Round About the Villages of Langford Budville and Runnington

Round About the villages of Langford Budville and Runnington

August/SeptemberAugust/September 20172017 CONTENTS

1 Welcome 2 What's On 4 Jubilee Hall 6 News from the Villages 9 Seasonal Treats 10 Farming Year—Crops 12 Friendship Circle 13 Langford Ladies 14 News from the Churches 18 Keeping Balls in the Air 20 Green Fingers: Hestercombe 22 Our School 24 Young Buddies 36 Local Transport Services 37 Community Contacts 38 Magazine Information

Welcome...

….to the August/September edition of Round About. Summer is in full swing: we’ve had thunderstorms and heat waves, and lots of us are going on holiday. There is still plenty going on in the villages though, and lots to look forward to. There’ll be a real taste of summer for those who join in the Caribbean Lunch and the Runnington Barbecue. And Thunderbridge Blue Grass Band will be coming to the village hall in October—you can find the details in What’s On and on the Village Hall pages. Our School has broken up for the summer, but before that they enjoyed an Indian themed week. The school will welcome a new Head of School in September. Flowers, bugs and creatures feature this month: Young Buddies has some flower puzzle and holiday jokes, we visit Hestercombe Gardens for Greenfingers, and there are plenty of bugs in the collage! We’re also starting to look forwards to the harvest. Crops are ripening, changing from green to gold. Farming Year takes a look at the crops that are grown in the fields around the villages. Blackberries are starting to ripen in the hedges, and we anticipate the harvest with a very Seasonal Treat. Our Local Story this issue features a new initiative in the villages: The Friendship Circle of Langford Budville, Runnington and the surrounding areas. There’ll be a regular meeting held, open to all—men and women—where a number of stimulating activities will be offered and you can meet old friends and make new ones. There have been several new arrivals, and a few departures and farewells to be said. We hope we have covered all the News from the Villages, and in the News from the Churches, but we do rely on you, our readers, to let us know if you have a new neighbour, or have bid goodbye an old one. Our Local Personality is along-term village resident who has a passion for tennis—and for Wimbledon—Keeping the Balls in the Air. As always we are keen to get your ideas for what you’d like to see in the magazine, and we’d love to feature your photos of the villages in the collage or on the cover. You can find our contacts in the Magazine Information at the back of the Magazine. Saranne Cessford on behalf of the editorial team 1

What’s On

Mon 21 Aug 7.00—8.00 Police Beat Surgeries Jubilee Hall Mon 11 Sept pm Friendship Circle—Flora of Jubilee Hall Fri 4 Aug 10:45 am the Western Cape Caribbean Lunch From 12.00 Tantelon Sat 5 August For St Peter’s Church noon Mon 14 Aug Parish Council meeting Jubilee Hall 7.30pm Mon 11 Sept Langford Ladies—cheese The Old Chapel Wed 16 Aug 7:30 pm and chatter Thurs 17 Aug 12.00—2.00 Summer Lunches St Peter’s Ch. Thurs 15 Sept pm Friendship Circle Brunch Jubilee Hall Fri 18 Aug 10.45 am Booking required Friendship Circle—Life in Jubilee Hall Fri 1 Sept 10.45 am the Diplomatic Service 1 Pet Service Runnington Ch. Sun 3 Sept 10.00 am Runnington Barbecue Sandyland House Sun 10 Sept 12.00 noon Harvest Festival and bring St Peter’s Ch. Sun 17 Sept 10.30 am & share lunch Harvest Festival Runnington Ch. Sun 1 Oct. 10.30 am

Thunderbridge Blue Grass Jubilee Hall Fri 27 Oct 7.00 pm

Caribbean Lunch at Tantelon Saturday August 5th from 12 noon Steel the Show will be playing Two course Caribbean Lunch including Rum Punch Tickets are £12.50 from either Lyn Wyatt (400245) or Sarah Nutt (401261). In Aid of the toilet Fund, St Peter’s Church

Staying Alive...Defibrillator Training

Tuesday 8 August 2017 - 7.00pm at the Jubilee Hall

This is an invitation to join us for a hot drink and to learn the skills that could save a person’s life. We are very fortunate to have a defibrillator at the Hall, hanging on the outside wall next to the front door. Anyone is allowed to use it should the need arise.

If someone collapses in their home, or elsewhere, the defibrillator can be removed and taken to that location. When the box is opened, a recorded voice takes you through straightforward steps that can start someone’s heart beating again.

As a part of this hands-on training you’ll also learn the correct way to administer CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation), another life saving skill that you can use anywhere.

Please come along whether this is completely new to you or you want to refresh your skills. No need to book.

