing in the HPC Southern Boundary enhancement. Peter Day and New Year ’s Day. thanked Council members – he very much appreciates the Decoration-free natural Christmas trees under 6ft award from the community. should be composted: take to local recycling site, or if you pay for garden waste collections, put on with S106 funding – Recreational facilities in Burgage Road garden waste from 8 Jan onwards. Play Area For full details, and/or in severe weather, go to The Licence for Works has been approved and signed, www.somersetwaste.gov.uk and the Parish Council are now in a position to start the proposed works and install the proposed play equipment, tables and benches. The Clerk will be in touch with After watching a performance of his play, Peter Pan, contractors to start the work as soon as possible. with his five-year old godson, J M Barrie asked the boy what he had liked best. Defibrillator “What I think I liked best,” the boy replied, “was You may have noticed the new defibrillator situated on the tearing up the program and dropping the bits on wall between the village shop and Stogursey Motors – people’s heads.” thank you to the owners for agreeing to the siting. Lapham’s Quarterly

Please send email articles to: [email protected] Please put handwritten or typed copy in the News box in the Post Office Hinkley Point Visit Report

As the new kid on the block, Hinkley Point C rightly gets a lot of attention. It’s easy to forget that we are also host to A site currently undergoing de-commissioning, and B station, which continues to supply enough electricity for more than 1.5 million homes.

Peter Montague, A site Director, made a presentation to the Parish Council about the decommissioning of A station. This followed from the submission of a planning application to build an encapsulation plant and store for intermediate level waste (ILW). Subsequently, a group of Parish Councillors visited both A site and B station to see for themselves progress and plans for the future.

It’s 17 years since Hinkley Point A stopped generating electricity, and more than a decade since the last of the nuclear fuel was removed. The long and complex job of safely removing both nuclear and non-nuclear waste continues using 21st century solutions to problems that couldn’t have been foreseen when A was constructed at the dawn of the civil nuclear age more than 60 years ago. This is a busy site of around 200 workers.

The Turbine Hall (once Europe’s largest) will soon be demolished, and other buildings will meet the same fate so that by around 2027 only the twin reactor buildings and the ILW store remain (these too will be removed once it is safe to do so - towards the end of the century). Councillors visited the site of the planned encapsulation plant and store. They also saw where work is progressing in the storage ponds to lift and meticulously sort and separate the irradiated parts of nuclear fuel elements. We were satisfied with the safety measures in place and grateful for the time and hospitality afforded us by Peter and his team.

At B station Peter Evans showed Councillors around the site, which is home to more than 800 workers. It is currently licensed to continue generating electricity until 2023. Councillors were particularly interested, and reassured, to see recent additions to the plant to address the possible outcomes which can be caused by a Tsunami such as the one which happened at Fukushima in 2011. We were briefed on the flood gates, back-up battery and electrical supplies. We also learned about the super-articulated control rods, which will shut the reactors down in the event of an earthquake.

Councillors also heard about a recent review of safety following an accident where a worker was injuring following a fall while working at height. Some pioneering work has subsequently been done in conjunction with the Health and Safety Executive, which is now being rolled out to other EDF Energy sites.

In an ideal world this otherwise beautiful and quiet corner of Somerset would not be home to three nuclear sites, so our primary focus as a Parish Council is to satisfy ourselves that safety and security are the top priorities of those in charge at A, B and C. As a council we are also keen to ensure that our status as the host parish is not overlooked when it comes to further investment in local infrastructure or indeed consultation as the sites continue to develop/evolve.

Patrick Coll Since the EDF Energy Visitor Meetings of the Site Stakeholder All Hinkley Point B vacancies are Centre opened in 2012, some Group (a body that considers all advertised on the EDF Energy 13,000 members of the public have matters relating to the Hinkley Point website: had a guided tour of the operations A and B stations) are held on the https://careers.edfenergy.com/ at B – we recommend taking the last Friday of October, February opportunity to do this. and June - members of the public Potential applicants can register to are welcome to attend. receive alerts. Each Parish Council meeting (2nd Tuesday of each month) includes an update on Hinkley matters, and There is a dedicated early careers is preceded by a public forum, Information on Hinkley Point C jobs page on the website: https:// 7.15 - 7.30pm, to which any can be found at: https:// www.edfenergy.com/earlycareers) parishioner is welcome to come www.edfenergy.com/energy/ where there is a whole host of and raise queries/concerns. nuclear-new-build-projects/hinkley- information on career opportunities We look forward to seeing you. point-c/jobs within the company.

