sign in sign up
<<
Home , Haselbury Plucknett

Delivered free Messenger to 1,000 www.merriottvillage.org.uk homes [email protected] NOVEMBER 2014

Copy deadline for the December issue of the Merriott Messenger is 12th November. There Merriott Community Pavilion and Public Convenience will be no issue in January. You are invited to the Official Opening

on Saturday 15th November 10.00am – 12noon Merriott Recreation Ground

INSIDE THIS ISSUE:

A busy start to 2 the Autumn term

Staying safe this 3 HOORAY! The Community Pavilion was ready and open for use Halloween & on Saturday 27th September. Bonfire Night The Parish Council wishes to thank YOU and the Local Contractors - Ricketts Electrical, Jaycee Plumbing, Minster Carpentry, M Stenner, Carols & Classics 4 T Wallis, K Self and PD Ford - Concert for working to provide this stylish yet functional facility. It provides public toilets for users of the Recreation Ground which are Armistice Day & 5 open daily from 8.30am until dusk. The Pavilion is available for hire: Remembrance there are changing and shower facilities for sport users and a hall area Day and kitchenette suitable for parties or meetings. Find the Path to 6 We do hope you will be able to join us. History Living

History Group The Normandy 7 Trip

The Last 8 Dambuster The Sweet taste of Success! A circular walk 9 Merriott bee keeper Ray Pattemore and his fellow enthusiast Clive from Merriott Ball, of , are enjoying their new hobby and winning prizes! All Saints News 10 They swept through the Novice Classes (you are a novice for the first 3 years of entering honey in competitions) with not one but St George’s 11 Church & The three 1st Prizes and a 3rd Prize in their first year of bee keeping. English Heritage They came away with the Novice Shield for the most points scored in classes 1-8 at the Somerton & County Honey Show on 20th September in Long Our Sponsors 12 Sutton. The beautiful dahlias and sunflowers and the surrounding fields and allotments must provide wonderful pollen for their bees. Let’s hope they will have it for sale at some time in the future so we can all sample this local prizewinning honey. Congratulations! P A G E 2

A busy start to the Autumn term Parish Council Planning Applications We have had a busy start to the Autumn rescued animals were cared for. Update Term at Merriott First School. We welcomed our new teaching staff to the Merriott Planning items discussed at the

school: Mrs Banfield who teaches Codlin October monthly meeting. For full Class and Mrs Gunn who teaches part- information view the meeting minutes time in Pippin Class. on the Merriott website. Twenty Reception children joined (1) APPLICATION 14/04200/FUL &

Golden Class and settled into the daily 14/04201/LBC APPLICANT: Mr Lee Slade routine very quickly. PROPOSAL: Alteration and conversion of Pete The Poet with the hand puppet redundant mill site to include 23 converted to residential units and 22 Pete The Poet wrote a poem about Chloe new build dwellings, demolition of who raised money for a road tunnel to factory buildings including portions of help hedgehogs cross the road safely. listed buildings and altered vehicular He encouraged the children to recite the access to Tail Mill Lane. poem without accompaniment, with percussion along with the Ukulele. Pete (2) APPLICATION 14/04335/FUL brought lots of puppets and some APPLICANT Mr R Bastable PROPOSAL: Change to use of land and erection of Sophie from Secret World with the hedgehog dressing up clothes as props for acting out the story. buildings to form rural life and vintage Then came visitors to help with our vehicle museum ( Revised Application) endangered animal topic. Sophie from Golden Class went out for their first walk LOCATION: Haselbury Mill, Haselbury Secret World brought a hedgehog and a of the season one morning arriving back Plucknett, . just in time for lunch! barn owl for the children to see. Sophie OTHER MATTERS talked about her work and how the Advice of appeal: Mr & Mrs N Simcock 12 Newchester Cross. Proposal: Erection CHRISTMAS BAZAAR of two storey extension to dwelling nd Saturday 22 November 9.30 to 1.00 house. Tithe Barn, Merriott DETERMINATIONS  The Old Garage Merriottsford – Held by the Beavers, Cubs and Scouts of the First Hinton Permission Granted with conditions St George Scout Group together with Merriott Bowling Club.  15 Manor Drive – Permission Granted Cake stall, preserves, chutneys, books, bottle stall, puzzles, Grand Hamper Draw, with conditions teas, coffee and cake and much more.  Installation of Solar Farm– Permission All welcome. Come and join us. Granted with conditions

