o In this issue people often say " near the horse". The police and ambulance have been called when a passer-by thought a rider had fallen from the horse. It brings many a smile to people passing by. If anyone ever has any fancy dress, mannequins or accessories I could use I would be grateful. In 2017 farming supplies store Countryside Farmers went into liquidation and when we were clearing the shop in Glastonbury I was asked if I wanted the horse! I think it was more of a joke as I am not really into horses. The fibre-glass horse travelled from Glastonbury in style on a flat-bed trailer, much to the astonishment of other drivers. The horse was placed in the Three Trees field attached to a sheep feeder and this is how it started. The Horse’s Mouth Parish Council Rich Tweedy’s Letter Dovecote School Sustainability/Litterpick For Shapwick Detectives Village Hall Three Trees Ashcott Football Club History Group Cricket Club Bicycle Workshop Shapwick Starlets/WI Allotment Association Shapwick Jam! What's On 1 2 3 3 3 4 5 5 5 6 6 6 7 7 8 8 S PR I NG I S SUE | APR I L 2 0 2 6 S P R I N G I S S U E , A P R I L 2 0 2 6 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 See p. 8! What IS that horse doing in the field beside Shapwick Hill? Let Tracey Lockyer take up the story: The Story of the Horse When there is a special event such as royal weddings, a seasonal event, or simply just a major story or to cause a smile, horse and mannequin are dressed for the occasion. We’ve had Christmas, Easter, Valentine's, Within a week I got reported to the RSPCA for cruelty as the "horse" was chained and could not move, so many people believed it was real. I moved it to the front of the field and attached it to the electric pole stay so people could see it was not real. I then bought a mannequin as it was near Christmas and dressed it as Father Christmas and gave the horse some antlers. It was well received by locals and so it began. Pie Night! 18 April Village Hall See p. 5! Bicycle repair workshop, Wednesday 29 April, 3-7pm at Dovecote School. See p. 6 Halloween. We’ve had Shapwick Jam, Glastonbury, Wimbledon, Sir Tom, football, the mankini, NHS and COVID. We’ve had the coronation, Harry's wedding, William and Kate, the late Queen's jubilee celebrations to name but a few. It’s used as a landmark: I hope it brings a smile to your day!r day! For more on Three Trees, see p. 5!
Shapwick’s Pétanque (Boule) Court has arrived: as a result of Frank Barnard’s inspiration, widespread support by the community via the Shapwick Residents FB page, and tremendous help and encouragement from Langport Town Council, backed up by detailed planning and execution by the Parish Council, the Shapwick Village Green Petanque Court was constructed at the end of March. The Court is free to use by anyone with a Shapwick connection. No booking needed (just bring your own boules): “allez la boule……..” We have already been challenged to “un concours” by Langport and there are strong rumours of a local league forming. Play Area Pedestrian Gate: a new superior design, purpose built pedestrian gate has been installed which makes entry and exit to and from the Play Area much easier and reduces any potential safety hazard. Our thanks on behalf of all users to the generous donors who made this possible. Rural Road Safety: At the Highways Working Group for the Avalon & Poldens LCN I chaired recent presentations by PC Dan Cox who leads on Road Safety for Avalon and Somerset Police and on Agricultural Vehicle Safety nationally. The following table is a real shocker!!!!!, it means for example that 60% of accidents occur on rural roads, even though they only account for 45% of the total “vehicle miles” travelled. Play Area equipment purchase: as detailed in the Parish Council Minutes for 26 February 2026, a slide has been ordered for the play area. When we have an installation date, we will be asking for help from parents, grandparents and others with the installation of the associated safety-matting. Shapwick Village Meeting & 20mph Zone consultation: this important annual meeting will take place on Tues 19 May, 7:00pm in the Village Hall. In addition to the opportunity to hear from all of our brilliant Village organisations and ask any questions of them, we anticipate that this will be the first community consultation on an emerging proposal to create a 20mph speed zone within the village. (See minutes of January and March PC meetings). EVERYONE IS WELCOME SO PLEASE PUT THE DATE IN YOUR DIARY. PC Dan Cox also pointed out that Somerset has already got off to a bad start in 2026, with 11 deaths already this year (as of 24 February and not including the recent fatality on the A39). It is hard to provide a single source of driving advice. However this