Or rather, more than 180 lambs! Including, as you probably know, quintuplets, born to one of Tracey Lockyer’s ewes and all thriving. It made the national news! See Tracey’s story on p. 5. Parish Council Cricket Club A Post-Truth World? Dovecote School Starlings of Shapwick Arts and Crafts Group From the Horse’s Mouth Dora’s Poetry Corner History Group Sustainability Group Starlets WI Allotment Association Village Hall Shapwick Jam! What's On S PR I NG I S SUE | APR I L 2 0 2 5 S P R I N G I S S U E , A P R I L 2 0 2 5 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 2 2 3 3 4 4 5 5 6 6 7 7 7 8 8 March 2025??? in like a lion... out like a lamb! o SHAPWICK OPEN GARDENS! Sunday 25th May 2-5pm Teas at the village hall! Parking at the school. Your village needs your garden, no matter the size or style! We have 6 so far…so do join in. Contact Lisa on 07805608972 Litterpick! Sunday 6 April, 10am See p.6 © Mark Passmore; reprinted by permission See p. 8! In this issue Stop Press! Friday 11 April, 7.30pm, Village Hall: Open Mic Music Night!
For all of the above and more, keep up to date with your Shapwick Village website, which includes full colour versions of this and previous issues of Shapwick News. All Agendas and Minutes at: https://www.shapwickvillage.co.uk/council-matters New Local Plan: - prior to creation of the unitary Somerset Council, planning consent for housing, business and other important areas was granted according to the policies set out in the Sedgemoor Local Plan (2011-2032), i.e. the Tier 4 rules much discussed in Shapwick! In order to align the five previous District Councils, consultation on a new Somerset Local Plan has started. Shapwick PC has already been involved in consultative meetings in the “pre-statutory “ period. Our involvement will continue and in order to keep residents fully informed a new page, “LCN & Other Meetings”, has been added to the Council Matters section of your Village website and will be regularly updated. See the link to a short “Local Plan Introductory Video”; https://www.shapwickvillage.co.uk/council-matters/local-communitynetwork/ Shapwick Parish Council and Community Group 2 S PR I NG I S SUE | APR I L 2 0 2 5 GRAHAM CROUCHER CHAIR OF SHAPWICK PC Local Community Network: - as previous mentioned this new structure is beginning to take effect. Currently there are two work groups: Health & Wellbeing, focussing firstly on improving access to our fantastic Avalon Marshes Centre and secondly on providing cycling support across all Avalon and Polden Parishes with a project called called “Step, Ride, Thrive”. The Highways work party is focussing on flood prevention, rural road white line issues, and developing a “self help” school safety pack focussed on drop & pick up behaviours. To keep fully informed on these matters too, turn to the “LCN & Other Meetings” page of the Shapwick Village Website. We are very pleased to welcome Roger Scott as your new Parish Councillor. Roger moved to Shapwick two years ago and lives in Loxley Batch. Together with Wendy Anderson, Roger has already been developing a monthly safety check/review for the Play Area and Village Green. Welcome Roger! Sports Equipment for our Village Green: Alongside the recently donated football, the Parish Council have purchased a set of Rounders equipment, and placed it in a storage box near the Table Tennis table. We chose rounders as it is a great fun sport that anyone can play and does not need a formal pitch. Please use the kit and replace in the store when done. We also welcome donations of other suitable equipment (plastic/ lightweight): just place in the storage box for all to enjoy. Woolavington Wheels, who provide a volunteer “taxi service” along the Poldens to, for example, the Polden Medical Practice, Musgrove and Weston Hospitals, are looking for additional drivers in the Shapwick/Edington area. Petrol costs and insurance cover are all provided. If you are interested and want to find out more give me a call on 07484 160913. We would like to thank Polden Environmental Network for visiting us im March and presenting the Parish Council with a cheque for £100 to support our new wildlife areas around the green. The funding was provided by Somerset Wildlife Trust and Somerset Rivers Authority, as part of the Poldens Climate Adaptation Plan. Planting a variety of trees and wildflowers will help the community connect with nature and support local wildlife, whilst taking positive action for the climate. See p. 6! 