2

HELEN BUSHROD LOOSE COVERS,

CURTAINS, CUSHIONS, etc.

Made to your requirements

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Tel: 01749 860546

Travellers Rest Stone, East Pennard (on the A37)

01749 860069

OPEN ALL DAY from 12.00 noon

Traditional pub food

Tea / Coffee Sunday Roast

Quiz Nights/Skittles/Pool/Darts B & B en-suite rooms

www.travellersrest.org.uk

Higher Farm, Sutton, Nr Ditcheat,

Shepton Mallet, Somerset BA4 6QF

Opening hours Mon-Sat: 7.30am to 6.30pm

For

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Tel 01749 860199: Mobile 07771632221

How To Find Us Turn off the A371 Castle Cary to Shepton Mallet road,

between Moff Motors and The Brook House Inn, and then take the first turning left to Sutton. Follow this road until

you see our signs on the right, and then turn right. Hope to see you soon!

3

The Editor’s Letter

It’s that time of the year when you notice changes the most. You need to make decisions you haven’t had to for a while: do I need headlights on the way to work, do I need to take a coat, how long before I really need to cut the grass? It’s a great reminder that better weather is around the corner. However, before looking straight towards summer let’s not forget to enjoy the present with the myriad of daffodils and snowdrops on display. Looking at the diary dates there’s whole load of things going on in April: continuing from last month’s first meeting is Crafternoon (P7), a chance to let your hair down at the folk dancing (P38), see the recently refurbished Ditcheat Church Room (P59), for company and sustenance there’s Rendezvous (P14) and the Village Lunch (P18). Once again, we appeal for volunteers to join the FTN team. We also invite photos of our area for consideration as magazine cover photographs. Finally, I am grateful to Jo Curtis for covering as editor for this month and to Gemma Osborne for assisting with proof reading. Happy Late Spring!

Jo Curtis Tim Sanders www.fossetrinitynews.co.uk

This Month Advertiser Index 62 Alhampton News 5 All Our Yesterdays 29 British Legion 50 British Red Cross 42 Church Services 32 Crafthernoon Tea 7 Diary dates 4 Directory 60 Ditcheat Big Screen 49 Ditcheat Book Group 28 Ditcheat Ch. Room 59 Ditcheat Ch. Rota 58 Ditcheat PC 45 Ditcheat Players 34 Ditcheat School 6 Ditcheat Weather 24 E.P. Church Rota 59 Easter Bingo 33 Easter Recycling 54 EP News 36 EP PC 53 Folk Dancing 38 Gardening 11 Mothers' Union 41 Natural World 26 Pond Update 8 Pylle News 37 Rector's Note 33 Rendezvous 14 Shepton Market 57 Spectra Musica 36 Theatre Trips 15 U3A 42 Village Agent 19 Village Lunch 18 Waste Not 8 Wildlife Update 22

The Fosse Trinity News is a community magazine. It is financed by advertising and donations. It is delivered FREE to every household in Ditcheat, Alhampton, East Pennard and Pylle. We welcome any contribution from anyone in the community of any age. The editors reserve the right to edit. Copyright of all photographs published remains with the originator unless specified otherwise.

Send copy by 15th of April to editor@fossetrinitynews.co.uk For enquiries about advertising in the magazine, please contact Marcus 01749 860067 or email adverts@fossetrinitynews.co.uk

Closing date 10th of each month Front Cover: Alhampton Chapel, Tim Sanders ©

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Dates for your Diary

Every Week

Mon

Pilates (9.00) Tai Chi for Health (10.30) Ditcheat Badminton Club (8.30) Ditcheat and Pylle Singers (7.00)

Linda 860067 Richard 880308 James 860355 Di 07831 289945

Tue Art Group – Fortnightly (10.00) Liz & Stewart 860755

Wed Ditcheat Badminton Club (2.00) Ditcheat Short Mat Bowls (7.00) Ditcheat and Pylle Singers (7.00)

Gaye 860081 Martin 860780 Di 07831 289945

Thu Keep Fit (9.15) Linda 860067

Fri Pilates (9.15) Mo 07815 748518

March 2017 Mon 27th March 2.00pm Crafternoon Tea, Jubilee Hall Sally 860304 P7

April 2017 Sat 1st 7.30pm Spectra Music Concert, Wincanton 01963 350160 P36 Wed 5th 12.00pm Pylle Ladies Working Party, Coffee Den Joanna 838757 P37 Thur 6th 6.30pm Easter Bingo, Jubilee Hall P33 Thur 6th 8.15pm Alhamptonians, Alhampton Inn Louisa 860252 P5 Fri 7th 7.30pm Ditcheat Folk Dancing Club, Jubilee Hall Ama 672911 P38

Tue 11th 10.00am Rendezvous, Jubilee Hall Linda 860067 P14 Tue 11th 3.00pm Royal British Legion, Charlie’s Jon 01458 850241 P50

Tue 11th 7.30pm Unusual Herbs and their uses, Carrie Pakenham, Pylle Village Hall

Barbara 860438 (Fossway Gdn Club)

Sun 16th 10.00am Shepton Mallet Market P57

Thur 20th 7.30pm Ditcheat Screen: A United Kingdom Jubilee Hall Peter 860081 P49

Thur 20th 7.30pm Ditcheat Parish Council, Church Room Charles 860336 P45 Sat 22nd 10.00am Ditcheat Church Room Open Morning P59 Mon 24th 2.00pm Crafternoon Tea, Ditcheat Church Room Sally 860304 P7 Tue 25th 12.30pm Village Lunch, Jubilee Hall Jessica 860205 P18

Wed 26th 10.30 Mothers’ Union Coffee Morning St Mary Magdalene’s Church Ditcheat Lynn 671456 P41

Fri 28th 2.30pm U3A – Ben Kane, Caryford Hall P42

5

Looking Further Ahead Sat 20th May 11.00am Ditcheat School Fete Richard 860329 Sun 11th June All Our Yesterdays, Ditcheat Stephen 830538 Sun 18th June Alhampton Open Gardens Hilary 860615 Wed 21st June 12.30pm Community Lunch, Ditcheat School Richard 860329 Sat 1st July Alhampton Fete Louisa 860252 P5 Sun 24th Sept Glastonbury Festival Fun Ride

Alhampton News It is amazing how the days seem to lengthen all of a sudden. Even when we get a grey drizzly day it reminds us that spring really is on its way and summer not far behind. Thinking of summer reminds me that we need to put some more details on to the plans for the fete – in case you have forgotten it is on Saturday 1st July. The railway, the dog show, the duck race and some of the stalls are set and ready but there are still some which need some help. The Alhamptonians seems a good venue to discuss it but, if you do not want to come or are not free and would be interested in taking part in the fete in some way, please let me know on 01749 860252 or l.oborne@hotmail.com. Even if you can’t be at the fete but have an idea for a good money raiser we would be more than interested in hearing from you. The great thing about Alhampton fete is that we try to allocate certain areas to specific people so no-one has too much to do so don’t feel that, if you volunteer, you will be letting yourself in for everything. We are delighted that the Parish Council has agreed to adopt the shortly to be decommissioned BT phone kiosk at the entrance to No Through Road with a view to installing a defibrillator. This will be done through the Community Heartbeat Trust. We in Alhampton will fundraise to pay for the defibrillator, the annual maintenance agreement and a linked automatic phone service that will alert a group of up to 10 neighbours when help is needed in the event of a heart attack or other emergency. Training in the use of the defibrillator will also be on offer. We will be looking for volunteers to form a working party to maintain the kiosk and surroundings. Lynne Hughes will provide more details in future editions of the FTN but if you would like more information in the meantime, feel free to phone her on 860654 or to contact me. If you can join us at Alhamptonians please come along on Thursday 6th April anytime from about 8.15 onwards. Don’t feel that if you come you will be landed with something you don’t want to do – it is your company that is appreciated. Also don’t forget we do welcome visitors from elsewhere.

Louisa Oborne

6

Ditcheat School

February ended and March began with our annual book week. Mrs Milne, our Literacy coordinator, organised the fun and the children had a great variety of reading activities throughout the week. On Tuesday we welcomed 'Pete the Poet' a travelling poet. He spent time in each classroom telling stories and creating poetry to music. On Thursday all the staff and children dressed up as their favourite book character. It was amazing to see the variety of different story characters walking up the school path. The week ended with our older children sharing books with our younger children.

