news & views Holford March – April 2020

Editorial This is an exceptionally stressful time particularly for the older, more vulnerable members of our community. Our feeling is that everyone who can help, will help, if there are those in need. Please do not hesitate to contact any member of the Parish Council or myself and Emma here at Holford News and Views if you need a helping hand or are worried about anything. You will notice that this issue is to be digital, on line only, due to the risk factors of delivering paper copies to 140 homes during the health crisis. The plus side to this is that we are able to publish 4 extra pages of your submissions so lots of good reading!

Importantly, I will address the matter of village security. Living in this idyllic village it is easy to forget that bad things happen and bad people are still around threatening our peace and security. Neighbourhood watch is an invaluable tool in the fight against crime. Erl Plomgrem (Lady Charles House) keeps an eye on properties around the Triangle. He would welcome volunteers to become part of the Neighbourhood Watch scheme. Holford is spread out and we need more people to cover different areas of the village. Please contact Erl if you are willing to help.

If you witness antisocial or illegal behaviour which needs more than ‘watching’ then please contact Police Sergeant Andrew Murphy QPM. He needs to hear about every incident. Nice chap, ready and willing to help! Email Andrew.Murphy@avon and somerset.police.uk. Tel: 07889 655564. Reporting every incident will enable the police to put together a picture of what help and support is needed in Holford and the surrounding area.

There has been a deluge of phishing phone calls to villagers. Please be very cautious about giving out any personal information. There is a very sophisticated web of scammers based abroad who appear very plausible and will try to access your personal or banking details on many different pretexts.

Finally, Hema Stanley and Midge Wise have produced Welcome cards for new residents in the village. The cards contain contact details for village, village hall, parish council and parochial council. Cards will be available from Maureen Young (The Ferns).

The snowdrops herald the end of winter; let’s hope we don’t have to endure too many days of ‘March (?) winds doth blow and we shall have snow’. Happy Springtime and keep well! Chris Mew

This edition of Holford News and Views has been kindly sponsored by Combe House Hotel

A full colour version is available on the Holford Village website

www.HolfordVillage.com – Thank you to David Talling

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From our Sponsor - A Brief History of Combe House Combe House has not always been a hotel, originally it was one house and a small water wheel that can be dated back to the 1600’s. It was not until the 1800’s that James Hayman built what can be best described as a mini industrial estate. Dove Cottage, which stands in the hotel grounds was once the leather tannery, the distinctive brickwork on the end gable walls lets air pass through the building to allow the animal hides to dry out. The additional cottages were added on the hotel site and surrounding area for the tannery and mill workers to live in. The current mill was built in 1820. The overshot wheel was fed by a header pond midway up the Combe and then into a leat. The pond can still be seen today and parts of the leat can be traced down to the wheel. The was used for cutting chaff, sawing wood, chopping cider apples and breaking stones from the quarry opposite the lane. It was also used as a pump for moving tanning solutions and rinse waters around the tannery. In the fire place in the dining room can be seen the remains of a bakery oven where corn from the mill was used to make bread. The original water wheel was replaced in 1892 with the existing 26 foot metal overshot one made by the Culverwell foundry in Bridgwater. The wheel was still in use until the early 1960’s, all be it to generate electricity using a 60 volt DC plant for the Hotel and surrounding cottages. In 1962 the wheel was choked up to make it safe and stop it turning. We now have plans to replace the fins and preserve the remains of the mill workings.

As the industrial side of the Combe died away the owners struggled to pay the bills, slowly the land and cottages were sold off leaving one grand house and several smaller cottages. With the overheads still high they then started to take in walkers calling it ‘Combe Glen Hostel’ eventually knocking through the building to create the one long house it is today. It became a seasonal hotel in the late 1940’s establishing itself as Combe House Hotel, a popular destination for holiday makers and walkers through the 1970’s whilst closing during winter. In the 1980’s it was refurbished and marketed as a country house hotel and since then has gone from strength to strength. The current owners, Gareth and Catherine Weed took ownership of the hotel in 2007. 3

Reports :

In January Simon Blackley, from Kilve, talked about the Back from the Brink nature conservation campaign that has been running across the country for the past 3 years. By way of background he talked about biodiversity and biomass and the complicated interdependencies between species. He gave the striking example of one long term impact of whaling - fewer whales meant less food for Orcas, which then ate more seals and sea otters. Sea otters eat sea urchins and in places the lack of otters has led to a rise in numbers of urchins. Uncontrolled numbers of urchins then eat all the kelp, depriving many other species of their habitat.

