aa mag february 2014 - theseavingtons.org · however, the proposal for development does emphasise...

February 2014

THE

The Volunteer Inn

Includes Village Plan Questionnaire No 2

Prices:

Punctures £10.00; Tracking £12.80 Wheel Balance £ 5.00—X 2 wheels

Tyre swaps £ 2.50 per wheel

Second hand tyres £15.00—Any size, including fitting Buy 4 new or used tyres and get tracking free

Tyres @ Reyland Autos

Matthew Reyland Reyland Autos, Sunnyside Farm, Seavington, Ilminster, TA19 0QB

01460 241238; 07969 206 866; [email protected]

□ Gear Boxes □ Clutches □ Welding & Fabrication □ MOTs □ Servicing □ Latest Diagnostic Equipment □ Tyres & Tracking

JUST THINGS a fair trade shop

33A, Silver Street, Ilminster, TA19 0DW

(opposite the Minster)

We sell a wide range of fairly traded gifts, toys, jewellery, clothes, bags, food and much more.

Telephone: 01460 394931 Mobile: 07816 788457

Email :[email protected] Website: www.just-things.co.uk

Opening times: 9.30am – 5.00pm Tuesday to Saturday Closed: Sunday and Monday

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Coincidentally, this month’s magazine sees the second questionnaire in the series intended to lead to a revision of the Village Plan as well as notice of a meeting which might well test the current plan. On page 19 you will find an invitation from the Parish Council to attend its meeting on 28th January at which potential development of the “Lift West” site will be discussed. Affordable housing is mentioned, so we can safely assume that the development concerns housing rather than industrial development. The current Village Plan (available to view on the village web-site: www.theseavingtons.org) has two conflicting proposals that might affect the discussion. First, “A1 Push for recognition of the need for affordable housing provision…” and, “A2 Resist any planning application that attempts to convert existing employment land into residential without re-zoning of alternative sites for appropriate employment”. It is at times like this that I am glad that I no longer have to make major decisions as a part of my daily life! However, the proposal for development does emphasise the value of the Village Plan where such issues have been thought about before they arise and I suggest that you fill in your questionnaire today and participate in the meeting on Tuesday 28th January at 7.00pm. David Froome

T h e S e av i n g t o n s ’ N ew s

DON’T FORGET

The Newspaper Skip! pm Friday 14th February until am Monday 17th February The Latest Copy Date is the 15th February for the next issue Editorial content and diary entries to:

David Froome, Middlefield Barn, Church Lane, Seavington St Mary, Ilminster, TA19 0QP Tel: 01460 249445; e-mail: [email protected]

The Seavingtons’ News

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All events, unless otherwise shown, are held in the Millennium Hall For bookings call Pauline Eardley on 07914 710926

For other Millennium Hall matters call Pauline Parsons on 01460 240193

28th January 7.00 pm Parish Council discusses development of “Lift West” site, affordable housing, flooding etc—p19

29th January SPFA Quiz Night at The Volunteer—p7

5th February Folk Music Evening at The Volunteer—p6

10th February Noon Seniors’ Lunch in the Village Café—p23

13th February 7.30 pm Gardening Club talk on Propagation by Neil Lovesey—p21

14th February 7.00 pm St Valentine’s Night programme with Julian Dawson—p31

15th February 7.30 pm Flix in the Stix at Hinton St George Village Hall “Captain Phillips” - p7

Regular Activities

Every Monday 6.30pm Young People’s Group—all ages

2nd Monday Noon Pensioners’ Lunches in Village Café

1st Saturday 9.00 am—2.00 pm

St Michael’s Church Seavington Trust Book Sale at 2, Winchester Cottages (opposite The Volunteer)

3rd Wednesday 10.00am “GET2GETHER” Group in Village Café

2nd Thursday 7.30pm Seavington Gardening Club

To keep up to date check out the village web-site which is updated regularly and brings you the latest information on village matters, the programmes of village organisations and much more. Pass the address to your friends and relatives and let them keep in touch as well.

www.theseavingtons.org

20th February 7.30 pm RSPB Group “Exploring Ethiopia” - p30

V i l l a g e D i a r y — F o r t h c o m i n g E v e n t s

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Editorial: David Froome & Maria Potts Advertising: Heather Scott Production: David & Wendy Eliot Technical & web-site support: Eugene Mulligan Graphics & Visual Support: George Brown

Village web-site:www.theseavingtons.org

Contributions are welcomed. You may submit electronically or by handwritten or typed manuscript to the editor at the address on page 1. The contents of this village magazine are the copyright © of the Seavingtons' News unless the item concerned carries an alternative copyright assertion. However, all information on village activities and events may be freely reproduced. Please do not hesitate to telephone David Froome on 01460 249445 if you have any questions.

T h e S e a v i n g t o n s ’ N e w s T e a m

Annual Monthly

Full Page £90 £10

½ Page £45 £5 ¼ Page £25 £3

Advertising enquiries to: Heather Scott, 01460 241437

[email protected]

A d v e r t i s i n g R a t e s

2nd February 11.30 am Holy Communion

9th February 8.00 am Holy Communion (BCP)

9th February 11.30 am Family All Age Worship

16th February 11.30 am Holy Communion

23rd February 11.30 am Matins

NB No service in Seavington on the fifth Sunday of each month but you are welcome to join the services in St Peter & St Paul’s, South Petherton.

Rev Tom Handy telephone: 01460 240377; [email protected]

S t M i c h a e l ’ s C h u r c h , S e a v i n g t o n


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‘The Swift Emergencies of the Sea’

David Eliot (01460 240758)

This is the first article in an occasional series recounting dramatic events at sea, some with happy outcomes, some disastrous, all unusual. 1 - The loss of HMAS VOYAGER Since 10 February 2014 marks the 50th anniversary of the worst peace-time disaster ever to befall the Royal Australian Navy (RAN) in its 100 year history, the sinking of the VOYAGER, one of its three largest destroyers, is a fitting story to start the series. At the time, Wendy & I were enjoying my two-year Exchange appointment to HMAS WATSON, the RAN’s Underwater Warfare School on Sydney Harbour, three minutes by car from our flat.

