STOGURSEY NEWS

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November 2016

Please send email articles to : [email protected] Please put handwritten or typed copy in the News box in Post Office. Deadline for November Copy: 10 a.m. on Tuesday November 15th Editorial All contributions are welcome: This month’s cover photo of a hard hatted 21st century abseiler renovating the old church tower is a striking Put handwritten or typed contributions in the box in the image of the blend of past and present. Alongside Post Office please. Stogursey News Team reserves the reports from the regular Village clubs and activities and right to edit contributions for length & layout. firmly in the present is a fascinating article from Stogursey Please limit yourself to a maximum 500 words. Please School explaining how children learn about Maths. It supply your contact details so that editing may be agreed sounds much more interesting than it used to be. with you if necessary and if time allows. There is a look back at the success of the Stogursey Arts We cannot guarantee to repeat non-routine copy from one Festival demonstrating once again the “diverse nature of month to the next nor to adapt it accurately if adaptations our local talent” and a nod to the future with information are required. If you want repeat publication please send in about stirring Christmas puddings and Operation your text by each relevant deadline. Christmas Child. Electronic copy: This month the Editorial Team would like to thankLesley Flash for the work she has done as the person responsible Please send all emailed articles to this address: for the layout of the magazine. Over the past three years [email protected] she has steadily raised the standard of this publication and Please send them as document attachments to emails and we are deeply grateful to her. We send both Lesley and not as email text, and neither as nor including text boxes. Phil our very best wishes as they leave Shurton for their new home.We are very pleased to be able to report that Please do not use Word On-line. Attach a document, as Teresa Miller will take over Lesley’s role and we welcome above. Please. her and look forward to working with her. Editorial Team Do not include hyperlinks. Type out links yourself, please. If using illustration or pdfs in your contribution please be certain that they are free of copyright. Stogursey News will not be liable for costs resulting from prosecution if this Stogursey News is an independent voluntary initiative. It condition is ignored. is printed free of charge as a contribution to the community by Hinkley Point B (EdF). The News offers an extra page monthly for the use of Hinkley Point C (EdF) to Stogursey-Online.uk is the parish website; it hosts keep local residents well informed. The magazine is pages for events, societies, community links, parish distributed to every household in the parish by a team of council news and an electronic copy of the current magnificent volunteers. We are most grateful. Stogursey News.

Editorial Team Distributors Distributors Aubrey Knowles Jane Cassidy Jackie Lucas Catherine Hawkins Catherine Hawkins Jan Ford Steve Stoneham Deborah Robins Joy Burt Teresa Miller Dick Blomfield Liz Dyer Paul Welbourne Dorothy Carpenter Paul Welbourne Dulcie Touchin Pauline Webber Stogursey-Online.uk Heather Hallett Peter & Barbara Oates & Anon E Mouse Jo Cavill Directory Jeremy Wilson Archive Phil Griggs Paul Welbourne

Please send email articles to : [email protected] Please put handwritten or typed copy in the News box in Post Office. Regular Events MON Stogursey Fun - bumps, babies, toddlers 10.00-12.00 noon Victory Hall Short Mat Bowls 7.30 - 9.30 pm Victory Hall

TUES Parish Council Meeting 2nd Tuesdays every month 7.15 pm Victory Hall Bingo Afternoon 2.00 pm St. Audries Centre Tennis 6.00 - 10.00 pm Quantock Musical Theatre Company 7.30 pm Youth Club

WEDS Community Hub (Employment Support fortnightly) 9.30 am - 12 noon Church Rooms Craft Group 1st Wednesdays every month 1.00 - 5.00 pm Church Rooms Movement to Music (Age Concern) 11.30am -12.30 pm Victory Hall Women’s Institute Meeting 2nd Wednesdays 7.30 pm St Audries Close

THURS Toddlers Group 10.00 am Church Rooms Bingo Evening 7.30-9.30 pm Victory Hall

FRI Coffee Shop 10.00 am Church Rooms EdF Monthly Drop-In for details see Contact Page & Look Ahead Venue specific See details within

St Andrew’s Church Junior Youth Cub 6.00 -7.30 pm Church Rooms for details contact Nicky Morgan Line Dancing (not December) 7.30 pm Victory Hall

SAT Football - Men September-April Football - Boys September-April SUN for details & fixtures for men & boys football contact Steve Dixon 2.00 - 3.00 pm

Village Diary November 1st Royal British Legion Bingo (details within) Victory Hall 7.00 pm . November 3rd FOSS Fireworks Display (details within) Stogursey School 6.00 pm November 4th EdF Drop-in Church Rooms 11.00 - 12 noon November 6th Giant Christmas Pudding Mix (details within) Church Rooms 12 noon November 8th Mobile Library (details within) November 9th WI Christmas Craft Demonstration St Audries Centre 7.30 pm November 12th Cheese and Wine evening Christmas Cottage, High Street Stogursey November 15h Poetry Group (details within) Church Rooms 7.30 pm November 19th Quantock Musical Theatre (details within) Victory Hall 7.30 pm November 22nd Oil Order deadline (details within) 11.00 am Future Events December 3rd Christmas Fair Church Rooms 2.00 -5.00 pm December 9th Christmas Fun Quiz Church Rooms 7.00 pm December 10th Beethoven Choral Concert (details within) St. Andrew’s Church December 14th WI Party Evening St Audries Centre 7.30 pm January 11th WI Sharing Knowledge - Knitting and Crochet St Audries Centre 7.30 pm January 7th 2017 Wassail - Bridge Cottage, Shurton 2.00 pm March 4th 2017 Twinning Association AGM . Church Rooms Stogursey April 14th-17th 2017 Visit of Twinners from Lonlay L'Abbaye Sirens: Hinkley Point A at 11.00 am November 4th

You are now able to post local upcoming events on the parish website www.stogursey-online.uk Stogursey News is posted every month on the website; this can be useful if delivery of paper copy is delayed.

