EAST
COKER SOCIETY
LOCAL HISTORY
FAIR
The
East Coker Society Fair takes place in East Coker Hall, Saturday 13 September
2003, from 10.00am - 6.00pm, with a display covering 1,000 years of parish
history, archaeological artefacts, parish documents, old photographs, censuses,
maps and memorabilia.
Anyone
with items they would like to loan to the exhibition (all of which will be carefully
looked after on the day) please contact Abigail Shepherd c/o Po Box 2305, Bath
BA1 5XY (or leave a message on the East Coker Society website)
EAST COKER TEA TOWELS
Due to popular demand we have printed another 100
tea towels. Price is £3 each. To purchase, please contact Pauline 863700
Young People
EAST COKER PRE-SCHOOL
PLAYGROUP
This term
the playgroup is on a Rainforest adventure, and very soon the Pavilion will be
covered in butterflies, wild animals and exotic trees, everything is growing
and that is not just the children. The
Rainforest is just one of the topics this year explored by the children through
play, investigation, talking and most of all FUN at East Coker Playgroup. Our playgroup is open Monday to Friday during
term time from 9.15am to 12 noon for children aged 2½ up to 5 years. At present we are able to offer lunch cover
for children who would like to bring a packed lunch and stay until 1.15pm for
£1.00 per child. We are registered with Ofsted and the Early Years Development and Childcare
Partnership and follow the Foundation Stage curriculum. There is funding available through the Early
Years Grant when children become eligible.
This summer,
subject to demand, there will be Holiday Sessions available from the 24 July
2003 to
23 August
2003. Sessions start at 9.15am and
finish at 12 noon and cost £4.00.
Sessions are open to children aged 3 to their 6th birthday.
For a
Holiday Session booking form and/or to secure a place on the waiting list for
your children please contact Kay Strode on 872126 after 6.00pm. Get your child's name down early for both
Holiday Sessions and Waiting List, places are limited.
Thank you to
all of you who came to our May Fayre, the weather was kind and we raised
£940. This will go towards replacing
play equipment that has been well loved over the years and to purchase new toys
for more fun and learning.
Looking a
long way ahead, we will be running the Craft Fair in East Coker Hall on the 9th
November, l0am - 4pm. Stalls are
available now; book your stall by 30 July for £14. All craft types welcome. The playgroup committee offers refreshments
and a cake stall, a photographer will be there and a raffle is also held.
Contact E. Dudden for details on 862357
EAST COKER
SCHOOL SUMMER FAIR
Fantastic news, this year's Summer Fair made a record-breaking
profit of £3,100! The weather was
perfect - what a contrast to last year.
The marquee and gazebos went up with the cry "we need more
shade" - I was dreaming of hearing that shout as opposed to "we need
more umbrellas". The atmosphere was
tremendous especially as we managed to get most of the stalls on the field.
The hog roast, BBQ, quiches and salads were
devoured with great enthusiasm. The
marquee was constantly full of people trying to make the difficult decision
between the delicious pavlovas,
banoffie pies and strawberries & cream, not to
mention the stream of people trying to drink the bar dry - well it was very
hot!
The queue for ice creams only stopped when the
school's country dancers rhythmically weaved their way around the maypole so
beautifully. A truly wonderful country
village scene enjoyed by all. Our thanks
to everyone in the community who supported us from East and West Coker Scout
Group, The Helyar Arms, The Village Shop and all those who came along on the
evening. If you missed it this year,
make sure you don't next year, everyone is welcome.
Christine Mowbray - Chair East Coker School PTFA
Village Clubs and Organisations
EAST COKER
PAVILION FUND ~ UPDATE
I
am pleased to report that, since the last Newsletter, progress has now been
made in moving matters forward with regard to providing a new pavilion at Long
Furlong Lane. Thank you to all those
people who took the time to come along to the public meeting on 4 June - your
input was very useful and much appreciated.
Now the land has been purchased by the Parish Council - plans were on
display at that meeting for inspection and discussion - and, overall, opinions
were favourable.
