NewslinkBRYMPTON NEWSLINK - SummerSummer 2016 2016

Serving and informing the Community www.brymptonparishcouncil.gov.ukPARISH COUNCIL ISSUES

Thoughts from the Chairman PARISH COUNCIL NEWS As always with Brympton the two top topics are planning and Parish Councillors

highways issues. Back in May, against fierce opposition (not), Liz Glaisher and I Highways – Apparently the traffic calming scheme for Stourton were re-elected as Chairman and Vice Chairman respectively. Way is currently going through the ‘commissioning process’ at In July we sadly said goodbye to Andy Marchant who had to retire County Hall. The design brief has been issued to the engineering from the parish council due to other commitments. We welcome in design team who are working out costs and timescale, etc. which his place Eddie Galjaard. Welcome back Eddie! will enable the commissioning process to be completed. We’ve mentioned previously that BPC are looking to increase With all the deep cutting being inflicted from “above” it`s no Councillor numbers from 11 to 12. A formal Notice to this effect wonder BPC can`t get the roads sorted and even the repair of is published on our website and responses are required by 31st Oct.

pavements done in a timely manner. Flies everywhere! Our thanks go to the Speedwatch Team organised by Josh, for Fly tipping along Thorne Lane is a continuing their continued dedication to the project of speed reduction. problem and presumably occurs because either Thorne Lane/ Brimsmore Key Site - what an almighty shambles? the recycling site is closed or people don’t want to pay the charges If the original ring road had been built instead of this for disposal of hardcore, etc. or they’re just plain lazy. SSDC have squashabout, little of this disruption would be necessary but we recently introduced more punitive fines (£250) in an attempt to only live here, what could we possibly know? discourage it but the problem is identifying the offenders. I Planning. - YTFC new Sport Centre Thorne Lane. It was imagine that the problem will increase in the near future when with some amazement that we left SSDC Area South meeting on Waste Partnership, who run the recycling facility, 7th Sept after SSDC Cllrs, by a slim majority, had voted to refuse introduce their new ‘permit’ scheme – more later. this application. It is too early to be satisfied that this is the final decision, it may not be. As we said at the meeting, the parish A very grave problem! council has nothing against the Football Club, but we are here to At Yeovil Cemetery, despite the fact that the represent the residents of Brympton, not them. Until someone majority of people opt for cremation nowadays, it looks like it may can guarantee the safety of our residents from crime/anti-social be standing room only soon as they are running out of room for behaviour, and ensure our road system is robust enough to ensure graves. We understand that they are looking for new sites. the safety of people using it, then we will continue to raise concerns. Let there be light! We remain sceptical because of the experience of the death of The parish council recently arranged for some new Liz Glaisher presenting someone and the lack of action to date from the highway external lighting for the village hall at Thorne. the Parish authority on that case. We remain unconvinced that any promises There are no street lights in the village and it’s basically pitch Award to Bill given will be met in reality. Why can`t the Football Club, SSDC black when you come out of the hall at night. BPC also bought some Higgins and possibly the Yeovil Community Trust devise a plan to develop paint for re-doing the outside of the Hall, the painting was carried the existing recreation site at the Club into a sports zone, surely out by volunteers – well done them.

that cannot be beyond their capabilities. Litter Lufton Dig. - Dr James Gerrard has had a fantastic dig this year Comments on the Abbey Facebook page and other complaints at the Lufton villa. He and his team unearthed an under floor about litter at the play areas and at The Forum have been noted. heating system and a collapsed, tessellated floor section. It would All of these areas are litter-picked on a very regular basis and appear this villa has many more secrets to reveal. there are plenty of bins provided. It seems that people There were estimated to be over 400 people visiting the site on just haven’t got the hang of using them!

the “open day” and more than 80 people at the evening talk. So, Playtime, is it a case of swings and roundabouts? congratulations to James and his team and “onwards and downwards” next year. Anyone interested to “get involved“ in fund The parish council is looking to update play raising would be greeted with open arms. equipment at the Higher Ream play area. Basically

Boundary Review. I think our requests for half of Brimsmore Key the rocking horse needs some serious attention. We Site to be in BPC have been validated by all the fall-out from this would welcome any suggestions for an additional of build out. Our residents have been evicted from their homes due play equipment but bear in mind that this area is to a severance of a major gas pipe by the Brimsmore builders with aimed at younger children. scant apology from the Builder to our residents and absolutely no We are also looking to do something at the Oak Tree Park site but contact with BPC over this and the Thorne Lane closure. It is the from initial discussions with SSDC it will probably have to be a residents and BPC who seem to be left with this mess as we long term proposal to fit in with their aspirations. Again, any envisaged would be the case. suggestions would be useful apart from levelling the site as Liz Glaisher, suggested in one post on the Facebook page. At OTP we need to consider the different age groups that use it (some better Chairman of BPC behaved than others I hear you say!)

