MERRIOTT MESSENGER FREE to 1,000 HOMES [email protected] a P R I L 2 0 1 4

DELI VERED MERRIOTT MESSENGER FREE TO 1,000 www.merriottvillage.org.uk HOMES [email protected] A P R I L 2 0 1 4

Photographs of the Month

Please note copy deadline for the May edition is 12th April.

Articles received after this date may not be The fields off Moorlands Road (Feb 2014) Marsh Marigolds included. Please by John Goldie by Pat Hobbs include any Send your photo to: [email protected] artwork or photographs.

MERRIOTT Parish Council Up-date Easter Household VILLAGE PLAN March 2014 Recycling and We still have two Parish Refuse Collections Councillor vacancies - please, we urgently need you. COMMUNITY PAVILION Usual collection day: Good Friday 18th April After a review on a number of issues regarding the build Revised collection day: A copy of the Merriott Village programme and finance, the Saturday 19th April Plan 2014 has been delivered Parish Council instructed INSIDE THIS along with this issue of the Contractors in March to Usual collection day: ISSUE: Messenger.A copy of the This Merriott Plan up -Village proceed and complete the Easter Monday 21st April Merriott First datesPlan 2014the successful has been Plandelivered of building. Now with the - 25th April 2 2007 and sets out what you weather more settled it is School News along with this issue of the Revised collection day: asMessenger. residents wish This to Plan see updates anticipated that this final push News from All 3 happenthe successful in the village Plan of over 2007 the will be straight forward and the All collections one day Saints nextand fewsets years. out what To makeyou as the Pavilion will be available for later, including pick-ups aims of the Plan happen hire in the summer. Neighbourhood 4 residents wish to see happen on Saturday 26th April needs you to take action and Chairman, Mr A Wallis, Beat Team Update to the Village over the next tofew become years. involved. To make the aims members of the Parish Council and others have given many Lent Lunch - Plant Hunters Fair 5 Anof Openthe Plan Meeting happen to needs discuss you Change of theto takePlan actionwill be arrangedand to become hours to oversee this project sooninvolved. and the An details Open Meetingof when and to help bring it to fruition. Venue Merriott Social 6 This long awaited Community Club Events andto discuss where willthe Planbe in will the benext The Lent Lunch on issuearranged of the soon Messenger. and details of facility will enhance the overall Wednesday 9th April will now when and where will be in the aesthetics of the Recreation be hosted by Maggie and Did you know ….? 7 To express your views on the next issue of the Messenger. Ground and the Parish Council Tom Jones at The Little House, Plan, please write to the To express your views on the really hope that the local Shiremoor Hill, Merriott, Messenger, or post your Plan, please write to the residents of Merriott will use (previously arranged for Pitt comments on the Merriott and enjoy the opportunities it Messenger or post your Farmhouse). Donations for website. will provide. comments to the Merriott Christian Aid. website. Continued on page 6 P A G E 2

Merriott First School News Evergreen Club Outings

At the end of the summer term Year 4 move to middle school and she We currently have a few vacant seats for children will be leaving Merriott for answered any questions they had. our outings this year, which are usually on Maiden Beech School and will be spend- the second Wednesday of each month Mr Pearse, our Golden Class teacher, ing time with other children who will be leaving Broadway at 9.55am and arriving led the daily sessions with the help of in the same year. This half term we have back between 6.00 and 7.00pm. Price per staff from each of the schools. The played host to Year 4 children from the seat is £10. weather was very kind and the other local feeder schools for a week of children had a great time– one child 14th May - Ottery St Mary for coffee and Forest School activities. was heard to say that it was the best Sidmouth for lunch and afternoon Each day a different group of children day of his life so far! 11th June - Looe in Cornwall from each of the schools has met for a 9th July - Ilfracombe day of den ‘Circus’ is this 13th August - Paignton building, ‘getting half terms’ to know you’ topic and we 10th September - mystery tour games, fire started with a 8th October - Teignmouth and Buckfast lighting, marsh- dressing up Abbey day when the mallow roasting , 12th November - Poole Xmas shopping a picnic and many children dressed in appropriate To book seats call Julie on 76257 at the more fun activities. Mrs Stubbins visited clothes for the day. beginning of each month (no advanced from Maiden Beech so the children had bookings taken). a chance to meet her and chat about the

