Monthly Magazine Marston Magna And

March 2021 MONTHLY MAGAZINE MARSTON MAGNA

1 THE PARISHES OF ST MARY THE VIRGIN, MARSTON MAGNA and RIMPTON www.marstonmagnachurch.org.uk RECTOR. Revd. Barbara Stanton [email protected] Tel: 850745 The Rectory, Camel Street, Marston Magna, BA22 8DD (To whom all enquiries should be made, up to 8th March 2021) EDITOR: Samuel David Crabb [email protected] Tel: 850274 Wickham Farm, Marston Magna RIMPTON CONTACT Nicola Benbow, Ash House, Rimpton [email protected] Tel: 850434 MARSTON MAGNA CONTACT S D Crabb, Wickham Farm, Marston Magna [email protected] Tel: 850274

RIMPTON SERVICES: These will vary month by month during the current pandemic. Please refer to page 4 for full details.

MARSTON MAGNA SERVICES: These will vary month by month during the current pandemic. Please refer to page 4 for full details.

CHURCH OFFICERS

RIMPTON MARSTON MAGNA

CHURCH WARDENS Mrs H. J. Stephens, Home Farm Cottage 851860 Mr K N Field, 2 Homefield Court Tel: 850705 Mr J Tricker, Lessenden 850922 Mrs R Pengelly, 7 Townsend Tel: 851385

TREASURERS Mrs Pam Hopkins, Ash Cottage, Marston Magna 850949 Mr Hugh Privett, The Manor Tel: 850294

P.C.C. SECRETARIES Mrs. M Green, Lark Rise, Woodhouse Lane 01963 220943

ORGANISTS Mr Hugh Privett, The Manor Tel: 850294

CAPTAIN of BELL-RINGERS Mrs Caroline Baillie, Ginaville Tel: 850128

CHURCH ROTAS MARSTON MAGNA Flower/Church Cleaning Sidesmen/Readers Vacant Mr. Richard Venning Park Farm Tel: 851104

RIMPTON Flower Rota/Brass Cleaning Church Cleaning Mrs M Le Hardy Tel: 850212 Mrs Green Tel: 01963 220943

THIS MAGAZINE IS DELIVERED FREE OF CHARGE TO EVERY HOUSE IN THE TWO PARISHES AND IS PUBLISHED ON THE FIRST DAY OF EACH MONTH. MATERIAL SHOULD BE SENT TO THE RIMPTON AND MARSTON MAGNA CONTACTS NOT LATER THAN THE 20TH OF EACH MONTH. IT IS PRINTED ON THE 26th MONTHLY. VOLUNTARY DONATIONS TOWARDS PRODUCTION COSTS ARE ALWAYS WELCOME

THE MAGAZINE IS ALSO AVAILABLE ONLINE AT marstonmagnaparish.co.uk AND AT rimpton.net

David Floyd has taken aerial photos of our churches using his drone. David lives in Marston Magna and his mobile is 07951780180, his email is [email protected] , He has completed the CAA course and has the necessary permissions to fly in airspace not above 400 ft, needed because of Yeovilton. If you are looking for some Aerial Photography to be done of anywhere or of anything in our two villages, just ask him.

2 THE RECTORY March 2021

Dear All

March brings us to the beginning of Spring often celebrated on the 21st March. On the 28th March British Summertime begins. The number of deaths from Covid 19 are going down and the number of people vaccinated is growing by the million. All signs of hope. We have just begun Lent which is also thought of as Spring. No chance of a pancake party to mark the beginning of Lent in the Village Hall this year, but Lent gives a chance to think of new life in the Church and the beginning of April brings us to Easter and the joy of Jesus' resurrection.

Lenten reflections

As we are unable to meet for the usual Lent course, we are doing something different this year via Zoom. Penny Holt, our newly relicensed Reader has organised this. (Her technical skills are much better than mine, however I hosted my first Zoom, rather than just being a participator, last week.) Penny has also sourced an interesting course called Lent in Plain Sight. It looks at a different everyday object each week and its devotional meaning. There are 6 separate sessions. You do not have to do them all. It starts at 10am for 40 minutes on Wednesdays in Lent. If you would like to take part, please contact Penny by e-mail on [email protected]. Penny, Richard Gardner and myself will take it in turns to lead each week.

My life will change with Lent. Moving from a place and people I have grown to love, to begin a new life in a different place. With all the signs of hope, perhaps I will even be able to go the local church in Tangmere on Easter Sunday. I have the dreaded days 8th/9th March etched on my mind as I attempt to pack. Moving in lock down does not help as I must do everything by myself.

The good thing is the friends in my Bubble will be able to help the other end.

My last service in the Benefice will be a Baptism at Marston Magna. This is possible according to stringent guidelines. It will be something very joyful and positive to end on, rather than a funeral of which I have had rather a lot in lockdown, none though through Covid. All forms of new life are such a joy and even more so because of the pandemic of this last year.

I will end with the Easter Blessing at a Baptism: God the Father, by whose glory Christ was raised from the dead, strengthen you all by his life-giving Spirit, to walk with him in the paths of righteousness and peace; and the blessing of God almighty, the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit be upon you and remain with you always. Amen.

Please keep safe.

Revd. Barbara 01935 850745 [email protected].

