Link–Up

January 2020

E-Magazine

FROM THE EDITOR …

I know what’s going through your minds – the New Year already? How did that happen?? Hardly seems like a year ago that last January’s edition was my first as an editor for this magazine! And I’m still going!

Have you noticed the message on the front cover? Please check out page 19 – it would be great to get your feedback.

Once again there is a great deal to look forward to in the three villages over the next few months – check out the film schedule on page 6. Are you still experiencing problems with your broadband? There is an article on page 26 about potential new developments.

I’m writing this on General Election day so by the time you get this, who knows what will be happening!

Some words from the actress/singer Judy Garland: “We have a whole new year ahead of us. And wouldn’t it be wonderful if we could all be a little bit more gentle with each other, a little more loving, have a little more empathy, and maybe next year at this time we might like one another a little more”

I certainly hope so!

Happy New Year to you all.

LINK-UP is the community magazine for the parishes of Broomfield, and . Any views 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.

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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 Jean Alger-Green 451732 [email protected] Church pages contributor Michele Hardiman 451257 [email protected] Editor next month Lindy Mansfield 451374 [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 Vacant Kingston Julia Hammett 451642 Jan Holmes 451343

DEADLINE FOR February MAGAZINE: FRIDAY, 17 JANUARY 2020 Hard copy 10.00am Fyne Court Farm, Broomfield contributions by: 12noon Benefice Office, The Vicarage, KSM

Email contributions to the editor by 12noon

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

Collation: Thursday 30 January at 2.00pm at Kingston St Mary village hall, Distribution: From Friday, 31 January

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Forthcoming events

Month Event Page Jan Mon 6 Badminton 3 Wed 8 Walking for Health 5 Thurs 9 Walking group 3 Fri 10 KSM youth club 4 Mon 13 KSM Parish Council meeting 7.30pm 8 Wed 15 KSM & District Gardening Club 25 Fri 17 Cheddon film club -The Goldfinch 7 Thur 23 Walking group 4 Fri 24 KSM film night - Mrs Lowry and Son 6 Fri 31 Quiz night, Cheddon Fitzpaine hall in aid of 11 Nelson Trust Feb Sat 1 Meet the Village, KSM hall 21 Wed 5 KSM WI meeting 10 Wed 19 KSM & District Gardening Club 25

If you are planning an event in the next 12 months let us know so we can add it to our list. 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

Regular Weekly Events:

KSM Bell ringing: Tuesday evening:7.30pm KSM Church Contact Lois Miles 01823 451676 or John Lock 01823 335776

Pilates: 11.30am and Keep Fit 12.45pm every Tuesday. KSM Village Hall. Contact Alison Roberts if interested. 07850507489 or 01823 672617

Badminton: Every Monday in Kingston Village Hall 7.45pm. Contact Janet Braund [email protected] 01823 283998

Babies’ and Toddlers' Group: Every Monday 9.00am – 11.00am in KSM Church (term time only) 4

Regular Fortnightly Events:

Kingston Walking Group: Contact Sandra Matthews 01823 451941 or [email protected]. Meet at KSM Church car park at 10.00am. Please bring a packed lunch

Dragon Quilters: Alternate Mondays at Lavender Barn, Broomfield - contact Kerstin 01823 240041 for details

KSM Youth Club: Emma Goldsworthy at [email protected] or mob 07771778552

Singles Lunch: Contact Liz Thompson [email protected]

Don’t forget to take a look at our village websites

www.broomfieldparish.org www.cheddonfitzpaine-pc.org.uk www.kstm.uk

Contact Details for Kingston Community Partnership

CP Steering Group [email protected] Broadband [email protected] Business [email protected] Community Assistance [email protected] or ring (Good Neighbour Scheme) 07796 838590 Environment [email protected] Facilities [email protected] Housing [email protected] Traffic [email protected] Transport [email protected] Transport – cycling & pedestrian safety [email protected] Youth [email protected]

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HOSPITAL TRANSPORT & EMERGENCY PRESCRIPTION SERVICE The following people have kindly offered to collect your prescriptions or take patients from the appropriate parish to & from hospital

For residents of Kingston only

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

For residents of Cheddon only Liz Thompson 451529 Mary Gunning 412179

FLY TIPPING Please note that the contact details for reporting fly tipping has changed

Somerset West and Deane: 03003048000 www.somersetwestandtaunton.gov.uk/street-care-and- cleaning/flytipping/

Sedgemoor: 03003037800 www.sedgemoor.gov.uk

Walking for Health Our next gentle walk around our village is on Wednesday 8th January. Meet at KSM Church Car Park at 1.45pm for 2.00pm start (every second Wednesday of the month).

