September Updates
Been very quiet of late…wonder why?? However there are now one or two bits of news to spread around the villages.
There will be a Virtual Parish Council Meeting on Monday 5th October at 7:00pm in the village hall. The agenda is available under the Organisations/Parish Council menu at the top of page. Details of how to join the meeting are on the agenda.
The minutes of the recent, September, virtual Parish Council Meeting are now posted under the “Organisations/Parish Council” Menu
Many of you will have had someone calling and trying to raise money for Great Ormond Street Hospital in the last day or two. Karen Heffernen has been in touch to say that he was a genuine fund raiser (She has checked with the hospital) so any money given is safe.
Sadly the Village Hall will have to remain closed for the foreseeable future. I asked if the Art group might be able to meet again soon and the committee did investigate but the conditions and procedures needed are still too onerous to contemplate. Thanks to the committee for looking into this. There is a letter explaining this in a bit more detail – Stawell and Sutton Mallet Village Hall COVID
Jeanette Scott has asked me to thank all those people who have been contributing to the Bridgwater Food Bank throughout the lockdown period. If you aren’t aware of this, there is a collection point just by the Stawell Post Box and you can drop off tins and packets of food at any time.Virtual
Re-opening of the Church
The church will now be open twice a week for two hours for Individual Prayer. It will have to be a little different, but i think we are all getting used to hearing that. We look forward to welcoming you if you wish to come for Individual Prayer on Wednesdays 10am to 12pm and on Saturdays from 2pm to 4pm.
A notice will go up at Church. This will start from Saturday 11th July.
Updates
The minutes of the latest (July) Parish Council meeting have been posted under the “Organisations/Parish Council” menu.
Avon and Somerset Police have identified yet another potential scam to look out for. This time an automated call from Visa stating a transaction for £299 to Tesco has been authorised and asking for confirmation. The telephone number that called was 02039 669 829.
Several members have reported to have received the same call already.
Should you receive the same call, simply hang up and notify Action Fraud on this number 0300 123 2040 or report it via their website below:
Stawell and Sutton Mallet Village Hall
Unfortunately due to Covid 19, we are running behind with our Stawell & Sutton Mallet Village Club Card, which ran out in April.
However, as the restrictions have lessened and with the keeping of social distancing rules, somebody from the village hall committee will be calling on yourselves within the next 2 weeks to renew your membership, which is £12 for the year.
Monthly draws will commence in July and run until June 2021 with 1st prize £15, 2nd prize £10 & 3rd prize £5. We will still be having our 5 draws at Christmas of £15 each!!
Last year our club card was designed by Kay McDonald who attends the local ‘Art Class’ run by Karen Roberts on Thursdays in the village hall (Hopefully soon!). This year’s design is by Janet Dodwell.
Joint Village Hall and Church Raffle.
The raffle will be drawn at 8:00pm on Saturday 6 June. Join us on ZOOM to see your ticket come out of the box!
There are lots of prizes to be won with FOUR FIRST PRIZES. These are a Sunday Dinner (Meat or Vegetarian version) and three hampers of goodies kindly donated by ASDA.
To join in just follow the link below:
Brian Scowcroft is inviting you to a scheduled ZOOM meeting.
Topic: 50:50 Raffle
Time: Jun 6, 2020 19:45
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82821079832
Meeting ID: 828 2107 9832
If you haven’t used ZOOM for a while you may be prompted to update the application. It only takes a minute or two but you might want to join before 8:00pm to give yourself time. The meeting will open at 7:45pm to give you time to get sorted.
As a caring community we have raised money for others during this challenging period. Now it is time to consider our own St Francis Church and the Village Hall. Both have lost funding during the lockdown but still have considerable ongoing expenses – I know the Village Hall is awaiting an insurance bill of hundreds of pounds.
To help them out there will be a draw on Saturday 6th June at 8:00pm. Yes, you’ve guessed – it’ll be held on ZOOM!
1st prize is a Sunday Dinner for four with all the trimmings; goose fat roast potatoes, vegetables and stuffing plus Apple Pie and Custard dessert.
There will be numerous other prizes to win as well.
Look out for the people calling at your door……..social distancing will be observed.
