March - April 2016 - West Monkton Parish Council

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Village News

98 Issue No.

March - April 2016

Monkton Heathfield,

West Monkton and Bathpool

Part of the crowd who packed the Neighbourhood Planning Meeting

- see report Page 15

Contents:

Useful Numbers/Regular Bookings/Singles Club - Page 2

Slimbridge Visit/Spring Market/Thank you/CWM Film Club

- Page 3

Monkton Strollers/Learning Together - Page 4

John Reeves - a friend of West Monkton - Page 5

St Augustine's Church - Page 6 & 7

Bathpool Chapel/West Monkton Cricket Club - Page 8

Gardening Corner/Yarn Bombing - Page 9

WI 50 Years On/100 Club results - Page 10

West Monkton Pre-School/Phoenix Photographers - Page

11

Parish Council/Primary School News - Page 12 & 13 Village Hall News/Hearing Dogs - Page 14

Graffiti Classics - see report Page 18

Evening WI/Neighbourhood Plan - Page 15

Bird World - Page 16

Benefits of Neutering your Cat/Dancing in the Aisles - Page 18

Tacchi-Morris/The Page is Printed/Primary School - Page 20

Transport/Friendship Club/Quantock Music - Page 22

For Sale/Blood Donors/IT Tips/Surviving Winter/Monkton Players - Page 26

Ride `em Cowgirl/And Finally ... - Page 28

Publication in the Village News does not imply an endorsement. The Editors cannot be held responsible for any errors or omissions. The information contained within this publication is published in good faith.

Volunteers deliver this publication to homes in West Monkton, Monkton Heathfield, Bathpool, Gotton and Goosenford.

Copy deadline for May - June 2016 is 1st April 2016

USEFUL NAMES AND TELEPHONE NUMBERS

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Regular Bookings at the Village Hall

Lay Reader: Kevin Davenport - 01823 413628 Churchwardens: Brian Hill - 01823 443503

John Roynon - 01823 442997 P.C.C Secretary: Hazel Adams - 01823 443027 P.C.C Treasurer: Rachael Baker- 01823 413761 Captain of Bell ringers: Pearl Jeanes - 412804 Church Flower Organiser: Angela Dill - 412395 Mothers' Union: Betty Stone - 01823 331723 Parish Council Clerk: Tricia Cavill - 413524 Parish Council Chairman: Hazel Ellis - 412485 West Monkton Primary School Head: Ian Robinson - 412582 Heathfield Community School Head: Peter Hoare 412396 Tacchi-Morris Arts Centre: 414141 Taunton Deane Community Transport: 01823 331266 Slinky Bus: 01823 331266 Mon-Fri. 9 am to 4 pm (24hrs notice). Neighbourhood Beat Manager: PC 4250 Andy Beake Police Community Support Officers: 101 and ask for PC277 Steve Linton or PCSO 8412 Claire Escott Village Hall : Telephone, incoming calls only - 01823 412068 Booking Officer: Mrs Lyn Batt Tel: 01823 412089 Chairman: Joyce Keyte 01823 412294 Vice Chairman: Iris Pigott 01823 413552

Useful E-Mail addresses & websites Community Website: .uk Parish Council Website: Litter Hotline: 01823 356356 Saturday Morning Music School Mike Riches - 01823 412416 mikeriches@btinternet,com Village News Editor: Please forward information for the next edition to the Associate Editors, Lorna Walters, Tel. 01823 412017 lc.walters33@ Dawn Watts, Tel. 01823 412201 dawnwattsdk@yahoo.co.uk Village News Treasurer Ken Jones Distribution of the Village News is organised by: Barry Gage, Maggie & Gordon Little and David Pearson. Submissions to Village News may be made

by e-mail or by hard copy. Please ask for a receipt to your e-mail to ensure that it arrives. Please only use black text so that information may by copied easily into the Village News. Items submitted will be subjected to editing if necessary. The deadline for submissions for the May - June 2016 Village News is 1st April 2016.

To get a copy of the Village News emailed to you please email thelocalvillagenews@live.co.uk

