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- Spring 2008
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Nether Stowey May Fair
4th May 2008
May Pole dancing in the village centre
A wonderful weekend of May celebrations for the whole village was organised to coincide with visitors from Nether Stowey's twin village in France, Theillay.
This was the 10th anniversary since the villages were twinned, and it was going to be a special occasion. Starting with a civic reception on Friday evening and culminating in a large 'Party on the Playing Field' on Saturday.
[More, including photographs...]
If you were at the event, why not leave a comment on the forum? The organisers are looking for feedback, positive & negative, so that the next village event can be made even better.
And if you heard our local band, 'Shoot The Moon' at the party on Saturday, you would probably like to vote for them on Orchard FM - they are finalists in the Somerset Showcase.
Yankee Jack unveiled
23rd March 2008
Yankee Jack looking over Watchet Harbour
For over 40 years John Short, Watchet’s famous sailor and shantyman, sailed the world in a great variety of sailing ships as an able seaman and later as bosun. In the 1860s some of John’s ships ran the blockade in the American Civil War, and because of this he was affectionately awarded the nickname of “Yankee Jack” by Watchet townsfolk.
On the cold and windy afternoon of Saturday 22nd March a remarkable statue of Yankee Jack, commissioned by Watchet Market House Museum Society, was unveiled by Margaret Norman. Margaret is the widow of Ben Norman who was the main instigator of this project, a founder-member and past curator of the museum, local historian and author. Sadly, Ben, died this January and was unable to see the fulfilment of his ambition.
The statue is dedicated to Ben for his endeavour in securing its erection, which is marked by an attached plaque.
[More - the bronze and photos of the ceremony]
Yummy Scrummy!
It's Spaxton Lunch Club
March 2008
Spaxton's Lunch Club opened late last year and is growing in popularity.
Open from 1-2pm on Monday, Wednesday and Friday, the club provides good home cooking with fresh ingredients sourced and produced locally. Gilly and Jenny give an excellent service and serve generous portions at just £4.95 for two courses, tea and coffee included. On my recent visit I indulged in a succulent roast turkey dinner, followed by lemon meringue.
Local mothers, Gilly and Jenny, started the club late last year after deciding that the meals served at Spaxton School were not of sufficient quality for their children. They approached the school with their ideas for school meals and have won a contract to supply the school throughout 2008.
Meals are prepared at Spaxton Hall and delivered to the school for the younger children. Older children come to eat at the hall from 12-1pm, leaving a peaceful atmosphere for the lunch club diners from 1-2pm.
I would thoroughly recommend giving the lunch club a try.
Book to avoid disappointment -
Tel: 07964 710714.
Quantock Rangers move
March 2008
On the 3rd March the Quantock AONB moved from its office in Nether Stowey Library to their new home in Fyne Court. They are having a few technical problems
but are settling in well in their new larger home.
Their new telephone number is 01823 451884, at present they are having a few problems with accessing their e-mail in the office but the phones do work.
10Radio goes live
January 2008
A while back we reported on the community run radio station, 10Radio, which broadcasts from Wiveliscombe, close to the Quantocks. Well, this month it went live - and I must say that I'm impressed with what I've heard so far. Well done to all involved, it's some project!
You can dial in to 10Radio on 105.3FM or, for streaming over the Internet - visit 10Radio.
10Radio serves the ten parishes of Ashbrittle, Bathealton, Brompton Ralph, Chipstable, Clatworthy, Fitzhead, Huish Champflower, Milverton, Stawley and Wiveliscombe.
Quantock Dreaming
January 2008
As part of the project 'Quantock Dreaming - secret mappings, mapping secrets in the Quantock Hills' members of the public are invited to draw maps or directions to their favourite places in the Quantocks.
Specially designed postcards are available throughout the area in Schools, Libraries and Tourist Information Centres. An exhibition of the full project will be held in the summer of 2008.
[More...]
News from 1794
January 2008
Recently we were loaned a letter, dated September 1794, which was sent from Stowey by William Ridler to Mr Hancock, an Attourney at Law in Wiveliscombe.
Photographs and a transcript are on the following page, and we would be pleased to hear from anyone that can offer any historical information as to why the letter might have been sent. [More...]
Boxing Day Hunt
December 26th 2007
Hunt leaving Nether Stowey
New eductional web site for The Quantocks
December 4th 2007
Launch of Quantock Education web site
The Quantock Hills AONB service has just launched two new educational resources to help children learn more about their local landscape.