Back from the Brink is one of the most ambitious conservation projects ever undertaken in the UK aiming to save 20 species from extinction and benefit over 200 more through 19 projects from Cornwall to Northumberland. It is the first time ever that so many conservation organisations have come together to bring back from the brink of extinction some of England’s most threatened species of animal, plant and fungi. The closest project is at Lytes Cary, focusing on protecting the Shrill Carder Bee and its grassland habitat. You can find out more about the projects at www.naturebftb.co.uk and if you want to do more in your own garden for wildlife, try No Mow May and see what flowers might be lurking in your lawn and the wildlife that might be attracted.

On a very wet and windy February evening it was good to see so many members coming along to enjoy an entertaining talk, Somerset’s Moorland Way by Peter Triggs. Peter had spent many years working across the Somerset Moors and taking photographs of the beautiful scenery through the seasons. The audience was taken on a tour from Taunton to Wells, via Creech St Michael, Langport, North Curry, Westonzoyland and many more places in between. Peter also gave recommendations for refreshments available along the way such as the Community café in North Curry, the Rose and Crown in Stoke St Gregory and the annual Street Fair in Othery. He tested the audience with questions through the talk, with those first to get the right answer being rewarded with a sweet!

 Church News The Barn Dance was a great success after I had got myself in a dreadful state thinking no- body was coming! However, lots of people did come and great fun was had by all. We made £260 for church funds.

The Lent lunch was very much down on numbers obviously owing to the Coronavirus but we still made over £100 to send to the Deanery Mission Project. Thank you to all those who came and enjoyed our soups!

As far as the church in general is concerned, there will be a piece in the next Parish News regarding the opening of the church. However, I will just say that the church will still be open every day if you would like to go in and sit quietly and pray or meditate. Obviously there will not be any services in the near future as contact with other people is very restricted. If you need to enquire about a wedding or funeral, please contact Nicky directly on 732873. She will be able to give you all the details.

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Holford History Society Chairman : Graeme MacKinley

Report :

Firstly, thank you to all who attended on February 26th. It was a night to remember as our guest speaker Lesley Stewart delivered a superb talk entitled “Smuggling in Somerset”. It was evident that she had researched the subject with meticulous care and the talk was received with enthusiasm, thank you Lesley. It was good to meet with our neighbours from Holford and surrounding district, there was a real sense of community which was also highlighted in Lesley’s talk within the smuggling community.

Secondly, I would like to thank our Committee, Penny, Sheila, Andrew and Mike for all their efforts in the background from making the tea, coffee, working the projector, seeking out members and collecting your fees as you entered the door. Dates for your Diary: Subject to current restrictions these may be postponed

April 1st – An illustrated talk about the history of land drainage on the Levels and the part played by Westonzoyland’s pumping station – Iain Miles

April 29th. - Lytle Mill

May 27th. – “A History of Brewing in Somerset”

June 24th. – To be confirmed

July 25th – Holford History Society Summer Party – Mares Pool, Holford - Time to be confirmed.

Membership We have now widened our historical net and hold talks on any subject that we think will interest members. Only £5 to join.

Membership enquiries Mike Wise. Contact telephone: 01278 741051, email: [email protected]

Suggestions for talks or other activities Sheila Wise. Contact telephone: 01278 741051, e-mail: [email protected]

Also watch out for updates on the Next Door App. Thank you for your Support. We look forward to seeing you soon.

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Neighbourhood Watch Scheme

Chris – new editor of HN & V’s has asked me to give you some information regarding the Neighbourhood Watch Scheme.

