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CONTACT The Magazine of Crook Peak Parish (October/November 2021 Edition)

Issue 289 DATES FOR YOUR DIARY CORRESPONDENTS OCTOBER 2021 Tarnock Vacancy 1 Oct 8pm Loxton Village Hall - Loxton Village Hall drinks evening Weare Julia James-Smith ([email protected] ) 4 Oct 12.30pm Loxton Village Hall - Loxton Village Lunch Badgworth Vacancy 9 Oct 7.30pm – Biddisham Parish Hall - Fun Quiz – £5 inc Ploughman's supper Loxton & Philip Davies (Bookings: Jenny(750715); Ian(751287); Stephen (750002); Pat (750476) Christon (07881630629) 13 Oct 10.30am – Cross Hall - Coffee Morning – Proceeds towards Cross Richard Parker insurance for Parish Car Scheme offering lifts for medical purposes (732084) (richard.a.parker@ 16 Oct 10am – Church Room next to St Gregory's Church, Weare btinternet.com AGM for Friends Of Weare Church (FOWC) 24Oct 6pm – St Congars, Badgworth church – Rededication of the Bells Biddisham Vacancy 26 Oct 8pm Weare Memorial Hall AGM for Weare Memorial Hall(All Welcome) Distribution Pat Northmore (733172) 29 Oct 10.30am – Weare Coffee Morning - Weare Church Room Treasurer Peggy Farley (732989) NOVEMBER 2021 Cover Photo A Regular visitor to the Market 1 Nov 12.30pm Loxton Village Hall - Loxton Village Lunch Edited by Bob Foster (732935) [email protected] 2 Nov 8pm Loxton Village Hall - Parish Council Meeting Printing Charlie Hamilton Printing Solutions 5 Nov 8pm Loxton Village Hall - Loxton Village Hall drinks evening charlierosehamilton 26 Nov Weare Church Rooms – Parish Coffee Morning @hotmail.co.uk Illustrated News from Badgworth David Parker (Badgworth) writes BEFORE AFTER Outside Walls -The repair and conservation of the medieval rendering to the outside walls of the chapel and church was completed by the end of August. The ochre limewash was the close match of the original colouring and, and we hope you agree, looks well. You can see this same coloured limewash on walls of the Bishop’s Palace in Wells. Bell ringing training: Several people have said recently how much they enjoy hearing the bells of St. Congar’s ringing out over the Parish, one commented “we’ve now reached proper Village Status”. Debra and Robert Anderson, Hollie Bailie and I have been attending bell ringing training over the past two weeks, given by the Axbridge ringers, led by John Dunstone, assisted by Sarah, Felicity, Charles, Marion, her daughter Caroline and her daughter Melissa, plus New Notice Board - We hope that many Hilda. Yes, wonderful support from of you have seen our new church notice people near at home. We have had great board, skillfully made by Nick Whittaker, fun, a few scary moments and are now who, with Lana and their children, enjoying a sense of achievement. And we recently moved to Badgworth. Mike are only just beginning our journey into Andrews installed the robust notice this medieval (two bells were cast in board, with a little muscular assistance John Dunstone training Hollie Bailey 1450) practice of bell ringing in from Ryan Brunt of Wells Cathedral Badgworth. Please come and join us. Stonemasons, when he came to inspect the medieval rendering. Page 1 From: Gary Orriss, Reader in training for Crook Peak United Parish [email protected]

Dear Friends,

Ruth and I were greatly heartened by the care and love shown to us by the community here in Crook Peak, when we were struggling with a household full of COVID, despite being vaccinated. We had many kind offers of help whilst we isolated, together with a number of concerned phone calls asking how we were.

This reminded me of how good it is to be part of a local community. Which leads me on to say that although as a parish we do not have a Rector to call upon, those of us who are part of the church are still here.

If you need prayer or help, please get in touch with a Churchwarden and we will do our best. If we cannot help directly, we know someone who can. On a more personal note, if you do not feel comfortable coming to church then I am often at the White Hart in Cross. Come and join me for a pint (or any other tipple) and a prayer.

God bless Gary Orriss (Reader in training.)

NOT ALONE !

Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in Me. In My father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going to prepare a place for you. I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am going. John 14 : 1-3 Truly truly I say to you, he who believes has eternal life. John 6:47

Most of us are worried about facing new things on our own. If we have a friend with us, we are much braver. How wonderful that the Lord has promised that when we, as we all must one day, face the end of our lives He will come and show us the way, and we will be with Him for eternity. Do, please ring with any prayer request – 01934 750856 Page 2 News from the Villages Weare Badgworth (cont) Hilary Hugh writes .. Thank you to Sarah and her team Please Note the advert on the Diary Page for for arranging August’s Coffee Morning in Weare Church volunteers needed for the Rota. We believe that many Room. It was lovely to see so many people there all hands make light work and hope that six people step enjoying the get together as well as some delicious cakes! forward to split the work between them on a mix and KimVaux was also there showing some of her beautiful match basis, if it helps. This would mean about 4 cut flowers which she has been growing after joining a duties a year as we, Debra, Hollie and David, can fill course on Zoom during lockdown. I must say, her garden the gaps. looks stunning with such a variety of organically grown flowers which bloom across the seasons. As with all Our other news can be read in the Special Features flowers they need to be regularly picked and on request page, which includes photos of the improved Kim will happily make up fresh simple posies to larger rendering of the church wall, our bell ringing training arrangements. She charges a small amount and donates and our new church notice board, skillfully made by any profit to village causes. Kim lives at Appleyards in Nick Whittaker, who, with Lana and their children, Weare and can be contacted on [email protected] or recently moved to Badgworth. Mike Andrews carried 07868 285801. The next Parish Coffee morning will be out the installation with a little muscular assistance on Friday 24th September and then Friday 29th October from Ryan Brunt of Wells Cathedral Stonemasons, at 10.30am in Weare Church Room. Do pop along if you when he came to inspect the medieval rendering. can! Christon Biddisham Mary Counsell (Church warden) writes: St. Mary the Claire Talbot writes .. Dear friends, Virgin Church is undergoing interior repairs and Welcome all new villagers. Over the past few months maintenance which has revealed a small area of wall many houses have changed ownership and so painting - thought to be pre-reformation AND a Corbel in Biddisham welcome you all. Since Rev Judith the shape of a dragon head which could be pre Norman retired we have had 2 super 10.30 services in August Invasion. All very exciting. To carry out the work to with visiting Church of England readers. Our next exacting standards required by the Diocese and with service - morning prayer will be on Sunday 17th advice from the Church Architect, some money will have October. Tea and coffee is served after the service to be found after obtaining the appropriate permissions. It allowing everyone time to meet and chat with each is expected that grants will be applied for. Some generous other from across the six villages of Crook Peak legacies and donations and ongoing fundraising has Parish. Thank you so much to everyone who donated enabled the work to be started. Please visit this wonderful to this years friends of St John the Baptist Church example of Norman/Anglo Saxon Architecture in our gift day envelopes. We raised £292. The money will Parish. It must rate as one of the earliest Churches in the be used to pay our annual bills for fire extinguisher country and is therefore to be celebrated as a place of servicing, electricity testing and the building worship and a building of Historic interest. insurance. There are gift day envelopes down at the church if you would like to donate at any time. Our Loxton parish ride and stride will take place after the Philip Davies writes: Loxton lunches recommenced on Contacts deadline for articles and so I will give you the first Monday in September and it was wonderful to an update towards Christmas. Yes Christmas is once see 20 regulars getting together again. Next is on 4th Oct again looming! We are looking to hold our traditional The next in s range of activities and drinks evenings on carol service as usual in December. We are not yet the first Friday evening of the month will be on Oct 1st. sure what Sunday it will be yet, but if you would like to participate by doing a reading, singing or playing Badgworth music please can you let me know so I can work out Churchwardens: Debra Anderson and David Parker, the service order. Lastly, sadly one of our senior write … We have been privileged to receive the services villages has passed away - Harry Baker. Harry was of retired Vicar the Revd. Ann Ogram, and the Revd. known through out the village and was a keen Thea Oliver and Reader Richard Brown, our special gardener right up to his early 90’s. Our sympathy and thanks go to Helen Mercer who is running the Church prayers go out to Harry’s family. Office & booking Clergy for the holy communion services in addition to her many other duties while we are in a Vacancy. Page 3 Regular Groups Axbridge Royal British Legion A small group of members met together on Tuesday7th September for the first meeting since the beginning of 2019. The time catching up on news of members and making plans for the rest of the year was enjoyed in The Lamb, Axbridge. The next meeting was fixed for 5th October at 11;00am in The Lamb, Axbridge. Dates for your diary include Remembrance Sunday on 14th November and Christmas Lunch 7th December. If you need any further news or information please contact Brian Winder on 01278 785696 or John Hawkins on 07710 180847 or at [email protected] They will be happy to talk to you. Axbridge District Trefoil Guild Following the Harvest lunch on the second Tuesday of September the next meeting is on 12th October. This will be a visit to Oakham Treasures. The cost will be £6:50 plus an additional £5 if using the Mini bus – please have cheque or correct money - advance booking is essential. Leaving at 11:30am, pick up points will be arranged, and returning home by 3:30pm. Please contact Sue Wilde [email protected] or Liz Hamilton [email protected] . to see if there are any places still available. Dates for your diary. 9th November will be an afternoon of Christmas Craft in the Catholic Church Room, Cheddar from 2:00-4:00pm and 14th December a Christmas Lunch at The Lamb, Weare.