Please send email articles to : [email protected] Please put handwritten or typed copy in the News box in Post Office. SERVICES IN THE QUANTOCK COAST BENEFICE : NOVEMBER 2016 CHURCH 6th November 13th November 20th November 27th November 3rd before Advent Remembrance Christ the King Advent Sunday Sunday EAST QH 9.30am 3.00pm 8.00am Eucharist Remembrance Eucharist (BCP) - -- SC NM NM

FIDDINGTON 9.00am 9.00am 9.00am - Eucharist Eucharist with Eucharist (BCP) DB Remembrance AFT TS 3.00pm Shoe Box Service HOLFORD 6.30pm 10.45 11.00am 10.00am Evensong Eucharist with Matins Benefice - AFT Remembrance NM Eucharist DB KILVE 11.00am 11.00am 9.30am Eucharist Family Service Eucharist - - AFT with DB Remembrance NM STOGURSEY 10.30am 10.30am 10.30am Morning Praise Eucharist with Eucharist PC Remembrance AFT AFT STOLFORD Service to be - - - - confirmed

STRINGSTON 11.00am 4.00pm 11.00am Family Service Stringston Praise Eucharist - -

NM with TS Remembrance AFT WEST QH 9.30am 9.30am 9.30am - Eucharist Eucharist with Family Service AFT Remembrance NM NM Liturgical colour RED RED RED RED Year A begins & Readings 1st Reading Job 19: 23 - 27 Malachi 4: 1 - 2 Jer 23: 1 - 6 Isaiah 2: 1 - 5 Psalm 17 98 46 2nd Reading 2 Thess 2: 1 – 5, 13 - 2 Thess 3: 6 - 13 Col 1: 11 - 20 Romans 13: 11 - 14 end Gospel Luke 20: 27 - 38 Luke 21: 5 - 19 Luke 23: 33 - 43 Matthew 24: 36 - 44

MIDWEEK COMMUNIONS Date Time Venue Presiding Readings Wed 2nd November 8.00am WQH NM As per officiant Wed 9th November 10.00am Stogursey AFT As per officiant Brian Slade Withdrawal of First Bus Service 14. You will probably have heard by now through the press etc Sylvia, Alison and all the family would like to express our that the improved First bus service until 29 October 2016 thanks for all the cards, donations and good wishes has been short-lived. At the time of writing, after that date following the death of our dear Brian. They were a great there will be NO service to the villages between Minehead comfort to us all. and Bridgwater, except the early morning and evening bus, Monday to Friday during College terms. First states Sylvia would also like to thank all their friends who gave that the 14 bus has not been commercially viable. her lifts to the hospital to visit Brian during the last year. It has yet to be seen whether Somerset County Council We are so lucky to live in a village like Stogursey with so will take action on behalf of villages such as Stogursey. many caring friends and neighbours. If you are affected, views should be addressed to: David Fothergill Sylvia, Alison and their families. Cabinet Member for Highways and Transport Somerset County Council County Hall Taunton TA1 4DY We will remember them [email protected]

and Hugh Davies, County Council Member for Watchet and Stogursey at the above address: [email protected] Copy to local Parish and District Councillors (see Stogursey News for contact details) and: Ian Liddell-Grainger MP 16 Northgate BENJAMIN WILLIAM GUNNINGHAM Bridgwater TA6 3EU Benjamin was born in Treforest, Wales in 1892. His Ian [email protected] parents were Thomas & Susanna Gunningham who were both born in Stogursey, but his father had moved to Wales to work as a coal miner. They returned to Shurton in 1894 and lived in No.2 Batch Cottages. Benjamin married The Friends of Stogursey School Laura Emma Brooks in Bridgwater in 1909 and they then present: moved to Treforest. Their daughter Gladys was born in 1910. A Grand Firework Display He joined the A Company, 13th Battalion of the Welsh on Regiment in Pontypridd, and was Private No. 33186 Thursday November 3rd Gates open at 6pm with the firework display at 6.30pm. A report in the Bridgwater Mercury in September 1917 th said that he had been wounded on July 10 , and had Hot dogs, burgers etc and mulled cider too, available from nd been repatriated. He died of his wounds on August 22 , 6pm onwards. A collection will be taken during the 1917 in a Cardiff hospital and was buried in Glyntaff evening and all monies raised directly fund equipment & Cemetery. outings etc, which the school would otherwise be unable If you have a photo of Benjamin, or any further information to provide. Please come along and support your local please contact Aubrey Knowles on 01278-733874 village school!.