Many years ago, Lisa Auton (who some of you may remember) was the first co-ordinator of Neighbourhood Watch for the whole of Holford. Eventually this required more people to be involved and Erl (Plomgren) was approached by Lisa who asked if he could help by taking on another area of the village, which he did! Other residents in Holford were also approached and the village was ‘broken up’ into separate areas and covered by at least five or six co- ordinators who helped maintain the scheme. Following the retirement of the Police Officer who was the contact at that time (Lindsay Stone) this worthwhile scheme unfortunately ceased. However, after a couple of years or so, the scheme was reinstated with new police personnel and Erl took up the reins again for our patch in ‘middle Holford’. This area comprises of the thirteen properties in and around the triangle who receive frequent missives which are sent through via Erl, from the Avon and Somerset Constabulary, but sadly these days, he is the only co-ordinator in Holford as far as we are aware, which leaves other areas completely void of any contact from the Police.

Whilst not every communication received from the Constabulary is of great interest, or indeed relevant to our locality, Erl for those that know him, is a ‘stickler’ for doing the job properly and in particular ensures that notices he receives, are distributed to those on our patch, for example, up to date lists of problems/issues that have cropped up locally and which the Police have asked us to pass on.

Obviously our residents here in Holford do ‘look out’ for each other, but there are times when properties are left empty due to holidays, or those that are ‘second homes’ are vacant for days, sometimes weeks. Awareness, co-operation and information passed on is a ‘must’ to help keep our homes secure as possible from crime and the safety of our residents.

The areas which we believe should be addressed are as follows: Green Close and Portway, all Alfoxton properties, Hodderscombe, Upper Holford, Back Lane combined with Front Lane, Stringston, the A39 main road properties from Ford Cottage to Woodlands, Corewell, Dodington & Dyche.

Erl is quite happy for anyone to contact him, to discuss this more thoroughly, should there be anyone willing to take on the responsibility of any of those areas (01278 741152) but in the meantime, for those with internet, do look up the following link which can give you more information on the scheme: https://www.avonandsomerset.police.uk/apply/neighbourhood-watch-scheme/

Thank you, Mo (P) Holford 6

HOLFORD GARDENERS GROUP

Tuesday, April 21st 7.30pm ‘Climate Change in the Garden’ Sally Morgan All welcome Members £1, non-members £3.50 ********** Saturday, May 16th 10.00am

PLANT AUCTION Members £1, non-members £1.50

************** Tuesday, May 19th 7.00pm Somerset Federation of Gardening Clubs AGM ‘Dahlias’ – Naomi Slade MEMBERS ONLY (01278 741173)

Stogursey Community Café

We are looking to offer a warm, friendly and welcoming space for the local area and we hope that you feel that this is a significant opportunity and maybe one that you would like to have a part in. If you would like to find out more about our new café, to be held in the Youth Club (next to the new village hall site), you are warmly welcomed at either (or both) of our meetings to be held in the Youth Club (with free refreshments and cake) on:

Saturday, 21st March 2.30 pm Tuesday, 24th March 2.00 pm

For more information contact: Alina – [email protected] Helen - [email protected] Sally – [email protected]

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Holford: where English poetry changed for ever

Wordsworth as a young man

This month, on the 7th April, we mark the 250th anniversary of the birth of William Wordsworth. Local people will know of the association of our great poet with Holford and the Quantocks. But we’re maybe not aware of quite how important his time in Holford was in the history of English poetry. Indeed some claim that the year he and his sister Dorothy spent in Alfoxton House (or Alfoxden as it was known then) was the single most significant year ever in the development of our native poetry.

The Wordsworth brother and sister, born in Cumberland, came to Holford from Dorset at the suggestion of fellow poet Samuel Coleridge. With the help of Coleridge’s friend and sponsor, Thomas Poole, the Nether Stowey tanner, they took a lease on Alfoxden. Their time in our village is described in Dorothy’s diary which, though much has been lost, still gives a vivid picture of their simple life here - the many walks they took in the combes and on the tops, and the developing insights they enjoyed with Coleridge and other visitors (including William Hazlitt and Thomas de Quincy) as they worked at creating a new way of looking at poetry. Wordsworth saw the need for a new type of poetry that was not based on the views and language of the educated and privileged. It was to be rooted in the experiences of ordinary, untutored people; beyond that, he wanted to dig deeper into an understanding of man’s relationship with the natural world around us.