Our phone rang at 07.00 on Tuesday, 11 February 1964. A foreign woman’s voice just said ‘Is he alright, David?’. I knew instantly who was calling – Inge Price, the Danish wife of Lieut. David Price, RN, serving in VOYAGER.. At the same time, Wendy stuck the Sydney Morning Herald in front of me: banner headline ‘HMAS VOYAGER SUNK IN COLLISION’. I told Inge ‘I don’t know, but I’ll find out’. On arrival at WATSON 10 minutes later, the Main Gate staff told me to report immediately to the Commanding Officer, Captain Ian Easton, RN.

He explained events. At 21.03 the previous evening, while engaged in Night Flying Exercises off Sydney with the aircraft-carrier MELBOURNE, VOYAGER, for reasons unexplained from that day to this, got under the carrier’s bows and was cut in two through the Bridge, killing all but two officers because it destroyed ‘officer country’: the vertical stack of Bridge, Operations Room, Wardroom and Officers’ Cabins. One officer, who happened to be aft of the cut, survived, though injured. The other, Lieut. John Conder, RN, the Officer of the Day, was carrying out 21.00 Rounds. He and his Petty Officer were on the Main Deck, about 30 feet forward of the cut. As he said afterwards, he had been thrown to the deck, luckily without serious injury, and next found himself in the sea, having fallen out of the wrecked fore-end, whence he was recovered. The answer to Inge Price’s question was, alas, ‘No’: her David had been on the Bridge.

The two halves of the ship suffered very different fates. The after two-thirds floated upright for about three hours; the Chief Petty Officers took charge and even restored lighting. But too much water flooded into the cut and the wreck eventually had to be abandoned in good order and without further casualties. The forward one-third, however, rolled onto its beam-ends and sank within 7 minutes, trapping scores of crew in their messdecks. The agony was compounded by jammed escape hatches, over-tightened after refit because they leaked, which could not be opened in time for more than very

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few to escape. 82 men were killed in the collision or went down with the ship, out of 314 souls onboard. Later that Tuesday, Sydney sombrely watched MELBOURNE enter harbour, with her ensign at half-mast, her bows battered and with a huge section missing above the waterline. My Captain said this disaster would leave the RAN in shocked paralysis for a week. He ordered me to drop everything and concentrate exclusively on getting Inge Price and the three youngest of her four children on a flight to Copenhagen by Sunday at the latest: on Monday Navy Office, Melbourne would start being difficult. To this end I was to invoke his name, rank, and authority as the most senior Royal Navy officer in Australia as I felt fit.

Achieving the Sunday deadline was easier said than done. Inge’s departure was made more complicated because she wished her visiting mother-in-law to take her eldest child home with her, leaving her with the other three. This entailed amending her passport, which would normally have taken three weeks; but the British High Commission did it in 24 hours. Inge also decided to have her new baby Christened in the beautiful WATSON Chapel overlooking the Coral Sea. The RN and RAN in Sydney turned out in force to support her, although this poignant event reduced the Australians to jelly. Almost more heartbreaking was helping Inge pack up her flat.

The flight to Copenhagen left on Sunday, via seven airports in as many countries. At my Captain’s behest, the Admiralty upgraded her tickets to First Class to avoid involving Navy Office, Melbourne. Her bank opened for me on Saturday to provide Sterling and Kroner. Sydney Airport gave her Royal treatment: private VIP lounge; personal Ground Hostess; no baggage handling or customs; passport discreetly stamped en passant; and separate, escorted boarding. Moreover, at every airport where the plane landed, by day or night, the British Embassy or High Commission sent someone to meet her. Returned from the airport, I was able to tell my Captain ‘job done’. He was right, too: the next day Navy Office did telephone him with their intentions for Mrs. Price, to be told, to their astonishment and his great satisfaction, that the bird had flown – literally.

The aftermath of the disaster was painful. The Federal Government ordered a Royal Commission, which sat in public for weeks hearing the testimony and criticisms of eye-witnesses and others. The RAN pored over the evidence, trying to work out why the disaster happened, but, because everyone on the Bridge and in the Operations Room had been killed, the final, fatal sequence of events was never satisfactorily explained. The media had a field day, avidly seizing upon any criticism made in court. To counter such bad publicity, the RAN convened a panel of Naval Officers to review each day’s proceedings and provide instant remedy. For example, it was reported that the bilge-bungs came out of some ships’ boats when crash-lowered to rescue survivors. Screw-in bungs, like those of hot-water bottles, were immediately ordered for the entire Australian Fleet. The final act in this tragedy, months later, was a full-dress Memorial Service in Sydney Cathedral; but the scars ran deep.


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Folk at the Volly!

Andrew Sutton (01460 249338) The Thursday before Christmas saw the fourth in a new series of folk evenings at the Volunteer and a packed house enjoyed a wonderful eclectic mix of folk tunes and seasonal songs played and sung by the 15 or so musicians and singers gathered there. The music was played by an accordion, a melodeon, two fiddles, three guitars, a double bass, two banjos, a bodhran, a washboard and a cajon (look it up!) and the variety of music played delighted everyone there. Jed Dunn, who is the enthusiastic and impassioned leader of the session, is keen to invite anyone along that might wish to perform and he is quick to stress that although much of the music played that night was of a traditional nature, any sort of music is welcome and indeed, he would also welcome anyone interested in performing any recitations or monologues. He also stresses that you do not have to be a performer to attend and I would maintain that the large and enthusiastic crowd there certainly enjoyed singing along to the many familiar songs that were played. Jed can be contacted on 01460 394617 should anyone have any queries about the sessions. It’s got to be a good thing for this small village to be able to host such a dynamic form of entertainment and I do urge you to consider supporting the venture. In the New Year, it is planned to change the regular evening session to a Wednesday, and the first evening session will be on Wednesday 5th of February. If you like live music played to high levels of skill and songs sung with passion and good humour, do come and join the happy crowd for the next session, and if you feel that you have a contribution you can make, you will be made to feel very welcome. You will not regret it and will be almost bound to come again and, needless to say, the ‘Volly’ will also be providing its usual fare of tempting and tasty home cooked meals as well as a good range of ales and ciders, including their own microbrewery creations.