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Brympton Newslink Summer 2016

MORE PARISH COUNCIL STUFF Oak Tree Park (it’s the big green open space with an oak tree in it at the northern end of Abbey Manor)

A ‘Gastastrophe’ (sorry, I’m practicing for The Sun headlines) This report from Councillor Bob Brookes who attended the th You will no doubt recall the major incident back in August when a annual youth event at OTP on 10 August.

contractor accidentally poked a hole in the gas main at the top end “I spent two hours at the “Youth Days” at Oak Tree Park today.

of Western Avenue. Residents were evacuated (including It got off to a very slow start as it was cool, cloudy and windy. It Councillor Bob Brookes and his family) and it was panic stations all was more or less the same setup as last year, climbing wall, round. All credit to the emergency services who handled the wrecking ball etc. The burgers were good, coffee not so. situation well. A special thank you to the British Gas emergency Once again the organisers were enthusiastic and encouraged the team that came down from Manchester (I think) and worked young people. through the night (and rain) to sort it out. The weather improved at lunchtime and the crowd swelled in ‘Travellers’ response. Everything was free, except the food and drink. Panic stations again when members of the ‘travelling Talked to a few people to gauge reaction and was disappointed by community’, having stopped at various other locations in the town, many who said the event was poorly advertised and they only came set up camp at Oak Tree Park at the end of August. They moved because they saw it was taking place (perhaps contributed to the on again quite rapidly though and the gateway was re-secured. slow start). Quoting from Government guidance on the subject – I still have the same complaint as last year; Grandads are not Some parts of the country experience regular unauthorised allowed on the climbing wall.” encampments, which can cause disruption and conflict locally, and A number of comments were subsequently posted on Facebook can be expensive and time-consuming to clear. The Government’s agreed that it was good but mentioned the lack of advertising for policies on Gypsy and Traveller accommodation and enforcement this event. The parish council will be following this up along with a are set within a framework of rights and responsibilities in which review of the format of the event but there were notices on the everyone’s rights must be equally respected but where, at the parish noticeboards and it was actually advertised on Facebook. same time, equal standards of behaviour are expected from all. Not sure what else to do really. Creating and sustaining strong communities is at the heart of the

Government’s Respect agenda and will have benefits for the settled and Gypsy and Traveller communities alike. ‘Big Brother’ is watching you! Hedges At SSDC’s District Exec. meeting in May they Quite a few comments have been recently made about agreed to the installation of ‘Intelligent Enforcement‘ overhanging hedges, etc. particularly where they systems in a number of their public car parks on a 2 year trial. affect public footpaths. Interesting article at This will involve installing ANPR (automatic number plate http://www.problemneighbours.co.uk/rules-on- recognition) cameras at all entrances and exits to car parks and hedges-and-roots-growing-into-your-property.html new ‘state of the art’ ticket machines that require the vehicle I quote: registration details to be entered before a ticket is purchased. “Sometimes a hedge can become overgrown and overhang the The cameras log when a vehicle enters the car park and are linked pavement outside your property. In this instance, your local to the machines to match the vehicle registration details to the authority can force you to cut it back or even to remove, it if it’s ticket purchased. The system then knows what time that vehicle causing a danger or obstruction to pedestrians on the pavement.” should be leaving the car park and if it is not registered doing so by the cameras on exit it can then notify the Enforcement I think the problems at Stourton Way have been a) getting SCC Officers (via their mobile phones) which vehicles in which car Highways to recognise the problem and b) identifying the parks are in contravention. landowners. Fortunately some passing residents with loppers took matters into their own hands (allegedly)! Sounds like it will save Enforcement Officers a bit of shoe leather I wonder if ‘topiary’ is another word for ‘clipart’ or is it something at least as they will be able to target offending vehicles remotely.

to do with ‘hedge funding’’? Hmm! How about using drones? Travel Info.

