AA Mag June 2017 - theseavingtons.org · Full Team of Specialists ... community which should help rejuvenate our spirit and strengthen village activities. As you already know,

June 2017

THE

See page 21 for Parish Councillors’ responsibilities and contact information

JUST THINGS fair trade shop

33A, Silver Street, Ilminster, TA19 0DW (opposite the Minster and The Dolphin)

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

Telephone: 01460 394931 Mobile: 07816 788457 Email : [email protected] Website: www.just-things.co.uk

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

We offered 50,000 lots In 88 auctions in 2015

Full Team of Specialists Excellence in Expertise

Service across The West Country

PICTURED: H.J. QUINTIN A PRIZE HEREFORD COW,

OIL ON CANVAS £5120

The Linen Yard South Street

Crewkerne TA18 8AB 01460 73401

Lawrences.co.uk

LAWRENCES

AUCTIONEERS

June 2017

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Seavington is no longer visible from space! Demolition work on the old Lift West site has now started and the white fibre panel roof, visible from outer space and dominating many local views of our villages, has gone. Whilst it is sad to see Lift West leave our community, with the loss of employment opportunity, the firm has not moved too far. Further, the redevelopment of the site will see us welcome thirteen new families into our community which should help rejuvenate our spirit and strengthen village activities. As you already know, through the generosity of Andrew Whitehouse of Lift West, three of the houses are being given to the villages to manage and a Seavingtons Community Land Trust (CLT) has been set up for this purpose. There are reports from the Trust and on the progress of the demolition work elsewhere in this issue. Wessex Water have been active recently, digging up our village roads without warning and causing traffic chaos and confusion. It seems that they have the right to do this without any external controls. In contrast, our electricity supply company has done much forward planning for an upcoming tree pruning session including the provision of a temporary generator to avoid power cuts—what a contrast! David Froome, Editor

T h e S e av i n g t o n s ’ N ew s

DON’T FORGET

The Newspaper Skip! pm Friday 9th June until am Monday 12th June The Latest Copy Date is the 15th June for the next issue Editorial content and diary entries to:

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

The Seavingtons’ News

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All events, unless otherwise shown, are held in the Millennium Hall For bookings call 07905 215993 or [email protected]

28th May 11.30 am Songs of Praise in St. Mary’s Church –p17

3rd June 10.00 am Bug Hotel Building –p28

3rd June 10.00 am Book Sale at 2 Winchester Cottages –p17

8th June 5.30 pm Gardening Club visit: Burrow Farm Garden –p19

10th June 7.30 pm ‘Flix in the Stix’ at Hinton St George Village Hall—“Jackie” p7

22nd June Gardening Club: Coach Trip to Rosemoor –p19

27th June 7.30 pm SPFA Annual General Meeting –p 9

Regular Activities

2nd Monday noon Seniors’ Lunch in Village Café

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

2nd Thursday 7.30pm Seavington Gardening Club

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

www.theseavingtons.org

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

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Editorial: David Froome & Maria Potts Advertising: Tony Beresford Production: Brian Edwards & Roger Clampitt Technical & web-site support: Eugene Mulligan Graphics & Visual Support: George Brown

Village web-site: www.theseavingtons.org

Any views expressed in this magazine are those of the individual authors and do not necessarily represent the views of the editorial team. Contributions are welcomed and may be submitted electronically or in manuscript to the editor at the address on page 1. The contents of this village magazine are the copyright © of the Seavingtons' News unless the item concerned carries an alternative copyright assertion. However, all information on village activities and events may be freely reproduced.

Please do not hesitate to telephone David Froome on 01460 249445 if you have any questions.

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

Annual Monthly

Full Page £ 100 £ 12 ½ Page £ 50 £ 6 ¼ Page £ 28 £ 4

Advertising enquiries to: [email protected]

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

4th June 11.30 am Holy Communion (CW)

11th June 8.00 am Holy Communion (BCP)

11th June 11.30 am Café Church in Seavington Café

18th June 11.30 am Holy Communion (CW)