Jubilee Hall Trustees and Management Committee 3

Future Events at the Hall

Defibrillator Training Course: Tuesday 8 August 2017 - 7.00pm This course is to be held at the Hall where the defibrillator is located. It is open to everyone and tea and coffee will be served. There is no need to book. For further information, please see the previous page. Thunderbridge Bluegrass Band: Friday 27 October - 7.00pm We’re delighted to welcome the Band back to the Hall. Led by local boy, Nick Girone-Maddocks, anyone who has seen them will tell you they are not to be missed. All of the proceeds from the show will go to Runnington Church. Hall Christmas Closure: 21 December - 8 January The Hall will be closed for 2½ weeks so the interior can be redecorated in preparation for a very busy 2018.

The Jubilee Hall is an ideal venue for a wide variety of events including wedding receptions, parties and dances, shows and concerts, club and society meetings, fetes and community events, conferences, meetings and training days Main Hall seats up to 200+ theatre style, 150 at tables Comfortable Committee Room with seating for 30 Large, well equipped kitchen Spacious foyer and cloakroom Gravelled patio + grassed terrace Easy access and parking for 40+ cars Full bar/entertainment licence For booking availability visit www.langfordbudvillevillagehall.org.uk call Margaret Brown on 01823 400510 or email [email protected]

All the proceeds from the show will go to Runnington Church

News from the Villages Parish Council Parish Council meetings were held on 12th June and 10th July 2017 There has been a lot of discussion regarding the purchase of a SID (Speed Indicator Device). The parishioners will have the final say and will be able to vote on this as it will cost a considerable amount of money. Runnington’s damaged finger post will be repaired within 12 weeks of receipt of payment, which has been sent off. Police Report: 9/06 – Missing person 23/06 – Shots heard There were 265 calls to the Police this month for the Wellington Rural area, with 32 calls for this area. These included a concern for welfare in Langford Budville, and a vehicle related call to Runnington. Planning Applications 21/17/0008: Proposal: Change of use of Industrial land (class B1/B8) to dog walking/ activity area with formation of vehicle hardstanding and pond (Clas Sui-Generis) on land at Lowmoor Industrial Estate, Tonedale, Wellington. - Support There has been more fly tipping at Tone Bridge and with the mud running down from the field it has made it dangerous to walk Therefore anyone walking in this area has to walk on the road: this is an ongoing situation which is now involving John Thorne Councillor for Wellington North and James Hunt. The next Parish Council meeting will be held on August 14th 2017 at 7.30. Christine Hake: Parish Clerk Welcome …

To Andrea and Chris Montag their daughter Hannah and partner Paul Kennedy and young 1 year old Rufus who have come to live at Runnington Farm House. Chris and Andrea, both now retired, have had long and interesting careers, Chris as a graphics designer and lecturer at City of Bristol College and Andrea as a theatre designer teaching M.A. courses at the Bristol Old Vic Theatre School where she taught for ten years. Before moving to Bristol Chris and Andrea lived in London where they both had busy and successful careers, Andrea’s work taking her all over the country working on many types of shows from Rep Theatre to Commercial shows. Hannah and Paul have moved from Wellington: they are both ecologists working for a private consultancy business in Blackford near Wedmore. Hannah tells me that some of her work involves drawing up surveys of endangered species such as bats and dormice. Paul is an expert on bats and is chairman of the Somerset Bat 6

Group. Young Rufus has a special interest in spiders, cars and shoes! The open space of Runnington Farm House surrounded by fields lured them from the town to the country where they have ambitious plans for planting fruit trees and creating a vegetable garden. Chris who is a keen carpenter is enjoying the space to make a work shop and Paul is able to indulge his interest in renovating motor bikes. We wish them luck and many happy years in Runnington. Susan Osborne

Welcome, also, to Richard and Sheena Gilpin - who have moved from a three-storey house beside the A361 to the delightfully different bungalow, Wayside, in Langford Budville, where they are enjoying the tranquility, the garden and its birds. Richard is Operations Director (Network and Customer Services) for South West Water, where he has worked for over 30 years. Sheena is studying part time for a BA (Honours) Degree with the Open University and enjoys being creative with all forms of needlework. They have six grown up children between them, as well as four grandchildren, whose whereabouts range from Durham to Exeter. They’re looking forward very much to village life—please make them welcome. And Farewell ...