Somerset County Council has recently launched a new traffic and Footpaths and Public Rights of Way travel website – www.travelsomerset.co.uk. This runs alongside the @TravelSomerset Twitter account, which After a long struggle we managed to persuade SCC provides live updates from the Council’s traffic control team. Rights of Way to accept the fact that they have a duty The aim of Travel Somerset is to improve how they tell people to ensure that public footpaths are safe to use. They have now about what’s happening on the roads in Somerset – from planned removed the broken bits of fence alongside the footpath at roadworks and public events to unplanned incidents, accidents or Eighteen Acre Lane (behind the trading estate at AMP) and are investigating ‘ownership’. congestion. The website provides updates 24/7 and also has a searchable map SCC have also, it would seem, finally conceded that the footbridge showing current and future roadworks. You can sign up for travel at Shelley Close is their responsibility. Hooray!!

alerts or subscribe for emails about roadworks in an area of your A recent survey of all the public footpaths in the Parish of choice. Brympton has recently been completed on behalf of SCC. The new website also has information about public transport, Locations of the footpaths can be found on the BPC website. cycling and walking, and will be developed and improved over time.

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Brympton Newslink Summer 2016

CRIME & DISORDER PLANNING

Your Local Safer Stronger Neighbourhood Having just done a tally via the SSDC planning website Police Team currently comprises: I see that over the last 12 months there have been 60 planning Sgt Richard Barnett, PC Amanda Perrin and PCSO Elaine Weeks. applications in the parish of Brympton and as a statutory consultee the parish council is obliged to consider all of these on If you want to speak with the Police about anti-social behaviour issues in the area or anywhere in Yeovil - please call 101. behalf of the community. Many of these applications have been minor in nature (extensions, PCSO Elaine Weeks can be contacted on 07889 659279 or at flagpoles, etc.) but some have caused us considerable [email protected] consternation. None more so than the proposal by YTFC, et al. to Monthly beat surgeries to discuss any local issues or concerns and create a community recreation area on land near Lufton. offer crime reduction advice are held at the Parish Office (Abbey The original application submitted in June 2015 Community Centre) on Wednesdays at 12.00 – 1.00pm. had been much modified in response to various The next few surgeries are: concerns raised before it was finally considered 28 Sep 16, 26 Oct 16, 23 Nov 16, 21 Dec 16, 25 Jan 17. by SSDC in their role as the Planning Authority.

Crime statistics for your local area and other police The location of this community land was seen by BPC and many forces can be found by entering a postcode or place name others as being very inappropriate as it was about a mile from the on the Police website (www.police.uk/). Their ‘Crime Map’ housing area it was intended to serve and accessed by a narrow is interesting especially if you’re looking to move house. lane that is potentially dangerous. Various other issues raised by other organisations were also a concern and it was based on all ‘Car Enthusiasts’ (‘boy racers’) these factors that SSDC, after much deliberation, refused the application. There continues to be incidents of anti-social behaviour It is no secret that the proposed new recreation area was always caused by vehicles being driven around the parish at intended to offset the loss of the existing, much better situated breakneck speed by ‘car enthusiasts’. community designated recreation land north of Huish Park as part Sadly, among the very many comments posted on the Abbey of YTFC’s redevelopment proposals. The planning process is such Manor Community webpage the view is also expressed that this that this particular factor could not be taken into account by activity is just an expression of enthusiasm and should not be SSDC in making their decision as the applications have to be considered as a crime or serious issue. Tell that to the relatives considered separately. of the woman that got killed a couple of years ago. Please report any incidents to the Police on their 101 number. SCHOOL AWARDS Speedwatch This year Brympton Parish Council’s School Award for voluntary Parish Councillor Josh Williams and the team of Community work within the community was presented to Stanley Waldron of Speedwatch volunteers continue to carry out regular checks at Preston Academy. Stourton Way and at Bluebell Road. I think most people Awards were also presented to pupils at appreciate what they are trying to achieve but sadly there are Preston Primary School for their some critics. The basic objective is to save lives, not annoy charitable achievements. Pictured are motorists! Alesha Champion (winner) with runners-