A great week! Thank you Mrs Milne.

Richard Reid

7

Snow Drops

Petals As white as snow, And stems As green as emeralds. This winter wonder starts to grow, Into stunning art Welcoming a new season. Pushing, Pushing, thick and condensed snow from its path, Trying to reach the golden rays of sun. Their stunning beauty enchants everyone, People stop to look, People want to pick, The first flowers of the year.

By Thomas Hodgson Ditcheat School, Year 6

Crafternoon Tea

Ditcheat Church room is warm, light and welcoming. We have space for you to make mend and do a variety crafts, drink tea and eat

delicious cake.

Monday afternoons 27th March and 24th April 2.00pm onwards

All ages welcome. Interested?

Contact Sally Yeoman 860304

www.facebook.com/DitcheatChurch

8

Haddon Wood A wildlife update – and why we need to keep dogs out of the pond

Haddon Wood in Alhampton is establishing well. It doesn’t look too much like a wood just yet, but in a few years things will look very different. In the meantime, wildlife is making its way in. We have owls and kestrels hunting the many mice living in the grass; foxes, rabbits and badgers are regulars and have homes around the edge of the wood. Eight visiting ducks were seen on the pond one morning recently, and below is a photograph of the toads spawning a couple of weeks ago. Frogs and frogspawn have now appeared too, but our pond wildlife won’t survive and we won’t attract visiting water birds to stay if we allow dogs in the pond. Haddon Wood has become very popular with dog walkers (me included) yet we’ll destroy a potential habitat and take away some of the pleasure of the wood for wildlife lovers if the pond isn’t allowed to develop undisturbed. So if you walk your dog in the wood, please keep it out of the pond and discourage others from allowing their dogs to enter the water too. Thank you. If you’d like to know more about Haddon, or become a member of the Friends of Haddon Wood, contact Hilary on 860615, or hilary@harrisonhall.co.uk.

WASTE NOT, WANT NOT As new, Professional large folding massage table in carrying case. Contact: Lynne 860654

9

10

Houses, Extensions, Garages & Roofs 01749 860632 / 07990 581936

info@williamlatta.co.uk www.williamlatta.co.uk

STABLE COMPUTERS Supply of New Computers and Accessories – all set up and ready for you to use… Broadband and Router Installation… PC and Internet Problems Solved… Virus and Spyware Removal… For all your computing needs telephone

Daren on 01963 441229

11

Gardening

April is such a busy month in the garden, not just in the borders but also on the vegetable patch. The four-day break over Easter is a favourite time for tidying up and getting ready for the better weather. As I write this, I have just returned from a few days in Spain where the feel of warmth on limbs has inspired me to come home and plant every seed in sight. My lunch hour today has seen carrots, peppers, courgettes, strange Italian zucchini, stevia, radish, Brussel sprout, spinach and peas all sown in the greenhouse. Little Gem lettuce, Greek basil, coriander, dill, chamomile, chilli and oregano have been potted on. The soil is warming up and if you don’t have a greenhouse seeds can be planted straight into the soil. In September I visited Agroforestry in Devon and ordered a Nectarine tree which will be fan trained against a south facing wall or fence. It arrived in November and it was suggested to heel it in at an angle if planting was not an option at the time. It wasn’t and was finally planted out about two weeks ago and is now completely covered in tiny buds waiting to blossom. Evergreens, perennials and container-grown climbers can all be planted out now. Unsprouted dahlia tubers and gladioli can also go in. Perennials will all be sprouting from the ground. If you didn’t have time to cut back last year’s growth in the autumn this can be done now. Just be careful not to damage the tender shoots. It is also sensible to put supports in to avoid the plants falling over when they get top heavy with flowers in the summer months. The supports do look rather unsightly at first but the plants will soon grow through them. Shrubs can be pruned to keep them in shape. Make sure you don’t cut into old wood. Perennials can become congested over the years. This is a good month to lift them and divide the clump, discarding any old growth and dead material. You can transplant the new healthy sections back into the borders or pot them up for donating to fetes or giving to friends. Continue to deadhead any spring flowering plants. Weeds are growing well in both the borders and the lawn. Remove from the borders with a hoe (as mentioned last month) and use a special weeding tool, or old kitchen knife to dig out the roots in the lawn. Any bare patches can be re-seeded. Rake out any moss. This can be used to line hanging baskets provided you haven’t used a weedkiller on the lawn. The vegetable patch is a hive of activity this month. To make more space in the patch here, the potatoes are going into growing bags. The broad beans and

12

garlic are already in the ground, but there is plenty in the greenhouse waiting to be planted out. To help prevent aphids, I shall plant candytuft or Californian poppies to attract hoverflies. The larvae feed on the aphids. The greenhouse never did get cleaned in the autumn and now it is full of seedlings. Hopefully over Easter the weather will be kind and time will be found to empty it and give it a good scrub. The pelargoniums have over wintered well and need a bit of a tidy up before bringing them back to life. The sweet peas are also doing well and will be ready to plant out shortly. This is a good month to start planting up containers and hanging baskets for summer displays. Last year I found a 9cm pot full of pelargonium seedlings at Rocky Mountain for the princely sum of £2.49. When emptied, 20 seedlings were planted up and these are the very same plants referred to in the previous paragraph. Every one of them survived. By my reckoning this makes each plant 12p. All the nurseries sell small plug plants at this time of year and they are well worth buying and potting on, particularly for baskets. Another tip I was given whilst in Spain is how to grow sweet potatoes. Fascinating. Here is a link to a chap in Oz which clearly outlines what you need to do. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_txO9rm9jvM. Not only do you get the sweet potatoes, the flower is really attractive and can be grown up trellising. I managed to find three small potatoes and have started the whole process. I will keep you updated. The garden design business is very busy with many new clients based both locally and further afield. A new client mentioned recently that it wasn’t obvious from this monthly piece that I am indeed a garden designer. The business was established in 1994 and since then it has been creating award-winning outdoor spaces for diverse clients across Southern England from the Home Counties to Somerset, Dorset and Devon. Commissions vary hugely, from modest urban spaces to rolling country estates. For further information, please visit my website – www.janefollis.com. Initial consultations are free of charge and obligation.

Jane Follis MSGD 01749 860850

13

Mike Doyle Home Maintenance

All types of property maintenance undertaken including:

Painting and Decorating Kitchen and Bathroom Tiling Wood/Laminate Floor Laying Wooden Decking Fencing Patio Laying Insurance Quotes/Work

Undertaken

01749 860356 07876421255 e-mail:mad-doyle@hotmail.co.uk

PHILIP SAUNDERS PRIVATE HIRE DRIVER

Based in Ditcheat Airports and Long Distance Trips

Special Nights Out Travel in Comfort Reliable Prompt

Very Competitive Rates Tel: 07855 588128 or 07774 234858

Thomas Kenrick Re- pointing

Re-Pointing Specialist. Building Conservation. Stone Masonry. 0 1 7 4 9 8 3 1 5 6 8 / 0 7 7 4 6 2 1 8 0 6 2

www.Repointing Somerset.co.uk

14

Easter

Rendezvous

Tuesday 11th April 10-12

Ditcheat Jubilee Hall

Coffee, cakes, pantry, preserves, &

handicrafts.

Enquiries: Linda 860067

Help Needed at Rendezvous

Over the past twelve months the Rendezvous Team and their partners have become plagued by various medical ailments. This means that, sometimes, we are finding putting the tables and chairs away after our monthly meeting a little bit of a struggle. If you have fifteen minutes to spare at 11.45a.m. on the second Tuesday of each month and are able to help us with this task, we would be very grateful for your assistance. Contact Linda 01749 860067 or Diana 01749 860224.