West Monkton Pre School: Monday, Wednesday and Thursday 9:15 am to 3:00 pm and Tuesday and Friday 9:15 am to 12:15 pm during term time Writers Club: 7:30pm to 9:30pm Mondays and 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm Thursdays Phoenix Camera Club: 7:00 to 10:00 pm Mondays West Monkton Salsa Club: 7:00 to 10:30 pm Mondays Pilates: 9:30 to 10:30 am Tuesdays and 9:30 am 10:30 am Fridays, Heathfield Hall Brownies: 6:00 to 7:30 pm Tuesdays Model Boat Club: Tuesdays evening once a month 7:30 to 9:30 pm Monkton Players: 8:00 to 10:00 pm Tuesdays Taunton Ladies Chorus: 7:15 to 9:15 pm Tuesdays Badminton: 2:00 to 3:00 pm Tuesdays & 8:00 to 10:00 pm Wednesdays Bizzy Boots Line Dancing: 7:00 to 9:45 pm Wednesdays National Childbirth Trust: 10:00 am to 12 noon Wednesdays, Heathfield Hall Coffee Morning: 10:00 to 11:30 am Thursdays Fitness for Fun Classes: 6:00 to 7:00 pm Thursday Monkton Evening WI: 7:30 pm on the fourth Thursday of the month Ladies Afternoon Tea: 2:30 to 4:30pm, Heathfield Hall on third Thursday of the month. National Trust: 1:30 to 4:00 pm Monthly on a Saturday Trams and Railways: 2:00 to 4:00 pm Monthly on a Saturday South West Orchid Society: 2:00 to 5:00 pm once a month on a Sunday SGI Buddhist Group 10:00 am to 1:00pm on second Sunday in the month. Model Railways Quarterly on a Sunday (all day) For more information on any of these groups please contact: Joyce Keyte 01823 412294 Email: joyce.keyte@

Singles Club

March 8th 10:30a.m. Bingo and Fish and Chips at Langaller Farm House

April 12th Pub Lunch Singles is a club for anyone who would like to meet new people, it is not a Dating Club! Any single person is most welcome. We meet on the second Tuesday in the month for a variety of activities. It is a very friendly group of about 35 people. Just give me a ring if you would like to come: Dianne Besley 412857.

Copy deadline for May - June 2016 is 1st April 2016

St Augustine's Church a visit to

Slimbridge Wetland Centre calling at

Dr Jenner's House, Museum & Gardens en route for tea/coffee and

biscuits Wednesday 25th May 2016 leaving Monkton Heathfield at 9:30am

?30.00

To include: coach, entry fees to Slimbridge and Dr. Jenner's House, tea/coffee and biscuits

Please contact Anne Davenport on 01823 413628 to reserve a seat

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West Monkton Village Hall

(Registered Charity No. L2/304670)

Spring Market

Saturday 21st May

Open for Sale 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm

West Monkton Village Hall, Monkton Heathfield

Tables now available at ?10 each

---------XXX--------

Setting up in morning from 10:00 am Please contact Joyce Keyte

01823 412294 Email: joyce.keyte@

Raising funds for Hall refurbishment

John Reeves' Thanksgiving Service 5th February 2016

Tiggie, Adam and Simon would like to express a huge "Thank you" to all those who made John's Thanksgiving Service so wonderful for us.

So many people made sandwiches and cakes and gave up so much of their time to help in the Church and Village Hall on the day. You are wonderful friends.

Thank you to all those who came and supported us, it was a huge honour and made for such a memorable service.

Dear John, he would have been looking down, thinking, "Oh, I have caused a bit of hassle haven't I!" Many, many thanks to everyone, Tiggie, Adam and Simon

Carol Singing

We sang and sang on a very warm Christmas Eve. It was good to see so many families keeping up the tradition of singing around the village on Christmas Eve. We raised ?270 for S.U.R.E. The money will go to help purchase a ?500,000 Big Bore Scanner. Thank you Dianne

Cheddon and West Monkton Film Club

Friday 18th March Brooklyn

An Irish immigrant lands in 1950s Brooklyn, where she quickly falls into a new romance. When her past catches up with her, however, she must choose between two countries and the lives that exist within. Terrific cast (the estimable Saoirse Ronan, Domnhall Gleeson, Julie Walters, Jim Broadbent) in Nick Hornby's adaptation of the best-seller by Colm Toibin.

Friday 15th April The Lady in the Van

Little needs to be said: Alan Bennett's stage play filmed with Maggie Smith in the title role, supported by a wealth of UK treasures ? not least Alex Jennings as Bennett himself and a roll call of rep players from other Bennett vehicles such as `History Boys'. Everyone is going to want to see this ? for a second time even if they have seen it in the cinema.

Cheddon Fitzpaine Memorial Hall Doors Open ? 6:30pm for light refreshments Short Film ? 7:00pm Main Film - approx 7:30pm

Tickets ?6 at door

Copy deadline for May - June 2016 is 1st April 2016

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Monkton Strollers West Monkton Walking Club

Do you want a guided walk without being pressured to go at a certain pace? Have you ever wanted to get out into nature in a relaxed atmosphere? Do you want to keep fit whilst socialising with a friendly group?

Have you been stuck indoors this winter and want to get out and meet some new friends?

The Monkton Strollers are a friendly, mixed group of walkers who do 3 to 4 mile walks every Tuesday from 9:30 am.

The group are currently looking for new members to join them for the coming year.

The walks take a number of varied routes around the local area and are at a leisurely pace, taking in all the beauty and the interesting sights in and around Taunton.

The Willow Cathedral, Taunton

To get involved please email Wendy for more information and to receive the Monday updates, which give time and start location for the upcoming week.