In recognition of the work they do the parish council presented up Katie Tibble, Chloe Saunders, Georgia the Speedwatch Team with a Certificate of Appreciation. Kingsley and Olivia French (the old bloke in the middle is me, of course). Recent results are shown in the table below:

Reporting Period: 23/07/2016 to 23/08/2016

Date Location Total Over Max Primary School Update. Traffic Limit Speed This message from Bernie Green, Executive Recorded Head-Teacher at Preston Primary School: 28/07/2016 Stourton 406 14 42 mph The new school year is ahead of us and we would like to extend a Way (2) warm welcome to all of the new staff and families linked to 08/08/2016 Stourton 392 6 56 mph Preston Primary C of E School. Also to all of the staff and Way (2) families who are joining our partner school, Kingfisher Primary; 14/08/2016 Bluebell 295 26 45 mph which will be based at Huish Primary for the first year. Road The school year ended well, with our wonderful children performing exceptionally well in comparison to County and National The SID (Speed Indicator Device) was deployed at Larkhill Road averages and demonstrating their talents in sporting and artistic for a couple of weeks in July and results are as follows: activities. Average speed: 32.9 mph We wish all of the children who left us to join new schools good Minimum speed: 2 mph (must have been a pram!) luck and happiness in the future and would ask that you keep them Maximum speed: 68 mph in your thoughts and prayers in the next phase of their education. 85th percentile speed: 38 mph With another exciting year ahead, we thank the Parish Council and

Congratulations to the motorist who was doing 68mph, you all parishioners for their continuing support of our school.

deserve a special award! With very best wishes, Bernie Green, Headteacher

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Brympton Newslink Summer 2016

Abbey Community Centre HIGHWAYS

There are many activity groups using the community Loads of things to mention under the heading of ‘Highways’ this time and sadly not many of them are positive. centre but it is available to hire for private functions and meetings, etc. YTFC supporters parking – Yes it’s the football season again and, The premises offer a very large hall, with kitchen facilities, as although there are double yellow lines at most junctions (for well as the Parish Room for smaller gatherings. safety reasons) parking is a bit problematic. Please let us know Availability and details can be seen on the website at where there are serious issues.

www.abbeymanorcc.org. ‘Oh Bollards’ – We’ve waited about 4 years for SCC to replace ACC recently received a ‘Hallmark’ quality standards Certificate the bollards at Thorne crossroads. They eventually got round to it for the facility. about a month ago, just in time for the road closure whereupon They are looking to redo the wood flooring shortly so there may some ‘rat’ seems to have ‘borrowed’ a dumper from the nearby be some disruption whilst this work is carried out. building site and rolled over them.

The ACC management committee are currently seeking a new Road closures – we seem plagued (a plague of road Secretary so if you have some spare time and would like to works?) with a series of roadworks, traffic lights devote some of it to the community please get in touch with and road closures in this part of Yeovil at the moment. Don’t them. panic, it’s set to get worse as the Brimsmore Key Site roadworks The AGM for the Community Association is being held on 19th continue in Thorne Lane. After that you can probably look October at 7.30pm. forward to about 18 months of roadworks associated with the Please try to attend, this is your facility and it needs the Western Corridor improvements. If you wanted a long holiday now support of local residents! might be a good time!

Western Corridor – talking of which, I won’t frighten you with the proposals for about a million traffic lights (sorry Sarah) to BRYMPTON ALLOTMENT ASSOCIATION be installed as part of these improvements but we have invited someone from the Highways design team to attend our October It’s been another productive growing season at meeting (26th) to give us an update. Public welcome to attend. the Allotment site with the efforts of the Rug Ratz – a positive bit of news at last. Since the owners of RR members in colourful evidence as you walk around installed their sign telling customers about parking at the rear of site. the premises the parking in Stourton way has reduced we think. The site continues to mature with the boundary hedgerows now Thank you Mr RugRatz. filling out with a plethora of fragrant rose bushes, blackberry and hawthorn. Athelney Way – sadly, the problem of parking in Athelney Way persists. We know that it’s workers from the Abbey Trading The wildlife continues to greet us as we toil away, with birdsong estate opposite that park there but it’s public highway and to cheer us along and rabbits, voles and field mice to keep us on there’s not much we can do (we’ve spoken to SCC Highways). our toes. Bus stop at Boundary Road – a few weeks ago (before the school We are blessed with a truly beautiful and peaceful location. With holidays) there was a problem with the school bus stopping to pick sweeping views out over the countryside towards and up in Boundary Road. This, combined with vehicles parked outside Ham Hill, every visit delivers peace and tranquillity and an escape the new houses was causing a bit of a gridlock. We spoke to SCC from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. Highways about this and they in turn have referred it to their If you are interested in this rewarding activity the association School Transport Section to discuss options with the bus does have a small number of full and ½ plots available to rent. company. We’ll wait and see what happens here. Details can be found on the BAA website: baayeovil.btck.co.uk/ or Speeding in Lufton Lane – more ‘rats’ I’m afraid. This time it’s contact the Chairman Andy Dustan on 07894010128. the ones that are taking a shortcut through Lufton and travelling much faster than it’s safe to. We’ve spoken to Highways about possibility of a speed limit but the Regs won’t allow this apparently so we’re now talking about ‘SLOW’ signs. Local residents are carrying out a traffic survey to see if this option can be justified.