15

Charity Theatre Trips to Bristol Hippodrome

Our latest reservations are for My Fair Lady, performed by the superb Bristol Light Opera Company in September and the pantomime Aladdin in January. Both trips are planned to be weekend matinees, but for My Fair Lady we will probably set off early and spend the morning in Bristol, with a choice of a two hour tour of the theatre, shopping, or sight-seeing. We also hope to be at three Welsh National Opera performances: Strauss’s Die Fledermaus, in October; Puccini’s Tosca and Verdi’s La Forza del Destino in April 2018. If new to opera Tosca would be a great way to experience one – wonderful music and a riveting story. Although some trips seem a long way ahead to book, you will get the best seats by booking early, and you can cancel without charge until the payment date, which is shown on line at www.theatretrips.webeden.co.uk Book on the website, or e-mail coxtheatretrips@btinternet.com, or phone 01458 273085.

16

W.J.TROTMAN FUNERAL DIRECTORS (incorporating Oswald Clarke Funeral Directors of Bruton)

Ashdene, Cranmore, Shepton Mallet Somerset BA4 4QQ

Telephone: 01749 880271

A family run business for over four generations. Private Chapel of Rest

Pre-Paid Funeral Plans Available

Alison Bower

Pianist/Keyboard Player Music tuition in the comfort of your own home. Music for all occasions Tel 01749 831250

07748 302533 Alisonpianist.co.uk

~ All Plumbing work carried out ~ Complete bathroom and kitchen installations ~ Home improvements Free Quotations No VAT Tel: 07884434625 01963 441099

17

18

VILLAGE LUNCH

The Village Lunch is held on the last Tuesday of the month in the Jubilee Hall at 12.30pm.

Menu for 25th April

Turkey Leek & Mushroom Pie Smoked Haddock Pancakes

Red Dragon Pie ~~~~~

Selection of Puddings ~~~~~

Tea or Coffee.

£4.00 per person.

If you would like to come let either Jessica Leach (860205) or Vee Lees (860542) know by the previous Wednesday, (19th ).

There will be a raffle as usual - any prizes will be welcome.

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Providing people in Somerset’s rural communities with easier access to information and services

The Somerset Village Agent project is a project of Community Council Somerset (CCS) and now covers over half of the county. The project uses paid, part time, highly trained individuals living in the parish ‘clusters’ they support. They help to bridge the gap between isolated, excluded, vulnerable and lonely individuals and statutory and/or voluntary organisations which offer specific solutions to identified needs.

Village Agents offer a signposting and referral service with a difference

Village Agents work with all ages dealing with a wide variety of issues, although a considerable number of their clients are elderly and involves social care issues. Helping to solve these problems may, ultimately, help the elderly to remain living independently for longer. Village Agents also have the role of helping to shape services by feeding back to the appropriate body information about gaps in service e.g. transport provision. They can also motivate and support a community to respond to a local need by working together to address issues e.g. by helping them to set up a coffee morning for a group of lonely people or start a volunteer car scheme.

With most organisations you have to visit them at their office location. Village Agents are different. You phone or Email them, and they will make the appointment and come to you in your own home, listen to your requirements or concerns and help to find a satisfactory solution.

My name is John Lapwood and I am your Village Agent – you can contact me on 07852 961839 or email me john@somersetrcc.org.uk

I offer a free confidential service to help you maintain or improve your quality of life while living in a wonderful rural community. I am here to help so please give me a ring.

John Lapwood

John Lapwood Your Village Agent

20

Holistic Therapist

Mary Rynn I.T.E.C. I.I.H.H.T. Fully Qualified & Insured

Mobile Therapist Advanced Reflexology

Swedish Massage

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Pregnancy Massage

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JeremyDodd GardeningServices

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21

Yenstone Walling and Paving Free quotations Professional and friendly service Certified Dry Stone Waller DSWA member CIS / CSCS registered Dry Stone Walling and Paving All types of stone walling Small and large jobs undertaken Landscaping / groundworks and site clearance undertaken

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22

The Wildlife Group Update Share a close encounter with wild life: I heard my first Chiffchaff

this year on the 14th March and recently I have been hearing Skylarks overhead, a real joy. Last month I wrote about giving nature some room in our gardens. Let me try and explain the emotional barriers to doing just that from a personal perspective. Bob and I were friends of the garden writer Christopher Lloyd who graphically described the conversion of his Rose garden to a subtropical garden. Obviously he firstly had to make the decision of converting the rose beds which he had grown up with into something quite different. Then there was the implementation. A memory I have is of him telling us how the Roses shrieked and groaned as they were being dug out, so the whole experience was obviously quite traumatic for him, from a gardening perspective! Converting my lawn to meadows was not easy for me either. Firstly it took me two years to decide to do it, then there was the first time I didn't cut the grass and let it grow, no shrieks but a big leap of faith. The rationale is that gardens are an under developed resource for wildlife and as our countryside becomes ever more industrialised for food production this resource becomes ever more vital for wildlife. The HTA (Horticultural Trades Association) say that the UK's gardens total acreage, are about the acreage of Somerset. Flowering meadows and the textural difference they bring are beautiful in their own right. The nodding heads of long grass and the buzz of insects in the "meadow" are much more interesting and dramatic than the staid closely cut lawn. In fact there is a certain strangeness in our addiction to "the Lawn". The closely controlled formal gardens of Versailles or Blenheim were some of the original lawns (before that Elizabethans used herb "lawns" of Chamomile) which then gave way to the Landscape movement epitomised by "Capability Brown". He managed to sell his ideas to his clients as a cost cutting exercise as well as a new and trendy idea. Instead of many gardeners scything the huge formal grass

A lovely wildflower lawn. With thanks to Carrie and David

23

areas, sheep grazed up to the Ha-ha boundary, giving income and saving costs. Modern methods of lawn maintenance come about from our use of grass areas as a playing surface for Bowls or Tennis. There is a parallel to your grass patch. Do you want to be a slave to regular mowing, paying for poisoning the soils with moss killers and fertilisers, or would you prefer a simpler regime of cutting and raking off with less mowing between the long grass periods? For me it was a no brainer! My guests also enjoy and admire the wildflower areas. I have handouts on wildflower meadow establishment and maintenance if you are interested. Froglets for free. Get on the list! Every year my daughter and I save the frogspawn from being eaten by the fish and raise froglets in an old sand pit. They will need new homes in April/May. If you have a wildlife pond and would like it stocked with beautiful froglets please contact me. Meeting up: We are starting our visit program in May to track down Woodland birds like Pied Flycatchers and Wood Warblers. It will be an all day visit and to join in with us you will need to contact me directly to be on the visit list. Tips: Buy and plant some winter flowering plants and shrubs now for next year's pollinators to feed on.

Contact information: Bridget Wadey: email:thewildlifegroup@btinternet.com or phone: 01749 860240

You can follow our activities by: joining our emailing list; contact Bridget see above

through the FTN news (www.fossetrinitynews.co.uk), there is usually a monthly update on the Wildlife group

or www.ditcheatchurch.co.uk, this site publishes our meetings and activities as they happen. The Wildlife Group has its own tag

Photo Competition: What is this bird? Photo by Rafe Gill. Answers by email or phone to Bridget before 10th ofApril.

The March Photo competition was of the back view of a Moorhen!

24

Ditcheat Weather - Feb 2017

February can be, and often is, an odd month where weather is concerned.

One expects it to be an extension of January, with more periods of cold weather and snow.

Looking back through my data for the 4 years that we have been here I get the impression that February cannot make its mind up if it is a spring month or a winter month. The table of data at the end of this report seems to support that view.

At the beginning of the month the sensationalist newspapers were predicting Armageddon ahead of the arrival of Storm Doris. True to form they got it wrong again.

I think our cat Otis is better at reacting to the weather. If it is raining he won’t go out, if it is windy he races from one end of the house to the other like a maniac, if it “might” rain he refuses to budge from the duvet. If there is a full moon that is another story altogether.

From the 5th-12th temperatures were low, with winds from the East to the North. Snow flurries were seen on the 11th.

Doris’ day was the 23rd, the wettest day of the month (10.7mm) and the windiest (35 mph gust). Interestingly that gust is only the third highest for a February. Even so the electricity pole across the road from us snapped at its base causing temporary mayhem in “Upper Ditcheat”. The road was duly closed and the power was off for 6 hours. I have to say I was impressed with the speed of reaction of Western Power Distribution, who had engineers on site within 30 minutes of me calling them.

According to the Met Office this Feb was the 9th warmest since 1910. Nationally rainfall was slightly above average, but there is a marked difference between

25

the North and the South of the UK. According to my station we had little over 2” (55mm) - which is the lowest value I have recorded for a February.