3 CALENDAR OF SERVICES March 2021 SUNDAY 7th March VIOLET LENT II MARSTON MAGNA Reader: TBA The churches are closed due to Covid19 Sidesman: TBA RIMPTON restrictions. Reader: TBA

SUNDAY 14th March VIOLET LENT III MARSTON MAGNA Reader: TBA The churches are closed due to Covid19 Sidesman: TBA RIMPTON restrictions. Reader: TBA

SUNDAY 21st March VIOLET LENT IV MARSTON MAGNA Reader: TBA The churches are closed due to Covid19 Sidesman: TBA RIMPTON restrictions. Reader TBA SUNDAY 28th March VIOLET – PALM SUNDAY LENT V MARSTON MAGNA Reader: TBA The churches are closed due to Covid19 Sidesman: TBA RIMPTON restrictions. Reader TBA Friday 2nd April BARE FRONTAL GOOD FRIDAY MARSTON MAGNA The churches are closed due to Covid19 RIMPTON restrictions. SUNDAY 4th April WHITE EASTER SUNDAY MARSTON MAGNA Reader: TBA The churches are closed due to Covid19 Sidesman: TBA RIMPTON restrictions. Reader TBA MARSTON MAGNA Church Cleaning Church Flowers Locking Up MARCH 2021 High Altar CHURCH WILL BE LOCKED OPEN ONLY FOR SERVICES NO ROTAS IN PLACE RIMPTON Church Cleaning Church Flowers Locking Up MARCH 2021 CHURCH WILL BE LOCKED High Altar OPEN ONLY FOR SERVICES NO ROTAS IN PLACE

FIR VILLA COMMUNION

Still not yet possible. For further information do please contact Revd. Barbara Stanton, 01935 850745.

No Charity Shops Open - the difficulty of moving in lockdown

I am moving to a smaller house; so if anyone wants these items, they are free. If wished a donation can be given to the Lord's Larder Food Bank. - single bed-1960s - two armchairs -1950s - dining room suite - dark solid oak oval gate leg table and 6 matching chairs - bedroom suite – dark oak bought from Harrods in 1945 antique department arts and crafts barley sugar legs etc. - double wardrobe beech.

I listen to Saturday Live on the Radio 4 with the Rev'd Richard Cole. The theme was salvage They interviewed a man who has made his living out of old things especially “brown furniture” which he says is the best stuff as real wood and well made!

Revd. Barbara 01935 850745

Letter from the Assistant Bishop of Bath & The wettest January I have recorded was 2014 Wells – Nigel Stock with a massive 184 mms (7¼ inches). This was the For Parish Newsletters – March 2021 year of the severe flooding on the Somerset levels. Pay loving attention Rimpton had its share with the water level reaching the Mill driveway on 4th January. Please With the Lenten Season well under way, I wonder see the front cover for most Rimpton copies. how it is going for you? I always anticipate Lent with a slight feeling of having to brace myself. Ricky Gibbs. Come on make an effort in something! If I am going to give something up do not just make it an Beryl Field exercise in self-improvement, how is it going to help others? If I am going to do something positive I would like to express my sincere thanks for all the what will be its long-term effect? It is all too easy messages of condolence and the kind offers of to ‘over think’ the whole exercise. help and support during Beryl’s illness and following her sad death on 6 January 2021. Thank Once the season is underway, I begin to you for your prayers which were a great comfort to appreciate it. But in the end, it should be about my family and myself during this difficult time. paying attention to God. I am always struck by the end of the story of the temptations in the The pandemic restrictions meant that only a wilderness. Jesus refuses to be a cheap miracle private funeral service could be held but when worker to benefit himself and refuses to follow the things return to normal, we hope that we can all route to worldly power and status. He faced celebrate Beryl’s life. temptation by stripping away all the necessities of life and knew deep hunger. At the end of this Kenneth exhausting wrestle with his vocation the Gospel tells us “…suddenly angels came and waited on Live prayer service him.” (Matthew 4:10) He will wipe away every tear from their eyes and Whatever Lenten discipline you are following, death shall be no more, neither shall there be perhaps the #Live Lent course, or a local study mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the group, a focussed effort to support others or a form former things have passed away. Have you lost a of self-denial (or all of them!), may it bring a greater loved one during the COVID pandemic? Join focus on God. There were those who ministered to Bishop Ruth for an hour of prayer live on Facebook Jesus in the Gospel stories. The angels in the for those who have died, and those who loved wilderness, the woman who anointed him, Simon them. who carried his cross for example. We might not be able to do those things for him, but we can pay She will be live on Facebook loving attention. www.facebook.com/bathwells at 2pm on 3 March and the service will also be streamed on the When we emerge from the austerity and effort of diocesan website www.bathandwells.org. Joining Lent, which has had an even more austere aspect on Facebook will allow you to submit the names of in Lockdown, we come to the bright hope of those you mourn, so they can be remembered by Easter. We know in the Risen Christ the same name. If you would like to submit a name in relief that Jesus knew from the Angels. As we offer advance to be remembered during the service, our love to Him, His love for us is always returned. please email [email protected]. May the blessing of the Risen Christ be with you. Fly the flag for Somerset Day Nigel Stock Assistant Bishop This year Somerset Day organisers are asking people to #flytheflagforsomerset on 11 May. That THE RAIN REPORT can be by flying the distinctive Somerset flag with its bright red dragon from a flagpole, or simply by It looked as though dry January was going to be in painting Somerset flag picture to display in your fashion. The New Year starting with 11 days with front window. no rain. Then the cork came out of the bottle with the remaining 20 days seeing 15 wet days. Bishop Ruth, a Patron of Somerset Day, says, “On Rainfall totalled 93 mms (3 ¾ inches), just above Somerset Day I share with others in giving thanks the January average of 82 mms (3 ¼ inches). for all the amazing people whether neighbours or strangers who share such smiles and warmth and

