Hello Spring! Parish Council, Community Group Litterpick Rich Tweedy’s Letter Sustainability Group Village Hall Allotments taking shape History Group & Dora’s Memories of Shapwick Shapwick Starlets WI Bunny Hop 2024 Dora’s Poetry Corner From the Horse’s Mouth Dovecote School Cricket Club Shapwick Jam What's On S PR I NG I S SUE | APR I L 2 0 2 4 In this issue: S P R I N G I S S U E , A P R I L 2 0 2 4 B R O U G H T T O Y O U B Y T H E S H A P W I C K C O M M U N I T Y G R O U P 1 2 2 3 3 4 4 5 6 6 6 7 7 7 8 8 Any flourishing community will have many activities which give it its character and make it a worthwhile place to live. Some are visible and well known to everyone, some pursued quietly, almost out of sight, yet the community would be poorer without them. In focussing on three stories from the “Heart of Shapwick” here, Shapwick News also acknowledges the many others which could equally be celebrated. Some of them regularly find their way onto the pages of Shapwick News. As this issue of Shapwick News went to the printers, it was still pouring. Every day. But in between was warm spring sunshine, and perhaps by the time you read this, spring will really have arrived. Alongside many others, this issue features three stories from the heart of the village: The first steps in establishing the allotments on the Village Green (see p.4 ), the plans for the much-needed renovation and improvement of facilities in the Village Hall (see p.4), and an account of a truly historic film made for and shown at the Shapwick History Group, a record of a special appearance by a special Shapwick person, Dora Watkins (see p. 5 ). Others, perhaps just as important, concern the village’s unsung heroes, people who without fuss help to make it the place it is, mowing verges, cleaning or repairing signs, unblocking culverts and drains, tidying up litter (see p. 2: litter-picks are very worthwhile, and so is the litter-picking that goes on in between!), helping their neighbours, decorating pillar- and postboxes on special occasions. Shapwick says thankyou!
All Agendas and Minutes at: shapwickparishcouncil.org.uk The discussion on flood risk and local community action links to Somerset Council’s plans to tackle the widely publicised budget deficit. In particular the Highways team are planning to reduce “Reactive Responses” to issues such as blocked gullies & overgrown hedges from April 2025 (they will however continue to undertake urgent safety work). It is suggested that this could be replaced by a combination of “highway stewards” (a service contracted by a group of towns / parishes), self-delivery or a parish price list. We will seek to keep up to date on this matter and engage with Somerset where appropriate. 2 S PR I NG I S SUE | APR I L 2 0 2 4 Shapwick Parish Council GRAHAM CROUCHER CHAIR OF SHAPWICK PC Play Area Phase 1: We have selected suppliers for Phase 1 of the Village Green Play Area and agreed on installation of a three piece swing set with safety matting plus one other piece of equipment for younger users, possibly a “trim trail”. Wherever feasible, we will employ sustainable materials. We hope that Phase 1 will be ready for July. Meanwhile April will be busy applying for grants to Phase 2 which is planned to be a play tower. Please watch out for requests for help and ways in which you may be able to assist with Phase 1. Parish Council: New Parish Councillors: We are very pleased to welcome Wendy Anderson and Tracey Lockyer as newly co-opted Councillors. Tracey and Wendy are already known to most villagers for their community activities. They bring new skills and knowledge to your Parish Council, increasing our contacts within the community. Please do support Wendy and Tracey in their new roles. Mill Lane planning application: Most people will know this application for 8 houses including 4 affordable homes has been refused by Somerset Planning Committee (see decision and grounds at: https://sdc.somerset.gov.uk/planning_online, entering application number 43/23/00008). Whilst this decision reflects the wishes of many villagers it does still leave an established need for affordable housing unmet and is perhaps something we need to think about as a community and revisit in due course. Community Group: At the February meeting Steve McAuliffe, villager and Director of Webglu, gave a very encouraging update on the development of the new Village website. This is planned to become a one stop portal for all Shapwick activities including the Parish and all the clubs and organisations linked to Shapwick. More on this soon! Prompted by recent flooding issues, in particular around Church Road, Kent Lane and Bridewell Lane, there was a constructive debate about how we could take local action to increase our resilience to flooding in Shapwick. Steve Polden has taken this challenge as part of the Sustainability group’s brief. Watch for meeting dates / communications where you will be able to contribute further to the debate. See p. 3 for the Sustainabilty Group. . In March, the PC recognised Sue Williams’ last Meeting as Parish Clerk after 24 years of fantastic service and support to many, many councillors and to the Shapwick community. Sue will be retiring from her role at the end of Shapwick Village Litterpick LORRAINE DAVIES A big thank you to the villagers who joined the litter pick on 25 February 2024. After a health and safety briefing we set off around the village and surrounding roads. Whilst the roads within the village were largely litter free we still managed to fill lots of sacks. Wendy Anderson, who The harvest... flytipping remains a problem It was great to see so many people getting involved in this very worthwhile project for the village. It was also lovely that villagers were able to stay a while after to chat over refreshments. Thank you again to all who participated! kindly donated her time and culinary skills, had sausage baps (sausages kindly donated by Paul Rogers) and refreshments ready for our return. Fortunately the rain held off until we’d finished. At the March meeting, the Parish Council and the Allotment Association signed a historic agreement. “Let a 100 flowers bloom” (Mao Zedong). Or maybe marrows? See p. 4! April. Thank you, Sue, from Councillors past and present and from the village!
