Chew Valley blogs launched

Chew Valley blogs
A novel opportunity for local writers to post their own Chew Valley blog (online journal) is being offered at Chew Valley blogs. Anyone with internet access can sign up at http://chewvalleyblogs.21publish.com choose a user name, set up a free account and start creating their own blog, which in effect is their own website.

2Mb space is available per user, and users can also set up photoblogs, although photos must be uploaded as quite small files. Help is available online. The site was launched on May 12, and is non-profit, although the blog software publisher and host, publish21.com, will place two small static text adverts at the top of each page. A number of promising Chew Valley blogs and photoblogs have been posted already, and more are expected.

Last lap win for Richard Brent

Richard Brent's car
Bishop Sutton racing driver Richard Brent managed to overtake his great rival Bill Richards in the last lap on Sunday for a famous victory, by 0.2 of a second. Competing at Lydden Hill in the sixth event of the season in the Track and Race Car Championship, Richard was behind Bill's car going into the last lap.

Pressure from Richard's car led to a defensive strategy by Bill, which presented Richard with one opportunity to get past in the inside lane, which he duly took. He is now in second place in the championship, having taken three first and two second places.

Supporters, including Eric Price and Pete Corrigan, were delighted with the exciting finish, and Richard's only regret was that he couldn't enjoy it as a spectator! His next two races will be in France at Croix on July 2 and 3, the first time the championship has used foreign tracks.

Richard says: "The course is a bit like Brands Hatch, which should suit me and my car."

Chew Valley Cyclathon
This year's Chew Valley Cyclathon organised by the Chelwood Bridge Rotary Club takes place on July 10. Riders can choose between a twelve mile route for the young and uncertain or a twenty-six mile (marathon) challenge for the older and bolder.

Both are through the pretty Chew Valley while the longer route takes in the Mendips with some rewarding long downhill stretches, via, for the most part, quieter roads and lanes when possible. Last year's Cyclathon raised some £5,000 in sponsorship for our two main Charities namely The New Children's Hospice South West and the New Opportunities Fund.

The main thrust was for the Hospice but at least two riders raised £350 for New Opportunities. Some of the riders brought money with them and we managed to collect over £1,000 on the day!

This year's event will be run along very similar lines and will commence at 9.30 am on Sunday July 10 at the Queens Arms, Chew Magna. The event will again be raising money for the Babe Appeal (The Children¹s Hospice South West) and other local charities. Further details and entry forms will be available through our Club website www.chelwood-rotary.com or from Lawrence Davies, c/o Rotary Club of Chelwood Bridge, Carpenters Arms, Stanton Wick, Bristol BS39

Bid to reclaim Old Down, Pensford
A committee of volunteers is hoping to buy the Old Down, between Pensford and Stanton Drew, and return it to the unfenced condition it retained for hundreds of years until 2004.

A public meeting was held at Pensford Memorial Hall on April 26 where over 50 supporters heard and participated in a lively two-hour discussion. Some interesting points were made.

One of the participants, Paul Hunt, said: "The final outcome was that there were pledges of £4,000 made on the evening towards the purchase of the land, with a further £6,000 pledged by Pensford and Stanton Drew residents since. The committee felt they were in a position to make an offer of £12,500 (the asking price) to secure the purchase. This offer was made to the auctioneers on Monday May 16."

Folk stars set to shine for Priddy

Karine Polwart
Priddy Folk Festival, being held on the weekend of 8-10 July, has once more secured a great line-up of talent, some well established and some new and up and coming artists.

Peter Arnold, Artistic Director, says "Headlining we are fortunate to have Karine Polwart, who scooped 3 awards in the recent BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards 2005, Best Album, Best Original Song & the Horizon Award."

Karine, from Scotland, was previously in well known bands such as The Battlefield Band and Malinky, but is now carving a very special niche as a singer and songwriter in her own right. Our other headliner, also from Scotland, and returning to Priddy by popular demand, is Back of the Moon, who, according to Peter, "remain 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 set Priddy alight last year."

Other old friends being welcomed back include Sid Kipper, much loved by Priddy audiences for his side-splitting performances, and Loscoe State Opera whose brilliant arrangements, exciting instrumentals, driving rythyms and evocative vocals are really something special. From Brooklyn, New York, for the first time are a brilliant group called The Wiyos who play old timey American music, vaudevillian ragtime blues, early swing, jugband and old time country. A trio comprised of three vocals, washboard/harmonica/kazoo, guitar, and upright bass, they are very visual and shouldn't be missed!

In all there are nearly 100 bands and solo acts booked, so it is impossible to mention them all, but other notables are Fred Wedlock, Steve Tilston, Johnny Coppin with Mike Silver, Seth Lakeman, Dragonsfly, Kerfuffle, Ruth Notman, and ofcourse a Dance Festival, Children's Festival, Craft Fayre, Ceilidhs and Late Nite Bops, Workshops and so much more.

A last word from Peter: "All proceeds from this festival go to local good causes, for instance we donated £4,000 last year to ensure the village hall refurbishment could be completed on time. We are practically alone amongst similar festivals in the UK in that we receive no support, either in cash or kind, from any local authority or arts funding body, it all comes from the efforts of the voluntary team at Priddy and a willing band of helpers."

Weekend tickets are £36 before June 1st, £42 thereafter. There is new camping field on site with enhanced facilities, scrumptious selection of food, bar, pubs and other refreshments. Full details can be seen on the website www.priddyfolk.org where you can book tickets online, or telephone 01749-675562 for information and a free programme and ticket order form.

Wurzels set to shine for Pensford

The ever popular Wurzels this year will be the main attraction at Penford Music Festival. This year the event for the first time will be held on a Friday evening as part of an exercise by the committee to try and avoid the many other events which are usually held on a Saturday at this time of the year.

Hopefully the change will be a success. The group held a very successful X Factor Competition in March at Pensford Memorial Hall and the two semi-final winners, Joe Public and The Valley Jam, will go head to head on July 1 for the £500 winners' prize.

The evening will also be supported by three very local bands: Stoyic from Clutton, Mid Life Crisis and our very local band Ooh! Betty, who have been craving for years to appear at the festival. All have a very good local following.

The event this year will be much smaller than usual with only 1,000 tickets available. The group are expecting an early sell-out of tickets which are £10 but are on offer until June 10 at £8. There will be the usual bar, BBQ and Hog Roast, etc.

The draw again will be organised by the Pensford School Association: tickets will be on sale very soon with some fantastic prizes on offer. The group will continue to support local charities and organisations who have a project which needs funding but are urging locals to take advantage of the discounted price tickets and to buy them early to avoid disappointment. Tickets are available from Chew Valley Post Offices or from Paul Hunt on (01761) 490652.