care for each other every day in Somerset – Thank situations and for whom a small grant can make a you Somerset.” huge difference in their life – At this time of crisis and hardship for many in our communities this Queen Camel Bowls Club need is greater than ever. We help when others cannot, will not, or do not. Queen Camel bowls club. If anyone interested in playing later in the year do please contact Norman We have never actively fundraised before for the Holt on 01935 850646. Crisis Fund, but this has been an unprecedented

year, and our important ‘pot’ of funds has almost MARSTON MAGNA AND RIMPTON GARDENING CLUB depleted due to unprecedented demand due to the Coronavirus. The uncertain COVID19 situation continues and the committee of our Gardening Club are, as yet, We would love to raise £20,021 in 2021 for the unable to plan the programme of events for 2021. Crisis Fund and are asking YOU to get involved anyway you can with sponsored runs, bake sales However we do intend to have the Annual Flower (after lockdown!) - setting yourself any kind of and Produce Show in September and as soon as we are able to, we will publish dates of this and #CrisisFundChallenge – or by simply and very other events we are able to organise. kindly donating! Follow us on social media @RuralSomerset for updates and how to get Marston Magna & Rimpton Gardening Club involved! Committee Some examples of what these grants have From Cath Holloway been used for recently: March 2021 Edition • To buy 2 mattress protectors for a carer who News from your Village Agent Team was supporting their loved one with night-

time incontinence Staying Warm and Well • To support a family with funeral costs after their Being home a lot more over the past couple of teenage son died in a road accident months has bound to have bumped up your fuel bills - and March could still surprise us with bitter • To buy children's clothes for a family who had weather, so please do get in touch if you are recently lost Dad to cancer struggling with fuels costs. We help distribute the • To buy half a tank of oil for a lady with a chronic Surviving Winter grants which are available for health condition who was struggling to heat her older people living in Somerset, who are unable to home adequately heat their homes • Paying to PAT test and move a donated Fridge https://www.somersetcf.org.uk/winter – we want Freezer to a family in need everyone to be warm and well this winter! • To buy a washing machine for a carer who is struggling to keep up with washing demands Alternatively you can contact the Centre for • To buy food and drink for a client who had been Sustainable Energy and their Home Energy team struggling to get shopping during the lockdown. who are on hand to deal with fuel debt, help find The Agent went shopping for the client to ensure cheaper fuel, aid in switching suppliers and much she could eat and drink until the food bank was more – just watch this Talking Café they co-hosted open with our Village Agent Wendy Rudd to see why it is so important to stay warm & how they help: Please visit www.ccslovesomerset.org/somerset- https://youtu.be/XjmwI0nk9C0. You can also crisis-fund/ to find out more. You can donate to a complete their online referral form on their website: county wide ‘pot’ https://www.cse.org.uk/advice https://localgiving.org/charity/somersetcrisisfund/ or directly to the district you live in: Do not forget you can also join our Community South Somerset: Oil Scheme and save in bulk orders of oil! https://localgiving.org/charity/somersetcrisisfund/ www.ccslovesomerset.org/oil. 50% of the small project/southsomersetcrisisfund/ annual fee goes into our Crisis fund to help people Somerset Food Resilience Taskforce in need in Somerset. We are proud to be part of the county-wide Crisis Fund initiative, and we organise, co-ordinate and The Crisis Fund is distributed by our Village and deliver the delivery of food boxes and precooked Community Agents to help people in crisis

meals to those in need via our Agents, www.somersetcarers.org or call me to see who is community groups/kitchens – over 20,000 items your local village agent. of food a WEEK are delivered – 200,000 since lockdown began last March – a staggering RIMPTON PARISH COUNCIL number!

The full Minutes of all meetings, including all Would you benefit from a free food box? Appendices, can still be viewed and/or downloaded No one should go hungry in Somerset, and our from the Village Website by going to the Rimpton boxes are not means tested, simply for people in website (http://rimpton.net/parish-council/parish- need whether you are struggling to cook or obtain council-meetings/draft-parish-council-minutes/) and food. If you are an unpaid Carer and would benefit (in part) on the village noticeboard, and you can also from respite from cooking, we can provide some see them by getting in touch with the Parish Clerk. meal packs for you and the person you care for. If If you do not have an internet device, you should you need help with any of this, please do contact find the minutes on the noticeboard by the bus your local Village Agent on 01823 331 222 or visit shelter, or you could ask the Clerk for a copy. https://somersetagents.org/help-with-food/

Want to get involved? Our Smart Communities Patrick Pender-Cudlip, Clerk & RFO - Rimpton team can help get your community set up with Parish Council. The Cobblers, High Street, Queen Camel, Yeovil, Somerset BA22 7NE; Tel. 01935 equipment such as fridges & freezers, and food 850692; [email protected] to stock them! Visit https://ccslovesomerset.org/food-resilience/ for details. Rimpton Ladies Walking Group Stay safe, stay well, and stay active! All our future walks are cancelled. CCS Village Agents can now supply you with your You are very much encouraged to do your very own water bottle for free to help keep you own private walks, but do keep a good social hydrated! There is even a handy guide on the side to distance from others at all times help remind you to drink throughout the day! Caroline For full details contact Harding, CCS Agent Manager, explains how here: Sheila Fewkes Tel 850227 https://youtu.be/DELeiGPEBvk Call 01823 331 222 or contact your local Agent to get one! MILK BOTTLETOPS

Can you all please remember to remove the foil pull caps from the tops, because the metal detector on Perry’s conveyor belt stops the machines. Also remember it is only plastic tops with a 2 or 4 in the recycling symbol that I can accept, all the rest go in my wheelie bin.