“No one who has stood for high values - love, truth, justice “There’s an African proverb: ‘When death finds you may it - has died being able to declare victory once and for all. If find you alive’. Alive means living your own damn life, not we embrace values like these, we need to find ways to the life that your parents wanted, or the life that some stand in the gap for the long haul, and be prepared to die cultural group or political party wanted, but the life that without having achieved our goals.” Parker J Palmer your own soul wants to live”. Michael Meade Please send email articles to : [email protected] Please put handwritten or typed copy in the News box in Post Office. QUANTOCK MUSICAL THEATRE COMPANY Dr David Matthews Retirement ************ SEASONAL SONGS *********** from Quantock Medical Centre after 46 years service. QMTC will be performing their winter programme of carols, We would like to thank all who came to say goodbye to standards, old favourites and new additions to get you Dr David Matthews on Wednesday 28th September. ready for all the Christmas festivities! We held a farewell tea party We will be in the Victory Hall, Stogursey on Saturday attended by over a hundred patients November 19th at 7.30 pm and in St Peter’s Church, Williton the following week on Saturday the 26th at 7.00 pm and staff past and present. The shows start at 7-30pm. Please see local posters for Patient Group presented Dr booking details. Matthews with gifts representing his many interests including bee We will also be performing in Dunster Castle during keeping, bug and moth hunting, bird “Dunster by Candlelight”. watching and travelling. He will not QMTC supports The Marion Evered Trust, helping children be short of things to do! being treated for cancer at Musgrove Park Hospital Dr Matthews arrived in Nether Stowey in the summer of 1970 at the Dr Vaile and Dr Leighton Practice which held branch surgeries in Stogursey, Spaxton, Kilve, and at Hinkley Point Power Station. WI Report - September Dr Vaile and Dr Matthews were at the Toll House initially, After a brief business meeting members were given an and many villagers have memories of visiting the surgery interesting talk by Sandy Bateman on the Minack Theatre. there. We heard tales of Bunsen burners - equipment This covered not only her personal career in the theatrical which would definitely not be allowed now - and stairs for world, including productions at the Minack Theatre, but patients to climb to the Consulting rooms – far too also an enlightening history of the theatre itself. It is built dangerous now! into the cliffs at Porthcurno near Lands End and was In 1972 the surgery moved over the road to behind created by Rowena Cade who with the help of a gardener/ Oakford House and Dr Vaile retired. With a growing handyman, Billy Rawlings, built it over a period of 40 years population the surgery moved again (1978-1980) to a the to what it is today. present purpose-built health centre, with Dr Roger Butler and Dr Matthews. Dr Butler retired around 2000, when Dr The first dramatic production of The Tempest was staged Christopher Stone joined. Whilst the Medical Centre has on the cliff side gardens 1932. Since then it has gone moved around the village and had a number of different from strength to strength only stopping during the war Partners, Dr Matthews has been a constant presence. 46 years. It is now an internationally recognised theatre years must be something of a record! where each summer a variety of productions are staged We wish David a very long and happy retirement. He will September was also the month Stogursey WI hosted the be greatly missed by his patients and staff. WI Quantock Group Event. WI branches from Fiddington, Helen Stacey Practice Manager Merridge, Spaxton, Nether Stowey, Combwich and Cannington attended. After the business matters, Robert Blackbarrow gave an Craft Group introduction to the history of country dancing before the Thank you to everyone who supported us by coming to the members took to the floor for a ceilidh which gave rise to open afternoon of 5th October. great fun and amusement to both those participating and those watching. Date of next meeting is Wednesday 2nd November, 1-5 The next meeting is the Christmas Party Evening on 14 pm or any time in between in the Church Rooms. Open to December at 7:30pm at the St Audries Centre. The first all £1 an hour. meeting of 2017 will be Sharing Knowledge – Knitting and Crochet on 11 January at 7:30pm at the St Audries Centre. “In everyone’s life, at some time, our inner fire goes out. It is then burst into flame by an encounter with another New members are sure of a warm welcome. For more human being. We should all be thankful for those people information contact [email protected] . who rekindle the inner spirit. “ Albert Schweitzer

Please send email articles to : [email protected] Please put handwritten or typed copy in the News box in Post Office. Stogursey Arts Festival 2016 …… and forward to 2017 The world is moved not only by the mighty shoves of the heroes, but also by the aggregate of the tiny pushes of each honest worker. Helen Keller

This year we dedicated the Stogursey Arts Festival to keeping our social media (Facebook) profile up to date John Wealthy, a brilliant advocate for our Festival and a throughout the past year. great supporter of the Arts locally. Held in esteem by If you would like to be involved in the Festival’s future and many, he was committed, questioning and prolific as an have any ideas for additions or improvements do let us artist, and an inspiring teacher. He set a great example for know. As ever we are always looking for new volunteers to students locally through his continued practice. help out in any way, or if you would just like to make a In remembering John’s work, I think we recognise that art donation to the running of the Festival, we are keen to and music is not just about the performance or the hear from you. exhibition, it’s also the process of getting there; the Mike Bradshaw on behalf of the Festival Committee making, the presentation, the joining in, the participation and the appreciation. The Arts Group Stogursey (TAGS) Our Festival is about all these things, bringing together people across the community, not only the artists, TAGS will be meeting again soon, so if you are not on the performers, village celebrities and exhibitors, but the email circulation list and would like to know more about stewards, the caterers, the fundraisers, the workshop projects, workshops and visits, please send your contact details to Tim Kaye. facilitators, the school children and the organisers; all playing an important role in contributing to make the Tim Kaye TAGS and Exhibitions 734550 Festival a memorable event. Ian Elenor Music and Performances 733052 For some, in engaging with art and music in this way, working and supporting the Festival is also about the lifelong learning, which John was so passionate about. It is a focus for generating a sense of community and an Scarecrow Trail opportunity for us to welcome others, the audiences and “Fantastic, amusing, imaginative, original, exquisite, visitors to take part and share in the celebration of the exciting . . .,” just some of the words used to describe the diverse nature of our local creative talent. wonderful scarecrows seen around Stogursey, Burton and In the finale performance of the Festival our combined Shurton. talents were demonstrated at dusk on the Sunday If you didn’t see these marvellous works of art, then you evening. The projection onto St Andrew’s church featured truly missed out! And it’s only because the scarecrow- moving images, floating across the newly painted tower, makers made and displayed their scarecrows that the rest accompanied by the bells ringing out to complement the of us could enjoy a scarecrow trail. vision created by our young people and other villagers in conjunction with Richard Tomlinson from the Ignite Many thanks to you scarecrow-makers for your talented Somerset project. If you missed it or any of the other and creative work. performances or events you can catch a sample of the five days on line, just Google the ‘Stogursey Arts Festival Facebook’ site. STOGURSEY ARTS WEEKEND STEWARDS Last month we published our thanks to all who had …………………. contributed to the Festival, echoing the thank-yous that A personal thanks from me to all the Stewards who were had already been said at both the Opening and in our on duty in either the Church or the Church Rooms (or closing remarks. Yet there are still some people, who by both!) at the SAF weekend. the nature of what they do in promoting and supporting the event, are working anonymously in the background and in A number of you have told me how much they enjoyed danger of being forgotten. So finally thanks to Alan in the doing it and meeting new interesting and interested Post Office for selling tickets for the events, Pauline Kaye visitors. for pulling all the programme information together in a You all made my job of arranging the Rota so easy with coherent form and making sure it got to the printers and your willingness to help. See you all next year. Thank also to Helga Staddon for documenting the events and you. Janet Kroner

