ISSUE 269 SHAPWICK NEWS!!! May 2017 Shapwick Bunny Hop 2017: The 10th Anniversary Record-breaking Success. By Teresa King The 10th Shapwick Bunny Hop took place on Easter Monday. Unlike last year, the day dawned bright and clear and the course was in great condition. Not only that, but thanks to the use of online entries for the first time and a superb publicity drive amongst local clubs, there were nearly 140 participants from far and wide – a record by over 50! Around 30 walkers set off with Ali Luckins and Steve Dunster for the 4 mile walk. Prior to the main race, over 40 children lined up eagerly to run the Junior Hop. KS1 youngsters ran one lap of the two fields and KS2 had to run double the distance. Winners received a certificate and chocolate bunny, and all finishers received an engraved medal and an egg. The main race started at 10.30 in Vicarage Lane. The procession from the Village Hall to the start in Vicarage Lane was quite an event in itself. After negotiating the kissing gates in the first two fields, runners soon spread out on the course to achieve some really fast times. The overall course record was beaten by both the first and the second finishers, Chris McMillan from Weston AC (first) with a time of 42:36 and Kurtis Gibson (second) with a time of 43:21. Close behind was Ashley Mansfield (third) in45:30. The women’s race was won by Melanie Redwood from Southville Running Club in 55:22. Second was Victoria Plummer in 56:14 and third Kayleigh Warren from Ashcott in 58:35. It was great to see 10 runners from Shapwick (either residents or members of Shapwick Runners): in no particular order, Adam Smith, Tom Mills, Kayleigh Warren, Steve Campion, Will Rogers, Jen Tweedy, Anthony Lipmann, Jo Horn, Graham Tuttle and Jim Bell. First home was Tom Mills in 53:51.Full results are on the Shapwick Runners website www.shapwickrunners.co.uk. All finishers received a bottle of ‘Bunny Hop’ cider to celebrate our 10th Anniversary. The bespoke labels were designed by John Anderson, who also designed our striking race posters as in previous years. As always, Shapwick Runners wish to pass our thanks to all the marshals and all those who helped at the hall, including Nerina, Claire, Helen and Bente who provided an amazing brunch. As well as local landowners who were happy for us to run through their land and put up signs in their fields. A particular thank you to the Jenkins for mowing the Village Green just before the big day.Race proceeds will be donated this year to Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance, and this is likely to be in the region of £400-£500. We’ve now made it 10 years (as a race and as a club) and are still going strong. Let’s hope we continue the tradition for generations to come. Anyone is welcome to come along to Shapwick Runners – we meet on a Sunday morning for a jog round the lanes (8.30 at the corner of the cricket pitch). Many of our members run independently at other times. Check out our website www.shapwickrunners.co.uk or phone Teresa on 01458 210107. Otherwise, please do come along and join the Bunny Hop fun next year, either as a runner, a marshal or a supporter. A Letter From the Vicar 1ST POLDENS CUBS GO UNDERGROUND Hi folks, On a bright Saturday st During May, I’ll be completing my first year in the in March, 1 Poldens Polden Wheel… and I think the only thing I’ve broken cubs joined other during the year was the bell-rope at Chilton Polden… cub packs from all over Somerset to As I’ve gone through the year I’ve become increasingly take part in County conscious of how many people give so much of their Day, which this year time to enable church ministry to happen. was at Wookey Hole Each of the six churches has a group of people Caves. dedicated to keep the buildings functioning well – chief On another amongst them being the church wardens, but there are Saturday, our pack many others, not least those who belong to the various took part in a Forest church friends groups, and the pastoral team who look School day with a group of Chinese youngsters at Knowle House. It was out for those who are unwell or struggling. Others have a great opportunity for our young people to work and play outdoors roles across the parish, such as our indefatigable with children from another culture. treasurer, Brian, and our readers Jan and Ann. We’re also indebted to Polden Praise, led by Rowena, who do Our final meeting of the Spring term was at Burrington Combe where so much to enable a