Merriott Messenger P A G E 3 Staying safe this Halloween & Bonfire Night

After a lovely summer, it is time to look to contact the . forward to the pleasures of the autumn In an EMERGENCY, dial 999. and winter evenings. These should be pleasurable times and occasions for If you fear for your safety or that of celebrations. Sadly, one person’s idea of another member of the community – 999. fun and celebrating can be another’s If you wish to report something that has misery. With this in mind, we have put just happened but is not ongoing, please together some advice regarding contact your Neighbourhood Policing Halloween and Bonfire night. Team on 101. Halloween, also known as All Saints’ Day, Your local team in Crewkerne is:- and the following day, All Souls' Day, PC 4140 Chris Purcell (Beat Manager) which commemorates the dead, is often PC 3589 Lisa Wright (Beat Manager) overshadowed by anti-social behaviour. PCSO 8445 Ben Samways The practice of ‘trick or treating’ can be PCSO 9447 Dave Lewis. alarming, as unidentifiable youths appear PCSO 8506 Gareth Allington on your doorstep expecting, or even demanding, sweets or have a ‘trick’ played on you. The ‘trick’ is an idle threat to Merriott Gardening Club News perform mischief on the homeowners or their property if no treat is given. Sadly, On Tuesday 25th November, Malcolm December at The Crown & Victoria, eggs and flour are often used causing Mills of The Gardens Group will talk to us . Last year we enjoyed an damage. This is anti-social behaviour and on “Shrubs and Flowers for the Flower excellent lunch in very pleasant will be dealt with promptly by the Police Arranger”. Having been to a number of surroundings. Two courses £19.95 per and PCSO’s. In recent years, a pre- his talks at Castle Gardens, person, three courses £22.95 per emptive strike has been very successful we are in for an evening full of person, cheese surcharge £2.50; plus and shops have worked with us to ensure knowledge and interest. Meet at the coffee/tea/mince pies. Please bring eggs and flour are not sold to youths. This Tythe Barn at 7.30 p.m. Refreshments, cheques made payable to Merriott pre-emptive action will take place again raffle, seed and plant sale. Non- Gardening Club or cash to secure your this year. There are stickers and posters members £2. Everyone is welcome. booking. Non-members are very available from the police that you can At this meeting we shall be taking welcome to come and join us. place on view requesting No Trick or bookings and menu selection for our For further details contact: Mo Treating, or accepting visitors. Christmas Lunch on Tuesday 2nd Frampton 07967 028277. We just get over Halloween and Bonfire Night is upon us. The length of time that ‘Firework Night’ goes on for can seem like forever, but there is a time limit and fireworks should not be let off after 11pm, except on special occasions, such as New Year’s Eve and when an event has informed the proper authorities and has been given permission. Halloween and Bonfire Night is a fun time for youngsters and the family. It should also be a time of fun and pleasure for the whole community. The message this year is for understand- ing and respect for everyone's right to be safe and feel safe. Please enjoy the celebrations and try and join in; not all ‘hoodies’ are yobs and not everyone over the age of 21 is ‘killjoy’. If you have any concerns please feel free P A G E 4

Hinton St. George ‘Flix in the Stix’ Carols & Classics Concert presents This Christmas will see the 6th Carols & This year’s Concert will be on Saturday 13th ‘Mr Morgan's last Classics Concert performed at the All December at 7:30pm. Tickets £7 including love’ (12A) Saints Church in Merriott by Joseph refreshments will be on sale during on Saturday 8th November in the Fisher and his friends. The concerts November. To boost the profits from this Village Hall at 7.30 pm. Tickets £5 in have proven to be a great success with a advance from the Village Shop and ticket sell out last year of 200 before the Dorothy’s Tea Room or on the door. To event! Joseph and his friends perform reserve tickets please contact 01460 as the Fisher Sinfonia, providing an 72906. evening of Classical Music, Festive A look at the life-changing connection arrangements and of course some between a retired and widowed community Carol singing, all in the American philosophy professor setting of a candlelit All Saints Church. (Michael Caine) and a young Parisian The musicians now play with major woman (Clemence Poesy). A gentle orchestras in the UK including the LPO, film, beautifully set in Paris. RPO, Halle, BBC Orchestra of Wales and Royal Liverpool Philharmonic, perform- ing at the Proms and venues across the event , concert sponsors are being sought For your convenience UK and Europe. They use the All Saints not only for the musicians and their travel. Church Christmas concert to meet as but also for prizes for the evenings’ draw. friends and provide local entertainment. Please contact Paul Fisher on 01460 76360 The Carols & Classic concerts alone have if you wish to sponsor specifically (any raised £4,000 for specific church value), or a prize - all will be greatly projects. This year is no exception, with appreciated. For people who do not wish the funds raised going towards the to sponsor, there will be a retiring collec- purchase of new chairs for the success- tion after the Concert specifically for the ful Coffee Stop Area in the Church. Chair Fund. Paul Fisher

Thomas Bending’s African Expedition News I went to South Africa on the 29th July returning on the 18th August and had a wonderful time with many new experiences and adventures. I would like to thank all those who supported me in my fundraising which made Users of the Recreation Ground are this once in a lifetime trip possible. I am holding a presentation night to show my now able access the new Public Toilets photos and share my experience with you on 11th November at 7:30pm at the Tithe Barn. Entrance will be free and there will be refreshments to purchase. which are OPEN 8.30 to dusk every day I look forward to seeing you. via the ramp entrance.

