April 2015 - Issue 5
EAST BRENT PARISH MAGAZINE
(The Civil Parish of East Brent consists of East Brent,
Rooksbridge and Edingworth)
A voluntary non-profit publication, free
to Parishioners
[ ]
April 2015 Issue 5
April 2015 - Issue 5
[2]
April 2015 - Issue 5
Editor’s Notes
It would seem that we have not had
any further responses regarding the
speed of traffic along the A370 through
the village, which is a pity – I would
have thought that this would be a
bigger issue than it apparently is.
However I will, as promised, approach
the Highways Department with a view,
hopefully, to getting a S.I.D. (speed
indicator device) installed. Have you
noticed that the Police Mobile Speed
cameras have been on the A370
recently?
Further on in this edition you will see
an advert for the East Brent Village
fete. For the first time for a few years
this will be held on the Village Green,
so keep the 6th June free in your diaries
for, if the weather is kind to us, a lovely
traditional village day.
Last month I mentioned the National
Gardens Scheme open gardens. All
the gardens that are open to the public
are listed in the ‘Yellow Book’, the 2015
editions are now available from some
Post
Offices
(ask
Sandy
at
Rooksbridge PO) and Information
Centres.
Similarly, and just as surprising, there
were no entries for our photographic
competition. We shall run the
competition for another month now that
spring seems to be on ‘the doorstep’ as
it were, in the hope that more people
will be out and about with their
cameras – don’t forget, you could win
a £20 garden centre voucher! All
photographs submitted must be
appertaining to East Brent Parish and
the winner will be decided by the
Editorial Team.
Every month we publish the results of
the village lottery, with the profit from
this going towards the upkeep of the
East Brent Village Hall. There are
usually a few spare tickets each month
and if anyone that would like one
(20p/week or £4 every 5 months),
please contact me and I will pass your
name on to the organiser.
Bill Walker
([email protected])
Editor
The East Brent Parish
Magazine is produced and
distributed free of charge by
a team of volunteers who
give
their
free
time
throughout the year to
ensure the magazine is
published.
It is intended that they will
be distributed at the
beginning of each month.
Contributions
and
advertisements should be
provided by the 10th of
the preceding month.
[3]
All enquiries to :
EAST BRENT PARISH MAGAZINE
Address :
“Aventine”, The Mead, East Brent,
TA9 4JJ
Telephone : 01278 760896
E-mail:
[email protected]
April 2015 - Issue 5
April
2015 Diary DatesDiary Dates
December/January
Day
Date Event
Wednesday 1st East Brent History Group Meeting. East Brent Village Hall 7pm.
Thursday
2nd Mobile Library Stop East Brent. Telephone Box 11.15-11.40am,
East Drive 11.45am - 12.10pm.
Friday
3rd Good Friday
Sunday
5th
Easter Sunday
Sunday
5th
Quiz Night at the Knoll Inn - 7pm start.
Monday
6th
Easter Monday
Tuesday
7th
Carpet Bowls Club. East Brent Village Hall. 7.15pm
Thursday
Friday
9th Thursday Club Meeting. East Brent Village Hall. 7.30pm
10th Friday Active Living Day Centre. 9.30am - 4pm for 'The Older
Generation' Lunches available.
11th Brent Knoll Bazaar & Farmers Market 10am - Noon
Saturday
Monday
Monday
Tuesday
13th School Term 5 Starts.
13th East Brent Parish Council Meeting. East Brent Village Hall
7.30pm All Parishioners are welcome.
14th Carpet Bowls Club. East Brent Village Hall. 7.15pm
Wednesday 15th Harvest Home Meeting. East Brent Village Hall 7pm
Friday
17th Friday Active Living Day Centre. 9.30am - 4pm for 'The Older
Generation' Lunches available.
Tuesday
21st Carpet Bowls Club. East Brent Village Hall. 7.15pm
Wednesday 22nd East Brent Village Hall Management Committee Meeting. All
Parishioners are welcome to attend and join in.
Thursday
23rd Mobile Library Stop Rooksbridge. 'Little Acre' 10.30-10.50am
Friday
24th Friday Active Living Day Centre. 9.30am - 4pm for 'The Older
Generation' Lunches available.
Saturday
25th Gracie Wickens-Sweet & The Coastline Singers are performing
at the Brent Knoll Village Hall. For more details contact Mary
Lawrence. 01278 784184
Friday
24th Farmers Market. Burnham On Sea High St 9am - 1pm
Tuesday
Thursday
28th Carpet Bowls Club. East Brent Village Hall. 7.15pm
30th Mobile Library Stop East Brent. Telephone Box 11.15-11.40am,
East Drive 11.45am - 12.10pm.
