ISLE OF WEDMORE NEWS

March 2020 No. 483

HOUSE PRICES RISING According to Halifax B.S. house price growth increased to 4.1% in January. They reported increased activity in the market reflecting less uncertainty.

One very appealing property just on the market is for sale is Underleaf in Sand Road, Wedmore with a price guide of £825,000

• A substantial family home • Private grounds of about an acre • Walking distance to village centre • Large sitting room • High quality kitchen • Bedroom suite • Potential for further development

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HOUSE PRICES Editorial Would you believe it, it’s March already! Well, at least the days are getting longer and RISING the weather is improving, so a hearty welcome, one and all, to this month’s Edition According to Halifax B.S. house price number 483. Firstly, I am delighted to announce that in addition to Vera’s Verse, I have received growth increased to 4.1% in January. a second ode, a testament to the older tennis players out there, from Bill Haley. Thank They reported increased activity in the you Bill; we now have an entire Poetry Section for your collective enjoyment and market reflecting less uncertainty. cultural furtherance. If anyone has any verses or salty ditties (old Navy expression,

stories, sea stories in particular, the truth of which is not allowed to detract from the One very appealing property just on the market is for sale is humour) they might like to share, then please send them in. Underleaf in Sand Road, Wedmore with a price guide of £825,000 Well we have the usual array of societal meetings, cafés, folk evenings, dancing, working parties, talks, film shows, AGMs, dinners etc which take place each month. So what does March exclusively offer here in Wedmore? Quite a lot actually; both the Guides and Marie Curie need your help, Wedmore strives to become a Dementia • A substantial Friendly Community, a Carbon Emission Offsetting Scheme is launched, we have a family home Repair Café, the Somerset Choral Society invites you to a Workshop in St Mary’s • Private grounds Church, the Theale Flower Show stage a ‘Here Comes Summer Supper,’ whilst details of about an acre • Walking distance of the Wedmore Arts Festival are firmed up. In all, a fair old package of fun to keep to village centre us occupied. Please find full details of everything in the following pages. • Large sitting room • High quality Deadline for April Edition: 1 March 2020 kitchen • Bedroom suite Contact the Wedmore News • Potential for Editorial Copy / Items for Publication further Bill Sutton, Culverhays, 9 Combe Batch, Wedmore BS28 4DU (710475) development Email [email protected]

What’s On Listings and Contact Details for your Club / Organisation Liz Henderson, 12 Church Street, Wedmore. BS28 4AB (01934 713196) Email [email protected]

Photos and Features We have a fresh and new approach to selling with a unique service with Liz Sweeney, Cheddar Road Farm House, Cheddar Rd, Cocklake (710637) Email [email protected] commission rates starting at 0.5% plus vat Advertising Copy Isle of Wedmore News, The Council Rooms, Grants Lane, Wedmore BS28 4EA Call and let us explain why we believe we're the best Email [email protected] (712160) estate agency in the region. Distribution Enquiries John Cousins at [email protected] (712565) Tel:01934 710 220 The Isle of Wedmore News welcomes all contributions and letters. It should be noted however that the views expressed are those of individual contributors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the editors, or or email me personally: [email protected] represent any particular standpoint on the part of the publication. Roderick Thomas Chartered Surveyor Wedmore News is digital! Each edition will be published on The Isle of Wedmore Website, www.theisleofwedmore.net. If you are a contributor who for copyright reasons does not want your entry included, please make this clear when sending it to the editor. The editors also reserve the right to edit or amend any contribution for reasons of space, conformity, legibility or legality.

March 2020 3 I am most grateful to everyone who contributed towards this Edition and a special thank you to our Sponsors. Bill Front Cover It was a wet and windy day when I selected this photo for the front cover, so perhaps the weather influenced my choice. This beautiful winter scene of the wet moors was taken by Peter Churches. News Parish Council Business The first meeting of the New Year was well attended. Cllr David Huxtable, Somerset County Councillor, was in attendance and listened to several complaints from Councillors concerning the ongoing road works in the Wookey area, resulting in a lengthy closure of the Wells Road, resulting in delays and disruption to workers and the 67 bus users. He offered to take up the matter with Bristol Water, the main contractor and other Councillors to see if any alterations to the plan could be made. As I write there have been some amendments to the original planned closure which could see some improvement over the coming weeks. Some residents of Glanville Road expressed concerns that the recently laid yellow lines had been incorrectly placed. This would be passed to the Highways Engineer for further consideration. Members awarded a grant of £1000 to Wedmore Scouts towards the refurbishment of the kitchen at the Wedmore Scout Hut. This money together with another grant from Sedgemoor would enable the much-needed project to proceed. Annual Parish Assembly The Annual Parish Assembly takes place in the Masonic Hall on Wednesday 25 March at 7.30 pm. There is still time to nominate someone or some group to win the Henry Butt Trophy. A decision will be made at the Parish Council meeting on 18 March. Dog Mess Several complaints have been received about the amount of dog mess around the village, particularly around the Memorial Garden in The Borough. These have been forwarded to the Sedgemoor Dog Warden for attention. Rod Pring, Wedmore Parish Council, Grant’s Lane, Wedmore Somerset BS284EA Telephone 713087, email: [email protected] Report from District Councillors Polly attended the Grants Award Sub-Committee. There were four applications totalling £7200, amongst which £2000 was awarded to Wedmore Scout Group to help with the refurbishment of the kitchen. There was £30k left in the pot for the last round

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6 March 2020 of applications in the current financial year and if not spent the money doesn’t roll over, so Polly got busy on social media and had an article printed in the local paper urging people to apply by the beginning of February….she hopes to see some locals at the next meeting. Will was one of three Councillors to sit on a panel to decide who was to take up the position of Assistant Director for Inward Growth and Development, he also attended the Axe Brue Drainage Board Finance committee and Audit and Standards Committee at SDC. Polly chaired two Licensing Panels, the first was Hackney Private Hire driver’s renewals (several drivers had failed to undertake mandatory safeguarding training, and it was our duty to determine whether they were fit and proper to hold their license). Two were surrendered and nine will have been revoked on 31 January unless they attended another safeguarding session that was on 30 January. The second panel was an exempt report and therefore the details cannot be shared. Will and Polly both attended their PC planning meetings and general PC meeting and Polly chaired a PC Highways committee meeting. She also went to the WPAA (Wedmore Play Area Association) and the Adapting the Levels Environmental meeting, which was focussing on Tealham and Tadham moors and she is hoping that a lot more of the Young Farmers attend this really interesting group as it is of great importance to the next generation. Polly spoke against the Strongvox application, especially as it went against everything that the Neighbourhood Plan stands for, but sadly again the planners at SDC seemed to be on the side of the developers. As a result she has asked the chairman of Community Scrutiny at SDC to fully scrutinise why NPs are ignored when so much time and money go into them. Polly organised an open evening at the Parish rooms with the housing association, Livewest, for the Cross Farm development, so locals wanting to find out more about the housing on offer could talk to the staff from Livewest. This was a well-attended event but the results were how terrible the Homefinder Somerset website and process is, so Polly is following this up and hoping to take this issue to the scrutiny committee too! Both had meetings with local residents on various issues within the community, they are always happy to help if they can. Polly and Will

International Spoof Winner 2020 This year’s International Spoof Competition held at The New Inn, Wedmore, attracted 69 entries from far and wide including Gloucester, Godney and Gotham City. Players played in groups of four (8 games per round), and points were awarded for guessing correctly, with the winner and second place going forward into the next round, whilst the loser bought the drinks. The lowest score for the evening was 17 out of a possible 32, by Alex and Jason and the highest score was 24 also by Jason.

March 2020 7 The final comprised of The Joker, Ronnie (2019 champion), Jason and George Willcox This was a knuckle biting affair, with all finalists putting their best hands forward, using their wits and skill to lift the title of this prestigious event. In joint last place was Jason with 17 points (and buying the beers), in third place was George with 19 points, in second place was the 2019 defeated champion Ronnie and in first place (receiving £69) was The Joker from Gotham City with 23 points. Trevor Prideaux Wedmore Repair Café – Saturday 14 March 10 am – 1 pm at Wedmore Village Hall. Help reduce broken items from going to landfill by learning simple fixes and repairs. We will have a host of volunteer menders on hand to help you fix everything from broken zips on clothing to electrical items. If you have a broken household item, bring it along and we’ll try to fix it! We will also have a knife sharpener there (and hopefully a chainsaw expert), so bring your tools and kitchen equipment along to be sharpened. Meet the team and enjoy a cup of tea and delicious homemade cake. Entry and repairs are free but donations are always welcome. Free parking. If you have a particular skill and would like to volunteer as a mender, please email [email protected] Here Comes Summer Supper – Saturday 28 March Theale Flower Show are pleased to announce our next event – ‘Here Comes Summer Supper’ on Saturday 28 March, arrive at 7.00 pm to eat at 7.30 pm! Local chef, Nick Armitage is helping us to plan and cook an amazing three-course meal, there will also be a complimentary glass of wine and, to follow, local thespian, folk singer and all-round entertainer Bernard Coulter is our after dinner speaker! This is the menu: starter of vegetarian antipasti, dips and artisan bread, followed by a main course of braised beef cottage pie and seasonal vegetables or beef and threebean chocolate chilli, jacket potato and salad or a vegan option. Choice of three home-made desserts or cheese and biscuits.