Merriottsford Minibus Improved taxi service following

management reorganisation

Quality 14 & 16 seaters For that special occasion, day or night Tel: 01460 75089 / Advanced Orders: 01460 76029 www.airlinetaxis.co.uk

R. Stenning, The Old Garage, Merriottsford, Somerset, TA16 5NH

Merriott Messenger P A G E 5 Armistice Day and Remembrance Day The 100th anniversary of the start of the earlier that morning. The war officially order to avoid interrupting the vital war 1st World War (the Great War) has ended on 28th June 1919 with the signing effort if November 11th fell on a week- already passed with considerable recog- of the Treaty of Versailles. day. After the end of World War II, the nition. So too has the remembrance elements 70th anniversary of of Armistice Day became the D Day landings on Remembrance Day, to the coast of France, recognise those killed in leading to the end of both wars, as well as in Nazi Germany. How- other subsequent ever we still remem- conflicts, and are held on ber every year the the Sunday nearest to considerable number November 11th of people who died in Ceremonies for both days both the 1st and 2nd are still held in the UK. World Wars so that During the Great War 33 others, and we, might men from Merriott were benefit. killed and in World War II At the end of the a further 10 lost their Great War the guns lives. They are all named fell silent in Europe on the war memorial in (though not every- the churchyard of All where as fighting Saints Church. Four of continued in the old those who died in the Russian Empire and Men from Merriott who lost their lives in The Great War. Great War are also listed parts of the old Ottoman Empire) at on the Thiepval Memorial at the The first official Armistice Day occurred in the grounds of Buckingham Palace on the 11thNovember 1919 and was dedicated by King George V as a day of remembrance for members of the armed forces who were killed during the Great War. A temporary Cenotaph of wood and plaster was erected in Whitehall, London, in 1919 but was replaced by the present memorial, designed by Edwin Lutyens and built of Portland Stone between 1919 and 1920. This then became the site of the official recognition of Armistice Day. The practice of observing Thiepval Memorial, France The Merriott War Memorial, All Saints Church a 2 minute silence at 11am on Armistice Day, to remember the roughly 20 million 11am on November 11, 1918 as the who died during the conflict, originated Somme in France and others on result of the Armistice signed between in South Africa. In 1939 in Britain this memorials in France, Belgium and Iraq. the Allies of World War 1 and Germany observance was moved from November John Bowman at Compiègne, France, around 5.20am 11th to the Sunday nearest to that date in P A G E 6

Find the Path to History Living History Group

About Us - Why we do what we do 'FTPTH' differs from most Living History Find the Path to History Living History Groups in its presentation of an Group is not a 'group' per se. The two impression. By displaying what Rob Reid describes as "living, breathing figures that lead the frequently chang- museum displays" they endeavour to ing, but ever growing, collection of offer a startlingly authentic view of the enthusiasts that make up 'FTPTH' are men and equipment we have only more Merriott resident Matt Hall, and Rob recently seen in newsreels or grainy Reid of . They are the founding Posing with the truck at La Fière Bridge, scene of members of a vision born out of a black and white photographs. This "time warp" effect opens the eyes of the bitter fighting for the 82nd Airborne on and mutual interest in the period of the immediately after D-Day. observer in a way that films and Second World War, and in particular, computer games cannot. The youth of experiences of those that fought. the Allied invasion of Western Europe today are exposed to media formats Computer games like Call of Duty and on June 6th 1944. However, it is not that, despite portraying operations and Medal of Honour allow the gamer to simply a desire to develop their own campaigns of the 2nd World War, 'fight' their way through various real-life knowledge that led to its creation. The trivialise the individual combat combat scenarios, utilising the correct fundamental motivation is one of weapons and equipment; it's surprising education. the number of under 30s that can Hostilities ceased 69 years ago this year; recognise an M1 Garand rifle or the youngest combatants on all sides Thompson sub-machine gun. However, are now reaching the latter stages of in the games, in the event that your their eighth decade. A generation of character is 'killed' by 'enemy fire', you grand-parents represent our last living- simply start again at a saved checkpoint memory link with arguably the most in the game. It is a fundamental formative conflict in European history. element of the work of FTPTH to high- When Harry Patch passed away in Wells light the fact that in real warfare, you in 2009, the duty of keeping alive the cannot simply 'respawn', to use gaming memory of The Great War for future terminology. generations fell on academic historians Remembrance These young men who joined to fight, and family lore. Now that this 'last The fields of Flanders, once, were just a these 'citizen soldiers' (to borrow a generation' of Second World War landscape veterans is slowly diminishing, soon we Where larks spun out their song in sum- phrase from historian Stephen E. Ambrose) who were farmers, will be left with a final rear-guard and mer dawn; ultimately, within 15-20 years, no-one Where trees might shelter birds and remaining to tell first-hand accounts strolling couples; from that fateful period. Where poppies were just weeds among the corn. With this in mind, it must now fall to the Poppies with bent green stalks, down- responsibility of younger generations to curving buds carry forward the lessons learned from Swaddled in fuzzy sepals; loosening, such a dark time in our history. Straightening in a day, spreading silk petals Crumpled round smoke-dark centres, glistening. Stiff upright stalks bore swaying In full Class A uniform after laying the wreaths at the memorial in Pèriers on the 70th anniversary canisters of D-Day Shaking their tiny salvoes onto mud: Seeds that can wait out years, until dis- mechanics, shop assistants and all turbance manner of other trades and jobs, Distils them into myriad drops of blood. couldn't 'respawn'; they only had one And still the poppies flower. life to give, and when the time came to Still blood is shed. show immeasurable courage, some And still unheard, the silence of the gave it all in the ultimate sacrifice. Meeting a veteran of the British 6th Airborne dead. Division at the site of the Merville Gun Battery It is this sentiment that FTPTH focuses assault that took place on the morning of Janet Lailey on as a learning experience. June 6th 1944. Matt Hall and Rob Reid