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Creating a Success

Phil Gordon-Smith (01460 242277) At the time of last orders for the January edition of the magazine, the Craft Fayre was still in full flow. However, despite a month lapse since it ended, the totals have been calculated and the result showed the event took over £1000 00. Alas, the “crafters” have to take the larger portion, but they do deserve every penny they make. There were some lovely crafts on offer and the total showed that the public liked them to. A big thank you to all who contributed to the craft fayre and an even bigger thank you to all the shop volunteers, because without their co-operation the money would not get collected and the goods sold not identified. The 20% of the total earned, will be donated to the shop to be used for the exterior enhancement of the shop. Thank you all.

Quiz Night at the Volunteer Inn A Quiz night, in aid of Seavington Playing Field Association, is being held at the Volunteer Inn on Wednesday 29th January. The quiz starts at 8pm and costs £1 per person to enter. All are welcome.

Flix in the Stix On Saturday February 15th, at 7.30 pm, the Hinton St George Flix in the Stix presents: “Captain Phillips”. This is the true story of the 2009 hijacking, by Somali pirates, of the MV Maersk Alabama, the first US ship to be hijacked in 200 years. Tom Hanks plays the lead rôle. Tickets £5 in advance from Dorothy’s Tea Rooms and Hinton Village Shop. £5.50 at the door.


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A Farmer’s Diary

Farm Boy What a major turn around in the weather on the run up to Christmas, with all the rain and gales. One can only feel for those who had their festive season ruined by floods, loss of essential services or wind damage. Like many I had some panel fence damage but this can be repaired. Back at the farm we had a tree come down across a barn roof that housed about fifty young cattle, they were fine but the impact broke a number of cement fibre sheets, this meant the rain could pour onto the bedded area. So on Christmas Eve, it was all hands on deck to cut up the tree and carry out emergency repairs. The Christmas holidays are a time when we all tend to meet up with old friends, such an occasion happened this last week. A farming friend who, like me now has to sit back whilst his son runs the family farm was telling me all about their latest investment. This was three robot-milking stations to milk their herd of around 180 cows. It almost seems like science fiction; the system is fully automatic and even calls you on your mobile phone if there is a problem On one occasion his son’s mobile phone had ninety missed calls. This was apparently because one cow was happy to remain within one of the stations preventing others from taking their turn. Whilst listening with great interest, the whole conversation made me realise what a lot of changes have taken place in agriculture since I left school during 1952 to begin my career in farming. I had thought my parents had lived through a period of great change; my mother who lived well into her nineties was born in 1901 and had vivid memories of the First World War and the arrival of the first motor cars. My memories can go back to a time when the majority of the milking herds in this area were still milked by hand, but after the war this changed dramatically with a quick switch over to machine milking. Since then there have been a number of major developments. The most successful system for a good number of years has been the herringbone parlour and a good number of them remain in operation. It seems those who have invested in this robot type of technology to date are pleased with the results. I am getting to old for such revolutionary change and it concerns me, for I cannot help feeling that human beings are going to be the losers in the long run, brought about by social problems and the over use of natural resources. I hope I will be proven wrong.

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A really big ‘Greylake’!

Becky Thorpe (07901 331460 or 01458 254415) The heavy, persistent rain that kicked off the New Year for 2014 and the resulting flooding has certainly tested the resilience of communities here in the Somerset Levels. And has drastically affected the businesses, farms and homes of many people. Greylake reserve, the Lookout hide, and part of the car park became submerged in water in the first week of January. But how have these floods affected our wildlife here? Small mammals like harvest mice and water voles will have to leave their usual homes to try to seek higher, drier places to call home. Banks at the edge of our reserve in our cover crop field and surrounding the car park, are providing some higher ground for these mammals. Barn owls, that don’t have waterproof feathers, will have a very challenging time finding food, in between rain showers. Their main diet consists of voles, mice, shrews and other small mammals. Look out for barn owls around the car park at Greylake. Invertebrates in the soil, such as earthworms, leatherjackets (the larval stage of crane flies) and beetle larvae will also struggle to survive in flooded areas that are usually dry at this time of the year. This may have a knock on affect for the next generation of soil invertebrates. For wintering ducks, the flood means more areas to roost on the water. Ducks such as widgeon need to graze on grass, so the concentration of these ducks at Greylake has become lower as a result. Teal feed on reed seeds in the water, so plenty of areas to choose from for them whilst feeding, and hundreds to be seen at Greylake! Do read our RSPB blog for updates about Greylake and its wildlife: http://www.rspb.org.uk/community/placestovisit/greylake/b/greylake-blog/default.aspx and visit our website for some of our new and exciting events: http://www.rspb.org.uk/reserves/guide/g/greylake/ Build your own love nest at Swell wood! Have a go at building a giant heron nest in Swell Wood this Valentine’s Day. We provide the materials, and you provide the creativity!! Check our website for details: http://www.rspb.org.uk/reserves/guide/s/swellwood/ And look out for other family events in February with our new school holiday club!