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/ As summer approaches outdoor cricket comes out of hibernation. Shapwick & Polden Cricket Club offers cricket for everyone including for the first time in 2025 disability cricket - with sessions on Thursday mornings for disabled ladies cricketers run by the Somerset Cricket Foundation. Junior cricket (10-16 yo) starts on 25 April: Friday evenings from 6.00-7.30pm. All Stars (5 upwards) on 9 May: Friday evenings for 8 weeks 6.00-7.00pm. Further details on cricket for youngsters from Judith Wanliss ( judithwanliss@hotmail.co.uk and 07904 435437). The Pavilion is open for drinks and food on Friday evenings while junior training takes place and is a great place to unwind for a couple of hours with the family on a Friday evening. The ladies team currently play pairs softball cricket and were league champions in 2024. They practice on Tuesday evenings and new players are always welcome in a very sociable group. For further details contact Emily Bartram on 07894 854547, emilyspencer987@hotmail.co.uk). The club will run two adult mens teams in 2025 in the West of England Premier League (1 XI) and the Somerset League (2 XI). If you are new to the area or fancy re-starting your cricketing career please get in touch with Club Captain Josh Luckins on 07496 678909. Practice is on Wednesday evenings throughout the summer. st nd Shapwick and Polden Cricket Club ALISTAIR BARR
Wildlife Watch: Dovecote School's Hidden Visitors Dovecote's outdoor spaces have been bustling with activity—not just during school hours, but throughout the night! A camera trap set up in the forest school area has given students and staff an unexpected glimpse into the nocturnal world of local wildlife. The footage captured regular visitors such as rabbits, badgers, and cats, along with surprises such as squirrels and a mystery bird puzzling even our keenest bird watchers. This follows Dovecote's participation in the RSPB Big School Bird Watch, which sparked students’ curiosity about the wildlife sharing their environment. The presence of badger setts in the forest school area inspired students to set up the camera, hoping to capture Every blessing, Rich Tweedy vicar@poldenwheel.co.uk Easter in a post-truth world 3 S PR I NG I S SUE APR I L 2 0 2 5 RICH TWEEDY The power of the Easter story lies in the Christian belief that it is historically true – and therefore, if you examine the historical and archaeological data about Jesus and his world, you will have more (not less) confidence in their veracity. In the gospels, Jesus’ crucifixion and resurrection are not presented as emotionally-charged myths, but as historical events seen by eye-witnesses. The gospel writers are at pains to establish that what they are describing is objectively true. In the smoke-and-mirrors of a post-truth world, Jesus is obscured by the manipulative use of human emotion. Christians must be clear in their commitment to objective truth: because that’s the only way for the beauty of the Easter story to become clear. Easter events – Sunday 20 April, Easter Day 6.00am Sunrise Service RSPB HamWall 10.00am Cafe Church Shapwick Café church is also on May 18th and June 15th. One of the most toxic concepts in the western world today is the idea that we live in a ‘post-truth’ society. In other words, it doesn’t really matter whether something is true or not – merely how you respond to something on an emotional level. This is most obvious with politicians and their campaigns when they show a flagrant disregard for the factual accuracy of what they say. DAISY JOHN Dovecote School A Celebration of Reading and Well-being at Dovecote Children's Mental Health Week focused on the theme "My Voice Matters," encouraging students to explore well-being through creative activities from mindfulness exercises and emotion check-ins to a collaborative Mental Health Mural. Highlights included a puppet show workshop, a screening of Inside Out, graffiti art sessions, and physical well-being activities reinforcing the link between mental and physical health. World Book Day then immersed students and staff in the joy of literature. Activities included lesson swaps featuring Escape Room and Murder Mystery challenges, a Premier League Takeover Quiz, and a BBC Teach Live Lesson that even gave Dovecote a shoutout! These events provided fun and engaging experiences while reinforcing key messages about self-expression, well-being, and creativity. these elusive creatures. The results have exceeded expectations, revealing a thriving ecosystem under the cover of darkness. Encouraged by these findings, the school plans to move the camera to different areas around the grounds. Who knows what might be captured next? Stay tuned for more wildlife updates! We can look back with pride on our achievements this term. From exploring local wildlife to celebrating literature and championing mental well-being, Dovecote has been a hive of activity. Our students have shown curiosity, creativity, and compassion throughout, embracing opportunities to learn in new and exciting ways. We look forward to seeing what the next term will bring!
