shapwick news · 2017. 9. 6. · parish ouncil website - —minutes, agendas etc. issue 271...
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Parish Council Website - www.shapwickparishcouncil.org.uk—minutes, agendas etc.
ISSUE 271
July 2017 SHAPWICK NEWS
Spectators enjoying the recent 20:20 match.
Shapwick Starlets WI Sue Sellick
When you hear the words National Trust, you immediately think of stately homes, but this month Nigel Garnsworthy, National Trust Countryside Manager explained how it covers much more than that. Nigel has been working as a warden for the last 17 years for the charity that was formed in 1895 to give access to everyone to our green spaces.
Do you know the story behind the Wellington Monument? Well, it stands as a tribute to the Duke of Wellington and his victory at the Battle of Waterloo, and is the tallest three sided obelisk in the world at 175 ft. The idea to erect a monument to the Duke of Wellington was first proposed in 1815. Following an architectural competition, Thomas Lee Jnr was appointed and he proposed a triangular pillar supported on a plinth and surmounted by a massive cast iron statue of the Duke himself. Funds ran out in a matter of months and building work ceased, by which time the pillar was only 45 feet. When construction eventually resumed it continued in fits and starts for a number of years. By this time public interest in the project had waned and as a result the original design was pared down considerably. It was finished in the 1820s however the cast iron statue was never commissioned and so in effect the monument became an obelisk. Lightning strikes in 1846 caused serious structural damage. Charles Giles, a local architect, declared it a public danger. Giles was instructed to prepare a scheme for the repair and completion of the monument. These events coincided with the death of the Duke of Wellington. Giles came up with something very different from the original plan. He set out to transform the monument from a statue bearing pillar into the tallest obelisk in Britain. However by 1892 the monument had again fallen into disrepair. The top of the plinth was rebuilt and the shaft extended to the height we see today. Thereafter it has been subjected to repeated restoration work of a major nature but its character has remained unchanged. The National Trust took over management responsibility in 1934. Since that time it has needed careful renovation every 10 to 15 years, an expensive and unsustainable process given its height. At present a fence has been erected to protect the public from the risk of falling stone debris. They have recently appointed a firm of consultants to identify a more effective repair approach to the structure. Part of that process will involve a monitoring period as the structure presents a very complicated engineering challenge. Even with the previous survey work, they simply do not know enough about why and how the monument is failing. This work puts them in a position to explore more sustainable repair options.
And finally, a little about the history of Fyne Court. In 1894 a fire tore through the building, leaving most of the property so devastated by the incident that nearly the entire house was pulled down. However you can still see the old music room, as well as the library and some out buildings. You can imagine the scale of the original house when standing on the lawn in the courtyard, as this is where the building once stood. The blaze was believed to have started when a housemaid left unattended a candle she'd been using to heat curling tongs. Servants and neighbours fought the fire before the eventual arrival of the fire brigade, who'd struggled up from
Taunton. No one was hurt, but most of the building was damaged beyond repair.
What a great way to spend an evening, learning about our local beauty spots, thank you Nigel.
Our July meeting is on Tuesday 11th July and will be a Pilates Evening. A fun session to introduce the benefits of Pilates.
Save the date - Shapwick Starlets Garden Party Saturday 12th August 2-5pm. Cream teas and bake sale, garden games, children's' activities, bric-a-brac, crafts and lots more. Browse the stalls and bring your friends and family. Why not order a delicious afternoon tea served on a tiered stand or a child's party food box with favourite treats. Please come and support this special fundraising event.
Letter from the Vicar Hi folks,
The political make-up of the United Kingdom has now been decided, in a General Election outcome which could not been predicted when it was called six weeks previously.
Many people have strong opinions about whether vicars should get political. (My view: it depends…). Jesus’ actions certainly had political implications – but the disciples expected him to be more overtly political than he actually was. When he was about to ascend to heaven, they asked him, “Are you now going to restore the Kingdom to Israel?” – clearly expecting him to be a victorious Messiah who would defeat the Romans.