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Andrew Lodge Plumbing and Heating

Central Heating and Boiler Specialists; Replace / Install oil tanks Bathrooms & en suites designed & installed

All general plumbing work undertaken

Tel: 01460 249150 Mob: 07798 502367

RICHARD CLIFTON PAINTER AND DECORATOR

Interior and exterior work Free written estimates or quotations Good preparation; Attention to detail

Tel: Ilminster (01460) 52544; 07773 373882

Seavington

Conservation and new works undertaken Visit our website to view gallery: www.mwlayzell-builders.co.uk Tel: 01460 249468 or e-mail: [email protected]

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Private Car Hire

Get to those important appointments Hospital, Doctor, Dentist

Local Airports, Railway Stations Bus Stations, Ferries & Cruise Ships

Packets & Documents Delivered

Strictly Pre-booked Call Nigel on 01460 72177

Clapper Hay ▫ Church Street ▫ Merriott ▫ Somerset TA16 5PR

Tel: 01460 74612 Fax: 01460 76222 Email: [email protected] www.wicksheating.co.uk

VAT No: 785-3519-93

Carpentry and Joinery Roofing and Electrical Aubrey Bage Painting and Decorating 07817 419022 General Building Work [email protected]

Specialists in the Repair and Renovation of Listed Buildings


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Photocopy & Laminating Ink Cartridges & Paper Tuition & Support Home & Business

Repairs and Upgrades New Systems & Laptops Virus Prevention Web Design

01460 53613 Computer Services

10 West St. Ilminster

www.ios-tech.com

Your local computer shop - for friendly, professional advice

CANINE SERVICES

Dog Grooming

Friendly Home Environment Will Collect and Deliver

Available Weekdays, Evenings and Weekends Please ‘phone Helen

Mobile: 07867 988109 or 01460 241053

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Karen’s Alterations Byways, Church Lane, Horton, Tel. 01460 55627 / 07813143616

I can alter adult or children’s clothing: Take up a hem, replace a zip and more.

Curtains or blinds made to measure. Nothing is too small

WISHING WELL CUPCAKES

Luxury Homemade Cupcakes, Cakes, Cookies and Bakes

Special Occasions and Events ◦ Large Parties to Small Gifts Wedding Cupcake Towers ◦ Birthday and Occasion Cakes

Quality Ingredients - Organic Flour, Butter & Cocoa, Local Free Range Eggs

Contact Sarah – 01460 241320 / 07709194559 www.wishingwellcupcakes.co.uk [email protected]

Fully registered & 5 Star Rating with South Somerset District Council

10% DISCOUNT

VALID UNTIL CHRISTMAS

LIFT WEST MOT & TYRE CENTRE

Class 4 ‐ £40

Cars, Taxis, Minibuses up to 12 seats, Goods Vehicles not exceeding 3000KG DGW, Motor Caravans & Dual Purpose Vehicles

Lift West Ltd, Lopen Head Business Park, Lopen Head, TA13 5JH

Tel: 01460242400 Email: [email protected]

Also available Class 5 and Class 7 Also Available Air Conditioning All Vehicle Repairs Undertaken


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A U T O-M O B I L E C R A S H R E P A I R S

(Established over 35 years)

For all your vehicle body repairs from bumper scratches To a full re-spray of cars and light commercials

Our estimates are free ■

Free delivery and pickup service ■

Courtesy car available ■

Insurance approved

Contact Gary James on 01935 823694 or 07838 589208

Parrett Works, Martock, on South Petherton to Martock Road

www.automobilecrashrepairs.co.uk

Jimmy James CARPENTRY

& FURNITURE

SINCE 1989

Built-in wardrobes...cabinets… Bookcases...kitchens…

Individually designed and made

For a free quotation ‘phone me on

Ilminster (01460) 53889

St Michael’s Church Seavington Trust

Next sale of :

Books, Plants & Bric-a-Brac

8th February 2014

at 2, Winchester Cottages (Opposite The Volunteer)

New and Second-hand Books

Selection of bric-a-brac A great selection for children of all ages from stories to study!

NB—Open 9.00 am to 2.00 pm

please come and browse

The Seavingtons’ Village Plan Update Questionnaire No 2

As you will recall, during the Autumn last year, a questionnaire was circulated via The Seavingtons’ News and a bullet point statement was formulated from the trends we perceived from the returned questionnaires. This statement was printed in the November 2013 Seavingtons’ News, and has been endorsed by the Parish Council. We now need to move on to the next stage and ask you to detach this insert and complete it before returning it. Completed forms should be handed in at the Seavington Shop or The Volunteer. The questionnaire may also be filled in electronically online at the Seavington web site (www.theseavingtons.org) It would be much appreciated if completed questionnaires could be submitted by Sat 1st Feb 2014, which will allow sufficient time for the group to include an analysis in the March Seavingtons’ News. Should you wish to add your name to the completed questionnaire all answers will be treated in confidence, however, to remain anonymous, hand written replies should be placed in a sealed envelope addressed to ‘The Seavingtons Plan Update Group’

Village Plan Update


Village Plan Update Questionnaire No 2

(Please circle or write your response as required)

A Transport and Roads 1 Are there sufficient bus services in the villages? Yes/No 2 Is speeding an issue within the villages? Yes/No 3 Is street lighting required? Yes/No 4 Is the upkeep of roads, lanes, verges, ditches satisfactory? Yes/No 5 Is there sufficient protection against flooding? Yes/No 6 Are footpaths well maintained and clearly signed? Yes/No 7 Is there adequate off road parking in the villages? Yes/No B Village Amenities 1 How important to you is it to have a village pub now and/or in the future? Very important / Important / Not very important 2 How often do you or any (please state numbers ) of your household use the village pub? Every day / weekly / monthly / rarely / never 3 If not very often, but you consider the pub an important community asset, what might encourage you to visit it more often? 4 Are you satisfied with the Village Hall facilities? Yes/No 5 If No how could they be improved? 6 Are you satisfied with the village store services? Yes/No 7 If No what improvements would you like to see?


