Improved access to Harptree Woods

A new access path has been built in East Harptree Woods to allow people to visit the Smitham Chimney and its pond easily and safely. This has been done by the the Mendip Hills AONB Service (Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty) and the Mendip Society Volunteers have also been clearing the ancient flues leading to the Chimney which once formed part of the important lead smelting industry on Mendip.

The path has been specially constructed to deal with the boggy ground it has to cross and on Wednesday 21st April it was put fully to the test - a wetter stormier day for its opening could not be imagined. However, many representatives of the Mendip Community Partnership Scheme, the AONB Service, Mendip District Council, the Forestry Commission, and the Mendip society braved the weather and tested out the path.

With the chimney itself in the background a plaque describing Smitham and its history was unveiled by Mr Roy Wills, the Chairman of the Partnership. The stone built plinth also bears a plaque registering the Mendip Society's involvement in the project and is dedicated to three former officers of the Society - former Secretary Don Richmond, and Len Cram and Vic Dennison, former Chairmen, all of whom loved the Mendip Hills.

Words and photo by Judith Tranter

New and old stars for Pensford

Mercia Clayton
This year's Pensford Music Festival takes place on Saturday July 10 at Pensford Memorial Hall playing fields. Star attraction this year will be the original line up of Brotherhood of Man, who won the Eurovision song contest with 'Save your Kisses for me.'

They will be brilliantly supported by the very popular Bristol group The Soul Destroyers, recording artists Mercia Clayton and Retox. The evening will start at 7pm with the return of the popular Blue Note Jazz Band, with Hannah Wedlock and Roger Bennett. Your hosts for the evening will be Bush and Troy from GWR with Pitstop Paulina. Monies raised this year will be distributed at the discretion of the committee to local organisations, who have a project and need financial help.

Organiser Paul Hunt says: "We will have the usual bar and barbeque areas, and people are reminded to bring their own chairs and picnic. Ticket prices this year remain at £12 each for adults, and a fee of £1 cash, payable on the gate, for children under 14 years accompanied by a parent or guardian."

Tickets can be obtained from post offices in the Chew Valley, Pensford Motor Company, Whitchurch Bargain Tile Centre, and local pubs. They can also be obtained from the ticket office at the Arcade in Bristol, but a booking fee is charged. An information line has been set up on 0117 923 1000.

Charles visits Farrington's

Farm Retailer of the Year, Farrington¹s in Farrington Gurney, was visited by HRH The Prince of Wales on May 17. Tish & Andy Jeffery, who run the shop on the Duchy of Cornwall-owned farm, had to plan the visit in total secrecy, for security reasons.

Prince Charles began his tour in the farm kitchen, where home-made cakes, soups, salads and ready meals are prepared by Farrington's team of cooks. Progressing to the shop, the Prince was impressed with the way locally-reared meat is delivered directly to Farrington's from the abattoir and took a great interest in the shop layout, with its Friesian cow theme.

During the visit, business went on as usual, with shop customers, who knew nothing of the visit, unable to believe their eyes. "Most of them did double takes", said Tish Jeffery, "as the last person you expect to see in your local farm shop is the heir to the throne!".

Special delivery

Could you have worked out where this cryptic envelope was supposed to go? The Royal Mail managed it, and delivered it promptly. The recipient, Ian Bell, of Chew Stoke, was sufficiently impressed to show the Gazette, with a message of thanks to the local postal service. It makes a suitable reply to the unfriendly attention the Royal Mail has received lately in the national media.

Priddy Folk Festival 2004
Priddy Folk Festival is packing even more into its programme on the weekend of July 9-11. There is an extra concert on Saturday lunchtime, and extra ceilidh on Sunday lunchtime, and the free events on Saturday, the All Day Folk Club, Children's Festival, Dance Festival & Craft Market and Demonstrations will also continue on into Sunday.

There is a real quality line-up of performers all weekend, but the Friday concert which kicks off the festival is going to be something very special. "We have two headliners," says organiser Peter Arnold, " the first being Back of the Moon, the best and most exciting young Scottish band we have ever heard. They play and sing with exuberant brilliance, breathtaking songs and driving instrumentals, and are now, for my money, taking over the crown of that other great Scottish band, Blazin Fiddles."

Among a fast-growing collection of Awards are "Best Up and Coming Band" at the 2003 Scots Trad Music Awards and "Best Band" at the highly regarded Lorient Interceltic Festival 2003 in Brittany. "The other artist we are very lucky to have again secured " continues Peter, "is Jim Moray. Anyone who saw his remarkable performance last year will know what an exceptional talent he is."

Since then he has gone on to develop his music even further, and on the way gathered two major awards at the annual Radio 2 Folk Awards 2004, the Horizon Award for the best newcomer, and the prestigious Best Album Award for his debut album "Sweet England". Peter enthuses "This is a groundbreaking album, which we have to say is rarely off our player." This year he is bringing a band with him, which will give even greater scope to his talents. "There is not space here to list all the superb and varied performers booked, but we must mention Us Not Them, a great duo from Australia on Friday, Nancy Kerr, James Fagan & Tim Van Eyken, the side-splitting Les Barker, the beautiful songs of KTB, and Chris Newman & Maire Ni Chathasaigh on Saturday, and Bob Fox, Celtish, Dangerous Curves & Kerfuffle on Sunday".

Weekend tickets are £34 before June 1st, £40 thereafter. There is camping on site, scrumptious selection of food, bar, pubs and other refreshments. A last word from Peter; "We had a record breaking year last year, and this year looks to be doing even better, with ticket sales well up again, which is good news for all the local organisations who benefit from the success of the festival." Full details can be seen on the website www.priddyfolk.org

Solstice ceilidh
Cathy Judge, organiser of the Old Down Acoustic Club has organised a Summer Solstice Ceilidh (Gaelic term for a lively Barn Dance). This is to raise money for the welcome building of a new Children's Hospice near Bristol. Says Cathy: "I am a great lover of Ceilidhs and decided that such an event would be a tremendous way to raise money for an undeniably worthy cause."

The Ceilidh is to take place on Saturday June 19 at Franklyn's Farm, Chewton Mendip. The venue is a very large barn and perfect for such an occasion. It can hold 300 people and Cathy is aiming to fill it in order to raise as much money as possible. There are three bands playing, starting with the foot stomping Country Blues Band, followed by Tony Slinger and the Electric Lobsters.

Well-known local folk group The Kitchen Sink Band will play in the interval when a hog roast will be served with baked potatoes for vegetarians. With plenty of real ale, good food and fine dance tunes things are set for an unforgettable night. It kicks off at 7.30pm till late. Tickets are £7.00 adults and £5.00 for children over 10 years. Local B&B is available.