Climb for Charity
    On 16th September, Mike & Kathy Davidson returned from a 7-day trek climbing Africa ’s highest mountain, Kilimanjaro (19,341 ft). They raised over £6,000 for the charity Bridge2Aid, which operates dental and community development programmes in North West Tanzania, working with the Maskini community - the disabled, disfigured, disease afflicted and elderly street people of the region. More information at  http://www.bridge2aid.org
            Said Mike, “It’s the toughest thing I’ve ever done, both mentally and physically.” They were part of group of 24 and the Davidsons made it to the summit on their wedding anniversary.

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Bowls Taster
            Stoke bowls enthusiasts enjoyed a taster evening on 15th August. The bowls are full size – it’s just the mat that is shorter and narrower. The post in the middle of the mat means “no skittling”, which, as the participants soon found, means a more measured use of pace and direction.
            Before any funding application for equipment can be made, a committee needs to be formed. To this end there will be a meeting at the Williams Hall at 7.30 pm on 17th October.
            Everyone interested in forming a club is urged to attend, even if they are not willing to be part of the committee. Without a public demonstration of interest any funding is extremely unlikely.

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Pick up a Blue Bag
            It’s not too late to find your unwanted (good quality) clothes, shoes, bedding, handbags, curtains and belts and put them in blue bags available from the playgroup. Drop them off at the Willow Set (Church Room) by 12th October. Most will be reused in Eastern Europe .

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WHSC First Draw
        The Williams Hall Supporters Club first prize draw will be held at the Parish Council meeting on 10th December.
            Join now to have a chance of winning in March.
            Direct Debit forms from Tony McKenzie 490932 or download from the website.

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New Teacher
            Pupils and staff recently welcomed  Philip Edwards as the new Class 3 teacher who comes to Stoke from Neroche Primary School . Barbara Berks writes: “Philip has been teaching for 4 years, is a maths specialist and is full of the enthusiasm and energy that comes with youth. He is also a Scout leader and a great supporter of hands-on learning so has been welcomed quickly by Class 3 pupils. We know we are going to love having him as a member of the school staff.”

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Local Cards for Christmas
            One of Stoke’s newer (9 months) and older (94 years) residents has been busy on his computer designing and printing Christmas Cards. The cards, depicting local scenes and buildings, are being sold in aid of work supported by Stoke Baptist Church .
            “I’d like to thank those selling the cards,” says Ffrangcon Evans, “and thanks also to the sponsors. The sponsorship means that all the proceeds from sales will go to the good causes.”
            The cards cost £1 for four and will be  available at local outlets and from members of the congregation.

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Waiting in the Rain
            The Parish Council has agreed to support a request from residents of Woodhill Terrace and the surrounding area for a bus shelter. Funding still needs to be agreed for it to be erected in the next financial year.

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Shop Saved
            Angela and Doug Parry have moved to Stoke Stores from Hertfordshire with their daughter Lauryn. Doug works in the building trade and Angela previously ran a company testing soil types for the construction industry. Lauryn hopes to combine shop work with her continuing studies, and her interest in drama.
            Andy, Tracy & Faye have moved to Sidford, Devon .

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A Message from Tracy
    Hello all. By the time you read this we will have left the shop, but we couldn’t leave without one last chance to say goodbye and thankyou. Our 3 years in Stoke St Gregory have been truly wonderful and we as a family feel really blessed for having been led here. What impressed us the most was the support shown by you to us each and every day, and the tremendous efforts many of you go to in order to retain community spirit and village life.
Our hope is that you will all continue to support one another and the facilities you have here (shop, churches, pubs, school). We especially ask you all to continue to support the shop and its new owners, Angela, Douglas and family. After all without them you may not have had a shop!
    I know the saying USE IT OR LOSE IT seems old hat now, but it is true and worth saying from time to time, this time being one of them.
    So with that said we will end our Goodbyes by wishing Angela, Douglas and family all the very best in their new venture and by hoping and praying that God will continue to bless Stoke St Gregory and the people within.
    With love, thanks and prayers always from Tracy, Andrew, Kirk, Laura and Faye X X.

