New recreation field for Ubley

After years of attempting to acquire a recreational area for the benefit of residents, Ubley can now enjoy the open space of The Glebe for relaxing, playing and having fun. On Friday 18th June, more than 100 people, across the spectrum of villagers, turned up to celebrate the opening of this new area, which was first proposed for residents' use at a Parish Council meeting in 1924!

The ex-Chairman of Ubley Parish Council, Mike Curtis, officially opened the recreational space, located next to the church in the centre of the village, early on in the evening. After the grand opening, people stayed to make the most of the wonderful summer's evening, chatting with fellow residents, enjoying the free BBQ, picnicking and playing games.

As well as being an excellent end to Mike's 16 year reign as Chairman, this event also gave villagers the opportunity to present Mike with a token gift, contributed to by all villagers, for his services on the Parish Council. Mike commented that the area "represents the hard work of many people and it is good that we have such an area for the young, and not so young, to enjoy and particularly for the school for sports, games and environmental studies."

This new space will be of huge benefit to the pupils at Ubley Primary School who will now be able to take advantage of PE lessons in the field instead of the playground and, has already been used for this year's school Sports Day. Amelia Hicks, 10, from Ubley Primary School said "the field will be a great place for PE and to play in with my friends after school." So, there is no doubt that this area will be widely used by all, particularly during the summer months and as the school holiday's approach. It may have been a long time coming, but now its there everyone is sure to make the most of it.

Words and photo by Niki Martini

Vicar chills out

The Reverend Charles Roberts chills out at Chew Magna Summer Fayre
Photo by Helen Ayrton

His mammoth two hour stint in the stocks raised funds for the refurbishment of the Church Hall. The fayre, organised each year by the Chew Magna Society, is now in its 40th year. The sun broke through and a large crowd enjoyed such diverse events as the wound stall, welly throwing, laser clay pigeon shooting and human table football. The £2,000 profit will be used to fund future events and preserve village life.

Versatile Vocals at Sutton

Versatile Vocals pictured at Bishop Sutton Church: (l to r) Charlotte Mobbs, Kevin Kyle, Bethany Phillips (piano), Sam Evans and Kathryn Oswald

Everyone who was fortunate enough to be present at the concert held in Holy Trinity church, Bishop Sutton on May 22, soon realised what lucky people they were! The audience was treated to a feast of music given by Versatile Vocals, who are a group of four young and very talented professional singers: Charlotte Mobbs soprano, Kathryn Oswald alto, Kevin Kyle tenor and Sam Evans bass. Their programme began with music by Handel, followed by arias from the more familiar Mozart operas. During the interval a delicious supper was served to us in the pews. We were then taken on a whistlestop musical world tour, concluding with some of the more popular songs from the theatre. The group was accompanied throughout by another very accomplished musician, pianist Bethany Phillips. Everyone who attended felt extremely privileged to have had the good fortune to see such talent performing in the Chew Valley. As a result of this evening and the Craft Fair which look place earlier in the day (see page 46), the magnificent sum of £1,460 was raised towards church repairs.

£2.5m grant for Folly Farm
Plans to develop a residential wildlife study centre at Folly Farm, near Bishop Sutton, have cleared one last hurdle with the Heritage Lottery Fund's award of just over £2.5 million to the project.

Folly Farm is owned by Avon Wildlife Trust, which has been running a limited range of activities at Folly Farm since 1990, including the Earth Education Programme for young children, practical conservation work for local volunteers and horticultural therapy training for adults with learning difficulties.

Lack of funds has prevented the best use of this fantastic site, which is an ideal place to provide opportunities to learn about the natural world and our place in it as responsible human beings. The news that Heritage Lottery Fund has awarded £2,567,000 means that Avon Wildlife Trust will at last be able to realise its longstanding vision.

The Folly Farm project will restore the buildings and historic landscape to maintain their diverse and magical qualities. An environmental training and learning centre will be created in the region, demonstrating principles of sustainability in the renovation of the 18th Century farm buildings and the education and visitor programme. The Farm, which has already played host to thousands of school children, will also be able to offer courses and conferences for adults and people with disabilities, once the necessary renovations have taken place. The project as a whole will promote a better understanding of biodiversity and sustainable development.

More info from www.avonwildlifetrust.org.uk.

Waldegrave to close Chewton car park
Chewton Mendip residents' relief at the withdrawal of the plan to put three houses on the site of the central car park, by the village stores, was short-lived (front page story, June issue of the Gazette).

The applicant, Earl Waldegrave, indicated that the withdrawal was about the detail in the planned development, rather than about signalling an intention to leave the site for villagers to use as a car park. He then told the village that he will close the car park to the public anyway, from January 1 next year. He is also said to be considering selling the car park site.

Meanwhile, the irritation about A39 delays caused by the collapsed or dangerous stretches of wall along the grounds of the Waldegrave's house seems no nearer resolution. The traffic light system has been in operation since January, and Somerset CC and Earl Waldegrave remain in dispute about ownership of the wall.

One walk
Chew Magna had a very special visitor on Friday June 26 when Chris Moon stopped in the village for lunch during his walk from John o'Groats to Land's End. To complete this walk is an incredible achievement in itself but for Chris who in 1995 lost an arm and a leg in a landmine explosion it was an amazing undertaking.

Chris was walking the length of the UK in just 25 days. Walking for over 18 hours and the equivalent of two marathons each day, he covered a phenomenal 1,300 miles, a challenge requiring an exceptional level of fitness and an unfailing determination to succeed. Chris obviously has these qualities in abundance as less than a year after leaving hospital he ran his first marathon and has gone on to complete some of the most gruelling events on Earth. His 'One Walk' began back on June 5 when he set off from John o' Groats on a specially designed route taking him through hundreds of the UK's villages, towns and cities before reaching the end of his route at Land's End on June 29.

Chris aims to raise £1million for Leonard Cheshire, a charity that supports disabled people as they face their own challenges. He said: "I'm taking on One Walk for Leonard Cheshire because no-one goes further to support disabled people." Anyone wishing to contribute to One Walk can do so by phoning on 08444 41 11 11 or by post. Cheques made payable to 'The Leonard Cheshire Foundation' should be sent to One Walk Support Team, Leonard Cheshire, 30 Millbank, London SW1P 4QD

Anne Collier