Merriott Messenger P A G E 7

The Normandy Trip - Remembering the bravery of the many

There is something rather eerie about was not an easy task, as one can imagine, groups of soldiers from a mix of units walking the same countryside lanes 70 but any difficulty we experienced paled into a formidable force that was con- years after the first British and American into insignificance when we reminded fused and scattered- some groups as paratroopers descended upon them in ourselves, during a short and whispered far as 25 miles outside their original their thousands. There is something briefing, that we were only simulating the planned drop zones - but still coherent even more disconcerting about making experience: there were no German and superbly led, preventing the your way down those green lanes in the soldiers lurking in the darkness waiting to German forces from establishing same pitch darkness and stillness that open fire on any unidentified movement. exactly what individual objectives were comes during the early hours of a June Neither were we time-bound to achieve and thus preventing a large-scale our objective, needing to locate, counter attack. secure and set up the landing zones As we walked, 'patrolling' through for the follow up waves before they Norman lanes and fields, taking in the flew overhead. sites and sounds, a shared anxiety The confusion and disorientation developed as we realised just how hard shouldn't have been part of the navigating in total darkness was. We exercise that night; the Pathfinders had been split into two teams, of the United States Army Airborne simulating the small, non- were the best, most skilled soldiers commissioned officer led groups, and in the outfit, many of whom had were expected to locate a particular volunteered for this dangerous job. church, in a particular village, to They had trained for many hours 'rendezvous' with the other group and Rob Reid (left) and Matt Hall after laying a wreath Périers, with the equipment, Normandy looked over models of morning. We had jumped - albeit from their different landing zones in the tailgate of the 1939 GMC truck - at minute detail. All this, like the exact time the 82nd Airborne Path- many military plans over the finders exited their C47 transport course of history, went awry planes, with the same maps, carrying within minutes of the first air- the same equipment on the very same craft entering the skies above night, only a whole generation later. Normandy. Inexperienced With a remarkably smaller thud than pilots flying through enemy fire those who had jumped under deployed for the first time, tried to dodge parachutes, we landed boots first and and weave their way through, proceeded to take cover in a ditch on flying that is not in the slightest the side of the road. We were not told way conducive to delivering large numbers of Paying respects at a memorial in Normandy airborne troop- ers into combat. Jumping the two others from the truck. at higher speeds and lower Experiences like this, even the altitudes than they had simulated ones, are invaluable as part been trained to expect, of the perpetual learning in living the men landed to find history. The 'night drop' as we called it, themselves in different was just one part of our trip to terrain, surrounded by Normandy, an initiation for the newer different roads and looking members within the group to demon- at road signs with different strate the level to which we strive for names to what they had authenticity and quality of experience. studied so carefully over By getting out into the depths of a June Giving a talk to the rest of the group on the hillside behind the the previous five days. night and using the correct techniques American Invasion beach code named 'Omaha' They did not shy from for tactical movement and field craft, their enormous task, we are able to offer the public a far where we were, and so had to orientate instead rallying as many troops as more immersive experience when they ourselves using landmarks and road possible from stragglers found along the see our display back in the UK. signs in the almost total darkness. This way to their objectives, turning small (continued overleaf) P A G E 8