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Redwood Joinery Martin and Rachel welcome you to Prowse Antiques and Interiors 1 Borough Mews, Wedmore

Celebrate nostalgia in all things • Windows • Doors • Bi-Fold Doors useful & beautiful

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10 March 2020 Tickets are £15 each and we will need to know your main course preference when ordering the tickets. In addition to your complimentary glass of wine there will be a bar selling both wine, beer and non-alcoholic drinks. Tickets are limited so please apply quickly and by 16 March at the latest. Call Lesley Luke 01934713176 / email [email protected] or Sheila Badman 01934 710311 Calling All Gardeners in Wedmore – 6 June Would you be willing to open your garden in aid of Weston Hospice Care on 6 June between 10 am and 4 pm please? Teas and coffees and other refreshments will be provided by the Wedmore Friends of Weston Hospicecare at the Bowls Club. If you would be willing to open your garden then please call Shirley Wederell on 01934 712089 or Trish Newell 01934 713117. Wedmore Guides Need Your Help! Wedmore has had an active Girl Guiding unit in the village for over 94 years providing fun and life skills for girls between 10 and 15 years on a weekly basis during school term time. The current leadership team are very keen to continue this fabulous opportunity for our local girls but need some help to do so. We would love to recruit some willing volunteers to join us in running the unit – you don’t need a particular skill set, just a willingness to muck in and have some fun. It doesn’t even need to be every week…just a commitment to come and give us a hand with craft/cooking/games trips and camps. Go on, there is a Girl Guide in us all. Come and join us to ensure that we can continue to run this brilliant unit in the village. Please just give me a call for a chat if you are interested – or pop into the village hall on a Wednesday evening 7pm -8.30pm to see what we get up to. Elaine Tilling Wedmore Guides – Unit Leader 01934 713650 Our Health and Wellbeing In collaboration with Axbridge and Wedmore Medical Practice and Wedmore Parish Council here is this month’s item relating to our health and wellbeing. Wedmore Becoming a ‘Dementia Friendly Community’ We are delighted to announce that we are at the beginning of a process to help Wedmore become a ‘dementia friendly community’. A ‘dementia friendly community’ is a city, town or village where people with dementia are understood, respected and supported. The GP Practice and Wedmore Parish Council, along with the District Council, are supporting this project. Our aim is to include as many individuals, organisations, clubs, churches, shops and businesses in this project as possible. We want people with

March 2020 11 dementia and their carers to feel included and welcomed in every aspect of life in our community of Wedmore. Sometimes we may feel unsure what dementia is, how it affects people and how to communicate effectively with people with dementia. Our project will be designed to help with all those aspects. We want to include people with dementia, their carers and representatives from as many groups as possible to help us become a ‘dementia friendly community’. For more information about a ‘dementia friendly community’ go to https://www.alzheimers.org.uk/get-involved/ dementia-friendly-communities or follow the links to this and other websites at www.theisleofwedmore.net/health. If you would like more information about our project or to become involved please contact Cathy Butterworth by phone 01934 712775 or by email [email protected] Local Volunteers Aim to Increase Dementia Awareness in Cheddar and Surrounding Villages A campaign to tackle the stigma and lack of understanding around dementia is being organised by two locally based Dementia Friends Champions, Anne Bambury and John Wilson. The free information sessions are being held at Cheddar Watersports Club Pavilion, Cheddar Reservoir, on Wednesday 1 April at 2 pm and repeated again at 7 pm. The Dementia Friends programme is organised by Alzheimer’s Society and is the biggest ever initiative to change people’s perceptions of dementia. It aims to transform the way the nation thinks, talks and acts about the condition. There are currently 850,000 people living with this condition in England. The Dementia Friends talks help people learn more about dementia and the small ways anybody can help. From telling friends about the Dementia Friends programme to visiting someone you know living with dementia, every action counts. During the Dementia Friends sessions, there will be information available from Alzheimer’s Society about dementia, local services and how businesses and groups can become more dementia friendly. Each session will last approximately an hour with the chance for people to ask questions and share information. Light refreshments will be available after each session. Visitors will also be able to see sailing taking place on the reservoir and enjoy the club’s facilities. For further information. Please contact: Anne Bambury on 07923 055241 or email [email protected] or John Wilson on 01934 842677 or email [email protected] Music in Mind – Group for People with Dementia and their Carers The forthcoming meeting dates are: 9 and 23 March; 20 April; 4 and 18 May, in the Masonic Hall at 2.15 until 3.30 pm We would be extremely grateful if any local musicians could spare an hour to come and play at any of these sessions please. Your support would be much appreciated. Stella Moore Registered Music Therapist, HCPC 01934 732282

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14 March 2020 New Scheme Encourages Carbon Emission Off-Setting to Benefit Local Green Projects The average UK citizen is responsible for producing approximately 5 tons of CO2 per year. Taking one 10-hour flight can create the same amount again. Local environmental community action group Green Wedmore have launched their own off-setting scheme. Residents can now choose to make a donation to off-set their air travel, with the funds invested into local projects to help the community reach their zero-carbon target. Green Wedmore was formed in 2006 and has worked tirelessly on local environmental projects including running repair cafes; Freecycle days; community litter picks; a community orchard; tree planting; electric car charging points and installing solar panels on community buildings, not to mention being the catalyst for the Wedmore Community Power Co-op. Funds generated from the off- setting scheme will help to continue this work and other similar, new projects. Local independent travel agents 2Js Travel of The Borough, Wedmore are supporting the scheme and helping promote it to their customers. Based in the centre of the village, the award-winning travel agent has been operating since 2002, and owners Joseph Rajkovic and John Wilson have over 50 years combined experience in the industry. Joseph said: ‘We pride ourselves on offering excellent customer service and carbon-offsetting is another area increasingly our clients are asking about.’ Vanessa Becker-Hughes, Chair of Green Wedmore says: ‘We are delighted to have the support of local travel agents 2Js Travel to help spread the word about the scheme.’ If anyone would like to consider off-setting their travel, please take a look at the website and you can be assured that 100% of the donation will be ploughed back

March 2020 15 into local schemes. You can off-set future bookings and even flights already taken. Our Travel web page gives a clear payment structure for the flights you are planning, so donating is easy with payments being made by BACS. Should you decide offsetting is something you want to do, please drop me an email [email protected] so I can thank you. Offsetting can also be used for the many things we buy, so please also consider this option. We would also welcome set monthly donations to enable us to achieve more for our village.’’ More information can be found here: www.greenwedmore.co.uk/Travel.aspx Volunteers needed now for Marie Curie’s Great Daffodil Appeal in Somerset Marie Curie, the UK’s leading charity for people living with a terminal illness and their families, is urgently calling for volunteers in Somerset to give just two hours of their time to hand out the charity’s iconic daffodil pins, in return for donations. Volunteers will be supporting the Great Daffodil Appeal – Marie Curie’s biggest fundraising campaign, held every March. In the next 10 years, more than six million people will die in the UK and of this number 75% will need end of life care. The money raised from the Great Daffodil Appeal will help Marie Curie Nurses provide much-needed expert care to people across Somerset with terminal illnesses, as well as support for their loved ones. To volunteer for Marie Curie’s Great Daffodil Appeal and give out the charity’s daffodils pins in return for donations, please visit mariecurie.org.uk/collect or contact Riona [email protected] or call 0117 9420 429.

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18 March 2020 Wedmore Dance Group We are a group of local people who meet once a week in Wedmore Village Hall to dance! Led by our expert and enthusiastic leader, Viv, who is herself a professional dancer, we are taken through a sequence of steps to explore iconic dances from decades ranging from the 20s to the 70s and beyond. These early years in history embodied a time of rapid social change, including women’s emancipation and multiculturalism and this is very much reflected in the music and dance styles of the time. These dances include The Charleston, Lindy Hop, Big Apple, Turkey Trot, Black Bottom Stomp and Rock n Roll, to name but a few. The music is infectious, upbeat and optimistic with a strong rhythm. Styles include Jazz, Blues, Broadway Musicals, Big Band and Swing. Much laughter along the way is absolutely guaranteed!! There is no age limit to the group, our youngest member is 45 and the oldest is in her 80s! The classes are adapted by Viv to suit the needs and mobility restriction some members might have, such as dodgy knees or ‘arthriticky’ shoulders! For this reason the dances are non-prescriptive and as such, the emphasis is on having fun and expressing creativity! There are opportunities throughout the year to take part in local community events such as Wedmore Street Fair, Glastonbury Frost Fayre and local school events, but there is no compulsion to take part if you don’t want to! The classes are ‘pay as you go’ from 10.30-12pm on Thursday mornings during term time in Wedmore Village Hall, and cost just £5 per session. We are looking to increase our group of men and women in 2020, so come along and see what we are all about...you will have a very friendly welcome. For further information or persuasion (!) please contact Nikki Pryn on [email protected] or by mobile 07519630365 Somerset Choral Society – Come and Sing the Durufle Requem – Saturday 28 March in St Mary’s Church, Wedmore Somerset Choral Society invites Singers of any ability or voice (SATB) to join them in a Choral Workshop to ‘Come & Sing the Durufle Requiem’ from 10.00am to 3.30pm on Saturday 28 March in St Mary’s Church, Wedmore. The doors will open at 10 am for registration and the rehearsal will commence at 10.30am until 12 noon including a refreshment break. There will be a lunch break from 12 noon to 1 pm. The afternoon rehearsal will run from 1 pm to 3 pm including a refreshment break followed by an Informal Performance lasting about 30 minutes. The workshop will be led by their new Musical Director Daniel Cushing and the cost is £10 that will include tea, coffee, squash and biscuits throughout the event. Singers may hire a copy of the score for £3. Participants are advised to either bring a packed lunch or to use the cafes and pubs in Wedmore for lunch. For more information or an application form to take part, please contact ‘Sarah’ at [email protected] or telephone: 01934-742134 or go to www.somersetsingers.co.uk. Somerset Choral Society is a member of ‘Making Music South West’ and you will receive a very warm welcome for what will be a fun day. March 2020 19 Wedmore Methodist Church Quiz Night – Friday 24 April Annual Quiz Night will be held on Friday 24 April in the Schoolroom of Wedmore Methodist Church commencing at 7.30 pm. Nothing too serious! Teams of four. £6.50 per adult to include supper. To book a team telephone Angeline Duckett 01934 712631 or Gwen Fisher 01278 641880 or just turn up on the night. Individuals, please come and join another team. Everyone welcome. St Mary’s Church Flower Festival Date for your diary: St. Mary’s Church, Wedmore are holding a Flower Festival on 11 / 12 July. The theme is ‘What’s on in Wedmore.’ We would like to invite any organisation or business to take part in this by donating towards the cost of the flowers in return for acknowledgement of their organisation or business. If you would like to donate or need any more information, please contact Sarah Willcox 01934 712 342 or Heather Hector on 01934 712478. Wedmore Arts Festival – Speakers with Something to Say! Not too long now until the start of the 2020 Arts Festival – a start with a difference. At 12 noon on Friday 8 May Rebecca Butterworth, a world-renowned make-up artist, will be sharing some of the secrets behind the faces of the stars of stage and screen. Discover what it takes to get a celebrity camera-ready for that famous close-up! Talking of cameras, there’s another innovative event on Sunday 10 May when professional photographer Tony Chau will lead a ‘walking workshop’ round the village, seeking out suitable subjects for the snap-happy, and explaining how to get the most from behind the camera, or indeed from your mobile phone. There’s a completely different kind of workshop on offer on Tuesday 12 May: Tara Arkle is a local poet with a passion for her subject. Tara will work with you to develop poetry skills and see the beauty of poetry through your own eyes, to look at life perhaps a little differently. The following day – Wednesday 13 May – we welcome a speaker who has certainly learned to look at life differently. His story is known throughout the world and he has been inspiring audiences for over 30 years. Simon Weston CBE is a veteran of the Falklands War who speaks about his experiences with irrepressible humour. His infectious enthusiasm and engaging personality have made him one of the country’s most popular speakers – a motivator in the true sense of the word. Tiggi Trethowan, who will be filling the speaker’s slot on Thursday 14 May, also has some moving stories to share. She has been behind the camera for most of her career, responsible for bringing a host of programmes to our screens - from Blue Peter to The Antiques Road Show. The tales she promises are fascinating, funny – and totally unexpected! Of course there will also be drama, music, comedy, song and dance at the Festival. Saturday 9 May: an introduction to the world of classical ballet by Jonathan Payn, First Soloist of Birmingham Royal Ballet, and our newest protégée, young local dancer Innes Oliver.