We will end at the village hall for refreshments at the Wednesday Cafe. The walk will be around 30/35 minutes.

Please just turn up with suitable footwear for the weather and for walking on our footpaths. For further details please contact one of our volunteer walk leaders:

Jackie Aldrich 01823 451696 - Paul Trolley 01823 451312 Heather Saxton 01823 451210 - Nigel Hounslow 01823 451358

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New season’s film nights – dates for your diary See individual advertisements in the relevant month’s Link-Up for details 17 Jan The Goldfinch Cheddon 24 Jan Mrs Lowry and Son Kingston 01 Feb Biggest Little Farm Broomfield 21 Feb Downton Abbey Cheddon 28 Feb The Good Liar Kingston 07 Mar Bait Broomfield 20 Mar Judy Cheddon 27 Mar Official Secrets Kingston 04 April Farewell Broomfield 17 Apr The Lion King Cheddon 24 Apr Knives Out Kingston

KINGSTON ST MARY FILM NIGHT Mrs Lowry and Son Friday 24th January at the VILLAGE HALL

DOORS OPEN at 7.00pm for 7.30pm start. Tickets £6.00 on the door. Refreshments available (including wine, beer and cider)

Starring Vanessa Redgrave as Mrs Lowry and Timothy Spall as her son, this is the mostly unknown story of LS Lowry’s relationship with his overbearing mother and his love of painting. The film is set before he becomes famous and when he is struggling to find acceptance of his artwork whilst living with and caring for his bedridden mother. This is a fascinating insight into one of Britain’s most famous and best loved artists.

Certificate 12A, running time 91 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 7

CHEDDON & FILM CLUB FRIDAY 17th JANUARY 2020

Cheddon Fitzpaine Memorial Hall

THE GOLDFINCH

Based on the award-winning novel of the same name by Donna Tartt.

Theodore “Theo” Decker (Ansel Elgort) was 13 years old when his mother was killed in a bombing at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. The tragedy changes the course of his life, sending him on a stirring odyssey of grief and guilt, reinvention, redemption and even love. Through it all, he holds on to one tangible piece of hope from that terrible day...a painting of a tiny bird chained to its perch, the Goldfinch.

Literary Drama Certificate PG 149 mins Doors Open 6.30pm for refreshments Short Film 7.00pm, Main film - approx 7.20pm. Tickets £6 at door [email protected] 01823 412278

************************************************************************ CHEDDON FITZPAINE PARISH COUNCIL At the time of writing, the Parish Council of Cheddon Fitzpaine will meet on 9 December 2019 and, at the time of reading this article, the draft Minutes will be available on the Parish website. Parish Councillors will deliberate setting the Parish Precept, amongst the usual planning applications, and ongoing dialogue with the current developers.

We wish you a happy & healthy New Year.

Denise Webber/Chairman 07788 522266 [email protected]

Jo Pearson/Parish Clerk 07891 529809 [email protected] www.cheddonfitzpaine-pc.org.uk/council

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KINGSTON ST MARY PARISH COUNCIL (www.kstm.uk) PARISH COUNCIL MEMBERSHIP The Parish Council held its final meeting of the year on Monday 9th December, which was attended by Parish and District councillors, the Parish Council Clerk and several members of the public. The Kingston St Mary Parish Council consists of five Parish Councillors and the Parish Council Clerk, contact details are as follows. Mr Paul Townsend, Acting Chair 01823 451986 [email protected] Ms Sharon Farnham 01823 451972 [email protected] Ms Sarah Hancock 01823 451838 [email protected] Mr Nick Townsend 01823 451151 [email protected] Mr Andrew Wilcox 01823 451294 [email protected] Ms Katie Gibbins, Parish Council Clerk 01823 451505 [email protected] PLANNING MATTERS Case Ref: 20/19/0021 - Erection of a 4-bay carport, erection of extension and alterations to conservatory, replacement of chimney and conversion of garage into ancillary accommodation at Millfield House, Kingston Road, Kingston St Mary (resubmission of 20/18/0025). The council decided not to object to this planning application. Case Ref: 20/19/0022 - Erection of an agricultural building for housing of livestock at Church Lane Farm, Church Lane, Kingston St Mary (resubmission of 20/19/0019). The Parish Council is of the opinion that more should be done to mitigate the presence of this building in the landscape. Concerning the Staplegrove East Development, the Spine Road planning application (case reference 34/19/0035) is open for on-line public consultation until 3rd January 2020. Details of this planning application can be found at:

9 https://www2.somersetwestandtaunton.gov.uk/asp/webpages/plan/plap plookup.asp This planning application will be included on the agenda for the Parish Council’s January meeting. COMMUNITY PROJECTS As previously highlighted the Parish Council (during this financial year) is in a position to consider applications for spending on Parish projects and improvements. Suggestions from anyone in the Parish can be submitted to our clerk, Katie Gibbins. The Parish Council is pleased to confirm a donation to Citizens Advice Taunton of £200 towards their operating costs. Citizens Advice Taunton has seen a significant reduction in funding provided by County Council and provides a valuable and free service, which is available to all Kingston St Mary residents. DOG FOULING This unpleasant topic was brought to the Parish Council’s attention due to dog fouling continuing to occur outside Kingston St Mary’s Primary School. It is fully appreciated that the vast majority of dog owners take responsibility for clearing up after their pets. However for the very few who don’t, please be aware that dog owners or walkers must, by law, immediately remove their dog’s poo from land where people have the right to walk or enjoy. If you can’t find a dog waste bin, you must take the bag home and dispose of the waste appropriately. Dog mess looks horrible, smells, can spread disease and in extreme cases it can cause blindness. Please keep our children safe. NEXT MEETING The next Parish Council meeting will be held on Monday 13th January 2020 in the village hall committee room at 7.30pm. Members of the public are invited to attend.

Paul Townsend (Chair) [email protected] Katie Gibbins (Clark) [email protected]

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Kingston St Mary W.I. At the December meeting members had brought ‘greenery’ and baubles, and they made table decorations and door hangings for Christmas. After ‘festive’ refreshments, a short business meeting was held.

Jane Templeman gave a report on the AGM which she had attended at Wellsprings Leisure Centre. The Somerset Institutes banners had been paraded. Talks were given by Nick Bailey from BBC2’s Gardeners’ World, and ‘Good King Hall’ aka Henry VIII. A Christmas shoe box has been filled and will be delivered to the YMCA. Resolutions were read out and members will vote at the next meeting which will be on Wednesday 5th February.

There will be a Flower of the Month competition. Janet Lovell

Village Litter Pick weekend 23-24 November 2019

Massive thank you to everyone who took part in the weekend of litter picking in Kingston St Mary, Nailsbourne and surrounding areas. Once again, all the usual stuff was collected. By far, drinks cans and plastic bottles were the main items together with takeaway coffee cups, sweet and crisp packets.

It is sad that at least three people thought it was acceptable to put all their rubbish neatly in a bag BUT then leave the bag on the side of the road or in a ditch. Who do they think will pick that up?

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Other items included several tyres, bits of car bumpers and wing mirrors, broken furniture, a large leaf blower (reported to the ) and bits of metal. Thirteen bags were deposited at the village hall by the Sunday afternoon.

Although the drinks cans are deliberate littering, my personal opinion is that a lot of items get blown out of recycling boxes or fall out of the recycling lorry. We can all help by packing down our recycling in our boxes – it all helps.

Thank you to everyone who regularly picks up litter whilst out walking – you know who are.

The next clear up will take place in February/March. If you want to get involved, check for details in future Link-Ups. New volunteers always welcome!!!

Come on – let’s help David Attenborough out!!! Jean Alger-Green

QUIZ NIGHT at Cheddon Fitzpaine Memorial Hall

in aid of the Nelson Trust on Friday 31st January 2020 7.00pm for 7.30pm

Tickets: £12.50 per head (includes fish & chip supper)

Teams of up to 6 Raffle and Prizes Licensed bar

Tickets available from Hilary Smith on 01258 821305

Organised by Soroptimist International of Taunton 12

WINDOW ON THE PAST – LADY HARRIET OF TETTON Lady Harriet, ‘a vastly pretty and gently nurtured girl’, was the offspring of Sir Thomas Acland and Elizabeth Dyke of Tetton, whose important marriage in Kingston Church in 1744 meant that very large estates were united.

John, Harriet’s husband, became a regular soldier and served in Canada during the American War of Independence. When he fell ill there, she determined to join him and left their infant daughters in her mother’s care. In bitter winter weather she set off by sledge to a remote outpost so she could be with him. In further fierce fighting John was wounded and his wife again determined to go by boat, this time on Lake Champlain to a place where shots, Indian yells and howling wolves resounded in the night and their tent caught alight. They barely escaped with their lives.