To Barrie Harland It is with great sadness we report the death of Barrie Harland, who passed quietly away after a courageous battle with Multiple Myeloma. Barrie first came to the village in 1983 and moved into one of the new houses opposite the Martlet with his wife Jo and his two daughters Tina and Louise and they soon settled into village life. Barrie enjoyed going into the pub and soon formed a group of friends who met every Friday and still meet there to this day. Barrie was a keen sportsman, and played golf at Oake Manor Golf Club. He also helped create The Friday Club - a group of local golfers based at The Martlet. Barrie played rugby in his youth and captained his local side in Loughborough. He went on to represent his county Durham and gained caps at under eighteen level. Barrie met and married Jo, and set off to create a new life in South Africa. When they returned to the UK he started in the business world and finally formed his own I.T. business based in Taunton. Barrie and Jo left the village in 2003, and moved to Cotford St Luke. He will be sorely missed by all who had the good fortune to have known him. Duncan Hughes

Police Notice: Wildlife crime

Wildlife Crime contributes to reducing numbers of our area’s rare animals and plants. It causes pain, suffering and often death. It is also often linked to other criminal activitiy. Wildlife crime includes buying, selling, harming or disturbing wild animals or plants such as badgers, bats and birds of prey that are protected by the law, e.g. poaching; trading of endangered species or cruelty to wildlife How can you help? If you witness wildlife crime in action call 999 immediately. For all other enquiries call us on 101. Please provide as much information as possible such as location, descriptions of vehicles, exact locations, dates and times. If safe to do so, you could take photographs that could be used in evidence.

Age UK Somerset— gentle exercise classes for the mature adult.

Classes are held every Monday morning 10-11am in term time at Milverton Victoria Rooms. Each session costs £4.50 on a pay as you go basis. Booking isn’t required; If you have any questions contact Julie Bolton on 01823 345626 or email [email protected]

YOGA the Iyengar way Langford Budville Jubilee Hall Tuesdays 6.30-8.00 pm Thursdays 10.00-11.30am BEGINNERS WELCOME suitable for all abilities contact Jackie Douglas 07919 818980 [email protected]

Seasonal Treats: Blackberry & Apple Charlotte

Ingredients: 450 g Bramley apples Zest & Juice 1 lemon 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon A charlotte mould 200g castor sugar 2 tbsp. breadcrumbs 450 g Blackberries 100g butter, melted + extra butter for greasing About 10 slices of white bread, crusts removed A charlotte mould, or deepish tin or oven-safe bowl (18 cm) Method Heat the oven to 190C/170C fan/gas5. Peel, quarter and core the apples and chop roughly. Cook over a low heat until soft, take off the heat and stir in the sugar, blackberries and breadcrumbs. Butter an 18cm/7in deep charlotte mould. Cut the bread into shapes to cover the base and sides. Dip each slice into melted butter and place in the mould, buttered side down, with What the Charlotte should look each piece slightly overlapping. like …. Spoon in the fruit, then make a buttery bread lid to cover. Bake for 1 hour until crisp and golden. Carefully turn onto a plate, leaving the mould on—leave for 15 minutes, then lift off. Editors Note: I didn’t have a proper Charlotte mould and substituted a deepish pyrex casserole, but the recipe didn’t fill it, and it collapsed! So I’d recommend making sure that whatever you use you fill the bowl, and also take care to overlap the bread slices. It tasted pretty good, though, with lashings of vanilla custard or icecream. You can also make this in What mine looked like ….. small moulds as individual puddings.

Saranne Cessford 9

Farming Year: Crops

When viewed from a height, our countryside, especially at this time of year, resembles an irregular patchwork of fields separated by hedgerows, with different crops giving interest, colour and texture. The view is never quite the same two years in a row, as the type of crop grown will change each year. Most farms in our area are stock farms or mixed farms, Looking across the Vale of Taunton and the fields are a mix of permanent from St Peter’s Churchyard pastures, grass leys and arable crops. Crops are usually grown in a rotation – 5 year or 7 year – to help prevent the build-up of pests and weeds in the fields. A typical rotation would be 2 or 3 years planted to grass, followed by 2 or 3 years of cereal crops, and then a break crop, often a ‘restorative’ crop like peas, beans or a root crop like beet or potatoes. Historically, it was most important to allow the fields to be left fallow for the break to keep the land clean of weeds and insect pests. The fallow fields would be harrowed to kill off the weeds, but with modern pesticides and herbicides to suppress pests and weeds, this is seldom done today. Grass planted in a field is a crop plant. Grass leys are a mixture of grasses which are planted in spring for early grazing or in autumn and lightly grazed through the winter, before being fertilised and allowed to grow on. 2 or 3 cuts may be Preparing to bring in the sileage taken for silage to be used as fodder for the stock. Round About had an article on silage-making in July 2015. The cereal crops you are likely to see in our area are maize, wheat and barley and occasionally oats. Maize is grown mainly as fodder, while barley and wheat are combine harvested and the grain used either for stock or sold for Ripe wheat 10