Stourton Way Traffic Calming – I’ve saved the most important one till last. Well, as stated in Liz’s Chairman’s comments, the wheels of bureaucracy are still turning albeit very slowly and the scheme is apparently in the ‘commissioning process’. What we don’t know is how long this process takes. The parish council has recently written to the Director at SCC asking for an update. In the meantime, we’ve still got a few inconsiderate motorists putting people’s lives at risk here.

The Police still regularly attend with their speed camera at Stourton Way (and Bluebell Road) so watch out!

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Brympton Newslink Summer 2016

Lufton Villa

The recent dig by Doctor James Gerrard and students from Newcastle University has revealed some interesting new features and they are looking to visit again next year to explore further. Many members of the public took the opportunity to have a guided tour on the ‘open day’ and the presentation in the evening was very interesting. Much is known about the Roman settlement of Britain and the Original artist’s following extract from Somerset County Council’s website about impression of Lufton villa Roman villas may be of interest. http://www1.somerset.gov.uk/archives/ASH/Romano-brit.htm

Roman Villas in Somerset. The road system and the towns which it served brought an entirely new way of life to Britain, linked to the more efficient exploitation of the countryside through the villas. These were large country estates, the property of important landowners, who concentrated on arable farming and the rearing of cattle and sheep. In some cases there is direct transition from Celtic farm to Romano-British villa, as has been traced through excavations in Somerset at Catsgore near Somerton, where a round wooden hut was replaced by a mortared stone house. Romanised Britons undertook the cultivation of the fertile land of the valleys and, in the third and fourth centuries, developed groups of villas linked to the road system in Somerset, probably to meet the increasing demand for corn for the army and for the towns. Sheep provided wool for manufacture into cloth; oxen were needed as draught animals for carts and ploughs, and for meat and leather. The villa buildings show signs of a high degree of material prosperity, of which the tessellated pavements are the best known examples. The one from Low Ham, near Langport, depicts the story of Dido and Aeneas, and is now in the County Museum at Taunton. Other features of the villas include underfloor heating systems, bath rooms with elaborate provision for a type of bath now known as Turkish, and a cold plunge-bath to complete the process, decorated wall plaster, and, sometimes, glass for the windows. Associated with these buildings are numerous outhouses, probably farm buildings and quarters for the villa estate labour, corn-drying ovens, workshops for blacksmiths, and wells, indicating that the villa was not just a country house with luxurious fittings, but the working centre of an agricultural estate. Much still remains to be discovered about Recent discovery of additional tessellated flooring these estates and the people who lived and worked on them. and hypocaust system at Lufton Villa

From the Old to the New. In response to queries about the new road proposals at Thorne Lane the plan below shows the highway network for phase 1 (southern bit) of the Brimsmore Key Site. Apologies for the quality but I’ve highlighted in the principal routes from west to east. Note the absence of a direct connection from Thorne Lane to Brimsmore at the eastern end and the lack of access to/from Vagg crossroads.

Brimsmore Key Site (Phase 1) (principal routes highlighted)

Brimsmore Junction Single roundabout replaces double mini. No access to or from Thorne Lane

Western Avenue junction

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Brympton Newslink Summer 2016

Recycling News From 3rd October Somerset Waste Partnership are introducing a new ‘Permit’ scheme for using their Recycling Sites. Published details are as follows:

DO YOU NEED A PERMIT? AND HOW TO APPLY To cut recycling site congestion, improve services and enhance safety, there are new measures from Monday 3 October about which vehicles and trailers can use recycling sites.