Yet more trials were to occur as John was taken prisoner after being wounded at the Battle of Saratoga. This time, his wife had to get special permission to enter enemy lines. It was a big risk, she was to go at night in a small boat, waving a white flag. Although several months pregnant she kept cool and determined. They both stayed 9 weeks until they were able to return to in exchange for other prisoners. Harriet arrived in time for her son to be born in 1778. She had certainly become a ‘Legend in Her Lifetime’. ‘This amiable lady underwent such fatigue and distress as female fortitude was thought incapable of supporting’ said one account.

Sadly, happier years were not to follow. Nine months later, John, aged only 34, died of a chill after an inconclusive duel. Harriet lost her father-in-law and her infant son 7 years later and moved to Tetton from Pixton when 13 her daughter Elizabeth Kitty married the 2nd Earl of Carnarvon and also settled at Tetton. Harriet lived another 20 years, dying in 1815 having suffered terrible pain from cancer without complaint. What a courageous lady!

You can still walk along Lady Harriet’s Drive above the River Haddeo near Wimbleball reservoir, constructed as a carriage way from Pixton to outlying estates. Audrey Mead

Musings from MillCross When commuting to and from Weston I like to get off one stop early and cycle home. Leaving the train at Bridgwater around 3.50pm, there’s less than 30 minutes before sunset but I’ve excellent lights, and I love that time of day. The journey is about an hour and takes me on quiet lanes above Kings Cliff Woods towards Broomfield. The other Monday I was rewarded with a stunning sunset as I turned down Volis Hill. The vale and the Brendons make a perfect ethereal backdrop.

The following day, with bike and my trusty South London O/S map I tipped out of Paddington Station just after 3.00pm. I headed along the Serpentine, clocking the low flying heron that crossed my path. Through Chelsea, over Battersea Bridge and on to Wandsworth as the sun set majestically behind the old brewery. Now I picked up the River Wandle, with National Cycle Route 20 running alongside for most of its length. By now dusk was descending so quickly I had to read the map under street lights. Thankfully the route is well signed and my dynamo picked out the directions clearly. At Morden Hall Park I left route 20 and took my chances in the flow of traffic. Flow isn’t quite the right word though, as everything seemed at a standstill. Where do all these vehicles come from? I know the answer - from the paved-over front gardens of suburbia. And they’ve become so huge, as if on steroids, that they spill over onto the pavement! Surely we’ve got our priorities wrong when a box with four wheels has priority over people, especially those with pushchairs, in wheelchairs and those who have to use a white stick! Nick 14

Services in the Parishes for January 5th Jan EPIPHANY 8.00am Holy Communion (BCP) Kingston 10.00am Communion Service West Monkton 11.10am Sunday Seedlings West Monkton 11.00am Family Service Broomfield

12th Jan BAPTISM OF CHRIST 8.00am Holy Communion (BCP) West Monkton 10.00am Communion Service Kingston 10.00am Family Service Cheddon 4.00pm Refresh West Monkton School Hall

15th Jan WEDNESDAY 2.00pm Communion Service at 4 Garden Close, Northwalls Grange, Cheddon TA2 8FZ

19th Jan 2nd SUNDAY OF EPIPHANY 8.00am Holy Communion (BCP) Kingston 11.00am Plough Sunday service followed by West Monkton lunch – Please note time change!! 11.10am Sunday Seedlings West Monkton 11.00am Communion Service Broomfield 3.00pm Baptism West Monkton

26th Jan 3rd SUNDAY OF EPIPHANY 8.00am Holy Communion (BCP) West Monkton 10.00am Communion Service Kingston 10.00am Communion service Cheddon 6.00pm Plough Sunday Service Broomfield

2nd Feb CANDLEMAS 8.00am Holy Communion (BCP) Kingston 10.00am Communion Service West Monkton 11.10am Sunday Seedlings West Monkton 10.00am Family Service Kingston 11.00am Family Service Broomfield

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

NEW TIME & VENUE All meetings 11.10am at West Monkton Church (unless otherwise stated) • 5th Jan • 19th Jan – join Plough Sunday service at West Monkton • 2nd Feb • 16th Feb

Plough Sunday Services:

Sun 19th Jan 11am West Monkton Sun 26th Jan 6pm Broomfield

Could you be a Debt Adviser with Taunton Area Debt Advice? People in debt come to us fearful, desperate, their world out of control and in a state of chaos. Working out of our office at Citizens Advice, we provide free, unconditional and confidential advice to help them become debt free We give them a plan, make arrangements and negotiate agreements. Could you be a Debt Adviser? Our next volunteer training course is on Saturday 8th and 22nd February which is the beginning of an FCA approved qualification. Although we expect volunteers to make a contribution to training costs, we have received a grant to defray some expenditure. Come and have a discussion over coffee.