There is a company called Massmould, who produce tops made from the same plastic as milk bottle tops e.g. Robinson’s squash, and Evian Cath Holloway water, so from now on, I can accept any tops made Mobile: 07968 521746 by Massmoulds. Email: [email protected] www.somersetrcc.org.uk Please do continue to save the bottle tops and as soon as the Café re-opens, which hopefully will be I support unpaid carers in South East Somerset to in May or June, we can start to gather them connect them with community resources, support together. groups and personal support around benefits and allowances. We also have a new team of Thank you everyone. And keep safe Community Agents and Village Agents in South Marion Dean, 13 West End, 01935 850032 Somerset to contact. For more information please visit www.somersetrcc.org.uk and

Listen out!! which keep calling for ‘Tea-cher’. Someone else said a Coal Tit sounds like the baby brother or It was another of those endless grey winter dawns, sister of the Great Tit, much the same call but rain spattering against the windows, wind buffeting softer and sweeter. Make up your own the trees - but something made me open the mnemonics, whatever works! bedroom window. I could not see much, it was not yet quite light - but before my face could get Another source is the RSPB completely wet, I’d heard a Robin, a Wren and a https://www.rspb.org.uk/birds-and-wildlife/bird- Dunnock, all singing their hearts out, and then a songs/what-bird-is-that/ which plays many Greater Spotted Woodpecker. It is the start of the common garden bird songs one by one. As do dawn chorus! several mobile phone birdsong apps.

I wrote last month about bird song as an indicator March is the beginning of nest building. Blue and of the sometimes imperceptible but sure coming of Great Tits are already prospecting nest sites in our spring; birds are more attuned to subtle changes gardens and Sparrows are seen with nesting in the natural world than we are, cocooned in our material in their beaks. One reader in Marston insulated houses. Robin, Wren and Dunnock sing Magna has a brilliant idea – she re-cycles old virtually year-round, but their song is now louder feather/down pillows by scattering fragments on and more frequent. Later I hear a Great Tit singing her lawn which she says are hotly competed for! strongly as it investigates the bird box; also a Blue She did say it causes quite a mess, but all in a and a Coal Tit, several Finches, and there is often good cause! Meanwhile if you’d like to put up or a Song thrush at dawn and dusk. I have not yet build a nest box the BTO site has good information heard a Blackbird; I wonder if anyone else has. about both. Several times in the last week I have heard a Mistle Thrush singing loudly from one of the lime A neighbour wrote recently: ‘Keep appreciating the trees in Church Lane in Rimpton. They are all adventures in the garden, every day!’ That is one busy establishing territories and even if you cannot of the things we can do, in lockdown. see them, you might hear them. Sam Woodhouse 07812 395912

It is a bit early to be writing about the dawn chorus, Too Much ‘Stuff’? I’ll take it! maybe you say … National Dawn Chorus Day isn’t till May. But I always think if you leave it until May I have recently discovered the Hidden Needs to work out what bird is which, it is too late, as so Trust, a tiny local charity run by a wonderful many of them all sing at once. Anyway, how to woman in Sherborne. recognize all these songs? The charity provides support for people with Well – the first thing I would suggest is just get out learning disabilities who want to live there, anywhere, in your garden, along the lanes independently. I recently took 4 boxes of bedding, and footpaths, and listen. Just stand still and blankets, kitchen utensils, puzzles etc over to her become aware of any bird sounds you may hear. farm where every barn is filled with donated items. You do not have to know which bird they come That very weekend a lady with special needs and from, just listen, and enjoy. her daughter was moving to a new house, and many of the items I gave were going straight to her. Then find a good source of information. A good The charity was also awaiting a date for a truck to one, which I have just found, are the collect furniture and other items, which were going #BirdSongBasics videos on the British Trust for to an orphanage in Uganda. Everything was being Ornithology’s YouTube Channel. Just Google used! them. The videos are only a minute or so long and interspersed with quizzes and ‘mindful moments’. If you have any household items - towels, bedding, kitchen gadgets etc - would you consider boxing The presenter has interesting ways of describing them up and dropping them down to me at the sounds … he starts with the Collared Dove Dampier House (off Camel Street) and I will which he says sounds like a bored United ensure it all gets delivered? supporter – just 3 notes U-nit-ed, repeated again and again. In contrast, the Wood Pigeon has 5 Thank you! notes – to me they say, ‘Which WAY now Taff-y?’ Julia Phillips They probably say something else to you! He goes on to Blue Tits which he says sound like the start of Beethoven’s 5th Symphony; and Great Tits