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* Breakfast * Lunch * Booking Essential * Function Rooms available for hire TEL : 01934 713649 [email protected] www.wedmoregolfclub.com

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22 March 2020 Sunday 10 May: a concert by the Brandon Hill Orchestra featuring our first ‘protégée’, violinist Poppy McGhee. Tuesday 12 May: the one-woman drama Where is Mrs Christie? Wednesday 13 May: a tribute to the greatest legends in the world of Rock and Pop. Thursday 14 May: popular young stand-up comedian Ivo Graham (youngest ever winner of the So You Think You’re Funny award for new acts at the Edinburgh Fringe) takes in Wedmore (between Cardiff and Oxford) on his nationwide tour The Game of Life. And back by popular demand to round it all off - The Dave Hankin Big Band In Full Swing. There is even more in the pipeline so keep an eye on these pages for more information – or join our mailing list to be kept up to date. Find out how at wedmoreartsfestival.co.uk. Wedmore Women Wheelers Wedmore Women Wheelers is a recently established cycling group catering for women of all ages and cycling abilities. The group usually meets on a Sunday morning at Heath House crossroads at 10am. There are often rides on weekdays too. Many members of the group are new to cycling or haven’t cycled for many years. Our rides are led by a club representative and no-one is left behind. Rides vary in length and are mostly on the gentle terrain of the Somerset Levels. The routes are regularly risk assessed for your safety. The group usually stops for refreshments and a chat during a ride. We are a friendly group of ladies and look forward to welcoming you on a ride. More information can be found on Facebook, Instagram, the club’s website: www.wedmorewomenwheelers.weebly.com/ or by emailing [email protected] Advance Notice – Coffee Morning / Plant Sale for Cancer Research My annual May Coffee Morning will be on a different date this year - the May Day Bank Holiday has changed, so my Coffee Morning/Plant Sale for Cancer Research UK will now be on the Spring Bank Holiday Monday, 25 May 2020. 10am -12noon - tea, coffee, cakes, crafts, plants, plants and more plants. Stook House Farm, Littlemoor Road, Mark. The Axbridge and District Museum – 2020: Young People and our Local Story The Axbridge and District Museum is a treasure trove of local artefacts dating from pre-Roman to recent. This year, there will be special opportunities for young people, locals and visitors alike, to enjoy discovering them for themselves. Many fun events are being planned, including an Easter egg-themed treasure hunt and, during school holidays, quizzes and small rewards for ‘young museum detectives’. Summer promises all sorts of activities based on the forthcoming Axbridge Pageant, in August. The museum has a school outreach programme, too. This provides young people with an opportunity to learn more of our rich local history, and to showcase their work in the museum.

March 2020 23 Axbridge and District Museum is located in King John’s Hunting Lodge, Axbridge Square. Open daily from Easter, 1 pm – 4 pm; entrance £2.50. You can use the same ticket all season. National Trust members and under-16s visit free of charge. www.kingjohnshuntinglodge.co.uk Treasurer Required The National Trust-owned King John’s Hunting Lodge in medieval Axbridge Square, is seeking a Treasurer. The ‘District’ refers to the old Rural District of Axbridge which comprises 14 villages, including Brent Knoll, Burnham Without, the Allertons, Cheddar, Compton Bishop, Draycott, Mark, Shipham and Wedmore. The purpose of this community- based, volunteer-run museum, which is under the aegis of a Trust, is to enrich people’s understanding of the culture and heritage of Axbridge and the surrounding area. It is open to the public from 1 April to 31 October each year. If you would like further information, please contact Kate Browne, tel: 01934 733208 or 07780 995636; email: [email protected] IT for the Terrified Are you Terrified of Tablets? Or irritated by iPads? Or Stumped by Samsung? Then why not give us a ring and see if we can help? IT for the Terrified provides help with using tablets, smartphones, cameras, computers, and similar devices on a one to one basis. Each informal session of two hours costs £10 and is tailored to meet the individual’s needs, in a relaxed and friendly way, using their own equipment. Our volunteer trainers can help with most subjects and fully understand that the use of modern technology can be daunting to the newcomer. We can cover android ‘phones, android tablets and iPads, iPhones, Windows and Macs. If you are a beginner getting started or have some experience and need help with something new, please telephone us 01934 741751 as we will need to book an appointment for you. We meet at Cheddar Village Hall next to St Andrew’s church, Church Street, Cheddar, BS27 3RF. Appointments are essential and cost £10 for a two-hour session, but please ask if there is more than one of you or you have any other requirements. Contact us at I.T. for the Terrified: 01934 741751 (usually goes to a answer phone – please leave a message) www.itfortheterrified.co.uk [email protected]

Usually using Cheddar Village Hall, Church Street, Cheddar, Somerset, BS27 3RF Registered Charity No. 1130308: Company No. 06779600 Or if you have any basic skills to share, please get in touch A Day in the Life Are you a local professional or someone involved in running a local organisation in the Isle of Wedmore? Would you like to share some of the things you do or perhaps raise awareness of your organisation? Please contact Liz Sweeney by email, [email protected]. 24 March 2020 (683) ‘BOOMING AREA OPPORTUNITY’ Very Exceptional Renovation Project

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March 2020 25 Somerset Sports Therapy Fitness Clinic We are now open in the heart of Wedmore

We are a bespoke clinic and fitness hub where you can come to, relax and be treated for sports related injuries, chronic pain, restricted and tight muscles, poor posture and rehabilitation, everything that you will need is under one roof. It may be that you have a chronic niggling back ache, sore and tense shoulders, an old sports injury, or have a busy lifestyle and just want to reach your fitness goals and improve your fitness levels.

Treatments that we offer are sports therapy and soft tissue therapy, sports and remedial massage, injury treatment, Somersetrehabilitation, Sports fitness Therapy classes, personal Fitness training, Clinicspinning and Pilates. In the heart of Wedmore

We are delighted to welcome our newest member of the team to the clinic Sarah Brown. Sarah is a soft tissue therapist and available for treatments.

We are a bespoke clinic and �itness hub where you can come to and be treated for sports related injuries, chronic pain, restricted and tight muscles, poor posture and rehabilitation, everything that youBookings will need isby under appointment one roof. It only may be that you have a chronic niggling back ache, sore and [email protected] shoulders, an old sports injury, or have a busy lifestyle and just want to reach your �itness goalswww.somersetsportstherapy.co.uk and improve your �itness levels. fb. somersetsportstherapyfitnessclinic Treatments that we offer are sports therapy, soft tissue therapy, sports and remedial07747798508 massage, injury treatment, rehabilitation, personal training, spin classes and PilatesThe classes Cottage with @Tabitha The GeorgeMorton. Inn BookingsChurch Street, by appointment Wedmore only.BS28 4AB Our evening Spin classes are [email protected] now open for booking. www.somersetsportstherapy.co.uk �b. somersetsportstherapy�itnessclinic 07747798508 The Cottage @ The George Inn, Church Street, Wedmore BS28 4AB (681)

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26 March 2020 Focus on Businesses Jamdega – Making Tech Easy When Chandler Simmons contacted the Wedmore News to start advertising his new business, I wondered what kind of services he was offering to ‘make tech easy’. I found out when I spoke to him last week. Chandler’s given name is in fact Malcolm, but his pals started to call him Chandler after the character in the Friends TV sitcom and it stuck. His family moved around the country when he was young, settling in Cross when he was 14 years old. He attended Kings of Wessex school, but just before he was due to take his ‘A’ Levels, he fell ill. Preferring not to retake the year, he went to work for an electrical company, eventually qualifying as an electrician. After a few years he decided that being an electrician had never been part of his plans, so in 2003 he changed course completely and starting working at a Call Centre for Orange. He worked his way up through the company doing various jobs, ending up on the devices team working with manufacturers of mobiles ‘phones (Samsung, Apple, etc) to ensure that all the ‘phones were compatible with the Orange network. He worked in Paris and travelled round Europe meeting with manufacturers and testing all the ‘phones. From there he moved on to manage the six Orange testing labs around the world. When Orange no longer had a base in the UK (after the merger of Orange UK and T-Mobile UK to become EE) he left to work as a freelancer for EE, designing solutions for their core network. He worked with Corporate customers and emergency services installing and supporting solutions such as a modem in ambulances using telemetry to track the whereabouts of the vehicle. After about two years he met up with a few guys who had worked in Orange and had got together to do device validation for EE. He now manages technical partnerships with manufacturers who are looking at developing devices which will be launched in five to 10 years’ time. He travels a lot but mainly works from home. His new company, Jamdega, came about by chance. Chandler’s sister was managing a project for a company that was building large homes in Kent. However, it was in an area where there was no internet connection available and, to make it worse, poor mobile reception (sound familiar?). Chandler found a solution with an antenna which enabled him to install wifi throughout the home and use a smart system to give priority

March 2020 27 to certain devices/services which needed unbroken streaming (such as Netflix). When set up correctly it is easy to use. Word got around and he was asked to do the same for other clients. He realised that there was a business opportunity for this type of service. Fortunately, he is able to continue his day job while building up his new business. He chose the name Jamdega because years ago his Blackberry device generated the word Jamdega spontaneously, he liked it and has used it since as a social media ‘handle’. Getting a good and fast wifi connection throughout the whole home can be a challenge in some homes, depending on where the router is situated, how thick the walls of the house are, etc. There are various solutions at different costs, but Chandler favours the solution of cabling back to the router. He will look at the house and will test it to make sure it works. He does the installation himself at the moment, so his training as an electrician comes in handy. There are lots of different smart solutions which many of us would find useful, such as remote control of certain appliances and systems. However, Chandler told me that the smart home is a bit of a minefield at the moment as some things work with each other and some don’t. He offers his expertise to help people who know what they want but don’t have the time or perhaps the knowledge to do it themselves, as well as those who are not aware of or haven’t thought about some useful solutions which could make life easier, save money or energy. In his own home he uses many technical solutions, which include programming the internet to shut off at certain times (his kids’ bedtime) and using sensors for all the lights to avoid wasting electricity. Liz Sweeney Do You Run a Business in the Parish? Then how about telling our readers more about yourself? Who are you? What is your business? Are you from the Wedmore area? If not, where did you come from? What motivated you to start, take over or carry on the business? If you would like to share your story, send an email to [email protected] or [email protected] and I will contact you for a short interview. Liz Sweeney Reports and Society Updates St Mary’s Church 100 Club It is hard to believe that by the time you read this we will all be thinking about spring! The first draw in 2020 brought good news for Miss Betty Morgan with ticket number 2 and Bill and Gill Litherland with ticket number 48. In the draw for February Alan and Jean Windridge’s ticket was first out of the hat (number 7) and Mrs Romey Williams second with ticket number11. Wedmore WI At our first meeting of 2020, held at the new time, in the afternoon of the 4th Wednesday of the month, Jill welcomed several visitors and new members. The Resolutions for the AGM in London were discussed and skin cell donation registration was selected. After the wildfires in Australia

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www.thesomersetsausagecompany.co.uk E-Mailwww.thesomersetsausagecompany.co.uk [email protected] J.P.Baker & Sons Ltd. E-Mail [email protected] 01934 712311 Tel 01934 712311 ( FAMILY BUTCHERS ) ½ Pigs for your freezer Gloucester Old1/2 Spot Pigs pork fromfor ouryour own “Orchardfreezer Farm” Cocklake. THE BUTCHERS COTTAGE , CHURCH STREET ,WEDMORE Cut , bagged and delivered SOMERSET . BS28 4AB Gloucester Old Spot£115 pork from our own “Orchard Farm” Cocklake. Purveyors of quality meat and game Hog Roasts Cut , bagged and delivered D.I.Y - Cooked and delivered for you to carve. Whole or half Home-Made Award Winning Sausages £115 Local Wedmore Lamb & Beef The Full Monty – Cooked, delivered and carved with all the trimmings. Home Produced Gloucester Old Spot Pork Also Hogavailable, Roasts catered B.B.Q’s (Please call for prices) (221) “Local Rural Produce, D.I.Y - Cooked and delivered for you to March 2020 carve. Whole or half 29 just as it should be” The Full Monty – Cooked, delivered and carved with all the trimmings.