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Hello, Goodbye

It’s “Goodbye” to them:
            John and Brenda Courtie have moved to Winchester , overlooking the cathedral. They are looking forward to the cultural life of a university city - lots of music, and a permanent theatre. They are also pleased to be a little closer to their sons and grandchildren. Brenda will be sizing up the Winchester WI .
            John has been asked to take on some tutorial work for students at the Southern Theological Education Training Scheme. “I’m really looking forward to that,” says John, “but we leave with a real mix of emotions. Our time in Stoke has brought us many good friends, who have provided precious words of encouragement, and occasionally brought us up short to think twice about something.”
            Paddy Scott writes: “After five years of enjoying and benefiting from knowing John and Brenda and coming to love them both, we wish them every happiness in their retirement to Winchester .”
            Brenda and John can be contacted at: thecourties@yahoo.co.uk 
            The moderator appointed to over see things during the interregnum is Revd. Elsie Howell.

And it’s “Hello” to her:
            Parishioners gathered at North Curry Church on 11th August to welcome Revd. Tricia Staple, who will be the Rector of the new ‘United Benefice of Athelney’. She was ordained in 2002, after a musical career involving teaching, and choral and solo singing
            Tricia was born in Taunton , but her father, Sid, lived in Stoke, working on local farms and as a basket maker. The new Rector loves to work with people of all ages, and Tricia aims to be involved with all three local schools – and also with children outside the context of school. She is also glad to be able to visit older residents in the village or in residential homes.
            Tricia writes: “So the adventure begins. I have heard scarily wonderful things about your anticipation of my arrival and I am touched, humbled and terrified by what I have heard! But despite all this we are still embarking on an adventure together. Where it will lead, God only knows – and he’s seriously good at keeping secrets!”

            Contact Tricia on: 490247

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Cricket
            After a successful season, Dennis Silk, President, says: "Stoke have played extremely well and worked hard to win the league. My sincere congratulations and I look forward to seeing such achievement  again next year HOWZAT!"
            "Thank you to everyone who has in anyway contributed to our success this season,” adds Neil Sollis, Captain, “especially our faithful supporters. And if you’re interested in playing cricket or in joining the junior cricket for 2008 please do not hesitate to contact me.”

2007 AVERAGES

Batting:

  Mark Vigar   75.75
  Ben Hembrow  63.29

Highest score:

  Peter Tilley  126 not out

Bowling:

  Neil Sollis  11.03
  Simon Willey  11.63

Best figures:

  Simon Willey  7  for  16

Catches:

  Simon Reeks (w/keeper)  6
  Peter Tilley     6

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Village Web Site

www.stokestgregory.org

            Anyone wanting a FREE entry to the website Business Directory, send contact details, links to any website, and brief description of business to: ssrs@btopenworld.com 
            Also, anyone interested in developing some History Pages for the site please contact Dave Evans, 490698 ssrs@btopenworld.com

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Farming Focus
    I find myself writing this just as the movement restrictions have been lifted and the 20 day standstill reverts back to the 6 day rule, following the latest Foot and Mouth outbreak. I hear you say, ‘but that was ages ago.’ Indeed, it was at the beginning of August when the outbreak was first detected, but the knock on effect to livestock farmers was immediately significant. Since then farmers have been unable to trade freely until now. We are so pleased that this outbreak was contained and trading can begin again, but it was a very worrying time and not without consequence. Being unable to move animals meant that cows were calving in inappropriate places and we were less able to manage this process.  The collection of casualty cattle was impeded, leaving many of us with carcasses adorning our yards for rather longer than is desirable, as well as having to drag them to the farm boundary since the collection vehicles could not enter the farm sites! Not a pleasant side of the job but sadly a real one.
    Gerald and I have a suckler herd; we rear calves on the cow for at least a year. These calves are then taken away and kept until they are ready to be sold as store cattle, whereby another farmer finishes them prior to slaughter. Beef farming takes on many methods, we have got to know our cows and like the fact that they rear their young even though this is not the most profitable way to run! At least, when we keep the odd one for the freezer, we know what its life has been and the start it had!      This summer also brought with it the lack of sunshine, until now, which delayed the hay making process quite dramatically. Even when the sun shone it was very difficult to get onto the moor ground as it was so wet! We were beginning to wonder whether hay would be made at all this year! Making hay this late in the season means that because of the shorter daylight a great deal of the work has to packed into the daylight hours once the dew has dried and before darkness falls!
    This Summer has certainly been a challenge for the small farmer!  