Marston Magna Bowls is cancelled until further The Census 2021 – Ensuring the big notice. decisions are made on the best information If you would like more information, contact Tony Green on 01963 220943. Census 2021 will be key to making sure the big decisions on the future of our hospitals, schools, Marlene Green transport, and other public services, following the pandemic and EU exit, are based on the best information possible. QUEEN CAMEL Run by the Office for National Statistics (ONS), the TENNIS CLUB census – taking place on 21st March 2021, is the once-in-a-decade survey that gives the most accurate estimate of all people and households in A small friendly Club with 2 floodlit hard courts England and Wales. for all players on either a ‘Pay & Play’ basis or as a club member. A wide variety of coaching The digital-first census will not only provide a fresh is available including Saturday a.m. coaching picture of the size of all communities, and it will for Juniors plus Camps in the holidays. also shed light on the health, social and economic CLOSED AT THE MOMENT UFN changes to our lives. We welcome new members for the season that will start in late June? After years of planning, the census is almost upon us. In the coming days and weeks you will be Visit www.qctc.co.uk or call the Club hearing more and more about why the census is Secretary on 01935 850300 for more so important, why you must take part and, information. crucially, how you can take part. Every household will soon receive a postcard, explaining what a census is, and in early March letters will arrive in the post inviting people to take part in the digital- Marston Magna & Rimpton first census. WI Report for March 2021 In light of the coronavirus pandemic, we need this All our plans for future WI meetings, lunches, up-to-date information to help shape vital services outings, scrabble, and book clubs, have been for the years to come more urgently than ever cancelled until further notice, due to the Covid 19 before and we are making sure everyone can be pandemic. We will keep you posted. safely counted in line with all government guidance. Submitted by Jill Eagland. We have made it simple, straightforward, and safe Simnel Cakes to take part. It takes just 10 minutes per person to fill out your form and if you cannot get online, there Simnel cakes and/or cupcakes made to order. If are paper forms available for those who need you would like one, please contact me 0777 them, as well as lots of support. Now is the time to 1888012. I have Easter Biscuits and loaf cakes make your mark on history. available almost any time to order, please call in. Running the census in times of a pandemic has Thanks, naturally thrown up some challenges and the ONS’ focus is ensuring the safety of the public. Val Tilley We want everyone to be safely counted and we Large 1830 Family Book of Common are making sure our plans are always in line with Prayer, leather bound with gold edging. the latest government guidelines. Census field officers will only follow up with households after Good condition. Census Day on March 21 if householders have not Happy to offer this as a gift. yet completed their questionnaire. They will never enter a household, they will always be socially Tel. 01935 850434. distanced, be equipped with PPE and work in line with all government guidance.

Some questions also have updated guidance to It will be the first opportunity in a very long reflect our changed living and working time for everyone in the Village to get together circumstances. For those on furlough, we have and have some fun, so please hold the date. updated guidance on how to answer questions on work. All students need to be included in the If you want to get involved in supporting the census, and they should complete it for their usual planning or on the day itself, please get in term-time address. If they are currently living at their home address, they will need to be included touch with Ann McKee on 01935 850471 or in the census for that household too. [email protected].

For the first time, there will be a question asking people whether they have served in the armed CLOSURE OF PLAY EQUIPMENT forces, as well as voluntary questions for those aged 16 and over on sexual orientation and The play equipment at our Village Halls is still out of gender identity. bounds, as the Government Statement says, but the route through is still open for people walking to and First results will be available within 12 months, from the West End and the Village. although personal records will be locked away for 100 years, kept safe for future generations. Signs are up on all the equipment Absolutely invaluable resource for those researching family history in the future. LH

For more information, visit census.gov.uk. MARSTON MAGNA PARISH COUNCIL

Full Minutes including all Appendices can be viewed and/or downloaded from the Village Website, by going to: -

https://marstonmagnaparish.co.uk/agendas- minutes/ . Anybody unable to use the website who needs to see a hard copy of the full Minutes please contact any of the Councillors.

DATE OF THE NEXT MEETING is Wednesday 16th March 2021 at 7 pm. It is likely to be on Marston Magna Midsummer Fair 2021 Zoom, do watch the Parish Council website. A reminder that the public may speak at the start of a Change of Date - Saturday 26th June Parish Council meeting in the Public Session, even if the meeting is held online with Zoom. Please In the light of the latest news on ending contact me for details. lockdown we have moved the date of the Midsummer Fair back by one week to Lucy Gibbons – Clerk to Marston Magna Parish th Council. Rose Cottage, Pendomer, Yeovil, Saturday 26 June when we should be clear Somerset, BA22 9PH. T: 01935 863106 - Email: of all restrictions. [email protected]

Our plans, for a fun day for the Village to be MARSTON MAGNA PARISH COUNCIL held on the Moat Field, include: A VACANCY

• The Dog show and Temptation Alley There is a vacancy on the Marston Magna Parish • Children’s games and activities (including a Council, which can be filled by an election or co- visit from the local fire engine) option. The formal notification is on the Parish website https://marstonmagnaparish.co.uk/parish- • Local produce stalls council-2/ If you are interested or need any further • Pimms & Prosecco information, please contact our Clerk, Lucy Gibbons. Her email address is • Bar and BBQ [email protected] • Teas and cakes • Live music The vacancy has come about by the resignation of Rex Knott and I would like to thank him on your behalf for the major contribution he has made in his

time with the Council. I personally will miss his lively reducing driver stress. We will make routes safer contributions – our meetings will just not be the for pedestrians, cyclists, horse riders in the area. same!!! If you would like any more information on the If you want to know more about what we do, please scheme you can visit our website or contact us do get in touch with me on 01935 850949. using one of the methods below:

Lawrence Hopkins - Chairman a303sparkfordtoilchesterdualling@highwaysengla nd.co.uk A303 DUALLING – AN ANNOUNCEMENT FROM HIGHWAYS ENGLAND www.highwaysengland.co.uk/a303-sparkford-to- ilchester The Government outlined, in its first Road Investment Strategy (RIS 1, covering the period Phone - 0300 123 5000 or write - A303 Project 2015-2020), that dualling the three-mile single team, 2/07K Temple Quay House, 2 The Square, carriageway section of road between Sparkford Bristol, BS1 6HA and Ilchester was a priority for improving connections between London and the South East Are you fed-up with doing the same old walks? and South West. Walking in Somerset On an average day, the A303 between Sparkford www.walkinginengland.co.uk/somerset is the and Ilchester carries 23,500 vehicles, but numbers website for you! increase significantly in the summer. This makes journeys unreliable and unpredictable. With hundreds of walks to download and print, free, it also has books of walks, contact details for In 2015 we began to develop the scheme, holding all the walking groups in the county and much consultations on our proposals in 2017 and 2018. more. Whether you want to walk on your own or We submitted our application for a Development with a group all the information is there in one Consent Order (the type of planning permission place. needed for large infrastructure schemes) to the Planning Inspectorate in summer 2018. John said ‘There is so much walking information on the web but it is difficult to find. Walking in The Secretary of State for Transport granted Somerset (part of the Walking in England suite of consent for the scheme on 29 January 2021 and websites (www.walkinginengland.co.uk) – one for work is likely to commence in the Autumn. each county in England) has brought it together in

one place so whether you are walking from home, Overview of the scheme or away on holiday, you will be able to find a walk The new dualled section will start east of Podimore Roundabout and will follow the alignment of the suitable for you’. existing A303 to Downhead. Travelling eastwards, With walks from half a mile to twelve miles plus it then moves north of the existing A303 single long, and a note of suitability for pushchairs and carriageway, allowing the existing road to be kept for use as a local road in this section. wheelchairs, everyone can find a walk to enjoy. So home or away, check out the websites and get The route then rises up West Camel Hill before walking! crossing over the existing A303 at the junction with Steart Hill/Howell Hill. It then takes a southerly John Harris alignment before meeting up with the existing road again to pass between Vale Farm and the MOD www.walkinginengland.co.uk signal station at Eyewell/Traits Land. email: [email protected] In delivering the scheme, we are aiming to improve the capacity of the road to reduce delays and queues that occur during peak hours and at key Somerset Waste Partnership News times of the year, support economic growth, st facilitating growth in jobs and housing by providing As from 1 February, collections will start at 6 am. a free-flowing and reliable connection between the South East and the South West and make the road All household kerbside collections - recycling, safer, by providing additional capacity and rubbish, and garden waste - will begin at 6am,

rather than the previous 7am, from Monday 1 Marston Magna Village Hall Management February. Committee

The aim is to step up staff and customer safety Unfortunately, the Village Hall is still closed. Please while ensuring waste services are maintained take care everyone. despite the continued disruptive pressure of COVID-19 on Somerset's kerbside collections. The AGM will be re-scheduled as soon as Covid restrictions will allow. Somerset Waste Partnership (SWP) and its contractors take a precautionary approach to cut In the meantime I am still looking for people to join contact and risk. For example, crews work in the committee to help run this really important asset tightly controlled team bubbles; the whole bubble within our community. Please see the back page. isolates if a member tests positive, is in contact with someone who tests positive, or is Kind regards symptomatic. Karen Price (Chairperson) This means far higher staff absences than Telephone 01935 851336 expected, plus unpredictable daily changes as Email – [email protected] teams isolate or return to work, and crews are reallocated to maintain services. In the first three ADVERTISMENTS & NOTICES. weeks of January, COVID-19 contributed to nearly 800 lost staff days, compared to just 58 lost days KEITH TUCKER – Carpentry, Joinery, Building. - during December. Also, Handmade Kitchens, Fitted Kitchens, Refurbishments, Garden Summer Houses and A precautionary approach to using extra agency Furniture. Orchard Carpentry, Tel. 07799 5 staff to cover shortfalls adds to the strain on crews, https://www.luntromanfort.org/46088 many of whom have worked long hours for many weeks. Collections from 6am will further reduce Gardening work undertaken locally, good contact between team bubbles through widely reference's, call Graham on 07969 869774. spaced setoffs and allow an early start on work [email protected] that may take longer or be incomplete if staff are absent. TREE CARE Chris Lee- Qualified Tree Surgeon NCH (Arb) & NPTC, Gardener, Hedge Trimming, SWP has appreciated how residents understood Landscaping & more. Etc. Garden & Tree and supported early starts in the past, such as the Maintenance. Tel 01963 440352, New Number 2019 heatwave, and to avoid specific traffic hold- Mobile 07899 000107 ups. Initially for the months of February and March, householders will need to put all their recycling, BROADBAND PROBLEM? Any computer rubbish, and garden waste out by 6am, or do so problem solved: computers, networks or phone the night before. lines. Broadband and networking installed for home

or office. Specialist engineer BT trained with over Crews will not immediately return for some missed 30 years experience. Quality guaranteed, friendly collections. This will be avoided if possible, but service. Tel. Richard Crabb 01935 808094 email staff absences will sometimes make it impractical [email protected] to go back for missed recycling or garden waste the following day. Residents will then need to take containers in until their next collection. LAWRENCE ELECTRICALS Domestic/Commercial/Security (Inc. alarms/CCTV) SWP will communicate with any affected areas via from extra sockets to Full Rewire. Tel: 01935 891090, social media and local stakeholders. Rubbish Mobile 07889511576. Covering Dorset & surrounding collections will not be affected. Missed recycling areas. Part P Registered for Building Regulations. will be prioritised for next time and extra recycling Lawrence Dolan City & Guilds Accredited. Free materials can be put out. Estimates. PHILIP HODDER ELECTRICAL CONTRACTOR. Part P Registered, Over 30 years’ experience, small jobs welcome, personal service.- Rewiring, replacement fuse boards, extra sockets, lights etc. fault finding. Telephone 01935 850027 & 07836 710130