Tel Jim or Mike on 01934 712311 Also available, catered B.B.Q’s ( Please call for prices)

Sedgemoor District Council fund a home improvement loan scheme for homeowners and landlords*. We understand the expense of maintaining your home. We want to help you to take the stress out of funding repairs, improvements or adaptations to your home. We see you as an individual, not a credit score. For a free, no obligation home visit or more information: Contact Wessex Resolutions CIC on 01823 461099 or visit www.wessexresolutions.org.uk *Subject to eligibility

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(467) Karen Larsen MCSP, BSc Hons Physiotherpy The Surgery St Medard Road Wedmore BS28 4AY [email protected] Wedmore Physiotherapy 0751 5532808 Treatment of • Back and neck pain • Sports Injuries • Joint problems and arthritis • Orthopaedic rehabilitation • Acupuncture • Work station assessment

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30 March 2020 we have had a request for knitted pouches for baby kangaroos and mittens for koalas; the pattern will be on line. Our speaker was the local historian and our Secretary, Hazel, who told us about local people who were in trouble with the law in the past. Her research was gleaned from reports from Magistrates Courts, the Axbridge Assizes and old newspapers. In 1335 AD two girls were convicted of ‘fornification’ at the Bishop’s Court in Wells. Their penance was to walk around Banwell Church in bare feet. It was noticeable that their partners were not punished. There were several reports of burglaries, the punishment for which was hard labour. As time went on several local people were transported to Van Diemen’s Land for minor thefts, some for as long as 15 years. There are still many people with the same family surnames living locally today. We ended the afternoon sitting around tables, chatting and having tea and cake, which made for a very sociable end to the meeting. Our next meeting is on Wednesday 25 March at 2.30pm in the Masonic Hall when our speaker will be Richard Rainsford whose subject is ‘Milestones,’ the competition is a picture of an unusual signpost. Visitors will be very welcome. Diana Rocky Wedmore First School Launches ‘Save our Pool’ Crowdfunding Initiative The Wedmore First School Parent Teacher Association (PTA) has launched a fund-raising initiative in an attempt to commission urgently needed repairs to the Wedmore community swimming pool located on the school grounds. The pool is desperately in need of quite costly maintenance work before it can re-open this summer with specialists advising that it cannot open until this work has been undertaken. The pool, which is a valued community asset, provides facilities for the school children from reception to year 4 to learn to swim, and socialise. Additionally, it is open throughout the summer holidays for local people to use for a small entrance fee, providing a valuable facility for those who may not otherwise be able to access a pool. It is bookable for children’s parties and also utilised by the schools ‘out of school holiday club’. A crowd funding page for any donations to the ‘Save our Pool’ fund has been set up. If you would like to donate, this can be done via the web link below, or alternatively, via cheque payable to ‘Wedmore First School PTA,’ our address is Blackford Road, Wedmore BS28 4BS. Please indicate the donation is for the ‘Save our Pool’ fund. Thank you. www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/wedmore-community-pool Nicole Rossiter

March 2020 31 Green Wedmore Next Meeting, Monday 2 March 7.30pm at The Function Room, the Swan Please note our new, earlier start time. After the usual business, March’s meeting will focus on individuals’ carbon calculation. Need help deciding the best way to reduce your carbon emission in 2020? Come along, bring a laptop and run through a carbon calculator with help provided. This will show where your emissions are highest and some ideas on how to reduce them. If you’d like to join the mailing list or the Facebook group, please email [email protected] FreeCycle Event Sunday 5 April 10 am – 12 pm Village Car Park, Worthington Close Come along and exchange unwanted items to local members of the community. Think ‘car boot sale’ but where no money changes hands! A great way to recycle your unwanted items and find them a new home. Perhaps odd bits that aren’t suitable to donate to a charity shop, but too good to throw away - could someone make use of your half tin of paint, your unwanted plant pots or an odd chair? If you’re planning a spring clean of your home, loft, shed or garage, this is the ideal way of keeping items from landfill. ‘Givers’ please arrive at the car park and follow instructions from the volunteers for where to set up. All unclaimed items must be taken away by the owners at the end. Club 50 – 2020 Programme of Coach Outings and Events 15 April - Exeter 20 May - Bicton Gardens 17 June - Weymouth 16 September - Bourton on the Water and Stow on the Wold 21 October - Salisbury 18 November - Tea and Speaker on Seafarers 16 December - Christmas Lunch The cost for members is £15 and £20 for guests. We leave the Cheddar Road Car Park at 9.15 am. Bellringers’ Update Thank you to all those parishioners who enjoy or at least tolerate our efforts Sunday mornings and during our practice sessions on Monday evenings. I am very pleased to report that from a position a year ago when we struggled to get a band together on a Sunday morning we now have thirteen ringers of varying ability which enables us to support weddings and other memorable events like Armistice Day. Richard Neil kindly chaired our recent meeting at the George Inn where the photograph was taken; we had 100% attendance so were able to record the full complement from the tower. Congratulations to Touche and George who were examined and gained entry into the Branch. George gained his Duke of Edinburgh bronze medal with bell ringing as a project, he is now going for the silver award.

32 March 2020 (482) J.C. BETHELL Nigel Annett’s FENCING Buildings Repair & SERVICES Maintenance Service DOMESTIC AND STOCK FENCING CARPENTRY Working with Somerlap Timber products PAINTING, ETC Shed bases and decking For friendly advice on all those small jobs the larger builder doesn’t want Hand Rails Telephone 07855 763 506 OR NIGEL ANNETT on 01934 710 708 01934 713219 [email protected] Over 40 years ’ experience (357)

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March 2020 33 Wedmore iT Expert Advice in Plain English

For all your computer related needs. Home and business calls welcome; no job too large or small.

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For a prompt, reliable and friendly service please call: Peter Holmes on 01934 733361 or 07876 652200 or email: [email protected] Or visit our website: wedmoreit.co.uk

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34 March 2020 Phil has done a magnificent job training the team, and has recently accepted three new trainees. The youngest, 14 years old, will also be doing bell ringing as part of the Duke of Edinburgh bronze award scheme. Finally, for those who find the sound of the bells irritating you may be pleased to hear that we will be taking a break from training any further recruits so our ringing at Monday practices will become more melodious as the year progresses.

From left to right back row is - Phil Jeans, John Morecroft, Alistair Smith, George Ellis, Touche Hogben, Steve George, Barrie Hendry, Suzie Wilkinson, Charlie Wilkinson, David Cole Front row- Marion Warren-Smith, Glenise Bunn, Richard Neil, Pat Hendry, Anne Sanderson. Steve George - Tower Captain Theale Community Film Club – Theale Village Hall Theale Community Film Club is open to new membership for 2020. We meet once a month on a Sunday evening at 7pm (earlier for family films). We have comfortable chairs, HD projection on a big screen with a seven-surround sound system. Annual membership fee is £16 each January, later membership is available at a reducing price. This covers the cost of entrance and tea / coffee, plus there are great ice creams on sale. Call 01934 713176 / 712144. Here is the film choice for the next two months: 22 March – Tolkien 19 April – Lion King We hope you can come and join us Wedmore Gardening Club We started 2020 with ‘Gardens of the Rich and Famous’, which was a really entertaining and professionally-presented evening by David Moon with famous gardens as well as those of the rich and famous. A really great start. On 24 March Christine Stones will be speaking about ‘The Plant Hunters’. As I’ve written previously, it is because of these intrepid adventurers that we have such a variety of plants in our gardens today. Another interesting evening to look forward to. March 2020 35 On 28 April the topic is ‘Wicked Plants’ by Marion Dale. Not quite sure what to expect, but it sounds intriguing and I’m looking forward to it already. All meetings are held in the Masonic Hall and begin at 7.30 pm when members and guests will be most welcome, so come along and enjoy an evening with this thriving club. Jean Windridge Cheddar Vale Lions Club News Although January was quiet, we still had grants to give out to support a couple of very worthwhile ventures: The first was the presentation of a grant to The Café in Cheddar. They have changed the way the café is managed and it is now very much a community hub in the village, being run by a new team, Hannah and Neil, who are determined to keep it going with the help of volunteers. Cheddar Vale Lions awarded them a grant of £400 to help them along the way and get a new start to 2020. We wish them every success for the future. (photo 1). Do go in and say hello, have a coffee and you will find a very welcoming atmosphere and locals to chat to. Please support them. The second was to an organisation called “Ups & Downs”, a Down Syndrome support charity who aim to support children and their families. The Club received a wonderful letter from a young boy supported by this organisation as he was to be part of a team they have entered for the Ten Tors challenge. Each member of the team needed to raise an amount to help with their equipment and training. The Club, therefore, granted him £50 to help him along the way and met him at their training day on the Quantocks to present him with the cheque. We were really impressed with Sam and will be following his progress through the challenge. (photo 2).