Tickets are just £1 each so dig deep and buy lots!!
Parish of Stawell Heritage Societcy
Although the Lockdown is easing a little, many of us still have additional time on our hands so perhaps this is a good time to put out an appeal to villagers and those who used to live in Stawell and Sutton Mallet.
POSHS, the newly formed Heritage Society would like to ask for help with any or all of the following:
- Do you have any photographs of the area? Perhaps they show the villages before recent building work. Maybe they record a village event or perhaps village people. They don’t need to be that old either – we would like to record the present happenings as well as understanding the past.
- Do you have any stories? Reminiscences about people, events and places perhaps. Even just a few lines or notes would help.
- What do you know about your house? If you are mortgage free you may have old deeds and the like relating to your house. You may know about changes of use and who lived there before you.
- Do you know of friends or family who used to live here? Could you kindly ask them for their assistance in building up an archive of village history.
Any contribution, large or small, will be most welcome. Ideally we would hope to retain any donations as they may take on new significance in years to come. We intend to obtain secure storage for the growing village archive. If however you wish to retain documents and photographs we now have the facility to make digital copies. and return the originals to you.
Thank you for reading this and we look forward to your contributions.
Jackie Lusty is the Chair of the society so any donations can be forwarded to her at The Laurels, Ford Lane, tel: 723134 or email at jackie_lusty@hotmail.com
Lockdown Update
4 June
The minutes of the June Parish Council Meeting are now posted under “Organisations/Parish Council”. The annual audit documents are also now posted under “Organisations/Parish Council/Documents
COVID 19 SCAM WARNING: There have been a variety of phone/text and email scams where the sender tries tells you that you have been in contact with someone with COVID19. They try to charge you for a test and ask for credit card details. THIS IS A SCAM. A genuine caller will only ask for name and address and ask about possible symptoms. They will NOT ask for any payment or request any passwords. If you are unsure, ask them to email you – the genuine caller will agree and follow up in an email.
A similar scam involves telling you that you have broken guidelines and have been fined; again, they ask for payment and your card details. Similar advice applies here.
24 May
The minutes of the Annual Meeting of the Parish Council and the Annual Parish Council Meeting are now posted under “Organisations/Parish Council”
The agenda for the next Parish Council Meeting on Monday 1 June at 7:00pm is also posted.
A message from Frank's family
We would like to say a big thank you for the moving response by the villagers in Stawell to line the route when Frank left the village for the last time. My extended family were overwhelmed by this gesture. I hope we will be able to say thank you individually at a future gathering in Frank’s memory.
Best wishes from Jean, Tom and James
Lockdown Update
17 May
I have received two documents from the County Council giving updates on local recycling centres and the collection of garden waste. Enjoy!
Update on reopened recycling centres 16 May
Update on recycling centres garden waste 16 May
12 May
The agendas for the Annual Meeting and Annual Parish Meeting are posted under the Organisations/Parish Council menu. These will be virtual meetings and begin at 7:00pm on Monday 18 May.
To “attend” the meeting dial 0330 606 0403 and enter the access code 8893316
Frank's Funeral
Route Update: The route through the village has now changed due to road closures on the A39.
Frank’s funeral will take place at 2:00pm on Monday 11 May but only 10 family mourners will be able to attend. The family have decided to have the ceremony webcast for other members of the family and Frank’s many friends and neighbours.
There is a webcast help document here but all you need to do is go to:
https://www.wesleymedia.co.uk/webcast-view
and enter the login/ID 27660
and the password duegvgxv
The ceremony will be quite brief, in accordance with Frank’s wishes.
The book of remembrance in the church porch has many lovely tributes to, and memories of, Frank. The book will stay in the porch until Monday afternoon but will then be taken and presented to his family on Tuesday. A big thank you to Rachel Fortune for arranging for the book to be in place and liaising with the undertakers and family over arrangements for Franks last ride through the village on Monday.
Lockdown Update
7 May
The latest (virtual Parish Council meeting took place on Monday. The minutes are filed under the Organisations/Parish Council menu.
Each house should be about to receive a copy of the latest Your Somerset magazine. If you miss out or want to look back to past issues there is a link under the Organisations/ Parish Council menu or HERE.