Graham Raymond, Electrical & Plumbing ANN-MARIE BAX Dip MCFHP and MAFHP Services, Installer of Quality Bathrooms & Kitchens including Tiling, Breakdowns, Repairs, Alterations & Upgrades. Free Estimates, Trading locally for 34 years. Please call Landline: 01935 851700 or my mobile: 07976 307449

To create a more consistent service I will from QUALIFIED FOOT HEALTH PRACTITIONER now on be open every Friday and Saturday Call: 07864 340341 between 10 am - 4. 30 pm. To avoid you parking Email: [email protected] half on the road, please now drive in where you CORE FOOT CONDITIONS INCLUDING NAIL will see plants on sale on the hard-standing CUTTING, THICKENED NAILS, CORNS, area. There is then plenty of space for you to VERUCCAS, ATHLETE’S FOOT, FUNGAL NAILS, turn around safely. Please pay by cash or I will INGROWING NAILS, HARD SKIN & CRACKED be around to take card payments - all with social HEELS. distancing considered. I have a lovely selection of bulbs including: Alliums, Narcissi, Tulips, Grape Hyacinth, Crocus and Fritillaria. Best Reliable Honest wishes all. Derryn and Ollie, Vale of Camelot Friendly Service for all your Motoring Growers Sparkford BA22 7JR Needs. Garden Machine Repair & [email protected] Service. All types of Car or Van Tel: 07969 372979 Maintenance, Services and Repairs, ROGER DODD - A CLEAN SWEEP LTD Diagnostics, Fully Mobile, 01935 813989 - Power Sweeping, Brush & MOT Pre-Check and Call out Vacuum, A Clean, Efficient & Professional Service. Call Simon: 07969 123425 or Service, NACS Member and HETAS 01935 850403 Approved, Fully Insured. Certificates Provided. [email protected] – [email protected] Rimpton, Yeovil.

Carer with 20 years’ experience Friendly & discreet DBS insurance References on South Somerset micro Provider directory: offering but not limited to Personal care - Meal preparation - Housekeeping trips – Companionship – Respite - Sitting service - Return from hospital care. Rainbowsmile care 07944 879437 Kara

REMOVALS & STORAGE - Armishaws Removals will move your furniture or store your goods. Office: - Wincanton Business Park, Wincanton, Somerset, BA9 9 RT, Tel. 01963 34065, email [email protected] web www.armishaws.com using code BW 222

DO YOU NEED YOUR GARDEN MAINTAINED? DON’T DELAY CAL MARK TODAY! VERY COMPETITIVE PRICES Garden Machinery Sales & Service GUARANTEED Unfortunately, due to retirement we are no Over 15 years experience longer able to service garden Machinery. Grass Cutting Apologies for any inconvenience. Draper hand power tools plus Fence painting Gardening tools, Corded and Coreless Power Hedge trimming/Cutting Tools, Drill Bits, Spanner sets, Socket sets, Rose pruning Screw Drivers, Hammers, Chisels, Punches Turfing/grass seeding, Pruning and many others. Water fittings, Electric Borders edges & tidied fencing, Auto electrical consumables, Plus More, Contact Mark Antifreeze, Batteries, Oils, Maintenance sprays, Gloves, Gate Hardware Tel: 01935 424212 and Pet food, A selection of pet food and Mob: 07591 907214 treats are in stock, 10 years experience at Scotts Nurseries , Location. Come and see for yourself Merriott at Rimpton Road Marston Magna Caroline Holbrook Tuition - Does your child TEL 01935 850426 need extra support to achieve their true Opening times potential? Are they lacking in confidence? If Mon – Fri 8 am – 5.00pm you are wondering how you can best support Sat 8 am – 12.00 noon your child with Maths or English, I can offer weekly sessions, giving tailored support to ROSEBUD Lady gardener. RHS trained. meet their needs. As a very experienced primary school teacher, 01963 220615 and 07708 267854, I would love to help your child gain greater [email protected] confidence and knowledge to help them progress. Please contact me to arrange a first session: 07751156180. [email protected]

J C Roofing SHERBORNE GARDEN SERVICES & Building Maintenance General roof repairs of pitched and

flat roofs ‘professional, friendly, reliable’ Chimney repointing and lead Experienced provider of all aspects of flashings garden maintenance Timber and plaster repairs 07483 274446 Gutter, fascia and soffit [email protected]

replacement Contact your local tradesman on Land 01935 840277 Mobile 07483 832654

REIKI & CRYSTAL HEALING

Holistic Healing for Mind, Body and Spirit

Fenella Raymont

Reiki Practitioner

YOGA CLASSES & Crystal Healer All online again using Zoom! 01935 851271 or 07790 937030 Online classes [email protected] Monday 6.30 – 7.30pm Tuesday 9.30 – 10.30am Wednesday 9.30 – 10.30am Thursday 6.30 – 7.30pm Saturday 9.30 – 10.30am

Kate Whittell 07881628780 or [email protected]

ww.magna-yoga.co

All abilities very welcome Classes involve standing and floor work

Mell’s Helping Hand – Hi, my name is Mell. I am local to the area. I would like to offer my services to you, in your home. I can help with: *Cleaning *Personal Care * Dog Walking and sitting. DBS Checked. Over 4 years’ experience in care. FOR MORE INFORMATION ON MY SERVICES CALL: 07495 934766

Looking after you and your home

• We can offer help with cleaning, washing and ironing and other tasks to keep your house tidy • Helping you to get up, wash,

shower or bathe, get dressed and

have breakfast.