Linda
Bagley, the Senior Sports & Recreation Officer from South Somerset District
Council also attended the meeting and will be helping to put together a
Feasibility Study for the project. She
has vast experience in dealing with such projects and we are very lucky to have
her on board.
I
would like to take this opportunity to welcome Carol Merry to the committee as
our Grants Co-ordinator. Carol will be
responsible for dealing with applications for grants and funding from various
organisations and will therefore be the mainstay of our project so thank you
very much Carol for stepping forward.
We
also plan to hold an Auction of Promises, date to be advised, and would be
grateful if anyone who has a service/promise they could offer, could contact me
on 862264 for further information.
Examples of the sort of
thing we
are looking for would be:-One evening's baby-sitting; whole lamb for the
freezer; three-course dinner party for eight in own home. Use your imagination - the list is
endless!
Paula
Downes, Secretary
ACTION RESEARCH
Butterfly
Ball
The East Coker Committee would like to thank
everyone who supported our Butterfly Ball at St Antony's
Leweston School. It was a very enjoyable evening and
we raised the fantastic amount of £2,800 for our charity.
Michaelmas
Fair
Once again we will be holding our very popular and
successful Michaelmas Fair on Tuesday 23 September at East Coker Hall.
This year, we will have 35
stalls at our fair with a few favourites returning but the majority of the
stalls will be new.
So please put this date in your diary, as you will
not want to miss this event!
Leigh Mead
EAST COKER GARDENING CLUB
The 12 June has come and gone and after much
planning and preparation so has the club's Grand Open Evening, in aid of the
Air Ambulance Service. We welcomed about
90 people, most of our club members and many friends and visitors.
Katherine Crouch, BBC Gardener of the Year 1999,
gave a most entertaining talk, full of anecdotes and insights into television,
filming as well as demonstrating an extensive knowledge of plants and a flair
for gardening design. As well as the
presentation, we had a huge number of plants for sale and many raffle prizes,
thanks to the members of the Gardening Club.
Altogether we have raised
just over £500 for the Air Ambulance Service, which was much appreciated by
their representative, Sir Bernard Knight.
Incidentally, £500 is the average cost of one call out.
The club meets on the second Thursday each month at
the East Coker Hall, 7.30pm. Visitors
and new members are always welcome.
Future
Meetings and events:
14 August Plants for Problem Places speaker
Sally Gregson
9 October The Herb Garden speaker Mary Pring
13 November A G M
Rachel Blow
EAST COKER W.I.
At the first attempt for many years, the Institute gained
first prize in this years Bath and West Show competition for Clubs. The theme celebrating their 85th
anniversary was used in the category Feasts and Festivals.
Now, half way through the 2003 programme, the
members are visiting the Swannery at Abbotsbury for a guided tour and meal for the Birthday
Outing in June. A special celebratory
meal is planned for July with home produced food and entertainment provided by
the members.
The Institute meets on the last Thursday of the
month at 7.30pm in the East Coker Hall.
Any one interested in joining or attending as a guest would be most
welcome.
EAST COKER WINE CIRCLE
Rising star of East Coker
Wine Circle, Vince Wolny, who had already established
a comfortable lead in the league table of monthly wine making competitions over
the past year, romped home 23 points clear of his nearest rivals after the
final competitions at the annual meeting in June to claim the Winemaker of the
Year shield. In the five classes he
gained three first places, a second and a third. His red dry table wine also gained the award
as judges favourite.
Another highlight of the
competitions was the efforts of novice winemaker, Darren Shutler,
who managed joint runner up with Mike Bayliss, an
established country winemaker, each with 16 points. Darren also won the novice
trophy.
Barrie Hartley, reviewing
the past year, said a great deal had been achieved during the 25th anniversary
year, including the successful support of the Somerset Legion House and the
R.A.F.A. (South West) Band. The vineyard
trip had been so popular that two separate evenings had to be arranged. The highlight of the year has been the
celebration dinner with Trevor Peacock as guest speaker.