Seven teaching packs based on special sites around the Quantock Hills have been produced alongside a comprehensive new educational website www.quantockeducation.info .
Pupils from local schools attended the launch at Nether Stowey library on December 4th [More...]
Panto Season Starts
December 2007
Quantock Players "Snow White"
"Snow White and the 7 Dwarfs"
Quantock Players pantomine this year was another triumph. A smaller cast that usual but what a talented bunch. Again the youthful players stole the show, this year there were only 5 members of the cast over 21, the rest were all under 17. [more including photos]
Make Money from your Woodland
November 2007
Farmers and landowners who own small woodlands may be interested in two free events being held in December to show how woodlands can be managed economically, and sustainably so that an income can be generated from them. The events ‘Managing farm woodland for woodfuel production’ will have a range of expert speakers and demonstrations and will provide all the information a landowner or farmer needs to know to enter the growing market for woodfuel.
[More...]
Deer Cull
November 2007
The Quantock Deer Management and Conservation Group, of which the Quantock AONB Service is a member, have requested local landowners to take part in an organised cull of deer on the hills on November 30th.
"...the media have widely used emotive terms [about the cull] such as mass slaughter and bloodbath. While the truth about deer or other wildlife management usually makes for less exciting headlines."
Dr Jochen Langbein
Dr Langbein offers a fuller explanation of what the QDM&CG propose. [More...]
Kingston Art Show
October 2007
Kingston St Mary Art Show.
Every October Kingston St Mary's Village Hall hosts an Art Show for people in the area to exhibit their works. This year there was a very good turn out with nearly 200 paintings and sculptures on show.
Quantock Stars
October 2007
Kate and Poppy
Kate Goodridge-Griffiths and Poppy Duncan are two local girls from Nether Stowey who successfully auditioned to sing as a front of curtain act in the Bridgwater Carnival Concerts back in May. The pair are only 14 so this was quite an achievement as some of their competition were professional musicians.
The Carnival Concerts ran for 13 nights this October with a crowd of over 500 people every night. The duet performed two songs, ‘The Prayer’ , made famous by Celine Dion, and Lakme’s ‘Flower Duet’, featured in several films. Their act went down a storm with the audience and both BBC Somerset Sound and QueywestFM have asked them for an interview and a live performance.
At the end of the concerts the girls’ hard work paid off as they won every cup they were eligible for. The judges were very impressed, one commenting that they had “raised the standard for the Carnival Concerts”.
On the final night they took the prizes for the: – Best Song, Dance, Musical or Novelty Act over all.
Best Under 17 Act Front of Curtain Act, and Best Vocal Act – two or more.
We hope to hear them singing locally soon.
Protest at Cannington Cold Stores
September 2007
Local residents protesting outside
Cannington Cold Stores
A number of local people protested today outside Cannington Cold Stores, on the A39 just outside Cannington.
The protestors are very concerned about a proposed development there that would see the building of a "huge refrigerator in their back gardens." Residents feel that their concerns are not being listened to.
A group of residents attended a Parish Council meeting on Tuesday 11th September at Cannington Village hall, but were told that Cannington Parish Council had no jurisdiction over the matter and that if anyone had objections they should approach the District Council themselves. This response left many local people very un-satisfied.
In 2003 an application for extension of the site's existing use was withdrawn at the invitiation of the Area Planning Officer, Mr C Pulsfor, who stated in a letter to the applicant's agent:
"...I am concerned that this rural site is developing into a general warehouse facility totally unrelated to the agricultural based justification for the new buildings..."
Note: The deadline for raising objections has now been put back to 4th October. To view the plans see: planning application number 45/07/00022 at Sedgemoor District council .
If anyone wishes to comment directly you can
e-mail Mr Kitching, Development Control at Sedgemoor District Council.
Tour of Britain at Crowcombe
September 2007
The Tour of Britain, photograph by Louise Daw
The Tour visited Somerset on the 11th September, the racers had some difficult climbs at Porlock Hill and Watersmeet. The above photograph shows them on the A358 just outside Crowcombe as they raced towards the finish at Taunton.
Tour Of Britain web site
New Houses for Nether Stowey
September 2007
New affordable rented housing in Nether Stowey
Justin, from Falcon Rural Housing Ltd, gave the Parish Councilors from Nether Stowey a tour round the new houses for rental that are due to be completed by the end of the month. The houses are being built to very high environmental standards.