Somerset’s rising population, increasing numbers of vehicles and growing levels of waste mean recycling site visit have jumped 400,000 in recent years to more than 1.5 million annually. Large vehicles create more congestion while those coming from neighbouring counties add to queues and council tax costs.

Most customers’ vehicles – cars, including saloons, estates, 4x4s, people carriers, campervans – not towing a trailer, will NOT need any permit and can continue to use recycling sites exactly as before for household waste. The only change you should notice is fewer delays.

Trailers towed into sites by cars will need a free permit. You will need a free permit if, for taking household waste to a recycling site, you use a van of up to 3.5 tonnes gross vehicle weight (GVW), a pick-up, or a trailer of three metres internal length or less with a single axle.

Vans towing trailers and pick-ups towing trailers are not allowed access to sites under this permit scheme. There are no exceptions to this condition.

Permits allow use at open sites on weekdays and 1pm-4pm on Saturdays. Permits are only available to those living in Somerset.

You WILL be affected if you take household waste to a recycling site using a van over 3.5 tonnes gross vehicle weight, box (Luton) RSPCA – What does your local RSPCA do? van, agricultural vehicle, box trailer, horse box, trailer over three

(This article from Maggie Baker, local RSPCA representative) metres internal length or with multiple axles/two or more wheels on each side, or any size of van towing any size of trailer. From We're a small local independent branch of the main society, Monday 3 October, these vehicles or combination of vehicles and raising and helping animals and their owners in this part of trailers will no longer be able to enter recycling sites to drop Somerset. We employ a small number of low paid staff in our off household waste. shops. The rest are like me, volunteers! If you are a business user, you will not need a permit to start or Our main role is to take in animals from the continue using the 10 recycling sites that take paid-for trade Inspectors, animals they find in unacceptable waste but check here for details of access and vehicle change. situations. We then look after those until they are fit and we can re-home them. Go to the Somerset Waste Partnership website at www.somersetwaste.gov.uk/sites/van-trailer-permits/ for We could do with a hand locally caring for the cats. If you can further details and permit applications. spare a couple of hours regularly any morning please contact me.

We can assist if your animal needs urgent vet attention and your income doesn't stretch. You need to be on Housing benefits or whatever it's now called, job seekers or pension credit and in emergency we usually manage to find something. It's never a lot but it helps. Ask your vet or phone Michelle on 07971 175491.

We raise our funds through our 4 shops in Crewkerne, Street, Somerton and Glastonbury again where you could help or get some bargains. Donations are appreciated and we can collect.

Phone me on 07885 295208 for any further advice. We try to answer the phones 24/7 if we can.

Watch this space next time. Maggie [email protected]

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Brympton Newslink Summer 2016

News from St. James Church – All Change!! The Church of St. Peter & St. Paul, Lufton