25th June

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

11.30 am Matins

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


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Nigel Potts 1925 – 2017

Born in Croydon, Surrey in September 1925 Nigel Potts was a Geographer. As he has always said, “I became a Town and Country Planner by coincidence. As an impoverished, newly-graduated Geographer it was imperative that I find work for the ten months before I could begin my chosen career”. He developed and later chose his interest in Town and Country Planning when he was employed by The London City Council as a ‘Temporary Technical Assistant’ Nigel met Nancy Mary Tromans in the Nineteen Fifties, a talented teenaged daughter’s of Ernest, one of Lord Austin’s engineers who joined the Longbridge clerical office (Birmingham) in 1941 where they were designing, building and testing the firm’s first Post-War cars: the ‘Morris Minor’. But it was not until 1955 when Nigel proposed and married Nancy, two years later their only son, Ben Potts was born. Nigel travelled all over the country as a local planning officer, starting in Glasgow (Scotland) on to Worcester and then Walsall. He left Walsall Borough Council in the early 1970s to take up the post of Chief Planning Officer for Yeovil District Council (now renamed South Somerset). Yeovil District Council was a “new” Council, under the 1974 Local Government re-organisation. Until April 1974 planning for Yeovil was managed by Somerset County Council although there were planners based in Yeovil purely dealing with planning applications. Nigel’s brief was to establish a fully functioning Planning Department taking on the wider roles of producing Planning Policy Documents for the whole District, dealing with conservation, historic buildings and countryside matters. Recruitment of specialist professional/technical staff for this new department was fraught as nationwide there were many ‘new’ local authorities trying to fill posts. Nigel persuaded suitable candidates that Yeovil (South Somerset) was the place to work as opposed to other parts of the County or, indeed, other ‘new’ authorities. Nigel oversaw the production of the first ever Local Plan for our district identifying where new housing, industry, recreation, etc. should be developed. Nigel was also very innovative in developing a Geographical Information System for the District and this early work formed the basis of the Council’s Land and Property Database, still being used to this day. Nigel was a member of the Town Planning Institute (TPI). Nigel then moved to Lopen to live with his wife and son Ben. Very soon they became very well known and accepted in the local Community.

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Nigel’s last five years have been very difficult health wise, as he suffered a number of accidents, which led him to have a hip replacement, affecting his mobility and active engagement in attending village meetings where he wanted to be present. He took up different roles within the village, ranging from Chairman of the Parish Council, member of Lopen Choir, active member of the early editorial team of the Lopen Eye, and ultimately the Lopen History Archivist. Nigel had an excellent memory and his great knowledge was valuable to people, even when some preferred not to hear what he had to say. When he retired Nigel was fascinated by, and willing to share with other people, the history of Lopen by writing a book, which unfortunately was left unfinished. Nigel Potts passed away on 26th February in Yeovil District Hospital. He will be remembered for his active role within the local Community and especially missed by his son and daughter-in-law Ben & Maria Potts.

‘Colours in the Garden’ ‘Colours in the garden’ is just one of the photographic classes in this year’s Flower Show. As things start blooming why not start snapping away on your phone or camera? Colourful photos of a garden will be perfect for this class.

We also have a photographic class entitled ‘Village Life’ and for those of you under sixteen years of age a photographic class entitled ‘Family Pet’. The Flower Show is on Saturday 12th August so you have plenty of time to get creative!

Report on building works from Seavington CLT

Peter Ash (01460 241141)

As you will all have seen (and some of us have certainly heard!) work commenced on the demolition of the old Lift West site on Monday May 1st and at the time of writing this, the main building and offices have been largely dismantled. A lot of the metal and steelwork will go for scrap and concrete slab and blocks will be crushed and used as hardcore. A few members of the CLT attended a short site meeting on May 8th where we were introduced to the main contractor, Mark Thomas of Acorn Developments Ltd and Darren the site foreman. Andrew Whitehouse also attended. They hope the project will be completed within 12 months. As the works have only just started there is not much to report on but Darren will keep us informed of progress and hopefully we will have more to report in next month’s Newsletter.


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The Seavingtons’ News wants to hear and publish your views on both the “News” itself and topics of importance or interest to our community. Please send your letters to the address on page 1. All opinions and views expressed are the sole responsibility of the writer and do not

Village Voice—letters to the editor

Dear Editor, My attention was caught by your May editorial concerning ‘New Road’ aka C5021. Coincidentally I have e-mailed the Parish Council twice during April on similar issues. Aside from its role as a ‘diversionary corridor’ normal weekday traffic alone must suggest that there is something wrong with the classification of this road? Since resurfacing in 2016 most of the white-lining has not been reinstated and there is a chronic lack of traffic management or infrastructure to influence driver behaviour. Hence I understand that we are now seeing vehicle speeds increasing once again whilst traversing the village and the longer road frequently being the site of serious accidents between Lopen Head and Ilminster. The latest on Saturday 8th April just outside the village envelope. When considering traffic and speed calming measures and the money spent in local villages eg. Merriott and Donyatt we appear to be the ‘poor relations’ in the view of SCC? Given that this stretch of road is already intersected by the thresholds of David’s Lane, School Lane, Upton Lane, Church Lane and Water Street and soon to be the Pond Farm and Lift West developments as well this cannot be right and surely needs to be addressed? How long before someone gets hurt right here in the village? At the time of writing SCC elections are only a matter of days away and perhaps hopefully, though not probably, our rather lethargic County Council representation may be changed for something more energetic? Our own Parish Council also surely needs to fully engage and use its own leverage to produce a better outcome? Perhaps an open meeting discussion would be appropriate? The usual excuses and trite responses do not really suffice any more. Neil Palmer, Upton Lane.