Contact Graham Reid on 07921526087. Taunton Area Debt Advice is supported by local churches.

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FROM THE REGISTERS: WEDDINGS 30.11.19 Sam Styles & Amy Peat Kingston 14.12.19 Louis Thompson & Claire Fleming-Allan Broomfield We offer our prayers for them in their life together

BAPTISM 24.11.19 Henry Pearce-Gould Cheddon We welcome the newly baptised as they start their journey of faith with us

FUNERALS 09.12.19 Gwen Dight (Pauline’s mum) Cheddon 13.12.19 John Titman Cheddon 17.12.19 Elizabeth (Ann) Pugh Cheddon We remember these lives and pray for those who mourn them

Men's Group – Next meeting: Monday 20th January 7.00pm. Meal at The Merry Monk. To book a place contact Rev Jim: 01823 333377 or [email protected]

THIS MONTH’S ROTAS

Broomfield Church Cleaners 4th & 11th John & Sonia Pether 18th & 25th Joan Livingstone & Angela Bremner

Broomfield Flowers Kingston Flowers 4th & 11th Margaret Cavill 12th & 19th Sonia Pether 18th & 25th Jane House 26th Ann Barford

Kingston Altar Linen and Floor Joan Leahy

CHEDDON 100 CLUB: The winners for December are: The winners for January are: £60 - Jan Church £60 - Sheila Horton £15 - Caroline Spencer £15 - Liz Thompson £50 - Corrine McMylor (special Christmas bonus) 17

Bishops letter : A RICH JOURNEY

‘A cold coming we had of it Just the worst time of the year For a journey, and such a long journey…’ T.S. Eliot’s ‘Journey of the Magi’

How many of us are making journeys over the turning of this new year? Perhaps it has been an opportunity to catch up with family or friends we haven’t seen for a while. Perhaps for some of us, it’s been about fun and relaxation, (although skiing doesn’t appeal for either, for me!)

Perhaps some of those journeys have been disrupted by weather or illness. Or perhaps they’ve been punctuated by the plaintive cry, ‘Are we there yet?’ During winter months we are often seeing the journey as a ‘means to an end’ rather than something of value in itself. However travelling with others or meeting people on the way can make journeys so much richer.

On my windowsill at home sits a wooden cross with a shell attached. It’s made from the stick my son used to walk the Camino de Santiago, one of the most popular of pilgrim paths in Europe. I’m not sure I have the legs to do it! Two of my sons have walked it from France to the coast of Spain, each on their own, but meeting strangers along the way who have become friends.

2020 is being marked by our Cathedrals as a year of pilgrimage. You will be hearing more from our Cathedral here in Wells as they invite us to share in pilgrimage with them. Journeying together gives opportunity for us to discover something new as we share in others’ perspectives and experiences, not just our own. At this time of Epiphany we remember the journey of the wise men who travelled together to seek out something new. A star had appeared which indicated to them there was new learning to be had. And so they left the familiar and went to explore what was new.

So... what new thing might you wish to explore this year? Who might you travel with? And what might you do once you find it?

Wishing you a very special new year! Right Reverend Ruth Worsley, Bishop of Taunton 18

Letter from Rev Jim It is no accident that the church decided to mark the birth of Jesus close to the 'shortest' day of the year: it reinforces the tradition of the Light coming in the Darkness. It is a motif used by people of many different faith traditions across the world. Darkness can, of course, be metaphorical as well as physical. The second Tuesday of January is known, in some circles, as the lowest day of the year. It is far enough away from the festive season for that glow to have dimmed and for some reason, if we are not feeling very energised, we seem to be more able to find the enthusiasm to confront a Monday than a Tuesday. Don't know why that is. But 'second Tuesday' is a thing and it is around that time that the church marks the Epiphany. This is the tradition of the visit of the Wise Men (had it been Wise Women, they'd have probably brought a blanket, a cushion and a box of chocolates). But Epiphany marks more than that single visit: it is a whole season in the church's calendar which unpacks the meaning of the word which translates as 'revelation' or 'showing forth'. It is at this darkest time that the church explores the meaning of how it believes the Son of God is revealed to the world.

