THE latest news from community groups across Somerset, published in your County Gazette on November 8, 2018...

Blackdown Ladies

SKITTLERS, bell ringers, including three new recruits, ramblers, and scrabble players had all been busy during the month.

The skittlers won their matches against Smeatharpe by 13 pins and against Stockland by 14 pins. The ramblers walked from Wellington along the now defunct Grand Western Canal and enjoyed coffee in a trendy new cafe in the old Fox’s Mill.

Then followed an inspirational talk by Justin Roxburgh, chief executive of ARC (formerly Taunton Association for the Homeless).

This organisation covers Taunton Deane, Sedgemoor and West Somerset and employs 50 people. It has 11 beds for people who come in for only one night, a 46-bed hostel for longer term residents and 15 houses in multiple occupation for those more able to look after themselves.

Some people resist help but anyone who wishes can come to the hostel where they have access to support staff, doctors and benefit experts and there is a registered training college.

The aim is to teach life skills such as budgeting, buying and cooking and help them towards getting a job and living independently. Dogs and other pets are allowed.

Mental health difficulties, drugs and alcohol are major problems but these are not allowed to become a block on progress.

Relaxation over tasty refreshments provided by Lynn Churchill, Heather Hodges and Linda Viszked concluded the evening.

Next month, Barbara Clift will be demonstrating “Christmas Stars in Willow”.

Great Western Society – Taunton Group

TERRY Nicholls presented sound cine films entitled ‘Titans of Steam’ – images taken mainly in the 1980s and 1990s - at the meeting on October 19.

The first footage was taken in North West China before the demise of steam traction. Enthusiasts travelled to remote areas in the depths of winter with temperatures down to -25ºC in order to photograph massive 2-10-2 locomotives hauling long freight trains on steep gradients and producing dramatic exhaust effects.

There followed a sequence of views from South Africa in the final days of steam traction. There was footage of special commemorative passenger trains and numerous freight workings on the 3ft 6ins gauge lines.

Many of the locomotives were 4-8-2s and built by the North British Locomotive Co, Scotland.

The second half commenced with film of steam hauled specials at various locations on the Settle and Carlisle route.

The final film celebrated the Great Western Railway Centenary in 1985 with views of Great Western designed locomotives working special trains on the Welsh Marches line and through the Cotswold Hills between Gloucester and Swindon.

A special run between York and Scarborough used the famous locomotive ‘City of Truro’.

Next meeting: Friday, November 16, 7.30pm, Stoke St Mary Village Hall: Steam Nostalgia by Simon Foote.

Wellington WI

UNFORTUNATELY Lionel Murphy, our speaker from Exmoor Search and Rescue wasn’t able to bring Lottie or Poppy, the team’s search dogs, with him, but members were very taken with the fully kitted-out cuddly toy version he brought instead.

Lionel himself had been an operational member of the team for many years before illness made him decide to transfer to the support team, whose members give talks and raise funds to support the operational work.

After a short film about the range of activities the team might be involved in, Lionel gave us more detail, and answered questions. The service began 25 years ago as a local Civil Defence organisation, started by keen walkers wanting to help people in difficulties. It is based in South Molton, all members are volunteers, and they are on call permanently. They work as a police resource in collaboration with the Avon and Somerset and Devon forces, plus the ambulance, fire and rescue, and coastguard services. As well, the team is part of England and Wales Search and Rescue, and can be called to any part of the country.

It takes 12-18 months to train volunteers. Training includes core skills such as searching, navigation, map reading and first aid, as well as how to behave at a crime scene. Some team members also train in complex rope work such as that needed to manage stretchers, in collaboration with the Fire and Rescue Service. Others have trained to be Swift Water Rescue Technicians, and in 2015 seven of them went to York, where they spent a week over Christmas helping to rescue people from flooding. Last year team members helped out during heavy snow in the south west. Another group are trained in casualty care almost to the level of Emergency Technicians. This training is undertaken in hospitals.

Surprisingly, Search and Rescue teams work in urban as well as rural areas, searching on land and water, using dogs, boats and climbing gear as necessary. The Exmoor team mostly undertakes searches for people missing for around two weeks, which can take up to five days. They may also be involved in emergency responses to major incidents, and a team can be operational within an hour of callout. Vehicles are kept both in South Molton and at Taunton Fire Station.

The nature and location of their work requires good communications, and a range of radios and aerials are used for this. Team members also carry medical equipment, ropes, food and drink, clothing and personal equipment for all weathers and times of day. The control vehicle carries specialist equipment including a defibrillator and trauma kit. Team members provide their own fleeces, trousers and boots.