(In the United Benefice of Tintinhull, Chilthorne After 28 years as vicar of St. James’, Rev Tony Perris Domer, Yeovil Marsh & Thorne Coffin) retired at the end of August. During that time, Tony married 371 couples, and christened 871 children! Tony’s Our beautiful, small, rural Church nestles at the heart of wife Helen founded the Abbey Pre-school with friends the ancient hamlet of Lufton and we welcome all those who from the church, and the much-used church room was built wish to worship with us. Our Church may also be suitable on St. James’ site for church and community groups. for your small Wedding, or Baptism Service, if you live within our Church Benefice, or qualify in another respect. Tony will be much missed, and we wish him and Helen well in their well- For those of you who have had difficulty in finding us, we deserved retirement. are situated adjacent to the Manor Farm section of If that weren’t enough, St. James’ building is now closed for a major Lufton College. Follow the Montacute road out of Yeovil refit, after an astounding fundraising effort. Through the generosity of and take a right turn where you see a sign to the College, the church, community and grants, over £350,000 has been raised, for pass through the hamlet, turning left at the first T the first major renewal of the church since 1860. The new-look building junction and you will view the Church by the Green. There will have: has been some difficulty locating us during the Wessex  Underfloor heating Water road closures. Thorne Lane is scheduled to be  Pews replaced with comfortable flexible seating closed for 2/ 3 weeks from 19th September, but other  New sound, AV, light, loop and Wi-Fi facilities routes will be open.  Raised central dais for shows, performances etc. Our regular Services are more traditional, as we still enjoy  New meeting space in the prayer chapel. BCP (1662) Services of Holy Communion on the 1st The layout will enable community groups to use the building for meetings, Sunday of each month & Evensong on the 2nd & 4th events, displays etc., as well as the existing church room. Sundays of each month, at 6.00pm throughout the year. During the refit, services will be as follows: We still enjoy traditional hymn singing. 1st & 2nd Sundays of the month 10.30am: traditional service St. James’ On the 3rd Sunday of each month at 6.00pm we have a Church Room, informal family-friendly service at Abbey Community variable Evening Service led by either Father Peter Down, Centre with children’s groups & activities or one of the regular Lay Readers. 3rd, 4th & 5th Sundays 10.30am: Family service in St. James’ Church Our Church not only serves our small community, including Room, parallel service in St. James Resource Centre (just behind the students from Lufton College during term time, but also church), with children’s groups and crèche area. regular members of the congregation from further afield. St James will re-open in early 2017, so Christmas services will be held We are working together with other Churches in the area out and about in the community this year. to welcome families & individuals who will be moving into Details on the church website and local media nearer the time. the new housing developments within our Parish.

Events During the coming months, Special Services & Events in New! Songs of Praise: informal 30-40m service of hymns, readings and Lufton will include:- poems, followed by refreshments, 4pm on Sun 18th September, and every On Sunday 6th November at 6 pm -during the Holy month on the 3rd Sunday. Communion Service, we host our Annual Special Sermon. Harvest Festival- special service at Abbey Community Centre, 10.30am The text is based on v. 8 of Psalm 34 – ‘O Taste and See on Sunday 2nd October with a collection for the Lords Larder foodbank. How Gracious the Lord is’ and will be given this year by Victorian Fair 22nd October 11am – 3pm at Abbey Community Centre. the Bishop of Bath & Wells, the Rt. Rev.’d. Peter Hancock. Tales of the Unexpected: a new short course for anyone wanting to This will be followed by a Parish Tea & all are welcome. explore spirituality, faith, and life’s big questions. Contact Alison 07791 546435 for more details. Our Candlelit Christmas Carol Service will be held on th Sunday 18 December at 6 pm – followed by seasonal Social and Community Groups refreshments. Tots and Toys Tues 10-11.30, for 0-2’s and their parents/carers, ALL ARE MOST WELCOME AT OUR SERVICES. St. James church room. Abbey Parents and Toddlers Weds 9.30-11.30am, For more information about the Church & Services please Abbey Community Centre, contact Karen 321385 contact either the Priest-in-Charge, Junior Church part of our Sunday morning services, contact Colette on Father Peter Down (Tel:- 01935 829058), or 474603. Churchwardens – Dr. Francis Burroughes (01935 429279) Youth Group 6.00-8pm Sunday evenings, contact Steve 07951 690937 or Mrs Deryl Rennie (01935 864523). for details. The United Benefice Website can be found on St James Community Choir -Vocal Workshops first Weds of every http://fivecrosses.weebly.com month, 7.30pm in the church room, contact Mandy 07946 642133 st Coffee Mornings, 1 Thursday of the month 10am, with stalls & mobile library. Just a Thought! th Knit and Natter, 4 Thursday of the month 2pm-3.30pm, contact “The Christian does not think God will love us because we

Barbara 415896 are good, but that God will make us good because He loves Contacts: Church Office 414097, Rev. David Keen 422286, Rev. Alison us.” Handcock 07791 546435 email: [email protected]. CS Lewis website http://www.stjamesyeovil.org.uk/

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Edition 53 7 September 16

Abbey Manor Community page Facebook Join the Abbey Manor Community on Facebook today

Just search ‘Abbey Manor Community’ on Facebook and look for the tree

Abbey Manor Community Closed Group

Join today and start discussing activities,

Brympton Newslink Summer 2016

Stitch, Knit and Natter More Brownies Wanted Do you like to sew, knit, crochet or just natter? If you think your daughter might be interested in

