News, Views and Events
from
Bishops Lydeard, Bagborough, Cothelstone & Cotford St Luke Editor: David Hinton
Piffins, Piffins Lane, Bishops Lydeard, TA4 3AS
E-mail:David Hinton


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QUANTOCK VALE SURGERY EXTENDED OPENING HOURS
When we ran our patient survey on December 2007, a small number of patients commented that it would be useful if the surgery were open more and expressed a preference for a Saturday morning service.
We appreciate that some people, for instance, those who work in Taunton or commute further afield, or those who work on a shift system, may find it difficult to book an appointment with a doctor during normal surgery hours. In response to this feedback, we have decided to open on Saturday mornings to
provide routine appointments with a doctor.
From 28 June, we shall be open from 9.00 – 11:30 a.m. for routine prebooked appointments.
There will be one doctor on duty with administrative support. There will not be a nurse on duty and as the hospital laboratory and diagnostic service will not be available, we shall not be able to carry out any blood tests etc. As the new service is for routine care only, we do not expect there to be much need for the GP to issue prescriptions on a Saturday but if one is needed, we shall tell you which pharmacies are open in Taunton at the weekend.
If you think that a Saturday morning appointment would meet your needs, telephone during the week and request one. If you are not sure, ask the receptionist. You will be able to pre-book a Saturday morning appointment up to 6.00 p.m. on Friday. There will not be any on-the-day appointments available to patients who walk in on a Saturday; the Out of Hours Medical Service covers this.
Reception will be open on Saturday, so you may drop off repeat prescription requests, letters etc and forward book appointments.
The weekend telephone service will be in operation. That means you will be able to leave a request for a repeat prescription on the answer phone as usual (tel: 01823 433995) but if you need urgent care between 6:30 p.m. on Friday to 8:00 a.m. on Monday, you should still ring the Out of Hours Medical
Service on 0845 408 8000.
We shall be monitoring the Saturday morning surgeries closely to see if they are meeting the needs of our patients.
If you have any queries, please contact us. We hope that you find the new service useful.
Dorothy King (Practice Manager, Quantock Vale Surgery)

Short Mat Bowls

Our return match against Staplegrove was played on a Monday evening last month when the club was looking forward to a hard match where hopefully we might have better fortune and reverse the defeat of our last meeting.
With the two mats set out play began promptly at 8.00 pm. On one mat we were playing a trio that included a bowler playing from one of our specially adapted wheelchairs. This worked very well with the much appreciated help of the opposing team. We won the match on this mat but on the other mat we lost.
So as we broke for coffee and biscuits (thank you Ivy and Eric) each club had won one match and there was still all to play for in the second half.
However, despite one of our teams doing well and managing an early lead of five woods, we eventually lost heavily on both mats.
So despite our best efforts Staplegrove again managed to beat us. However it was a good evening in good company; practice, practice and perhaps the club will eventually be able to turn the tables on them!
The club members enjoy these friendly matches and will try and arrange some more later in the year.

Richard Sillett

'OVER 55's — FRIENDLY CLUB'
So far we have had no feedback from my article in the July Triangle Magazine - but I am sti ll hopeful that I might encourage some of you to come and join us.
We had a truly lovel y trip to Torquay – even the rain held off until we were getting back on the coach to come home. Two of us even made it as far as Cockington – using our bus passes on the little local bus.
Yesterday (9 th July) we went to Bourton on the Water - although this nearly didn't happen, as we only had just enough people (40) booked to make this trip viable. We really do need some extra members.
In the event only 38 people braved the elements for what turned out to be the wettest day of this summer - so far ! There were one or two people
who weren't in their element but most of us thoroughly enjoyed our day. The Motor Museum, being under cover proved to be a good attraction and turned out to be a pleasant trip down memory lane.
The next trip is on 20th August to Hereford and then on 17th September we're off to Bournemouth.
Come October (15 th) we shall be back in the Village Hall where the Chairman of the Somerset Otter Group (James Williams) is coming to talk to us together with some of his excellent slides.
On 3rd January 09 we will be off to Weston super Mare to see the pantomime Peter Pan and in February we shall go to Exeter for the Ice Show.
Should any of you be interested or wish to join us please ring either Ber yl on 01823 433290 or myself on 01823 430699.