The Quantocks provided the perfect testing ground for this and the result of the many discussions the three of them (William, Dorothy and Samuel) had, as they walked the local paths, changed the direction of English poetry for ever. Their joint publication ‘Lyrical Ballards’ was published in 1798. Perhaps the best known of the poems in the book is Coleridge’s ‘The Rime of the Ancient Mariner’ which had its first reading by its author to the Wordsworths in Alfoxton House the preceding winter. It also contains many notable Wordsworth poems - Simon Lee (about a huntsman who lived near the Bowling Green), The Thorn (relating to a tree by Bicknoller Post), The Idiot Boy (using a story told by Thomas Poole as its starting point).

Reading the poems and Dorothy’s diary it’s possible to trace their life here. And, for the many of us who love to walk in the combes and up above today, we can still sense the deep beauty and impact of our local world that so enchanted the brother and sister more than two centuries ago. A good time to dig out that old book of poems and rediscover the simple language and stories that William Wordsworth gave us - and which he learnt to write here in Holford. Maybe more than that, he encourages us to think more deeply about our own relationship with the natural world of which we are but a part and which we have so undermined since his day.

Wordsworth, Lakeland Poet. Pah! Let’s hear it for Wordsworth, the Quantocks Poet.

(You can buy a copy of Dorothy’s diary, usually as part of her longer Grasmere Diaries, or download it for free from the library. And, for a superb depiction of the impact of their year in the Quantocks read Adam Nicholson’s recently-published The Making of Poetry: Coleridge, the Wordsworths and Their Year of Marvels) 8

Recipe Corner! Leading up to Easter, when this publication will be distributed, is a time of our Lent Lunches and for those that attend, will be provided with some tasty warming soup! Below are a couple of recipes from Ann Steer (Holford) who has made these in the past, thanks to Ann for sending them through to me. Mo (Plomgren)

Carrot and Orange Soup

1oz butter 1 lb carrots, sliced 1 table spoon oil 2 medium onions, chopped ¾ oz plain flour 1 ½ pints of chicken stock Grated rind and juice of ½ an orange Juice of ½ a lemon Salt and pepper

Heat oil and butter in a saucepan, add carrots and onions and cook gently until softened. Sprinkle in the flour and cook for 1 minute. Stir in the stock and bring up to the boil, stirring. Add the orange rind and juice, the lemon juice and salt and pepper to taste. Cover and simmer for about 30 minutes or until the carrots are cooked. Liquidise as usual.

Curried Parsnip Soup

1oz Butter 1small onion (sliced) 1lb Parsnips (peeled and sliced) 2 tspn Curry powder 1 ¾ pints of Stock (I use 2 vegetable Oxo cubes) salt and pepper

Melt butter and add onions and cook until soft but not brown, add parsnips and soften slightly. Add curry powder, seasonings and stock, bring to the boil and then simmer until parsnips are cooked (about 30 minutes) Liquidise as usual.

NEWS FROM YOUR VILLAGE HALL https://holfordvillagehall.org

STOP PRESS In light of the COVID 19 outbreak, all regular societies and clubs have now taken the precaution of cancelling their meetings, for the time being at least. Large gatherings of people are discouraged by the Government. Anyone with a Hall booking in coming months may, therefore, wish to consider their options.

The Hall is a community facility and it will remain open for limited use should very small groups of people or individuals need it. For example: those who currently have to work from home and perhaps have slow broadband - or need to get away from the kids for work. The Hall’s internet speed is around 20 to 30 MBS. We have two meeting rooms - The Fairfield Room and The Green Reading Room.

We have decided, however, that any meetings where people will be in close proximity or involve physical activity cannot be allowed for now. This includes children’s events. Let’s hope we all stay safe and well and that we can return to normal in the not too distant future.

Please contact Emily Heckscher to discuss - [email protected]

CHAIR’S REPORT The Hall gets busier. More people are discovering what a great venue it is for meetings, parties, clubs and talks. So, if you want to book the Hall please don’t leave it too late! Check out availability at https://holfordvillagehall.org/availability/

The Hall is, of course, primarily for local people. The hiring cost for locals is, however, subsidised through commercial hiring. So, we have joined Bridgwater Chamber of Commerce for a trial period of a year to see if we can encourage a few more commercial bookings, especially of the Fairfield Meeting Room. This will be reviewed next year.