There is a group that meets every Tuesday from joining the Brownies there are vacancies in the 7.30 till 9.00pm in the Parish Room at the Abbey Community Centre First Preston Plucknett group. They meet on (up the ramp). Monday evenings at the Abbey Community Centre. There is a £2 charge to cover the cost of hiring the room and Their meetings are full of challenges, games and activities, tea/coffee. usually ones that the Brownies have suggested themselves, and If you are interested, please phone me on 01935 427226, there are often opportunities for Brownies to take part in email [email protected] or just turn up on the night. special activities and events throughout the year. Girls have to be between 7 and 10 years of age. We look forward to seeing you. If you want to know more contact Emma on 07854 780262 or Ingrid. email [email protected] .

PUZZLESWAP What’s Your Problem? ‘Puzzleswap’ is a local group of people who enjoy If you have any ‘burning’ issues you want the parish Jigsaw Puzzles in the Yeovil, Somerset area. council to look at or just get it off your chest please let us know. We are looking for people to join our small group and look forward to We like to think we know what’s going on in the community but swapping Jigsaw Puzzles with you. we’re not mind readers! We may not be able to sort out the  This group is run by volunteers problem ourselves but we probably know a ‘man who can’.  Puzzles are swapped free of charge  We need your jigsaw puzzle donations DIY?  Please donate puzzles that are complete in pieces  Enjoy Puzzling! I walked into B&Q the other day and a bloke in an orange and black uniform asked if I wanted decking. Fortunately I got the For more info Contact: [email protected] 07780702278 first punch in and that was that but watch out for him.

The Parish Council Office at the Abbey Community Centre, The Keeping you informed Forum, Abbey Manor Park, is open for visits from the public from Did you know that the Parish Clerk sends out occasional? 12 - 2 p.m. each Wednesday. The Clerk and a Councillor will normally be available to answer queries, and also show planning applications emails regarding changes of recycling dates, highway closures, received. winter road reports, items of general interest, etc.? If you wish to contact the Clerk prior to your visit please ring 01935 The email address list is kept securely, is not passed on to 424332 or email [email protected] anyone else and emails are sent using the “bcc” address so that recipients remain anonymous. Why not visit BPC’s website at www.brymptonparishcouncil.gov.uk where you will find useful information (along with this Newslink!). If you would like to join this list please email the clerk on [email protected]

Your Parish Council Parish Council Meetings

Useful Contact Numbers Members of the public are always welcome at Brympton Elizabeth Glaisher (Chairman) Parish Council Meetings and there is an open forum at Roger Meecham (Vice Chairman) Police - For anything non-urgent the the start to raise any concerns. Barbara Appleby number for Avon & Somerset Police is 101. Kevin Bowles The emergency number is still 999. Agendas are published on the Parish Notice Boards Bob Brookes Somerset County Council – 0300 1232224 5 clear days before the meetings and also on our web site Peter Burt DC – 01935 462462 www.brymptonparishcouncil.gov.uk Eddie Galjaard Street lighting – To report faulty Graham Pritchard The next few meetings are: streetlights, please make a note of the Peter Seib number on the light and call 0845 6010939 Wed. 28th Sept. 2016, Parish Room, Abbey Community Centre Josh Williams th Rob Wood Advice Centres: Wed. 26 Oct. 2016, Parish Room, Abbey Community Centre rd Age Concern - 01935 411077 Wed. 23 Nov 2016, Parish Room, Abbey Community Centre Elizabeth James (Parish Clerk) th Citizens' Advice Bureau – 03444 889623 Wed. 14 Dec.2016, Parish Room, Abbey Community Centre

Parishioners can contact the Parish Council by: All meetings start at 7.30 p.m. The meetings at the Community Centre Telephone: 01935 424332; e-mail:[email protected] are held in the Parish Room and entrance is from the external ramp only or post: Brympton Parish Council, The Parish Room, The Forum, Yeovil BA213TL - there is no entrance from the main hall.

Brympton Newslink is published by Brympton Parish Council and is normally delivered to about 3,200 houses in the parish. It’s also published on our website Our thanks to St James Scouts who are helping to deliver this edition of Newslink. The views in this publication do not necessarily represent the views of Brympton Parish Council or the Editor (Roger Meecham)

Brympton Parish Council - Newslink Serving and informing the Community Edition 53 8 September 16