“Progress, of the best kind, is comparatively slow. Great results cannot be
achieved at once; and we must be satisfied to advance in life as we walk,
step by step.” - Samuel Smiles
[4]
April 2015 - Issue 5
Magazine Advertising Rates
Advertising in this Parish Magazine is one of the most cost effective ways of promoting
your business. We are volunteers, the magazine is non-profit making so we just need
sufficient revenue to cover our outgoings. Our charges reflect this and, furthermore, our
readers like to use local businesses so, when they need something, they look to their
parish mag first of all.
Annual
9 editions
One off
charge
Leaflet/flyer
charge wef
charge
wef 01/04/15
insertion
01/05/2015
B/W only
Black&White
Full page
£200
£180
n/a
£25
130 x 180mm
½ page
£125
£112.50
£24
130 x90mm
¼ page
£75
£67.50
£12
60x90mm
1/8 page
£45
£40.50
£6
60x45mm
Unfortunately, we are unable to offer any more colour advertisements at the moment but
please let me know if you are interested in colour advertising.
If you want to advertise, just contact me and, if you want a professional ad created for
you, for a small additional charge, I can arrange your artwork as well.
Judith Webb, Advertising Editor. Tel. 01278 760219
E-mail: [email protected]
Pub Quiz Results from 1/3/2015
As usual a happy evening of laughter and fun coupled with cheesy chips and a few
drinks... Everyone in good spirits and here are the results....
1st team was Hopalongs with 105 points.
2nd team was Tasty Pippins with 100 points
3rd team was Church Road Mafia with 99 points
4th team was Wits End with 95 points
5th team was 5 Go First with 94 points
6th team was Against the Wall with 89 points
7th team was World Wide Web with 86 points.
An amazing £181.10 was raised for St Mary’s Church and all the Hopalongs had a
bottle of wine ; unfortunately one of their team unsuccessfully tried to open the
black box.
Next time it will contain £75 so let’s hope there will be several teams again then on
April 5th at 7pm in the Brent Knoll Inn.
Kathy Quinnell.
[5]
April 2015 - Issue 5
[6]
April 2015 - Issue 5
Thursday Club
Thursday Club began the New Year
with a very interesting talk by Jo
Richardson entitled ‘A Trip to the
Stars’. For this particular talk it was
agreed that partners would be invited
and as a result we had 2 male additions
to our evening.
Jo admitted this was the very first talk
she had given to an adult audience,
usually aiming her talk to groups of
children, we recommended she didn’t
make too many changes as most of us
had to admit to a very limited
knowledge of space! She illustrated her
talk with some beautiful photographs
taken by her husband from the back
garden of their property in Bleadon –
bought for the express purpose of
installing a telescope. We all enjoyed a
very interesting and informative
evening and hopefully now know rather
more than we did previously!
Our February talk was entitled ‘The
Peoples Most Favourite Profession’
and was given by Peter Tucker a
retired estate agent. He regaled us with
some very entertaining stories of his
experiences, including a ghost story! I
think what impressed us all the most,
and what he fully intended to convey,
was his genuine concern with finding
the right properties for his clients. He
took time to get to know people and
was at pains to ensure the properties
they were shown were suitable. We all
agreed we were very sorry to hear he
was retired as we would all have been
very happy to place our properties with
him, or use his services to find the right
house should we be looking to buy.
By the time you read this, we will have
already had our March meeting, so I
am including a list of forthcoming
speakers for the year. We are always
delighted to welcome occasional
visitors for our £2.00 non-members fee
bearing in mind we are a club primarily
for ladies. So if you fancy the look of
anything on the list below, please do
come and join us. We start at 7.30,
listen to the speaker or take part in the
planned activity, and then we finish with
tea and cakes and a raffle. The evening
is usually over by 9.30.
March 12th – Training Guide Dogs for
the Blind
April 9th – Anecdotes from a Hotel
Inspector
May 14th – Indoor Curling (activity)
June 11th – An Account of a London
Marathon Run 2014
July 9th – Brought Up afloat (at sea)
August 15th – Skittles at Brent Knoll Inn
September 10th – The Battle of
Sedgemoor
October 8th – My Story of the Isle of
Lundy
November 12th – Tales from a
Somerset County Copper
December 10th – Christmas Meal
Janet Nurse
Another “Where is it”
Again this is in a prominent position
somewhere in the Parish.
Last month’s answer on page19
[7]
April 2015 - Issue 5
NS
GARDEN SERVICES
Nick:- Telephone 07813037742
KLC SUPPLIES
Kindling/Logs/Coal
Keep warm with Somerset’s Leading Supplier
Tony 07817420132
David 07815810194
Email: [email protected]
Web: www.klcsupplies.co.uk
[8]
April 2015 - Issue 5
East Brent Village Hall
Has two rooms available for hire.