one, from NFU Mutual, covers the most important points pertinent to ALL RURAL ROAD USERS. But above all please drive carefully, remember the Fatal Five and keep your Fellow Road Users safe!!!! The “Fatal Five” behaviours: Speeding Drink or drug driving Not wearing a seatbelt Using a mobile phone (or other distractions) Careless or dangerous driving All Agendas and Minutes at: https://www.shapwickvillage.co.uk/council-matters Shapwick Parish Council and Community Group 2 S PR I NG I S SUE | APR I L 2 0 2 6 GRAHAM CROUCHER CHAIR OF SHAPWICK PC 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/ Bee Bank: In 2025 the PC decided to build a Bee Bank (see PC minutes for 24/9/2025). A Bee Bank is a crescent shaped bank composed mainly of sand, earth and small stones, with a flat vertical face on one side, facing the sun. The bees should mine their way horizontally into this vertical face and lay their eggs at the end of the tunnel. This bank is being built in the area alongside the allotments, supported with a range of wild flowers (for actual plan, see Appendix to minutes for 25/11/2025). The bees which dig tunnels are called solitary or mining bees and are distinct from honey and bumble bees. There are over 220 different species in the UK. They are not aggressive at all. Somerset farm land and wild flower meadows once buzzed with life but over the last few decades the UK bee population has fallen by 30% with the decline being most acute across lowland areas. The mining bees that used to burrow into the banks of the Parrett and Tone rivers are disappearing. Therefore, crops and wild flowers are not being pollinated. This is not just a wildlife issue; it is a matter of food security and economic resilience. Pollinators contribute an estimated £600 million to the UK economy each year. Therefore, a Bee Hotel is not a gimmick, it is an insurance policy for Somersets’ farms, gardens and wildlife and is good governance.
Every blessing, Rich Tweedy vicar@poldenwheel.co.uk The point of the bodily resurrection is that it shows that God is supernaturally sovereign over even death itself. Even the evil that led to God’s own son dying on the cross was defeated. The physicality of the resurrection means that we can recognise it as an objective, historical event – not just some kind of group hallucination. We may struggle to make sense of the evil going on in the world today – but if God has shown that he can defeat death itself, then we can have hope, despite whatever fear we may be experiencing as a result of global politics. When he had said this, he showed them his hands and feet… He asked them, “Do you have anything here to eat?” They gave him a piece of broiled fish, and he took it and ate it in their presence. [Lk 24:40-43, NIV] Easter Sunday, 5 April: sunrise service, 6:30am at RSPB HamWall. Café Church: April 19 ; May 17 ; June 21 at 10.00 th th st, . Dovecote School celebrated a landmark moment with its very first Art Exhibition, held at the ACEarts Gallery in Somerton. The event showcased the remarkable creativity, talent and individuality of our students, and reflected the dedication of our art staff team. The exhibition featured an inspiring collection of student work, including prints, paintings, sculpture and mixed media pieces. Each artwork told its own story, highlighting not only artistic skill but also the imagination and confidence that our pupils bring to their creative pursuits. Many members of the community came along to support and celebrate our young artists. A particular highlight was the interactive printmaking session, where guests had the opportunity to get hands-on and experience the creative process for themselves. This special event was more than just an exhibition—it was a celebration of everything that makes Dovecote School unique. The passion and commitment of our art staff have played a key role in nurturing students' creativity, providing them with the encouragement and opportunities to express themselves through art. We are incredibly proud of all our students for their hard work and enthusiasm, and look forward to many more opportunities to share their talents with the wider community. Broiled Fish 3 S PR I NG I S SUE APR I L 2 0 2 6 RICH TWEEDY The former Bishop of Durham, David Jenkins, famously compared belief in the bodily resurrection with a “conjuring trick with bones”. It was a clever sound-bite which stirred plenty of debate. However, I think he was fundamentally misguided in what he said, in so many ways. It’s clear from the gospels that the resurrection that was witnessed by the disciples was indeed bodily. In John’s gospel, Thomas (the doubter) placed his hands in Jesus’ wounds. In Luke’s gospel, the resurrected Jesus ate a piece of broiled fish – which demonstrated