Having completed this piece I have to add that today, the day I was to send it to the editor, a new outbreak of Foot and Mouth has been announced. We are stunned and I quote from an email sent to us:
    NFU President Peter Kendall said: “The confirmation of FMD is a hammer-blow to the industry which has left livestock farmers stunned”

I can say no more.

Heather Venn

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Hospice Harvest

             OAPs held a Harvest Meeting on 18th September with an auction sale of produce, raising £120 for St. Margaret's Hospice New Build Fund.
     Birds in my Garden is the subject of the next meeting on 16th October, speaker Evan Williams and in November Peter Tinney will bring them more of his 'Tales Agricultural' on 20th.

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New Footpath Officer

Our new footpath officer, Paul Kenefick, writes:

Did you know that there are over 100,000 miles of public paths criss-crossing the English countryside? Many of these paths are known as public rights of way and date from prehistoric or medieval times.  They link villages like ours with neighbouring villages and communities such as North Curry, Lyng and Burrowbridge.  Some of these paths follow ancient boundaries, alongside hedgerows and stone walls.

All of these paths have their own unique history and character and reflect the changing patterns of life and progress in the village and surrounding area, and are an important valuable asset that we should cherish and preserve.

The term ‘right of way’ (Row) or ‘public footpath’ is used to describe all paths which walkers have a right to use:  footpath (for walkers only); bridleways (for walkers, cyclists and horse riders); and byways open to all traffic (walkers, horse riders and motor vehicles).  They are all highways in lay, and as such are subject to the same legal protection as ordinary roads.

Your legal right is to "pass and re-pass along the way". You may stop to rest or admire the view, or to consume refreshments, providing you stay on the path and do not cause an obstruction.

You can also take with you a "natural accompaniment" which includes a pram, pushchair or wheelchair (though you may find the surface of the path is not always suitable), or a dog. However, you should ensure that dogs are under close control. Note that there is no requirement for stiles to be suitable for use by dogs.

Whether as a means of a short cut linking Polkesfield with the village shop or the new Village Hall and Post Office, or as a means of pleasure for those who just like to take a walk out on the levels or surrounding area they all have one thing in common; they let us travel in relative safety and enjoy our surroundings and as such should be valued and protected.

Stoke St. Gregory has some excellent footpaths and established circular walks around the parish with fine views over the Levels.  For the last 15 years the work of ensuring that these paths remained open and properly managed and maintained has been undertaken by David Lake;  David regularly walked all 36 footpaths every week ensuring that all the brambles and hedges were trimmed back at the stiles and gates, that all the stiles gates and bridges were in a good state of repair, and liaised with landowners and the County Council to ensure that appropriate maintenance work and improvements were done; to ensure that the footpaths remained opened and accessible for you to enjoy.

David has now decided to hang up his pruning shears and rest his walking stick and boots and has invited me to take over the role of Parish Footpath Warden.  During the last few months I have been walking the paths with David and have come to appreciate the huge amount of time and effort David has given to this community and in particular his work relating to the footpaths.  I now realise that David will be a hard act to follow!

Unfortunately due to other commitments I’m unable to give the footpaths my full attention and walk them all as frequently as I would like, so I would like to ask you for your help and support to enable me to continue David’s sterling work by reporting to me any concerns or observations you have relating to the footpaths in your area.

Please feel free to contact me any time and I will ensure that I investigate the issue(s) and get back to you promptly.  Thank you

Paul Kenefick

Stoke St. Gregory Footpath Warden
1 & 2 Woodhill Cottages, Woodhill
01823 491482                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  Email: p.kenefick@virgin.net

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Youth Theatre Success

            Members of the Youth Theatre have had a very successful Summer. For the second year running they were invited to represent Somerset in the finals of the All-Winners One Act Play Festival held in Llandrindod Wells, and this year they won. They were also awarded a £50 prize which will be used to fund theatre workshops.