much livelier musical sound. I’m cubs donned wetsuits and helmets and negotiated part of the cave also greatly indebted to Sue, the parish administrator. system there. For most it was their first caving experience and they are all looking forward to the next The new ministries all depend on the passion and time! commitment of volunteers – for example, our Messy Church leaders Fiona, Rowena and Rachel, and the Adam and Brin Assistant Cub various kitchen teams at Café Church. Scout Leaders I’m conscious that this is a very incomplete list… but church ministry today is, necessarily, far more of a team effort than it used to be. Although in years gone by the vicar-does-everything model may have worked, it can’t today with parishes being amalgamated… but I think we have a much healthier model for doing church, now that others with gifts are able to serve both God and Ralph Richardson the community with what they have. I would like to thank all the kind people of Shapwick who I’m looking forward to continuing to serve the Polden sent cards of condolence and also for visiting me on my Wheel! recent sad loss of my dear Ralph. Every blessing Rich Tweedy [email protected] Pauline Richardson Curry Night A very successful Curry Night was enjoyed recently by villagers at Shapwick Village Hall when Bridget Dawes, Claire Brown, Helen Watson and Nerina Scott produced a tasty and varied assortment of Indian dishes including Lamb, Chicken & Vegetable. Thank you to all those who supported the event and the profits went towards Village Hall funds. Millie Edits the News! Well rotted farm manure (sheep manure rotted to black manure/soil For the next 3 issues I will be editing the like) News alongside Sue for my Duke of £2 per bag or 3 bags for £5 delivery in Edinburgh Bronze Award. Shapwick Large amounts available Please Call Tracey TO ADVERTISE YOUR BUSINESS [email protected] 01458 210553 evenings or call at Bowerings Six months £40 :Twelve months £70 Farm (available for own collection) Shapwick Starlets WI step back in time Flags out, bunting up, tables beautifully decorated, and all in aid of a special lady who was unaware that a surprise 90th birthday party was awaiting her. Dora was born in 1927, the year when a loaf of bread cost 1d, Britain’s first automatic traffic lights were launched and the first transatlantic telephone call was made from New York City to London. In Somerset, a daily all year round rail service ran between Manchester and Bournemouth via Shapwick and in 1927 it was given the title Pines Express, pine trees being a distinctive feature of Bournemouth. It was this train for which the Somerset & Dorset line became famous. There were plenty of nibbles, Spam sandwiches, Honey biscuits, Carrot scones and Welsh cakes accompanied by a glass or two of white wine. We were entertained by playing Make Do and Mend Pass the parcel which involved 1940’s forfeits including make a hat out of a piece of newspaper and whistle God Save the Queen. Everyone dressed appropriately, there were Land Girls, some well to do ladies, and an air force captain. Next, it was 'Question Time' with our youngest member (30 ish) asking the panel of more senior members (total age of 280 ish) what it was like in the war, in Shapwick. Was there a home guard and what was the best ration recipe? We also heard stories from Joan who was evacuated from London to Somerset and from Bente who shared her war time memories of what it was like in Norway, who remembers her Mother making shoes out of fish skins. So interesting, and we learned lots about the history of the village. The village had its own Home Guard and one night, in 1941, in the early hours a British bomber limping back from a raid, crashed on its way back to Westonzoyland airfield in thick fog. Sadly it crashed with the loss of all its crew. The evening was bought to a close with Dora cutting the superbly decorated birthday cake and then opening her gifts which were presented in a magnificently embroidered gift box. A lot of hard work went into bringing the whole thing together, so thank you team, it was a spiffing evening. Our next meeting will be on Tuesday 9th May which will be our AGM followed by a fish and chip supper and the first of this year's team quiz. For more information contact Sue Sellick 01458 210357. Shapwick Churchyard Working Party Very many thanks to all those who helped with the churchyard working party! We had a great team, and I was amazed how much we achieved in one morning.