Please send email articles to : [email protected] Please put handwritten or typed copy in the News box in Post Office. VICTORY HALL VICTORY HALL UPDATE VICTORY HALL LOTTERY AUGUST DRAW All the summer events are now over – the Duck Race and

1st Prize £25 Roy Keirl 84 the Flower Show and both were very successful. Our 2nd Prize £15 Nicky Turner 129 thanks to those members of the Victory Hall Committee for 3rd Prize £10 Glinda Davey 139 organising the Duck Race and in particular, our thanks go SEPTEMBER DRAW to Fiona Johnson for all her time and hard work in organising the Flower Show. This is the second one she 1st Prize £25 Andy Horner has done and we hope that she will continue to run this nd 2 Prize £15 Pauline Webber event. Allan Searle, with his extensive experience, has 3rd Prize £10 Eva Davies been on hand to help Fiona and we are very grateful to them both. Unfortunately, we were unable to hold the STOGURSEY AFC annual 50/50 sale but hope this can be reinstated in 2017. MEAT DRAW 16/9/16 All the regular clubs and organisations which use the 1st Prize Rachel Victory Hall are well into their autumn/winter schedules. 2nd Prize S Calder Short Mat Bowls, Stogursey Fun (for mums, toddlers and 3rd Prize J Ivins babies), Quantock Musical Theatre, Movement to Music, 4th Prize Greg Miller Bingo, Line Dancing and, at weekends the Football Club have full programmes and are happy to welcome new MEAT DRAW 30/9/16 members from the local area.

st 1 Prize John O Several of the trustees attended a training session on 11th nd 2 Prize Matthew Calder October together with trustees from Holford and Kilve. rd 3 Prize Mrs Large This was very informative and gave all those who attended th 4 Prize Rachel an update on the responsibilities of being a trustee.

Tickets for next draw available from the Post Office and The Feasibility Study for the development of the Victory The Greyhound Inn. Thank you all very much for your Hall is now virtually complete. Unfortunately, although we support have quite a substantial sum of money towards this C M Palmer and A Robbins project, our applications to both the Lottery Fund and Sport England were turned down. This was a disappointment and, as a result, we are reviewing our earlier plans and considering the options available to us. Royal British Legion We have decided to go ahead with the construction of new changing rooms as this will be a separate building situated close to the sports field and Multi-Use Games Area. We Bingo are in the process of contacting several architects STOGURSEY VICTORY requesting their proposed designs and their processes for HALL overseeing such a contract. Tuesday 1st November 2016 With regard to the Victory Hall itself, several options may be available. We are contacting some local village hall committees who have recently updated/renewed their Doors Open 7.00 pm Eyes Down 8.00 pm village halls. The trustees are arranging visits in order to get some ideas and to learn from them what pitfalls need to be avoided and what is the best way to proceed. LOTS OF GOOD PRIZES AND RAFFLE PLEASE COME ALONG AND SUPPORT US! We will keep the readership of the Stogursey News regularly updated on events. Donations of prizes for the raffle or bingo would be very much appreciated. Contact Allan Searle 732820 Val Boxall Victory Hall Trustee Responsible for Publicity and Communications