For the Starlings of Shapwick CHARLOTTE DOUGLAS Take a look at this word art that I created, I’ve added different words associated with starlings onto the silhouette. It looks like a newspaper page, right? I wanted to use words that came to mind while thinking about the beautiful murmurations that we see here in Shapwick. See how many different words can you spot. Go to the online version of Shapwick News and you can enlarge the picture. We had a very successful and well-attended afternoon in the village hall for the first session of the Arts and Crafts group, with lots of different activities going on. Examples of work included watercolour painting, drawing, using stencils, weaving, mosaic, cross stitch, collage and zentangle. There was so much talent and expertise in the room and lots of interest shown in what others were doing. It was so pleasing to see people sharing their knowledge, skills and experience, inspiring others to have a go at something they haven’t tried before. MARGARET DOBBS Arts and Crafts Group Don’t forget the hedgehogs from the last edition, they are now waking up! Have you all been enjoying the murmurations of the starlings? I know I have, and seeing them soaring gracefully through the sky has inspired me to create a small comic of how I imagine their conversations would go. One early morning I was looking out of the bathroom window and I saw two starlings sitting on a wire. Let’s call them Bird 1 and Bird 2. Bird 1 kept inching towards Bird 2, almost putting its head on Bird 2's shoulder, but Bird 2 kept inching away from Bird 1. My friends say I witnessed a starling getting ‘friendzoned’. That made me think about how starlings have feelings too, so this comic is how I’d imagine they might speak to each other. 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/ The hedgehogs are waking up! 4 S PR I NG I S SUE | APR I L 2 0 2 5 Thanks to everyone who came and spread the word. A special word of thanks to Louise for making delicious cakes and everyone who helped make the afternoon so enjoyable. The next session will be on April 3rd. It will then be on every week, apart from Maundy Thursday (April 17th), and 26 June. This is a great opportunity to try out new crafts. We are looking forward to learning more about weaving, gel plate printing and embroidery in the weeks to come. Please come along and enjoy 2 hours of arts and crafts, interrupted only by tea and cake! Shapwick News in colour at https://www.shapwickvillage.co.uk/newsletters/
From the Horse’s Mouth 5 S PR I NG I S SUE | APR I L 2 0 2 5 Golden days of steam The golden days of steam The Flying Scotsman The Orient Express legends in their day The whistle of a train across the airwaves across the lonely moor our own little branch line Somerset and Dorset “The Slow and Dirty”: nicknamed by the locals but loved by all TRACEY LOCKYER The famous five What a story to tell!! On Thursday 6th March, when I got home from work after checking my ewes via the cameras all day, I discovered a ewe had given birth to a lamb: nothing unusual there, but she had a water bag indicating another, so I left her and continued my rounds. I got back about 45mins later and was amazed to find 5 lambs. I thought, they can't all be yours! I looked around to see if any other ewes else had lambed ...no! Usually with multiple births the lambs are entwined and mum needs help. But not this one! Excited and amazed I gathered the lambs and put them in their pen with mum. I had to tell someone, so I phoned Alan. I don't think he believed me. I took some photos and posted on FB. Lots of people asked if quintuplets were common so my sister googled it and "one in a million chance" came up. She contacted ITV (without telling me) and within two hours they arrived to film the miracle. They posted a clip on their FB page and it aired on Monday 10 March throughout the day on their news bulletin. After the evening news a photographer contacted me to arrange to come and do some photos for the national newspapers. Pictures appeared in the Bridgwater Mercury, the Western Daily Press, the Mirror, the Independent and the Guardian. Mum and babies are doing so well. The boys stayed with mum; the girls are now bottle fed lambs. They are called after the Famous Five: Julian, Dick, Timmy, George and Anne. Of course they will now stay on the farm and will be making guest appearances at Dovecote Farm on open days. In nearly fifty years of sheep on our family farm we have never had 5 lambs from one ewe before. See one report on the quins at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T_PpwS28kyg © Mark Passmore; reprinted by permission Dora’s Poetry Corner DORA WATKINS our passport to outside London in a day two miles from the village gentry had said no can’t build it on our land outside it must go axed by Dr Beeching In 1964 Shapwick Station Courtesy SouthWestern Circle; reprinted with thanks
WI NTER I S SUE | APR I L 2 0 2 5 6 Shapwick History Group JOHN ANDERSON A Guide’s Guide to Wells Cathedral Don’t tell anyone (especially anyone in Shapwick History Group), but aside from school carol concerts I’ve never properly visited Wells Cathedral – you know, the unique, internationally famous Gothic wonder 25 minutes down the road… So I was delighted when Cathedral guide Dr Barry Wratten, kindly offered us an excellent historical overview. Barry has been a guide for over eight years since retiring as headmaster at Churchill School, and his time leading visitors through the building’s medieval corridors and vaulted ceiling spaces provided an enlightening insider’s perspective. The building would have been full of colour - both inside and out - during the Middle Ages, adding an extra dimension to what must have been an awe-inspiring experience for humble village dwellers on pilgrimages and feast day processions. This was just a fraction of Barry’s presentation, so all are welcome to join us for a return visit to Wells Cathedral later this Spring – contact us at history@shapwick.org, find us on FaceBook or check out tours directly at wellscathedral.org.uk/visit/tours. Also, many thanks to Wendy at The Pavilion for looking after us. The talk focused on how the Cathedral came into being, and its continued evolution up to the Reformation. He