Merriott Gardening Club FANTASTIC RESULT FOR Planning Applications PRE-SCHOOL Our next meeting on 29th April will be FUND-RAISING Applications considered by the Parish our Annual General Meeting, followed HALF MARATHON Council in March: by a quiz and buffet. Last year this APPLICATION 14/00665/FUL. Six parents from Merriott Pre-School evening was very popular and great APPLICANT: Mr B Jacobs. successfully completed the Adidas Half fun. Meet in the Tythe Barn, Church PROPOSAL: The provision of disabled Street, Merriott at 7.30pm. Non Marathon at the famous Silverstone Racing Circuit on Sunday 2nd access and emergency egress routes to members £2. Merriott Social Club, the erection of an March. All parents completed the extension for the provision of improved course with finishing times ranging It will soon be time for membership toilet facilities and the associated change from 1:52 to 2:24. renewal. The membership fee for an of use of the land from agricultural use individual is £10 per year and £15 for a The parents raised an estimated £2,000 to sui generis (social club) Revised couple. New members from Hinton St (which will be greatly appreciated by application. LOCATION: 71, Lower George, Lopen and Dinnington are the Pre-School) and special thanks go to Street, Merriott. most welcome. Members receive the following businesses for their kind discounts from a number of local sponsorship: Novahomes.co.uk, Chish Determination of Applications: garden centres, special shopping and Fips, Kings Head, Swan Inn, Berrow Development – Land Boozer Pit events and much more. Members are Haselbury Mill and Tom Merrick. – Refused able to exhibit at our Annual Flower and Product Show on 9th August. A 2 storey extension -1 Pye Corner – varied and interesting programme of Granted talks has been arranged for the coming Part demolition of redundant farm buildings – Moorlands Farm - year, together with days out, etc. Do join us, or come to one of our monthly Application withdrawn

meetings. A friendly and warm Vary conditions to change parking – welcome awaits you. Broadway Farm – Granted

Mo Frampton 07967 028277 More information can be found via the Pictured from left to right: South Somerset District Council website: Matt Tither, Ed Rand, Barry Hayne, Jessica Tither, Tash Rand and Kevin Nor- www.southsomerset.gov.uk minton.

MERRIOTT MESSENGER P A G E 3

News from All Saints Church

The journey of Lent Continues…. We reach the climax of the season Services in April: If we want to engage fully with some- towards the end of the month. There is much to get involved with! We Thursday 3rd thing important, it is worth making 10am Midweek Communion for good preparations. As Christians look extend a warm invitation to everyone Lent ahead to reliving the trauma of Holy to gather in Hinton St George for a Week, entering again into darkness of Palm Sunday Communion. We will Sunday 6th - PASSION SUNDAY The Cross and being surprised again process from the Village Cross at the 8.30am Holy Communion by the joy of Easter morning; we use junction of West Street and the High (Traditional Language) the 40 day season of Lent to prepare. Street, to the church. Each night of Thursday 10th Traditionally Lent shares similarities Holy week is marked by the ancient 10am Midweek Communion for with the season of Advent, for it too is and reflective evening office of Lent a time of preparation. Clearly there is Compline (Night Prayer) in different HOLY WEEK churches around the Benefice. We less tinsel at this time of year. Lent Sunday 13th - PALM SUNDAY mark the Last Supper on Maundy should be a time for quiet self- 10am Palm Sunday Communion in Thursday with a service of Holy reflection, fasting, self-denial and Hinton St George (No services in Communion in Merriott, which will repentance. What old fashioned Merriott) words these seem – out of place in include the very moving ‘ritual of foot Thursday 17th – MAUNDY our modern world. But I would argue washing’. There are children’s they are much needed, perhaps more activities and a solemn service for THURSDAY 7pm Maundy Thursday Communion than ever, as our lives become ever Good Friday, and then we celebrate in with Foot Washing more fragmented and filled with noisy style with a joyful Communion for external pressures. Repentance Easter Sunday. A warm welcome Friday 18th - GOOD FRIDAY particularly sounds like a heavy word, awaits you. More details are given 11am – 12.30pm Children’s Easter but all it really means is ‘to turn below, on posters and in the ‘Link Mag- Activities and Workshops again’. To turn again to the important azine’. Have a good journey. 2pm Good Friday Liturgy in Lopen things in life; to say we are sorry, to Rev Bob Hicks, The Rectory, 76406. Sunday 20th - EASTER SUNDAY 10am Easter Communion deny and leave behind the things that limit and damage us and others. Lent Mothering Sunday Classical Recital for [No dawn service this year] is a time to attend to our inner life, to the Lychgate Repair Sunday 27th care for our souls. Lent is the time we Don’t forget Sunday 30th March at 10am Sung Communion prepare to receive and believe again 3:00pm - All Saints Church Merriott. Please do subscribe to ‘The Church the greatest story ever told. For an evening of Classical Fantasies Link’ magazine for more details of The Journey Intensifies- Holy Week for viola and piano. Tickets on the these and other church events. and Easter door £5, children free. Refreshments at 3:00, concert starts at 3:30pm.