Margaret Davis

Brownie Fun

We have had another fun packed year at 1st Bishops Lydeard Brownies.
Back in November we enjoyed an excellent Brownie sleepover. Our theme for the weekend was Peter Rabbit. We played games, and had some fantastic themed crafts. Through the year we have joined together with other Scout and Guide groups. We had a superb day out when we were all invited to the Scout Fun Day for the Centenary celebrations. The Brownies had a fantastic day, with group activities, water games, bouncy castle, crafts and we finished the day off with a cheery campfire. Also our older Brownies have visited the Guides for their Chocolate Evening, that was yummy!
In our weekly meetings at Brownies we have enjoyed seasonal crafts games including some very fun water and outdoor activities, also the Brownies have completed their Seasons Badge and their Designers Badge - we had a superb time creating a fashion show using just newspaper! We had a really fun time when we went for a walk and games at Fyne Court in July. We have had excellent evenings out at the theatre. At Christmas we went to see a great production of Danny Champion of the World. Also we went to see and support Brown Owl at the Scout and Guide Gang Show. In the early part of summer we enjoyed a great day out, when we went down to Buckfastleigh, where we had a ride on the steam train and a guided tour around the engine sheds. We also visited the Butterfly Farm and the Otter Sanctuary where we saw the otters being fed, and also enjoyed games in the park. This was a great day out enjoyed by all.
Over the year our Brownies Pack has grown in numbers as well as leaders - we now have four leaders and myself as a young leader. Brownies is for girls aged 7-10, and if you would like any more information please call Carolyn on 433021 We are all looking forward to our next jam-packed year!
Boobook Owl - Thea

10Radio – Community Radio on 105.3FM
Our very own radio station has now been broadcasting for 4 months and is going from strength to strength. From our studios in Wiveliscombe all manner of people are getting their voices heard throughout the 10 Parishes and into Wellington and Taunton.
Run entirely by volunteers, we’re on air 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. What will you hear if you tune in? All day Friday to Sunday, plus every breakfast time and midweek evenings, our merry band of presenters bring you an amazing mix of music and speech from local people of all ages. At other times we have continuous music to suit all tastes. For an idea of what we’re about, tune into the Community Show at 9am on Fridays and you’ll be amazed at what’s going on in this area. You can check out our schedules on www.10radio.org, email the studio on info@10radio.org and call us on 01984 624137.
Derek Skeavington 01984 624133

FROM YOUR PCSO
Summer is here and at this time of year we traditionally experience an increase in reported thefts from gardens and driveways.
Minimise the likelihood of you becoming a victim by taking some simple precautions, use good quality locks to secure your shed and garage, chain cycles and other valuable equipment together using high security chain or cables and using a good quality padlock. Run the chain through eye bolts secured to the strongest part of the structure of your shed or garage.
Theft of trailers and caravans is seasonal so if you are an owner I would urge you to now take some basic precautions such as fitting a ball hitch lock or wheel clamp.
With the rising cost of fuel we are beginning to see an increase in theft of fuel from domestic heating oil tanks and from cars and lorries. Consider fitting a lock to your oil tank and don’t underestimate the lengths some thieves will go to in order to steal fuel from your motor vehicles. We are currently investigating offences where offenders have drilled into fuel tanks to steal petrol. My advice to you is to park your car in a garage where possible or in a well lit area.
If you see anything suspicious in your neighbourhood the usual numbers to contact us are the Force Service Centre on 0845 456 7000 or Crimestop-pers on 0800 555 111. If you wish to contact me you can reach me on Voicemail 01823 363287 and 70108 at the prompt.
Sue Thompson