A generally dull month gave sunshine figures of just 79% of average. Sadly my solar panels recorded even less at just 66% of predicted.

Never mind, spring is around the corner….or is it?

Geoff Webber Live weather … www.geoffwebber.co.uk/weather

Feb Max deg c

Min deg c

>10c days

< 0c nights

rain total

wet days

wind run miles

2017 12.8 -0.8 4 4 55 17 2430.5

2016 14.6 -2.9 8 7 83.6 15 2040.3

2015 11.1 -3.2 3 11 69.0 14 1416.6

2014 12.5 0.2 9 0 149.6 28 2741.0

US NAVY SHIP VS LIGHTHOUSE The following is the transcript of a radio conversation between a US naval ship and Canadian authorities off the coast of Newfoundland in October 1995. The Radio conversation was released by the Chief of Naval Operations on Oct. 10, 1995: US Ship: Please divert your course 0.5 degrees to the south to avoid a

collision. CND reply: Recommend you divert your course 15 degrees to the South to

avoid a collision. US Ship: This is the Captain of a US Navy Ship. I say again, divert your

course. CND reply: No. I say again, you divert YOUR course! US Ship: THIS IS THE AIRCRAFT CARRIER USS CORAL SEA, WE ARE A

LARGE WARSHIP OF THE US NAVY. DIVERT YOUR COURSE NOW!!

CND reply: This is a lighthouse. Your call.

26

The Natural World

As I keep bees this could at first, seem self indulgent, but the creature in the photo presents a clear and present danger to all pollinating insects, and a lot of others too.

A single Asian hornet queen arrived in the Lot & Garonne region of France in 2004, hidden in a shipment of garden pots from eastern China. The progeny of that single queen has since managed to colonise the whole of France, northern Spain, northern Italy, northern Portugal

and part of Belgium. It has had a devastating effect on the honeybee colonies of those areas. Worst hit is the south west of France where they are losing half of their colonies of bees each year, to this single predator.

Hornets and wasps are very similar in their behaviour and lifestyle. At the beginning of the season, young fertilised queens, which are the only survivors from last season, start a new colony and their young (the larvae) require a high protein food to boost their growth. The preferred source of this protein is the concentration of muscles in the thorax of other flying insects. European hornets live in smaller colonies, and although they have similar tastes to their relatives, present a smaller problem. Wasps do predate honeybees, but their activities can be restricted by taking precautionary measures. Asian hornets are different. They are pretty singular in their choice of food. They love honeybees, and have worked out that a beehive contains an enormous source of food, but they have also deduced that bees returning to the hive are tired and loaded down with pollen or nectar, making it harder for them to defend themselves. What is more, Asian hornets, which are not much bigger than a wasp, hunt in packs. This gives the bees even less chance of avoiding them.

A pack of Asian hornets can deplete a hive to the point where it will not survive, in just a few hours.

Asian Hornet

Asian hornet hawking a beehive

27

But they are in France and the rest of Europe, so what’s all the fuss about?

A careful watch has been kept at and near airports and sea ports, because it has been fully expected that they will get across the channel. On September 20th of 2016, Asian hornets were discovered at, Tetbury in Gloucestershire, a location far from the coast, and the original sighting was not near beehives. The hornets were feasting on aphids which were infesting willow trees, but very soon afterwards, they were discovered to be hunting around 6 colonies of bees within 500 metres of the original sighting.

Tetbury is 46 miles from Ditcheat, so why worry? Well! One week after the discovery in Tetbury, a dead Asian hornet was found in north Somerset, north of the Mendips, 28 miles from Tetbury, and the following day, a further dead Asian hornet was found in Bath.

I said earlier that only mated queens survive the winter by hibernating. What I didn’t say is that they will fly up to 38 miles from the nest site before deciding to hibernate. This is the reason that they have colonised France so easily, a spread of that distance, in all directions, each year soon accounts for the problem. Although the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA), a section of DEFRA, did their best to control the Gloucestershire colony, it was quite late in the year, and new queens may have already left the immediate area.

It is extremely important that we all keep a look out for these varmints and their nests, which can be enormous, although very well camouflaged. They will be in the tops of trees and can be 2 feet across, but when there are leaves on the trees, they are not easy to see.

We may not be able to stop their colonisation of the UK, but we can make it very difficult for them.

Stewart Gould somertonbees@btinternet.com

Asian hornet’s nest

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DITCHEAT BOOK GROUP Hannah Kent’s Burial Rites

Review by Clare West

‘They said I must die. They said that I stole the breath from men, and now they must steal mine.’ So says Agnes Magnusdottir, a woman convicted of murder and arson, and awaiting execution.

Burial Rites, Hannah Kent’s first novel, is set in Iceland, in the early nineteenth century, and is based on events that actually happened there. Iceland’s last public execution took place in 1830, when a man and a woman were beheaded for murder committed on a remote farm (the execution block and axe are still on display at the National Museum in Reykjavik). As there were no prisons in Iceland, before her execution the condemned woman was sent to wait out the winter at another local farm, under the supervision of the farmer’s family. This book tells the story of that winter, and it is a fascinating tale.

At first the arrival of the stranger at the isolated farmhouse is greeted with trepidation and even horror, but gradually there is a degree of tolerance and acceptance, as relationships change over the long months of the Icelandic seasons. The small group of farm people have to put their fear of Agnes aside, in order to deal with the heavy routine work on the farm, and they begin to see her as a person rather than a criminal. Finally, in a rare moment of confession, Agnes reveals to the farmer’s wife, who has the most compassion in the household, what really happened at the murder scene, and who is to blame.

I felt cold all the time I was reading this book. The freezing, bone-aching chill of the Icelandic winter is brilliantly evoked; there is only rudimentary heating in the farmhouse, and food is very basic. When the snow is heavy, there is no possibility of leaving the farm or getting outside help. For warmth the family live and sleep together in one main room (the badstofa), so it feels extremely claustrophobic. No wonder they had difficulty incorporating Agnes into their tight-knit unit.

The knowledge that she is due to be executed hangs menacingly over the whole narrative. Death could be just around the corner for anybody in this harsh climate, but for Agnes, a relatively young and healthy woman, it is miserably predictable.

Although the story is presented through the viewpoints of different characters, showing their evolving attitudes to the situation, the most striking voice is that of Agnes. She is the only one whose narrative is in the first person, and this has the effect of deepening our emotional involvement with her. So, despite the heinous crimes she has been charged with, we realise she is just a flawed human being like all of us, and we hope for her pardon or redemption.

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ALL OUR YESTERDAYS SUNDAY, 11TH JUNE, 2017 at 2pm. 

DITCHEAT PRIORY & THE ABBEY FARM TITHE BARN

ENJOY

MOTORING MEMORIES PICTURES & MEMORABILIA OF OLD DITCHEAT

CHILDREN`S TREASURE TRAIL GAMES AND ACTIVITIES

& LADY DORCHESTER AT HOME

CREAM TEAS AND HOME-MADE CAKES PIMMS BAR

Entry: £4.00, including souvenir booklet Children free

For further details, please ring: Cars: Alan 01749 860438; Roger 01749 860304 House party & pictures: Stephen: 01749 830538

Proceeds in aid of Fosse Trinity Benefice VOLUNTEERS NEEDED TO ASSIST WITH

CATERING AND PUBLICITY Please contact Anthony on 01749 860541 if you can

help

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CHURCH SERVICES FOR APRIL Sunday 2nd 5th Sunday of Lent 9.30am Parish Communion at Ditcheat 11.00am Morning Worship at East Pennard Sunday 9th Palm Sunday 11.00am Parish Communion at Pylle

HOLY WEEK Monday 10th 7.30pm Holy Communion, at Alhampton Tuesday 11th 10.00am Benefice Midweek Communion at Ditcheat Thursday 13th MAUNDY THURSDAY 7.30pm Communion of the Lord’s Supper at Ditcheat Friday 14th GOOD FRIDAY 2.00pm Final Hour at Pylle Sunday 16th EASTER DAY 9.30am Parish Communion at Ditcheat 11.00am Parish Communion at East Pennard Sunday 23rd 2nd Sunday of Easter 9.30am Parish Communion at Alhampton Sunday 30th 3rd Sunday of Easter 11.00am Parish Communion at Pylle