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Art at Seavington Store & Café

Carol Talbot & Thandi Wilson ([email protected])

Anyone visiting our lovely store and café during May and June will be treated to a display of beautiful pots by Rob Ellis of High Ham and wonderful painting by Fi Purefoy of South Petherton. Both artists are very local. Rob's individual pots come in a beautiful range of colours, shapes and styles. Mainly functional and usable items such as bowls, jugs and even garlic pots. Indeed, something to suit everyone. Fi's paintings are on large unframed canvases, in a range of gorgeous colours and textures. They are 'abstract', and based on Fi's snippets of childhood memories. These stunning statement pieces of individual artwork would cheer any wall. Should you wish to buy something, can we remind you that it is cash or cheque only, thank you. (Should you need some cash, if you buy something from the shop, I'm sure you could arrange for cash back!). Come along and enjoy the exhibition and support our local artists and the store/café as well.

‘Flix in the Stix’

Andrew Overhill (01460 72563) Hinton St. George ‘Flix in the Stix’ presents ‘Jackie’ (15), on Saturday 10th June 2017 in the Hinton Village Hall at 7.30 pm. Tickets £5 in advance from the Village Shop and Dorothy’s Tea Room, or £5.50p on the door. To reserve Tickets please contact Bob Kefford on 01460 72563. After her husband's assassination, Jackie Kennedy's world is completely shattered. Traumatised and reeling with grief, she has a week to console their two young children, leave the home she restored and plan her husband's funeral. Jackie quickly realises that the next seven days will determine how history will define both her husband's legacy and how she will be remembered. Jackie was renowned for her dignity, poise and stunning beauty. Natalie Portman gives us a glimpse of the psychological angst she endured too. Look out also for John Hurt in one of his last performances.


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Naval Occasions

David Eliot

16 – The Black-feet Tribe

Refuelling destroyers and frigates at sea from a Royal Fleet Auxiliary oiler is as routine as eating breakfast. The evolution is expedited because the two ships are vulnerable to attack while so doing. In fine weather the warship steams alongside the oiler on parallel course, 80 feet distant, the ships’ bow and stern waves repelling collision. (In bad weather, the oiler streams the hose astern, to be grappled over the warship’s bows – a very tedious business.) The oiler extends two derricks suspending loops of 6” diameter rubber hose, each secured to a light line which is then fired across to the warship. The latter hauls each hose across as the oiler pays it out; the Engineers then connect the hoses to Forward and Aft on-deck standpipes connected to the fuel tanks, in readiness to Start Pumping. One fine day in 1961, somewhere in the Indian Ocean, my frigate, the YARMOUTH, fuelled in this way. I was always in charge of fuelling Aft, armed with jumbo Green and Red ‘table-tennis’ bats. As soon our Engineers reported “Hose connected!”, I waved my Green bat to tell the oiler to Start Pumping. Catastrophe! A high-pressure fan of Furnace Fuel Oil (FFO) squirted from the hose/standpipe connection. The Engineers fled one way, my sailors fled the other to take refuge behind the deck-house, leaving me, drenched in oil, furiously waving my Red bat to Stop Pumping. The oiler did so, but there was still about 120 feet of 6” hose full of unstoppable oil draining onboard. FFO is horrible stuff: thick, black, stinking and very contaminating. Our ship’s side was black for 40 feet; the deck was awash; the superstructure was not much better and I was well and truly oiled. I bawled at my sailors to come back and start mopping up. The Engineers found the cause: no washer in the hose-end! Clothing oiled in any way had to be destroyed; and the wearers, most all me, had to be thoroughly cleaned in the ship’s special Decontamination Unit designed to remove radio-active fall-out from an atomic bomb explosion at sea. My Captain was furious; all other spectators thought it a hilarious event. Soon after, a cartoon appeared in the ship’s newspaper: against a background oil-fan a blackened Native American Chief, in full feathered head-dress, dances a bat-waving jig while a file of single-feathered braves exeunt right at the double. The caption reads: ‘Come back you b****y Black-feet braves and MOP IT UP!’ And on that oily note, it’s Goodbye from me! By the time this article appears in print, I will have moved to Oxfordshire. I have much enjoyed contributing to The Seavingtons’ News over the past twenty years and hope it will, deservedly, continue to thrive.

June 2017

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Seavington Playing Field Association

Notice of Annual General Meeting

At Seavington Millennium Hall 7:30pm on Tuesday 27 June 2017

Any items of business to be raised can be sent to the Chairman at [email protected]