Please send email articles to : [email protected] Please put handwritten or typed copy in the News box in Post Office. POETRY PLAYS WITH THE ARTS Stogursey for the Quantock Vale area In recognition of the Arts Festival, the Poetry group read The ‘Community Employment Hub’ will be opening at ‘The poems on 13th September. Libby read ‘Ozymandias’ by Church Rooms’ Stogursey on Wednesday 19th October; Shelly, and Tony brought us Breughel’s painting The Fall 9:30am – 12:00pm. The hub will open on a fortnightly of Icarus interpreted poetically by WH Davies. Fran read basis on a Wednesday morning. Shakespeare’s famous sonnet, “All the world’s a stage and Anyone who would like some support to update or write a all the men and women merely players,” and April read T E CV, whether you are considering moving jobs or trying to Brown’s Opifex, which means “making a work of art” – the find that job that suits you or job searching and applying person in the poem is trying to carve ideas out of for work and maybe some help towards enhancing your delicately tinted clouds, but is told by an expert to go and interview skills ; please pop in and see us. work in coarse clay as befits them. However God encourages the person to carve out of life what is in We aim to provide a relaxed café style environment within themselves, no matter what others say. the Quantock Vale area for the community by the community. A place to come and talk, have a cuppa and Libby’s second poem dealt with music – the tale by gain some valued help. Elizabeth Barrett Browning of the “great god Pan” carving a reed into a flute and charming all who hear his wonderful West Somerset Council has worked in partnership with the melodies. Tony related in brief some of the life of Lord joint Union ULF project UCATT, who have been Wavell, who collected an anthology of writing which he instrumental in supporting the hubs through information, published as ‘Other Men’s Flowers’. advice, guidance and resources adding value to the existing hubs and the incubation of a new hub in Fran read American poet James Riley’s descriptions of all Stogursey and the Quantock Vale area, which is in close the beauties and trials of the countryside and life, with its proximity to the Hinkley Point Development. refrain “There is ever a song somewhere, my Dear” and April finished with W J Turner’s ‘Ecstasy’, where the poet, For further information please contact: Colleen Blake observing a marble frieze of boys paddling in the sea, [email protected] or 07725602445 listening to a shell and singing, felt drawn into the scene, “and I too sang as a carven pipe of music.” WARMEST thanks and appreciation to Libby, who has hosted us for ages but she would like a rest, so we have booked the Church Rooms for Tuesday 15th November, for 7.30pm, and the theme, as it will be just past Remembrance Sunday, is “Memories” You could look forward to Christmas too in your choice. Everyone is invited, new people please come and give us a try-out. We each bring a small plate of nibbles, and no doubt tea and coffee will be available! As it is the Church Rooms, £1 per person would be a good contribution to upkeep.

This is my last contribution to the village magazine as I am ! moving out of the area at least for awhile. Thank you everyone for a very rich 14 years with too many memories MACMILLAN COFFEE MORNING to count – church services, arts festivals, concerts, parish walks, magazine rounds, wombling parties, beach A Macmillan Coffee Morning was held in Shurton on services, handbells, clubs, holiday schools, WI, really Friday September 30th in aid of Cancer Support and raised good friends. Before my parents and I moved here, we an incredible £310 for the charity. It was a wonderful were told it was a lovely community, and we found it to be morning spent chatting and tucking into cake – all for a just that. As my parents are buried in St Andrews good cause! cemetery, I shall always have a close link to this place, and shall come back as often as I can. Thanks to We would like to say a huge THANK YOU to everyone for everyone not least the magazine teams, past and present. their generosity in supporting the Coffee Morning. Long may you all flourish! Love and blessings. Lisa and Helen April Dunnett and cat Biscuit Shurton Please send email articles to : [email protected] Please put handwritten or typed copy in the News box in Post Office. Rol Over Beetoven! Samaritan’s Purse Those of us that live in and around Stogursey and sing in Operation Christmas Child the Bridgwater Choral Society are really excited that we shall be singing in St Andrew’s Church on the 10th Christmas is coming! I am sure most readers are already December. familiar with ‘the Christmas Shoebox Scheme’ or Operation Christmas Child run by the charity Samaritan’s We are a choir of around sixty singers and will be joined Purse. The idea is to fill a medium sized shoebox with by four professional soloists, a full orchestra and award small gifts for a child who would otherwise have no gifts at winning Bulgarian pianist Raya Kostova. all at Christmas time. Aim to fill the box with gifts for either Three of us sang in the Stogursey Arts Festival choir a boy or a girl and with an age in mind. workshop and had a taste of the wonderful acoustic that Fiddington Church is once again going to be a drop off exists in our beautiful church. point for collection of shoeboxes and we are also co- We believe it will be a truly amazing experience as we ordinating the Scheme locally and will be collecting all the sing an all Beethoven programme; Choral Fantasia and shoeboxes from the various drop off points in the area. Mass in C. The orchestra will start the evening with Let’s try to make it 1,000 boxes in total this year! Prometheus Overture. Please can you help? For tickets go to www.bridgwaterchoral.org. £12 reserved, (£10 for friends) £8.00 unreserved on the door subject to There will be a supply of flat pack shoeboxes available for availability. Accompanied under-16s free. a small charge if you do not have an empty shoebox (see below for contact details to obtain these boxes). The filled shoeboxes will be gathered together during October and early November for a short service of dedication and GIANT CHRISTMAS PUDDING MIX thanksgiving that will take place on November 27th in Sunday 6th November, 12 noon Fiddington Village Hall at 3pm with a cup of tea to follow and everyone is most welcome. So please do get Stogursey Church Rooms. collecting small gifts and filling those shoeboxes -just think Come and ‘stir up’ the pudding mix. we could give 1,000 children a happy Christmas. Leaflets Bring a bowl to fill and make a donation to ‘Improving with the guidelines of what to include and the age Chances’; Deanery Mission to help severely categories and the paperwork to include with your gifts will disadvantaged children in Uganda. be available in all the churches. Leaflets are available in the churches with information and labels to attach to your If you’d like to join us, please phone 733577 asap to box. Thank you. ensure we have sufficient ingredients. For more information: Pat Scott on 01278 732589 Jenny Kinahan on 01278 732190 Plum Duff and Stuff Christmas Puddings

We were so sorry not to have been able to have a stall at the recent Stogursey Arts Festival Craft Fair this year. I Sausage Sizzle and Quiz have had several people approach me who had hoped I Come and pit your wits and enjoy a delicious sausage and would be there, in particular those wanting the gluten free mash supper with wonderful puds on Saturday November puddings. If you do want any, telephone 01278 734799 19th at Fiddington Village Hall. 6.30pm for 7pm start. and ask for Judy. I can give you sizes and prices but these Come in teams of 4 or make up teams on the night. BYO can also be found on the website plumduffandstuff.co.uk. drinks. Raffle. New this year, there are diabetic Christmas puddings in kit form (14oz size only). Proceeds to St Martin’s Church Fiddington.