Suitable for functions and meetings.
Charges include cost of heating and use of well
equipped kitchen. (cooker extra)
ENQUIRIES TO :
BETTY GRIFFIN 01278 760754
OR
JANET NURSE 01278 760205
Sudoku 004
Was Puzzle No. 003 too much for you?
The solution is shown here.
No. 004 is shown below perhaps you
can complete this one!
Good luck—Ed.
2
9
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[9]
The objective is to fill the 9×9 grid
with digits so that each column,
each row, and each of the nine
3×3 boxes contains all of the digits
from 1 to 9. The puzzle setter provides a partially completed grid,
for which there is a unique solution.
April 2015 - Issue 5
[ 10 ]
April 2015 - Issue 5
This Month’s Recipe
Easter Biscuits
By Yvonne Sandiford
Fan Oven 180°C or Conventional Oven 375°F
Ingredients:
1lb self-raising flour.
½lb butter or soft margarine.
½lb caster sugar.
Pinch of Cinnamon.
4 drops ‘Oil of Cassia’ (from Boots the chemist).
4 drops ‘Essence of Lemon’.
4 ozs currants.
2 egg yolks + white of 1 egg.
Method
Beat the butter and sugar to a cream.
Stir in the egg yolks, lemon essence and oil of cassia.
Add flour and fold in the egg white.
Knead the dough and then cut into shape.
Bake on a baking sheet until pale brown colour.
To prevent the biscuits from breaking, remove from baking sheet very
carefully.
Sunday Tea Party – 19th April 2015
Are you 75 or over and living alone? Would you like to be treated to delicious
sandwiches and cakes in the home of a Brent Knoll villager? After yet another
convivial tea party in March, the next Contact the Elderly monthly tea party will
be held on Sunday 19th April from 3pm. If you need a lift, a volunteer driver will
collect you and return you home safely. To book your place at the tea party - or
to volunteer as a driver or occasional host - please contact me.
Kim Wilcox, Village Agent
[email protected] or 07943 555 519
[ 11 ]
April 2015 - Issue 5
[ 12 ]
April 2015 - Issue 5
Elizabeth is Missing
by Emma Healey
Maud's best friend Elizabeth has gone missing but she can’t find
anyone who will take her seriously. Maud knows that Elizabeth is
missing because she keeps finding notes she's written to herself
that say so. To prove it, Elizabeth's house is empty and Elizabeth’s
unpleasant son appears to be engaged in a house clearance. We
are given the impression that Elisabeth’s son must have had
something to do with her disappearance.
The book is written in the first person, narrated by Maud who has
been having trouble with her memory lately. There are two
timelines woven together. The present day story is the mystery of
Elizabeth’s disappearance, and the parallel tale is of the unsolved
disappearance of Maud's much loved sister Sukey 70 years
before. Sukey had been married to Frank, who was a sinister character and a black-market
racketeer. Sukey was also very friendly with Douglas, the lodger at Maud’s house. Then
there was The Mad Woman! The interweaving of the past and present moves both stories
forward seamlessly.
Emma Healey succeeds brilliantly in telling a story from the point of view of someone with
dementia. It could have been grim reading but it is a light-hearted and gently humorous
story. Whilst the author cleverly expresses the frustration and anger felt by Maud and also
by her loving and long-suffering daughter Helen, Maud’s memory lapses are dealt with like
gentle and loving teasing. When Maud goes to the Police Station to report Elisabeth’s
disappearance, she doesn’t understand why the policeman already knows about it. Maud’s
behaviour and thought processes make sense in this novel, and creates a sense of
sympathy and understanding in the reader. Where is a good place to grow marrows?
It could have been grim reading, but everyone in the group agreed that this was a beautiful
book, ‘Like a jewel in a treasure chest’. The author was awarded the Costa First Novel
Award in 2014; it is easy to see why.
Wendy Kingdom - For East Brent Reading Group
Bridgwater Mobile Library
Dates and Times
East Brent.
Rooksbridge.
The Mobile Library will stop at East
Brent Telephone box (TA9 4HZ)
between 11.15am and 11.30am and
at East Drive, off Strowlands (TA9
4JQ) between 11.35am and
12.00pm on the following dates:
2015 - 5 March, 2 April, 30 April, 28
May, 25 June, 23 July, 20 August,
17 September.
The Mobile Library will stop at Little
Acre (BS26 2UG) between 10.30 –
10.50am on the following dates:2105 - 26 February, 26 March, 23
April, 21 May, 18 June, 16 July, 13
August, 10 September.