CHURCH SERVICES FOR MAY

Sunday 7th 4th Sunday of Easter 9.30am Parish Communion at Ditcheat 11.00am Morning Worship at East Pennard

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Thine be the glory Risen conquering Son

This glorious Easter hymn, sung to a tune by G.F. Handel, was one Margaret and I had at our wedding. The reason: we got married on what was Easter Monday that year, 23 April 1973 – 44 years ago, though it hardly seems like it! Easter was almost as late as it can be that year, and in 2017 it is quite late. Actually it’s strange isn’t it, Easter is always early or late, never on time?! So the daffodils, as I write this, are already past their best, but no doubt the faithful church flower decorators will come up trumps as usual. Shortly after Easter the wedding season begins to make itself felt and by high summer, right through to Christmas (almost literally) young people will be coming to (mainly) East Pennard Church to be married. It is always a delight to get to know them in the 6-12 months that they regularly attend Sunday services. From now on the facilities at the west end of the church will enable people to received well, and it is a lot of money (around £100,000 I think) well spent. On a much smaller scale the works of renovation at Ditcheat Church Room are nearly finished and page 59 you will see an invitation to an Open Morning to see what has been achieved (for £20,500 mainly from grants). In addition plans for the future will be shared. I wish you a happy and joyous Easter.

Graham Hendy

EASTER BINGO Thursday 6th April 2017

Ditcheat Village Hall Doors open 6.30pm Eyes down 7pm

Lots of wonderful Easter Prizes £2 entrance to include refreshments

and wonderful Easter Biscuits In Aid of Ditcheat Church

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Ditcheat Players next play is “Ladies in Lavender” 18 – 20 May. This year’s play is a departure from the Players recent run of light comedies. Shaun Locke’s stage version of “Ladies in Lavender”, adapted from Charles Dance’s screenplay starring Maggie Smith and Judi Dench, was first performed in 2012.

Set in 1936 it tells of two spinster sisters, Ursula and Janet, who live near a quiet Cornish fishing village. Their gentle and secluded lives are thrown into turmoil when they find a handsome young stranger washed ashore close to their cottage. The sisters take him under their wing and nurse him back to health. However the presence of the mysterious young man disrupts their lives and that of the local community.

“Ladies in Lavender” is an evocative and heart-warming story of unfulfilled dreams and unrequited love that is interlaced with moments of comedy.

(Full information and tickets are available from the Ditcheat Players website www.ditcheatplayers.org.uk or by calling Gaye on 01749 860081)

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EAST PENNARD NEWS

Many congratulations to Hugh Latta who is currently head chorister at Wells Cathedral School and is also a 'Specialist Musician' in Voice and Trombone. You may recall him singing in our Carol Services here in East Pennard and he will be singing in Wells Cathedral at various services over Easter. His younger brother Ozzie is following closely behind him, singing in the Wells Cathedral School Choir and solos in our Carol Services. We wish them both all the very best in the future.

Spectra Musica in Wincanton

Spectra Musica are eagerly anticipating their return to the beautiful St.Luke and St.Teresa’s Church, Wincanton on 1st April, All Fools’ Day, with a concert entitled ‘These foolish things’. However, Musical Director Peter Leech has compiled a programme which is far from foolish but as usual covers a huge range of musical genres. The group will acknowledge Monteverdi’s 450 Anniversary, and also include works by Schumann, Liszt and Saint-Saëns. On a lighter note will be works by Cole Porter and Bob Chilcott and a piece recognising the great achievement of Pythagoras, set in a style reminiscent of Gilbert and Sullivan – April Fool? Concert pianist Anita D’Attellis will also feature in the programme as well as accompanying the group.

Tickets, priced £12, are available from 01963 350160, from tickets@spectramusica.co.uk or on the door, for the concert starting at 7.30pm.

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PYLLE NEWS Happy Easter to one and all Church Flowers and cleaning April Wendy Billing May Pat Thorner June Jacy Wood If the church is locked please contact the church wardens Teresa 831419, Hilary 830538, Carolyn Fussell 830120, or Alan Cary 07896945936 to obtain a key. Ladies Working Party - Joanna Miln 838757 The LWP will meet at the Coffee Den on Wednesday 5th April at 12 noon for lunch. Raffles please from Jo in April. An Evening of Music and Fun As I write we are in full preparation for our evening with musical couple Kate Howden and Paul Jones. I would like to thank everybody who has helped with the preparation for this evening and who will help on the night. It will be the first event in the hall since the floor has been laid and hopefully everybody will have had a chance to appreciate it and how smart the hall looks now. From our church correspondent Just a reminder - there will be no evening services at Pylle this summer. Thanks to Graham and a few stalwart organisers we have had some splendid special services over the last two years but our PCC feels that with relatively few members we should concentrate on the regular morning services. All good things have to come to an end. Our thanks also go to Jean Halford who was always prepared to lead our evensongs even to a minute congregation. Village Hall Floor Pylle village hall now has a beautiful new floor and with the refreshed decoration looks fabulous. There are still a couple of outstanding jobs to do, like replacing the blinds, and installing an air curtain over the door to keep the heat in but after a long period of fund raising and installation the end is in sight, so come and use your village hall and help us keep it going. To hire Pylle village Hall: £7.50 per hour or £6.50 per hour for more than 4 regular bookings. For more information and to book the hall please contact Joanna Miln on 01749 838757

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Mothers’ Union – Shepton Mallet Deanery At the last meeting of our Deanery’s Mothers’ Union held at St Cuthbert’s Church in Wells, Rev Dick Acworth gave us an enjoyable and thought provoking talk to help us prepare for Lent and Easter. Many thanks to St Cuthbert’s for hosting this. You are all are warmly invited to our next Mothers’ Union meeting on Wednesday 26th April when we will be meeting at 10.30am at St Mary Magdalene’s Church in Ditcheat. We will start with coffee and then have a Prayer Walk – either inside or outside depending on the weather! Margaret Hendy will be telling us of a new project with which we can become involved. There will also be the enrolment of some new members. Do come along and join us – you are welcome even if you are not a Mothers’ Union member! If you require a lift please let Margaret or myself know and we would be happy to organise one for you.

Lynn Rendell Tel:01749 671456

Mothers’ Union – St Dunstan’s & District

St.Dunstan's and District held their March meeting on Thursday 9th at 2.30pm, in Baltonsborough Church Room.

They welcomed their guest speaker Mr.Williamson, who is a fundraiser for St. Margaret's Hospice and a National Trust volunteer.

Since retiring, two years ago, Mr. Williamson has undertaken Treks for massive fund raising needed each year for the Hospice. In 2015 he spent two weeks trekking in Nepal and raised thousands of pounds from friends in this country. His slides showed sensational scenes and the beautiful view at ten and a half thousand feet at the top of Poon Hill. Tea rooms were along the route, again with lovely views and providing refreshment for travellers. A Buddhist monk in the group erected prayer flags, to celebrate their Trek.

While in Nepal Mr. Williamson visited a school with over three hundred children. Some pupils walk over two hours to school each day. Their classrooms are extremely basic. The people he met were poor with very low living conditions, but friendly and welcoming.

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In April Mr. Williamson plans a Trek in Peru to raise further money towards St. Margaret's Hospice which needs seven and a half million pounds per year. Members bought beakers and other items on sale and Mr. Williamson was thanked for his admirable and informative talk.

The Diocesan Annual Meeting is arranged for Friday 7th April, 10am to 1pm at Keinton Mandeville Village Hall. Guest Speaker, The Venerable Kevin Roberts, Acting Wells Archdeacon.

Thursday 13th April at 2.30pm Mrs. Jane Sedgman is the speaker, "Reflections of a Lay Reader" in Baltonsborough Church Room.

All members and visitors very welcome.

Jill Done

Camelot U3A will hold their monthly meeting at Caryford Hall at 2.30pm on Friday 28th April when the speaker will be Ben Kane. Author of best selling Roman historical fiction, he was recently awarded a doctorate by Bristol University for his research and will be talking about his experience walking Hadrian’s Wall in full Roman dress.

All members and visitors are welcome.