Incoming chairman, Doreen
Bates, said there was something for everyone in the forthcoming programme. The possibility of a trip to Germany was
being looked into and the theme for the party was to be Musicals. Anyone interested in Circle membership please
contact Joyce Pryor 862816
EAST COKER SCOUT GROUP
Next Waste Paper Collections: Saturday 9 August & 11 October.
Autumn Jumble Sale to be held at East Coker Hall, Saturday 18 October, 2.00pm. Please start saving your jumble now! Remember We will collect
Tel.
Max Bugler 862186
The
East Coker Scout Group has spaces available in each section and would very much
welcome new members both boys and leaders.
Beavers 6-8 years meet Wednesdays 6.15pm -
7.30pm
Cubs 8-10½ years meet Tuesdays 6.30pm
8.00pm
Contact
number 863430
16 AUGUST 2003 - A DATE
TO REMEMBER!
East Coker
Flower Show & Wine Festival
Yes, it's that time of year again, so to all
newcomers and villagers alike, the schedules are out, call in at the Post
Office and collect one. There are
classes to suit everyone, so let's have a bumper year.
I have now retired as secretary and the post has
been filled by Marie Shepherd who will take over next year. Many thanks for
filling the spot. Sue Hounsell Tel 863287
EAST COKER POPPY APPEAL
This is a gentle reminder that the Poppy Appeal is
always looking for new volunteers to do a small collection round in the East
Coker area.
We have now incorporated East Chinnock,
Hardington and West Coker so we need lots of 'feet' to help. Please ring me if you are interested. I do hope that all existing collectors will
be available this year. Many thanks in
advance.
Sue Hounsell
Tel 863287
The Churches
EAST COKER
CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP
A warm welcome awaits you at our chapel, situated at
the end of Burton Lane. There is ample
parking space at the rear. In general
the services follow this pattern:
Each Sunday (except the 2nd Sunday in
each month)
10.00am Sunday Club 11.30am
The Lord's Supper 6.30pm
Prayer and Bible Study
2nd Sunday 10.30am Family Services Other services as announced.
Phone Sunday Club 422594 or 862428 General Information 863735 or
422594
COME COME COME
ST MICHAEL'S
A warm
welcome awaits you at St. Michael's Church.
We hold a Family service on the first Sunday of each month, when the
children help with the service. This
service begins at 10 00am and lasts about an hour. It is followed by
refreshments and the opportunity to talk to others. There are plenty of toys for the little ones
to help pass the time for them.
On 7 September
2003 we are holding a Pets Service in the Churchyard at 10 00am and this
usually attracts a large number of creatures great and small.
If you would like more details please ring Doreen
Bates 862706/Roger Burt 862125
Service For Those We Have Loved But No Longer See
The Service this year will be on Sunday 2 November
2003. The preacher will be Rev. Graham Roblin, who served with Roger in the Army. I will be writing to all those in the parish
who have lost loved ones this year to ask if they would like their loved one to
be included. Please let me know by 26
October.
We do not limit names to people who have lived in
this parish, so please feel free to give me a ring if you would like anybody
included.
Monica 862834
PLANT SALE 2003
Despite uncertain weather on the day, the Bookstall
Committee are pleased to report that the event raised £1090. This was entirely due to the hard work of
everyone who grew plants, sold plants and cakes and, of course, who bought so
generously. The money raised will go towards the urgent restoration of the
Altar Tombs in St Michael's Churchyard which should start this summer.
The Committee's thanks to everyone involved.
ALL SAINTS' SUTTON BINGHAM - COFFEE MORNING
SATURDAY 6 SEPTEMBER
2003
Once again Kay Biggin of
The Anchorage, Coker Marsh is opening her lovely garden in support of All
Saints' Church for coffee from 10.00am 12 noon.
Plant and cake stalls, raffle etc.
All welcome.
Village News
GOOSE
SLADE FARM SHOP - Pincushion Corner.