Moorlands Care Home Moorlands Road, Merriott, TA16 5NF

Moorlands Care Home offers quality care, provided by trained carers in homely, peaceful surroundings that have been refurbished to a very high standard. We also have a full time, dedicated, activities co-ordinator making sure that days are as full and active as you would like. Our services include: Respite care Day care Long term residential care

For further information, please call Jayne on 01460 74425 P A G E 4

Neighbourhood Beat Team Up-date

Hopefully Spring is now well and truly promptly by ringing 999 if urgent or 101. on the way which will be a welcome If you require any advice or crime relief for those affected by flooding and reduction information, Police Posts will fallen trees. It has certainly been a be held during March and April at the winter we will all remember! following locations:

Unfortunately, over the last few weeks March 14th - Falkland Square - 10.30 - there has been an unwelcome increase, midday not only in thefts from vehicles, but also in garages and sheds being broken into. March 22nd - Garden Centre North Most of the incidents to date have Perrott - 2pm-3pm occurred in Crewkerne, South Petherton March 22nd - Merriott Service Station- and Shepton Beauchamp. Please be 3.15pm – 4.15pm vigilant, check your security and don’t April 4th - Falkland Square - 10.30 - leave garage doors open or items on midday display in vehicles. Consider marking your tools and other items with your April 12th - Garden Centre North post code and house number. We do Perrott -10am -11am April 12th - Merriott Service Station- recover property, so if your items are marked it greatly assists us in returning 11.15am - 12.15pm OPEN GROUP them to their rightful owner. If you do Crewkerne Neighbourhood Police Team see anything suspicious please report Tel: 101 April 10th - Skittles and Refreshment at the Kings Head.

News from The Swan April 24th - Coffee evening at Sheila's. "Bonny Babies". Research the year of Thank you to all our customers for 20th April: Easter Sunday. Roast your birth and bring a photo of yourself making the 6 Nations rugby Turkey & trimmings – just like as a baby for others to guess. tournament a big hit again (especially Christmas! Easter egg hunt for with the England try’s discounted beer children in the garden at 3pm. Enquiries: Maggie 76186 prices!) th th 26 April: Steak night. Choice of cuts. 29 March - Charity skittles postponed. 2 steak dinners & bottle of wine £22. th 30 March: Mothering Sunday Roast. Our B&B rooms are being reserved Main and dessert £11p/p. well in advance this spring & summer, 1st April: Haircut night so book early to avoid disappointment. 5th April: Grand National Sweep John & Cathy Twose