“Love, I find, is like singing. Everybody can do enough to “They say ‘Guns don’t kill people; people kill people.’ but I satisfy themselves, though it may not impress the think guns help. Just standing there saying ‘Bang!’ doesn't neighbours as being very much.” Zora Hurston hurt anybody.” Eddie Izzard

Please send email articles to : [email protected] Please put handwritten or typed copy in the News box in Post Office. Stagecoach News The Stogursey Oil Buying Group

Stagecoach is pleased to announce that, as a result of The next order after this one will be at the beginning of passengers making regular use of this service and February. Somerset Council agreeing to continue funding concessionary fares, the booking fee for each journey will The scheme is open to all households in the Stogursey be reduced from £2 to £1 meaning all fares will be News distribution area except those whose oil delivery has reduced by £1 as from November 1st. to be made through the house. The minimum order is 500 litres; the meters on the delivery vehicles are inaccurate e.g. Regular destinations: below this amount. We usually get oil for 3 to 4 pence per litre less than prices quoted for individual orders. The Nether Stowey; £3 with pass £4 without more who use the scheme the better the price. Cannington £3.75 with pass £6.50 without N.B: If customers write their email address on the form I Bridgwater £6 with pass (hospital £7) will send email reminders for future orders, notify them of the price obtained by email and allow them to submit their £11 without (hospital £12) orders by email. The scheme will continue to operate via Stogursey News and the Post Office. If you have any Taunton £10 with pass (hospital £11) questions I can be contacted on 732191. Chris Ford £19 without (hospital£20) Please fill in this form and hand it in at the Post Office Fares to different destinations are available on request (calculated at 50p per mile to cover fuel costs). (not in the Stogursey News box please!!!) Name:

------

Address: ! ------NEW- Weekly Support Group, from November 3rd

For free & confidential information, advice & support, drop into our weekly support group at Quantock House, Postcode:------Holford, Bridgwater, TA5 1RY.

We meet every Thursday morning between 10 - 12pm for Tel:------an informal chat over tea & cake. The support group is open to anyone afected by cancer or a life limiting illness e-mail address: and will provide the opportunity to share experiences with ------others in a similar position. Volume of oil required: St. Margaret’s Hospice is working with Macmillan Cancer Support to provide this opportunity to anyone in Somerset ------litres caring for someone affected by cancer or facing a life- limiting illness. Special instructions: ------

“The more loss we feel, the more grateful we should be for ------whatever it was we had to lose. It means we had something worth grieving for. The ones I’m sorry for are Deadline for leaving the form in the Post Office is the ones who go through life not knowing what grief is.” 11 am on Tuesday 22nd November FrankO’Connor for delivery the week beginning 28th November

Please send email articles to : [email protected] Please put handwritten or typed copy in the News box in Post Office. STOGURSEY FLOWER SHOW From Izzy Sylvester, Village Agent

The Victory Hall Management Committee wish to thank Do you live alone, have a problem and not know where to Fiona Johnson and her team for all the hard work and turn? dedication over the months, giving us a very successful Do you have a problem that needs someone to tell you day. who are the right agencies,services or people to turn to? All the committee members Are you a carer that needs help and support ? (John Baker & Ellison Datura) Does your community have a collective problem that needs a kick-start ? HOLFORD GARDENERS GROUP If you are finding life a bit hard going at the moment, I may be able to help. Holford and District Village Hall November 15th 7.00pm Please phone me Izzy Silvester your village agent on A.G.M. followed at 7.30pm by a talk by Stefan Jennings 07931 018045, leave me your name and number and I will ‘Willow Sculptures’ and a chance to try your hand at ring you back. Or e mail me on [email protected],uk Willow Work. I do only work part-time so it may take a day or two for me to return your call. Thank you Members £1.00 Visitors £3.00 A warm welcome to all Please note these two scams:

The recorded message sounded very official: “This is Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs. A case for non-payment Christmas is Coming ...... of tax is being prepared against you with a view to prosecution. To speak to your caseworker, press 1” St. Andrew’s Christmas Fair will be held in The Church Rooms on Saturday 3rd December 2-5 pm. This is a scam! I have had this myself, and so have a lot of other people. -Come and buy your Christmas gifts It sounds so authentic, and is designed to fluster people -Bring the children to see Santa into pressing 1 on the phone. It will no doubt connect you -Enjoy a mince pie with friends to a premium rate (very expensive) line. So please DON’T press 1, simply put the phone down. Inland Revenue Any donations of Raffle prizes will be greatly appreciated. never ring people, and they don’t email, either. All their Please contact Linda Brown 734794 correspondence comes in brown envelopes, brought by the postman. or leave at Three Gables Burton I have also been contacted by a thoughtful parishioner about the new contactless card fraud. Apparently the magnetic strip can be read through your pocket and wallet Strike up the band! by a fraudster using card reader equipment that you can easily buy on the internet. The parishioner shared that A few of us have met a couple of times with a view to you can purchase special wallets to combat this. Thank forming a small Stogursey community band. you for sending me this information. This could be a real Sounds grand, (a grand band?) but at the moment it is risk in the crowds of shopping malls at a certain time of only four of us, we have in mind perhaps carols at year. Christmas (and perhaps the Colston Hall next year.) I have done a little research and “Which” have researched If you play an instrument, (trumpet, sax – anything) please this and say that wrapping your card in foil will do the trick give me a ring, we can have a chat and I can let you know and you can buy a special low cost but prettier wallet when we are next meeting if you are interested version from Amazon and other such retailers. Phil Griggs 07976 880625 Off to rummage in the kitchen drawer!