The Normandy Trip continued

The week in Normandy took in sights On the night of June 6 1944, the church France is a monument in the square, and we have each seen multiple times, but in this tiny hamlet changed hands four more notably, dark black stains on the with added resonance given the times during bitter fighting between rows of pews in the tiny church. It is occasion. We saw memorials to heroic American 101st Airborne troopers, and enough to render anyone totally speech- acts by individuals, to entire units and German Wehrmacht soldiers. Inside the less. In contrast to the mass of scars walked the many, many rows of graves church, two American medics who caused by the mechanisation of warfare to be found in the numerous witnessed across Normandy on the cemeteries, of all nations. We walls of bunkers and in the towns used the opportunity of the and cities, this is an example of the anniversary to pay our respects entirely personal result of what has at the memorial in Périers, become known as 'Total War'. laying a wreath after parading in Most moving of all is the thought, full A-Class uniform in the bright always prominent when standing sunshine. over the stains in that tiny chapel, We travelled everywhere in the that each one represents the life truck, a not-uncommon sight 70 that bled out of another young years previous, but now seldom soldier, another young man seen due to numbers sadly inevitably mourned and missed by diminished with the passing of those at home. No immaculately time. We travelled everywhere planned museum display can ever in the uniform of the U.S. 82nd raise the hairs on the back of your Airborne division, or of the 29th The group at Pointe du Hoc at sunset on the evening of June 5th, 70 neck in the same way as being Infantry division. We were careful years after the 82nd Airborne were preparing to climb into the there and breathing it in. planes that would carry them into battle. never to accept adulation that Matt Hall and Rob Reid should only ever be reserved for the veterans who were actually there and accompanied the other soldiers on the who actually fought and always combat jump, tended the wounded of A further article from Matt and Rob will ensured that when we met with both sides as they lay out on the pews. appear in a later issue of the Merriott veterans of any nation, we displayed a The only remaining evidence of this Messenger. gratitude that was right and appropri- bloody encounter in this tiny corner of ate. We met with family members of veterans, carrying or wearing pictures of their loved ones, so happy to see THE living representations of those relatives ROTARY and always content that our mission CLUB OF was one of education and preservation YEOVIL of the memories and experiences for future generations. For all the well-known 'beaten path' sights we saw, the most emotive and affecting site was to be found in a little THE LAST DAMBUSTER, JOHNNY JOHNSON known church, a mile from the main Sharing his experiences, his memories and answering questions thoroughfare, at Angloville-au-Plain. The Tithe Barn, Haselbury Mill, Haselbury Plucknet Friday 21 November 2014 Poppy Appeal 6.30 for 7.00 pm

2014 Meet and hear a living legend and relive a heroic mission of WW2

There will be a house A Charity Event to benefit The Yeovil Opportunity Group and to house collection as usual in The Bomber Command Memorial Fund Merriott in the two weeks leading up to Remembrance Sunday on £16 per person, to include a two course meal plus tea/coffee November 9th. For further details please contact Liz For single or multiple tickets or for tables of 8 or 10, please contact or Peter Fisk on 01460 72595. 01935 475448, 01935 475770 or 01935 420051