human consumption, and the straw baled for bedding. You may see notices on field gates announcing that the crop of standing barley is to be auctioned. It is the barley- straw that is being sold: the grain will be sold separately for brewing or spirit making, or for human or animal consumption. An unusual crop that may occasionally be seen is miscanthus or elephant grass and Lime-green young barley in the this is grown primarily as bio-mass for fuel, foreground, bluish wheat behind: although it is occasionally used also for Dunns Farm in the trees thatching. Break crops are often ‘restorative’ legumes like peas and beans, which are for human consumption. In our area most of the land planted to peas will be leased by Ken Coles of Wellington who is the largest producer of fresh peas-in-the-pod in the country. Most root crops, which may be regarded as ’cleaning’ crops, are also for human consumption, although occasionally a Young maize in regimented rows farmer may plant a field to stubble turnips for stock food, and allow it to be grazed in place, and beets may be lifted and stored for dairy herds. Often after harvesting maize, a cover crop may be introduced to help prevent run-off and river pollution during the winter. The cover crop may be rape or rye-grass, and will not be harvested but ploughed in before the next cereal crop is planted. Our local patchwork will change from year to year, and season to season as crops mature and ripen, and fields are harvested, or ploughed. I love to walk the footpaths and observe (and photograph) the changes and the progress of A crop of peas in flower the crops through the year. I would like to thank Mr Michael Tarr of Leigh Bungalow for all his help with this article. Mr Tarr was born on Leigh Farm and lived and worked there all his life, running a mixed stock and arable Farm, until he retired. Saranne Cessford

Local Story — Friendship Circle

The Friendship Circle of Langford Budville and Runnington and the surrounding area. This group was started by Jan Middleton and Pam Farr, with support from a number of volunteers and encouragement from the Parish Council and other community organisations. They felt that there was a great need for a community club in the village: a place for people to meet and make new friends — especially as we have a lovely hall for holding meetings. A search on Internet Somerset for Community Clubs led to the selection of three to visit and observe to get ideas for the club format. Discussions with neighbours led to the formation of the Management Group of four people and the involvement of many volunteers. They asked people locally what they wanted from the club, and what they could offer, and met to discuss the various options before deciding on the format. First the group needed to come up with a name for the club, and chose Friendship Circle from a number of suggestions as they felt it best encapsulated the aims of the group, which is to provide a community club, open to all, where there could be a number of stimulating, motivating activities on offer—with something for everyone. The frequency of meetings also had to be decided on – and it was felt that every two weeks would help keep up continuity for the members. The nature of the meetings would be variable, with get-togethers for a cuppa and a talk, outings by coach to places of interest, and occasional meals in the mix. Although there is a formal Constitution and list of rules, which is a requirement for the club to seek funding from Public Bodies, the idea is for the club members to become involved in the running of the club by suggesting activities and organising meetings. There’ll be a suggestion box at all meetings and a feedback meeting will be held from time to time to discuss and evaluate the club’s activities. The club is open to everyone – all ages, men and women. Babies and toddlers are welcome, but unfortunately school-age children can’t be catered for. Meetings are held every two weeks on Fridays: Unless there is an outing these will be at the Langford Budville Jubilee Hall at 10:45 am. Programmes are available at all meetings and in the Hall, and they have been distributed around the villages and the surrounding area.

A small charge of £2.00 will be made for tea or coffee and a raffle entry at general meetings. Brunches will be charged at £5.00 and outings cost will depend on the destination and travel costs. Bookings for outings and brunches will be taken at the meetings. Notices of meetings will appear regularly in our magazine on the What’s On page. The first meetings have attracted more than 30 people from the villages and surrounding areas, and it is hoped that this number will grow as people become aware of the activities, and come to see it as a great place to meet for a chat, and make new friends. The Management Group consists of Jan Middleton, Pam Farr, Sylvia Jago and Maggie Blake who are ably assisted by Barbara Hughes, Diane Whittaker, Christine Hake, Valerie Pitman, Kevin Jago, Sheila Faulkner and David Faulkner. The Club has received funding and support from The Parish Council, The members of the Manage- Wiveliscombe Rotary Club, The Field House ment Group and helpers Trust and Comic Relief (both through the Community Council for Somerset); and the CSW group People Developers. Saranne Cessford, with Jan Middleton, Pam Farr and Sylvia Jago Langford Ladies

Sixteen members and four guests enjoyed a fabulous barbeque at Brockney House at the invitation of Margaret Brown and Sylvia Gothard. The weather was kind, helped by the large gazebo in the garden. A selection of delicious meats were superbly cooked by the two barbeque chefs – David Brown and Philip Gothard, and the wine served with style by Martin Stockley and Roger Marshall. A dazzling array of salads and puddings accompanied by wine were the icing on the cake. Thanks to Sylvia and Margaret for organising this. Our next meeting is Wednesday 16 August at The Old Chapel for an evening of Chat, Cheese and Wine. Please can you either email or telephone me so that I have an idea of how much wine to get in !!! [email protected] or 401261.