36 March 2020 Open 7 days a week: Mon to Sat – 10am to 4pm & Sunday – 11am to 3pm We are next door to Ollie’s Cafe/ Bristol Road Brent Knoll, Somerset TA9 4HJ Email: [email protected] Call: 01278 760 800

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March 2020 37 What’s On in the Parish March 2020 2 - Mon Green Wedmore Meeting 7.30pm The Swan 3 - Tues Wedmore Tuesday Club 10.30 - 2.30pm Wedmore VH Wedmore Young Farmers 7.30pm The George Inn 4 - Wed Camelot Quilters 10.30 - 12noon Wedmore VH Mark and Wedmore Conservatives AGM 7:00pm The George Inn 6 - Fri Mr Punch’s Folk Club - Open Mic 8.00pm The Panborough Inn 8 - Sun Holy Trinity Church Breakfast 8.30am Blackford VH 9 - Mon Music in Mind 2.15 - 3.30pm Masonic Hall 10 - Tues Wedmore Tuesday Club 10.30 - 2.30pm Wedmore VH 11 - Wed Blackford Cafe 2 - 4pm Blackford VH Probus 10.15am Wedmore golf club 12 - Thur Talking Cafe 10 - 12 noon Nanny Ida’s Cafe 13 - Fri The Tea Set 3.00pm St Mary’s Church 14 - Sat Wedmore in Bloom work party 9.30am The George Inn Theale community Cafe 10 - 12 noon Theale VH Green Wedmore Repair Café 10 am - 1pm Wedmore VH 17 - Tues Wedmore Tuesday Club 10.30 - 2.30pm Wedmore VH Wedmore Young Farmers 7.30pm The George Inn 18 - Wed Camelot Quilters 10.30 - 12noon Wedmore VH Club 50 Tea and Speaker 2.30pm Masonic Hall Parish Council Meeting 7.30pm 20 - Fri Coffee for All at Wedmore Methodist Church 10.30 - 12noon Methodist Church Mr Punch’s Folk Club Open mic 8.00pm Panborough Inn 22 - Sun Theale Film Club - Tolkien 7.00pm Theale VH 23 - Mon Music in Mind 2.15 - 3.30pm Masonic Hall 24 - Tues Wedmore Tuesday Club 10.30 - 2.30pm Wedmore VH Wedmore Gardening Club talk - The Edible Garden 7.30pm Masonic Hall Friends of St Mary’s AGM and Skittles Evening New Inn 25 - Wed Wedmore WI talk by Linda Wright 2.30pm Masonic Hall Probus 10.15am Wedmore golf club 26 -Thur Isle of Wedmore Society - talk by Alan Grey 7.30pm Masonic Hall 28 - Sat Here Comes Summer Supper 7.00pm Theale VH

38 March 2020 What’s On in the Parish March 2020 REGULAR WEEKLY EVENTS MONDAY Fitness2Unique 9.15am Blackford VH Lisa 07977 415799 Wedmore Knitting & Quilting Group 9.30am Scout Hut + Julia Jones 01934 713021 Pilates 6.30pm Blackford VH Tabitha 07977 362817 Art Group 2 - 4pm Wedmore VH Chris Midford 01749 712522 Beavers 5.30pm Scout Hut + Bill Belshaw 01934 712438 Yoga with Anna 6.45pm Wedmore VH Anna MacGregor 07587 703883 Bridge Club 7.00pm Bridge Club Steve Pedrick 01934 712852 Scouts 7.15pm Scout Hut + Bill Belshaw 01934 712438 Fitness2Unique 8.00pm Blackford VH Lisa 07977 415799 TUESDAY Chair Yoga 10.00am The Swan + Jo Willis 07552 711101 Fitness2Unique 9.15am Blackford VH Lisa 07977 415799 Little Lambs 9.15am - 11.15am Little Lambs + Jane Bewick 01934 713745 Tuesday Club 10.30am Wedmore VH Angela Mills 01934 712607 50+ Dance Class 10.00am Wedmore VH Rhian Weston 07854 594268 Acting Up Drama Club 3.45pm Wedmore VH + Lou Merryfield 07973 429947 Cubs 6.30pm Scout Hut + Bill Belshaw 01934 712438 Circuit Training 7.30pm Blackford VH Nigel 07775 682231 Yoga with Anna 8.30pm Wedmore VH Anna MacGregor 07587 703883 Fitness2Unique 8.00pm Blackford VH Lisa 07977 415799 WEDNESDAY Fitness2Unique 9.15am Blackford VH Lisa 07977 415799 Rainbows 4.30pm Wedmore VH + Gail Millard 01934 713922 Brownies 6.15pm Wedmore VH + Sue Moreman 01934 710278 Guides 7.00pm Wedmore VH + Elaine Tilling 01934 713650 Yoga 8.00pm Blackford VH Sandra Mailey 01934 712686 PilogaFit 10.30-11.30am Wedmore VH John Beasley 01749 672482 Pilates 9.15- 10.15am Blackford VH Tabitha 07977 362817 Tai Chi 12.15-1.15pm Wedmore VH John Beasley 01749 672482 THURSDAY Yoga 10.00am Scout Hut Shane Allen 01275 790175 Pilates 9.15am Blackford VH Tabitha 07977 362817 Wedmore Dance Group 10.30am Wedmore VH Nikki Pryn 07519 630365 Ballet Classes 4.00pm Bristol Ballet Centre + bristolballetcentre.co.uk Cubs 6.30pm Scout Hut + Bill Belshaw 01934 712438 FRIDAY Fitness2Unique 9.15am Blackford VH Lisa As above Tots and Tinies 9.15am Wedmore First School + Jo Page 01934 710431 Wedmore Art Group 2.00pm Masonic Hall + Jim Collett 01934 712663 Kettleclass 7.30pm Blackford VH Rosie 01749 870328 SATURDAY Pilates 7.00am Blackford VH Tabitha 07977 362817 + Not taking place during school holidays

March 2020 39 Wedmore Bed & Breakfast

Orchard Farm, Cheddar Road, Cocklake, Wedmore, Somerset. BS28 4HS www.thesomersetsausagecompany.co.uk Bringing a taste of the West Country to Wedmore [email protected] 01934 712311 A food gem in the heart of Somerset offering a fabulous array of local Artisan HALF PIGS for your FREEZER Cheese, Charcuterie and Deli goods and gift hampers Gloucester Old spot Pork from our own “Orchard Farm” Cocklake. Fully licensed Café and Garden serving delicious home-made Food including light Cut bagged and delivered Bright Spacious Bedrooms with private lunches and cakes £115 Each bathroom. Pretty garden. Peaceful and HOG ROASTS Andrea Brenner at Pumpkin also provides high quality outside catering, including relaxing. Just a stone’s throw from canapés, buffets, catering for dinner parties and weddings DIY - Cooked and delivered for you to carve. Wedmore’s amazing pubs and shops. Whole or Half. Wedding Cheese Cake specialists The Full Monty - Cooked, Delivered and carved For great rates and more information with all the trimmings. Monday to Saturday 8.30am to 5pm 07557 912 468 Also available catered B.B.Q’s The Borough Mall, Wedmore, BS28 4EB www.pumpkinwedmore.co.uk 01934 713 289 ( please call for prices) [email protected]

(380) The Dining Room (430) Wedmore 01934 710080 At Roderick Thomas we have over 35 years experience in promoting & selling properties. Open 7 days a week, serving local and home produced good quality food. We have professionally qualified valuers and are registered with the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors. We are open for morning coffee, light lunches and afternoon teas. The dining room is available for private parties, also outside catering for all types of events. We offer a unique service, putting a very strong emphasis on high quality marketing materials and frequent communication with buyers and sellers. We are also fully licensed, so why not have a glass of wine with your lunch We pride ourselves on being friendly, approachable and professional and believe that these or Prosecco with afternoon tea! qualities lead to the high number of sales we are achieving.

Forthcoming events Opening times Please contact us if you are considering selling for a no obligation conversation. Pre Opera Supper Monday to Saturday 9.30am - 4.00pm th Wells Castle Cary Wedmore Wednesday 8 July 2015 Sunday 12.00pm - 3.00pm Tel: 01749 670079 Tel: 01963 351993 Tel: 01934 710220 Friday 10th July 2015 [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] Saturday 11th July 2015 Wedmore 5.00pm onwards 01934 710080 www.roderickthomas.co.uk

40 March 2020 Isle of Wedmore Society – Report of January Meeting As usual we opened our new year of talks with one by Hazel Hudson entitled ‘Destitute and ill’ (in Wedmore 200 years ago). Elizabeth I brought in the Poor Laws and how the poor were treated in Wedmore 200 years ago was certainly very different from today. There was a Poor House situated to the west side of the church gates and four overseers were appointed by a JP (Justice of the Peace) to check that the records (which were started in 1701) of the sick were in order. We had doctors from about 1640 and although the less well-off had their treatment subsidised, many patients had to pay. Dr Westover was appointed by the overseers about this time and he charged 2 shillings and sixpence per visit. Those who were eligible for free treatment had to wear the letters PW on their clothes to confirm this. Nearby Mark did not have a doctor so he had to travel around the neighbourhood on horseback. The itch or scabies as it was known was widespread and in 1716 smallpox was treated with venom injected with a needle! A certain William Hodges, a destitute member of his family, had a leg amputated and was treated for six months - a person was paid 7 shillings and sixpence for making him a false leg and he survived for a further six months. A Dr Glanville (after whom the road in the village was named) was here for many years and eventually the Poor House was knocked down in 1843 and patients were transferred to the Workhouse in Axbridge. £1000 of pounds were paid out to look after the poor and they were well treated and Wedmore was better served with doctors than the surrounding areas. So much has changed since the NHS was started in 1948 and perhaps we are all better off in 2020!!? Thanks to Hazel for another illuminating talk - how many more will she give us? Chris Edwards Mendip Rotary Brings Hope to Ugandan Village A Rotary project in Ndwaddemutwe, Uganda, being funded and managed by the Rotary Club of Mendip and other local clubs, is now in the second year of a three- year initiative. Already Medical Camps have been organised in this rural area, a water well is providing clean water for the first time, the school rooms have been refurbished, and water storage tanks and latrines are shortly to be provided. A micro- loan system is now operating

March 2020 41 enabling businesses to be formed as a part of the effort to make inhabitants self– sufficient. The latest Medical Camp was a tremendous success with 957 people attending and being treated for wide range of conditions such as cervical and breast cancer screening; HIV testing; eye care; dental care; safe male circumcision; hepatitis and general clinical conditions. The ages of patients stretched from babies to those in their eighties, with the largest group, approximately 25%, being aged between one and 10 years. All were grateful to the 29 doctors, nurses and specialists from local hospitals who Rotary had arranged to attend. The professionals were nearly overwhelmed with demand which also included screening for blood pressure, malaria, diabetes, body mass and blood group. A great deal of hard work was undertaken by the local Rotary Club of Kampala Sunrise working in cooperation with the Mendip Club. Rotary gets things done and new members are always welcome. If you would like further information about the project contact [email protected]