Jesus himself was concerned about the ‘Kingdom of God’. That’s why, in the Lord’s prayer, we ask “May your kingdom come”. It was a major part of his teaching, like in the parable of the treasure in a field: “The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field.” It’s a powerful image!
There’s an unavoidably supernatural element to Jesus’ teaching on the Kingdom (as there is for most of what he said and did). When he sent his twelve disciples on a mission trip, he instructed them, ‘When you enter a town and are welcomed, eat what is offered to you. Heal those there who are ill and tell them, “The kingdom of God has come near to you.”’
So Jesus’ perspective on the Kingdom is not political in the sense that the disciples had expected… but it was much more powerful, dynamic and desirable than any human regime could muster. Now – what if church were like this?
Every blessing
Rich Tweedy [email protected]
Shapwick & Polden Cricket Club Alistair Barr
There will be an official opening of the new pavilion on the evening of Tuesday 18th July when the club will play a Somerset County Cricket Club XI as part of James Hildreth's Testimonial year. James will formally open the new building as part of the event. This should be a great evening and all Shapwick residents are invited to attend. The official opening will be at 5.00pm and the cricket will start at 5.30pm. As part of our ongoing project to continue to improve our facilities and the environment of the ground we have applied for a grant from Tesco's "Bags of Help" scheme. The money derives from the 5ps everyone pays for a plastic bag these days. We plan to spend the money on further improving the protective netting round the ground to save us all time and frustration looking for lost balls and reducing the risk of damage to property outside the ground. The application has been voted on instore at Glastonbury Tescos and the outcome will be know shortly.
St. Mary’s Church
Cream Tea
(with Table Top Sale)
Saturday 8th July
3pm to 5pm
Flowers Tubs delight!
The flower tubs at the entrance to the village hall
are a welcoming sight.
Well planted and
maintained they are a
credit to whomever is
taking the responsibility
of caring for them. I am sure I am not speaking for
myself alone when I say "Thank You."
‘Flower Girl’
DATE FOR YOUR DIARY!
Flower Festival Weekend St Mary's Church Shapwick Fri 22 – Sun 24 September
Detailed information in the next issue.
Jan Swaine Dora Watkins
I wonder how many new comers to the village know the legend (or true story) of Jan
Swaine. Jan lived in Shapwick and when, in 1855, the Duke of Monmouth returned
from exile to lead a revolt against James II he joined Monmouth’s army. Monmouth’s
army met the King’s army on Sedgemoor across the Bussex Rhyne on July 6th and
was defeated. Jan escaped back to Shapwick and hid in a cottage bread oven but was
captured and was being taken by soldiers to Taunton to be tried by Judge Jefferies
the notorious hanging judge.
Jan was very good at jumping and the night before had irritated his guards by
boasting about his ability. When they reached the Turnpike Road by Loxley Wood he
boasted again saying he would show them how good he was if only they would give
him a chance.
Thinking to have some sport with him they set him free. Jan gave three mighty leaps
and disappeared into the wood. It was thought his friends had a horse tethered
nearby for him. The three leaps of 22ft, 20ft and 18ft were marked with four little
white stones on the wood which as far as I know are still there in the undergrowth. As
children we used to try and match the jumps but no chance!
The story goes that when everything had calmed down Jan returned to Shapwick to live the rest of his life with his wife and family.
During the church restoration in 1861 a grave slab bearing the name Swaine was found inside the church and was put inside the porch.
This is now illegible and it is not known if it was his but to villagers he would have been a hero.
Shapwick School Sue McAuliffe
With only a few more weeks left of this term and academic year we reflect on the hard
work and fun our students have had. Exams are coming to an end, our Year 10’s are
starting to look to the future and taking part in a ‘Careers Fortnight’ and those leaving
school are getting very excited for what lays ahead.
During May we held our second May Fair in aid of the Teenage Cancer Trust, it was a
really successful afternoon with lots of activities and stalls for both our students and
the residents of Shapwick, we also celebrated World Africa Day on the 25th.