8 Are you satisfied with the Playing Fields facilities? Yes/No 9 If No what improvements would you like to see? 10 Does the village provide sufficient multi-use sports areas Yes/No 11 If No how could this be improved? 12 Are you satisfied with the children’s play area? Yes/No 13 If No how could it be improved? 14 Are facilities for children and young people sufficient? Yes/No 15 If No how could they be improved? 16 Are sufficient facilities provided for elderly people? Yes/No 17 If No how could they be improved? 18 Is wheelchair access in and around the villages adequate? Yes/No 19 If No how could this be improved? 20 Is there adequate provision for pre-school, infants and Youth Clubs? Yes/No 21 If No how could this be improved?


C Health 1 Are you content with the local health services? Yes/No 2 What, if any, health services would you like to see provided in the villages? D Policing and Neighbourhood Watch 1 Is policing in the villages sufficient and effective? Yes/No 2 Does the Neighbourhood Watch scheme work well? Yes/No E The Churches 1 Would you like to see any changes to the role of the Church to improve our village life? Yes/No 2 If Yes, please write your suggestions here F Communications 1 Is faster internet broadband speed important to you? Yes/No 2 For Business or Social use, or both (please circle as appropriate) 3 Are you content with the local communications routes within the villages? (eg notice boards / Seavingtons’ News / Village web-site) Yes/No 4 If No how could village communication be improved?

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NICK RUTTER — CHIMNEY SWEEP

Experienced, Approved, Established 10 Years All types of fires and appliances cleaned with brush and vacuum

Full insurance valid certificate issued with every visit

Tel: 01460 52951; www.guildofmasterchimneysweeps.co.uk

D.J.G WINDOW CLEANING & GARDENING SERVICES

■ Window, Gutter, Fascia, u-PVC cleaning ■ Pressure Washing ■ Hedge & grass cutting, General gardening ■ Hedge laying & fencing ■ House, garden clearance ■ Logs

Fully insured: Call Dan on 01460 57877 or 07519174788


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The Seavingtons' Calendar 2015

Marion Bennett

The calendar project is underway! The Calendar Group has convened. We aim to produce a high quality village calendar featuring pictures of lots of aspects of life in our two villages and lots of pictures of people who live here. It will be available from the beginning of October so that you can send it abroad to relatives and friends. EVERYONE CAN BE INVOLVED! GET SNAPPING! We are inviting everyone in the villages to submit up to 12 photos. These can be photos you already have or ones you take in the course of this year. You may have interesting old photos, family photos, pictures of the changing seasons, village events and activities, interesting architecture, farm life, employment in the villages etc etc. HOW TO SUBMIT YOUR PICTURES.

• You will be able to submit your digital photos direct to Sarah Harmer, our graphic designer - watch out in the shop and in next month's Seavingtons' News for details of how to do this.

• You can transfer your digital photos to a memory stick clearly labelled with your name, address and phone number and place this in an envelope in the box at the shop till.

• You can transfer your pictures to a CD and again, please label clearly with your name, address and phone number and place in an envelope in the box at the shop till.

• If you have hard copy or photos you don't want to let out of your sight or you don't have a computer, we will be having scanning sessions in the cafe - watch out for dates.

WHEN IS THE DEADLINE FOR SUBMITTING PHOTOS? You will be able to submit photos until the end of July. The calendar group will then begin the task of selecting the photos we will use. We aim to have a large number of pictures from as many people as possible by using a collage style on each page. If we select photos showing children

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under 16, parents will need to give written permission and forms will be available. WHY ARE WE DOING THIS? Perhaps most importantly we would like to offer you a beautiful and interesting record of life in our villages. We aim to sell the calendar at a reasonable price so that you can not only buy one for yourself, but also have a lovely Christmas gift for friends and relatives. And yes .......... we are raising funds for our village shop and cafe so that they can continue to be at the centre of our village life. The calendar group comprises - Roger Clampitt, Sarah Harmer, Luke Harker, Nick Loxton, Carolyn Patterson and Carol Talbot. If you have any queries please speak to one of them.

Christmas at St Michaels

Carol Talbot (01460 241478) Christmas at St. Michael's Church was very special this year, with many people coming along and joining the variety of services. The spirit of Christmas begins with the journey of the Posada around the village, symbolising Mary and Joseph's journey to Bethlehem. Annie organises this each year, including as many families as possible, so thank you Annie. Christingle was brilliant and all our participants were wonderful, thank you all for joining in, without you it wouldn't be possible! We were lucky enough to be joined by our two special guest musicians, Andrew and Tony, who were real stars, so thank you both. Yet again, Alastair and D made us all welcome in their home after the service, with tasty mince pies and mulled wine, thank you both very much. The 'flower ladies' worked their magic making the Church look very welcoming and seasonal, thank you all for your hard work and support. Many other people work behind the scenes, often unnoticed, so a big thank to you too, you know who you are! A belated Happy New Year to you all, from 'the Team' at St. Michael's Church.


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Over The Counter

Mark Ellis (01460 241112)

The shop goes from strength to strength and I am pleased to announce that we are advertising this month for a part time cook to help out in the café. Although finances were tight in the initial years and we are always striving to increase our turnover, we feel that income is sufficient at last to start the program of employing staff in the shop & café. Our long term aim remains not just see all our loans and bonds paid back but also to see the enterprise sufficiently stable to afford both a full time manager and a full time cook. Once we have got to this stage then any surplus funds will be ploughed back into the community to help other village enterprises. Delivery Service. Another new innovation we are looking to bring you in 2014 is a delivery service within the villages. This service will commence on 1st Feb 2014 and will run for a trial period of 3 months. The delivery service will be free of charge. Goods will be delivered once a week on every Tuesday afternoon and orders can be taken at any time the week before by calling the shop on 249730 and talking through with the volunteer what is needed. You will have to leave your name, address and phone number and we will call you back on the Tuesday just before delivery and confirm the total cost of the goods. Initially we are only able to take payment for the goods by cheque (ie no cash or cards) which will be collected when the goods are delivered. Bric-a-brac. Remember your Bric-a-brac is now wanted; as from 1st Feb we will be running a bric-a-brac stall at the shop which will see goods recycled. Christmas gifts you know you'll never use. Knick-knacks which are "nice" but have been sitting at the back of your cupboard for years. These could be invaluable to someone else and at the same time bring in much needed funds to the shop. Please - only very good quality items. There will be a box at the till for your bric-a-brac donations. Bread. Most of our bread sales come from bread which is ordered from our bread supplier Bakery Roy-Al. The mechanism for this is quite good and we can generally provide you bread by 09.30 the day after it is ordered and this bread is baked the morning of delivery so is completely fresh. Bakery Roy-Al have an extensive list of the bread they bake which is available (along with the cost) at the till in the shop. So if you fancy a loaf of pristine fresh bread or merely something different then please have a look at what is on offer and we will get it delivered the next day.