The artificial optimism of a new year can be a strain for all of us. It's just another day in our lives really and if we are not feeling the 'vibe' it can be very annoying. More than this, as we get older and inevitably lose loved- ones as the years pass, it might also be a time of sad remembering which can be at best wistful and at worst chronically depressing.

The church must never deny the existence of the Darkness with that false and empty optimism so crassly embraced by the commercial world, but it does maintain that within this Darkness there is a Light that cannot be overcome. Jim

Facebook: South Quantock Benefice

Phone 01823 451257 [email protected]

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Do you want your LINK-UP? Last month I asked if you wanted to continue receiving your copy of Link-Up. Thank you to those of you who have responded already but I really would like to hear from more of you.

We produce 900 copies of Link-Up every month for residents in our three villages. It takes about 100 people to get the final copy hand delivered to your door – editors, board members, duplicators, collators and distributors.

Recent feedback has indicated • that the magazine drops through the door and goes straight into recycling • content could be more relevant or varied

Purely from a green point of view – it’s a waste of paper if you don’t want a copy so please let us know. Ring me or tell your distributor and we will stop delivering a copy to you. This will save money on printing costs. The magazine is available on-line so it’s there if you need it. https://www.kstm.uk/content/linkup/linkup

Have you got any ideas what you would like to see in Link-Up? Are you itching to write about your hobby or a specific interest of yours? Are there any budding junior editors out there? We’d love some input from our younger residents including children from our primary schools and Taunton International school (who recently took part in our village litter pick -thank you).

We struggle to get new volunteers for all aspects of the magazine – a fair few of us have been involved for as long as it’s been going which is 30 years! So can you help? Please contact any of the Link-Up board members listed on page 2. We are open to change but need your help – a New Year Resolution maybe? You know you want to!!! Jean Alger-Green, Secretary for Link Up 20

NEW YEAR RESOLUTIONS – COUNT YOUR BLESSINGS

Dear Mr C

I have kept you waiting so long before writing to thank you for that lovely box of apples so I am sending you one of my pretty pictures. Isn’t it sweet? We thought it so kind of you to remember us and must tell you how much we are enjoying them. Thank you very, very much. I went back to the years when people delivered their Christmas presents driving in a pony and trap. If you were lucky, it made Christmas, as your apples did for us.

When we were all young and living at Toulton, Mr Baynham was the Vicar at . He used to drive over in a Governess Tub and bring us lovely half worn- out shoes that his family had finished with and always a box of their old toys, dolls, books etc. We thought they were very kind to remember us. We were 10 in our family so as you can imagine Mother and Father had their time full to provide for so many. The Vicar used to tell them they were a pattern to the parish as they used to dress themselves and take us to Church on Sundays… but I look back on all the pleasant memories of the good bygone ways.

Again thanking you for your great kindnesses,

Yours truly A Letter from a Cushuish household C20th

Across The Field We seem to have had an invasion of blackbirds, mostly cocks. They are everywhere and usually fighting. They like to feed on the rotting apples. The idea of planting wildflowers must have worked. At Fulford, a field of sunflowers and wildflowers were sown and it seems to have had the right results as we have heard in Link-Up that there has been a charm of goldfinches and chaffinches in the area. I have not seen any reports in the County Gazette but I heard on local radio that one of the peregrine falcons that had been nesting on St Mary’s Church (in Taunton) had been killed in Morocco. It had been run over and was identified by its leg ring.

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We have had such a lovely mixture of birds visit us. The bullfinch with his beautiful rose pink chest has paid his yearly visit. He usually only stays for a few days. I have not seen the female (who has a paler breast) with him. A lone wagtail - we only ever see one on its own. The long tailed tits are still around - they love the fat balls. The spotted woodpecker still calls for a feed. We still have our friendly sparrow and a (scuttie*) wren has been very busy up and down the walls. He was looking to feed on insects.

I watched the robin in the bird bath. It was very cold but the sun was shining and the water was splashing up. We have three robins. One of them we call ‘ours’ who comes and asks for mealworms. The others sneak in and fight over the food until ‘ours’ sees them off. We still have our friendly fat pigeons. They have been around for years, but our two collared doves no longer come to the garden.

It is now December but many of the trees and hedges still have their beautiful autumn colours. Happy New Year.