Seavington Playing Field Association Registered Charity No: 268986

News from Shepton Beauchamp Pre-school

Charlie Pattisson (01460 241396) The Summer term is always fun with so much going on and more time spent playing in the garden, the mud kitchen is always popular and the children are very inventive with their concoctions! We had a fabulous evening of Bingo at The Duke of York, super prizes donated by local businesses and lots of keen bingo players helped us to raise over £500 – we were delighted and have bought some new toys for the children. Pictures will be on our Facebook page if you are interested, the children (and Kath) were very excited. We are looking forward to having a Children’s Craft Stall at the Cowleaze Party on 10th June, we have tiaras, crowns and swords to decorate with glittery jewels. Our Fun Sports Afternoon is on 24th June followed by tea and cakes for everyone – all welcome – let’s hope the weather is as perfect as last year. We are looking forward to welcoming Shelley back after her shoulder operation and would like to thank Kath and Donna for being so fantastic at taking the reins during Shelley’s recuperation. Thank you also to Emma and Katherine for being our back up team. TODDLER GROUP. Our next meeting will be June 15th (due to half term and general election), and then 6th July. All ages from babies to pre school children are very welcome. Friendly group – lots of chatter and coffee for grown-ups and fun for children too! Come anytime from 9-11.15am. For more information please call Shelley or Kath 07765 437301 or email [email protected] or www.sheptonbeauchamppre-school.co.uk or follow us on Facebook – or just pop in and meet us – we’d love to see you!


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Over the Counter

Ian Gibson (01460 249566; [email protected])

Hurray! The air conditioning has been fitted in the shop and the kitchen. We no longer have to endure the extreme heat of the shop and café for our customers. This also means that we save some money, ironically, on electricity as the chillers and freezers do not have to work so hard to keep their temperature down. We are indebted to local grant making bodies for their generosity in providing vital funds to do this work. The shop and café go from strength to strength and this means extra pressure on our volunteers and their shift patterns. If you are a previous shop volunteer or perhaps new to our community, then perhaps you may wish to join the band of generous volunteers. We enjoy ourselves as well!! Bargains of the month include a whole new range of wines from red through to sparkling for that early summer picnic or barbecue – at high street prices as well. Keep an eye out in the shop and café for our artists of the month. Fi Purefoy and her paintings and Rob Ellis with a whole range of pots – all for you to see, but more importantly to purchase as well. The car park at the shop and Village Hall have been marked out, thanks to the Parish Council. This should make it much easier to park and make more space available overall. You may also have noticed that the Village Hall and Café have placed an AED unit outside the store. This is a defibrillator unit, to aid those who may have suffered heart failure. It is easy to use and ultimately could save lives. The unit is not cheap, but any expense is less than a life saved by using the unit correctly. Again our gratitude goes to the Parish Council for their wisdom in supplying this vital piece of kit for the use of the community. Do note where it is and please keep an eye on it and let everyone local know about its existence and we hope that we do not have to use it, but it is there for the benefit of all. Do come along, we have chairs and tables in our garden area – in a hot summer this will be ideal for that cream tea! The play area is nearby as well; and with ice creams available in store – well that’s a sound plans for a perfect day. See you in the summer….

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RICHARD CLIFTON PAINTER AND DECORATOR

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

Tel: Ilminster (01460) 52544; 07773 373882

Here to help with all your cleaning and Ironing needs. From regular weekly, fortnightly, monthly cleans, one-off Spring cleans, new builds and end of tenancy cleans. Ironing collection service available. Fully insured uniformed and DBS checked. Call Jo on 07855 427 486 [email protected] www.flutterby helpers.co.uk

R A Wicks Ltd

Fireplaces, Stoves & Flues

Fireplace Showroom, Chimneys Relined & New Build HETAS registered installers

Tel: 01460 74612; www.wicksheating.co.uk Fireplace Showroom, Tail Mill Lane, Merriott, TA16 5PF


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All types of Electrical work undertaken at very competitive prices including:

New Circuits Electric heating systems Security lighting systems Control systems Emergency lighting systems Maintenance Appliance testing Kitchens Bathrooms Energy saving lighting CCTV Systems Ventilation systems

Free, No obligation Quotes

01460 240099 or 07980 674480 [email protected] www.dcesystems.co.uk

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

Fire Alarm and Emergency Light Testing; Wireless Inspection Camera

Domestic & Commercial Work Undertaken:

Rewires ● Additional sockets

Extensions ● Listed building work

Computer/Telephone points ● Whole House sound systems

Security and Access Lighting ● CCTV Camera Installation

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

Electrical accessories ● Engraving of labels

Cable laying and ducting ● Outside Events

Electrical Door/ Gate Systems ● Intercom and Entry Systems

Mobile: 07808 049034

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

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

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

Details of future productions can be found in the local press or on our website: www.thewarehousetheatre.org.uk (plus audition nights, IES Membership, Box Office and more) or call 07943 779880 or email: [email protected]

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

NICK RUTTER — CHIMNEY SWEEP

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

Full insurance valid certificate issued with every visit

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


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Dog Grooming by Helen

Friendly Home Environment Will Collect and Deliver

Available Weekdays, Evenings and Weekends Please ‘phone Helen

Mobile: 07867 988109 or 01460 241053

HOLIDAY IN SPAIN

Beautiful 3 bedroom modern duplex apartment with communal pool, under 10 mins from beach by car - wonderful views from terraces, walking distance to local village of Palau Saverdera

Beautiful modern apartment on upper 2 floors of a small development surrounded by olive groves and vineyards. It is in a quiet position with two large terraces giving spectacular views of the Bay of Roses and Pyrenees. The apartment is bright and airy and has everything you could possibly need for a relaxing holiday including really comfy beds with cool cotton bedding. It offers every luxury convenience including heating/air conditioning and WiFi. It overlooks a lovely communal pool and gardens. Situated in the village of Palau Saverdera (local shops and restaurants) . Palau Saverdera is 4km from the sea at Roses, 12km from Figueres (Salvador Dali Museum) and a 45 minute drive from Girona airport. The French border -30 minutes. Barcelona by train from Figueras in 90 minutes.