that Jesus was intact internally as well. DAISY JOHN Dovecote School Sustainable Shapwick/Litterpick STEVE POLDEN Thank you to the more than 20 villagers who took part in the litter pick on 8 March. Again, we concentrated on the roads leading into the village. Around 25 bags of rubbish were collected along with a five-gallon drum and tarpaulin. Even with six ‘pickers’ on the road up from the Hawk & Owl car park, that road alone took over an hour. Thank you (again!) to Wendy Anderson for opening the Cricket Pavilion and preparing refreshments. As soon as I have a date for the autumn litter pick I will pop this on the website and Shapwick Residents FB page. Unfortunately, I have not heard from the council regarding the thermal imaging camera. Our position is retained for the next season, so it may be autumn 2026 until it is allocated to us
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/ 4 S PR I NG I S SUE | APR I L 2 0 2 6 Shapwick News in colour at https://www.shapwickvillage.co.uk/newsletters/ For the Detectives of Shapwick Here’s a challenge for everyone, can you work out what this eight-letter word is? The word is linked to our village, and the pictures are clues to the letters. Finding it hard because the photos a bFlack and white? Find a flourition of Shapwick News at: https:// www.shapwickparishcouncil.org.u k/parish-newsletters/ CHARLOTTE DOUGLAS ↑ What road am I? Ty! _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ Hint: most of the letters are the first letter of each picture. What am I? ↓ What event am I? ← The sound of my name ← ↑ Where might I lead? (hint: this is along the canal) What kind of door am I? ← great clues!! What van visits us every month? → Where is this plant? →
Breakfast at the Hall In March, another successful Breakfast Morning was appreciated and enjoyed by all. We are really pleased these mornings are popular; “Thank You” to all villagers and those beyond who support such an excellent Village event. The next Breakfast Morning is Saturday 16 May 9-11am. New status for the Village Hall Further to the Public Meeting last October, we are pleased to let you know that Shapwick Village Hall CIO (charitable incorporated organisation) was finally registered by the Charity Commission on 27 January 2026 (reg no 1216618). At present the Trustees are Michael Motum (Chair), Bridget Dawes, Ian Hale, Mary Rayment and Nerina Scott. If anyone in the Village is interested in being co-opted as an additional Trustee, please do let one of us know. We are also seeking a Secretary (who does not need to be a Trustee) to be part of the new Shapwick Village Hall CIO; again if anyone in the Village is interested in this role, please talk to any of the Trustees. Pie Night at the Hall , 18 April at 7.30pm 2 courses - £15 per person. Delicious homemade pies on offer: Steak & Kidney; Chicken & Mushroom, Beef & Ale; Fish Pie; Vegetarian/Vegan All served with mash and vegetables. Plus desserts! Gluten free available on request! Bar available! Tickets and orders please call: Stuart 01458-210119, Bridget 01458-210185 or Nerina 01458-210329 Village Hall 100 Club – Bridget Dawes Thank you to all those who support the Village Hall as members of the 100 Club. Each month there is a draw and two numbers receive a prize. 2025 winners were: Mary Tucker, Jackie Croucher, Steve Polden, Matthew Hillburn, Barbara Mills, Nicky Hale, Sue Scott, Lorraine Davies, Nicky Polden, Charles Rayment, Jenny Dennes, Laura Anderson, Peter Tucker, Roger Scott, David Coombes, Michael Motum, Amalia Flender, Simon Dawes and Jan Barnard. Winners so far in 2026 are: Penny Jones, Louise Gaunt, Andrew Stone and Paul Rogers. If you are interested in joining the 100 Club, please drop us an email at: shapwickvh@gmail.com. It costs £12 a year for each number (you can have more than one) and the proceeds raise valuable funds for the Hall. You never know, you may be one of the lucky ones! t TRACEY LOCKYER Three Trees 5 S PR I NG I S SUE | APR I L 2 0 2 6 Shapwick Village Hall NERINA SCOTT, BRIDGET DAWES Ashcott Football Club Have any further questions? Please contact Colin Macpherson, Club Chairman, 07886 210168 colin.macpherson@ashcottfc.co.uk TRACEY LOCKYER Many of you have been wondering what has been happening at the top of my field at the top of the village. John Pamment has kindly donated and built an enclosed seating area. Anyone may use it and admire the view of the Mendips and surrounding areas. Please use the area but at your own liability. At the time of writing, it is not quite finished: John is waiting for a gate to fix at the front opening. The area is in memory of my dad Eric Lockyer who lived and farmed in the village and was quite a character. We hope you enjoy the rest and view if you’re walking that way.