Rainfall: Nov 2018 84.5mm Nov 2019 106mm Janet Lovell *Editors note: “Scuttie”or “cutty” is O.E dialect for small

Meet the Village Saturday 1st February Kingston St Mary village hall 10.30am till 12.00 noon £1.00 to include tea or coffee and biscuits

Paperback exchange – bring a book and take one away New and old friends always welcome

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From the Tractor Shed Who would have thought that a casual conversation between my Dad and his friend (who had served in the Second World War) would have had such an effect on my life. He was a farmer’s son and had qualified for a small holding at Nyland, near Cheddar. Dad suggested that I had plenty of energy going to waste and I should go there on Saturdays to help with the odd jobs. That was in 1949 and now in 2019, I am still loosely involved with the farm which moved to Tetton Farm in Kingston -St-Mary (I moved with them).

The first years of Saturday working involved cleaning out hen houses, cleaning out pigs, cutting down stinging nettles and I always seemed to be pushing a wheelbarrow. My wages amounted to half a crown and my dinner. Having left home at 7 o’clock on my bike to cycle three miles, come dinner time, I was starving and ready to fill my boots. Although Mother’s cooking was good, there was something really good about farmhouse cooking especially when a pig had been killed.

After I left school I went to work full-time on the small holding. Instead of cycling 3 miles for an early start (6 o’clock) I lived on the farm. The cows were milked by hand and the milk churns had to be on the stand for the milk lorry that arrived at about half past eight. What I cannot understand is why, in 1949, a farmer could milk 20 plus cows and keep a few hens and pigs and make a living, but now a farmer milking 250 cows is struggling to make ends meet? What has gone wrong? Too many people in the milk trade trying to make a living after cutting the price to the milk producer.

In my early working years, all jobs were enjoyable even milking cows out doors in the pouring rain with the droplets dripping off the cows into the pail. You don’t know about getting wet until it is running out of the backside of your trousers. Not only did you get wet milking, you only had a

23 horse and cart to get back to the farmyard. By then, you were like a drowned rat. No time to get bored and we had never heard of stress.

There were two other small holdings next to where I worked and on one worked an evacuee who only had one lung but could sing any pop song at the top of his voice. A real happy-go-lucky fellow. On the other farm was a fellow from . We all worked together when each small holding needed a bit of help like when the contractor turned up with tractor and dung-spreader, but no loader. In those days, the loaders were we three lads armed with dung forks. In ten minutes flat out, covered in sweat, we had loaded the spreader. Then a few minutes to recover while the tractor driver spread the load. The same thing happened at haymaking. The loose hay was ricked in the fields and then we three lads would feed the baler from these ricks. This was really hard work but it made damn good hay. It was not long before pick-up balers became quite a common sight in the haymaking field. All the physical work left us lads with muscles like boxers and because we worked with our shirts off, we were as brown as berries.

Now my boss had a bit of luck when his sows farrowed down with more than 100% success and at 8 weeks old were sold at top price. This enabled him to buy a pick-up baler. After he had baled a field on his own, he was off to bale a field of his neighbour, leaving me to get someone to make the load. I would pitch the bales one at a time with a stout handled bale fork. Sometimes these loads did not make it to the hay shed and had to be loaded again. We three lads were rarely apart and would help anybody. Perce ------A Brief KCP Update from 2019

Speedwatch & Traffic: seven volunteers continue to monitor vehicle speed at various locations throughout Kingston St Mary. The Speed Indication Device (funded by KSM Parish Council) is managed by KCP volunteers. It has proved to be very effective in reducing the speed of vehicles entering the village. The data collected is 24 providing evidence towards the campaign to reduce speed limits (one vehicle was recorded travelling at 73mph).

KAPACC (Kingston Area Pedestrian and Cycling Campaign): the KCP continues to campaign for a safe cycle and pedestrian route from Taunton to Kingston and up onto the Quantocks.

Environment: since starting the bi-annual litter pick back in November 2017, approx 60 volunteers have collected 64 bags of road litter and other items such as tyres, car parts, and a leaf blower to name a few!

Good Neighbours: this scheme has been established to offer assistance to local people who need temporary support in a range of situations.

Broadband: see the article in this edition of Link Up on page 26.

Youth Club: starts its third year in January thanks to funding originally from SCC and more recently from Somerset Community Foundation and KSM Parish Council.

Guerilla Gardeners: this group has recently been established to enhance the environment with some gardening projects. If you would like more information on their work or would like to volunteer, please email guerilla- [email protected]

Neighbourhood Watch: following a spate of shed and garage burglaries during 2019, it has been suggested that the scheme be revived (it is still active in Nailsbourne). We are now seeking a co-ordinator to liaise with police and volunteers. If you are interested in participating in any way, please email [email protected] or contact me on 01823 451455 or 07557550485.