Please send email articles to : [email protected] Please put handwritten or typed copy in the News box in Post Office. STOGURSEY C E Primary School ! Maths, Maths, Maths Winter liked this maths activity because, “all Friday morning, a tour of the classrooms at of us went in the middle to get cubes.” the school saw all the pupils, from the very Willow explained that they had been “taking youngest in the Pre-School to the Year 6 one away and adding one more.” pupils in Willow Class totally engaged in “I like doing maths because I love it,” said maths activities. Betsie. In Pre-School, Tina explained that the Hazel Class pupils were also using cubes, big, small, language of maths is as Ollie (Y3) explained, “We’re partitioning. very important. One table We’re splitting one big number up.” full, empty in the classroom is the dedicated maths area; and a l w a y s h a s i t e m s t o encourage mathematical learning. This

! “I’ve split 100 apart into 40, and 30.” (Emily, Yr 3) Oakley (Yr 2) after partitioning his 50 cubes, week the focus is on ‘three’ which is being read out the number sentence he had linked to the story of Goldilocks. The written down, “19 add 31 makes 50.” He children have been using the role play area then said, “I like it because it’s easy and I to explore the concept of three: a big chair, a can do it straightaway, and I want to do it for middle-sized chair, and a little chair; three days.” different-sized bowls; three spoons; and of course, three different-sized teddy bears! Some of the Willow Class pupils talked about Maths: Using Cubes in Oak Class “I love Maths because I like learning about numbers.” (Chloe, Yr 4) “I like rounding numbers. In Hazel Class we had to go around the school with a big measuring stick and a whiteboard, and we had to measure things like the chairs. We measured in centimetres.” (Steph, Yr 4) “I love Maths. My favourite Maths is times tables, adding, dividing and take-away. I want to be smart like my Grand-dad. He’s really good at Maths and he helped me in really hard maths.” (Alfie, Yr 4) Year 1 pupils collecting their cubes “I like Maths because it’s challenging. I like Miss Glenister added that the pupils are now doubling. I want to be like my Dad, and he much more excited by and engaged in their does good challenging questions.” maths lessons, and prepared to take on (Will, Yr 4) problem-solving challenges.

“I like Maths because it’s a fun subject to do. Workshop for Parents and Carers I like all types of maths, everything about In September, it was the parents and carers Maths. Since September . . . number turn to find out about maths in the school, sequences, problem solving, and reasoning and many came in for a workshop run by Jo questions such as: Hannah says, ‘using the Cronin, the maths specialist. digits of 0-9 I can make any number up to 1,000,000.’ Is she correct? (James, Yr 5) The feedback from the parents was positive: “Maths is my favourite subject because if “I enjoy working with my son when he brings you think of two random numbers you can his Maths homework home with him. The put them together and make an entirely new problem was that we have to “show our number.” (Joseph, Yr 5) working.” . . . it became obvious that our “I really like rounding like we’re doing now. methods are very different . . .things move And I like time and problem-solving on and change all the time. questions, like, ‘the time is half-past three, and you need to get to a place at 6 o’clock. So I was very pleased when the school ran How long will it take?’ Except harder than a Maths workshop, giving the parents a that.” (Jimi, Yr 5) chance to see the methods that the pupils are using today. This was both a very useful and enjoyable session and I feel far more comfortable working with my son again.” (Allen Robbin) “I attended the maths session for parents with Jo Cronin. It was really helpful to understand how the children are being taught in school and I feel much more confident in supporting my child with his learning.” (Sarah Harcombe)

"I think this was a really useful workshop. It ! was good to hear what language we can Willow Class pupils holding up answers to use at home to support maths learning. It's rounding questions made a difference already. I enjoyed solving the problems too, and it was great to learn Maths is now a priority subject - the sort of ways that our children approach and has been since the summer term. them.” (Anna Hammond) Miss Glenister, the maths coordinator for the school, explained what this has included: - regular help from a maths specialist; - a new calculation policy which runs from Macmillan Pre-school to Year 6; - a philosophy of working from the concrete Coffee afternoon to the pictorial and finally to the abstract; - new packs of practical maths apparatus Well done, and thank you to for each class; everyone who helped us - maths working walls in every classroom; raise £122.10 at our Macmillan - a greater focus on fluency, reasoning and coffee afternoon. problem-solving. Key Points from the Parish Council Meeting held on 11 October 2016