"Falcon Rural Housing is a pioneering developer of affordable housing exclusively for local people in the villages of Somerset and Devon. Falcon is renowned for building the highest quality homes that are highly sustainable both in construction methods and energy use."
[ More...]
Nether Stowey Wins in Calor Village of the Year
September 2007
Community action for Nether Stowey (C.A.N.S) entered the Calor Village of the year competition, winning the award for both The Large Village category and the Environment category for Somerset. The village narrowly missed out on the top award to Leigh on Mendip.
The chairwomen of CANS, Mary Roberts, is very pleased that the village has done so well and looks forward to receiving the awards later in the month.
The competition was organised this year by The Campaign to Protect Rural England . The CPRE web site contains all the details about the winners of the different categories.
Leigh on Mendip will be representing Somerset in the National competition.
The Samuel Taylor Coleridge Festival
September 2007During the month of October 2007, The Brewhouse Theatre and Arts centre Taunton, will be presenting a series of free events exploring the life and works of Samuel Taylor Coleridge. It was here in Somerset that he entered into the most creative period of his life and wrote the poetry for which he is remembered ( Including Kubla Khan, The Ancient Mariner and Frost at Midnight)
During his lifetime his prose was as influential as his poetry and covered a wide range of subject matter. The events explore both Coleridge's poetry and his wider legacy.
See Diary Page for events.
The Brewhouse Theatre and Arts Centre
Woodfuel Initiative -
Grants Available
August 2007
The Coordinated Woodfuel Initiative in the South West is a project run by the Centre for Sustainable Energy, in partnership with AONBs in the southwest, Dartmoor National Park, Forestry Commission and South West Protected Landscapes Forum. It aims to bring the benefits of wood heating to premises such as schools, community buildings, farms and large domestic properties.
If you are interested in a virtually carbon neutral form of heating with low running costs, for which grants may be available in the Quantock area, read on. [More...]
Quantock Hills Arts Project - Your help needed
6th August 2007
The Quantock Hills AONB has recently received funding from the Arts Council England South West, to develop a unique pilot rural arts project.
Four artists have been appointed and will start working on two collaborative arts project on the Quantock Hills experiencing the four seasons between September 2007 and July 2008.
In one of the projects the public will have an opportunity to participate early on by sending in their own secret maps and routes of the area on postcards.
[More...]
Government says NO to Unitary Authority for Somerset
26th July 2007
Yesterday the Government announced its decision to reject Somerset County Council's application to become a single Unitary Authority.
The decision was warmly welcomed by Somerset's five District councils.
[More...]
Rangers ask walkers to ‘be aware’ this Spring
April 2008
Spring is here, and the Quantock Rangers have a few helpful hints for those of us heading out onto the hills to enjoy the views and fresh air.
Dogs
The lambing season has begun on the hilltops, lambs and pregnant ewes are very vulnerable to being stressed by excitable dogs, in some cases causing the pregnancy to be aborted. Farmers and Quantock Hills Rangers ask the public to keep dogs under close control, or on a lead at all times when on the hilltops. Bear in mind it is an offence to allow your dog to worry or attack livestock and remember; a dog may be shot if it can’t be stopped chasing or worrying farm animals.
Dogs must be kept on a lead during the months of March to July when walking in open country, as ground nesting birds are breeding. If your dog is running loose it could accidentally damage a nest, trample fledglings or scare off their parents leaving the young birds to starve. If you come across a nest, don’t disturb the birds by lingering.
Ticks
The onset of spring and warmer weather means walkers will need to protect themselves against bringing home more than just fond memories. Ticks are becoming more common and a bite from this spider-like parasite could lead to Lyme Disease. This is a treatable infection caused by bacterium transmitted by ticks when they bite. Not every tick carries Lyme Disease and it is important to realise that the disease is relatively rare.
Senior Ranger Tim Russell has some helpful advice
“There are some simple precautions you can take to reduce your chances of getting bitten by a Tick. Keep to paths and tracks. If passing through areas of rough vegetation it’s a good idea to tuck trousers into socks. Check your clothing and exposed skin for ticks at regular intervals and again at the end of the day. “
Battle of The Folk Bands
22nd March 2008
Jankie Fardal
What a great night out, Nether Stowey village hall was definitely rockin' on Good Friday. There were no problems with encores, the bands would have happily played on past midnight - if we'd let them! But, sadly, licensing regulations had to be adhered to. The Battle, for the title of 'Liveliest Folk Band in The Quantocks', was a real winner.