42 March 2020 Church Street, Wedmore, Somerset BS AB Tel

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44 March 2020 Local RNLI News On Saturday 25 January twenty-one teams took part in our RNLI Super Quiz in Shipham Village Hall; our first fund raising event for 2020. Tina’s Ploughman’s Supper got the highest score of the evening and the most praise. However, the Quiz winners were ‘The Quizzy Rascals.’ The final total from the team fees, bar, raffle, auction and loose change jars was £1,777. Local Launches in January 2020 has seen a quiet start with just two launches (Minehead – 1 and Portishead – 1). However, analysis for the Somerset Lifeboat Stations for the whole of 2019 reveals that they responded to 133 operational call-outs and launches (Burnham-on-Sea – 25, Minehead – 34, Portishead – 35 and Weston-super-Mare – 39), an average of 11 launches each month, indicating how important the RNLI is to our county coastline and river estuaries. Weather Report for January 2020

RAINFALL Monthly total 69.6 mm (2.74 ins) 30-year average 74.4 mm (2.93 ins) Wettest day (9th) 18.4 mm (0.72 ins) No of dry days 20 Last 3 months (Nov - Jan) 267 mm (10.53 ins) Year ending 31 Jan 2020 918 mm (36.15 ins) 30-year annual average 805 mm (31.70 ins)

TEMPERATURES Maximum (14th) 13 °C (55.4 °F) Minimum (21st) -5 °C (23.0 °F) Number of air frosts 5 Monthly average maximum 8.4 °C (47.1 °F) 30-year average maximum 8.0 °C (46.4 °F) Monthly average minimum 2.9 °C (37.2 °F) 30-year average minimum 2.4 °C (36.3 °F)

COMMENTS Rainfall 6% below average, with temperatures warmer than usual. Denley Brown

March 2020 45 Poetry Section Mother Said - Vera’s Verse for March

Mother said: ‘You must have a decent dressing gown To honeymoon with your wife.’ So she bought it in a Park Street Bristol posh shop And when it was needed It lasted him for life. Vera Banwell The Veterans’ Tennis Match by Bill Haley Our four had lived two hundred and sixty years. Our cares were light, and time carried no blight On this spring day for tennis. Each side won two matches. In sets our total exceeded theirs by one, Meaning we had won. The eight players sat in the clubhouse and had soup and bread. After tea and cake the visitors left for Minehead. Shutting the door our youngest commanded, ‘Come on, a victory dance.’ And all four pumped knees, swung arms and sang ‘We won. We won. We won.’ The first victory in two years for Wedmore’s second vets. The day before I had stopped to watch lambs play By the rhyne at Kingsway. Humankind has its graces. Sheep have no vices, but only as lambs do they have dances. Bill Haley Forthcoming Events Green Wedmore Meeting – Monday 2 March At The Swan at 7.30 pm, please note the earlier start time. Mark and Wedmore Conservatives AGM – Wednesday 4 March Members of the Mark and Wedmore Branch of Wells Conservative Association are invited to the Annual General Meeting which will take place on Wednesday 4 March 2020 in the George Hotel, Wedmore, starting at 7.30 pm. Mr Punch’s Folk Club at the Panborough Inn – Friday 6 March 8 pm, Open Mic at the Panborough, all welcome. 46 March 2020 (659) (661) Peter the Painter PREMIER FABRICATION LTD M M OFFERING: • Wrought iron decorative  HOMES INSIDE AND OUT and ornate gates (both  GARDEN FURNITURE electrical and manual)  SHEDS • Bespoke handrails  FENCES • Ornamental railings  FREE QUOTES • Custom-made staircase

Tel: 01934 756633 Unit 8, Labourham Business Park, Draycott Road, Cheddar, Somerset BS27 3RP

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March 2020 47 The Valley Smokehouse Ltd. At Wheatsheaf Inn Stone Allerton Established 1989  Kitchen Store selling our own smoked food and local produce.  Coffee Shop serving Tea and Coffee.  Pre-order Service available for your dinner party; smoked fish, smoked meat, charcuterie, parfaits, terrines, artisan bread, cheese, desserts and cakes. Give us a call on 01934 712346 to discuss requirements. Kitchen store open; Tuesday – Friday 10.00 am – 5.00 pm Saturday 10.00 am – 12.00 pm Coffee shop open; Tuesday – Friday 10.00 am – 3.00 pm Saturday 10.00 am – 12.00 pm

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WE’VE LANDED IN WEDMORE!

WE LOVE MUSIC AND FOOD AT THE MUSIC PANTRY, AND YOU WILL FIND A WORLD OF FRESHLY PREPARED, HOME-MADE (AND MOSTLY ORGANIC) PLANT BASED CREATIONS INSPIRED BY CUISINES FROM AROUND THE WORLD, PAIRED WITH BESPOKE MUSIC PLAYLISTS AND LIVE ACTS. WE PROVIDE A UNIVERSAL EXPERIENCE AND CATER TO ALL TASTES, REGARDLESS OF WHETHER YOU FOLLOW AN OMNIVOROUS DIET, ARE A FLEXITARIAN, VEGETARIAN OR VEGAN, OR REQUIRE GLUTEN FREE FOOD. WE HAVE BEEN DELIVERING POP-UP MUSIC AND FOOD EXPERIENCES AROUND THE SOUTH WEST SINCE 2014, BUT RECENTLY FELL IN LOVE WITH THE VILLAGE AND HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO TAKE ON THE LEASE FROM THE DINING ROOM. WE ARE A FABULOUS CHOICE IF YOU LOVE MUSIC, WISH TO HAVE A MEAT FREE DAY, WOULD LIKE TO FIND OUT ABOUT PLANT BASED FOOD OR SIMPLY LOVE TASTY, FRESH MEALS OUT WITH AWESOME MUSIC TO BOOT! CHECK OUT OUR FACEBOOK PAGE (@FROMTHEMUSICPANTRY) FOR DETAILS OF OUR UPCOMING EVENTS AND THEMED NIGHTS INCLUDING OUR FIRST ‘WEDMORE SECRET SESSIONS’ WITH LOCAL ACCLAIMED BAND SHOTO-DAITO AND ACCOMPANYING JAPANESE BANQUET, BURNS WEEKEND, VALENTINES DINNER WITH SEASONED LOCAL MUSICIAN LIAM HOWARD PERFORMING AN INTIMATE SET OF THE BEST IN ALTERNATIVE LOVE SONGS AND THE LAUNCH OF WEDMORE’S OWN OPEN MIC NIGHT. TEL: 01934 707660 - THE BOROUGH WEDMORE BS28 4EB (682)

48 March 2020 Wedmore in Bloom – Saturday 8 March Meet outside The George Inn at 9.30am, all welcome. The Tea Set – Friday 13 March 3 – 4.30 pm, the Lady Chapel at St Mary’s Church, cake and informal chat. Theale Community Café – Saturday 14 March At Theale Village Hall from 10 am to 12 noon. Green Wedmore Repair Café – Saturday 14 March 10 am to 1 pm at Wedmore Village Hall. Club 50 – Wednesday 18 March 2.30pm in the Masonic Hall. We will have a talk by Cherry Dunstan on ‘Alopecia’ (Hair Loss) followed by tea and cake. On 15 April we will start the popular coach trips with a visit to Exeter. Further details from Heather Banwell 01934 712216 Coffee for All – Friday 20 March 10.30 am - 12.00 noon at Wedmore Methodist Church. Everyone welcome. ‘Coffee for All’ is a monthly event held on the third Friday in the month. ‘Socialise over coffee’ - families and individuals come along and enjoy complimentary tea or coffee and cake. Well behaved pets are also welcome. Mr Punch’s Folk Club at the Panborough Inn – Friday 20 March 8 pm, Open Mic at the Panborough all welcome. Theale Film Club – Sunday 22 March Tolkien - 7pm, Theale Village Hall Wedmore WI Meeting – Wednesday 25 March At 2.30pm in the Masonic Hall when our speaker will be Richard Rainsford whose subject is ‘Milestones,’ the competition is a picture of an unusual signpost. Visitors will be very welcome. Isle of Wedmore Society Meeting - Thursday 26 March The March meeting will take place in the Wedmore Masonic Hall at 7.30pm. The speaker will be Alan Grey who will give a talk on ‘Mines & Caves of Mendip,’ being the history and geology of the Mendip’s caves and mines. Members free, Visitors £4 with free tea/coffee afterwards. Contact Ian Tomes on 01934 710390. Wedmore Gardening Club Talk – Tuesday 24 March ‘The Plant Hunters’ by Christine Stones. 7.30 pm at the Masonic Hall. Theale Flower Show ‘Here Comes Summer Supper’ – Saturday 28 March At the Theale Village Hall, doors open at 7.00, eat at 7.30 pm. Wedmore Methodist Church Quiz Night – Friday 24 April

March 2020 49 The Crossword: Number 35 By greendandelion

ACROSS: DOWN: 1 Bolt dispatcher sounds like an angry violin player (8) 2 Noise used to good effect in tennis (6) 6 Wound fifty before sound echos (6) 3 The final decision maker in a game of cricket (5) 9 How to get to the bottom of the computer (6) 4 We leave Willie surrounded by Shakespeare’s game on 10 Southern musical instrument for lady of the night (8) a table (9) 11 Screen broadcast (8) 5 Wend the way to London’s upmarket district (4,3) 12 M. Poirot task is primarily to double endeavours to 7 One day pluralised now and then (9) establish crime time. (6) 8 Top covering on a layer of paint (8) 13 Both comrades wounded in action (4,2,6) 13 Catholic clergy’s pecking order (9) 16 Bash a course about pressure to get the paperwork that 14 Pat took corner and turned into responsible member of ensures someone appears in court (6,6) the company (2-7) 19 Trousers duck on board (6) 15 Impure air etc. abets the return of nasty bugs (8) 20 Account for the carpet will turn marriage to bitterness 17 Orca in a muddle over an instrument that needs fingers (8) to play (7) 22 Dark green helps little brother sort out colic (8) 18 Put a house next door to lady by the river (6) 23 When it comes to sex it is neither one nor the other (6) 21 One thousand foundlings throw off a heap (5) 24 Wild cat circles a right throat piece (6) 25 Built a structure over the river after a shortened version (8) Answers at the rear of publication.

