The Hall was very
quiet over the
Christmas period
when Cossington
residents were
enjoying the festivities
with their families. In
the first week of the
new year however,
the booking team
were busy slotting in wedding celebrations
and birthday parties into this year’s
calendar.
Although we got off lightly from the recent
storms the operations team have a full list
of improvements on their books such as
better control of the heating, a new
computer to speed up the booking
process, safer and more attractive
entrance steps, improved access to under
stage storage, better “mood” lighting and
modifications to the left hand dressing
room to allow storage of gym equipment.
Even in a new hall things never stand still.
The publicity group develops plans to
widen our user base, has taken the lead in
drafting our policies and procedures,
produces posters for users, this Newsletter
and maintains the website.
Then there is the bar group who over the
last two years have refined the service
offered, maintained the stocks and
provided barman for events. We can
always use more barmen and ladies if you
would like to give it a try. As many users will
know, our four caretakers look after the
building on a rota basis. All these activities
are carried out by an enthusiastic team of
volunteers. I would like to wholeheartedly
thank all the people who have contributed
to the (mostly!) smooth running of the hall
over the last two years and made it such a
success in the Cossington community.
Cossington
Village Hall News
Number 34 January 2014
Happy New Year to all!! By Geoff Cross
Toes were tapping in early May when the
Andrew Cooke Quartet entertained
diners at Cossington 's second Jazz Supper
event.
On stage, Andrew Barrett and Paul Toplis
playing guitar were joined by Mike Thorn
on double bass and Andrew Cooke on
alto saxophone and clarinet.
The Quartet began their evening program
with ‘I’ll See You In My Dreams’ and
continued with the tunes: ‘Si Tu Vois Ma
Mere’, ‘Cry Me A River’ and ‘Isn’t It
Romantic’. The second part continued
after the Carvery main course, with the
Django classic: ‘Minor Swing’ and tunes
from the Great American Songbook, such
as ‘Moonglow’, followed.
In the final set, following dessert and
coffee, an audience request for Jobin’s
latin jazz number, ‘Wave’ was duly
performed and as the evening came to a
close more Django pieces were played
including: ‘Dark Eyes’ and ‘Hungaria’, all
to the applause of the appreciative
audience. Nearly £300 was raised on the
night for Village Hall Funds.
Around 40 guests braved the driving rain
in mid December to attend the first ‘Jazz
in the Afternoon’ event to be held in the
new Hall. Swinging Jazz from the 30’s and
40’s, including tunes made famous by
Benny Goodman, Duke Ellington and
Django Reinhardt were performed by the
‘Quantock Swing Quintet’, as a fundraiser
for the Bath & Wells Association of
Change Ringers’ Bell Fund. The quintet is
formed of predominantly local musicians:
Andrew Barrett and Paul Toplis on guitar;
Mike Thorn, double bass; Dave Binding,
Cookes serve up appetising
menu of music and food By Jane Cooke
drums; and Andrew Cooke, alto sax and
clarinet.
The first set of the afternoon included the
numbers: ‘Softly As In A Morning Sunrise’;
‘Rockin’ In Rhythm’; and ‘Slipped Disc’.
Following the interval, when tea, coffee
and homemade cakes were served, the
final set got underway. ‘Liza’; ‘Let’s Fall In
Love’; ‘Dark Eyes’; ensued among others,
and keeping in the theme of the fundraiser,
‘Ring Dem Bells’! Thank you to everyone
who attended the event and gave the
musicians such a warm reception. Over
£100 was raised for the BWDACR Bell Fund.
Check out our website for new jazz events
in this new year. We have firm bookings on
15 March, 7 June and 11 October from
promoter Roger Collett.
Keep your diary
free for our
nostalgic fair on
Sunday 13 April at
Cossington Village
Hall from 10am to
4pm.
When you step
through the door
we create a
feeling of stepping
back in time, all
our stallholders
have been handpicked for quality goods
at affordable prices.
Stylish Art deco, vintage clothes, antiques,
vintage jewellery, vintage fabrics and lots
more.