At the end of March the Shapwick Sustainability Group met to discuss and agree some actions to mitigate climate change and reduce our resource footprint. We are taking forward a number of initiatives including what we can do to 'manage' wild areas to encourage wildlife, a session on foraging, and continuing with the litter picks (see p.2 for the report on February’s Litterpick!) in spring and autumn - although please don't wait until the organised pick: we can all help by picking up as we go along. It is noticeable that on waste collection days there is an increase in litter, either from animals getting into the bags left outside or it being dropped as the bags or boxes are transferred to the bin lorry. RICH TWEEDY Every blessing, Rich Tweedy vicar@poldenwheel.co.uk I’ve just been doing a Lent course with a group from the local churches, following a book on ‘Failure’. It sounds a grim subject: until you realise that failure is something that we all have experience of – and most of us grow far more from failure than from success. When Jesus died on the cross on Good Friday, it would have looked like the greatest of failures. But the resurrection on the first Easter Sunday was the ultimate triumph over failure: victory over death itself. Spending time away from the busyness of life itself can give us the opportunity to consider life’s ultimate questions – and also whether the story of Jesus is a key part of the answers. Fights, dances, failure and success 3 S PR I NG I S SUE | APR I L 2 0 2 4 Although I’ve been doing much less wildlife photography than usual recently, I had a wonderful couple of hours at Ham Wall in mid-February. Two male grebes were battling it out over a female, having several spectacular fights. The winning couple then indulged in two weed dances – that intensely romantic ritual that grebes have. Spending time in nature is a wonderful way to unwind and relax, taking one’s mind off the busyness of life. We live in a world obsessed with targets and achievements – so we underestimate the value and importance of enjoying the simplicity of life around us. In this area we’re very lucky to have so many opportunities to enjoy the natural world. Shapwick Sustainability Group STEVE POLDEN Don't know what a voltage inverter is for? As part of the new Shapwick website development, we are looking to provide contacts for villagers who are considering alternative energy sources or making the move to an electric or hybrid car. A number of villagers have installed solar panels, heat pumps and charging points and are willing to provide help and information on some of the considerations before you make a decision on what is best for you. Finally: we can all do something by doing less: No Mow May is back this year, bringing another boost of much-needed nectar to pollinators across gardens, parklands and verges as gardeners throughout the UK pledge not to mow their lawns for the month. The movement was started in 2019 by conservation charity Plantlife, which is once again urging people to keep the mower locked up for another month to allow spring plants a chance to set seed before the first cutting, making for healthier, more diverse lawns. Additionally, this gives wild plants the chance to get a foothold in May, to feed bees, butterflies and other pollinators through summer. Even if you leave a small amount of the garden un-mown, it all helps. Visit the Plantlife website for more details: plantlife.org.uk See p.2 for the report on February’s Litterpick!