Merriott Messenger P A G E 9

A Circular Walk from Merriott News from the Social Club

This walk probably takes around 1½ head out of the village. Although this is a Before the usual updates, we have a hours and, although we took our dogs, road, it is extremely quiet. In fact we couple of quick requests. some of the stiles were not particularly were only passed by one car with a canoe Firstly, a plea for volunteers to assist dog friendly. – this being on top of the car as it is still with the next stage of the building process for the external toilet block. From the Co-op walk up Lower Street summer!!! Providing it's not raining, it would be and take a left turn up Shyners Terrace Follow this road, passing Stockbridge highly appreciated if you could turn and onto Church Street. Bear left for a Farm on your left and when reaching up any Saturday morning at 10am to short while then right down Sandy Hole. Yarcombe Woodland Products turn left help out the team. After a couple of 100 yards there is a down an even quieter road with lovely Secondly, we are seeking quotes from grass track on the left, Bowood Lane. Go views to Merriott on your left. After pass- local trades-people to repair the leak down this track and appreciate the ing 4 cottages on your left, 2 of which are in our flat cellar roof. If you think you views south to the village and north to fairly new but have been beautifully built can help, please pop in one evening Lopenhead, about half way along. in character with the old houses of the and have a chat with Derek, our bar- man. At the end of the track go across the village, bear left down the drive towards main road bearing right, then follow the Furlands Farm. After passing the tennis Now, some dates for your diaries. signed footpath on the left going over court, bear right again and then take For those bingo enthusiasts among the stile and across the field with the another right on reaching the end of the you, please come and join us on Saturday 22nd November for the hedge on your left. You will see a fence, walking through the field. chance to win an array of prizes – chicken farm on your right. Go straight Walk around the edge of the field with eyes down at 7.30pm! over the gravel drive and then there are the hedge staying on your left, bearing Looking ahead to Christmas, on the left through a large gap and then bearing st several stiles to negotiate and a slightly 21 December between 2pm - 4pm, tricky path which will lead into an open round to the right (but always with the we'll be hosting a Kids Christmas field. Turn right for 50 yards, then left hedge on your left). You will come to a Party. Members children go free and onto the farm track which leads down to gate on your left. Go through this and children of non-members are more Hinton Lane. head straight across the field. At the than welcome to join in with the fun for a small fee of £2 per child. A sign- Turn right and head into Hinton St bottom there is another gate but turn right here and head towards another gate up sheet will be going up in the Club George, past the Jubilee Wood on your soon, so please keep an eye out. left, an area donated to the village to with the stream on your left. This path takes you to a wooden gate. Go straight On Boxing Day, we'll be open from 12 commemorate the Diamond Jubilee. If noon to 12 midnight with a non-stop at this point you feel in need of refresh- through this and follow the path around, crossing a small wooden bridge. You will disco, so if you fancy a post-Christmas ment, you are in luck! The Poulett Arms boogie, or a drink shared with friends, finally come to some steps. Turn right is not far and just a bit further down the come on down and join us – all are road Dorothy’s Tea Room. To continue and take the path which will bring you welcome. onto Moorlands Road and back to the the walk, just before you reach these Some advanced notice for our New take a left turn down South Street and Co-op on Lower Street. Years Eve plans: Local band, Wise Niki Scurr Intentions, will be performing at 8.30pm, followed by a Disco that Merriott Drivers kicks off at 11pm. Tickets for OPEN GROUP members are £1 per person, non- Tina Mortimer has had to stand down members will be charged £4. If you'd 30th Oct - A visit to Crewkerne from being a driver. Thank you Tina for like to join up on the night, your Museum with Janet Harris. NB 7.30pm all the driving you have done in the last membership fee will include the cost start. Please contact Marion Biggs if few years. We shall miss you. of your ticket! We hope to see you for you would like to come - tel 74170. PLEASE would people using the Drivers what promises to be a cracking night! 13th Nov - A talk at Tina's on the Service, take a moment to cross Tina's Finally, a few updates: Samaritans, given by Christine name off their list, so that she doesn't Following her christening with us in Alexander. keep receiving phone calls. September, warm wishes go to baby Bethany and her family and thanks go 27th Nov - Coffee at Jane's. Bring If you would like to find out about to those who helped raise an your favourite Christmas recipes, with becoming a driver, please contact impressive £160 at October’s Monthly or without samples to try. Maggie or Tom on 76186. Market, £70 of which went to Enquiries - Maggie 76186 Merriott First School.

If you think you would like www.rightdriver.co.uk. No registration large number of driving instructors and to brush up on the Highway or payment is required. Due to its free both youth and community organisations Code, there is a useful official Highway Code questions, Right- to help people stay up-to-date and/or to website to visit: driver. co.uk is preferred and used by a get their driver’s licence. P A G E 6 What’s on elsewhere ……. News from All Saints Church The Ile Valley Flower Club welcomes visitors to the open night on November At the beginning of this month, on job of looking after this special place for 11th at the Warehouse Theatre Ilmin- th Thursday 6 at 7pm, we have our All everyone to enjoy. ster. The national demonstrator, Bob Souls Service, which is especially for Harris, will entertain with a title "What Rev Julia Hicks those of you who have been bereaved. Christmas Does To Me" 7pm for 7.30pm At our service, we receive the names of Church Services in November start. Tickets £10.00 either from Lanes Garden Shop, or by contacting those who have died and light candles Sun 2nd 8.30am Holy Communion in their memory. Those who have 01460 75025 / 77233. attended funerals in the past year may Thurs 6th 7.00pm All Souls Service, for Sat 15th Nov - HENHAYES TABLE TOP have been sent invitations, but anyone the bereaved SALE. 9am-12 noon - Entry free. Refresh- is welcome to come to remember and Sun 9th 10.50am Remembrance ments available. Tables £5 . Tel 01460 to pray, however long it is since your Sunday 271541. Help us to raise funds for the work of this charity in our local loss. th Sun 16 10.00am Family Service community. I know that Remembrance Sunday is an Sun 23rd 10am Sung Holy Communion Fri 28th Nov - HENHAYES - WINTER important annual event for many of us, th WARMER LUNCH. 12.30pm. 3 course and it will be even more poignant this Sun 30 No service in Merriott lunch plus tea/coffee only £7.50. Booking year as we commemorate 100 years essential. Call in or telephone the Centre since the outbreak of World War One. office on 01460 74340. Our service begins at 10.50 at the war Date for your diary: th Sat 29th Nov - HENHAYES BIG BREAKFAST memorial next to the church. Mon 8 December at 7.00pm - 10am - 12 noon. Full English breakfast - Finally, another thank you to all who Christingle Service (making Christingles sausage, bacon, egg, tomatoes or beans, came to work in the churchyard and at 6.30pm) toast with tea/coffee £4 (extras available church recently. You are doing a great 50p each). Booking not necessary.