Norcsalordie
Quantock Online (that's Teresa and me), organised the event for two reasons: because we thought it would be a fun evening and to raise money towards the Nether Stowey May celebration weekend.
Well, it certainly was fun - and we raised £250 towards the May weekend. Nether Stowey twinning association ran a raffle at the gig, raising about another £80.
O.K. So who won?
[Read on to find out...]
Editorial Comment
March 2008
Spring is here with high winds and rain, the daffodils are definitely "Fluttering and dancing in the Breeze" There are so many things to look forward to this year, as a visit to our diary page will show. The event that we at Quantock Online are involved with is on Good Friday, "Battle of the Folk Bands" which is being held in Nether Stowey village hall to raise funds for the Village May Day celebrations I hope that we will be able to see you there.
Quantock Online is continuing to provide a place for everyone in the area to put their point of view especially for those contentious planning applications!
An article about the Quantocks has finally appeared in the March edition of Country Living Teresa gave the writer a guided whistle top tour of the area in October 2006.
The site now has over 1000 pages of information and photographs on The Quantock area, and we still continue to provide a free business listing for businesses in the area. The site can only continue to grow with your support either with information or by paying to advertise on the site. The money we receive just about covers our major costs in running such a "fantastic resource" If you want to see the site developing even further please give us your help! The cost of advertising on Quantock Online can costs as little as £30 a year- yes that is a year- not a month.
If you have an event happening in the near future do contact us. Why not advertise your business, publicise your fund raising event or news item? If you would like to submit an article, comment, anecdote or anything you feel would be of interest then please send us an e-mail. Pictures are also most welcome.
To submit an item for consideration just
send us an e-mail
or, feel free to add your thoughts straight on to the Forum
Hinkley B Station - working life to be extended
December 11th 2007
British Energy announced today that the working life or both Hinkley B and Hunterston B nuclear power stations is to be extended by a further 5 years to 2016.
The company said that it expects to spend an additional £90m in excess of the current investment programme for these stations, over the three years commencing 1 April 2008.
Chief Executive Officer, Bill Coley, said:
"This decision is based on a comprehensive technical and economic evaluation of Hinkley Point B and Hunterston B and is important in supporting the UK’s climate change goals for the reduction of CO2 emissions. Life extension helps provide support as the country considers energy conservation, efficiency and investment in new generating plant of all types, to serve the needs of the UK into the next century."
Anyone for Art?
December 2007
Triscombe Drover's Trail- Winter by Juliet Harkness
Juliet Harkness is looking for artists of ALL abilities to join her in a friendly and dynamic 10 week course of drawing and painting. Her aim is to encourage beginners and 'returners' and to stimulate the more experienced.
Juliet proposes to start with basics in a variety of media while still giving challenges to her more advanced students. You will have the opportunity to draw/paint and use other chosen media from 'still life', life nudes, portrait poses and the imagination. You will also have the chance to try out different styles of drawing & painting by making studies from artists that have inspired you.
Cost: £9 per session. [£18 deposit to book a place] Coffee/tea & Biscuits will be provided.
All you will need is the desire and enthusiasm to 'give it a go' & the necessary materials to begin: pencils and/or charcoal, paper [A3], board/easel. Please contact Juliet to book a place or if you have any questions. Tel: 01278 733245
The Magic of Musicals
October 2007
The Quantock Musical Theatre Company
Quantock Musical Theatre Company entertained everyone at the Church Centre Nether Stowey on Saturday 6th October. Their Concert was a definite hit, the Juniors and Senior members sang their hearts out and their performance of songs from 'Blood Brothers', Chittiy-Chitty Bang Bang together with their rendition of 'The Time Warp' made the evening a great success. The show featured some of the amazing talent of Quantocks. Their other performances were held on Friday 12th October at Nether Stowey Village Hall followed by their last one was on Saturday 20thOctober at Stogursey Village Hall. A show well worth seeing.
[more photos...]
Cricketers Farm Shop Under New Management
October 2007
After a number of years, the farm shop at Cricketers, Nether Stowey, closed its doors on Saturday 29th September. All but one of the local employees were made redundant. The shop reopened on 1st October under new management.
The farm shop has been leased to Mr D Saunders, who runs Summerleaze of Street. Mr Saunders will be operating the shop and café under the name of Summerleazes at Cricketers. At present the opening hours will remain the same, but it is understood that these will be changed in the near future.