We have a couple of fun events coming up, and all are welcome to come along and learn about old - or very old - Shapwick! Shapwick ‘Ted’ Talk - Thurs 28th May, 6.30 for 7pm, Village Hall An evening dedicated to WW2 evacuee Ted Baverstock, with readings from his memoir Blown Away - Seeds on the Winds of War, which paints a vivid picture of village life during wartime through the eyes of 'an assortment of scallywags who exchanged the streets of Dagenham for the lanes of Shapwick'. Whilst missing his own family back home, living in Shapwick was a turning point for Ted as he learned to love his new life in a small farming community which left a life long impression, and a keen interest in nature. Unfortunately Ted is no longer with us, but his evocative stories live on, and we hope to be joined by his daughter Suzie on the night. Entry is free (small donation appreciated) and we’ll be toasting Ted with a few ciders - possibly appreciated by our plucky volunteer readers! Roman Villa Site Visit We've been offered an opportunity to meet representatives of the archaeology team currently carrying out investigation work at the new wetland and grassland site adjoining the Hawk and Owl Trust's Shapwick Moor Nature Reserve. The presence of a Romano-British villa has been discovered, with foundations, pottery, flints and other artefacts recovered. If you'd like to attend this site visit (and why wouldn't you!) please get in contact at history@shapwick.org so we can gauge numbers. As ever you can also follow us on Facebook for future updates. Free, date tbc. WI NTER I S SUE | APR I L 2 0 2 6 6 Shapwick History Group JOHN ANDERSON 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/ Shapwick and Polden Cricket Club ALISTAIR BARR As the days get longer and warmer the cricket season beckons and arrangements are in hand for summer 2026. The men’s first XI, captained by Josh Luckins, will play in the Premier Division of the Somerset Cricket League while the second XI captained by Tom Barr will be in Division 6. New players are always welcome and should contact Josh at jlluckins@hotmail.com or just come along to our practice evenings on Wednesdays from The women’s team were league champions again in 2025 and this year the captain is Izzy Talbot. They will be competing in a T20 softball league, and practice on Tuesday evenings at the club. Anyone interested in playing this summer should contact Izzy at Isaybel.t@hotmail.com. The junior section will again be running AllStars and Dynamos plus age group teams from U12 to U16. Contact Judith Wanliss at judithwanliss@hotmail.co.uk. Junior training is on Friday evenings and the bar is open for parents, spectators and anyone who would like a drink - hopefully in the sunshine! 6.30 to 7.45pm at the club on Northbrook Road from 15 April. This will include use of our brand new nets which will provide a great place to learn and practice. We have preseason friendlies against Street CC away on Saturday 18 April and Lydford at home on Sunday 26 April before the league season starts on Saturday 2 May. h The Pavilion remains available for hire when not being used for cricket and enquiries should be directed to spccbookings@outlook.com or 01458 210012. Somerset Council is funding “Step, Ride, Thrive” – a project led by the Avalon & Poldens Local Community Network (LCN), aimed to improve access to the Avalon Marshes through sustainable, active travel. The project focuses on buses, bikes, and walking, and aims to tackle transport inequality, promote healthier lifestyles, and strengthen connections between people and nature. As part of the project, on Wedneday 29 April, Dovecote School is hosting a free bike maintenance session, delivered by local bike recycling charity On Your Bike. See poster on p. 1. As well as a session for Dovecote students, there will be a session open to all from 3-7pm. Topics include essential bike safety checks, an overview of bike components, and puncture repairs. The initiative promotes safer cycling, and any bikes visitors bring will receive a safety check, with minor repairs and adjustments made as needed. The goal is to improve bike safety, encourage cycling, and support sustainable travel and healthy lifestyles in our community. Step, Ride, Thrive / Bicycle Workshop
To kick off the New Year, our first speaker was Sam from the Shoe Museum who gave an amusing and enthusiastic talk about the Alfred Gillett Trust and the Shoemakers Museum in Street. She outlined the history of shoe making in Street, from a cottage industry to mechanisation led by the Clarks family. Many buildings and findings, such as internationally recognised fossils, have occurred as a result of the development of the shoemaking industry in the Street area. She talked through the concept of the museum and its four galleries. The galleries exhibit the history from the agricultural roots, to the machinery used in shoemaking, to the selling and marketing with examples from the 1950’s and 1980s including adverts and shop interiors of the time, and the finds that have been excavated including an internationally recognised fossil. We are planning a group visit in the Spring. Shapwick Allotment Association In February our speaker was Laura from the Repair Cafe and Re-use shop. The repair café concept, started in the Netherlands in 2009, was now well established in Britain. There are repair cafés in Street, Wells, Langport, Burnham, for example. More details can be found at www.repaircafe.org/en or on the Somerset County Council website. The cafés operate on a volunteer basis, usually once a month for a couple of hours. People bring things in which they wish to be repaired and work alongside a volunteer who teaches them how to repair their item: such as small electrical appliances (toasters, lamps), clothing/textiles, bikes, toys, and wooden furniture. The group also runs a café alongside the repairs and asks for donations towards the repairs and refreshments. The aims and values of the movement are to bring people together, utilise skills, encourage people not to throw away items but to repair them and to lobby government and manufacturers for the right to repair. Many of you who are village walkers will have noticed the 'mud to stone transformation' of the entrance to the allotments and completion of the fencing on Bridewell lane. It's taken a while, but well worth the effort and the entrance and easy and safer access is now complete. Thankyou to Stuart Dennis for helping to install the fence and to Colin Pople and Dave Gardner for laying the new entrance drive way. As it's now warming up, our growers will make good use of it! Bring on spring Shapwick Starlets WI 7 S PR I NG I S SUE | APR I L 2 0 2 6 MARY--JANE HINCLIFFE SIMON DAWES In March, the lovely Wafaa returned, this time to entertain us with a demonstration of Lebanese cooking. A lot of chat and laughter ensued as she prepared three dishes - a salad; bulgur wheat and chick peas; tzatziki - with the help of Caroline, Emma, Sally, Louise G and Nikki. Once prepared everyone tried the food and agreed how tasty the dishes were. Many people bought her book, with one being donated by a member for the raffle and another being donated by Wafaa for a subsequent raffle as she had sold out on the evening. Our competition cup for last year was won by Jean J. and presented to her by Bente, continuing the tradition that Dora started in the 1970's. And our walking group has now ventured out again as the weather starts to improve. Lots of interesting speakers booked for 2026 and some more adventures: not just in August. We meet the second Tuesday of each month in the village hall (see p. 8), and you can follow our Facebook page: Shapwick Starlets WI.