Apartment available from June until 2nd September 2017.

For more details contact Sarah Lawton at [email protected] or call 07901716819

We have stayed at this apartment in Northern Spain and it is beautiful. The apartment is large with three double bedrooms all with balconies and wonderful views. The sitting room has access to a large balcony which overlooks the communal pool and gardens. The kitchen is fully functional, so preparing supper using the fresh fish and seafood from Roses fish market is highly recommended however, if you wish to eat out there are a variety of restaurants in the village of Palau Saverdera which is a short walk through olive groves. Our favourite is " Nou Fusion" which is only yards away from the apartment and eating the gourmet food whilst looking out over the panoramic views......stunning. Roses is a stylish sea front town where you can promenade for miles or hire bicycles or sit in the many bars and restaurants and people watch. We can highly recommend the apartment and Sarah is incredibly helpful and reassuring as she speaks fluent Spanish/Catalan and is only a phone call away. We love the area and are heading back in March for our third time to enjoy the seafront resorts and medieval villages in abundance, it's REAL SPAIN. Robert and Shirley Chapman

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A view from the field..

Chris Gough (Chairman SPFA) [email protected] Well, summer is upon us and a number of things have been happening at the Playing Field and Millennium Hall. With the very kind help of Ray Thorogood, we have now determined that the existing Playground equipment still has a good length of serviceable life left in it all yet and so for the present time, we have decided not to pursue a major renovation project for either of the areas. We have also decided not to replace the plastic slide attached to the climbing frame at the northern end of the play area. To meet current safety standards it would need to be made from stainless steel. The cost will be in the region of £1,000 and it is difficult to justify this at the moment when there is already a perfectly serviceable stainless steel slide elsewhere in the playground. We have also taken professional advice about the condition of the trees within the play areas. A tree surgeon will be attending to the large Ash tree in the main area, hopefully sometime in June to prune and tidy things up. I am delighted to announce that Laura Gowers has accepted the position of Booking Clerk and has recently taken over from Claire O’Neil, who unfortunately needed to resign as she and her family are moving up to Yorkshire shortly. Claire, we wish you well and it goes without saying that our loss will certainly be Yorkshire’s gain… The Dog Poo Bag dispenser at the top of the field has been well used and so we have decided to provide an additional one in the Hall Car Park area. Whilst these dispensers will be monitored, if you should find one of the dispensers is empty, please do email us at [email protected] and we’ll ensure it is re-stocked. The parking bays in the Hall Car Park have been re-marked. By reducing the number of spaces slightly, we have been able to increase the size of each parking bay so it should now be safer and easier for everyone to park comfortably. If the car park is full, please do not park on the grass verges outside, but in the current over-flow parking area at the northern end of the of the field through the field gate. You may have noticed that a number of the solar lights in the Playing Field path are broken at the present time. We are in the process of obtaining suitable spares and having them installed as soon as practicable. The village Defibrillator, kindly purchased by the Parish Council has been delivered and we have jointly concluded that the optimum location for it will now be on the front elevation of the Shop. We are now planning for the Defibrillator to be installed at the same time as the Shop’s air conditioning units.

See next page


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News from the Seavingtons’ CLT

Nick Loxton (01460 242435)

Since the last bulletin in April’s News there has been much to report upon. On Thursday 30th March the first Special General Meeting of the members of the Seavington’s Community Land Trust was held. Other than a report of progress so far, the majority of which was reported in March’s edition of The News, the main business of the evening was to ask members of the CLT to vote for the individuals that were to comprise the Board of Directors following proposed and seconded nomination. This was done by a list of those nominees being read to the Members present, and as all had been checked as eligible against the Electoral Roll the motion to elect the nominees was proposed by Yvonne Best and seconded by Dave Retter, the motion was voted for unanimously. Those elected as Directors were:- Peter ASH, Kenneth DEWSBURY, Elaine EDWARDS, Moira Janice ENSOR, Phillip Geoffrey GORDON-SMITH, Laura GOWERS, Nicholas Christopher Peter LOXTON, Karen OGDEN, Pauline May PARSONS and Robert WOOD. Unfortunately since this meeting, Phil Gordon-Smith has had to stand down due to work commitments. Following the election, other business conducted was, to agree that a Press Release be sent out once the Developer started to break ground, Communication of News of the CLT would be promulgated in The Shop, on the village website, via The News and at the AGM. Members were also