Come along and soak up the atmosphere.
Enjoy a lovely vintage tea on original china
with delicious homemade cakes and
refreshments prepared and served by the
Bell ringers of St. Mary’s Church, Bridgwater,
in aid of Tower funds. Website and
Facebook coming soon.
“There’s no time like the past”. Entry £1 for
Adults, Children Free.
For further information call 07506 726652
after 6pm.
VINTAGE AT THE VILLAGE
coming to Cossington!!
By Laura Payne
Happy New Year from Cossington Concerts! By Sophie Tarleton Photos by Ian Rix
We are delighted
to be able to
announce the
continuation of the
Cossington Young
Musicians' Fund
with the
appointment of
three new Trustees
to the Cossington
Concerts Trust - Antony Carr, Mary Pritchard and Sophie
Tarleton. Huge thanks must go to those who have worked
so hard as Trustees for many years: Sheila Hamilton, Marian
Curry, Alison Buchanan and Ian Rix who have now retired
from their roles in the Trust, but will remain involved in the running of concerts.
Together with Barbara Murray, our wonderful pianist, Andrew Carter and Stephen Bell
(former Chair, who is continuing as a Trustee for the time
being), the new team will be continuing the fantastic
work of the Trust and the Cossington Young Musicians'
Fund - supporting young musicians in the area and
providing a concert platform for talented young people
and professionals from further afield - bringing high
quality music to Cossington.
Throughout
the existence
of the Trust,
the support,
interest and
practical help of local people in Cossington and
neighbouring villages has been a key element of
the success of the whole venture. We very much
hope to be able to continue to excite and involve the local community in musical
experiences on their doorstep (in the lovely acoustics
of the village hall), and we would like to invite all
who would like to be
involved in any way in
the Trust to become
"Friends of Cossington
Concerts". If you
would be interested in
becoming a Friend
(which will be free
and will simply be a
matter of supporting
the Trust in whatever
way you like, e.g.
putting up a poster,
receiving details of events, making suggestions), please
email Mary Pritchard ([email protected]) or telephone on 01749 850631.
We very much hope to hear from you or to see you at a Cossington Concerts event during
2014 and beyond!
What’s On in Cossington (event in the Hall unless otherwise stated)
Date Title Details
31 January at 7.30pm Burns Night Celebration Dancing with the Somerset
branch of the Royal Scottish
Country Dance Society. In
aid of church funds. Tickets
£12.50 include three course
supper call 722663 or 723105.
15 February at 7pm FOCS Quiz Night Please see the advert on
page 1
15 March Doors open 7pm,
starts 8pm
Jazz at the Hall
Clarinet Marmalade
promoted by Roger Collett
Join the supreme duo Mike
Denham ( piano) and Mike
Snelling (clarinet and
saxophone) perform an
evening of vintage jazz.
Reserved seats at tables cost
£10 (includes tasty interval
treats) from Roger : 451187.
29 March at 7.30pm Abba Night Supper included. In aid of
church funds.
Tickets £10 from Rachel on
722967 and Liz on 722177.
Dance along to all the Abba
favourites. Fancy dress if you
wish!
Cossington Village Hall
Trivetts Way
TA7 8JN
01278 723816
www.cossingtonvillagehall.org uk
Table Tennis at the Hall By Peter Rendle
Monday Evening Table Tennis activities have
started again after the Christmas Break at the
Hall.
Table Tennis got off to a very successful start last
year, with plenty of people “having a go”
and finding the experience a fun way of getting
exercise and meeting new people.
We now need to keep things going, and look
forward to seeing all those who have shown
interest take part in creating a viable Club.
We have four Tables and are able to supply Bats and Balls, so you only need to turn up and
join in !!
There is the opportunity to play at any level, from complete beginner to competitive local
league. We can provide basic tuition and coaching.
So if you find yourself inquisitive, please give us a try any Monday Evening from 7.00pm.
Further information is available from Pete Rendle Tel (01458) 210583.
New Playing Field Committee in the
Village– can you help? If you or would like to find out more please
contact Joe Stradling on 722932, E-mail