Sarah Nutt 13

News from the Churches

Bishop’s Letter In a magazine recently I read about a distance learning course being offered by St. John’s College in Nottingham specifically for Church Administrators. It combines study alongside working, takes about 18 months, and leads to a Certificate in Christian Studies. Those who have completed the course speak of how not only has it transformed their way of working, but how it changed the way others within the church perceived them and the work that they do. I found that really encouraging. All churches are dependent on the skills, gifts and talents of church members offering their time and expertise to help build up the Church. Valuing, appreciating and developing those God given gifts is so important. When Paul wrote to the Church at Corinth he said; ‘Now to each one has been given the Spirit’s gifts for the good of all.’ (1 Corinthians Chapter 12) He then goes on to give examples of those gifts. He mentions prophecy and healing, preaching and teaching, leadership and tongues and many others. But tucked away in that list of gifts and ministries we read that God has appointed people with the ability ‘to help others and those with gifts of administration’. Administrators are mentioned in the same list as apostles, miracle workers and prophets. Although, as anyone who has ever been involved in Church work knows, administrators often are ‘miracle workers’ ensuring that all the necessary administrative tasks of the church are done efficiently and effectively. The word Paul uses for ‘administrator’ is the same word that is used for a pilot of a ship, whose task it is to steer the ship safely through the rocks and the shoals to the harbour. Administrators seldom stand in the limelight, they work in the background and shoulder the routine but essential work on which everything else depends. We don’t always know who counts the collection, produces the service sheets, takes the minutes, or staples the church magazine together. But God knows and without all those people the mission of the church would not go forward as it does. Hurrah for administrators. The Right Reverend Peter Hancock Bishop of Bath and Wells 14

Churches’ Service Rota

Langford Second Date Runnington First Reading Budville Reading

6 August 10.00am 10.30am Isaiah Romans HC Parish Praise 55. 1-5 9. 1-5

13 August 9.15am Join Langford 1 Kings Romans Joint HC Budville 19. 9-18 10. 5-15

20 August 10.00am 6.00pm Isaiah Romans Family Service BCP HC 56. 1. 6-8 11. 2-2a. with hymns 29-32

27 August Join 9.15am Isaiah Romans Runnington Joint HC 51. 1-6 12. 1-8

The Big Tent is blasting off! Tuesday 15 – Thursday 17 August The 3 day Holiday Club for Primary School-aged children run by the Wellington churches will be back in a large marquee at Wellesley Park Primary School from Tuesday 15 – Thursday 17 August, 10am–3pm each day. This year’s theme is Space Academy and we’ll be blasting off into outer space with lots of fun activities, competitions, songs, videos, creative makes & outdoor games. Through the week we’ll be exploring stories of Bible hero Daniel who found himself in a very strange land but was still able to trust in his faithful God. Cost for the 3 days is £16 per child. Booking info can be found at www.thebigtent.co.uk or by calling Karen at the Wellington Baptist Church office on 01823 663713.

Notes from St Peter’s

We were saddened to hear of the death of Rev Josie Harrison who took services in our church and was liked by all. She will be greatly missed and our thoughts and prayers are with her husband Peter and her family. Her funeral was held at Bishops Lydeard Church on 27 July. We held a very successful Tea Party at Greenlands on a sunny Saturday afternoon raising £270 which will go towards the upkeep and updating of the Church. Our thanks to Phyllis and Michael Bale for allowing us to use their beautiful garden. The Light Lunch was also well St Peter’s Café Light Lunches attended and raised over £100 – our Thursday 17 August next Lunch will be on August 17th, do Thursday 21 September come and join us for a delicious from 12.00 noon lunch including pudding and coffee or tea. There is also a Bring and Buy and a Raffle. Our next major event is our Caribbean Lunch at Tantelon (see page 2) where we will be entertained by Steel the Show and have a Caribbean themed Lunch including Rum Punch. There will also £5.00 be a cash bar. Tickets are £12.50 Delicious lunch and pudding and available from either Lyn Wyatt plus tea or coffee (400245) or Sarah Nutt (400261). This to raise funds towards the installation Preserves, of a loo at the Church. bric-a-brac and raffle St Peter’s Harvest Festival will take place on September 17th at 10.30am, followed by a Bring and Share Harvest Lunch. The Harvest Gifts will be taken to the Women’s Refuge. The East Group’s United Harvest Festival is at Nynhead Church on September 24th at 10.45am and this will also be followed by a Bring and Share Lunch. Sarah Nutt