also added behindthe-scenes observations and practical advice along the way (don’t book a tour during an organ tuning session!). As well as the major architectural developments (such as the famous Scissor Arches, and the twin towers - later additions to the West Front) many less obvious features were pointed out, including the internal flying buttresses, cartoon-strip carvings such as the grape-stealing morality tale, and a sculpted selfie by an unknown C13th stone mason with toothache – all tucked away amongst the explosion of Gothic decoration. Watch the film at shapwickvillage.co.uk/community-groups/history-group 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/ Sustainability Group STEVE POLDEN As spring arrives, we have a litter pick planned for Sunday 6 April, before the hedgerows have ‘hidden’ all the litter with their new shoots and leaves. We meet at the Cricket Pavilion for 10.00; as usual there will be refreshments at the end. Everyone is welcome: last time we had a great response and cleared nearly ten bags of rubbish from the village. Thank you too if you ‘litter pick’ throughout the year; it does keep the village looking beautiful. th Bag It, Bin It – dog walkers please pick up after your dog. Northbrook Road/Chestnut Lane seem to have a particular issue. We have dog bins around the village or take it home. refrain from ball games etc. on that area, it will help them get established. We will also leave this area of grass largely uncut over the summer. Thank you to the Parish Council and PEN for the funding (see PC report, p. 2). Whilst our application for the thermal camera was accepted, due to high demand we did not get the camera to use. I will reapply in the autumn and keep anyone who expressed an interest on a waiting list for 2025/26. Closer to home, we’re happy to report that ‘Memories of Shapwick’, the interview we filmed with long time resident Dora Watkins (who will be 98 in April) can now be viewed via the village website. The interview was recorded in one sitting in April 2023, and is packed with details of rural life in the 1930s and 40s. If you missed the premiere at the Village Hall last year now’s your chance! Amongst many highlights for interviewer Frank Barnard: Dora’s description of Jan Swayne hiding in a bread oven, only to be discovered and arrested, before escaping on horseback, also that his tombstone is said to lie in the Church porch; the ‘Friesian bird anecdote’; how Blackberry Cottage got its name (kids collecting blackberries mainly for dyeing, not eating); various spooks of course, and how the post office burnt down in suspicious circumstances… To improve the biodiversity of the Village Green, working with the PC and the Polden Environmental Network (PEN), we have planted 300 wild flowers in the area between the path and the stream. We hope that over the spring and summer they will attract insects and other wildlife. We do not want ‘Keep off the Grass’ signs, but if we could
Shapwick Allotment Association Well, it’s been a cold and wet start running to the spring, with preparations well underway for a late March planting spree. A spot of tidying up and a layer of new compost and we’re all ready to go. First on the action list for the allotment site is some additional planting of the hedgerow to the west side. A good turn out from the team and even a couple of hours of sunshine! Shapwick Starlets WI 7 S PR I NG I S SUE | APR I L 2 0 2 5 SUE SELLICK Our Speaker in January was our very own Louise who became a Woolly Detective for the evening. Such an interesting talk and demonstration, one very talented lady. Louise is part of our ‘Crafty Team’ who are working on plans for our 100th birthday celebration. In February, Nick from Goats of the Gorge told us his path from being a policeman to an entrepreneur with his own very successful business, even appearing, with his sons, on Dragons’ Den. And we learned a lot about the benefits of goats’ milk. Nick bought some lovely products with him, I can highly recommend the shampoo bar, available from the website or Glastonbury Abbey shop. SIMON DAWES The online version of Shapwick News in full colour at: https://www.shapwickvillage.co.uk/newsletters/ With our 100th birthday coming up in October, plans are ‘full steam ahead’! As part of our celebrations we are hoping to fulfil 100 acts of kindness, starting with helping out at Secret World Wildlife Rescue, getting the aviaries ready for all the orphaned baby birds that they will rescue, rehabilitate and release. We also hope to help the Hawk and Owl Trust with planting apple trees. We have been busy researching the formation of our WI, started by Lady Strangways of the Manor House in 1925. In the Records Office in Taunton we found lots of information: when she died in 1932, Lady Strangways left her prize heifer to her Bailiff! But sadly we found no photographs yet of the founder members: Lady Strangways, Mrs Seamer (the wife of the Vicar) or Mrs Fordham (the Doctor’s wife). In March we learned about what the railways had done for us, from their beginnings until the present day. Thanks to Pete for a fascinating talk; interesting to see how the numbers of routes crossing Britain increased and then declined. How lovely to see the spring flowers again! With the weather improving, we will be able to start our weekly wanders, and buzzing around on the bus. Is there anyone who might have any old photographs of the village from 1925 onwards, to help with our research? If so, please contact us via FB or email: shapwickwi@yahoo.com We look forward to a new allotmenteer in the spring and will be staking out the last plot before March is out in readiness for her introductions to the team. Village Hall NERINA SCOTT, BRIDGET DAWES, IAN HALE February saw the first of this year's breakfast mornings which was a great success. With over 50 breakfasts being served it was a lovely opportunity for villagers and friends to catch up. And in March close to 40 villagers enjoyed the first Curry Night of the year! Both events showed the great difference the recent improvements to the hall have made. Thank you to all those that supported the hall. Future breakfast mornings and events will be posted around the village and on Facebook residents.