The 2017 SPFA AGM is to be held on Tuesday 27 June at 7:30pm in the Millennium Hall. Whilst I’m not intending that it will be quite as “interesting” as last years’ it is an opportunity for us to formally report back to the local community the activities we have undertaken on behalf of us all. In addition, it also provides a forum for questions to be raised and for concerns to be discussed openly. If you have a subject that you would like to raise at the AGM please do email me at [email protected] and I’ll ensure that it is tabled for discussion. Elsewhere in the Seavingtons’ News there is an advertisement inviting everyone to the AGM. The 2016/17 draft Financial accounts and report will be uploaded onto the village website prior to the AGM for anyone to review before the meeting. Copies will also be made available during the AGM itself. Finally, if you have any ideas that could enhance the Millennium Hall and / or Playing Field, and you are able to develop it into a workable plan for our committee to consider, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with me.

June 2017

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St Michael’s Church Seavington Trust Next sale of Books & Bric-a-Brac

3rd June 2017 at 2, Winchester Cottages (Opposite The Volunteer)

Second-hand Books and a Selection of bric-a-brac

A great selection for children of all ages from stories to study!

NB—Open 10.00 am to 2.00 pm please come and browse

St Mary’s Church, Church Lane

Sunday 28th May at 11.30 a.m. Please come to a

“Songs of Praise”

Held here during the week-end of The Flower Festival Come and enjoy the beauty in the Church

encouraged to understand the rules registered with the FCA and it was agreed that once the newly elected board had revised the rules fully to be appropriate to the Seavingtons’ CLT, these would be made available via the village website, or directly from the Board. Since the SGM, the Board convened on 26th April for its first meeting, and at that meeting elected Nick Loxton as Chairman, Robert Wood as Vice Chairman, Moira Ensor as Treasurer, Laura Gowers was elected Secretary and Karen Ogden Vice Secretary. It was confirmed that the CLT had its own email address:- [email protected] and anyone wishing to contact the CLT was encouraged to use this as the primary avenue. It was also reported that village membership of the CLT now stood at 91 members with more joining. On Monday 8th May, with demolition work on the former Lift West site well under way, Andrew Whitehouse and the Developer Mark Thomas along with members of the Board of the CLT met on site for a photo opportunity and a suitably worded press release sent to the local media. So there we are, early days, with much happening in the background and also on site, we look forward to keeping you updated on further news as it happens, BUT if you’re not yet a member, and you are eligible, please join the CLT and claim your right to vote for what happens to this amazing village asset in the future.


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Seavington Gardening Club

Kate Mulligan (01460 242023) Visit to Hillcrest on 11th May 2017 I think luck was on our side for our first garden visit of this year. Despite one or two ominous looking clouds the rain held off and we were able to appreciate what a wonderful garden it is. Our hosts, Charles and Charlotte, made us feel very welcome as we wandered around their near 6 acres of land. They moved there in 2002 although did not start work on the garden until 2007. The main reason for buying the house was the location with stunning views which we were all able to appreciate. These included Glastonbury Tor and Burrow Mump, framed perfectly from every aspect of the rear garden. Their main aim was to create a space to provide year round colour and to encourage wildlife into the garden. They do not use chemical pesticides or herbicides so tend not to grow plants that attract rabbits, slugs or snails, preferring to surround nearly all of it with a margin of largely undisturbed vegetation. Obviously some unwanted wildlife does sneak through, especially badgers, who enjoy the raspberries when in fruit. The formal garden surrounding the house has water features and two small ponds. There is a gazebo built by Charles and his friend which was originally designed to be an observatory but has turned into a place to sit and relax. The main talking point of this part of the garden is the granite standing stone which they put in place themselves. Their neighbour also has one so we did wonder if in hundreds of years time archaeologists might discover them and think they had some connection with ley lines to Glastonbury Tor. We’ll never know! From the house there is a woodland path which leads out to the wildflower meadow where compromises had to be made to maintain this effect. Paths have been cut round and across it so it was a pure delight to wander through it and take in the views of the Somerset Levels. At the bottom of the meadow is a large pond dug out in 2004. This is not lined so the water levels vary but is partially topped up by an underground pipe which takes water from the house gutters. As well as all this there is an orchard, a fruit and vegetable garden, older established woodland and newly planted woodland, bees and a rather magnificent “bug hotel”. Charles and Charlotte do all the work themselves