50 March 2020

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March 2020 51 (096) (004) C.V. Gower & Son INDEPENDENT FAMILY N C TUCKER FUNERAL DIRECTORS BUILDING CONTRACTOR

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 Accident Claims  Divorce and Family  Attorneyships & Ct. of Protection  Employment Advice  Commercial Property  Moving Home, Conveyancing  Commercial Litigation  Probate & Estate Services  Disputes & Debt Recovery  Wills, Trusts & Tax planning

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52 March 2020 Events Taking Place Outside the Parish Cheddar Baby Book Club – Mondays At the Cheddar Library from 10.45 am to 11.15 am, for babies to pre-school children. Bookings can be made in person at Cheddar Library or call 0300 123 2224 or email [email protected] Craft and Sewing at Cheddar Library – 1st and 3rd Fridays Try a variety of crafts, meet new friends and share ideas with the Craft and Sewing Group at the Cheddar Library at 2.00 pm. Inner Wheel Club of Mendip – Tuesday 3 March Ladies (of varying ages) meet on the first Tuesday of the month at the Cider Shed, Winscombe. We aim to promote true friendship, encourage the ideals of personal service and foster international understanding. New members are always welcome – please contact Linda Wright 01934 713226. Cheddar Valley U3A – Thursdays 5 and 19 March We meet twice monthly in Cheddar Village Hall and currently have almost 500 members and offer around 50 activity groups. Why not come and hear our next speaker who will tell us about World War 2 on Mendip. It’s on Thursday, 5 March, 2 for 2.30pm or the April one when Alan Webb will tell us about Life as a Private Investigator. Our next coffee morning, when there will be a demonstration of hobbies by various members, is on 19 March 10.00am – 11.30am. Non-members welcome, come and see if you like us Visit www.u3asites.org.uk/cheddar-valley for more information or come to Cheddar Library any Monday 10.30 – 11.45 when there will always be a group playing Rummikub and someone to chat to you about U3A. Axbridge Archaeological and Local History Society Meeting – Wednesday 18 March Amal Khreisheh will talk on ‘The Treasures of the Museum of Somerset’ at Cross Memorial Hall (BS262EL) at 7.30 pm. Amal is curator of archaeology at the South West Heritage Trust. All welcome - £3 donation requested from non-members. Full details of this and the full programme are on the website www.aalhs.co.uk

March 2020 53 West Mendip Orchestra Concert – Friday 20 March At 7.45 pm Churchill Academy and Sixth Form School. Schumann Julius Caesar Overture, Grieg Peer Gynt Suite No.2, Rimsky-Korsakov Symphony No.1 Tickets £10 (concessions £8, students £2) Andy Eastwood at the Princess Theatre Burnham – Saturday 21 March The supreme Music Hall style entertainer Andy Eastwood is playing the Princess Theatre Burnham at 8 pm. Whether ukulele, violin, banjolele or guitar this charismatic entertainer will enthral you with his versatility and demeanour. For many years Andy was on the Ken Dodd theatre show tours and now travels Britain and Europe with either his Music Hall style show, his World War 2 show or as a wonderful solo act. Reserved seats £15 from the box office in person or phone 01278 784464 open Tuesday – Friday 10 am – 3 pm. 10 am – 1 on Saturdays, also online. Supporting Burnham Hospital League of Friends Spring Concert by the Burnham and Highbridge Brass Band – Sunday 22 March 7 pm at the Princess Theatre Burnham. Reserved seats £7 (£6 Concessions) from the box office in person or phone 01278 784464 open Tuesday – Friday 10 am – 3 pm, 10 am – 1 pm on Saturdays also online. RNLI Winscombe and District Branch AGM – Tuesday 24 March At 7:30pm at Winscombe Cricket Club, all RNLI members and members of the public are invited to attend. The meeting will review the Branch Programme of events and achievements during 2019 and will present the Branch accounts for 2019. There will be access to the Winscombe Cricket Club bar for beverages and drinks. Cheddar Arts @ Kings Theatre: ‘Judy’ – Tuesday 24 March The film Judy, showing on Tuesday 24 March, is the moving biographical story of legendary performer Judy Garland. Near the end of her life she arrives in Britain in the winter of 1969 to perform a series of sell-out concerts at London’s Talk of the Town nightclub. Access to parking has changed for audiences to Kings Theatre and there is a new one-way system entered through the Leisure Centre car park. Proceed through the car park and just after the zebra crossing take the road to the tennis courts. Cars will exit in the usual way via the War Memorial entrance. Tickets for all events are available online at www.thelittleboxoffice.com/cheddararts For queries and help, email. [email protected] Payment for the booking system is by credit/debit card only and cash will only be accepted for tickets sold on the door.

54 March 2020 (611) RACHELLE mobile hairstylist hairstyling in the comfort of your own home

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56 March 2020 Copies of the programme are available in local shops, the leisure centre and on the organisation’s website – www.kowessex.co.uk/cheddarArts. Cheddar Arts @ Kings Theatre is a collaboration between Kings Academy school and the village community, centred on the school’s state of the art studio theatre. For more details visit www.kowessex.co.uk/cheddarArts. ‘One for the Road’ Play at Opening Night of ‘The Taproom’ – Saturday 4 April Wedmore 4-piece Covers Band ‘One for the Road’ will headline the opening of a new bar ‘The Taproom’ at Cheddar Ales, Winchester Farm, Cheddar, 7 – 9 pm.

March 2020 57 Tasty Morsels – Recipes for You

Seafood Chowder

Ingredients ½ onion, finely chopped 2 small potatoes, peeled and chopped 2 rashers of smoked bacon, trimmed and chopped 50g butter Large pinch of chilli powder Large pinch of cayenne pepper 1 garlic clove, chopped ½ pint milk 1 tbsp Chopped fresh parsley 1 oz plain flour 1 pack of mixed fresh fish + prawns (optional) ½ pint milk or water (I’ve used skimmed milk and semi-skimmed with this recipe – your choice; you can also adjust the amount of milk or water depending on how thick you like your chowder).

Method 1. Gently fry the onion in a little butter for 5 minutes, add the chopped bacon and potatoes, spices, garlic, parsley and milk. Simmer gently for 10 minutes then allow to cool. 2. Meanwhile add ½ pint of water/milk in a saucepan to the fish and simmer until cooked – about 10 minutes 3. Add 1oz plain flour mixed with a little cold milk to the onion mixture; combine all in the saucepan with the fish and stock and gently reheat 4. Add milk to your desired consistency 5. Just before serving add 150ml of double cream 6. Garnish with fresh parsley and serve with crusty bread Sue Gudgeon

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(612) Wedmore AJ Aspects Gardens All aspects of wood floor renovation • Floor laying, herringbone, We offer a friendly, professional plank, borders and reliable gardening service • Sanding, wood stains, hard throughout Wedmore wax oils and laquers • Dust free sanding and the surrounding area. Our gardening expertise covers a range of garden tasks, including:

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March 2020 59 THE BOROUGH MALL

WEDMORE

The Borough Mall offers an ideal destination for gifts, furnishings and materials, post office, hairdressing, beauty, chiropody, fresh fish, shoes, bags, ladies fashion, handmade jewellery and a deli offering coffees and lunches.

We also have to let from time to time offices and industrial units in the parish of Wedmore

LIVE LOCALLY | SHOP LOCALLY | WORK LOCALLY [email protected]

Tel: 01934 713130 (answerphone) (519)

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Diane Dennis DipCFHP(Higher) FPSPract oo o Assessment and treatments for: o o o o N o

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60 March 2020 Thought for the Month Jesus spat on the ground… In John chapter eight a woman ‘caught in the very act of committing adultery’ is brought to Jesus. Of course the obvious question is; what happened to the one who was in on the act? Did he get away? Challenged to pass judgement on her Jesus bent down and wrote with his finger on the ground. In John chapter nine his disciples saw a man blind from birth and began to wonder who might be responsible for this unfortunate disability. Who was to blame? In response Jesus spat on the ground and made a paste of mud and salvia and spread it on the man’s eyes. Jesus’ response was in both instances quite ‘earthy’. Has the ‘ground’ any special significance? What did Jesus write on the ground in chapter eight? Some manuscripts suggest; ‘the sins of each of them’. Why did Jesus spread this earthy paste on the blind man’s eyes in chapter nine? Some commentators suggest that Jesus, rather than talk about the man got involved with him by speaking and touching him. John doesn’t tell us much more about the woman’s story but he does give us quite an insight into the life of the man blind from birth. Not only is he healed but at the end of the chapter we are told that ‘he worshipped him’ while all the others just kept talking about Jesus. Each chapter features a group of accusers looking for an opportunity to trap Jesus by using so called ‘sinners’ in their schemes. In the woman’s case it is moral outrage and in the man’s case it is the hypothetical speculation that disabilities are a consequence of sins committed by someone. In each case Jesus gets dirty. He bends down to write with his finger in the dirt and spitting on the ground makes a paste out of muck. John introduces us to the about-people and sinners who come face to face with Jesus. About-people talk about sinners, their moral failure and the necessity of correct procedures. Sinners allow Jesus to be with them. Allow him to speak and touch them, and by relating ‘with’ Jesus find forgiveness, healing and the freedom to worship. Who am I today? Am I an about-person or a with-person? Paul Spanring Minister of Crickham Baptist Church

Sport Reports Isle of Wedmore Golf Club First signs of spring were showing as both the Seniors’ and Club Winter Leagues moved towards their finales this month. The Seniors played on a wet and windy Monday but still produced some good scores. Best of all was Mike Garbutt with 37 points to win division 1 by a single point from Tom Bennett with Gordon Kendell another shot back in third. In

March 2020 61 a close finish to division 2 Barry Royal won out with 36 points which was just one better than Alasdair McDonald who beat Dave Nelson on countback. Peter Spinks had a more decisive win in division 3. His score of 36 was two better than Paul England with John Sim another point behind in third. Dave Nelson’s score was enough to move him into first place overall on 110 with Roger Griffin second on 107 and Mike Garbutt’s win moving him to third. For the Club competition at the weekend the frost had set in. This proved no problem for Nigel Jones who gathered 40 points to win division 1 by 3 points from Jon Thompson who beat John Russell on countback. Jay James won division 2 by a two-shot margin. Ian Sentence was runner-up on 37 with Max Grant a further shot back in third. Dave Bedford had an even bigger margin, 4 Winners of this month’s Mixed Greensomes, Sue Hughes points, to win division and Kev Osman either side of organiser Tony Ireland 3 with 39 points ahead of James Wilde who beat Chris McKinley on count back. This was Dave Bedford’s second win in the League and moved him into first place overall ahead of Pete Beavan and Jay James although Nigel Jones, who has only played two rounds so far, remains a major threat. Shot of the day was a hole in one on the sixteenth from Richard Macarthur. In the Ladies’ section, the competition remains between the juniors. This month it was Abi Moore’s turn to win but this leaves her in third overall behind Megan Wilde and Beth Williams. Christmas was not long gone of course, and the weather did its best to discourage players. The Seniors kicked off the year with a Stableford. The scores reflected the conditions with only two scores better than par and to get one of these scores you had to be called Smith. Dom Smith won division 1 with 38 points which put him one ahead of namesake Mike with Phil MacMahon taking third place on 35. John

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64 March 2020 Vowles found 35 points was enough to win division 2 by just one point from Tony Hoskings who in turn was a point better than Bob Cotgrove. Chris Loughlin won division 3 with a level par 36 points. John Sim took second place with 35 with John Bissell another point behind in third. The Ladies only set out to play 9 holes on the Thursday which was probably wise as they all completed their rounds before the rain came in the afternoon. Playing a Four Ball Better Ball, an extremely close finish saw Debbie Monks and Helen Tanswell beat Betty Norman and Penny Oliver on countback after both scored 21 points. Liz Hill and Liz Miller were just another shot back in third place with Saybria Sims and Marlyn Jackson another shot back in fourth. Each month on a Sunday there is a Mixed Greensomes competition organised by Tony Ireland followed by a meal in the Club House. This winter the weather has determined that there have been more meals than golf. January proved much kinder hopefully as an omen for the rest of 2020. Immediate past Captain Kev Osman, relaxing from the stresses of office, in partnership with Sue Hughes won with an impressive 39 points.

