1950s Clutton recreated

Local residents were invited to see how Clutton looked 50 years ago by viewing a scale model of the village including a working model of the former Great Western Branch Line between Bristol and Frome.

The model, measuring 26 feet by 10 feet, took up the whole of The Cabin's floor space and showed how Clutton was once a rural area, with none of the post war housing estates it has today. The station, with its signal box, waiting room and two platforms has been recreated in minute detail by Tim Venton, with the lines between Clutton, Hallatrow and Pensford shown in working order. 12 trains ran the lines, over bridges now demolished, and through areas now built over.

The demonstration caused a great deal of interest for long term residents, many of whom used the railway to get to work in Bristol, or for travelling from villages such as Radstock to meet friends. These older villagers were able to explain to younger visitors how their life was so different in the 1950s; few people owned cars and the railway was the regular method of transport around the area.

The railway had been developed originally to carry coal from the pits in Clutton and surrounds into Bristol, but later passenger trains were included on the route, with around 10 up and 10 down trains using the line daily. Tim Venton started work on the model 15 years ago, and made first an exact replica of Clutton's signal box before expanding the model to include the area of Clutton round the line, as he said "It was a lovely location and such a pretty village".

He is a member of the Scalefour Society and has taken his working model to the national model railway exhibition in Leatherhead, and to Wells, but it is the first time that the Clutton railway station model has been exhibited in Clutton, although hopefully not the last.

Words and photo by Pat Williams

Numeracy for parents

Last month it was the turn of the parents of Bishop Sutton pupils to take their seats in the classroom, "face the front with no talking, please" and experience a maths lesson given by the Deputy Head of the school and teacher of Class 5, Miss Fiona Hunt.

A successful literacy workshop for parents was held earlier this year and it was decided to hold a similar one for numeracy to give parents a clearer idea of how maths is taught nowadays, and the objectives towards which their children should be working.

Parents' mental arithmetic skills (or lack of them for some of us ...) were put to the test as we were quizzed about our knowledge of fractions. Miss Hunt then demonstrated how the interactive whiteboard can be used during a maths lessons. Each class in the school now has one of these whiteboards which can be used across the curriculum.

As well as making learning far more visually interesting for the children, they also speed up the pace at which a lesson can be delivered as, for example, a pie chart can be called up and different sectors of it fileld in at the touch of a pen. All the parents agreed how much more stimulating one of today's maths lessons is than what we experienced during our own school days: full marks Miss Hunt for a very enjoyable evening!

Words and photo by Anne Collier

More Silage and mythical beasts

Discerning music fans who couldn't get in to pop group More Silage's sold-out show at this year's Harptrees Festival will get another opportunity to see them on Saturday November 20 at East Harptree Theatre.

Seasoned Silagers will know what to expect when they enter the Theatre on the night. For the uninitiated, however, pianist and singer David Buchanan sums it up like this: "The elements essential to a More Silage performance are folk-pop music, humorous films and Real Ale. Punters can expect hearty dollops of all three."

"We're really pulling out all the stops this time," enthuses singer and guitarist Tom Handy. "More Silage Phase One is complete, and our upcoming concert heralds the beginning of Phase Two. This involves some new songs, new mythical beasts, and a newly efficient, extra-rambunctious More Silage."

Aside from wowing villagers young, old, fat, thin, hairy and smooth in East Harptree, the band has played in locations as far-flung as the Latin Quarter of Paris and Westbury-sub-Mendip, in the latter case as support to the legendary Wurzels.

Singer and accordionist Rob Handy explains his group's wide appeal: "We give an energetic performance and many of our songs are quite stupid. That¹s all there is to it."