February 2014

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Sign Competition. The Hall and shop are working with the PCC to create a sign marking our location. During February we are inviting villagers to put on their creative hats and suggest a suitable design for this sign. If you have views on what the sign should look like then please have a look at the notice re the sign design competition in this issue of the Seavingtons’ news. Quiz results. The Seavingtons Holiday Quiz has been a great hit! You've dug deep in your memory to bring back the words of the nursery rhymes and you've tested your knowledge of film titles. Thank you to everyone who bought quiz sheets and submitted entries. Amazingly, eleven people managed a full score and the recipient for the prize money has therefore been decided by a draw. The lucky winner of the £10 note is Shirley Farrington. Special mention must be made of Annie Pritchard who doesn't have a computer and was solving clues right to the bitter end. Your marked entries are available at the till where you can also see an answer sheet displayed. You will be pleased to know that the quiz has raised £85 for our shop improvements. Community shop contact no 01460 249730

Parish Council Note

Elaine Edwards (01460 241601) May we first of all wish you a very happy New Year? In November we asked you if you could possibly assist the Lengthsman by keeping our drains clear. David, our Lengthsman, does a sterling job but the weather has caused such flooding recently that he can only do so much in his allotted time in our village. Our next Parish Council meeting will be on 28th January 2014. All those wishing to attend please note that we will be starting the meeting at 7.00 pm instead of the usual time. Among the items to be discussed are: ¶ The Village Car Park ¶ Lift West’s old site ¶ Proposal for affordable housing on Lift West site ¶ Flooding


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Seavington Gardening Club

Ry Coffman (01460 240004 or [email protected]) 9th January: ‘Heritage Vegetables’ – Chris Smith, Pennard Plants In hunter-gatherer days, vegetables were just collected as they grew in the wild, but when humans settled they began to breed improvements into these vegetables. Many, like wild carrot and parsnip, still grow wild today. Our diet began to change and improve when the Romans brought with them their varieties of vegetables and after the exploration of the New World, plants like potatoes and tomatoes became part of our diet. By the 17th & 18th C nurseries like Laxtons had been set up to develop vegetables to improve their yield. Now there are 3,000 tomato varieties. The Victorians were dedicated to vegetable improvement and developed many of the varieties we use today for home growing and consumption. Before the world wars many people grew their own vegetables at home but after WW2 things changed; we became a more urban economy and people started to buy vegetables from shops. Varieties that suited home growing (i.e. cropping over a long period) were not suitable for an increasingly industrialised system and F1 hybrids were developed to produce plants that were all identical and cropped together. In 1972 when the UK joined the Common Market we had to sign up to legislation called the European Seed Variety Pact which meant that all varieties of seeds had to be licensed – obtaining a licence for a specific variety cost £3,000 which meant that only the varieties that sold large quantities of seeds got licensed. This left a large number of seeds which were unable to be sold. The Henry Doubleday Association (now Garden Organic) set up the Heritage Seed Library to save these varieties for the future http://www.gardenorganic.org.uk/hsl/ Being unable to sell them, they set up a system whereby they could distribute the seeds to members who subscribed to the seed library, for free. By doing this they have preserved thousands of vegetable varieties and enabled them still to be grown by enthusiasts. These seeds fall into two categories – Heritage – meaning usually over 100 years old, or Heirloom – meaning seeds handed down through families. More recently varieties described as ‘local varieties’ have been allowed to be grown which means that the ‘Martock’ and ‘Bridgwater’ varieties of beans are still available.

February 2014

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Also each country in the EU has their own licenced list and therefore the UK list has been enlarged as more exotic types of vegetables have become part of our diet. One of the advantages of growing the old varieties at home is that they have built-in resistance to some pests and diseases, because they have been grown for so long, which modern varieties do not have. Pennard Plants are now specialising in growing and selling these Heritage and Heirloom varieties of vegetable seeds. They are available by mail order from the website http://www.pennardplants.com/ or at the many ‘Potato Days’ being held through the south west by Pennard Plants – the nearest one to us is at Drimpton Village Hall on Saturday 8th February 10:30 to 12:30. Go early as this is a very popular event and we understand the lunches are excellent! Flower of the Month: 1st Jackie Hann – Iris, 2nd Gill Beveridge – Sparaxis, 3rd: Linda George - Rose Forthcoming events: Thursday 13 February: Talk and Demonstration: ‘Propagation Part 2’ with Neil Lovesey of Picket Lane Nursery with plants for sale and Flower of the Month Competition.

South Petherton Photographic Society On Wednesday 5th February 2014 the meeting will include a talk by Stuart Allenby entitled “A Pictorial Tour of Yorkshire” and a technical presentation by Steve Cooper on “How your Digital Sensor Works”. Meetings are held on the 1st Wednesday of each month starting at 7.30pm at the Methodist Church Hall, Palmer Street, South Petherton, TA13 5BD. The cost including refreshments is £2.50 for non-members.

Wanted - T Shirts and Specs

Manda Jaggers (01460 240554) I am going to Kenya in March with the Akamba Aid Fund. If you have any unwanted glasses or t shirts (child or adult) could you please leave them in the shop for me. I need the glasses by 15th Feb so they can be measured etc and the t shirts by 15th March. Please ring me on the number above if you need any more information.