[ 13 ]
April 2015 - Issue 5
[ 14 ]
April 2015 - Issue 5
An Indian Experience
Some years ago, our daughter was in India working for a charity for six months which
gave us the excuse to celebrate our Silver Wedding Anniversary somewhere exciting
and unusual. We spent a month travelling the length and breadth of this extraordinary
country and E was able to join us for about 5 days.
We had arrived in Elephant Valley in
the Eastern Ghats (one of 25 World
Conservation sites) after an 8 hour
drive by road from Kochin in Kerala
where we had been washing
elephants in the river.
But, to go back a few days, it was
some 24 hours after leaving home
that we made it to Kanchipuram, E’s
village and the silk centre of India, on
our wedding anniversary. We enjoyed
a memorable evening with the
surprise of a cake and a true
understanding of what “service“
meant. A request for G&Ts had taken
some 25 minutes to materialise
because the waiter had been
despatched
to
purchase
gin
somewhere in the village.
drank tea and selected our purchases
from the most stunning array of
beautiful silks, cost us the princely
sum of about 30 pence. The constant
cacophony of horns, beeps and parpparp (a la Toad!) as you place your
lives in the hands of these
extraordinarily skilful drivers, is an
experience not to be missed. Any
rules of the road which might exist are
totally ignored as bicycles, cars,
rickies and buses, not to mention
cows, horses and oxen – and of
course, people of all colours, sizes
and descriptions – combine to create
a chaotic movement along roads full
of potholes. No one loses their
temper and somehow, we emerge
unscathed from another death defying
journey.
The following morning, we enjoyed
our first temple experience. As we
emerged from the novelty of being
blessed, prayed for, daubed with both
red and white, decked with strongly
scented flowers, we were 1400
rupees (about 14 pounds) poorer and
we agreed with E's contention that we
had indeed been very badly ripped
off! At least we learned a lesson and
it was an extraordinary 1300 year old
temple, the focal point of so many
people’s lives.
Having slept so soundly on our first
night, we had had no time for
breakfast before our car arrived at
9am to pick us up so this morning
was G’s first experience of a true
Indian breakfast including Idli, a type
of rice dumpling served with hot curry
sauce and coconut, garlic pickle. I
contented myself with beautiful fresh
fruit as did E, who was delighted to
avoid the normal curry breakfast. G
was in seventh heaven with curry for
breakfast, lunch and dinner.
That evening, an auto rickshaw ride
was negotiated to E’s favourite silk
shop and the return 3 mile journey,
including an hour’s wait whilst we
The next part takes us to Kerala, a
totally different and exciting part of
the whole experience….
[ 15 ]
April 2015 - Issue 5
EAST BRENT METHODIST CHURCH
EAST BRENT METHODIST CHURCH
Minister:
To be confirmed
Stewards : Mrs. Jill Legg (01278 751417)
APRIL 2015 SERVICES 10.30 a.m. (unless shown)
5th
Easter Sunday/Holy Communion
Revd J Plumb
12th
Morning Service
Mr J Trebble
19th
Morning Service
Revd P Davis
26th
Morning Service
Mr T Hunt
VESTRY DUTY
Mr Andrew Gilling
FLOWER ROTA
5th
Mrs V Rawles
12th
Mrs J Legg
19th
Mrs J Hicks
26th
Mrs M Green
THE LINK VILLAGE FELLOWSHIP meets on Tuesday 14 April when Mr Paul Temple will
speak on Missionary Outreach & Tuesday 28 April when Revd Stephen Marr’s topic is
“Building Bridges”.
All meetings take place in the Methodist Hall and commence at 2.30 pm. Everyone
welcome.
An Amazing Day for East Brent First School
& East Brent Pre-School
'Both staff and pupils of East
Brent First School and East Brent
Pre-School dressed up as
characters from traditional
stories. We had an amazing day
completing lots of activities based
around different stories. We
ended the day with a fabulous
story session where everyone in
the school shared those activities
and stories with parents,
grandparents and each other.'
[ 16 ]
April 2015 - Issue 5
THE PARISH OF THE THREE SAINTS WORSHIP
East Brent
St Mary's Church
E
Eucharist - Holy Communion - Modern and traditional
music
AW All-sorts-Worship - No holy communion - Modern
music, relaxed
AW-E All-sorts-Worship + Eucharist - Modern music, relaxed
Lympsham St Christopher's Church
EP-S Evening Prayer-Said (Book of Common Prayer) Traditional language / no music
IW Iona Worship - Variety of prayer, stillness, reflection,
song from the Celtic tradition
Day
MIDWEEK WORSHIP
Time
Where
Tuesday
2.30pm
St Mary-E
Wednesday 10.00am
We are sorry for the inconvenience caused
when on occasions worship is cancelled or
a venue is changed - there will be a notice
on the church building door
St Christopher-E
SUNDAY WORSHIP
Theme
8:00 am
10:00 am
11:00
am
6:30
pm
Other
April
5
Easter Thanksgiving
St Christopher-HC
St Christopher-E
12
Easter 2
St Michael-HC
St Mary-E
19
Easter 3
St Christopher-HC
St Michael-E
PLEASE NOTE : Reflections on Palm Sunday - 29th March (Churches together)
Apologies for the incorrect details in last month’s edition. Note that this will be held 4:00 pm
at Brent Knoll Methodist Church not at East Brent Methodist Church.