AXBRIDGE ARCHAEOLOGICAL & LOCAL HISTORY SOCIETY Our next meetings will be on Wednesday 20 October at 7.30pm - Rod Hutchings will talk about “HMS Fox”. The ship was launched in 1893. After a long service the ship was decommissioned in 1919, sold in 1920 and scrapped in Watchet harbour by the Cardiff Scrap and Salvage company, in the autumn of 1923. She is still the largest vessel ever to enter Watchet Harbour. .. and on Wednesday 17 November at 7.30pm - Dr Andrew Pickering will be talking about John Steinbeck's year in Somerset and his endeavour to retell Malory's Morte d'Arthur Full details of this and the full programme are on the website www.aalhs.co.uk If you would like a link to access these talks or to go on the mailing list for future talks then please contact [email protected] . We look forward to you joining us.Liz Friend, Secretary AALHS www.aalhs.co.uk Special Events Sat 9th Oct 7.30pm Biddisham Fun Quiz - Parish Hall £5 per head inc Ploughman's supper BRING YOUR OWN DRINK Please book your places (it helps with the catering) with either: Jenny (750715); Ian(751287); Stephen (750002); Pat (750476)

Wed 13th Oct 10.30am - Cross Hall Coffee Morning Proceeds towards funding insurance for Parish Car Scheme offering lifts for medical purposes

Sun 24th Oct 6pm – St Congars, Badgworth church Rededication of the Bells.. Service of Rededication of the Bells The Venerable Anne Gell, Archdeacon of Wells will preside over the rededication of the recently restored and rehung bells. The Axbridge band of ringers will ring the bells before, during and after the service and the Crook Peak Special Choir will sing celebratory music, including Handel's Hallelujah Chorus'