5 S PR I NG I S SUE | APR I L 2 0 2 4 Shapwick Village Hall BRIDGET DAWES, IAN HALE, NERINA SCOTT The heart of the community Shapwick Village Hall was originally a barn, donated to the parish for use as a hall. It is an old building, and has had various changes over the years to allow it to function as a hub for the village. It retains much of its character and consequently holds a special place in the village with many activities and events. Unfortunately, like many old buildings, it has become tired, with some parts out-dated and unable to serve the needs of the users. The Village Hall Committee intend to improve the hall by enlarging the kitchen to be more practical to work in and not have to overspill into the foyer area when big events are on. In doing this we will also be altering and modernising the toilets as well. The cost for this work will be around £80,000, for which the Committee have been obtaining various grants and running various fundraising functions. We are now in a position to start carrying out the necessary work and enclose the drawings for you to view of how the changes will look. We warmly thank those of you that have supported us to date! If anyone has skills they feel would help us on the next stage we would be grateful to hear from you. Village Hall Curry Night, February 2024: always popular, always tasty! Allotments on the Village Green SIMON DAWES Well, despite all the rain, our intrepid allotmenteers have started to craft their plots. Not all of us yet, but planting work has started in preparation for some warmer weather. Yes, there is a sun up there somewhere! As we move into April, we will see a lot more activity and the installation of a communal shed and water tank. Lots to do and looking forward to sharing our plans as we approach the growing season in earnest. Many thanks to all involved and for the great support from keen and experienced growers! On a more serious point (and there won't be many of these I hope), this is PC land and now let to the SAA (see p.2!) It is now in cultivation and under the management of the Association. So, we will be repairing the hedge, upgrading the access and reinstalling the gate and fencing. If you want to come in for a chat, that would be lovely, but please No Dogs. We have had several instances of dog fouling on the land since we started, so we would be grateful if you can now exercise your dogs elsewhere. Many thanks! Simon Dawes, Chairman, Shapwick Allotment Association (SAA) Thanks to Jon MacAulay (l.) from Natural England, for support, advice, and brash! We look forward to seeing you at upcoming events, such as: Saturday 20 April, 9am-11am, Breakfast Morning Village hall committee
Finding it hard because the photos a bFlack and white? Find a flourition of Shapwick News at: https://www.shapwickparishcounci l.org.uk/parish-newsletters/ 6 S PR I NG I S SUE | APR I L 2 0 2 4 As a Shapwick News reader, it won’t surprise you to hear that our very own Dora Watkins, aged 96, is an undisputed authority on all matters of local history. However, you might not be aware that her knowledge is based not only on personal recollections (Dora was born and bred in the village) but is also informed by the experiences of at least four preceding family generations, who also lived, worked and raised families here. Which means she’s been able to help us make a Great, Great, Great social history film! Shapwick History Group JOHN ANDERSON Dora’s ‘Memories of Shapwick’ - a Village Hall Film Night to Remember! More recently, the group welcomed a return visit by local historian Anne Murch, who took us a little further back in time, bringing to life a picture of what it was like to be a member of the rural poor in Somerset during the Georgian period. Anne’s fascinating presentation was based on ten years of detailed research, studying the accounts of the overseers of the poor from six nearby villages. For such a serious topic, it was a surprisingly positive account of historic welfare, especially so within smaller rural villages, where communities took pride in providing support where needed. There were also many interesting asides along the way – do you know where the expression 'sleep tight' originates from? There’s another chance to see Anne at Edington History Group on 22nd April, 7pm, more info at www.edhg.org.uk/our-events/Events Meanwhile, we hope to see you at our forthcoming talks: see ‘What’s On’ (p.8) or contact history@shapwick.org for more information. Many thanks to Dora, and to our interviewer Frank Barnard, for providing such an evocative, lasting record. We look forward to sharing the film on the Parish Council’s new website soon. It was standing room only at the back of the hall for Dora’s premiere, as residents gathered to discover what it was like to grow up in 1930s Shapwick. Although they were tough times, many of Dora’s recollections sound rather idyllic; living in a largely self-sufficient farming community; making her own entertainment with friends at local concerts; looking forward to summer outings at Burnham-On-Sea – a big adventure starting from Shapwick railway station. It also appears that, as youngsters, even the war seemed a relatively remote threat, with air raid warnings serving as an acceptable homework dodging excuse!