Merriott’s Monthly Market News from The Swan

First Saturday of the month We welcome ”Tom Toomey” Guitarist of st 10am until 1pm renown to The Swan on Saturday 1

MERRIOTT SOCIAL CLUB November. We continue to show BT

71 Lower Street, Merriott Sport with Premier League Football , and coffees and the bar will be open. Premiership Rugby and MotoGP. An array of stalls selling fresh food As well as promoting the club we hope Haircut Tuesday 4th November. products from cakes to jams & pickles, quiches and pies, fruit and veg, plants, to support many other local charities Please note we are now taking bookings along the way as well ...... crafts and gifts, Jewellery and hand for Xmas day 5 course Lunch 3:00 pm knits, DVD's and bric-a-brac and much For further details call 07885 424 588, onwards (circa£50) with spaces being more. pop into the club or check us out on limited. Contact the pub for details. facebook. We will be serving bacon butties, teas John, Cathy & Jet

Mike Stenner Painting, decorating and ceramic tiling Tel: 01460 75799 Mob: 07703 573 892

[email protected]

Merriott Messenger P A G E 11

St George’s Church and The English Heritage All Saints Christmas Market Saturday 29th November Angel Award by Sam Wycherley 2.00pm - 6.00pm at The Tithe Barn and The case of is part of All Saints Church, a wider picture of the state of historic Church Street, Merriott buildings around the country. Irrespective of their religious REFRESHMENTS: hog roast, hot connotations, church buildings are a and cold drinks; mulled wine; fundamental link to our heritage and roasted chestnuts culture, often being amongst the STALLS: Christmas gifts; cakes; oldest buildings in a town or village. jewellery; books; cards; etc. They are symbolic of our history, and GAMES: tombola; prize draw; spot yet a lack of funding prevents their prizes; games; maintenance and restoration. Where CHILDREN'S CRAFTS AND STALLS The restoration of the Poulett Memorial funding is available, it is often only ENTERTAINMENT: Father Chapel at St George’s Church, Hinton St due to localised, committed groups Christmas (3-5pm); Carols; Hand George has already won the 2014 John raising funds, a method that, with Bell Ringing; Music from The Betjeman Award and was recently short- dwindling congregation numbers in Church Band. listed by a panel, chaired by Andrew Lloyd UK churches, is becoming harder and Any donations for raffle prizes and Webber, for an English Heritage Angel harder to replicate. This is a shame tins for the hamper will be greatly Award for the “best rescue or repair of a given the importance of the heritage received and can be collected historic place of worship. Since 2007, care- churches like Hinton St George using the contact details below. ful restoration has taken place over 6 years provide. The Poulett Chapel, for ex- Alternatively items can be left in to restore as much of the chapel as possible ample, may contain the earliest use of the church in the box marked – a project co-ordinated by David Clements scagliola (using plaster to imitate Christmas Market. and carried out by Humphries and Jones Ltd. stone) in the UK, dating back to the The chapel had suffered from serious damp late 1660s. Nicky Hodder - 01460 78799 Lesley Chard - 01460 77170 and corrosion, resulting in damage to two At the time of writing, a winner has 16th century limestone tombs, to a lintel st not been chosen, but it will be and to the monument to John, 1 Baron interesting to see how the restoration Poulett. The project aimed to avoid at Hinton St George fares in the replacing parts of the chapel, but to Awards. restore it carefully and sensitively, some- thing it has certainly achieved. Sam Wycherley

Did you know?

Until well into the 18th century in this surfaces were rough, Shire horses were years of the last century about 5,000 country, most farm work was done by used widely to move goods from and to Shire horses a year were oxen. However, heavy horses for the the docks and throughout the country- registered with Society. dray, the plough and the chariot were side. The development of the internal available for sale in London in the late th combustion engine led to the demise 12 century. of the Shire horse and by the mid The heavy horse was used in battle 1950’s only a few hundred remained. during the reign of Henry VIII but was At that time I learnt to plough with a replaced by lighter mounts in the time Shire horse. of Cromwell. Friesian horses were Though a few breweries still use Shire brought to by the Dutch in the th horses to pull their drays, the Rare 16 century to help with the drainage of Breeds Survival Trust considers the the Fens. It is thought that these breed to be ‘vulnerable’ with between animals were the forerunner of Shire 500 and 1,500 animals alive. horses, a term first mentioned in the 17th century. The Shire Horse Society was established John Bowman th in 1878 when it was first known as the During the 18 century, when the road English Cart Horse Society. In the early