P A G E 5

Hinton St George Moorlands Farm Development Plant Hunters Fair “Flix in the Stix” presents: Saturday 19th “One Chance” (12a) We are making progress in the April 10.00 - 3.30 preparations for a start on site. The Entrance £3.00 on Saturday April 19th - Village Hall at ecologist is booked to carry out the pre- Lower Severalls 7.30 pm. Tickets £5 in advance from commencement survey and relocation Garden, Crewkerne the Village Shop, or £5.50 on the door. of any small creatures, including slow TA18 7NX To reserve tickets please contact worms, prior to us installing our site 01460 72906. This very popular cabins and compound. We envisage event is supported this year by over 20 From the director of The Devil Wears that this will all happen in April. specialist nurseries and growers from all Prada, this film tells the true story of We have appointed the engineers that over the south west. It is a great day for Paul Potts. An aspiring amateur opera are designing the detail of the roads and finding a few special plants, or even for singer by night/shy Car-Phone- drainage on the site and these works stocking a new herbaceous border - there Warehouse salesman by day, whose have now commenced. Our target for is a wonderful variety available. Amongst singing of Nessum Dorma won him the the commencement of construction on those supporting us this year are first series of Britain's Got Talent in site is the beginning of June. Roseland House Nursery from Truro 2007. Supported by Julie Walters and Ian Cox (Clematis viticella national collection Alexandra Roach, James Corden (The holders), the Margery Fish Nursery and History Boys) tells his story in this many others, all with their own particular finely-tuned, light-hearted comedy. Henhayes Community Centre- specialities. Crewkerne The Garden is open and entry is included in the ticket price. Refreshments will be Saturday April 19th - Easter Table served all day, homemade cakes, home Top Sale . 9.00 – 12noon. £5 produced pork and bacon baps and table. Easter Egg Raffle. Refresh- soups, teas and coffee. Held in aid of ments. To book 01460 271541. Somerset Plant Heritage. Wednesday 23rd April: Monthly For further information contact Mary Special Lunch celebrating Pring on 01460 73234. St. George's Day @ £7.50 for a 2 course meal plus tea/coffee. Crewkerne and District Twinning Booking essential– tickets from Association with Bonny Sartin the Centre or 01460 74340. (formally with The Yetties) entertaining with Songs, Poems and Humour from Saturday 26th April: Big the countryside. Friday 9th May at Breakfast 10 – 12noon. Full Misterton Village Hall at 7.30pm. English breakfast with tea/coffee Tickets only £7.00 to include a platter of £4 (extras available 50p each). food for each table and tea and coffee Booking not necessary. in the interval. Bring your own drinks 100 Club draw at 11a.m. otherwise glasses will be provided. For tickets call 01460 75025. P A G E 6

Parish Council up-date continued “New Discoveries” from front page: Child-minding LENGTHSMAN SCHEME moves to Merriott Merriott has been a member of the village consortia (Hinton, Lopen,

South Petherton) who have paid towards the employment of the Lengthsman, with annual grant support from SSDC and SCC. Both the County and District Council have withdrawn financial support. For this coming year there are finances Suzanne Stevens, an Ofsted registered available to continue the scheme, child-minder, has just moved back to however the future will have to be Merriott. She runs a professional, considered. friendly service from her home working GRANTS were agreed for the with small numbers of children, allowing Allotment Association competition, her to give them individual attention and Village Plan printing, Church Lychgate be able to be flexible to meet parents’ repair. needs. She says: “I believe children learn best through play in an engaging, Dates of next meetings: nurturing environment and I offer a wide th Monday April 7 - 7pm Merriott range of resources and activities to

Tithe Barn support this”. Monday May 19th - Annual Parish Contact Suzanne direct to check Council Meeting and Election of availability or to arrange to meet. Chairman Tel: 01460 419361 or 07585 336849.