Please send email articles to: [email protected] Please put handwritten or typed copy in the News box in the Post Office Contacts and Parish Information

Mobile Library: Route and times for 2017 EdF Main Site Neighbourhood Forum: The library visits on Thursdays Stogursey Hamlets Stockland Bristol Burton and Knighton Mike Laver 732069 Captains 11.50 am - 12.05 pm [email protected] Sue Jones 732275 Shurton [email protected] Babbling Brook 12.20 pm - 12.50 pm Shurton Peter Farmery 732503 Stogursey [email protected] Greyhound Inn 1.30 pm - 2.00 pm Richard Cuttell 734818 Town Close (No 30) 2.05 pm - 2.35 pm [email protected] Visiting Dates - every 4 weeks Stolford: Susan E Jones 652287 2017: 21 Dec [email protected] For more information, contact Libraries Direct: Wick: Dick Blomfield by telephone on 0845 3459177, [email protected] by email at www.somerset.gov.uk/libraries (Route H) Stogursey Parish Council Members: Allan Searle, Chris Ford Local Councils West Som District Parish & Ward Councillor: Sue Goss Chair: Allan Searle Vice-Chair: Chris Morgan Monthly Drop-Ins 1st Dec Babbling Brook, Shurton 12.00 - 2.00 pm Clerk: Gillian Orchard 5th Jan Babbling Brook, Shurton 12.00 - 2.00 pm Councillors: James Brereton, Geoff Coles, Patrick Coll, Jill Dillamore, Ian Elenor, Main Site Forum Chris Ford, Sue Goss, Susan E Jones HPC Hotline (Complaints, etc) 0800 0969650 Councillors: Sue Goss, Chris Morgan Ward Councillors: Sue Goss, Chris Morgan Site Stakeholders Group Representatives Community Policing & Speed Watch Volunteers Sue Goss, Chris Morgan Jamie Munro PC 4376 Neighbourhood Beat Manager & Watchet (AW052) All Services 0300 123 2224 Mobile: 07889 659436 Email: JamieMunro@avonandsomerset..uk Phone: 101 (non-emergencies) or 999 (emergencies) Parish Neighbourhood Welcome Pack Burton & Knighton: Sue Goss 733405 Anti-Social Behaviour (ASB) and Criminal Damage Wick & Stolford: Susan E Jones 652287 If you see any ASB or criminal damage incidents, please Stogursey & Shurton: Chris Morgan phone the Police on 101. Give as much information, including names, as you possibly can. These are Police Stolford - St Peter’s Church Community Use matters, and the Police need our help to stop them. The Chair: Susan E Jones, Stolford number of complaints made from an area are noted. The more complaints received, the more justification to Stogursey Oral History Project allocate police time and manpower to deal with problems. Ralph Hammond 732690 Ian Elenor/Teresa Miller 733052 Community Car Scheme Stogursey Parish Stagecoach 07908 239 609

Please send email articles to: [email protected] Please put handwritten or typed copy in the News box in the Post Office Hinkley Point C Community Funds

NEW Grant N 000 Programmes launching November 2017

‘/nm 000

You could apply for funding for your community project if: It will address the effects of Hinkley Point C on your community It will support your community to take advantage of the opportunities created by Hinkley Point C

Come to our information events and see how your community can be supported:

The Green, Wembdon, TA6 7BY Mon 20th Nov 2.30pm - 4.30pm Brent Knoll Parish Hall, TA9 4EH Tues 21st Nov 2.30pm - 4.30pm Eye, TA24 5BJ Thurs 23rd Nov 10.30am - 12.30pm

To book Email [email protected] or call 01749 344949

HINKLEY POINT C LOOK AHEAD December 2017 This information provides an overview of work taking place related to Hinkley Point C which may affect you. If you’d like to discuss any of the below, please drop in to the EDF Energy Visitor Centre, Angel Place Shopping Centre, , TA6 3TQ. We’re open 9.00am-4pm Monday to Friday and 9.00am-1pm on a Saturday. We’re also available in the Babbling Brook on Friday 1 December 11.00 – 12.00. Further information is available www.edfenergy.com/hinkleyc or call us freephone on 0800 0969 650 at any time, or email us at hinkley- [email protected].

Timings and Work/Item Location You may experience duration

Site construction activities Throughout Dec Hinkley Point C Site Noise from activity associated with construction work

Jetty construction Throughout Dec On the inter tidal area Visibility of activity associated with jetty construction of the Hinkley Point C site

Southern landscaping and Hinkley House Throughout Dec Along the southern Noise and visibility of earth movement activity construction boundary of the associated with landscaping and campus construction. Hinkley Pont C land.

Junction 23 park and ride and freight Throughout Dec Near Junction 23 of Noise from construction activity. management facility M5.

Junction 23 roundabout signalisation Throughout Dec At junction 23 of M5 Noise from construction activity and traffic management may cause delays outside busy periods

Sedgemoor Campus Throughout Dec In the vicinity of the Noise from activity associated with campus old Innovia site, Bath construction. Traffic lights and lane narrowing/footpath Road, Bridgwater. diversions will be noticed by road users.

Cannington park and ride Throughout Dec South of Cannington Noise from construction activity. Lane narrowing will be on the A39. noticed by road users.

We’re sorry for any inconvenience these works may cause.