News from Runnington Church

The news of the death of the Rev'd Josie Harrisons on July 8th saddened those of us who knew her and remember her with much affection. A key member of the Wellington Team Group Ministry until her retirement a few years ago, Josie had a delightful sense of humour and a North Country straight forward honest approach to her faith which her life so well reflected. She made many friends locally and will be much missed by us all. Our love and sympathy go to Peter and the family. July has been a quiet month for Runnington Church, the main activities have been hard manual labour outside the church rather than inside. The high bank surrounding the church yard has been lowered giving a much better view or the surrounding country side and much more light in the churchyard. The small shed in the corner of the churchyard has been cleared thanks to John Houghton who found, under a pile or rubble, a stone cross which had clearly fallen from the roof of the church and been tossed in the shed many years ago. The 30th of July saw Runnington hosting the East Group United Service at 10am. This hadn’t taken place when the magazine went to print, so hopefully the weather was good enough for it to be held outside. Future events to be noted are: September 3rd: The Pet Service at 10am. All pets and their keepers, however big or small, are welcome. September 10th: The Annual Barbeque to be held at Sandyland House from 12 noon. Good company and good food guaranteed, good weather to be prayed for! See advertisement on page 3 for details. October1st: Harvest Festival service at 10.30am. The church to be decorated the day before. Gifts of flowers or vegetables would be welcomed. Sue Osborne Pet Service September 3rd at10am All shapes and sizes welcome

Keeping All the Balls in the Air for 70 Years

On a sweltering day in the summer of 1947 two young boys caught a very early train from Streatham. They both played tennis on the council court near their homes in Norbury and had decided to check out how the experts did it at the Wimbledon Championships. At 6.00am they started queuing eventually getting standing room tickets on Centre Court or Court One. Little did one of those boys know that this day would trigger a passion for tennis that would stay with him throughout his life. Graham Middleton, who lives at Ritherdons in Langford Budville, can’t remember what his standing room tickets cost in 1947 but a Centre Court ticket for the Women’s Final that year cost 7/6d. If you’d been able to buy a similar the ticket in 2017 it would have cost £155. Tennis changed out of recognition in the following years and in 1967 the Wimbledon Men's Singles Final was the first colour TV Broadcast in the UK. At this time a top male player served at 80 to 100 miles an hour – today the champions serve at up to 140 miles an hour thanks to the development of their rackets and training regimes. One of Graham’s earliest memories of Wimbledon is of standing in the blistering heat with a bare head and no shelter. A man tapped him on the shoulder with the words “have a hat” and presented him with a boat shaped construction made from the Daily Telegraph. He jokes that this was what led him into working in newspapers, but that isn’t quite true as newspapers were already in his blood. Graham’s father and grandfather both worked all their lives in the printing trade at the Financial Times and he followed in their footsteps starting a 7- year apprenticeship at15 years old. He worked night shifts from 5.00pm to approximately 3.00am but was still passionate about tennis, playing during the day, and attending Wimbledon every year... … until National Service got in the way and he missed 1953 and 1954 when posted to Egypt as an aircraft mechanic. Only officers were allowed to play tennis over there so Graham had to be satisfied with badminton which he played enthusiastically with his colleagues in an aircraft hangar until he was good enough to play for his station, then for the Suez Canal Zone.

Once back home, he reverted to playing tennis, with some casual coaching on the side. Through an accidental meeting with the Welsh National Tennis Coach, he went on to train as a professional coach and from the late sixties his life revolved around night time working, daytime tennis, bringing up a young family and, of course, his yearly visit to Wimbledon. Graham was pretty good at keeping all the balls in the air although he did have a bit of a hiccup in 1972 two days before he was due to play in the mixed doubles final for Kent County. At work he accidentally nudged a trolley with a poorly stacked pile of 6 lead pages each 1” thick. The trolley tipped over, he took a big leap, but not high enough, and couple of blocks landed on his foot, squashing two toes and he had half of his big toe removed. Just out of hospital with a big plaster on his foot, he was going to miss Wimbledon until a friend contacted the Secretary of the Lawn Tennis Association to say that, except for National Service, Graham hadn’t missed Wimbledon since he was a child. The LTA was brilliant and arranged for him to be driven into the grounds and seated with his doubles partner in the coaches’ stand on Centre Court for the whole of the second week. From this excellent viewpoint, they had the privilege of watching Billie Jean King defeat Evonne Goolagong, and Stan Smith defeat Ilie Nãstase in the Finals. They also managed to appear on the Wimbledon TV broadcasts much to the curiosity of the viewing audience. Who are these new coaches? It was some time before Graham could play tennis again as it’s the big toe that provides balance. Squash was just gaining popularity so to get his balance back he practised alone on a squash court. Never a man to miss an opportunity, he found himself coaching some the ladies at the club and eventually, in 1974, he became a professional squash coach. The late 80s saw a big change in the newspaper industry with the proposed switch from hot metal to computer typesetting which meant that many employees would lose their jobs. Graham was chosen to chair a group representing all of the print unions at the FT in the negotiations with the paper’s Board. What followed was six months of intense discussions before agreement was reached to the benefit of both the proprietors and staff. Fortunately he still found time to go to Wimbledon! When Graham and Jan moved to Langford Budville in 1992 he gave up squash coaching and in 1995 retired from the FT having tired of commuting to London. He then fulfilled a dream and built himself a tennis court next to their home where he continued to coach and play. He still has does a little coaching, plays a couple of games a week and goes fly fishing . And, at 82, he continues to attend Wimbledon every year. Marilyn Lilley