Who’s who in the Parish of the Three Saints
Priest-in-Charge
Reverend Simon Lewis
The Rectory . 3 Ash Trees . East Brent . Somerset . TA9 4DQ
T: 01278 760496 E: [email protected]
Parish Administrator
Mary Ford
Church Office . Church Road . East Brent . Somerset . TA9 4HZ
T: 01278 769082 E: [email protected]
Office open: Tuesday & Wednesday: 10.30am-3.30pm
Churchwardens
St Christopher, Lympsham
Gwen Hatton: T: 01934 750416 E: [email protected]
Jim Hanmer: T: 01934 750076 E: [email protected]
St Mary, East Brent
Katherine Quinnell: T: 01278 760031 E: [email protected]
St Michael, Brent Knoll
Frances James: T: 01278 760287
[ 17 ]
April 2015 - Issue 5
[ 18 ]
April 2015 - Issue 5
Remembering WW1—Muffled Bells
Bell will be
Rung
Name
Date of Death
Village War
Memorial
April
10
NURSE, Len
10/04/1916
Brent Knoll
23
POPLE, Charles
23/04/1917
East Brent
30
CREES, Bertram Frank
30/04/1915
East Brent
1
CHARMAN, Edgar
01/05/1917
Brent Knoll
8
COOMBS, Arthur
08/05/1915
Brent Knoll
9
HARRISON, Albert
09/05/1915
East Brent
12
FISHER, Ernest
12/05/1917
East Brent
13
HUSTON, William B
13/05/1915
Brent Knoll
13
JANES, Arthur Charles
13/05/1915
Lympsham
27
FISHER, James
27/05/1918
Lympsham
31
PERKINS, Morton
31/05/1918
Brent Knoll
May
EAST BRENT VILLAGE FETE
SATURDAY 6th JUNE 2015
1pm start
New Society Jazz Band
Lisa Jane School of Dance
Stalls, Games & Raffle
Where was it?
This carving is at the base of our
unique East Brent War Memorial.
New item on page 7.
[ 19 ]
April 2015 - Issue 5
JAMIE BALSON
BUILDING SERVICES
EXTENSIONS AND
RENOVATIONS
FOR A PROFESSIONAL SERVICE
01278 641149
07968868508
[email protected]
[ 20 ]
April 2015 - Issue 5
Lottol Beauty
Mobile Beauty Therapist based in Rooksbridge
Trained by some of the big names in Beauty such as
Sienna X, Lash-Is, SalonSystem, Salon Services & Caflon
Offering Quality Specialist treatments using
Premium Products
07599560672
[email protected]
Bill Beebee
There once was a man named Bill
Beebee
Who was in love with a girl called
Phoebe.
He said - I must see
What the wedding fee be
Before Phobe be Phoebe B Beebee.”
Rick
Just to Remind You that the General, District &
Parish elections are on 7th May 2015
[ 21 ]
April 2015 - Issue 5
The Iris Restaurant
a fabulous, fresh and vibrant restaurant in the heart
of the countryside, set in the grounds of Rookery
Manor hotel and spa
Open Daily for Breakfast, Lunch, Afternoon Tea &
Dinner
Lunch & Afternoon Tea served between 12noon &
5pm
Why not celebrate with us and join for Sunday lunch
3 Courses only £19.50
Evening Restaurant
eat from our freshly produced seasonal á la carte
menu or from our chefs daily table d'hôte
booking is advised last table available at 9pm
Please call and Quote Manor11 to enjoy
15% off any Evening Meal or Sunday
Lunch for Nov, Jan or Feb
please visit our website at
www.rookery-manor.co.uk for menu's
Phone 01934 750200 opt. 1
Terms and conditions apply, this offer has no value.
All offers are subject to availability and excluded some dates
[ 22 ]
April 2015 - Issue 5
EAST BRENT PARISH HISTORY GROUP
East Brent Parish History Group
Meeting 4th March 2015
“A Housemaid at Glastonbury Abbey” – A talk by Kay Wych
We were very fortunate to have a visit from
Kay and her husband. Kay began by stating
how fortunate she was to have the best job
in Somerset. She related how she became
a 14th century Kitchen Maid at Glastonbury
Abbey before the renovation of the Abbot’s
Kitchen. It was after the renovation that she
became a tour guide.