Three additional acoustic clouds have been installed in the Main Hall to further deaden the reverberant sound. Two of the clouds were very generously paid for by a Holford resident. You know who you are! Thank you.

Finally, I have to report that the Hall has suffered some damage. One of the handrails on the entrance ramp was driven into, on or around Tuesday 19th or Wednesday 20th February. It was forced backwards towards the building and pierced the wall coating. All of the metal supports were bent out of shape. It was probably simply someone’s bad parking manoeuvre. Nevertheless, it would be nice to think whoever did this might come forward and make a donation towards the cost of repair materials. Hall trustee Mark Kellaway kindly did the repair without charge - thank you Mark! We will put reflectors on the ends of the rails and gate posts to help prevent further occurrences.

PAPRIKA This Balkan band played to a packed house. Inspirational musicians and skilled performers. Electrifying! We had to turn people away. Do make sure you get your tickets for events sooner rather than later. Especially popular Take Art productions.

60+ BY SOMERSET ROAD SAFETY TEAM A very informative talk on how to drive safely for longer, with lots of freebies in addition! TIP - Always stand at the side of a car, not behind it, when helping someone to reverse!

WILL SHAKESPEARE A spellbinding Take Art production by Pip Utton. His portrayal of Will, the man, was totally absorbing. Look out for more Take Art in the hall next winter.

From the Editor Everyone to whom I have spoken agrees that the refurbished village hall is a huge asset to Holford. From the well -established daytime activities to the evening performances. ‘Paprika’ for example, was wonderful. People attending classes no longer have to endure ‘cold feet and hot heads’. A few glitches have been noticed and are being dealt with.

It is worth reminding people of a couple of issues. If you take anything away from the kitchen e.g. tablecloths or tea towels, please make sure you leave a note to say why, where they are and when they will be returned.

The booking procedure is now all on line, managed by Emily Heckscher (Copse Cottage). All bookings, whether regular, occasional or ‘one off’ must be registered with her in advance.

There is a now well- run and organised group for mothers and pre-school children which takes place on Thursday mornings. The new flooring and heating make it a very comfortable place to play, learn and enjoy coffee and company. Chris Mew

Memorial Trees On one of my regular visits today to check on the newly planted trees (all of which appear to be doing well, l think the amount of rain we have had over last few weeks have helped) and checking around the site in general to ensure everything else is ok l noticed something in front of the Memorial stone. Some years ago a number of stones appeared in front the memorial stone most which have poppies painted on them and were positioned in the shape of a heart, l thought that they had possibly been done by children from a local school. In amongst those stones this morning has appeared a painting on one of the stones of a soldier standing in a field of poppies WOW. Erl Plomgren

Holford Parish Council would like your ideas on ways to improve our Parish. There are a number of grants available and your input would be invaluable in helping the Council decide which issues are important to you. Speak to any of the councillors or email [email protected]

Holford Parish Councillors are: Angela Drummond 741 648 Emma Cavendish (Chair) 741 435 Erl Plomgren 741 152 Stephen Campbell 741 329 David Talling 741 116 Mike Copleston 07711 985320 Mo Young 741 249 Clerk : Hema Stanley 07818 015956

Feel free to contact any of the councillors if you have issues to raise. We are here to help. The official Parish Council meeting minutes are available on the PC website www.Holford-pc.gov.uk If you do not have access to the internet you can request a paper copy from the clerk. Please keep these contact details as they may not be published in every future copy of Holford News and Views.

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Chairman’s Report – Parish Council meeting March 9th 2020 Progress is being made on the resolution of the closure of the Portway Play Area. Following the Parish Council’s voting in favour of an proposed upgrade Falcon Housing will shortly be submitting a planning application for the changes that they have suggested. Local residents will have the opportunity to submit their comments on the SWAT Planning Portal when the plans are published.

SWAT has confirmed that the Silk Mills development application has been rejected on a number of grounds. Their report can be reviewed online. The Strawberry Field application has also been rejected by the Planning Authority. Both these decisions support the views of local objectors but may well go to appeal. The Parish Council has made representation to the Planning Authority that if a planning application in the local area goes to full Committee then the meeting should be held in Williton rather than Taunton to allow local objectors to be more easily present.

