JAN SWAIN' S LEAPS FRANK BARNARD Dovecote School is moving forward! The sports hall and classrooms have all had a makeover. Jan (or John) Swain was a native of Shapwick in Somerset. He was taken in his bed a few nights after the Battle of Sedgemoor by two of Kirke’s dragoons who, on the following morning, were marching him to Bridgwater. His young wife and two children, attended by several of the villagers, followed him and when they arrived at that part of the parish called Loxley Wood he fell on his knees and petitioned that the prayer of a father doomed to death might be heard and that he might be allowed to show how far he could leap, that his children, when grown up, might keep him in remembrance. His prayer was granted, when he ran and took three successive leaps and before the soldiers had recovered from their astonishment, he had entered the adjoining coppice which is thickly wooded and full of swamps as to render it impossible for the horses to follow. He remained in the ditches of the neighbourhood until the time of slaughter was overpassed, when he returned to his happy family. JASON GODDARD, CEO Shapwick Statistics STUART DENNES An Update from Dovecote School History on our Doorstep: Shapwick's First Hop The Bunny Hop's Back! Continued from page 1 / local teenager, Jay Anderson, smashed into a 7th place finish with an incredible time of 52 mins 25 secs, closely followed by fellow Shapwick village boy, Ioan Manning. The next generation of runners has well and truly arrived! Huge congratulations to Jennifer Tweedy (just a few years older than the boys) for achieving a massive course PB on the day and collecting the prize for 1st female local runner. This event could not happen though, were it not for the magnificent local volunteers who provide such brilliant support both before and during the event; from race day organisation, running the junior events, the race marshals, the refreshments and wonderful cake donations at the village hall, the timekeepers, and the support of local landowners. Thanks also to the generous donations that enable this non-profit event to support great village causes, with this Extract from Tait’s Edinburgh Magazine, 1845, a collection of eclectic information akin to a Victorian Google. Rainfall measurements taken in Shapwick for the quarter ended 31 March amount to 120mm (nearly 5 inches), with the wettest day of 2022, 8th January, getting 13mm. During the three months we had rain on 44 days out of 90. This is considerably less than January - March 2021 when the total was 178mm, and we had rain on 52 days. The long-term average for annual rainfall in mid-Somerset is 800mm (31 inches), and we recorded 809mm for 2021. And you will have noticed several animals have started to appear on the school field (these, at the moment, are a local resident’s sheep) but when we open in August there will be a smallholding with different types of animals for our students to work with therapeutically as well as educationally. Understanding where our food comes from is a crucial part of the school. This will then encompass our revamped café for the students to try and understand the process of food production and the sensory barriers that come with food for ASC students. The new website is in place, please have a look: dovecoteschool.co.uk We have been overwhelmed with the welcome from Shapwick residents and we really appreciate all the kind words and support you are giving us. Many thanks! year’s donations going toward the village defibrillator. In the words of one runner, who travelled over 100 miles to make his Bunny Hop return, “It’s still the most beautiful village I know. It’s just a brilliantly organised local trail race that has kept all its original character”. For the full report and gallery of photos, visit shapwickrunners.com 3 S PR I NG I S SUE | APR I L 2 0 2 2
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