A NEW look at a building dating back to Norman times has been undertaken by somebody who has known and loved it for most of her life.

Jeanne Webb is the daughter of Rev William Brimson, Rector of St Andrew’s, Old Cleeve, from 1955 to 1975.

At the age of 11 years, Jeanne was taught bell ringing in the church tower, eventually became tower captain, and later developed a keen interest in the history of the church.

Her new guide to St Andrew’s is being launched on Sunday, August 3, following a choral evensong led by the Selwyn Consort, former choristers of the church’s patron, Selwyn College, Cambridge.

Overlooking the Bristol Channel and surrounding hills, St Andrew’s is probably one of the most spectacularly sited churches in England.

The guide reveals new information Jeanne has uncovered, some relating to an effigy dated circa 1420 of a man lying down, a cat at his feet with its paws on a rat or a mouse.

Her research through ancient documents led her to rethink the previous attribution because his clothing was that of layman, not a knight …. and she found a new candidate.

Two of the stained glass windows donated as memorials were made by men whose work also adorns Westminster Abbey.

Modern additions include a wrought iron screen by local artist Rachel Reckitt, and a Millennium Window by stained glass artist Frankie Pollack, featuring local landscape and wildlife.

Incumbents of Old Cleeve, from William de Exton in 1315 to today’s Rev Richard Higgins, are listed.

All are welcome at the 5 pm evensong to be followed by the launch of the illustrated guide, accompanied by wine and nibbles.

Priced at £5, the guide will raise funds for the upkeep of the church.

Anybody who wants more information or to buy a guide by post (£7) should contact Mrs Linda Wear by calling 01984 641781.

A TEAM of women from Porlock Ladies Football Cub have completed the Three Peaks Challenge in memory of their friend Sarah, while raising vital funds for Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance in a touching tribute to her life.

The team, made up of Aimee James, Hannah Worth, Amber Coles, Izzy Fitzgerald, Julie Netherway, and Jess Kerslake, from Williton, Minehead, and Wellington, were also joined by Hannah’s dad Bob Worth and her boyfriend Matt Brown.

Football coach Adrian Shopland provided essential logistical support, driving the group between the peaks.

The challenge required the team to climb the three highest peaks in the UK, Ben Nevis, in Scotland, Scafell Pike, England, and Snowdon, in Wales, in under 24 hours.

The footballing friends completed it in 23 hours and 49 minutes.

Aimee said: “Sarah was an amazing lady, wife, mother, and daughter.

“She was taken too soon, and I knew she would be with us on the day watching over us.

“I was sure to have a few minutes at the end thinking about her and all the special memories we have of her, she will be missed always.

“We chose the air ambulance, as unfortunately, although Sarah had got through her treatment, she had just started chemo tablets and the second day in, had an adverse effect and went into cardiac arrest.

“The air ambulance was there to support her in no time, and, although they were not needed, we knew how much it cost for this to happen.”

An air ambulance spokesperson said: “Their determination and dedication are a powerful reminder of the impact one life can have.”

The spokesperson said every mission the air ambulance flies costs about £3,500, and with no direct Government funding, every mission is funded by people such as Aimee and her team.

They said: “Without such support, the service would not exist.”

Aimee said the challenge was difficult, but: “The weather could not have been better, we were really lucky.

“It was clear and sunny.

“Ben Nevis was lovely and so clear, Scafell was similar, Snowdon was in the dark and so, so hard, we ran the last two miles.

“It was the hardest but most amazing thing I have ever done.”

To find out more ways you can support the charity while remembering a loved one, visit https://www.dsairambulance.org.uk/Listing/Category/in-memory.

THE annual Minehead and District Flower and Produce Show, organised by Minehead Gardening Club, will be held on Saturday, August 9, from 2 pm to 5.30 pm in the West Somerset College, Bircham Road, Minehead.

Admission this year is £1 for adults and children under-16 years are free.

Everybody is invited to go along to enjoy the event, see all the exhibits, buy a raffle ticket, and enjoy some refreshments.

The presentation of cups is scheduled for 4.30 pm, and the draw at 5 pm.

The West Somerset Morris dancers and musicians are continuing their 60th anniversary year by appearing at 8 pm on Thursday, August 7, at The Star Inn, Watchet, followed at 9 pm by a performance on Watchet Esplanade.

The group covers dance venues as far as Lynton to the west and Bridgwater to the east and were formed originally as a men only side in 1965.

PARK and ride bus services from Taunton’s Silk Mills site have been temporarily re-routed due to ongoing Wales and West Utilities work in the area.

The company is carrying out a major renewal of the gas mains in the Bishops Hull and Silk Mills area and Somerset Council is supporting this vital work.

Due to the need to close Mountway Road at the junction with Silk Mills Road, which will not be served during this period, for the next phase of works, buses operating from the Silk Mills Park and Ride site are being re-routed until August 16.

The alternative route from Silk Mills will need to be via Staplegrove Road and Tangier Way but due to time constraints, buses will not be stopping until they reach Musgrove Park Hospital, where they will follow the usual route into town, and on to the Gateway site.

Journeys from both Silk Mills and Taunton Gateway will be affected, and the council is advising all users, particularly if they are heading into the town centre or to Musgrove Park Hospital, to plan ahead and allow more time for their journey, as the frequency of the service will be impacted during this period.

THE Timberscombe Village Show is coming up on August 16 in the village Hall at 2.30 pm.

Schedules and entry forms have been delivered around the village and there are spares in the Post Office and the Lion Inn

Spokeswoman Pauline Bennett said: “We encourage and welcome everybody from Timberscombe to have a go, from the oldest, most experienced to the youngest.

“We offer novice classes in floral arrangements and handicrafts and three classes for ‘newcomers’ in the veg section.

“The domestic section set recipe is chocolate chip cookies, for adults and children.

“There are five photo classes and the set knitting pattern is still available in the Post Office for you to try.”

The deadline for entry forms is August 8, and some have already been received.

An auction at the show raises extra money for the village hall, and people should not forget to tick the auction box on the entry form.

Ms Bennett said donations of good raffle prizes would be appreciated.

She said: “We look forward to seeing exhibitors and visitors.

“Thank you to everybody for your enthusiasm.”

LOCAL charity Somerset Sight, which supports visually impaired people across the county, all be visiting Watchet, in the coach park, on Tuesday, August 12, with its Mobile Advisory Service (MAS), a mobile shop which visits a different town or village in Somerset every day.

It is stocked with various gadgets and resources that can assist the visually impaired.

MAS will also be in Minehead on Wednesday, August 20, and again on Monday, September 15, in the Morrisons supermarket cart park on both occasions.

All visits are from 10.30 am to 3.30 pm.

Somerset Sight administrator Alex Finlayson said: “People are welcome to visit the MAS if they wish to buy anything or are simply seeking advice and guidance.

“No appointment needed”

THE fourth annual South West Coast 50 Challenge is taking place on Saturday (August 2) and will follow a similar format to 2024.

It follows a looped 50km route starting and finishing at Dunster Showground with people walking up to 50km on public footpaths, rights of way, roads, and pavements.

Entrants can choose to do shorter routes, which include the first or second half challenge 25km loop or 10km loop challenges.

The event is well marshalled, with static and walking marshals, and has its own medical team to support it, with medics positioned at all venues and vehicles and an ambulance out on the route.