BISHOPS LYDEARD FOOTBALL CLUB

Reading the back page of the Mail today, (10th July), I didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. Frank Lampard, or Lamps to his hanger-on mates, was all in a tizzy. He had fallen out with the chief exec., and probably Big Phil, about whether to sign a new four year, £140,000 a week, contract at Chelsea or go to wherever! Get over yourself Frank and play football, you have obviously forgotten the time when you used to play for nothing because you just loved the game. How much can a man earn, pathetic!
Well back to a club that plays football for all the right reasons. The changing room complex is really taking shape and the pitches are looking good, responding well to being cut regularly—thanks to Chris Heaynes for ensuring that happens. I am almost getting excited about the forthcoming season.
Although I am still emotionally scarred over the drama of the last five games from last season, when we snatched defeat from the jaws of victory and just about won the Championship.
We have started pre-season training with a good response, so that is pleasing.
Doggie, our senior pro from the last campaign, and Pat Groody, who graced the field of dreams for many years, will be running our reserves and I have a feeling, that with their egos, they could have some glory. Hopefully some promotion into the Taunton Sat. League First Division and who better than those two seasoned campaigners to school the younger players in the art of physically disabling an opponent under the refs nose, without him realising it. Also having a bad game but, in the pub afterwards, ending up getting ‘Man of the Match’, after persuading your team mates that you were not rubbish, but had really performed like Bobby Moore in the 1970 World Cup against Pele and Brazil!
The “Sponsor-a-first team number” scheme is going well, with a number of local businesses promising to help us out, and hopefully with powells toys.com again offering support, we should cover most costs.
What is also pleasing is some local interest about the forthcoming season.
Ivo, my next door neighbour, stated that he met someone who was a Yeovil season ticket holder and who won’t be renewing it this year. He is going to come up to watch the Red Machine at the Field of Dreams—how good is that! Hopefully we will get some more support this season with the new facilities and club house. I am also looking for a volunteer to maybe formulate a monthly match programme—nothing too serious just a team sheet and a few anecdotes from the previous games. It all adds to the fun. Anyone interested please contact me on 432041, or email me on harper5@hotmail.co.uk Here is a list of first team shirt number sponsors: Gerald (Judge) White from Gore Garage. Merryn Collins, (Homefield Mortgage Services,) tel. 430 684. Peter Berks, (Winchester Textile Components) tel. 431 886. Paul Jackson, (Wild Spirit, Hassle-free sailing) tel .433813. West Country Feeds tel. 433925. John Rees—football fan! Last but not least the new Bistro in the village, "Aromas". Thanks to you all for your support.
One more thing—check out the really good County League web site for all the league tables fixtures and stats. Its called the Somerset County League fulltime.
The season starts on the 16th August. See you then.
Neil Harper.

ASH PRIORS AND HALSE WI

Our July meeting was a visit to Hestercombe Gardens. We arrived just as the heavens opened but luckily by the time we were admitted to the gardens the rain stopped and members were free to wander around at their leisure. For most this was a familiar place and some went straight to see what was happening in the Bat Roost. Others went up to the Barrack Hut to read about Hestercombe during the Second World War. Several strolled around the Georgian Landscape Gardens to enjoy the lakes, temples, grottoes and wonderful views. Everyone visited the Edwardian Formal Garden and Victorian Terrace.
Tea was a most enjoyable affair in the Lutyens Gallery and of course no WI visit could end without a visit to the shop!
Next month we are back in Ash Priors Village Hall on Tuesday August 12th at 2.15pm. Jill Venn will be talking about forty three years as a dancing teacher and her experiences hiring out hats.
In September Frank Letch will be giving us a talk entitled 'Feet First'. Visitors are always welcome.
Janet Sillett

FYNE COURT
A Book Fair will be held on three days over the August Bank Holiday weekend, Sat 23rd - Mon 25th August 10.30 am - 4 pm. Lots of bargains and a wide variety of books, videos and DVDs. Admission free. Donations of any of these would be much appreciated – they can be left at the shop which is open every afternoon 2 – 5 pm during the week, and all day at weekends.
Thank you for your help.
Brian Wright will be leading another afternoon 'Walk and Talk' on Sunday 24th August at 2.30 pm prompt. No need to book. The theme is 'Dragons of Somerset' and he will make it a very fascinating subject. Adults £2.50. Children £1.
Sunday afternoon teas now available every weekend.
Audrey Mead