VE Day in Lockdown: “we’ll meet again don’t know where, don’t know when!”
VE Day celebrations aren’t going to be what they would have been but it seems only right to mark this historic day in the best ways we can.
Looking at the British Legion website we can still join in with national events.
- We can try and decorate the village as much as possible with flags and bunting. If you don’t have any bunting to hand to display in front of your house you can make your own. There are loads of suggestions on Google and YouTube but the BBC have advice at https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/articles/4TrqYDyf4PMdLypxzyTwGDg/great-british-bunting Get cracking… or get the kids on the job.
- At 11:00am there will be a Two Minutes Silence for reflection.
- At 2:45pm there will be a special programme on BBC which includes a recording of Churchill’s famous victory speech. At 3:00pm We are asked to raise a glass of something suitable as as part of the “Nation’s Toast to the Heroes of World War Two”. The toast is “To those who gave so much, we thank you”.
- At 9:00pm, as part of an evening broadcast on radio and BBC One, the Queen will address the nation and commonwealth. This is the exact time when her father made his victory speech.
- Perhaps we could all go outside afterwards and show our feelings as we have been doing every Thursday evening – by making a huge celebratory noise! Alternatively, or as well, a rendition of “We’ll meet again” seems a good idea.
Do talk about it on FaceBook if you have more or different suggestions. Thanks for those who suggested these ideas.
Frank's Funeral
I know that many of you have expressed a wish to pay your respects to Frank Reynolds even though we will be unable to attend his funeral.
The hearse will bring Frank back to the village on Monday 11 May at approximately 1:30pm
The vehicle will come down Ford Lane and turn right and drive to the Village Hall, turn round and, typical of Frank, he gets to do an encore as the hearse drives back through the village and up Ford Lane.
So that the family can see our tribute to Frank the plan is to ask you to spread out from the Old Apple Store and along Ford Lane. Do exercise the expected social distancing rules.
The other cars, carrying the family, will join the hearse as it passes the Old Apple Store. They will then leave the village via Ford Lane.
The timings are approximate so try to be on the street by 1:15pm. There is no pressure on anyone to participate so only join in if you are able.
Please can anyone who would have a car parked along the route please move them elsewhere for the duration. Thank You for doing this.
The route described above is based on the assumption that the road at Chedzoy is still closed on Monday 11 May. If it reopens, then the cortege will just pass through the village from Ford Lane and we will need to reposition ourselves!
Check here or on FaceBook for updates.
Lockdown Update
1 May
First we had “The Quiz”, now the long awaited sequel “Ooh, I know that one, it’s the Return of the Quiz”. On Sunday evening we are going to attempt to master the technology needed for a Zoom quiz where we want to have some fun and support the brilliant work of Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Families Association (SSAFA). This is a charity close to the heart of Frank Reynolds and where his family are asking for donations in lieu of flowers at his funeral.
We will go live at 7.00pm on Sunday evening. There will be a picture and puzzle round to download before the start which you can have a go at before we begin – we will give answers during the evening and the marks will go towards the total. We will have 5 live rounds and we are aiming for topics a bit different (and maybe easier 😉) than last time. Please don’t google answers and mark your answers honestly
An invitation to the quiz will be posted on FaceBook nearer the time. It’s best if you download Zoom beforehand but all you need to do is click on the invitation and follow instructions. If you don’t use Facebook send an email to me at brian@scowcroft.co.uk and I’ll send the link to you.
There will be no prizes this time..it’s just for fun but we ask that each family donate at least £5 to SSAFA. You can donate at https://donate.ssafa.org.uk/…
Who is up for it??
MOMSS: The May edition of MOMSS has now been published. Check out the Organisations/Church menu at the top of this page.
29 April
Parish Council Meeting Monday 4 May, 7:00pm. This will be a virtual meeting. Details of how you can join the meeting are given here. The agenda can be found under the Organisations/Parish Council menu above.
From the Reynolds Family
“This moment won’t come again”.
At 9 am on Sunday morning, unfortunately my Dad’s much-uttered catchphrase was proved right.
I’m sure none of you will be surprised to hear that in the majority of our last moments together he was on good form. There’d been some good craic with the palliative nurse during the night apparently, and he had a story or two for Mum and I (my brother unfortunately is still in Sweden).