The heatwave we are currently experiencing has made it challenging for our students
to complete their Bronze Duke of Edinburgh trek across the Mendips, but they all did it
– three cheers to them. It was also a very hot day for a couple of our students who travelled to Birmingham to take part in the ISA
Athletics finals in
Birmingham.
We now look forward to a
busy last week of term
which includes Humanities
Day, STEM Day, Arts Day,
Sports Day and our
Celebration Day on the last
day of term. – My goodness
what a busy time!
Published by Shapwick Parish Council. Edited by Sue Williams NB Copy for the next Issue of the News should be sent to:
Sue Williams by 20th July or to [email protected]
There is no guarantee that all material submitted will be used - publication is at the Editor’s discretion and articles may be amended or condensed. We do not print
anonymous contributions but are prepared to include items under a pen name, if so desired, on condition that we are given the name and address of the author(s).
Opinions expressed are those of the author and are not necessarily those of the Editor nor Parish Council.
What’s On in Shapwick
Tea & Cakes St. Mary’s Church
Friday 28th July 3pm to 5pm
Clubs Cubs—Adam Smith 07508 468173
Cricket Club—Martin Baker 01458 831131
Friends of Shapwick Church—Jane Walker 01458
210137
Pilates—Lita de Alberdi 01458 446883
Shapwick Runners— www.shapwickrunners.co.uk
WI – Sue Sellick 01458 210357
Yoga—Mel Blackshaw 07812 667911
Useful Contact Details
Parish Council - Clerk -Sue Williams 01458 210749
Village Hall - Secretary Claire Brown 01458 210784
Hall Bookings—[email protected] or 01458 210329
St. Mary’s Church - Jan Jones 01458 210804
Edington Doctors Surgery 01278 722077 Prescriptions 01278 723459
Bridgwater Hospital 01278 436555
Sedgemoor District Council 0845 408 2540
Somerset County Council 0300 123 2224
Lite Bite Lunches
The next lunch is on 17th July
12:30pm-2pm St Marys
Church.
Everyone welcome
For further information please
contact Helen on 210885
Shapwick and Polden CC
July 1st 1st XI Claverham
July 8th 2nd XI Bridgwater A
July 15th 1st XI Bishopston
July 22nd 2nd XI Winscombe
July 29th 1st XU Lansdown
NEXT PARISH COUNCIL
MEETING—PLEASE
NOTE CHANGE OF DATE
WEDNESDAY 19TH JULY
7.30PM VILLAGE HALL
Church Services July 2017 Sunday 2 July – Trinity 3 9.00 Catcott Holy Communion (BCP) 10.30 Ashcott Informal Worship 10.30 Edington Family Communion 6.30 Chilton Polden Revive Sunday 9 July – Trinity 4 10.00 Shapwick Café Church 10.30 Chilton Polden Informal Family Communion 6.30 Burtle Holy Communion(CW) Sunday 16 July – Trinity 5 10.30 Catcott Matins (BCP) 10.30 Chilton Polden Informal Worship 6.30 Ashcott Holy Communion (CW) Sunday 23 July – Trinity 6 10.30 Edington Fellowship Service Family Communion Sunday 30 July – Trinity 7 10.30 Catcott Fellowship Service Family Communion Sunday 6 August – Trinity 8 10.30 Ashcott Fellowship Service Family Communion
Shapwick Starlets WI
Next Meeting - Tuesday 11th July 7.30pm, Shapwick Village Hall,
Pilates Evening. Would you like to improve muscle tone and
flexibility? Do you have a back problem? Life can be hectic and it can
be difficult to find ways to improve health and well being. A fun session
to introduce you to the benefits of Pilates!
SAVE THE DATE - SHAPWICK STARLETS GARDEN PARTY, SATURDAY
12TH AUGUST 2-5pm.
Cream teas and bake sale, croquet and other garden games, children's'
activities, bric-a-brac, crafts and lots more. Browse the stalls and enjoy
the festivities. Everyone welcome so bring your friends and family for a
fun afternoon. Why not order a delicious afternoon tea served on a
tiered cake stand or a child's party food box with favourite treats?
Please come and support this special fundraising event.