The older members also put on a programme of two One Act plays to raise money for Charlie Limm’s gap year teaching project in Africa . For many of them, this was a final opportunity to work together before going off to university. After the production they made a presentation to  their director Liz Brown, thanking her for her work with them  over the years. Arthur Cummins reviews the performance:

“Charlotte Limm, Elena Lynch, James House and Lisa House have over the eight or nine years since Liz Brown founded the Stoke St Gregory Youth Theatre group, made a huge contribution to youth drama in Somerset but now must be elevated to adulthood, like  Leigh Rockett, the only previous member to have reached his majority while with the group.  They have all set a high standard and helped their younger colleagues and successors to emulate their example.    

“On 8th September, the group's pending leavers gave their last public performance in two short plays at the Williams Village Hall.  Parents, relatives and friends were well entertained with 'The Donaghue Sisters' by Geraldine Aron and 'Horst Bucholtz And Other Stories' by Matthew Wilkie.  

“'The Donaghue Sisters' allowed Elena, strongly supported by Charlotte Limm and Ellie Westbrook, opportunity to bow out splendidly in a cleverly conceived and disturbing play, and with an Irish 'brogue', to boot.

“In 'HBAOS', abetted by Jamie Barnes and Stephen House, Charlotte joined James to play very touching final roles in a dramatic, thought-inducing gem, set as if at a pub-quiz.

            “Stage management, set design, sound & lights were as always, capably provided by Peter House and Nick Bright while props & costumes were supplied by parents and cast, some of whom also excelled with delicious catering for the interval.”     Arthur Cummins

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ST  GREGORY  PLAYERS
    Our next production from Thursday 29th November to Saturday 1st December will be Improbable  Fiction, a very recent play by Alan Ayckbourne,  which was released for Amateur groups only this year.  Our production may well be the play’s premier by an amateur group.  The play was done in Bath a few months ago and was very well - received.

    The play is a comedy with a difference directed by Sylvia Fellgett,  whose broad experience includes directing several shows at The Brewhouse.  The cast are all looking forward to working with her.  

Members of the Youth Theatre have had a very successful Summer. For the second year running they were invited to represent Somerset in the finals of the All-Winners  One Act Play Festival held in Llandrindod Wells, and this year they managed to win. They were also awarded a £50 prize which will be used to fund theatre workshops.  

The older members have also put on a programme of two One Act plays to raise money for Charlie Limm’s gap year teaching project in Africa . For many of them, this was a final opportunity to work together before going off to university. After the production they made a presentation to  their director Liz Browne, thanking her for her work with them  over the years.  

Meanwhile, the remaining younger members are starting to rehearse their entry for the Youth Festival which takes place in Minehead on 10th November.  

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Women's Institute

Second Tuesday each month 7.30pm In the Village Hall

October 9th Flower Arranging Demonstration

Langport Flower Club

November 13th Annual General Meeting

December 11th Members meeting

At these meetings we have a trade stall which members bring anything they wish to sell 10% of which goes to W.I. funds in conjunction with this

Christmas Cakes and mince pies can be ordered 

ASAP For planning purposes     Last orders 30th November

 Order Forms available from   Mary Kelsey Tel  01823 490550

Christmas Cake                               6” square   £6.50

(Traditional rich fruit cake}             9” round    £9.00

£2.50 extra for top decoration with home made marzipan and white icing

Mince Pies                       X                 6                £2.00

Extra events

October 12^th

Coffee morning at Mary Kelsey’s home Beechcroft, Willey Road   10.30 am

In aid of the Air Ambulance Bring and Buy    Open to all  

 December 1^st W.I. Outing to Westonburt to see floodlit Acer Walk     Dept   SSG   Square 3pm       Members Husbands and friends all welcome names to be given at October and November meeting or ring Secretary Pat Hembrow Tel 490492

We welcome all ladies young and old either as a visitor or member to our meetings or any of these events

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