Presentation by Tim Burton, Assistant Director, shopping service from Stogursey to Minehead on Fridays Planning & Environment which costs £5 for concessions. All journeys must be Tim Burton gave an informative presentation about the booked in advance, are on a first come first served basis role of the county council planning committee and how and passengers are required to register before making a they work with the Parish Council. He outlined the booking (01643 707090). SCC will continue to support expectations and role of the parish council when receiving local voluntary car schemes with the help of a planning application - the parish council can give a local concessionary fare funding. perspective the WSC may have no knowledge of. He Somerset Mobile Library Services explained that site visits are information gathering Following a review of Mobile Library stops, Somerset exercises and offers councillors and applicants the Libraries Service will be withdrawing the mobile stop in opportunity to identify any issues. He emphasised that Stolford – Ridgeway Lane Telephone Box from 31 Dec every decision is made in the public interests. 2016. If you are ,or anyone you know is, unable to get to Cllr Val Boxall a local library due to disabilities or long term health Cllr Val Boxall has resigned from the Parish Council after problems, there is a Home Library Service provided by the 5½ years. Cllr Searle said how sorry he is that she has Royal Voluntary Service. Details are on the Somerset decided to resign, as she has made a tremendous County Council website. contribution during her service. We thank her for her Parish Enhancement valuable assistance and support to both the Parish Two additional wooden flower boxes have been made and Council and the community, and we send her our very are located in Burton and Shurton. Our thanks go to Peter best wishes. Cross and Mike Maddison for their work.. Parish Councillor Vacancy Grants Following Cllr Boxall’s departure, we will be advertising for We were pleased to support the Friends of Stogursey a Councillor in the New Year. Please look out for adverts School by granting a sum of £250 for their annual on Parish noticeboards. Parish Council life is varied, Fireworks event. interesting and very rewarding. If you think you might like to be involved in making a real difference to our THE NEXT PARISH COUNCIL MEETING WILL BE HELD community, please do apply. You can contact the Clerk if ON TUESDAY 8 NOVEMBER 2016 you wish to find out more. I have enjoyed my first week and indeed my first meeting as Parish Clerk – made easier by the wealth of information BT Phone Boxes and assistance provided by my predecessor Aly Prowse. BT proposes to withdraw maintenance and use of I look forward to hearing from you on any issues you wish telephone boxes from Vicarage Road, Forge Corner and to discuss. My telephone number is 01278 653824 or you Stolford – the consultation period ends 24 Dec 16. The can email me at [email protected]. parish council will respond, objecting to this proposal, highlighting the fact that the mobile signal within the village Gillian Orchard, Clerk to the Parish Council is sporadic and until BT can provide sufficient mobile network coverage we require the use of the phone boxes in case of an emergency. Parish Clerk Retirement

Commercial Bus Service Stogursey Parish Councillors wish to thank Aly Prowse for Parish, District and County councillors have written to Cllr all her hard work, dedication and commitment to the David Fothergill to express their concerns about the Parish Council over the last seven years. Aly always withdrawal of the service. Cllr Hugh Davies read a brought new ideas to improve the day to day running of statement from Somerset County Council (SCC) the Parish Council and has been an exceptional clerk, explaining that Buses of Somerset consider that some using skills and professionalism when dealing with Parish services along the routes which include Stogursey are no Council matters. Thanks you once again Aly for the last longer viable. The bus services were not council subsided seven years, we will certainly miss you at our meetings. and the council are unable to provide funding to restore We send you all our very best wishes for the future. them. SCC is committed to maintain funding for Atwest operated Slinky bus service, although the regular service Allan Searle on behalf of Stogursey Parish Councillors no longer operates in Stogursey, Atwest do operate a

Please send email articles to : [email protected] Please put handwritten or typed copy in the News box in Post Office. NEW MOBILE LIBRARY ROUTE & TIMES Parish Council Some stops have been removed and times changed. Chair: Allan Searle Vice-Chair: Chris Morgan Library will visit on Tuesdays every 4 weeks Clerk: Gillian Orchard

Stockland Bristol Councillors: Captains 11.40 - 11.55 Ian Elenor, Geoff Coles,, Sue Goss,Susan E Jones, Chris Ford, Stolford Paul Tipney, Keith Turpin Telephone Box 12.05 - 12.20 Shurton West Somerset District Councillors: Babbling Brook 12.35 - 12.55 Sue Goss, Chris Morgan Stogursey Ward Councillors: Sue Goss & Chris Morgan Greyhound Inn 1.40 - 2.10 Town Close 30 2.15 - 2.40 Site Stakeholders Group Representatives Sue Goss, Chris Morgan 2016 November 8th December 6th Main Site Neighborhood Forum: If this provision is not suitable for you telephone/email Stogursey Hamlets and EdF Libraries Direct on 0845 3459177 www.somerset.gov.uk/libraries Mike Laver 732069 Burton and Knighton [email protected] Sue Jones 732275 Burton and Knighton Parish Neighbourhood Welcome Pack: [email protected] Contact Parish Clerk 01278 653824 Peter Farmery 732503 Shurton Wick & Stolford Cllr Sue Jones 01278 652287 [email protected] Lesley Flash 732417 Shurton Burton & Knighton Cllr Sue Goss 01278 733405 [email protected] Community Policing & Speed Watch Volunteers Susan E Jones 652287 Stolford Peter Bolton PCSO 7292 [email protected] Williton Police Station Dick Blomfield Wick Quantock Vale Beat 013 /015 /017 [email protected] Telephone 01823363935/6 Stogursey Parish Council Members Mobile 07889 655193 ( this is a new number ) Allan Searle, Chris Ford and Valerie Boxall email [email protected] Ward Councillor &West Somerset District Councillor Community Car Scheme: Stogursey Parish Stagecoach Sue Goss 07908 239 609

Somerset County Council all services: 0300 123 2224 St Peter’s Church Stolford: Community Use Chair: Susan E Jones, Stolford Stogursey Oral History Project Aubrey Knowles: 733874 EdF HPC Hotline (complaints etc.) 0800 0969650

ANTI-SOCIAL BEHAVIOUR & CRIMINAL DAMAGE: If you witness any ASB or criminal damage type incidents in the parish, please phone the Police on 101 with as much information, including names if you possibly can. These issues are a Police matter, and they need our help to try & stop them. The number of times complaints are made from a particular area is noted. The more complaints there are, the more justification there is to allocate police time and man-power to deal with problems. Complainant’s names are not released to the perpetrators.

EdF Drop-Ins: Babbling Brook Shurton: 12 noon 1 pm December 2nd Church Rooms Stogursey: 11 am - 2 noon November 4th

Please send email articles to : [email protected] Please put handwritten or typed copy in the News box in Post Office.