At 12, Kay gave up wanting to be a ballet
dancer and decided she would be like her
mother – a secretary. She was taught
Pitman’s Shorthand and went to college.
After a while she began working at the
Moreland’s sheepskin factory and joined a
drama group in the hope of improving her
diction and colloquialism. She became
noticed at the Strode Theatre and mentored
by someone later to become a Professor at
Columbia University. Kay concentrated on
Medieval Theatre but needed to develop
her knowledge of history to understand if
“Henry Vlll came before the Romans or
not!!” as she put it. She later got involved in
Somerset’s pre-history with various
archaeology groups. This made up the “3
seeds in her pot” of
subsequent life –
Drama,
History,
Archaeology. She was
then encouraged to
become a part-time
tour guide at the
Abbey and developed
a persona as Alyce
Cleeve,
a
Tudor
kitchen maid.
As Alyce, she formed
a family whose head
was a weaver and 3
brothers who were all
“Fullers”.
In-role, as a Tudor
kitchen maid in 1538,
Kay then began to tell
how she was affected
by
Henry
Vlll’s
dissolution
of
the
monasteries.
As
“Cromwell’s Man” her
husband then entered
the scene - we had all
forgotten about him at
the back of the hall.
Alyce Cleeve, kitchen
maid was then out of a job. We were taken
through how the last Abbot of Glastonbury
(Richard Whiting) was removed to London
and later returned to Glastonbury with two
of his monks, John Thorne and Roger
James, where all three were fastened upon
hurdles and dragged by horses to the top of
the Tor. Here they were hanged, drawn and
quartered.
Kay’s talk was informative, stimulating and
at times funny and we were pleased to have
her tell us all about Alyce Cleeve. Visit
Glastonbury Abbey and you might meet
her!
Future meetings – Meetings are held on
the first Wednesday each month at 7:00 pm
in the Village Hall. The next meeting will be
on 1st April which will be a General Meeting.
I am pleased that on 6th May, John
Strickland will return with a further talk on
the S&D Railway route from Highbridge to
Glastonbury. In July, there will be a talk on
Medal Collecting with some reference to the
Parish’s Servicemen.
You don’t have to be a regular member of
the History Group to come and listen to
these talks or attend any meeting.
[ 23 ]
April 2015 - Issue 5
PAW PRINTS CATTERY
Adam Popham
Director
A M P Electrical (SW) Ltd
“Home from Home”
Domestic/Commercial/Agricultural
local Electrical contractor
at The Mallards, Edington Road, Burtle,
Nr Bridgwater TA7 8NX
Tel: 01278 722252
All aspects of electrical work
undertaken in a courteous, friendly
and professional manner
Fully licensed with choice of luxury large
heated chalets
Cat loving family run with flexible opening hours
Quiet country location
4 miles from A39/6 miles from A38
Email:[email protected]
www.pawprintscattery.co.uk
Collection and delivery service available
Mark, Somerset,
07738221754
[ 24 ]
April 2015 - Issue 5
East Brent Parish Council Meeting 2nd February 2015
Planning Applications
One application received: 24/15/00002.
Land to the rear of Yew Tree Cottage,
Bridgwater Rd East Brent. The application
was discussed at length and the PC
recommended approval.
Agenda
Item 1. The Chairperson, Mrs Valerie
Rawles, welcomed Mrs Elaine Oliver to
the position of Parish Clerk, she also
thanked Mr Martin Shobbrook, the retiring
Clerk, for all his past work with and for the
PC.
Item 2. Confirmation of Minutes. The
minutes of the meeting of 5th January
2015 were accepted and approved
unanimously.
Item 3. Matters Arising.
1. Parish Magazine. Cllr Walker reported
on: the Parish magazine re VAT, a
management committee, a bank
account, and the possible threat to
magazine deliverers from loose dogs
on some premises. Cllr Webb reported
on advertising income and Cllr LloydJones commented on the PC budget
for the magazine.
2. Defibrillator. Cllr Webb stated that an
official opening for the device in front
of the Medical Centre will be arranged
when the defibrillator casing and
surround have been completed. Cllr
Webb further reported that the
V.E.T.S. (Village Emergency
Telephone System) is still to be fully
tested and that information regarding
the scheme will be promulgated soon.
3. Playing Field off Pill Road,
Rooksbridge. Cllr Lloyd-Jones gave
an update of progress to date
including: the dropped curb, the new
CE of the South West Housing Assoc,
costs and availability of a football goal,
gates, benches, signage and grass
cutting.
4. East Brent Village Green. Cllr LloydJones reported that SDC had cut back
growth around the car park and
adjacent children’s play equipment
area, but still had a tree stump to
remove and two benches to install.