Langport & District Red Cross Group is appealing for collectors in the surrounding towns and villages during the 2017 Red Cross Week, Sunday 7th to Saturday 13th May. An hour or two of a volunteer's time during this week will be warmly welcomed and will help keep the Red Cross service running in this area.

Please contact Chris, the Group Leader, on 01458 273085 or e-mail cox.cj@btinternet.com.

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A. TREVENEN PASCOE BSc. (Hons) Ost. Med. ND.

OSTEOPATH 42 High Street Shepton Mallet Somerset BA4 5AS Tel. (01749) 342594 PPP/AXA and BUPA recognised

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Ditcheat Parish Council Précis of the draft minutes from the Parish Council (PC) meeting held on the 9th March 2017. PRESENT: Chairperson – Councillor Evans (CE); Councillors Clark (HC), Harrison (HH), Travis (RT), Sage (AS), Dando (JD), Hughes (LH) and Clifford (SC). IN ATTENDANCE: Miss P Griffiths – Clerk to the Council. BY INVITATION: Mr John Lapwood, Village Agent, Community Council for Somerset. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION – Mrs L Oborne, addressed the council to give support to the proposal to retain the telephone kiosk in Alhampton for use as a location for a defibrillator. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE – Apologies for absence from Councillor Hutton were received and approved. District Councillor Greenhalgh (JG) and PCSO Dury had also sent apologies. CODE OF CONDUCT – Declarations of interest and dispensations. JD declared a personal interest in agenda item 030/17 d) as a close relative works for the organization. SC declared a professional interest in 026/17 about village agents chair of the Somerset voluntary, community and social enterprise forum which includes the Community Council which operates village agents. CE declared a personal interest in 034/17 b) 1) as recipient of the payment. VILLAGE AGENTS - John Lapwood, from Community Council for Somerset, gave an overview of the service provided by Village Agents which is primarily a support and sign posting service. CE proposed and it was unanimously agreed to support the Village Agent initiative. Mr Lapwood confirmed that he had sent information to the Parish magazine for publication and that he would be attending the ‘Rendezvous’ when possible. The Clerk will put notices on the noticeboard. COUNTY AND/OR DISTRICT COUNCILLORS REPORTS - The Chairman read out the brief report from JG: Since the start of the New Year much of the focus of the Council has been on the budget for 2016/17 and continuing to bed in the new 5 councils’ partnership but not to the exclusion of other matters. Particular points of interest are as follows: A balanced budget for 2017/18 has been approved by the full council. Even

with the gradual withdrawal of the Government Support Grant (ending in 2020) the Council is in a sound financial position with no cuts to services or jobs foreseen for the forthcoming year. The budget does include an increase of 1.99% in council tax.

As part of the council’s drive to raise money from other sources the Shape Mendip Lottery has now been launched. Details can be found on the MDC website.

The 5 councils’ partnership continues to bed in well with service improvements already being seen. Land charges searches for example are now dealt with within 9 days.

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The planning application to extend the Council building for the Shepton Mallet library has been submitted. The move will happen towards the end of the year.

The focus of the council is now turning to updating the Corporate Plan, transformation, boosting the local economy and assessing the impact of the proposed Parliamentary boundary review.

The Heart of the South-West devolution bid remains stalled; clarification of its future is being sought with the Local Government Minister.

MINUTES - The minutes of the meeting held on 26th January 2017 were approved and signed as a correct record by the Chairman.

MATTERS ARISING - from the meeting held on 26th January 2017. a) Land opposite The Lodge and access onto Class 4 road from land opposite

The Lodge on the A37 – The Clerk reported the Planning Department had still not received the expected planning application for the site however it was understood that the owner intended to access the site from the A37 and not the unclassified road going towards Ditcheat.

b) Telephone kiosk in Alhampton: LH talked to the document previously circulated and explained that there was considerable interest in Alhampton for the installation of a defibrillator in the redundant telephone kiosk. LH confirmed that it would be necessary for the kiosk to be adopted by the PC but that there was significant commitment on the part of some residents in Alhampton to raise the money to cover the costs. LH stated that it appeared that the best option would be to enter into a contractual agreement with the Community Heartbeat Trust (CHT). It was noted that in the future should there be a short fall in funding the contract could be terminated with the defibrillator equipment being returned to the CHT. CE proposed that the PC accepts the proposal as per Item 4 of LH’s paper in order to start the process. RESOLVED following a vote with seven in favour and one abstention to proceed.

c) ‘Reduce speed now’ signs – nothing to report as the traffic engineer dealing with this matter has just returned to work after a prolonged absence. The Clerk will follow up for the next meeting.

d) Parish Emergency Plan – SC tabled a draft template which it was agreed would be most useful as a record of contact details. The Clerk will complete the template and circulate for comment.

MINUTES - The minutes of the meeting held on 16th February 2017 were approved and signed as a correct record by the Chairman. PLANNING - The following planning application was considered: 1) Erection of a single-storey, detached double garage and bike store, Green

Tree Corner, Ditcheat. Ref: 2017/0350/FUL. Outcome: Unanimous ‘Recommend approval’.

b) It was noted that planning permission has been granted for the following: Amberwell, Alhampton for approval of condition 3;

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Middle House, Sutton for approval of conditions 3, 4 and 6; Green Tree Corner, Ditcheat for approval of reserved matters following outline approval.

FINANCE - Account balance as at 28th February 2017 is £11,763.11. RESOLVED: that the expenditure detailed below is approved and the cheques signed - Mr C Evans for materials for repair of the Ditcheat to Sutton footpath - £40.79. Ditcheat Jubilee Hall for room hire - £6.50. Devon Association of Local Councils for attendance at South West Regional Conference - £72.00. Community Council for Somerset - £40.00. Miss P Griffiths for Clerk’s salary for period 1st Jan to 31st Mar 2017 - £663.30. HMRC for PAYE/NICS for period 1st Jan to 31st Mar 2017 - £166.00. PLAYGROUND - Grant application to Tesco Bags for Life for safety matting – it was noted that DPC’s application to the Tesco Bags of Help Grant Scheme has been successful and the project along with two other successful projects in our region will go forward to a vote in Tesco stores where their customers will decide the outcome by voting for their favourite project each time they shop. Voting will take place from Wednesday 1st March to Saturday 29th April. The project with the highest number of votes across our region will receive up to £5,000, the second placed project up to £2,000 and the third placed project £1,000. It was agreed that publicity of the vote should be encouraged. The Clerk will put notices on the notice board, put a notice in the FTN and send information to the school. SC will publicise the vote on Twitter. Cleaning of safety matting – CE confirmed that the matting under the junior play equipment had been cleaned. HIGHWAYS: Update on items/matters for repair previously reported: 1. Potholes as reported at previous meeting – work completed. 2. Flooding at Folly Corner – Highways Department have accepted that

there is a problem with the culvert and has been placed on the work programme.

3. Blocked culverts/drains on Snagg Lane and Moor Lane – awaiting update.

New matters for report: The road edges and surface on the Ditcheat to Alhampton road. There are two signs on the A371 which had been damaged. The Clerk confirmed that the poor state of the surface of Moor Lane and West Lane in Alhampton has been reported. FOOTPATHS, BRIDLEWAYS AND RIGHTS OF WAY. a) Update on matters previously reported: The Clerk reported that it appeared

from the SCC website that the bridleway SM6/26 had been re-opened. b) Ditcheat to Sutton footpath - CE wished it to be put on record the thanks

from the PC to RH for the donation of a large amount of sand and to Tom Yeoman for moving it to the work site which had saved the PC a considerable

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amount of money. CE reported that work on the Alhampton to Sutton section of the footpath has begun and is going well.

FEEDBACK FROM COUNCILLOR ATTENDING ‘THE RENDEZVOUS’ – JD reported that he had received a comment about the problem of items falling out of the open sided recycling vehicles and would the PC make representation to the company responsible for the recycling service. ITEMS OF REPORT AND INCLUSION ON AGENDA FOR THE NEXT MEETING. Members – HC reported that all the arrangements for the Litter Pick including a risk assessment were in place. A planning meeting will be held on Thursday 30th March 2017 at 7.30 pm in the

Church Room DATE OF THE NEXT MEETING – Thursday 20th April 2017 at 7.30 pm in the

Church Room. PLEASE CHECK THE NOTICEBOARDS FOR AGENDAS AND DATES.