The course looking at its best despite the frost The month finished with three slightly different formats. By no means strange but little played at Wedmore there was a qualifier for the nationwide Daily Mail

March 2020 65 Foursomes with 16 pairs battling to represent the Club. Scores were good despite the still soggy conditions and the testing format. Best of the day came from the Vowles family with Rich and James playing 2 under handicap to record 38 points. They were chased hard though by Dale Worthington and Liam Cann who finished only one point behind with Terry Simpson and Greg Cox finishing third on 35. The Seniors played a ‘Bramble’ which turned out to be a mixture of a Scramble and a Bowmaker. Again there were some very good scores with higher handicappers benefitting from their team mates driving. Philip Horn, Ken Lohmann and Bill Lander led the way with 93 points which was only one better than runners-up John Russell, John Bussell and Barry Stone. Third place went to Mike Tanswell, Keith Rabbitts and Peter Spinks who scored 91, the third and final team to break 90. The Ladies are still restricting themselves to only 9 holes until better weather arrives but to match that also restricted themselves to only 6 clubs and a putter. New Captain Sue Chambers was the only player to play to handicap, winning division 1 with 18 points. This put her three clear of second placed Betty Norman who beat Liz Hill on countback. By contrast, there was a blanket finish to division 2 with three players all on fifteen points. Countback put Jennifer Fell in first place with Sue McDonald second and Sue Edwards third. Division 3 was almost as close but Esme Gulliver finished just ahead on 16 with Karen Clark beating Sue Griffiths on countback for second place after both scored 15 points. Tony Biggs Wedmore Tennis Club As part of Wedmore Tennis Club’s drive for greener energy we have installed a Smappee device, this has been kindly donated by Wedmore Green Group and will monitor the electricity usage at the club. This device will then help us decide whether we can install a solar battery to maximise the use of the solar panels on the Clubhouse roof. The Smappee device has kindly been installed for free by Rogers Electricians. We are extremely grateful to Mike at Rogers for doing this for us and will keep you updated regarding Greener Tennis Club progress. Joanne Cooper Church News Mothering Sunday All are welcome to our churches on Sunday 22 March for special services to mark Mothering Sunday. All services then will be all age services. Flowers will be given to all mothers.

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68 March 2020 Lent Lunches St Mary’s are holding a number of simple lunches in aid of charities throughout Lent. All are welcome and there is no fixed charge, instead donations will be welcome. • Thursday 5 March at The Lady Chapel, St Mary’s, in aid of Cheddar Food Bank and Weston Hospice Care. Contact 712264 • Wednesday 11 March at Beggars Roost, Glanville Rd in aid of The Osigli Project, Kenya. Contact 712515 • Wednesday 18 March at Purlieu House in aid of Excellent Development. Contact 713494 • Friday 3 April at The Court House, Cocklake in aid of Farming Community Network and the St Mary’s Flower Festival. Contact 712478 Messy Church – Saturday 21 March, 3 to 5 pm at St Mary’s • Is a way of being church for families involving fun • Is for adults and children to enjoy together • Uses hands-on activities to explore Bible stories, to reflect a God of creativity and to give people a chance to play together. • Is about hospitality, expressed most evidently by eating together • Is returning to the Isle ofWedmore on Saturday 21 March 3.00 -5.00 pm in St Mary’s church The two hours of Messy Church will feature a number of craft tables based around the theme of ‘Mothers and Others’, a time of worship and a shared tea. It is for all the family, whether or not you normally come to church. Look out for flyers, posters and invitations later in the month. Speak to the vicar Richard Neill if you want to know more or look at www.messychurch.org.uk/ ‘On a Wheel and a Prayer’ On Tuesday 24 March, the vicar will be conducting the next ‘cycle prayer pilgrimage’, cycling around the different villages and hamlets that make up the Benefice of the Isle of Wedmore that our churches serve, stopping at various points and praying for the particular communities. Details of timings can be found in the churches and you are welcome to join him at any of the stops.

March 2020 69 Parish Registers Funerals Our condolences go to the family and friends of: Michael Amesbury of Combe Batch Wedmore who died on 21 January 2020 aged 73 and whose funeral was at Sedgemoor Crematorium on Thursday 6 February 2020 Christenings Welcome to the following baptised into God’s church recently: Darcy Matthews daughter of Lauren Hynds and Stuart Matthews of Cheddar who was baptised on Sunday 18 January at Allerton Church.

Church Services St Mary’s Church, Wedmore Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday - Morning Prayer in the Lady Chapel at 8.45am Holy Communion is celebrated most weeks on Wednesday morning at 9.45 am Sunday 1 Lent 1 10.30 am Café Church 6.00 pm Start the Week Sunday 8 Lent 2 10.30 am Parish Communion 6.00 pm Start the Week (Taizé Style) Sunday 15 Lent 3 8.00 am Holy Communion (BCP) 10.30 am Morning Praise 6.00 pm Start the Week Sunday 22 Mothering Sunday 10.30 am Family Service Sunday 29 Lent 5 See Allerton Church Holy Trinity Church Sunday 1 Lent 1 9.00 am Parish Communion Sunday 8 Lent 2 9.00 am Sunday Breakfast Sunday 15 Lent 3 9.00 am Parish Communion Sunday 22 Mothering Sunday 6.00 pm Evening Prayer (BCP) Sunday 29 Lent 5 See Allerton Church Christchurch, Theale Sunday 1 Lent 1 11.00 am Parish Communion Sunday 8 Lent 2 11.00 am Morning Prayer Sunday 15 Lent 3 11.00 am Parish Communion Sunday 22 Mothering Sunday 11.00 am Morning Praise Sunday 29 Lent 5 See Allerton Church

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March 2020 71 Allerton Church Sunday 1 Lent 1 9.00 am Family Service Sunday 8 Lent 2 9.00 am Parish Communion Sunday 15 Lent 3 9.00 am Morning Prayer Sunday 22 Mothering Sunday 9.00 am Family Service Sunday 29 Lent 5 9.00 am Parish Communion Bagley Baptist Church Every Sunday 10.30 am - Morning service. We have groups for tots to teens, and a lovely playroom for restless little ones where you can still see and hear the service. Communion is usually shared on the first Sunday of each month. Every Wednesday 10am – 12 noon ‘Coffee with a View.’ Come for coffee / tea and home-made cakes, our wonderful view and a warm welcome. All free of charge. We have good parking and wheelchair access. Wednesdays (in term time) 7.30 - 9.15 pm. We run two youth groups for ages 10 - young adults. For further details, please ring (01934) 710779 / 712812, email [email protected] Wedmore Methodist Church Sunday 1 March 10.30 am Morning Service Sunday 8 March 10.30 am Morning Service Sunday 15 March 10.30 am Family Morning Service Sunday 22 March 10.30 am Morning Service Sunday 29 March 10.30 am Morning Service Coffee for All on Friday 20 March 10.30 a.m. - 12 noon, everyone welcome Crickham Baptist Church Sunday Services: 6.30 pm Sunday School: 10.30 am Contact Dulcie Hooper 712187. Our Lady Queen of Apostles Catholic Church, Cheddar Sunday 9.00 am Holy Mass Thursday 10.00 am Holy Mass Contact Dom Bede Rowe or Dom Anselm Redman St Mary’s Presbytery, Magdalene Street, Glastonbury, BA6 9EJ Telephone 01458 835931

72 March 2020 Axbridge and Wedmore GP Practice Surgery Opening Times

Wedmore Surgery Mondays and Fridays ...... 8.30 am to 6.00 pm Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays . . . 8.30 am to 1.00 pm Telephone 01934 712774

Axbridge Surgery Monday to Fridays ...... 8.30 am to 6.00 pm Telephone 01934 732464 - Please note the surgeries are closed on Bank Holidays. Contact our Clinical Team through our Website We can also be contacted, in your own time, through our website, with a member of our clinical team replying to you by the end of the next working day. You will be asked to complete an online form. This is useful for non-urgent conditions. We will then contact you and let you know the best action to take. www.axbridgeandwedmoremedicalpractice.nhs.uk

Improved Access Appointments Axbridge Surgery Tuesdays ...... 6.30 pm to 8.00 pm During these a Nurse/HCA/Phlebotomist will be available for routine appointments outside normal surgery times. These appointments are provided, but not exclusively, for those patients who find it difficult to attend during normal surgery hours. Please note, these hours may be subject to change depending on the availability of clinical staff. Please visit our website or visit/ telephone the practice 732464 or 712774 for changes to opening hours. You can also obtain 24-hour general medical advice by telephoning NHS 111, or visit the NHS 111 website. During improved access appointments the front door will be locked. Please ring the video doorbell for access. Access will only be granted to patients with pre-booked appointments. Surgery telephones are not manned during extended hours.

March 2020 73 Wedmore Community Bus The Wedmore Community Bus is available for everyone, travelling to Taunton (Tuesdays), Bridgwater (Wednesdays), Weston-super-Mare (Thursdays) and Street (Fridays). The service acts less like a bus and more like a personal taxi service. You get on and off wherever you tell us is the most convenient place - usually outside your own house. Travel is free if you have a current bus pass. If you have to pay, then fares compare very favourably with alternative forms of transport, saving money on fuel and parking. For example, the 50-mile round trip to Taunton is only £4.80. The bus departs from Wedmore at 9.30 am and is back by early afternoon - leaving plenty of time for those needing to collect children from school. To book a seat, ring the friendly controller between 6.00 pm and 6.30 pm on the evening before your journey: Controller Taunton Angeline Duckett 712631 Controller Bridgwater Angeline Duckett 712631 Controller Weston super Mare Carol Ayliffe 713471 Controller Street Carol Ayliffe 713471 The bus is also available for private hire. It can be booked by contacting Jo Keen, 710759 Crossword 35 Answers Across: 1. Crossbow 6. Lesion 9. Scroll 10. Strumpet 11. Televise 12. Detect 13. Hors de combat 16. Habeas corpus 19. Steals 20. Acdimony 22. Broccoli 23. Neuter 24. Larynx 25. Abridged Down: 2. Racket 3. Score 4. Billiards 5. West End 7. Sometimes 8. Overcoat 13. Hierarchy 14. Co-partner 15. Bacteria 17. Ocarina 18. Annexe 21. Mound

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