More Silage play East Harptree Theatre on Saturday November 20. Doors open 7.30pm. Tickets £4 in advance, £5 on the door. Tel (01761) 221116 or (01749) 870404 to book or email: moresilage@hotmail.com

Churchill Music Society
On December 4, Churchil Music Society welcomes John Fletcher and Stephen Higgins. They will present a smorgasbord of spicy pieces served as an antidote to Seasonal sauces: Tom Lehrer, Noel Coward, Gilbert and Sullivan and a platter of bittersweet songs with bite from opera and the musicals - Mozart, Bizet, Verdi, Britten, Jacques Brel, Edith Piaf, Stephen Sondheim, Kurt Weill, Leonard Bernstein Showboat, Phantom, Cats, La Cage and Les Mis. From Schubert's hapless trout to Coward's mad dogs and sultry senoritas who resolutely will not dance!

John Fletcher trained at the Royal College of Music and has performed a vast amount of musical works both in the UK and abroad. Stephen Higgins is on the staff of the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, English National Opera and Glyndebourne. Churchill Music Society: "Into what better hands could we place you for your one last chance for complete frivolity before you get stuck into preparation for festive frolics. Build up your stamina! Take a break! Laugh! Have a night out with Churchill Music Society! We'll do the work, you just turn up and have a ball! Heavenly morsels will float around, accompanied by mulled wine for your delectation and added enjoyment during the interval."

Saturday December 4, 7.30pm. St. John the Baptist Church, Church Lane, Churchill. Members £7.00 Non members £9.50 U18s £3.50. Donations for the interval refreshments will be welcomed. Tickets from Ursula Dornton 01934 852919 or take pot luck at the door. Book early to avoid disappointment. Further info: Jan Murray 01934 852245.

Before the lake
The book 'Before the Lake: Memories of the Chew Valley', traces the long history of the valley, from its earliest known visitors over 10,000 years ago, through occupation by Romans, Anglo-Saxons, Normans and later residents. It also recounts why and how the valley was flooded.

Its main theme, however, is to tell the story of what life was like in the words of the people who lived, worked and visited the valley, from around the 1930s to the 1950s, when people left their homes to make way for the rising waters. Contemporary photographs and maps illustrate this story. The book is available at most local shops from Monday November 22, RRP £10 or by telephoning Lesley 01761 221758 or Andrew 01761 221941. The book's ISBN number is 0-9548832-0-9

Seriously spooftastic at Blagdon
Do you understand the game of spoof?

It's a game of strategy and odds, a game of elimination (The loser is typically made to buy a round of drinks). The Rules, because there are rules, involve 3 coins, a group of people and a well stocked bar.

Participants begin with their three coins to select from. The Player selects 0-3 coins and places them in the game hand. That hand is closed in a tight fist (This prevents contestants peeking or coins rattling). Each Player in turn guesses the total number of coins contained in the outstretched game hands. Everyone opens their game hand and the coins are totalled. If someone guessed the correct number of coins that person has 'Spoofed Out'’ and will await the new round.

The process is repeated through eliminating rounds until there are two players left. (This may take a while due to some skill, deception, and a good poker face.) The player to Spoof Out first’ is the winner. If you're still reading this at this point you are probably considering this is slightly frivolous and perhaps not worthy of a sports review, well let me just say, just mention Spoofing and Championships in one sentence and every ex champion (and there are quite a few) will turn up for this event to make public their skills which is why Blagdon Village Club held their annual Spoofing Championships on Monday 18th October with many thanks going to Sheila and Malcolm for hosting this event.

Everyone was able to compete as long as they met the minimum age for alcoholic consumption. Game commenced with four groups of five playing preliminary rounds. The semi finalists were Jean Selway V Pete Davies and Mark groves V Ken Mitchell. Play was tense and nippy to reveal the top two finalists, who were: The defending 2003 Club Champion Ken Mitchell v Pete Davies. However Pete failed to beat the spirited challenge of Ken Mitchell who became Spoofing Champion 2004 for the second time earning the right to be called champion. Well-done Ken, in addition congratulations must go to Pete because no one ever remembers who came second.

by Christine Cross