June 2017

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with the help of Tom their gardener who prunes and tidies edges and paths - and there are plenty of those to look after. It is definitely a labour of love and their garden has simply evolved rather than been formally planned. Our thanks to them for a lovely evening and for the delicious homemade cakes. Hillcrest is listed in the NGS yellow book if you want more details and I would strongly recommend a visit. Plant Sale - Saturday 13th May Yet again another successful plant sale with record turnout. Thanks to all those who donated plants and the helpers on the day. Forthcoming Events Thursday 8th June - visit to Burrow Farm Gardens from 5.30pm with refreshments served at 7pm. Thursday 22nd June - coach trip to Rosemoor. Thursday 13th July - visit to Newton House from 5.30 with refreshments served at 7pm Reminder - Flower Show Saturday 12th August - still plenty of time to get growing, baking, making and photographing! For further information please contact Karen Day tel. 01460 249728

From our Parish Council

Pauline Parsons ([email protected]) Parish Councillors would like to thank all those residents who ensured that there were no vehicles on the car park in readiness for the white lining at 8.30am on Tuesday 9th May. This is the first step that the Parish Council intend taking to try and ensure that the car park is available to residents who need to use it. After consultation other measures are likely to take place over the next few months when appropriate signage will be agreed and lodged with the District Council. At the Parish Council meeting on 25th April 2017 Mrs Janice Ash was co-opted as a Parish Councillor for Seavington St Mary to fill the vacancy left following the resignation of Dennis Smith. See also the note on Councillors’ responsibilities on page 21.


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Greenfinch Carduelis Chloris 5¼ (Family: Fringillidae)

Annie (01460 241762)

A delightful selection of sounds are once again being heard throughout the village this Spring—a loud rapid “TRILL” with the finch-like call-notes mixed in “TSOEET” or repeated “JUP, JUP” with a nasal “DSWEEE”. Please help keep the Greenfinches healthy and disease free by regularly cleaning your bird-tables and feeders. The male bird has an olive-green back and crown; with brighter yellow-green rump and yellow patches on the wings and sides of the rather short, slightly forked tail. The female is much duller with less yellow. Both sexes are chunky looking with a large head and short, stubby bill. In Spring the male proclaims his presence with a distinctive display flight, circling over tree tops with slow flapping wings, calling as he goes. There is also a “BELL-LIKE” song. Greenfinches are resident all year round. They are generally found in hedgerows, orchards, parks and gardens. It flocks with other small birds in Autumn through to Spring. Wintering flocks roost communally in evergreen trees and shrubs. They roam far afield, foraging for a variety of seeds and green, returning to nesting grounds in early April. Several nests are often found together, high-up in either ivy and other creepers, evergreen trees or thick hawthorn bushes. A deep cup of twigs and grass, lined with fine roots, hair and feathers, is the nest in which four to six buffish, pale blue with a few brownish spots and streaks, eggs are laid, there maybe three broods. The diet consists of a variety of seeds—especially the much-loved sunflower and nuts. They will be very dominant at your bird-tables and feeders, chasing other birds away.

Here, alone, by the grass-green hearth Tarry a little; the mood will come! Feel your body a part of the earth; Rest and quicken your thoughts at home; Take your ease with the brooding trees; Join in their deep-down silent mirth The crumbling rock and the fertile loam.

John Davison (1851-1909)

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Name Parish Contact Details

Responsibilities

Nick Loxton St Michael 01460 242435 Chair

Elaine Edwards St Mary 01460 241601 Vice-Chair

Pauline Parsons St Michael 01460 240193 Responsible Finance Officer/Clerk Community Land Trust Highways

Chris Reyland St Mary 01460 241238 SSDC Ranger Link

Nigel England St Mary 01460 241614 Community Shop

Janice Ash St Mary 01460 241141

Colin Turner St Michael 01460 240126

All Parish Councillors will jointly be responsible for: All planning matters, the village car park, parking in general and the Seavington Playing Field Association.

Responsibilities by non Parish Council Residents

Tony Beresford Internal Auditor

Parish Paths Liaison Andrew Gillard Phil Gordon-Smith

Phil Gordon-Smith Alan Graham

Tree Wardens

David Froome The Seavingtons’ News

Parish Councillors’ Responsibilities 2017/8

Pauline Parsons (01460 240193 or [email protected])

At the Parish Council Annual General Meeting, held on Tuesday 16th May 2017 the following responsibilities were agreed:

Neighbourhood Watch Co-ordinator—The Parishes have been without a co-ordinator since the previous one left the village. The Parish Council will be pleased to hear from anyone who would take on this rôle. We know that there are still Neighbourhood Watch assistants and we would be pleased to hear from them as to whether or not they are willing to continue in this rôle.