Funding: the KCP is very grateful to Somerset Community Foundation (SCF) who have awarded grants towards our activities, some of which have also benefitted the Wednesday Cafe and the Playing Field. The Youth Club would also like to thank SCF and KSM Parish Council for money towards the cost of the club’s youth workers and the hire of the village hall. We are hopeful that further funding will be available for our activities in 2020.

A list of contact details for the KCP can be found on page 4 and in the Directory of Village Activities and Organisations (which can be found on the KSM website together with a full version of this article).

David Stripp, Kingston Community Partnership 25

KINGSTON ST MARY & DISTRICT GARDENING CLUB Our next meeting on Wednesday 15th January 2020 will be at the Kingston St Mary village hall and will feature Gardeners' Question Time. A panel of four local experts comprising David Usher, Andrew Pittman, Brian Bradley and Rowanna Shorney will be on hand to answer your gardening questions. Gardeners' Question Time will be an open meeting of the Club, with guests and visitors free to attend. So please come along with your questions and get the answers and advice you need to make your green fingers even greener. 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 our 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 the Club’s next four meetings is as follows. 2020

Jan 15th Gardeners' Question Time (Village Hall)

Feb 19th 30 Year Celebratory Lunch (Oake Manor Golf Club) – 12.30pm

Mar 18th 'The Answer Lies in the Soil' - David Usher (Village Hall)

Mar 21st AGM with refreshments (Village Hall) – 2.30pm (Saturday)

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Broadband is Dead: Long live the new Broadband (AKA: Broadband update January 2020)

Connecting Devon and Somerset have terminated their contract with Gigaclear for failure to meet deadlines, which means that there is more uncertainty as to when Kingston St Mary will have fast and reliable access to the internet for all properties.

There is hope With no firm supplier contract in place with Connecting Devon and Somerset, there is renewed vigour from other private companies such as TrueSpeed (www.truespeed.com) to expand their existing services into Kingston St Mary. I’ve spoken with TrueSpeed and they have confirmed that they are coming to Kingston St Mary, but to expand their network to KSM via Enmore will take until mid-to-late 2021. They are keen to come and present to us in the village hall to tell us all about their service, so if you are interested in this please let us know by emailing [email protected] and we’ll make the necessary arrangements. If you want some details on the service they propose, here’s a summary:

• Each property will be connected with fiber optic cable (not copper wire) • Download speeds starting at 200 Mbps (Upload speeds will match) • Free installation - £47.50 per month (broadly similar to other providers prices nationwide) What next? We stand a chance of bringing TrueSpeed to Kingston St Mary earlier than planned if we work together by registering an expression of interest on their web site. If there is enough interest, then it may affect the business decisions that TrueSpeed make about where to go next, like coming toward Kingston St Mary, instead of expanding their business into other parts of rural England. An expression of interest is not a commitment to buy service, and it only last for 6 months, so it’s a great idea to register again each 6 months. Why not do the same with BT Openreach too. Once 27

TrueSpeed are close to delivering service to our village, they will encourage us to commit to take on service once its available, if they get 150 households signed up then we are all systems-go! We also get 1 or 2 free-for-life services for use in public spaces such as the Village Hall or the Playing Field pavilion.

To register your interest, just go to the TrueSpeed web site and put in your details www.truespeed.com/makeithappen

Alternative in the meantime All four mobile operators in the UK have now issues Unlimited Data SIM deals, which means you can now pay a flat monthly fee for 3G/4G (5G when it comes) and not worry about a huge bill at the end of the month for using too much data. These SIM cards can be used in 4G routers allowing you to share the signal through your home for computers and tablets to use the internet via WiFi. Suitable 4G routers are available for around £70 to £120, and for hard to reach areas an external directional antenna may be required, but you‘ll get speeds of up to 40 Mbps (up and download) depending on supplier and signal strength.

If you are interested in this interim technology, let us know by emailing [email protected] and we’ll do our best to help. Greg Ewing, Kingston Community Partnership

For sale/wanted/lost and found (There is no charge for these notices. However due to limited space, please keep wording to a maximum of 50 words.)

For sale: Mobility Scooter - can be taken apart for transport - £150 2 x American rocking Chairs - £80 pair 1x Carver chair - offers 1x Two seater sofa- recliner – offers

Contact Anne 07854367174 28

Commercial Advertisement – 1/3 A5 page may be placed at a cost of £10.00 at the discretion of and following discussion with the Editor (cost has increased wef 01 Jan 2020)

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