Writing something like this would normally have been something he would take on as you can imagine, so I’ll keep it brief.
Thank you all so much for the support and help with shopping in the last few weeks – and for the cards and messages in the last few days.
I knew Dad had made an impression in the village, but I hadn’t realised quite to what extent.
The feeling was certainly mutual.
Every phone call we shared would come with some detail about village life – a recent trip out with Terry the Judge or the latest goings-on at the hall.
I know he will have taken great comfort, as James and I do too, from the amazing friends Mum has around her as she faces up to life without “my Frank”.
It’s such a shame that she – and we – can’t see you all now in the flesh. Another cruel irony, the worst of which has been seeing a man who lived with such energy running out of breath.
We’ll miss him. And he’ll miss you. So thanks again for everything you’ve done. And if you’ve got something in (“glass of port, cup of tea”) raise a glass to toast him over dinner tonight won’t you.
This moment won’t come again after all…..
Lockdown Update
20 April
Many of you are using the village FaceBook group as somewhere to post memories and tributes to Frank Reynolds. Please continue to add them there but there is also now a book in the church porch where a more permanent record could be made. Can I please ask that, if you feel able, to go along and pass on your tributes and stories in writing so as to provide Jean and family with a lasting record of our memories of our wonderful friend and neighbour, Frank.
19 April
14 April
Hope you all enjoyed the Bingo last night. Congratulations to the winners and commiserations to those who didn’t get a prize this time. The entry “fee” was a donation to the local Foodbank – the collecting box is by the postbox in the middle of Stawell. Huge thanks to Simon and the rest of the VH committee for helping with planning, delivering tickets and buying, sorting and delivering prizes. Thanks too to the donors of various prizes.
The Bingo was run using Zoom. A local benefactor has paid for the license for the Pro level of this app which allows for meetings of any length (the free version limits meetings to 40 minutes). If anyone wants to host a meeting for the benefit of other villagers then get in touch.
Gary Blinco, our Parish Paths Liaison Officer has been told by the County Council not to carry out any clearance work until further notice. This is due to a lack of current insurance as this work does not come under the heading of essential work. If you have a concern you can report it through Explore Somerset at https://www.somerset.gov.uk/waste-planning-and-land/public-rights-of-way/
7 April
Online Village Lockdown Bingo! On Easter Monday at 7:30pm it will be “Eyes Down” time. We will use Zoom (If you aren’t familiar with this app I’ll post details on how to get it, set it up and use it later) to run a bingo session with prizes donated by the Village Hall Committee (although more prizes, left at Simon’s door would be great). You must let us know by Saturday evening at the latest that you want to take part so we can deliver bingo cards to your house. You can email me at brian@scowcroft.co.uk or comment on the Bingo post on Facebook. If you take part please make a donation to the Foodbank as “payment”.
The Reverend David Chapman, of St Benedict’s in Glastonbury, is leading Holy Week prayers, via Zoom, each morning this week from Monday to Thursday at 8.30am
Here’s the login details.
https://us04web.zoom.us/j/712586715…
Meeting ID: 712 586 715
Password: 544464
There has been a burglary over in Catcott. The details are: “
A static van has been burgled in Catcott Road, Bridgwater sometime between the 4th and 5th April. The offender has jumped a front fence to enter the grounds and has then gained access to the van via a stable. Once inside the offender has stolen a Harness, Bow Top, Brass Man, Ornaments, TV, Burner and a Honda Generator together with £40 in cash.
If you contact the Police about this incident, please call 101 & quote Reference number: 5220076170 or Call Crimestoppers on 0800 555111, thank you.”
5 April
We all know that shopping isn’t easy at the moment but Jeanette Scott, who takes the village’s donations to the foodbank, tells me that they are deparate for supplies. If you do get the chance to go shooping, how about putting a couple of extra store cupboard items in your basket to donate? The box for donations is right next to the post box in the middle of Stawell, you can’t miss it.
1 April
The Pizza truck WILL be visiting on Thursday 2 April. Contactless payments only.