Green Fingers: Hestercombe Gardens

'A Personal Reflection' Sponsored by Langford Lakes It's no secret to many of you that I have enjoyed a long and happy relationship with Hestercombe Gardens over the past quarter-century—first of all as a volunteer and supporter of the gardens' 'Friends', launched in the early 1990s in response to a threat that the property might be sold to a private buyer and a precious heritage site 'lost’. Later I became a tour- guide - occasionally in French! - and lecturer on the history of the gardens, talking to interested groups all over Somerset and sometimes beyond. All of which means that I was delighted by the request to write something about a place which has changed beyond all recognition in the 20-odd years since the restoration of the 18th century landscape site was begun in 1995. That was under the expert guidance of Philip White, without whose leading-light presence, things could easily have been very different. Another vital factor in the extensive restoration has been the availabiilty of Heritage Lottery funding. As write, I believe the gardens are now working on a fresh grant to refurbish and develop the house itself and take the whole Hestercombe project optimistically forward into our 21st century. But, just to reflect a little on my own instinctive interest in the property, my very first sight of the place was at a distance and from a bicycle, 40-odd years ago when, newly married and a new-comer to rural life, I was living in Monkton Heathfield and out scouring the local hedge-rows for blackberries! And then to cast my thoughts back even further, as a child in Surrey in the 50s and 60s, my friends and I shared a fascination for a 'lost' garden in the abandoned grounds of Pitt Place, not far from where we lived in Epsom. One of the structures there, was an old glass-house clinging to a brick wall and still harbouring straggly grape-vines where I can remember creeping in once, when snow lay on the ground all about and the place looked exotically magical. No surprise then that it was the remains of old glass-houses that attracted my attention across a 'blackberry hedge' somewhere near Cheddon Fitzpaine in September 1973, nor that I returned excitedly a few days later with my husband who'd brought his bird-watching telescope with which we managed to pick out the then dilapidated, but now immensely celebrated and internationally visited, Lutyens and Jekyll pergola! Quite what happened subsequently to those glass-house remains I'm not sure, but I do know that by the 1970s - a time when garden restoration of any kind was seen by many historians as an eccentric luxury! - Somerset County Council had already embarked on a vital programme of elementary restoration to 20

the formal gardens with help from Cannington College. It was at that stage that I actually visited for the very first time, memorably dropping my £1 coin in the box in the wall! And that, essentially was how things stood in the early 90s when, as mentioned earlier, 'The Friends of Hestercombe' came on the scene with an appeal to 'save' the gardens, bringing in turn ‘The Great Plat’ - Hestercombe Philip White and his ambitious plans for a real, historically authenticated programme of restoration for what was, at that date, a 'lost' 18th century landscape garden. That same garden - along with the Edwardian Lutyens Jekyll formal one - has now justly achieved international acclaim and draws visitors from the world over with the Landscape Garden celebrating its 20th year open to the public this year, 2017. Joanna Pocock The Daisy Steps

Hestercombe Gardens are in Cheddon Fitzpaine near Taunton. The Gardens are open daily from 10.00 am to 5.30 pm, except on Christmas Day. Dogs are welcome. www..Hestercombe.com Lutyens style bench in a quiet corner of the formal gardens

Our School:

India theme week On the 26th of June, the children of Langford School embarked on a theme week all about the country and culture of India. Over the week, the children experienced various different activities to help them understand this interesting country. As well as being part of the National Curriculum, the teachers at the school feel it is important to promote understanding of different faiths and cultures in a fun and interactive way; this links to our British values of tolerance and our Christian values of friendship and compassion. The week started with a bang when Indian dancer, Haimisha, showed the children some dances to traditional Indian music and shared some of the origins of these, which are rooted in the stories of her Hindu faith. Everyone concentrated hard to get the moves right! Haimisha also bought in Saris for some of the children to try on. Over the week, the children enjoyed doing lots of different activities in their house groups. They spent the week carefully creating beautiful Rangoli patterns out of lentils, rice, petals and leaves, playing cricket, finding India on a map, doing yoga, trying Indian food and creating Henna tattoos on their hands! On the Friday morning, the children explored homelessness and how Christian charities, such as Christian Aid support people in India living in poverty. After learning about this, the children were challenged to make a shelter from boxes that their whole group could fit in. The week culminated in a parent showcase to share all that the children had learnt over the week. The pupils at Langford really enjoyed learning about another country and now have a greater understanding of its culture. Leadership at Langford Budville From September 2017, the governors and I are pleased to inform you that Mrs Jane Major will be Head of School at Langford. Jane also brings ties to the existing WARF federation (Wellington Area Rural Federation) of Sampford Arundel and Stawley primary schools. Langford Budville is excited to be working with both schools to build on and strengthen the existing education pupils at our school currently receive. I would like to take this opportunity to thank pupils, staff and the local community for the support they have given me during my short time at Langford Budville. I look forward to hearing about what the children continue to get up to! Best wishes, Ella Rice Head of School: Langford Budville Church of England Primary School