MEMBERS OF THE PARISH AND PRESS WELCOME. FOR INFORMATION: The agenda for all meetings is displayed on the website www.ditcheatparishcouncil.org.uk and the notice boards in the parish i.e. Alhampton, Ditcheat, and Sutton at least 3 working days prior to the meeting.

DITCHEAT PARISH COUNCIL calls out for votes to bag a share of bag charge fund

DITCHEAT PARISH COUNCIL is bidding to bag a massive share

Tesco teamed up with Groundwork to launch its community funding scheme, which sees grants of £5,000, £2,000 and £1,000 – all raised from cash boost from the Tesco Bags of Help initiative, the 5p bag levy – being awarded to local community projects. Three groups in every Tesco region have been shortlisted to receive the cash award and shoppers are being invited to head along to Tesco stores to vote for who they think should take away the top grant. DITCHEAT PARISH COUNCIL is one of the groups on the shortlist.

PLAYGROUND IMPROVEMENTS FOR HEALTH AND SAFETY

Ditcheat Parish Council is grateful to Tesco for including our project in the ‘Bags for Help’ scheme as it is keen to continue the replacement of the safety matting to provide a safe environment for children using our playground.

Voting is open in stores throughout March and April. Customers will cast their vote using a token given to them at the check-out in store each time they shop.

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East Pennard and District Royal British Legion As I sit here in front of my computer looking at the the blank template for my monthly article, I’m thinking “what on earth am I going to write about this month”? Nothing has happened for me to discuss with you. The only thing that is going to happen is the Legion dinner, and you already have all the details for that, and anyway, by the time you get your magazine we will have had the event. I must confess that at this stage in the run-up to the dinner, we have not had a very good response, but, it is always the same. Everybody seems to wait until the last minute before committing, so I suppose I should be used to it by now. If I was a nail biter I would be down to the quick, but all I can do is to remind myself that it is the same every year and I should “relax’. I’m really looking forward to the evening; it is a good opportunity to catch up with old friends and have a good old natter......and you don’t have to do the washing-up. Let’s hope the numbers pick up quickly so that I can have a nice relaxing run-up to the night.

You may recall from last month that we have another commemorative service coming up at the end of March. This time it is for Alec Tom Merrifield. I’ve already given you the basics about his family and where he was born, but there is a huge gap between this and where he died and quite honestly I cannot find out much more information to fill in the gap, and what I have found out is a little confusing. I know from the family that he enlisted in 1915 when he was living in Neath. How he got from our part of the world to Neath, I’ve no idea.

According to his family, Alec enlisted in the 7th Battalion of the Gloucester Regiment; certainly, according to the CWGC he was in the 7th Battalion when he died of his wounds in March 1917. The 7th sailed from Avonmouth to Gallipoli (Turkey) in June 1915 and landed one month later. However, according to Military Records - Medals Awarded, Alec first served in France, and was entitled to The Victory Medal, The British War Medal and The 1915 Star. That entry is dated 26 November 1915. That’s all very confusing to a little brain like mine. If he joined in 1915 and the 7th Battalion sailed in the June of that year, how did Alec manage to first serve in France, and then end up with the 7th in the Middle East? I do appreciate that record keeping in war is very difficult and names do get mixed up, but Alec Tom Merrifield is quite a handful of a name and in all the research done I’ve only ever seen the one. His service number was 25860 - there doesn’t appear to be any confusion about that - but then, just to add to the fun of it all, there are at least 14 other soldiers with the same number, all with different names. Now, excuse me for being naive, but I thought that service numbers were unique to each individual. Just shows what I know.

Let us assume, somehow or other, that Alec ended up with the 7th Battalion. They hadn’t been having an easy time of things. Having landed in Gallipoli in the June or July they were quickly thrown into action, suffered heavy casualties and were evacuated in December 1915 and deployed to Egypt in January 1916.

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At this stage they must have been incorporated into the Allied Army whose task was to drive opposition forces out of the region; this became known as the Mesopotamian Campaign, and the opposition forces were mainly from the Ottoman Empire.

1916 was not a good year for the British and Allied forces and at one point over 13,000 troops had to surrender to the Ottoman forces mainly due to the very poor supply chain. A change of leadership in the British forces brought about an huge improvement in unloading ships and distributing supplies along a much improved road and rail network. By 1917 the Allied forces were able to go on the offensive. Now obviously, I have no idea of Alec’s involvement in all of this, but I do know that on the 11th March 1917 the Allies captured Baghdad. I also know that on the 30th March 1917 Alec died of wounds received in battle so it must be assumed that he was involved somehow in the offensive in the Basra area because he is Remembered with Honour on panel 17 of the Basra War Memorial.

I’m sorry all that seems a little vague but I cannot put any more meat on the bone, so to speak. A couple of interesting facts to finish with; I believe I am correct in saying that the “The Glorious Glosters” were the only unit in the British Army allowed to wear two cap badges, one on the front and one on the rear of their headdress. Secondly, that “The Glorious Glosters” have more battle honours on their regimental colours than any other British Army line regiment. I wonder how many people are going to pick me up on that!!

We’ve just been to the Rendezvous in Ditcheat and managed a couple more names for the dinner and established a “hit list” of people to tackle before the deadline for the food order; and, no! I don’t mean “rugby tackle”. Nothing in particular came out of our committee meeting, only the need to try and get the numbers up, otherwise our annual dinner might become a thing of the past. Next meeting Tuesday 11th April, 3pm at Charlie’s.

Jon Dickens

If you mislay your magazine this information is available on our website:

www.fossetrinitynews.co.uk.

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REPORT OF EAST PENNARD PARISH COUNCIL MEETING Held on Thursday, 26th January 2017 in the Village Hall

Present Adrian Pearse (Chairman), Kim Beer, Roger Cock, Paul

Heal, Hilary Tripp (Minute Secretary) and two members of the public. Hilary Tripp relayed a message from Audrey Dyson, on behalf of the Parish Council, giving condolences to the Chairman on the death of his father Lionel, who had served on the Council.

1. Apologies Martin Dearden and Audrey Dyson. Audrey Dyson was unable to attend due to lack of disabled access.

2. Minutes: The minutes of the last meeting were signed by the Chairman.

3. Matters Arising Glastonbury Festival: A special meeting had been held at the Coach House to discuss traffic problems, particularly Cockmill Lane and how it will be used during the Festival. There is an ongoing process to deal with these problems. Harry Dearden said that this year the pre-festival party held at Pennard Orchard will not be happening. Other issues will be dealt with in further meetings in the coming months. Parishioners to advise Martin Dearden of any Festival issues. Flooding: Copies of the County Council Flood Report had been sent to Parish Council members. Work is being done on the A37 but not in the village. The problems of flooding in the village, particularly for Mr. Ablitt, need to be pursued. Village Hall: There was a meeting last week, attended by Martin Llewellyn, who offered to do a full survey on the structural alterations needed to enable disabled access and to make the hall a warm, modern space. Meanwhile the hall is open for hire at the existing cost of £12.50 a day.

4. Financial Report Precept of £2500 has been applied for. Payment of £500 has been given to East Pennard PCC for grass cutting. Adrian Pearse to make enquiries regarding payment of £500 promised for Village Hall group.

5. Planning Applications

Boxbush Barn (Mr. and Mrs. Jones),New windows and door:- Approval with Conditions Rosebank, Pye Hill (Mr. Keith Poulton), Demolish existing steel clad barns and erect new barn:- Approval with Conditions

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Pennard House (Harry Dearden), Harry Dearden explained to the meeting that he is hoping to submit a planning application for the building of a residential dwelling in the walled gardens for himself and his family for a modern, low impact dwelling with ground source heat pumps and solar panels. No problems were foreseen with this proposal. Easton Lane travellers camp, The Chairman to make enquiries about what is happening here.

6. Correspondence

Tracey Millington - letter about the state of Cockmill Lane and the significant damage caused to the road by the volume of traffic going through at festival time, leaving jagged edges and huge potholes. There was no disagreement from the Parish Council, which is to pass the letter on to the Glastonbury Festival and also liaise with the Highways Department. Flood Report: see earlier in matters arising.