We have
recently opened our Farm Shop and have been delighted with the response. We stock a wide range of local produce
including fresh and frozen meat, fruit and vegetables. The frozen fruit and vegetables work on a
self-serve basis allowing you to take as little or as much as you wish, very
popular. A wide selection of local
cheeses, apple juice, delicious creamy ice cream from Pitney and Minehead, eggs, honey, milk, cream and much more. Fresh free-range oven-ready geese will be
available from Michaelmas to Christmas. Soon to be added: local cider and wine. If you haven't already done so then please
feel free to call in for a 'gander'!
For further
information please call Phil & Liz Dunning on 863735
THANKS
A village street that's clean and neat
A corner to be proud of
So many thanks to both who worked
So hard to make it happen
(this above refers to the
lay-by next to the P.O.)
LIFEBOAT WEEK 16 23 JUNE 2003
The door-to-door collection in aid of the Royal National
Lifeboat Institution demonstrated again the support in East Coker for this
purely voluntary service. The
collectors, Sarah and Peter, would like to thank on behalf of the RNLI all
those in East Coker who contributed to the total of £275 raised in the
village. The total raised
in Yeovil and surrounding villages this year was £2,656.
As we know, the lifeboat crews are called out at
all hours. They've had to put to sea in
terrifying conditions and they're prepared to risk their lives for others. Yet they're ready to do it time and time again
- and they would never, ever expect to be paid.
Volunteer lifeboat crews, like this one, willingly give their time and
risk their lives to save people in danger
- the donations from East Coker help us to thank them by making sure that they
have the boats, training and equipment they need to do it safely.
Peter
Burrows (for
Yeovil Branch RNLI)
BROADBAND IS
COMING!
But only with your help!
If you haven't already done so, please sign up on
the BT web site - www.bt.com/broadband
Even if you don't intend to use broadband
immediately, BT say they will only enable the West
Coker exchange if 250 people say they are interested.
If you find
the BT web site difficult
to access, try www.westcoker.wewantbroadband.co.uk
Please let everyone else know - they can even sign
up if they have no current internet access - I have forms, leaflets and posters
if you are interested.
I am not sure, but enabling the West Coker exchange
should mean that most people in East Coker, Hardington Mandeville and East Chinnock should get broadband access as well. (Eventually it will be down to a BT survey if
and when you order but usually they say within about 5 miles of the exchange).
If you have no idea what I am talking about, please
e-mail me or go to either of the above web sites and learn!
Tony Reese west@coker.net
EAST COKER PARISH COUNCIL
Four
councillors did not seek re-election at the May Elections. They were Paul Hillard, Barrie Hartley, Carol
Blackmore and Jean Kelly. All have been excellent councillors - Paul in
the capacity of Chairman for the past four years, Barry who did so much work to
get the 'Lengthsman' scheme in operation amongst other things and Carol and
Jean for their devotion to the network of footpaths. We do sincerely thank them for all the time
and effort they put in whilst serving the parish.
We have two
new councillors - Mrs. Sarah Rashley, from Darvole, for East Coker and Mrs. Linnette
Osment, from Beaconfield
Road, for the Wraxhill Ward. The P.C. advertised for two more people to be
co-opted on to the council and they are Mrs. Hazel Clarke and Mr. Michael Mead,
both of East Coker. We look forward to
welcoming them at the July meeting. The
new Chairman is Mr. Stan Turner and Mr. Roy Hodder is
Vice-Chairman.
A new clerk
has been appointed as from 1 July 2003.
She is Mrs. Pauline Gubbins of 1 Holywell Hollow, East Coker (BA22 9NG) Tel: 862062. As out going clerk I wish Pauline all .the
very best for the future.
The council
recently received a letter, together with a petition, from residents who live
in Sandhurst Road regarding the high speeds some
people drive along this road. There is a
speed limit of 30mph which ends near The Cattery, Yeovil Road, East Coker. This matter has been brought to the attention
of the Police, Somerset County Council and Yeovil Town Council and we would therefore
urge all drivers to observe the 30 mph speed limit when using this road.
The P.C.
would again ask that residents do not put out refuse too far in advance of
collection in order to avoid resulting litter when a bag gets broken by animals
etc.