India Theme Week at Langford Budville Primary School

Young Buddies — Flower Puzzler

Summer Jokes What do sheep do on sunny days? – Have a baa-baa-cue What do you call a fish with no eyes? – A fsh. Do fish go on vacation? - No, because they’re always in school!

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01823 400324 07710 618892 Little Pippins, Langford Budville, Wellington Somerset TA21 0RD [email protected]

Wellie Cabs Your local courteous cab company covering this area and further afield Special rates for local one way journeys between 8.00am - 5.00pm Langford to Wellington or Milverton £7.00 Langford to Wivey £9.00 Loyalty Card available - please ask

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Local Transport Services

Somerset County Council has launched a new traffic and travel website which provides live updates from the Council’s traffic control team. www.travelsomerset.co.uk Slinky Bus

 Anyone in Langford Budville can use the bus. It is free for those with a bus pass and a reasonable fare will be charged for everyone else.

 To use the bus you must register in advance. Download a form from: www.movingsomersetforward.co.uk/public-transport/slinky-services-demand- responsive-transport or call 01823 331266.

 To use the bus you have to book a place at least 24 hours and up to 14 days in advance. Bookings can be made between 9.30-3.30, Monday to Friday by calling 01823 331266.

 The Slinky bus will make up to three return journeys a day at approx times to Wellington and once to *MPH. When you make your booking, check the current times which can change. *There will be an extension to and from Musgrove Park Hospital on Monday, Wednesday and Friday for those who cannot use conventional buses.

 It isn’t possible to just turn up at a bus stop and board. Any problems, ring 0300 123 2224 or email [email protected].

Community Contacts

Parish Council Chairman Kieron McGrath 01823 663080 Vice-Chairperson Jan Middleton 01823 400165 Valerie Pitman 01823 400283 Roger Poole 01823 400567 Mike Perry 01823 400991 Parish Clerk Christine Hake [email protected] Churches Team Vicar The Rev Alan Ellacott 01823 669824 [email protected] Reader Sandra Lee 07980 491276 [email protected] Church Wardens: Langford Budville Lyn Wyatt 01823 400245

Runnington John Houghton 01823 661323 Alison Toogood 01823 667808 Jubilee Hall Chairman Keith Moore 01823 400665 [email protected] Vice-Chairman Roger Marshall [email protected] Secretary and Margaret Brown 01823 400510 Booking Clerk [email protected] Treasurer Pam Farr [email protected] Primary School Head of School Jane Major (from Sept 01823 400483 2017) [email protected] Police Beat Officers PC Jo Jeffery 2378 Tel: 07889 657 943 Tel: 101 Crime re- PCSO Sharon Baker 9511 sharon.baker@avonandsomerset. cording police.uk tel: 07889 655302 999 Emergencies PCSO Louise Fyne 6945 Tel: 07889 659476

Magazine Information

Editorial team: Marilyn Lilley and Saranne Cessford - joint editors; Claire Cook - treasurer; Susan Osborne; Maggie Norvell; Tryphena Huntingford To contact us please email: [email protected] heading your email: Articles, Feedback, Advertising, Small Ads, etc. Our final copy dates: Round About: October/November edition: 21 September 2017 December/January edition: 21 November 2017 Round About in Brief: September edition: 24 August 2017 November edition: 24 October 2017 Cover photograph: Saranne Cessford: Banded Demoiselle—female. RA printed by Booksprint, 01823 662531, [email protected]

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This magazine is distributed free of charge to around 300 households in and around the villages of Langford Budville and Runnington.

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Sponsorship of articles for a 1 year, six edition period is also available, as well as special rates for non-commercial advertising. Small Ads - Non commercial For Sale items: Under £10: up to 4 lines free; additional lines £1.00 each. Over £10: 50p a line for first 4 lines, additional lines £1.00 each. Wanted items: £1.00 per 2 lines. Contact us at [email protected] to discuss your requirements.

THE MARTLET INN FREE HOUSE a good old fashioned village pub with a warm welcome from Terena and Bruno and great food

Award winning chef Extensive menu, steak board and daily specials Traditional Sunday lunches Homemade puddings Senior Citizens' lunches Wed, Thurs and Fri Large car park

Langford Budville, Wellington, TA21 0QZ 01823 400262

Closed all day Monday and Tuesday lunchtime

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