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A Frosty Day

Annie (01460 241762)

The Redwing, smallest of the thrushes, is similar to the Song Thrush but is distinguished by chestnut-red flanks and underwings and a broad creamy eyestripe. A distinctive call, “seep”, is uttered in flight. There is a “sort of song” which is a series of descending “fluty” notes—”Trill-Trill-Trill-Trill”. The Fieldfare is a rather majestic looking member of the Thrush family. It has a chestnut-brown upper and a striking gold-buff breast which is well-flecked with black. The blue-grey head has a pale mask around the eyes and the beak is black and yellow. In flight it flashes white underwings. The song is noticeable but not very melodic—a nasal “Chak-Chak-Chak”, mostly uttered in flight. Both birds migrate here around October, returning to Africa around March or April. They move around, in flocks, together. Food is mainly worms and insects. When the weather becomes harder they will come closer to gardens and orchards to feed on fallen fruit and search hedgerows for Yew, Holly and Ivy berries. A sight to be seen is a flock of Fieldfares in undulating flight with a repetitive glide interspersed by furious wing beats!

When the waves are solid floor, And the clouds are iron-bound, And the boughs are crystall’d hoar, And the red leaf nailed a-ground, When the rusty blackbird strips, Bunch by bunch, the coral thorns, And the pale day-crescent dips, New to heaven, a slender horn.

Lord De Tabley (1835-95)

February 2014

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FEBRUARY IN OUR SHOP AND CAFE

IN STOCK NOW! MOUTHWATERING MAIN COURSES FROM

WILLOW'S AWARD WINNING DELI!

Thai yellow vegetable and chicken curry, fish pie with English mustard mash, slow braised lamb tagine with prunes,

shepherd's pie with Maris Piper mash.

TREAT YOURSELF! YOU DESERVE IT!

OUR VERY POPULAR MONDAY SPECIAL CONTINUES IN THE CAFE Homemade soup, roll, cake and drink for just £5!

BOOK YOUR PLACE FOR SENIORS' LUNCH on Monday 10 February

Seavingtons' Village Store and Cafe, Water Street,

Seavington St Mary. Tel: 01460 249730


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Beautiful & Unique Handmade Bags & Accessories

Chris’s Studio Originals / Jhasper Limited Editions / Tailor Made Service

Please visit our website or contact us directly for more

information or to discuss your own ideas or requirements

Jhasper Limited, Farlands Barn, Water Street, Seavington St Michael, ILMINSTER, Somerset, TA190QH. Tel: (01460) 240818

Website: www.jhasper.co.uk—Email: [email protected]

Marilyn Hills BA MA Core Process Psychotherapy

01460 249176 Psychotherapy can help you with :

Stress : Anxiety : Depression : Debt : Loss : Grief : Relationships: Personal growth

Contact me for a FREE Introductory Session

Email : [email protected] Website: www.marilynhills.co,uk

February 2014

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FREE TRAINING…Offering a package to help you find sustainable employment… (Based on 16 hours per week)

Step 1 Employability and Personal Development

City & Guilds Step 2

Customer Services or IT skills City & Guilds

Step 3 Choice of Vocational Qualification:

◊ Forklift Truck Licence ◊ CSCS Card ◊ Sage Accounting ◊ Food Hygiene ◊ Web Design and Graphics ◊ and many more

Eligibility:

Age 19 (as of 31st August 2011), UK/EU Resident for 3 years, in receipt of means tested benefit (JSA, Income support etc)

How to contact TABS TRAINING: Tel: 01935 411711 Email: [email protected]

Opening hours: Monday to Friday 09.30 am to 4.30 pm Park House, 45 The Park. Yeovil. BA20 1DF


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Welcome to the

New Inn Warm & Friendly Welcome

Bed & Breakfast A la Carte Menu

Local Ciders & Fine Wines Monthly Quiz Night

Large car park

18th Century Traditional Public House Picturesque Beer garden

Bar Snacks & Chefs Daily Specials Locally Supplied Well Kept Real Ales

Richard’s Home Made Sunday Lunch Roasts

Open 7 days a week 11.30am - 3.00pm (Lunch & Bar Snacks available until 2.30pm)

6.00pm – 11.00pm (Evening Meal available until 8.45pm)

Table & Room Bookings - (01460) 52413 www.newinn-ilminster.co.uk

New Inn, Dowlish Wake, Ilminster, Somerset, TA19 ONZ

February 2014

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LOUISE LAYZELL Teacher of English to Speakers of Other Languages

01460 242175 07989325598

Fun workshops for families, small groups and individuals

Cеминары для семей, небольших групп и отдельных лиц

Oficinas divertidas para famílias, pequenos grupos e indivíduos

Zabawa warsztaty dla rodzin, małych grup i osób prywatnych

A one day Floral Painting Workshop Take a new challenge, treat and surprise yourself. Beginner and improver classes in watercolour. Up to 5 students for very personal tuition. Classes are in the Artist’s home in Seavington. All enquiries - email to [email protected] or phone Charo Ritchie (SFP) on 01460 249690.