Printed by Parish Magazine Printing 01288 341 617 Northmoor, Whitstone EX22 6TD Thank you to our sponsors for their support

The Swan Inn Martyn Porter Lower Severalls John and Cathy Twose The Haselbury Mill Veterinary Painting & Decorating, Farmhouse 44 Lower St, Merriott Tiling & General House Haselbury Plucknett TA16 5NN Maintenance Bed & Breakfast for Weddings and Crewkerne Open all year 01460 75699 No job too small other Functions your local vets 01460 74952 lowerseverallsfarmhouse.co.uk En-suite Bed & Breakfast 01460 77095 01460 72443 Rooms Mobile: 07805159302 01460 73234 Charlotte Hamlin Merriott Childminder Tom Merrick Appliance Flooring Contractors Serving OFSTED & PACEY registered Maintenance Services Electrical Contractor Domestic, Commercial & Full/part-time hours Domestic Appliance Repairs Agricultural & Industrial Industrial Early years funding Tel: 01460 72211 No Job too small Business Park, Mill Between 6.30am & 6.30pm Mob: 07970 744 115 NAPIT approved contractor Lane, Lopen, TA13 5JS www.merriottchildminder.co.uk www.appliancemaintenance.co.uk 01460 72757 01460 242221 01460 73361 01460 279 279 [email protected] 07721 018 335 07980 686 160 www.stokespartners.co.uk

Tony Miles Ltd Moorlands Popular Motors R. A. Wicks Ltd Residential Home Building & Roofing Merriott Service Contractor Fireplace Showroom, Station + Shop Quality care for the elder- 74 Lower St. Merriott Broadway, Quality Car Sales, Flue Lining, and Multi ly Tel/Fax 01460 75860 Workshop, MOT testing Fuel Stoves Moorlands Road Mobile 07774 886379 [email protected] 01460 76803 01460 74425 01460 74612 Fax 01460 77391

Merriott Childcare Beehive Self Storage Ltd Solutions Merriott Pharmacy Purpose built, modern Fusion Fostering Chris Martin OFSTED & PACEY Free prescription storage for domestic or We are always looking for Interiors Ltd registered collection & delivery commercial use families who can offer warm, Graded Outstanding loving and safe homes to 01460 243100 Specialising in installation Ad - hoc, F/T and P/T hours 01460 72222 children and young people of kitchens and bathrooms Registered for Early Years merriottpharmacy [email protected] who need Fostering. @hotmail.com www.beehiveselfstorage.co.uk 01460 76612 Educational funding Tel: 03301 239355 07976 848 677 Overnight care available Serviced Offices To Let [email protected] www.merriottchildcare.co.uk 01460 74086/ 07807 753 779

Careford Lodge Lawrences Sassie Kevin Swain Residential Home Auctioneers Free verbal valuations Electrical Church Street Ladies stylish fashion Home visits Contractor and accessories Contact Lorraine on 8 Church St, Crewkerne 01460 73041 Free Estimates 01460 75592 Open 6 days a week Tel 01460 73260 carefordlodge@ 01460 74323 Tel: 01460 249730 Fax: 01460 270799 hotmail.co.uk GKH Home & Garden Jays Maintenance Osborne’s Complete Property Broadway Maintenance Brick & Stone Work Letting, Investment and Patios and Pergolas Over 20 years experience Butcher of local farm No job too small! Property Management for Grass cutting & meat, groceries, news- S Somerset & W Dorset Hedge Trimming papers, wines and spirits 01460 72225 01935 420555 or email jane.desforges 01460 78891 We do it all! 07865 700 760 [email protected] 01460 73459 @novahomes.co.uk Tel: 07545 257 186 www.martincoyeovil.co.uk

Jaycee Plumbing Quantock Joinery Merriott Social Club Heating Engineers TO SPONSOR THE Systems Limited •open every evening Boiler servicing and changes MERRIOTT MESSENGER •spacious function room Lpg / Oil / Gas-Safe Tail Mill Lane PLEASE CONTACTA available for hire 20 Shiremoor Hill Merriott TA16 5PF MEMBER OF THE Merriott 01460 74376 EDITORIAL TEAM. 01460 77545 07970 279778 / 07738 632746 [email protected] [email protected] Ansaphone: 01460 53967 Find us on [email protected]

Copy deadline for the December issue of the Please send copy to: [email protected] Merriott Messenger is 12th November. Editorial Team contact: John Bowman 74077 Ann Lawrence 78461 Articles received after this date may not be Peter Bryans 78182 Janet Lailey 271008 included. Please send us your artwork and/or Niki Scurr 419201 Jane Jackson 74162 photographs. Marion Andrews 01935 863420