Pilates: Tuesdays 9.20-10.20am or 10.30-11.30am; Wednesdays 7-8pm. Contact: juliehotchkiss98@yahoo.co.uk. Every Sunday: Shapwick Runners' Sunday Run! Meet at the cricket field, set off at 9am. All abilities welcome! Pavilion events (e.g. Bingo): bar and kitchen open from 5.30. Bingo: Pavilion on alternate Fridays (see Facebook/noticeboards for dates): Eyes down 7.30pm. Thursday 3 April, 2-4pm, Village Hall: Arts and Crafts Group - then every Thursday from 2-4pm (not 17 April or 26 June). Sunday 6 April, 10am, meet at Pavilion: Litterpick Tuesday 8 April, 7.30pm, Village Hall: Shapwick Starlets WI Friday 11 April, 7.30pm, Village Hall: Open Mic Music Night Sunday 20 April: 6am , RSPB HamWall: Sunrise Service (Easter Day) 10am, St Mary’s Church: Cafe Church Monday 21 April (Easter Monday): Bunny Hop! Thursday 24 April, 2-4pm, St Mary’s Church: Community Cafe Tuesday 13 May, 7.30pm, Village Hall: Shapwick Starlets WI Sunday 18 May, 10am, St Mary’s Church: Cafe Church Sunday 25 May, 2-5pm: Shapwick Open Gardens! See p. 1. Thursday 29 May, 2-4pm, Pavilion: Community Cafe Saturday 7 June, Village Green: Shapwick Jam 2025! Tuesday 13 June, 7.30pm, Village Hall: Shapwick Starlets WI Sunday 15 June, 10am, St Mary’s Church: Cafe Church Thursday 26 June, 2-4pm, Village Hall: Community Cafe What's On in Shapwick, April to June 2025 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 2025, please submit contributions by no later than 15 June 2025, 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. Winter Issue,January 2025: Published by Shapwick Parish Council, edited by Moray McGowan, assisted by Charlotte Douglas (page 4, and the great graphic above of the locomotive driving starlings!) S PR I NG I S SUE | APR I L 2 0 2 5 8 Join us for another fantastic day of top tunes, lovely grub, and great company on the Village Green on 7 June. The afternoon fun is free and kicks off at 1pm, with live music all afternoon from 2pm and an open mic at 3pm (please get in touch at facebook.com/shapwickjam if you’d like to perform, or rock up on the day)! Then stay for the evening entertainment from 7pm to midnight, tickets only, with some great new bands alongside festival favourites. Tickets are on sale now, buy before the end of April for an early bird discount - £10 for adults, £5 for children aged 12-15 (£12/ £6 from May 1 ) and under 12s free (under 16s to be accompanied by an adult). Purchase from Stuart (01458 210119) or Sid (01458 210185). Numbers are limited so advance booking is recommended - online tickets also available closer to the time. st Drinks from the bar only, thanks, and profits will go to local charities. Plus, the festival team would love your help putting up the marquee beforehand – check out Shapwick Residents’ FaceBook page or the village noticeboard for more info. We can’t wait to see you there! The Jam Team Get Ready for the Shapwick Jam! Community Café: on the last Thursday of every month, starting at 2pm. Rotating between the Church, Village Hall and Pavilion. Donations of cakes always welcome! See Dora’s poem, “Golden days of steam”, on p.5!
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