Learn to arrange beautiful spring flowers foraged from garden, hedgerow and field bank, to make a wild bouquet inspired by nature. Learn basic design principles and take your seasonal creations home. Shapwick Moor Nature Reserve is the perfect spot to take inspiration from the natural world and apply this to crafts like flower arranging. We start by meeting in the visitor car park and walking up to our workspace, looking Dora's Poetry Corner Bunny Hop 2024! Contact us via Shapwick Starlets Facebook page or email shapwickwi@yahoo.com We were eased into the New Year by the amazing Gregory Steward who performed some songs from the musicals. We are so lucky to have such a talented young man in the village. It was a magical evening. Our speaker for February was Zoe Thomas from the NHS Foundation Trust who told us all about their ongoing projects and the amazing things they have achieved so far, raising funds to support patients and staff at all hospitals in the Trust including Musgrove and Yeovil hospitals. 4 S PR I NG I S SUE APR I L 2 0 2 4 Shapwick Starlets WI SUE SELLICK Netball is such good fun: we are playing a combination of normal rules and walking netball rules, and it is so hard not to run when you see the ball. We are all becoming much fitter and are laughing lots. Who knew there were warm up exercises involving opening and shutting the gates! Looking forward to the summer months when we can play on the outside court. In March our speaker was Peter Lander talking about the peat industry on the levels – Pete on Peat! Such an interesting talk and lovely old photos; we learned about turves, ruckles and taits, winrowing, mumps! The competition was to write a limerick/poem containing the words Pete/peat and bog. We have never had so many entries! We have now replaced the bench in the church yard, made from 100% recycled materials, a quiet place to sit and reflect. Please go and take a look. Our April meeting is all about recycling and we will be decorating plant pots with mosaics made from broken crockery. Thanks to Secret World Wildlife Rescue, we have a big box of broken plates rescued from their summer fair, as their smash a plate stall was very successful! We are now in the process of booking speakers for next year, so if you are local and have a craft to share or story to tell, please let us know at shapwickwi@yahoo.com Spring Flower Arranging Workshop Shapwick Moor Nature Reserve, Saturday 20 April, 10am DORA WATKINS Columbine The humble columbine that trails Over hedge and over rails Making everything so gay Is it a weed? Who’s to say? It’s pretty enough to be a sweet flower Creeping over its sunlit tower But some will say: Obnoxious thing, It clings and chokes up everything Yet when I look at your pretty head I cannot wish that you were dead So go on, trail your merry way Making the countryside look gay! See also p. 5 ! out for butterflies and nesting birds in the hedgerows on the way. We will work in a beautiful log cabin and outside so that we can enjoy the birdsong and keep our eyes peeled for passing hares and kestrels while we work. A delicious lunch and refreshments are included. For cost and how to register see poster on p. 8. the Village Hall for tea, bacon butties, and the odd celebratory race cider. It was lovely to see so many villagers taking part - congratulations to all participants, and a huge thank you to the organisers, marshalls, helpers, cake bakers and cheereronners at another fantastic Hop... see you next year! JOHN ANDERSON, TERESA KING Photo: Frank Barnard In a welcome break from the rain, the sun shone for this year's Bunny Hop! The legendary 7.5 mile race was a sell out, with 150 intrepid runners taking on a very muddy and challenging course before heading back to
It seems hard to imagine, given the weather over the last few months, but the cricket season is nearly upon us. Sunday 25th March saw lots of activity at the ground as preparations were made to get the facilities ready for cricket, but we could do without any more rain if pre-season practices and matches are to start as intended. Ladies cricket continues to expand at Shapwick. This year the team (eligibility from 13 years upwards) will play 10 matches of pairs softball cricket on Sundays. Training starts Tuesday 16th April at 6.30-8.00pm at the ground. On Sunday 5th May the Ladies will be hosting a softball cricket festival for 6 teams with “Tipsy tea” including a glass of Prosecco – come along and support the girls and have a smart afternoon tea. hot, now cold. Injections are the ony thing to help this, so catching them in the field is the only way. Just like humans, animals get stressed from the constant change in temperature. At the school farm we have already had our first hatch of chicks and ducklings, and are waiting for the guinea pigs and pygmy goats to give birth in April. Farmers in the village have also been busy with calving. These signs of new life are all around us and make us feel better. Just remember how much goes into the welfare and husbandry of these baby animals - and the long hours! But I must say that it is very rewarding and makes it all worthwhile. Fingers crossed for a warmer drier April and May… S PR I NG I S SUE | APR I L 2 0 2 4 7 From the Horse’s Mouth TRACEY LOCKYER Shapwick and Polden Cricket Club Junior cricket remains a major feature and provides lots of opportunities for 5-19 year olds. Junior training is on Friday evenings from 19th April – bar