Parish Council e-mail address: [email protected]


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01460 200 000

10 West Street Ilminster

Friendly, professional advice in plain English For Home & Business

www.monkeypuzzlecomputers.com

PUGSON CONSTRUCTION

General building, Re-pointing, Landscaping, Chimneys and roofing Stoves installed by Hetas approved engineer,

Oftec certified oil tank installations, removal and replacements

Call Nigel in Seavington St Mary for a quote on 01460 391595 Mobile 07731323005. [email protected]

Curtain making, dressmaking & alterations ‘phone Jennifer, South Petherton 01460 242766

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Contact: 01460 279279 [email protected]

Jimmy James CARPENTRY

& FURNITURE

SINCE 1989

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

Individually designed and made

For a free quotation ‘phone me on

Ilminster (01460) 53889


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June 2017

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Brook House Bed & Breakfast, Dowlish Wake

Country house comfort with a very warm welcome

King size room and super King/twin room • ensuite bathrooms exceptional quality • guest sitting room • off road parking

tea and cake on arrival

www.brookhousesomerset.com or call Becky Jam 07841 594342

Shepton Beauchamp Pre-school

With 45 years experience we have created a fabulous environment for your child to learn and have fun!

Monday, Tuesday & Wednesday

9.00 am—3.00 pm Friday 9.00 am—1.15 pm

Baby and Toddler Group on

Thursday mornings

Call Shelley: 07765 437301 or [email protected]

or meet us at the Village Hall. We would love to see you!


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Welcome to the

New Inn Warm & Friendly Welcome

Bed & Breakfast A la Carte Menu

Local Ciders & Fine Wines Monthly Quiz Night

Large car park

18th Century Traditional Public House Picturesque Beer garden

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

Richard’s Home Made Sunday Lunch Roasts

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

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

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

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

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SEAVINGTON SHOP AND CAFE

JUNE IN THE CAFE Enjoy afternoon tea in the cafe garden.

Traditional cream tea or savoury tea. All our scones and cakes are made by Jane. Quality teas, infusions, chocolate and coffee.

SENIORS' LUNCH Monday 12 June. Please book to avoid disappointment

JUNE IN THE SHOP

All these everyday lines for under £1.50! Nibbles, biscuits, chocolate bars, soap, tinned goods,

sauce mixes, fruit and veg, ice cream, rice, cheeses, dried fruit, butter, deli items, eggs, milk, cleaning materials,

porridge oats, sweets and more ..............

JUNE EXHIBITIONS. Paintings by Fi Purefoy and ceramics by Rob Ellis

Seavingtons' Village Store & Cafe, Water St, Seavington St Mary. 01460 249730 Opening hours: Shop Mon-Fri 8.30am-6.00pm, Sat 9.00am-3.00pm

Cafe Mon-Fri 10.00am-4.00pm, Sat 10.00am-2.00pm

ILMINSTER LITERARY FESTIVAL

WINE TASTING WITH IAN GIBSON

Sample 6 wines and enjoy a light-hearted quiz

at Seavington Village Cafe

Water Street, Seavington St Mary TA19 0QH

on Monday 5 June @ 7.30pm

Tickets £10 - available at Seavington Village Store


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The Seavingtons’ Weather in Apri l 2017

This year—2017 Previous year—2016

Temperature

Average Minimum 3.93°C 3.22°C

Average Maximum 14.85°C 13.06°C

Mean 9.39°C 8.14C

Rainfall

Monthly Total 22.3 mm (0.89") 42.6 mm (1.70")

Total for the year 214.4 mm (8.58") 325.0mm (13.00")

A very dry month except for the last day, when all of the month’s rainfall except 1.6mm fell!

Bug Hotel Children’s help needed!!!

Seavington Gardening Club are planning to build a bug hotel which will be situated in the wild area located in the top left hand corner of the playing field. We would like to invite children (and adults!!) to come

along on Saturday 3rd June at 10am to fill the bug hotel. If you have any bamboo canes, small logs or sticks, old roof slates, pine cones etc. then please bring them along for us to fill the bug hotel.

The wild area in the playing field was developed to encourage wildlife and provide an area of long grass, which owls find particularly beneficial for hunting. At the same time as filling the bug hotel we are also hoping to gather together a work party to prune some of the trees in the wild area and cut back the couch grass.

All of this will be done with the expert guidance of Phil Gordon-Smith so if you can lend a helping hand then please come along at 10am on Saturday 3rd June.

E & S COMPUTERS 24a Ditton Street,

Ilminster, TA19 0BQ (Opposite Tesco Garage)

We offer lots of ink,

and more services than you think. Nothing is too much trouble,

come to us when you’re befuddled. If you want to give your computer a kick,

drop it into us to fix.

01460 259 999 www.enscomputers.co.uK

[email protected] We look forward to seeing you!

Reyland Autos

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

01460 242831; 07969 206 866; [email protected]

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

Prices:

Punctures £10.00; Tracking £20.00 Wheel Balance £ 5.00—X 2 wheels

Tyre swaps £ 2.50 per wheel

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

KEV’S CLEANING SERVICES LTD

www.kevscleaningservices.co.uk GUARANTEED a professional and satisfactory job!

Friendly team of reliable and trustworthy window cleaners

Window cleaning inside and out

We also empty, unblock and clean guttering, fascias, soffits, downpipes and conservatories inside and out.

We can also fix guttering.

Regular and one off cleans

07877 670482 | 07885 451628