Catherine
Denney, for East Coker Parish Council
NOTES FROM THE
OBSERVATORY
March
went out like a lamb after a dry and quiet second half. Eight frosty mornings were followed by mild
dry days. On the 27th the
afternoon temperature reached 17C (62F).
Rainfall in the month was 1.38" (35mm) all falling in the first
week, after which there was a continuous dry spell of 23 rainless days.
April
started with a little rain but a long dry spell from the 3rd to 24th
gave drought conditions in the garden.
Many seeds failed to germinate.
Frost was recorded on five mornings.
Southerly winds in the middle of the month gave a maximum shade
temperature of 23.6C (74.5F) on the 16th. Despite the long dry spell in the month the
rainfall for April and March was the same at 35mm (1.38") each month
May
was changeable. Seventeen days with rain
gave a total of 62mm (2.44") with a warm end to the month. A very warm day on 30 May gave a maximum
shade temperature of 24C (75.2F). There
were no days with frost.
Flaming
June has not lived up to its name. As I
write, the month has been disappointingly cool and cloudy.
Despite
the long dry spell earlier in the spring, the Mill Stream through East Coker
continued to flow. A very rough estimate
of the volume of water flowing per day is about a million gallons, a
surprisingly large figure. But
estimating the flow of streams is not easy.
A
correspondent, at the Observatory's out-station on Long Furlong Lane, reported
that she had recorded a flight of 600 gulls at dusk on two occasions in early
April. These amazing flights were at
dusk as the birds flew to their roosts in a south-westerly direction. I assumed that they were making for Sutton
Bingham reservoir but a quick trip there showed no arriving flocks. Another correspondent suggested that the
gulls perhaps roosted on the coast. Here
is a mystery to be solved. My
out-station correspondent has seen a report that gulls are moving inland at an
increasing rate and a study shows that every house in Britain will have a
colony by 2020.
In
previous years the summer sky over East Coker has been rich with house martins
and swallows. But this year I have seen
very few. A green woodpecker spent 30
minutes on my lawn recently digging into the grass and investigating a
rockery. Other arrivals included a chiff-chaff on 5 April and a pair of fly-catchers on 5
June.
The
warm spell in April brought out the hover flies and the interesting solitary Andrena bees which burrow into light soil making miniature
"volcanoes" each with a central hole.
The first Orange-tip butterfly flew on April 8th.
Spring
flowers came out early in March. Along
Lodge Hill there was an excellent showing of primroses, violets, celandines and
stitchwort in the hedges. Although primroses have two forms, pin-eyed
and thrum-eyed, all those I examined along a 25 yard stretch of hedge were all
the same pin-eyed form. The clumps of
spring flowers on the sunny side of the lane were showing signs of distress in
the dry conditions. A rarity in among
the primroses was an unusual deep lilac wood anemone. Later in the spring the pastures were
delightfully yellow with buttercups.
."and I know
How the May fields all golden show,
and when the day is young and sweet,
Gild
gloriously the bare feet
That run to bathe"
The
planets are not well placed for observation.
Venus is too near the sun to be seen.
Jupiter is still in the western sky at bedtime. The planet Mars will be at it's nearest to
the Earth on the 27 August, an event which occurs every 15 years or so. Look out for it in the Southern sky after
sunset. Mars should then be brighter
than the brightest star Sirius, about 20deg above the horizon. Later in the year there will be a total eclipse
of the moon on 9 November at 01.00am., totality
lasting for about 20 minutes.
Francis
Cloke 862496
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VILLAGE
EVENTS January 2003
April 2003
Thurs 14 August Gardening Club Plants for Problem Places 7.30pm
Sat 16 August East Coker Flower Show & Wine Festival
Sat 6 September All Saints' Coffee Morning, The Anchorage, 10.00am 12 noon
Sat 13 September Local History Fair, East Coker Hall, 10.00am 6.00pm
Tues 23 September Michaelmas Fair, East Coker Hall
Thurs 9 October Gardening Club The Herb Garden 7.30pm
If your event is written into the Village Diary (kept in the Post Office) we will include it in this section of the Newsletter.