Again, may I ask please, if you know anyone in the villages who is vulnerable or perhaps just wanting someone to give them a regular call, please let Sheila or myself know and we will set up a link.
LOCKDOWN FACEBOOK QUIZ – 7:30pm Saturday live streamed on the village Facebook page. A hour or two of online quizzing competition. Thanks to Simon for his offer for the VH to sponsor a grand winners prize of a bottle of wine to be left on your doorstep!
PC Minutes are now posted as is a link to MOMSS which will be published digitally for the time being. Link HERE or through the Organisations/Church menu.
25` March
The NHS has been recruiting volunteers for various roles including a “Check and Chat” service. Volunteers call those most vulnerable, perhaps isolating on their own to make sure they are OK and then helping with anything they need. Seems a good idea to set this service up locally. If you would like a regular Check and Chat call or know someone who would then please call, email or text Sheila or myself. Will probably follow up with a note to each household soon.
The Church has now been locked and the Glastonbury Wood Fired Pizza wagon will not be visiting until further notice.
The idea of virtual social events has arisen. There are apps like Skype, Zoom and Microsoft Teams that allow groups to videochat, exchange and show images, text message and chat. How about a Zoom Dinner Party with friends? An online book club? A simultaneous cake bake while chatting with other bakers…of course followed up by a cake eating and wine slurping group chat? I don’t know much about these apps but Im sure we have some experts in the village who can help.
23 March
We’re pretty sure all households now have a volunteer list in case of need by people in isolation. There has already been a couple of calls to volunteers for assistance. One thing we have learnt is that if you collect a prescription on someone’s behalf you need to know their full, correct name and address. Apparently they sometimes ask for age too. Also worth checking if it’s Woolavington or Edington dispensary.
If you heard the PM on TV this evening you will know that trips to shops should be limited. If you are in isolation then please try to use online ordering and delivery but if you have an urgent need then do still ask.
You will also have seen the posts about the Munchkins van. Simon Thomas is willing to order, collect and deliver around Stawell on your behalf if you are in isolation. Sorting out payment can be sorted out later. Orders to Simon on 722995 before 5.45pm on Friday and delivery will be between 6 and 7:30pm. Many thanks to Simon for this.
19 March
All regular activities in the village hall have been suspended. The Pizza Truck should still be visiting today but only contactless payments will be accepted.
Facebook users will know that a group of volunteers is being recruited to help those in isolation. Shopping, prescriptions or just a chat. A list of names and contact details will be posted to each household soon.
17 March
16 March
In response to current advice concerning steps to be taken to reduce the rate of spread of Coronavirus many village activities have now been cancelled.
At the time of writing all social events, films, HUB Cafes are cancelled. The Lunch Bunch cafe is cancelled. All church services are suspended. Other church events such as the Lent Lunch are also cancelled.
There IS still a Parish Council Meeting scheduled for Monday 23 March. Agenda is available under the “organisations” menu.
I believe the visits from the Glastonbury Wood Fired Pizza Company and Munchkins Fish and Chips Van will continue.
At this time I have no information about regular bookings – art, HIIT, Bowls, Yoga. Check with the group organiser.
This notice will be kept up to date as circumstances change.to
Parish of Stawell Heritage Society
Think of a good acronym and work out the title to fit is always a good strategy. Thus, the name for the Parish of Stawell Heritage Society was born! The POSH Society was initiated at an open meeting in the village hall and, a while later, those who were interested in taking an active part in researching local history, met up at Jackie Lusty’s house.
Various roles were filled by ready volunteers and the areas of interest identified. I think its a fair reflection to say that while buildings and archaeology were seen as important parts of the group’s endeavours, it was the people, their lives and their stories that sparked particular interest. A number of early projects were proposed but it has been decided that the history of the old village school would be our first challenge.
If anyone has any old photographs or memories of the school they could share, or know people who might, then please get in touch with Jackie Lusty (jackie_lusty@hotmail.com The Laurels, Ford Lane) or Kay Chorley (Little Orchard, Ford Lane)
Yeovilton Military Wives Choir
Stawell Village Hall
Saturday 13 June 2020
7:30 pm
Tickets £12 available in advance only.