There are currently 30 operational members and eight trainees, and more volunteers are always welcome. There are no fitness tests, but fitness is monitored. Lottie and Poppy belong to their owners, and are also members of the Search and Rescue Dog Association.

Lionel and his support team members help to raise the £20,000 annual cost of providing the service, which responds to 20 to 40 incidents a year, some of which last more than one day.

During the break, recent photographs taken by members of the Photographic Group were shown, and there was also a static display of the winning photographic entries from Wellington Flower Show.

In the business session, Maria Dorpman and Lynda Wilkinson were welcomed as new committee members. Maria will take over as our community ambassador. the skittles team was very pleased with its recent win in the county skittles tournament, and even more delighted by the news that they had been given a bye in the next round.

We are committed to supporting the work of the British Legion in the run up to Remembrance Day, and several members will help out at their Gala Concert. As well, we will again be putting up a display of knitted and crocheted poppies around the War Memorial in Wellington Park, and in the town centre.

Our next meeting is on November 15, 7pm for 7.30pm at the Beambridge Inn, when Max Dalder-Mueller will talk about addiction. Visitors and new members are most welcome to join us.

Friends of St Mary’s Church, Hemyock

ELEANOR Rigby (The Beatles), For the Beauty (Rutter), Ave Verum (Mozart), Moon River(Mancini), and Chasing Cars (Snow Patrol) showed the wide range of music Bel Canto presented to the audience at St Mary’s Church, Hemyock when they performed at a concert organised by the Friends of St Mary’s (FOSM)

The formation of the group of around 15 friends come from singing together at a wedding five years ago.

This led to regular rehearsals,their choice of name and now performances throughout the year with music ranging from classical and folk to jazz and musicals.

All who attended agreed it had been an extremely enjoyable evening of a very polished group with a profit of just over £117 being made for the upkeep and maintenance of the church.

Taunton Bridge Club

THE winner of the individual percentage competition at Taunton Bridge Club for 2018 is Mike Leach. His average of 59.96% from his best seven games put him just 0.23 per cent ahead of Jenny Mcdermott in second place. He will hold the cup, presented by John and Marjorie Dilworth, for the coming year.

Somerset County Bridge Association winners in the Interclub Pairs competition on Sunday, November 4 were Sheena Lanham and Andy Ridgers from Wells BC in the Open Section and Simon Brooke and Katrina Foot from Langport in the Restricted Section. Stephen and Jackie Brooks were first from the Non Affiliated clubs.

Many congratulations to Glyn Meredith and his partner, Jo Copping, winning the National Seniors Pairs over the first weekend in November. Glyn has recently moved into our area of the county and is a welcome addition to the club.

We shall be holding a heat of the Children in Need Simultaneous Pairs competition on Wednesday, November 14. The club donates all the table money, as well as the entry fee, from both Wednesday and Friday evenings during that week to the charity. Last year, the total raised throughout the country was a magnificent £74,173.

MacMillan in Hemyock

A BLACKDOWN village raised over £500 for MacMillan as part of the World’s Biggest Coffee Morning campaign.

Hemyock resident, Tracey Canning was eager to support the cancer charity having experience, first hand, how MacMillan makes a difference. Her partner Steve, is a throat cancer survivor.

She gathered a willing and eager team of friends, neighbours and work colleagues to take part in the widely supported event.

Around 20 different cakes and cookies were baked and donated. Tea, coffee, milk and sugar was given by Tesco Honiton, Waitrose Wellington, Sainsburys Ottery St Mary and Co-Op Wellington.

Hemyock Church Rooms waived the room hire fees and Churchwardens went even further by proposing to donate the St Marys Church collection of £148.38.

Several volunteers set out around the village to offer cookies and cakes to the local workforce, who were unable to take part that morning. Prizes for the raffle and even bags of apples were included in the fundraising.

Tracey explained: “I knew the coffee morning would be well supported.

“Hemyock has a great reputation for its generosity. I was a little worried that there would be so much left, as the cake donations kept piling up. Everyone has been so kind and given so much, I’m just overwhelmed and already making plans for next year.”

MacMillan help people living with cancer live life as fully as they can. This year, so far, the people supporting the popular national campaign has raised over £3.1m. The Hemyock event donations are still being posted through Tracey's letterbox from those who where unable to attend. At the time of going to print, the total collected is £403.17.