5. Appointment of new Parish Clerk. Cllr
V Rawles (Chairperson) thanked the
outgoing Clerk, Mr Martin Shobbrook,
for all his hard work and
professionalism during his time as
Parish Clerk and wished him well for
the future. Mrs Elaine Oliver was
welcomed as the new Parish Clerk.
6. Grass cutting & Parish maintenance
contracts. Cllr Lloyd-Jones advised on
the payment terms and costs.
7. Roadside concrete planters. Cllr
Rawles offered to seek advice from
Somerset County Highways re the
positioning of said items.
8. Field adjoining Cemetery. Martin
Shobbrook on behalf of Cllr Bowden
proposed that from 2016 a Farm
Business Tenancy be created rather
than continue with a grass keep
auction each year. There will be
further information for the May 2015
meeting.
9. Financial Matters. The list of proposed
payments was approved unanimously.
10. Matters of Report. The following items
were reported: Traffic speed on A370,
vehicles travelling the wrong way in
the Brent Rd one way system,
planning application comments by
EBPC not included on SDC system,
approved minutes on PC website, new
play equipment in Orchard Close.
Next Meeting – 3rd March 2015.
[ 25 ]
April 2015 - Issue 5
[ 26 ]
CPL
April 2015 - Issue 5
The Lee-Enfield Rifle
Near Enfield lock, beside the River Lee
Navigation in North London, was the site
of the Royal Small Arms Factory. It was
founded in 1804 and it was where the
British soldier’s ‘best friend’, the .303 Lee
Enfield rifle was manufactured.
conversion at the Enfield factory. Over
the years improvements were made to
the original weapon when different
inventors systems were tried – amongst
these were Martini & Henry, Lee &
Burton and Lee & Metford.
Prior to that model, muzzle loaders were
made at the factory for the army in the
Crimean war. The distinct disadvantage
of the 1857 muzzle loader for the soldier
was that he had to stand upright in the
heat of a battle to ramrod the ball and
powder charge down the barrel – so
presenting the enemy with a simple
target!
In 1885 a ‘rifle’ type weapon emerged
that was reliable under the severest of
battlefield conditions which included rain
and mud. This model was invented by a
Scot named James Paris Lee in 1861 in
America, he had converted the famous
Springfield muzzle loader with a breech
loading system just prior to the American
Civil war, and worked for the gun-makers
Sharp & Remington. Lee’s later
experiments resulted in the invention of
the famous ‘bolt action’ rifle which was
produced at the Enfield factory and
became known worldwide as the ‘Lee
Enfield Rifle’, the Mark 4 version of
which was used in the 1st & 2nd World
Wars.
New technology was needed and so an
advert by the War office invited gunmakers and inventors to submit plans for
converting the Enfield pattern muzzle
loader, of which there were considerable
numbers, into a breech loader; calling for
accuracy, velocity of a bullet, recoil,
rapidity of fire and to overcome fouling
due to exposure to the weather. The cost
of all of which must not exceed £1.00 per
firearm. From the 50 applicants, eight
were chosen and went on to develop the
The ‘Rifle’ is named for the spiral pattern
inside the barrel that aids projection of
the bullet and increases velocity and
accuracy.
Ian Torrance
MARITAL MISUNDERSTANDING?
How men and women record things in their diaries?
Wife's Diary:
Tonight, I thought my husband was acting weird. We had made plans to meet at a nice
restaurant for dinner. I was shopping with my friends all day long, so I thought he was upset
at the fact that I was a bit late, but he made no comment on it.
I asked him if it was my fault that he was upset. He said he wasn't upset, that it had nothing
to do with me, and not to worry about it.
When we got home, I felt as if I had lost him completely, as if he wanted nothing to do with
me anymore. He just sat there quietly, and watched TV. He continued to seem distant and
absent.
Finally, with silence all around us, I decided to go to bed. About 15 minutes later, he came to
bed. He fell asleep; I cried. I don't know what to do. I'm almost sure that his thoughts are with
someone else. My life is a disaster.
Husband's Diary:
A two-foot putt... Who the hell misses a two-foot putt?
[ 27 ]
April 2015 - Issue 5
Kitchen, Bedroom &
Bathroom Installations
www.markkitchensandmore.co.uk
T e l : 0 1 2 78 6 4 1 5 16
Mo b : 0 7 8 66 7 4 4 99 5
[ 28 ]
April 2015 - Issue 5
THE KNOLL VILLAGES
It takes fifty years to be accepted in a
village - so they say. But does it take so
long? I do not agree. I have now lived in a
village community for 50 years and have
felt "one of them" for most of that time.