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! Bingo: Village Hall on alternate Fridays: Doors open: 7pm, Eyes down 7.30pm. Friday 3 April, 7pm, Village Hall: Bingo Sunday 5 April, 6:30am at RSPB HamWall: Easter Sunday: sunrise service Monday 6 April, 10am, Pavilion: Bunny Hop! Spectators welcome Thursday 9 April, 2-4pm, Village Hall: Arts and Crafts Group - then every Thursday from 2-4pm. Tuesday 14 April, 7.30pm, Village Hall: Shapwick Starlets WI Friday 17 April, 7pm, Village Hall: Bingo Saturday 18 April, 7.30pm, Village Hall: Pie Night (see p. 5) Sunday 19 April, 10am, St Mary’s Church: Cafe Church Wednesday 29 April, 3-7pm, Dovecote School: Bike Repair Workshop Thursday 30 April, 2-4pm, St Mary’s Church: Community Cafe Friday 1 May, 7pm, Village Hall: Bingo Tuesday 12 May, 7.30pm, Village Hall: Shapwick Starlets WI Friday 15 May, 7pm, Village Hall: Bingo Shapwick Jam - a call for volunteers! What's On in Shapwick, April to June 2026 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 2026, please submit contributions by no later than 15 June 2026, 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 2026: Published by Shapwick Parish Council, edited by Moray McGowan, assisted by Charlotte Douglas. S PR I NG I S SUE | APR I L 2 0 2 6 8 We’re delighted to announce that our very own mini music festival returns to the Village Green on Saturday 6th June - someone has to fill the Glastonbury gap! This year, as well as a fantastic live music line-up, we’re contemplating some oldfashioned fun and games in the afternoon, inspired by the post war ‘Shapwick Revel’ festivities. We’re often asked to incorporate something for the youngsters (and young at heart) but will need extra hands for this to happen. If you’re able to help run one or more of the games - think slow bicycle races, pillow fights, ‘Jan Swain’s Leap’ or maybe a saucy ‘best ankles’ competition - then please don’t be shy: contact the team via chrisgaunt112@btinternet.com asap. As before, the afternoon session will be free and evening tickets are just £10 (£5 for 12-15yrs) if purchased before the end of April. Booking in advance really helps us keep the Jam going so buy from Sid - 01458 210185 or Stuart - 01458 210119 or online at ticketsource.co.uk/shapwick-jam. Many thanks and hope to see you there! THE JAM TEAM Community Café: last Thursday of every month, 2-4 pm. Donations of cakes always welcome! Tuesday 19 May, 7pm, Village Hall: Shapwick Village Meeting and Parish Council Meeting (see p. 2) Saturday 16 May, 9-11, Village Hall: Breakfast Morning! Sunday 17 May, 10am, St Mary’s Church: Cafe Church Thursday 28 May, 2-4pm, Village Hall: Community Cafe Thursday 28 May, 6.30 for 7pm, Village Hall: History Group “Ted” talk (see p. 6!) Friday 29 May, 7pm, Village Hall: Bingo Saturday 6 June, Village Green: Shapwick Jam 2026! Tuesday 9 June, 7.30pm, Village Hall: Shapwick Starlets WI Friday 12 June, 7pm, Village Hall: Bingo Sunday 21 June, 10am, St Mary’s Church: Cafe Church Thursday 25 June, 2-4pm, Pavilion: Community Cafe Friday 26 June, 7pm, Village Hall: Bingo
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