Should Crewkerne have further development? by Sam Wycherley

The CLR Development Plan will soon An issue of concern with the CLR plan, be implemented, creating 525 new in my view, is the lack of afford- able homes and medium-term employ- housing. Taylor Wimpey, the develop- ment in the construction sector. er, has only assigned 17.5% of their There have also been proposals for properties for affordable housing – development at Goldwell Farm and that is only 82 of the 525 houses. further afield, suggestions of urban Therefore, there are only a extensions for Yeovil to the north comparatively small number of and south. But are these develop- dwellings being reserved for those on th ments both necessary and beneficial? lower incomes, the majority going to be Sunday 20 April Currently, Britain is suffering under sold at a premium. the burden of an expanding popula- Sites like the CLR and Yeovil Urban 2pm tion– something not helped by the Extension are also green-field develop- stall in the construction industry 6 ments – e.g. built on farmland. This is Easter Egg Hunt years ago. As such, the construction damaging to agriculture locally, as there of new housing is important, both to is less space to grow crops. However, as fun for all the prevent housing becoming scarce the NFU notes, housing is a higher (thus pushing up rent) and in order to priority than fields, and development family. avoid the sorts of cramped should be favoured. conditions experienced in large cities. While the Yeovil expansion plans have Free to members, While this lack of space may not been fiercely resisted in surrounding seem immediately relevant in the villages, the expansion of Crewkerne is non-members £1 rural setting of South Somerset, there generally accepted as a necessary step is a net movement from urban to with the future increase to its per child rural areas and towns such as population. Obviously, there will be Crewkerne and Yeovil which are some resistance locally to any plan to Merriott Social Club expanding. develop, but overall, I feel the t . 01460 74376 development is necessary. MERRIOTT MESSENGER P A G E 7

A USEFUL BUS SERVICE - Donyatt - Ilminster - Crewkerne Merriott Bowling Club News via Merriott

This season is a landmark for the Club as it is 80 years since it was founded. There have been many changes during that time and the club has prospered both on and off the green. Last year we won the Wessex League Championship and the previous year the Wessex League Cup. Although successful, we remain a friendly club and are always happy to welcome new players. The new season starts on Tuesday 15th April at 2pm and if you wish to try bowling then please come along on that or any following Tuesday afternoon at 2pm. You English National Concessionary Travel Scheme bus passes are valid for all don’t need to provide any equip- journeys on this timetable. This journey is financially supported by SCC. ment to start with other than flat soled shoes, trainers would be okay. If you do decide to join, then you would have to follow the dress code of white or club shirt and white or Did you know ………………………... grey slacks/skirt and to obtain your own set of bowls when you had decided to continue bowling. New Cattle in the fields these days are either and then by the ubiquitous Holstein- membership is half price at £25 for black and white Holstein-Friesians for Friesian. Over the last 40 years action the season. milking or a variety of red, brown and has been taken to conserve the less

beige beef cattle representing several common breeds of cattle, sheep, goats, Why not come along and find out recently imported breeds from the rest pigs, horses and poultry. The Rare about the game and the club, there of Europe and further afield. Breeds Survival Trust started in 1972, is no obligation. We have an active th social programme for those who Until the middle of the 19 century this largely with support from enthusiastic wish to participate, as well as County had its own breed, the Sheeted Farm Parks, is now ensuring that even Breed of Somersetshire. There is a bowling. We don’t just bowl in the such well known animals as Shire horses Wessex League but also have splendid 2 volume book of large colour do not become extinct. illustrations by David Low, Professor of friendly games against other clubs Agriculture at Edinburgh University and weekly club sessions. Something entitled ‘The Breeds of the Domestic for everybody. Animals of the British Isles’ published in If you wish to find out more, but are 1842. There is a large colour plate of 3 unable to come along on a Tuesday, Somersetshire cows. These animals then please phone Chris Woods were either horned or polled (no horns) 01460 76294 to make an alternative and were considered to be elite farm arrangement. animals of the time. In the illustration the horned cow came from the herd of The Editorial Mr John Weir of West Camel and the Picture from David Low’s The Breeds of polled cow from the herd of Sir John Team wishes the Domestic Animals of the British Isles, Phileps of Montacute House. all its sponsors Museum of English Rural Life, University Unfortunately this breed, along with of Reading. and readers a several others died out, to be replaced very Happy John Bowman firstly by Shorthorn and Ayrshire cattle Easter.

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

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Copy deadline for the May issue of the Please send copy to: [email protected] Merriott Messenger is 12th April. 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 include any artwork or Niki Scurr 419201 Jane Jackson 74162 photographs. Marion Andrews 01935 86342