• We can drive you to appointments or shopping and once there, will help you every step of the way. • Meal preparation at Lunchtime and teatime 7 days a week, we offer a hot fish and chips from the local chippy and delivery to your doorstep • We are qualified and experienced

small team of community workers

and looking forward to hearing from you. Pilates

Tel: 01935 507792 or 07895718611 Pilates Foundation

Email: [email protected] Friday at Marston Magna Village Hall Xtra Help In 5.00pm – 6.00pm (Beginners) Sarah Barry Self Employed Support Worker 6.15pm – 7.15pm (Intermediate) • Regular and one-off support available Contact Mo for details on: • Personalised approach (what is important to you?) • Dementia Friend

• DBS checked 07815748518 – currently suspended • Compassionate and practical • Understands the role of a carer [email protected] Tel: 01935 812908 / 07970 402457 Email: [email protected] Private Sessions 1 to 1 also available

We welcome new visitors of all ages and abilities

RIMPTON VILLAGE HALL DIARY – What’s on? – Regular items and contacts Tuesdays 9.30 – 10.30 am Yoga Classes Kate Whittell 07881 628780 – On Zoom Wednesdays 7.30p.m. – 10.00 p.m. Badminton Mrs Anne Ing 850315 – SUSPENDED For the Diary For hall bookings – please contact Dale McLoughlin – 851100

MARSTON MAGNA VILLAGE HALL DIARY - What's on? - Regular items and contacts. Mondays 09.00 a.m. – 11.00 a.m. Aerobics Classes. Steph Edwards 07444 979297 - SUSPENDED Winter 12.30 – summer 19.30 p.m. - 2nd Monday monthly W.I – Jill Eagling - SUSPENDED Thursdays 2.30 – 4.30 p.m. Short Mat Bowls Tony Green 01963 220943 - SUSPENDED Fridays 10 a.m. – 12 noon Marston Village Café -SUSPENDED 5.00 p.m.- 7.15 p.m. Pilates Contact Mo 07815 748518 - SUSPENDED Various classes – do look at notice board in Village Hall for when lock down lifts

For the Diary.

26th June - MM Midsummer Fair – new date – post lockdown

For Village Hall bookings – please contact Karen Price Tel. 851336

The Mobile Library WILL BE IN Rimpton on the 10th March. It will be in Home Farm Lane, BA22 8AS between 11.50 am and 12.40 pm. The Mobile Library really must be used, or we will lose it.

Re-cycling- Every THURSDAY in Marston Magna and Rimpton from 6 a.m. Re-cycling will be collected every Thursday. Garden Wheelie Bin Collections are also from 6 a.m., on Thursdays and Refuse bins will be collected on 4th and 18th March. This does depend upon available staff. Recycling Centres are now open.

The Story Pig Free range Tamworth pork, from our farm in Sandford Orcas. Ask us to supply you with our amazing bacon, sausages, joints, gammons and lots more. Buy Local, delivered to your door! We deliver our own meat, local veg, milk, cheese, and eggs. Plus, ready meals cooked by Charlotte.

Our Tamworth Hog Roast Moist and succulent and beautifully tender. Nothing like our Tamworth taste and crackling!

James & Charlotte Tel. 07724885353, 07802443905 www.thestorypig.co.uk [email protected]

MARSTON MAGNA VILLAGE HALL

A FURTHER APPEAL

In last month’s magazine, we spelt out the current situation with the Village Hall when all the facts were laid out. In this article we want to be more specific with a rough timetable of what might happen next. With the current regulations we are unlikely to be able to meet as a village until the earliest May or June, but we can use this time to prepare.

When we can meet, the plan is for the Village Hall Management Committee to call an Annual General Meeting and all villagers who attend, will be eligible to vote to appoint a new committee. This is generally routine (whoever really wants to go to an AGM) but this time it is important that as many of you as possible, attend. The purpose is to appoint a Chair, a Treasurer, a Secretary and then at least another five members making a total of eight. There is a provision to appoint representative members from various organisations, (for instance the Parish council can nominate two of its Councillors) but of course some of these organisations no longer exist. Once the Committee is in place, it is possible to co-opt further members, but this is entirely the business of the new committee.

Since our last article, we have had a most positive response from you including some new residents to the village which is excellent. Everyone will be welcomed in our drive to find a new committee and most importantly, it should be fun!!

Nearer the time when we can see it possible to meet, we intend to drop a flyer into every letterbox in the village with details about how to nominate anyone who is willing to serve on the Committee but in the meantime, both Karen and I would love to hear from anyone who is interested and requires further information. Our contact details are below.

Go on, you can do it!!

Karen Price Tel. no – 01935 851336 Email – [email protected]

Lawrence Hopkins Tel.no – 01935 850949 Email – [email protected]

WE MUST WORK TOGETHER TO SAVE OUR HALL