7. Date of Next Meeting

This will be on Thursday 11th May 2017 at 7.30pm

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MARK CURTIS ROOFING & BUILDING

www.markcurtisroofingltd.co.uk

Tiling/ slating/ flat roofs/ lead work Loft conversions

Listed building & restoration specialist General building

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SCAFFOLDING TO BUILDING

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Email mark@markcurtisroofingltd.co.uk

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St Mary Magdalene Ditcheat Rotas

April Flowers Brasses Cleaning 1st & 8th No Flowers Hazel Rowlands J & A Robson

15th & 22nd

EASTER Easter Team “ P & J Dando

26th Annual Church Clean 29th Emma Cobb B & I Rounsevell

Church Rooms Pat Dando May Flowers Brasses Cleaning 6th Emma Cobb B & I Rounsevell Hazel Rowland 13th Anne Robson “ “ 20th “ “ V Lees, M Hawes 27th Sally Atkins Jess Leach “

Church Rooms Eleanor Yeoman If you would like to help, please contact Jessica Leach (860205) for flowers and brasses, Vee Lees (860542) for church cleaning or Pat Dando (860448) for church room cleaning.

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EAST PENNARD CHURCH FLOWERS & CLEANING ROTA April Bumble Montgomery Shirley Baldwin May Shirley Elsebach Horst Elsebach Clare Hogg June Helen Ablett John Ablett Hilary Tripp We have vacancies on the Flowers & Cleaning team and if you enjoy floral decoration we have a window for decoration on special service days. If you are interested please contact Bridget Wadey: Tel: 860240

DITCHEAT CHURCH ROOM Open Morning

Saturday 22nd April (10.00-12.00)

Cakes and coffee – free

Look at what has been achieved with grants and donations of £20,500.

Exhibition of plans for future activities and uses of the Church Room. This is a gift of the Church to the community – a resource alongside the Jubilee Hall and other communal facilities.

Details of further equipment and furnishings needed.

An opportunity for you to add your gift – blue plaques not guaranteed!

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Who's Who ?

FOSSE TRINITY BENEFICE Interim Priest Canon Graham Hendy 677003 Reader Jean Halford 860422 Fosse Trinity Advisory Committee Jean Heal 860452 Fosse Trinity News Editor Margy Cockburn 860611 Fosse Trinity News Advertising Marcus Wyburn-Mason 860067 Fosse Trinity News Distribution Lesley Dunn 860746

Prayer Pyramid Co-ordinator { Anthony Sutcliffe Eleanor Yeoman

860541 860337

Mothers' Union Yvonne Stokes 01458 851480 Safeguarding Person Bridget Wadey 860240 Children's Society Jo Curtis 860898 ALHAMPTON Chapel Warden Jo Curtis 860898 Church Council Secretary Louisa Oborne 860252 Neighbourhood Watch Lynne Hughes 860654 FTN Correspondent Louisa Oborne 860252 EAST PENNARD Bells - Tower Captain Mervyn Buckley 01458 440180

Churchwarden { Jean Heal Susie Dearden

860452 860502

Church Council Secretary Church Room Hire Audrey Dyson 860317 Parish Council Chairman Adrian Pearse 890216 Royal British Legion Secretary Jon Dickens 01458 850241 United Charities Chairman Adrian Pearse 890216 Verger Ray Higgins 860339 PYLLE Bells - Tower Captain Joe King 890357

Churchwarden { Hilary Tudsbery-Turner Teresa Rossiter

830538 831419

Church Council Secretary Stephen Tudsbery-Turner 830538 Ladies Working Party (Chairman) Joanna Miln 838757 FTN Correspondent Joanna Miln 838757 Village Hall hire and keys Joanna Miln 838757

Email contacts are on page 62

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DITCHEAT Art Group Liz & Stewart Gould 860755 Badminton Club Secretary James Bairstow 860355 Bees – Swarms Stewart Gould 860755 Bells - Tower Captain Roger Yeoman 860304 Bells - Correspondence/Bookings Ben Look 860257 The Other Book Club Gail Dyke 860189 Church Council Secretary Louisa Oborne 860252 Church Room Hire Pat Dando 860448

Churchwarden { Anthony Sutcliffe Eleanor Yeoman

860541 860337

Community Car Service (ADEPPTS) Joyce Marsh 860493 Conservative Party Contact Elizabeth Crossley 860245 Country Dancing Deidre Pezaro 860594 Cricket Club Nick Mann 812304 Ditcheat Big Screen / Moviola Peter Volk 860081 Ditcheat School Richard Reid 860329 Friends of Ditcheat School (FODS) Katy Bryant 860329 Ditcheat Players Chairperson Gaye Volk 860081 Fosseway Garden Club Barbara Cary 860438 Jubilee Hall Chair Linda Wyburn-Mason 860067 Jubilee Hall Hire Anne Robson 860444 Jubilee Hall Website Peter Volk 860081 Keep Fit Linda Wyburn-Mason 860067 Neighbourhood Watch Jim Dando 860448 Parent & Toddler Group Pippa Clapham 860329 Parish Council Chairman Charles Evans 860336 Rendezvous Linda Wyburn-Mason 860067 Saturday Stitch Sally Yeoman 860304 Short Mat Bowls Martin Edgar 860780 Skittles Shirley Derby 07939198030 Village Lunch Jessica Leach 860205 Wildlife Group Bridget Wadey 860240 GENERAL Community Police Lucy Bagnowiec 101 Guy Dury 101

Please help us keep this information up-to-date. Email editor@fossetrinitynews.co.uk with any changes.

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Index of Advertisers

Printed by Parish Magazine Printing

Who's Who ? Email addresses

Fosse Trinity News Editor editor@fossetrinitynews.co.uk Fosse Trinity News Advertising adverts@fossetrinitynews.co.uk Fosse Trinity News Distribution distrib@fossetrinitynews.co.uk Ditcheat Parish Council ditcheatparishcouncil.org.uk Community Police Lucy.Bagnowiec@avonandsomerset.police.uk guy.dury@avonandsomerset.police.uk

Accounts, Hayley Spencer 31 Manor House Inn 55Animal Shelter, Happy Landings 17 Medical, Holistic Therapy 20Art Gallery, Studio 13 15 Medical, Homeopathy, Fionna Roberts 39Buildings, Timber Frame, W Latta 10 Medical, Osteopath, Trevenen Pascoe 43Computing, Stable Computers 10 Mobility, Sutton Stairlifts 31Curtains, covers etc, Helen Bushrod 2 Motoring, Bay Motor Co. 31Decorating, Ray Ackerman 43 Motoring, N E Motors 16Decorating, RJ Pinnell 24 Music Tuition, Piano, Alison Bower 16Driver, Philip Saunders 13 Odd Jobs, Alistair Gillard 2Electrician, Ian Lester 30 Oven cleaning, Ovencor 10Events, Pennard House 30 Plastering, Neil Piercy 39Events, Sparkford Hall 44 Plumber, James 16Fencing, Shepton Mallet Fencing 39 Recreation, Mendip Golf Club 52Flowers, Margy Cockburn 10 Removals & Storage, Armishaws 40Food, Gould's Cheddar 63 Roofing, Mark Curtis 56Funerals, Connock 43 Solicitor, J Derbyshire, Purely Probate 20Funerals, Trotman Funeral Directors 16 Solicitors, Bartlett, Gooding & Weelen 30Furniture Restorer, Piers Keating 10 Stone Mason, Thomas Kenrick 13Garage Doors, SDS 43 Stone Walling, Yenstone 21Garden Design, Jane Follis 15 Taxi, Tony Chinnock 39Gardening, Gil Oldaker 30 Tennis coaching 44Gardening, Jeremy Dodd 20 Transport, ADEPPTS 2Heating Services, R A Wicks 34 Travellers Rest, Stone 2Heating Services, Warm Welcome 13 Tree Surgeon, Jody Osborne 63Hire Shed 2 Tree Surgeon, M Parsons 16Home Maintenance, Mike Doyle 13 Tree Surgeon, Noel Radford 63Jewellery, Fosse Beads 9 Food, Jon Thorner's BackKeep Fit, Pilates 58

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Seasoned Logs

Charcoal