This is a tribute to the parishioners with
whom I have lived and worked for many
years.
presented to her. But for me, from that
moment I wished to 'always live in the
country' - and I have. I think that the
memory of being hustled off the grass by
an irate park keeper in London's Regent's
Park when picking little daisies may have
had something to do with my wish.
In August, 1922, a family consisting of
father, mother and three children moved
from a London suburb to one of the
villages at the foot of Brent Knoll. My
father, George Hudson, a city business
man, had decided for health reasons to
make his home and living 'in the country'.
He had purchased a village store with a
sub-Post Office. Before buying the
business he had looked at several others
but was so much more attracted to the
area around the Knoll. Also, as he said, for
a cockney it was on the main Great
Western Line to London! I can well
remember his excitement when he
described the countryside around the hill
to us all.
Several visits had to be made during the
transfer of the business. On one of these
trips a retired Methodist minister had
asked some children to collect wild flowers
for father to take back to London with him.
Mother was delighted when the box of
fragrant flowers was opened and
On the day of our move to this entirely
new way of life I can only remember the
arrival at a little country station. A kindly
porter met us. Oil lamps hung on posts
and a large number of milk chums - the
old-fashioned variety wider at the base seemed to cover one platform. These
were awaiting transport back to London.
Our arrival at 'home' was filled with
excitement. The windows were like church
windows - typical of many houses in the
area. Mother was extremely worried for,
although the house pleased her very
much, it as yet had no bathroom. The
previous owner told her 'it was good
enough for we' and he had brought up a
family. My father - bless him - bought a
second-hand bath from the vicarage. He
was told with awe that 'it had been used by
the late Archdeacon'. This was rigged up
in a shed that had an outside drain, an oilstove and a drum with a tap, and 'hey
presto', mother had a bathroom.
Rosa Chivers (1972)
EAST BRENT HARVEST HOME—158th Anniversary Year
This year’s Harvest Home will take place on Friday, 28th August 2015. Please put this
date in your diary.
The Committee meet on the third Wednesday each month at 7:00 pm in East Brent
Village Hall. We are now planning for this year’s event and are looking for new recruits to
assist this “Somerset Institution” now in its 158th anniversary year. All are welcome so
please do get involved.
Colin Loader
[ 29 ]
April 2015 - Issue 5
USEFUL NUMBERS
Brownies
01278 760655
Day Centre – June Jessop
01278 792208
Doctor. Brent Area Medical Centre – East Brent
01278 760313
Pre-School, East Brent – Emma Allen
07849062469
East Brent C of E First School
01278 760490
Environment Agency Floodline
0345 988 1188
Hugh Sexey Middle School – Normal Enquiries
- Absence line for pupil
01934 712211
01934 714290
Kings of Wessex Academy – Normal enquiries
Email: [email protected]
- Absence line for pupils
Email: [email protected]
01934 742608
Village Hall – East Brent (Info & bookings- Betty Griffin)
01278 760754
Parish Council Chairman – Val Rawles
01934 751108
Parish Council Clerk – Mrs Elaine Oliver
01278 684279
01934 745304
Parish Council Website – http://eastbrentparishcouncil.org.uk/
Sedgemoor District Councillor – Andrew Gilling
01934 750580
Sedgemoor District Councillor – Bob Filmer
01278 760760
Somerset County Councillor – John Denbee
01934 712304
Email: [email protected]
Member of Parliament – Tessa Munt
Email: [email protected]
01934 710748
Police. Brent Beat Manager – PC1916 Pete Wills
– PCSO - Pauline Dixon
– PCSO – Tracy Grobbeler
Emergency Only
999
Non -Emergency -101
Rooksbridge Post Office – Sandy & Danny Lawrence
01934 750221
Editor - East Brent Parish Magazine
[email protected]
01278 760896
Advertising Editor – East Brent Parish Magazine
[email protected]
01278 760219
POSTAL SUBSCRIPTIONS and ADVERTISING
FOR
SALE
The East Brent Parish Magazine is delivered free to all properties within the Parish which includes East
Brent, Rooksbridge and Edingworth. Outside the Parish, it can be delivered by post by taking out a
Postal Subscription at a cost of £14 per annum. This cost includes delivery to U.K. and Northern Ireland
addresses only. Please contact the Editor for subscription costs in other parts of the world.
E-mailed copies can be sent free of charge (.pdf). Advertising rates and details are shown elsewhere in
this Magazine. If you wish to advertise, please contact the Advertising Editor.
PLEASE NOTE : If you have (or know anyone who has) previously paid for Postal Subscriptions or
Advertising which have not been fulfilled, please contact the relevant Editor with details. It is our
intention to meet all previous commitments in this respect.
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April 2015 - Issue 5
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April 2015 - Issue 5
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