Email: wendycatcaperz@

LEARNING TOGETHER Enjoy reading/playing games/numbers?

Have a small amount of time you could spare once a month? Want to be a part of our school community?

The staff at West Monkton Primary School are keen to offer the children as many opportunities to learn as possible. We would like to invite parents, carers, friends and family to join together with us and become part of the school community. Volunteers would visit the school two afternoons a month from 2:00pm to enjoy refreshments together and then from 2:30pm until 3:00pm to join in with the children's activities in the classroom. This could involve reading, spelling and phonics games or numeracy activities such as counting with children aged 5 ? 7. A member of school staff will be present at all times, so there is no requirement for formal checks and all books and resources will be provided. Dates are the first and third Thursday of every month, so for the rest of this school term are: March

Thursday 3rd @ 2:00 pm April

Thursday 17th @ 2:00 pm

Thursday 7th Easter Holidays

Thursday 21st @ 2:00 pm

If you are interested in joining us and "Learning Together" please call and leave a message for Mrs Martin on 01823 412582, or email her at Smartin4@educ..uk to register your interest. West Monkton Primary - Aiming to be an inspirational community where everyone has the courage and confidence to fly!

Copy deadline for May - June 2016 is 1st April 2016

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John Reeves - a friend of the Villages

With the passing of John Reeves, on December 17th 2015, West Monkton lost one of its most highly respected and dedicated residents. John was born in Aberystwyth in 1941 and during his life he would often refer with pride to his Welsh roots and upbringing. Educated at schools in Aberystwyth, followed by universities at Lampeter and Cardiff, John gained a BA and Diploma in Education. From 1963 to 1970 John taught at Colstons Preparatory School in Bristol and, as a sign of the type of chap he was to become, as well as teaching he became a housemaster, coached soccer, ran the Scout and Cub packs and organised adventure groups. In 1965 an attractive young lady called Tiggie Phillips came to work at the school as Matron and two years later Tiggie and John were married. In 1970 the couple came to live in West Monkton and so began 45 years of service to our Parish, for which we are so grateful to both John and Tiggie. John took a teaching post at Pyrland Hall, which later became King's Hall. He started as Head of History, became Deputy Head and latterly Senior Master. Needless to say he ran summer camps and canal cruises until his retirement in 2001. So, what did John get up to in West Monkton? One of the highlights was the production of the Millennium Book, which he masterminded and, with the help of others, produced as a celebration of the Parish. Entitled `West Monkton Then and Now' it soon sold out due to its great demand and popularity. On hearing a few moans from John about the state of the Parish in the 1990s I suggested, politely, to my good friend that he might like to join the Parish Council where he could help to put matters right! John did so and served with distinction for 15 years, seven of those years as Chairman. With future major developments at the forefront of council business, he led the Community Engagement Panel, working tirelessly with others to try and secure the best for our Parish. John took an active part in church life, where he would sometimes take the family services. He would also sing in the choir and was, for several years, a member of the PCC. Church activities were always enhanced by John's help and support. John invariably had his camera at the ready and many an unsuspecting person would, much to their surprise, see their photo in the next edition of the Village News! He was also a regular contributor to the Village News, providing articles which he made so interesting and which were enjoyed by so many. John was also a compiler of and quiz master of note and, as he set the questions, his decision on marking was final! John seemed to love to decorate my fences with banners and to put posters up all over the village to

tell us all about the next function to take place. Always, of course ably assisted or perhaps under instruction from dear Tiggie. John's love of steam engines, old tractors and vehicles was a hobby he had enjoyed since his early teenage years. As a boy he would spend many hours helping in the locomotive sheds of the narrow gauge Vale of Rheidol Railway, Aberystwyth. Over the years he would often visit the railway and in July 2015 was given the honour of being allowed to drive the train to Devil's Bridge and back. They thought a lot of John. John wrote for several magazines and was Deputy Editor of `Vintage Spirit Magazine'. He started commentating in 1989 and did so at many rallies during each summer, the last being at the Great Dorset Steam Fair. His skill and knowledge in the field was legendary. In 2006, John was a member of a team who drove a Garrett steam tractor from John O'Groats to Land's End, only the second group to ever do the run. The restoration of a 1926 stationary steam engine, a 1959 Allis Chalmers tractor named Alice and a 1955 Land Rover also gave him something to do! After many years service, he also became President of the Somerset Traction Engine Club. After retirement, John found the perfect part-time job, driving a delivery van for Taunton Landrover, which he greatly enjoyed doing for 13 years. Awards to John include a Lifetime Achievement award for the Transport Trust, presented by Prince Michael of Kent and a cup awarded by the National Traction Engine Club. John will be greatly missed by so many people who have been privileged to have known him, but our memory of him will live on through Tiggie, his sons Adam and Simon and the four grandchildren who all meant so much to him.

Henry Besley

John Reeves 1941 - 2015

Copy deadline for May - June 2016 is 1st April 2016

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