Page 4 Special Features Ride and stride 2021 Claire from Crook Peak Parish Biddisham writes ...This year my ride and stride took me out of Somerset and I walked around churches in Hampshire as I was staying with my Mum. The Candover valley where she lives is a very beautiful part of north Hampshire. Candover meaning beautiful stream. Historically, from the Norman invasion it is recorded that the lands were owned by Edwin the priest and the area had 6 Manors each believed to have a chapel. By the 1380’s the patronage of the area was Augustinian Priory of Southwick (Portchester). At the dissolution of the priories by Henry eighth in 1538 the patronage was passed to the Dean and Chapter of Winchester. This remains the same today. My journey took me to Wield church first. A lovely Saxon church with a small wooden tower with a weather vein at it’s peak. Inside at the back is a balcony painted in bright coloured stripes. There are also some ancient paintings on the wall which you can just just about make out. The alter area has ancient tombs on one side. Walking on I made my way to Bradley village. This church is made from traditional flint of the area. It again had a small single bell tower. Inside was a beautiful wooden roof over the alter and a Millennium window installed by the parishioners. The next village I arrived at was Preston Candover. The church here was built in Victorian times and is much larger to fit a growing village congregation. The structure is flint walls outside finished in red brick inside. It has a large pointed tower which houses more than one bell. The layout of the church is classic Victorian with pews and side aisles. I set off to reach my final church at Brown Candover only to discover along the way hidden up a track the original Preston Candover church. The church was knocked down when they finished building the new church and only the chancel was retained to be used as a mortuary chapel. The coffin carrier was still present and there were medieval painting on all the walls in good condition. Reaching Brown Candover I found the church high up on a mound with a cricket pitch in front of it. It was constructed in flint and had a larger flint tower for bells built on the side. Unfortunately it was locked! Thank you everyone who sponsored me this year. Shoe Boxes. Crook Peak will be collecting shoe boxes once again for the vulnerable communities across Eastern Europe. When you have so little the gift of a shoe box brings much joy. To enable the boxes to pass through custom regulations please follow the instructions on the leaflet. Leaflets will be in all the churches but if there is a problem please contact Lynda on 750533. If there is a problem finding a shoe box a drawstring bag like a gym bag can be used. Max. size should be 400mm x 300mm. All shoe boxes need to be with me by the end of October for collection. Many thanks. The St Congar’s Church, Badgworth Volunteers Needed – We are in need of volunteers in the following roles that will help to keep our church looking clean and attractive: Flowers (Max 10) – monthly for our 4th Sunday services Brass cleaning (4) – quarterly Church cleaning (Max 10) – monthly before our 4th Sunday services. Mums and toddlers playgroup - We would like to extend the welcome to all mums and preschoolers of The Crook Peak Parish. We meet at the church during term time: Tuesday afternoons 3-5pm From the Treasurer, Peggy Farley From the Editor: Very many thanks to all Parish Councils and It’s great to see things returning to Parishioners who have made donations towards the normal., with no masks at the outdoor market and event notifications for printing of Contact. It is very much appreciated. If you Contact arriving in my inbox once wish to make a donation to contact please contact Peggy more.. Farley, Treasurer, 01934 732989 for the necessary details. When thinking about what to send in NEW DATE Friends Of Weare Church (FOWC) 2021 AGM for the next edition, remember that Steve Mercer (Chairman, Friends Of Weare Church) writes… The previously special Christmas Greetings will be postponed AGM of FOWC will now take place on Saturday 16 October 2021 at printed on the cover, 10:00 a.m. in the Church Room next to St Gregory's Church Weare. All Friends of the charity are invited to join us on that day. If you are intending to come Please note that some submissions along, please bring with you, copies of the report and accounts which were arrived too late to be included for this previously circulated to all Friends via letter or e-mail. issue. CALLING WEARE STUDENTS Weare Educational Only submissions to Foundation is a small charity established for the benefit & [email protected] that arrive education of young people in the Parish of Weare. Grant on a date that falls within the ‘window for submissions’ (between applications should be made to The Trustees, c/o Paul Nov 10th and Nov 14th) are Wattam, Henmore Lane, Weare BS26 2LB guaranteed to be included Page 5

Badgworth Biddisham Compton Bishop Christon Loxton Weare 2021 Flowers & Brass Flowers Cleaning Flowers Cleaning Brass Flowers, Flowers, Flowers & Cleaning Dusting & Brass Cleaning & Cleaning Brass Brass & Brass

3 Oct C Blackwell S Steel H Dean Tabrett & F A J Ford L Taylor L Taylor Stanford Campbell & T Gill 10 Oct “ “ “ L. Parfitt G. Willis 17 Oct “ “ J Stuchbery J Lunn & JL “ “ “ “ Gold 24 Oct “ “ “ A. Le A. Le Provost Provost 31 Oct “ “ M Jordan “ “ “ “ “ 6 Nov P Cross S Hatton M Smith B. Channon J. Whattam 13 Nov “ “ E Gardner J & J J Lewis “ “ “ & W Carlin Buckler 20 Nov “ “ “ A Ham A Fox

27 Nov “ “ J Stuchbery “ “ “ J Jackson “ & P Warner

Dec J Stuchbery W Simpson H & D A Stitch S Pettifer & P Warner & J Craig Dean

WHO’S WHO IN CROOK PEAK PARISH Page 6