Contact Maxine Hughes (723665) or stawellandsuttonmalletvhc@gmail.com
Tickets will also be available in the hall on:
- Saturday 14th March 10.30 – 1.00 pm
- Saturday 29th March 9.00 – 10.00 am
- Sunday 19th April 3.00 – 4.00pm
- Saturday 25th April 9.00 – 10.00 am
- Sunday 10th May 3.00 – 4.00pm
Note: tickets are non refundable
Coming Soon
SEE THE NOTICE AT THE TOP OF THIS PAGE WHICH INDICATES CANCELLATION OF MANY PLANNED EVENTS
The Parish Council Meeting is on 2 March starting at 7:00pm. The agenda and minutes of the previous meeting are found under the “organisations” menu at the top of this page.
7th March sees the welcome return of the HUB Pub evenings. Come along and enjoy a drink or two and some music with friends and neighbours. Doors are open from 7 to 11pm.
The Avalon School Lunch Bunch lunch is on Thursday 19 March (serving from 12:00-2:00pm. As always please do try to get along to this event. Not only is it a good lunch and a chance for a neighbourly chat, it also supporting some great young people from Avalon School.
The Glastonbury Wood Fired Pizza truck visits on the 5th starting at 4:00pm and returns again on the 19th March.
The Munchkins Fish and Chips van is serving up on Friday 13th and 27th from 5 to 8pm.
The HUB Cafe is on 14 March and is a fundraiser for Westfield Street Cafe and Westfield Church – who work with low income families and the homeless people of the Bridgwater area. Doors open from 10:30am to 1:00pm. Always a good turn out of villagers looking for great brunch or cake and a lovely meet up with friends and neighbours.
As usual the HUB Cafe is followed by a Film Night and this month we have a showing of The 100 Foot Journey. Although this film dates from 2014 and I’ve seen it already I definitely want to catch it again. It tells the story of a displaced Indian family who settle in a rural French village and open a restaurant, the Maison Mumbai. Unfortunately their location is near a Michelin starred restaurant owned by a frosty proprietor, played by Helen Mirren. All out war between the two operations ensues but, as you would expect in a warm, feel good film like this, all is well by the end.
The annual church Lent Lunch is on Saturday 21 March from noon to 2:00pm. Come along to the Village Hall and choose from a selection of delicious home made soups and support the Malawi Association fro Christian Support.
On the evening of 21 March there will be a Quiz at Othery Village Hall in support of the Sedge Moors Twinning Association. Doors open at 7:00pm for a 7:30pm start. Refreshments are available but bring your own drinks and glasses. Up to 4 in a team and entry is £5 per person. I’ve been along to this event a couple of times and its been great fun…we even once once!
The hosts for the March Church Coffee Morning are the delightful Janet and Brian Scowcroft of Willow Cottage.
Latest Village News
Village Club Card Winners
The lucky winners for November are: 1st 21, 2nd 129 & 3rd 43 A member of the committee will deliver winnings over the next few days.
General Election
The Village Hall will be in use as a polling station on 12 December. Any scheduled activities for that day will, therefore, be cancelled. The formal notice of election follows …
Village Groups and Activities
Painting and Drawing
An art class for beginners. Meet every Thursday evening in the village. New members are very welcome.
Stawell Runners
A group of local folk, of all standards, meet on Sunday mornings for a run (or walk) around the local lanes.
Yoga
Valerie Rowe-Clark has been teaching Yoga for over 25 years and leads classes on Tuesday evenings and Friday mornings
Coffee Mornings
On the last Saturday of the month, the Church organises a get together in someone's house for a hot drink, cake and a chat.
HUB Cafe
The HUB Cafe opens from 10:30 am to 1:30 pm on a Saturday in the middle of the month. A very popular get together event.
Village Cinema
The monthly Village Cinema shows current movie and some all time classics. The bar is usually open before the curtains go up.....
HIIT
HIIT is High Intensity Interval Training. Work out on a Monday evening to one of Joe Wicks's exercise videos.
Short Mat Bowling
The Short Mat Bowlers meet every Wednesday and Friday evening for some sociable fun and exercise in the village hall
Village Hall Club
Members of the club are entered in a monthly prize draw. Click below to find out more and to see the latest winning numbers