Portable Appliance Testing (PAT); Electrical Power Quality Analyser Periodic Inspection Reports (Domestic and Commercial)

Fire Alarm and Emergency Light Testing; Wireless Inspection Camera

Domestic & Commercial Work Undertaken:

Rewires ● Additional sockets

Extensions ● Listed building work

Computer/Telephone points ● Whole House sound systems

Security and Access Lighting ● CCTV Camera Installation

Fire Alarms; Nurse Call Systems ● Control Panel design & build

Electrical accessories ● Engraving of labels

Cable laying and ducting ● Outside Events

Electrical Door/ Gate Systems ● Intercom and Entry Systems

Mobile: 07808 049034


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Kelly’s Yard, Parrett Works, Martock, Somerset Tel No: 01935 826888

Hair Removal / Waxing Manicures / Pedicures

Nail Extensions Eyebrow & Eyelash Treatments

Eyelash Extensions / Permanent Mascara Facials

Stand-up Tanning booth also

Sienna X Spray Tanning

Customer Parking right to the door (on the South Petherton—Martock Road)

February 2014

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Sign Design - Competition

Mark Ellis (01460 241112)

Our parish council has kindly agreed to fund a sign for the Millennium Hall, Shop and Café and as such all Seavingtonians are invited to have a go at designing it. There is already a road sign at the top of Water Street directing people towards the Hall and Shop but there is no sign marking the location of the Hall, Playing Fields, Shop and Café at the actual site. Many volunteers in the Shop will tell you that they often get people calling in out of curiosity and they “had no idea a shop, Café or village hall were in the complex”. To rectify this, it is planned to erect a sign marking the location and informing the passer by what is in the complex. It will also serve to mark the site for those attending a course at the Hall for the first time as well as identify the sports fields for visiting sports teams. To this end we are inviting residents to suggest a suitable design for the sign. This will take the form of a competition with a first prize of £50 to be spent in the shop or café. The competition will run until 1st Mar 2014 by which time all proposals are to have been handed in to the Village Shop. Entries should be marked Sign Design Competition. They can range from a simple drawing along with notes to expand what is proposed to several drawings or artist impressions. However, remember to leave your name and contact details with your suggested design. The best design will be adjudged by a panel of residents drawn from Hall, PCC and Shop committees. Their decision will be announced in the Seavingtons’ News April issue. There are certain parameters which need to be adhered to in terms of planning permission for signs and therefore we would ask that the sign is no bigger than 2m X 1m. The sign will be placed at the entrance to the car park. It could be a notice board type sign or a pub hanging type sign or other. Thought should be given to not just the design and content on the board but also how it will be displayed, what material the board should be made of, is it in keeping with the Seavington village, will the frame need much annual maintenance, will the sign be expensive to manufacture etc. All these aspects will be considered by the panel when adjudging the best entry. Good luck and let us know your views.


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The Warehouse Theatre llminster is a little gem which can be found right in the heart of the town. It brings high quality entertainment throughout the year to audiences of all ages, as well as running a thriving youth theatre and being a venue for local groups and clubs to hire.

Run by Ilminster Entertainments Society (IES) it represents one of the best equipped, professional-standard amateur theatres in the county and facilities include:

Seating for 150 people, fully licensed bar, coffee area, disabled access and T-loop hearing system.

Details of future productions can be found in the local press or on our website: www.thewarehousetheatre.org.uk (plus details of audition nights, youth theatre, IES Membership and more) or call 01460 62739 or email: [email protected]

Your theatre needs you! The Warehouse is run entirely by volunteers and we would love to hear from anyone who would like to get involved by helping backstage or front of house during show weeks, or simply by becoming a member of IES. Can you help?

SOUTH SOMERSET RSPB LOCAL GROUP

EXPLORING ETHIOPIA

A welcome return visit to the group by Oliver Smart, who will tell us the story of the diverse wildlife to be found in Ethiopia. With high altitudes, culture, people and landscapes, this is an illustrated talk to be enjoyed by anyone interested in fascinating wildlife and history.

Thursday 20th February – 7.30pm – The Millennium Hall, Seavington St. Mary

Entry: group members £2.50, non-group members £3.50, under 18’s free.

(tea/coffee & biscuits included) Wheelchair access.

NON-MEMBERS VERY WELCOME

For further details contact: Denise Chamings (Group Leader) on 01460 240740 www.rspb.org.uk/groups/southsomerset

Registered Charity: England & Wales No. 207076, Scotland No. SC37654.

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Local singer-songwriter

Julian Dawson

presents a special programme at the Millennium Hall on Valentine's Day at 8pm, bar from 7pm

Tickets £10.00, under 16s £5.00 ( includes a complimentary glass of fizz)

Available from the Seavingtons' Community Shop 01460 249730 and N&D News, South Petherton

Julian has wowed audiences throughout Europe and the USA with his amazing skills on guitar and harmonica. He plays a range of styles including pop, folk, blues and country. Enjoy!

Proceeds for improvements to Seavington Shop and Cafe

We’re looking for

a SPECIAL COOK for our popular village café

to prepare tasty dishes for our appreciative customers and lead our willing team of volunteers.

20 hours / week. 5½ Days / Week out of Mon - Sat

The successful candidate will need to be able to work with our team of volunteers running the rota as well as preparing meals for our customers and should have some knowledge / experience / desire of running a café.

Ring Mark Ellis (01460 241112) or Pauline Lawton (01460 394017) for further details. Apply in writing with full CV to Mark Ellis c/o The Village Shop, Water St, Seavington, Somerset, TA19 0QH

Closing date for applications 28 Feb 2013


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The Seavingtons’ News wants to hear and publish your views on both the “News” itself and topics of importance or interest to our community. Please send your letters to the address on page 1. All opinions and views expressed are the sole responsibility of the writer and do not reflect the views of The Seavingtons’ News. For legal reasons we must have the name and address of the writer but can normally publish over a pseudonym on request.

Village Voice—letters to the editor

The Seavingtons ’ Weather in December 2013

This year—2013 Previous year—2012

Temperature

Average Minimum 4.61°C 4.42°C

Average Maximum 10.42°C 9.77°C

Mean 7.51°C 7.10°C

Rainfall

Monthly Total 152.2mm (6.29") 135.0mm (5.38")

Total for the year 817.6mm (32.7") 1175.7mm (47.03")

The wettest December since 2000

Dear Editor, In last month’s editorial you highlight the shortage of volunteers to maintain some of our village organisations as we face the possibility of closure of the Youth Club. You are certainly right to appeal for more to get involved in the Playing Field Association, Community Shop, etc. However, I feel special thanks should be given to all those who have moved into the villages in the last 12 months or so, who have put considerable effort into supporting the local community. Yours, Lorrie Ensor

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