There is a proposal for a unitary Somerset Council being considered. There appears to be very little agreement amongst the separate councils as to how to move forward on this.

There is an ongoing consultation about how the joint council should address the Climate Change Emergency. Please make your views known online at www.somersetwestandtaunton.gov.uk/climate-emergency/

Legal documentation of the Dog Pound has been confirmed by the Land Registry.

It has been decided that the Parish Council will not ask for street names to be installed in Holford due to some contentious arguments concerning the colloquial vs officially assigned names.

Progress has been made in investigating the ‘Quiet Lanes’ model for Holford. Councillor Copleston will report on this in the meeting and Councillor Young will give an update on the Community Speed Watch project. (Both these reports are detailed within the minutes on the Parish Council website).

The Chairman has reported the erosion of the hedge bank between the Church and the Triangle to the National Trust and a response has been received. An inspection will take place shortly.

Parishioners are to be asked for input on possible grant applications by the PC. This information will be put into the March issue of Holford News and Views.

The Chairman has contacted Natural England to ask for an update on the status of the SSSI sites within our area. Some are currently designated ‘Unfavourable’ which is a matter of concern. Some of the designations are several years old so an enquiry was made as to when there would be new site visits.

After a prolonged period when the Parish Council has had no representation on the Quantock Hills AONB Joint Advisory Committee, an election is to be held in April. Councillor Copleston has offered to stand.

It is understood that an offer has recently been made for the purchase of Alfoxton House. Hopefully once it is sold the deterioration will be halted. Although this was reported in the Guardian this has since not be confirmed by the Agent so may be inaccurate.

If you wish to contact the Councillors or the Clerk please email [email protected] or [email protected] CONUNDRUM What’s On? – Dates for your Diary

Having Events in provided Holford and District Village Hall Unless otherwise stated you with a Bookings : Emily Hecksher T : 741694 nice easy or on line at www.HolfordVillageHall.org pic’ last edition, Events in The Plough Inn will be advertised I’m around the village

continuing the theme As you can imagine, due to the current with Coronavirus epidemic most, if not all, another gatherings have been cancelled. easy one this time. The object can easily Hopefully things will get back to normal be seen from the road and has sooner rather than later been there for many years, so no excuses. Some unknown person tried to demolish the railings outside the village hall, 👨‍👨‍👦‍👦 last edition’s pic’ but thanks to Mark all is now repaired and made even more visible. The Weekly regulars SUSPENDED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE ‘spotters’ last time were Sue Mon Computer Club 10.00 – 12.00 Edwards, Jean & Mike Pearce, Short Mat Bowls – Kilve Village Hall 7.00pm and David Toogood & Jackie Aerobics, Pilates and Stretch 6.30pm rd Watson, well done to all. If you Tues Karate – (ex 3 Tues in month) 6.30 pm (1hr) Wed Music and Movement 2.30pm (1hr) spot the pic’ call me on 741130 Thu Coffee and Play 9.30 – 11.30 for a mention in the next edition. Table Tennis 7.00pm Fri Art Group 10.00 – 1 pm If you spot it give me a call on Craft Group 1.00 – 4pm 741130 for a mention in the Recycling collections every Friday next edition. Mike Richardson Collections a day later after Bank Holidays Refuse collections : February 14th and 28th. Oil delivery Collections a day later after Bank Holidays Time to stock up again? If you have any other unwanted material languishing For those wishing to make use outside your property (ie from building work etc) there is a good recycling centre in Williton open Sat and Sun of the community oil 9am – 4pm, Mon and Tues 9am – 5pm. For larger delivery scheme. amounts of DIY materials charges may apply. Orders will need to be placed by Monday for deliveries in the following week, usually on We hope you have enjoyed this edition Wednesday If anyone has any articles, ideas, news, Please put these dates on snippets etc please do let us have them th your calendar BEFORE the deadline May 9 Mondays : 20th April, 18th May Please send items for the next issue to and 22nd June Christine Mew, Ramblers T: 741437 [email protected] Contact : Please don’t send pdf files – they are designed so that they CAN’T be edited. David Young on 741249 In future these files will be returned to [email protected] sender!