Nether Stowey Collects awards
September 2007
From left - Lady Elizabeth Gass JP (Lord-Lieutenant of Somerset), Teresa Youé and Mary Roberts (of Community Action for Nether Stowey) and Andrew Greenfield (representing the sponsors of the Village of the Year Competition - Calor Ltd.).
Hinkley A Decommissioning
end of an era
September 2007
Engineers cutting up one of the turbines.
For decades its six giant turbines produced enough power to meet the needs of a city the size of Bristol and when built in 1960 it was the largest single span building of its kind in Europe. Now its an empty shell – as deep as it is high – and roughly the size of two soccer pitches end-on-end.
[More...]
The Queen visits
Yeo Valley Organic
Her Majesty with Managing Director Tim Mead
July 2007
On July 20th Yeo Valley, whose head office is based locally in Cannington, were honoured with a visit to their Blagdon dairy by Her Majesty and HRH The Duke of Edinburgh, after winning two Queen’s Awards for Enterprise. [More...]
In another announcement Yeo Valley Organic has agreed to help Bristol based charity, The Soil Association, stage Europe’s largest organic food festival on the city’s harbourside on the 1st and 2nd of September.
It’s the third year the Somerset dairy company -- which was recently rated in two research studies as the country’s most successful organic food business -- has agreed to sponsor the event.
[More...]
Better environment for local schools
May 2007
Crowcombe and Stogumber First Schools students now have the opportunity to experience the environment in their own playgrounds thanks to funding from the Quantock Hills AONB Sustainable Development Fund. The funding along with support from teacher’s, parents and Wibble Farm Nurseries has created two sensory gardens at the schools.
[More...]
Quantock Rangers celebrate World Ranger Day
July 2007
Look out for the Quantock AONB Service Rangers and Volunteers patrolling the hills on 31st July, as this day marks the first World Ranger Day.
The event will be celebrated by an international simultaneous showing of the film "The Thin Green Line"
[More...]
Result of Hinkley Point A Survey
May 2007
During the course of last year Hinkley Point A station conducted a survey to gather opinions about what use should be made of the site now that it has been decommissioned.
As part of that survey we made an online version available here. The survey attracted a total of 502 responses, 84 of which came from this site.
The report has just been made available to us, and the results show a significant number of people consider a nature reserve to be the most acceptable use of the site.
[Read the full report in pdf format...]
Nether Stowey Castle has new Interpretation Board
16th May 2007
At last the new interpretation board for Nether Stowey Castle has been installed by the Quantock Rangers. Andy Harris and Andrew Davis must have picked the stoniest area to dig their holes for the board. Watched very carefully by Jane Grow from Somerset County Archaeologial department.
[More...]
Hawkridge Toad Patrol Results for 2007
June 2007
Toads were seen on the move in November, but after a very mild winter, the migration got going in early February as is usual.
From 10th February to 14th April over 2076 toads, 60 frogs and 454 newts were helped. The number of all three species were down on last year but still high compared to previous years.
The council had enlarged the toad holes in the reservoir wall in the woodland area. This proved very helpful for the volunteers and after some coaxing the toads seemed to get the idea this was easier than trying to climb the wall. Toads and newts were seen coming through them on their return journey after spawning. Many thanks to all who helped.
Nuclear Training Centre
May 2007
A redundant cheese-making facility at Bridgwater College’s Cannington Centre has been converted into a training complex for the nuclear decommissioning industry.
[More...]
"Kiss Me Kate"
April 2007
The Quantock Musical theatre Company's production of "Kiss me Kate" went down very well. The audience was treated to a very good performance of Cole Porter's musical. The singing was as always excellent, the younger members of the cast excelled. A very good evenings entertainment. There are some very Talented people in the Quantocks.
The company will be performing again in October and next year the company will again be performing "Oliver" this was their very first production in 2000.
[More including Photographs]
Launch of The Coleridge Bridleway
Cutting the ribbon are:- Alan Martingell, Stephanie Wheeler,Sarah Littler and Nigel Stone.
18th May 2007
The new Coleridge Bridle way was launched today on the Brendon Hills. It is now possible to ride from Nether Stowey to Exford, about 33 miles. The route takes you along some road sections, but over 80% is off road, and gives some challenging riding with a few steep climbs and descents.
The way was launched at Windwhistle Farm on the Brendons as this part of the bridle way, from Raleigh's Cross to Treborough is completely new.
[More...]