open and food available from 5pm and all welcome. A great way to spend Friday evening and relax with a drink while the kids practice or just burn off some energy on the field. Then just walk home! This year the first XI will be competing in the Somerset Division of the West of England Premier League while the 2nd and 3rd XIs compete in Divisions 1 and 6 west of the Somerset League respectively. Adults practice at the ground on Wednesday evenings so if you fancy joining in please come along on a Wednesday evening and say hello! The bar will be open on Saturday afternoons for matches from 27th April when there will be an “intra-club” friendly and league fixtures will start on the 4th May. JON BALL The students and staff at Dovecote School had so much fun on 15th March raising money for Red Nose Day. The theme, do something for money, was embraced by all. The students wore red, wrote jokes for our funny wall, and participated in various red nose themed activities throughout the day. Some of the staff dressed in tutu skirts or wore red. Even our two Therapy dogs showed up in style wearing their red nose day collars. Everyone passing the school on Friday morning had a laugh when Rick dressed up in a Victorian style bathing suit with a full-face mask and snorkel to direct the traffic into school. Even lunch was red nose themed with red nose rolls and red nose themed pudding. Dovecote School MEL MORGAN Well what a start to the year ...like me I'm guessing you are all fed up with the weather. Will it ever brighten up and dry up? Just as I think it's going to change it starts raining again. The poor animals don't know what to do either! After a very busy lambing period of six weeks - and yes, there are still a few holding on - I turned them out into the fields. The mothers need grass to produce milk: there is only so much hay and concentrate they can take, and it doesn't make milk like grass does. The lambs this year were turned out with little disposable jackets on, so if it rained the warmth would not be lost from their bodies. Two of my ewes have had pneumonia from the weather blowing now
What's On in Shapwick, April to June 2024 Call for Volunteers & Contributions Like to help edit future issues? Please email: shapwick.news@shapwickparishcouncil.org.uk. Shapwick News is a quarterly publication. For the summer issue, due to publish in July 2024, please submit contributions by no later than 15 June 2024, preferably via email above. Thank you! There is no guarantee that all material submitted will be used - publication is at the Editor's discretion and articles may be amended or condensed. We do not print anonymous contributions but are prepared to include items under a pen name, if so desired, on condition that we are given the name and address of the author(s). Opinions expressed are those of the author and are not necessarily those of the Editor nor Parish Council. Spring Issue, April 2024: Published by Shapwick Parish Council, edited by Moray McGowan. Pilates: Tuesdays 9.30-10.30am or 10.30-11.30am; Wednesdays 7-8pm. Contact: juliehotchkiss98@yahoo.co.uk. S PR I NG I S SUE | APR I L 2 0 2 4 8 Every Sunday: Shapwick Runners' Sunday Run! Meet at the cricket field, set off at 9am. All abilities welcome! For Pavilion events (Bingo, Quiz Nights, Open Mic), the bar and kitchen are open from 5.30. Community Café: on the last Thursday of every month, starting at 2pm, rotating between the Pavilion, the Village Hall and St Mary’s Church. A great place to meet other villagers and friends over a tea or coffee and a cake or two... See Facebook, and the roadside signboards for other upcoming dates! Shapwick Jam ‘24 Join us for jam, scones and tunes from 1pm - 6pm (free entry, no booking needed, open mic 2pm-4pm!) then stay on for the ticketed main event from 7pm - midnight. With a brilliant line up of live music, yummy festival food and bar, advance tickets are strongly recommended. Tickets? See poster above. Booze available from the bar only, thank you. Drop us a line on shapwickjam@hotmail.com for more info! Thursday 4th April, 7pm, Village Hall: 'John Chubb and Other Bridgwater Radicals' - Town Council leader Brian Smedley on the artist, merchant and radical Whig John Chubb, who was instrumental in creating Bridgwater Town's first national petition against the slave trade in 1785. Wednesday 8th May, 7pm, Village Hall: A talk by David Baker, looking back on his family farm at Meare over the past 130 years. Two upcoming History Group talks. All welcome, free entry, small donations appreciated. Thursday 4 April, 7pm, Village Hall: History Group: Talk by Brian Smedley. See above. Tuesday 9 April, 7.30pm, Village Hall: Shapwick Starlets WI Saturday 20 April, 9am-11am, Village Hall: Breakfast Morning Saturday 20 April, 10am: Flower Arranging Workshop, Shapwick Moor Nature Reserve. See above. Sunday 5 May: Cricket Club: Ladies Softball Cricket Festival. All welcome. Wednesday 8 May, Village Hall: History Group: Talk by David Baker. See above. Tuesday 14 May, 7.30pm, Village Hall: Shapwick Starlets WI Tuesday 21st May 2024 7.00pm Village Hall: Annual Parish Meeting followed by the Annual Meeting of the Parish Council Saturday 8 June, from 1pm, Village Green: Shapwick Jam! See above. Tuesday 11 June, 7.30pm, Village Hall: Shapwick Starlets WI Save the date: Saturday 7 December 2 pm - 4 pm, Village Hall: Shapwick Starlets WI Christmas Fayre
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