RESIDENTS of Bicknoller celebrated the 70th birthday of their village hall last weekend by attending a a party organised by the present village hall committee who invited people to come for a cuppa and refreshments and listen to some lovely music.

The music was provided by a local band Aardvark and there was a spread of sandwiches, sausage rolls, scones, and cakes.

The large birthday cake made by Bicknoller resident Jenny Jenkins and decorated by Lorraine Tilsley was cut by Edward Coleridge who, as a very young child, attended a pageant organised at the official village hall opening ceremony in June, 1955.

In fact, there were two people present at the party who took part in the pageant, the other being Charles Greswell.

The official opening took place on June 25, 1955, and the guest of honour was Mr George Wyndham.

There was a display of photographs of events held at the village hall or in the grounds since 1955 and extracts from the original minutes book highlighted the beginnings of the village hall.

The land on which the village hall stands was gifted to the village by Henry Bickersteth Mayor.

He died before the transfer of ownership was completed but had left instructions in his will that ensured his donation could be completed.

The land was known as the Moor by the Green and a More by the Green Committee (1949-1955) was set up to raise the needed funds by donations and grants.

This was not an easy task considering the austerity of the post-war years.

By 1958 the hall was in great demand and known as a good venue for dances.

The extracts from the minutes book shows some interesting and amusing situations that arose in the early years of the hall indicating that dances must have been very exciting in those days!

WITHYPOOL Artisan Craft Fair, in aid of the Hope Centre, Minehead, will be held on Saturday and Sunday, November 15 and 16, in Withypool Village Hall between 11 am and 4 pm, of which admission is free and refreshments are available.

At this time of year, homelessness can be particularly hard, especially with Christmas looming in the not too distant future.

The Hope Centre provides support for those in the Minehead community who are particularly vulnerable.

The Hope Centre uses the Baptist Church Hall each week on Tuesdays and Fridays.

Volunteers give their time providing hot meals, drinks, shower, and laundry facilities.

They provide practical assistance to people to help them rebuild their lives and get back on track.

Every day is a gift, that is why the Hope Centre calls it the present.

A wide range of support is offered, such as making doctor’s appointments, speaking to housing officers or others on behalf of clients, accompanying them to appointments, and sourcing clothing, furniture, and household effects.

Some clients have been introduced to projects or courses designed to lift them out of their present situation and give them self respect and purpose in life.

A PARTY was held in the Valiant Soldier Inn, in Roadwater, last week for Williton businessman David Gliddon to have an opportunity to thank both current and past staff and their partners thanks for many years of loyal service.

Some had completed more than 40 years with the J. Gliddon and Sons Ltd business, but there were also a couple of newcomers who are making significant contributions.

Paul Tancock, a great engineer was unable to attend due to illness.

Mr Gliddon said it had been a lovely evening with ‘a great bunch of people’ with whom it was a pleasure to work.

MINEHEAD Gardening Club's next meeting at the Catholic Hall (next to the Valero garage) is on Thursday, October 30, from 7.30 pm.

Visiting speaker Michael Adams will be presenting 'A Plant Pathologist '.

The club members' competition is for 'A Jar of Homemade Chutney '.

Guests are always welcome and the £3 entry includes light refreshments on the evening, and There will also be a raffle.

Club membership details will be available available at the meeting and new members are always welcome to join in sharing the fun and love of all things horticultural.

A ‘KITCHEN Conversation’ was held at East Quay, Watchet, on Thursday with exhibiting artist Jo Lathwood, who was joined by social historian Dr Amy Burnett, and venue curator George Harwood Smith, for an evening of food and discussion about the inspiration behind Jo’s solo exhibition ‘Down the Hatch’, currently on display there until January 11.

The exhibition explores the histories of British pub culture through a queer lens and features Lathwood’s signature large-scale sculpture, alongside new films and drawings.

Commissioned by East Quay, the exhibition also highlights overlooked stories, such as the role of ‘Ale Wives’, the original female brewers of ale.

Pubs have long played a vital role in shaping the character of towns and villages across Britain.

Through newly-commissioned sculptures, films, and drawing, Lathwood delves into the origins of these communal spaces and the visual language that defines them.

A key inspiration is the story of the ‘Ale Wives’, skilled women brewers of medieval Britain who used brewing as a means of survival.

Often depicted in prominent hats and cauldrons, these women were gradually pushed out of the profession as brewing became industrialised and male-dominated.

Lathwood reclaims their legacy through a feminist lens, creating a dialogue between past and present.

At the heart of the exhibition are two large-scale, sculptures which invite audiences to inhabit and explore, with one taking the form of a large, upturned cauldron, and the second inviting visitors to ascend a spiral walkway flanked by carved, ‘wiggling’ wooden uprights, evoking ancient pub markers and ale-stirring sticks.

A series of films in the exhibition capture both traditional and contemporary brewing processes, including footage from Drop Bear Brewing, a female-led, queer brewery in Swansea specialising in non-alcoholic craft beer.

The footage draws parallels between historical brewing rituals and modern-day practices, inviting viewers to reflect on continuity, transformation, and resistance.

Dried hops hang from the ceiling, referencing both ale’s central ingredient and the earliest form of the pub sign, a bush or vine.

All works in the exhibition are made from recycled or repurposed materials, reflecting Lathwood’s deep commitment to environmental sustainability and resourcefulness.

TAKE Art and the Roadwater Village Trust is presenting ‘Nikki & JD - Lost Dog’ on Sunday (October 26) at 7.30 pm outside Roadwater Village Hall on the recreation ground.

A spokesperson said: “Gather around the fire and let us remind you of what it was to be afraid of the dark.

“Do not build the fire too high, sing too loud, or laugh too heartily, because he is out there and he is hungry.”

The award-winning contemporary circus company Nikki & JD in collaboration with Lost Dog create an outdoor show which combines circus, dance, theatre, and live music to re-enact the original horror story - the one about the monster, and the monster’s mother, and the dragon, and the hero, and the severed limbs.

Dark, comic, and physically dangerous, this is a modern re-telling of the ancient epic Beowulf.

People are advised to dress warmly and be prepared for cold/damp weather.

The 45-minute performance is suitable for children with an adult.

Adult tickets are £10 and children under-14 £5 available in advance from Roadwater Community Shop, or Mary on 07745 318486, or online at www.takeart.org, or on the night, when a small licensed cash bar will also be organised.

A ROMAN feast held in Wootton Courtenay Villahge Hall on Saturday, October 18, was such a success that £1,050 was raised for St Margaret’s Hospice during the afternoon and from those who could not attend but donated.

Villagers were invited to attend as Romans or locals of the Dumnonit Celtic tribe - the original inhabitants of the area - to lend their ears, join in listening to music and tales from near and far.

Thanks were expressed for everybody who helped to plan, prepare, and deliver the event, from those who helped to sell tickets, to those who decorated the hall, cooked and served the food, acted in the sketches, supplied the music, crafted the gifts, and cleared up afterwards.

They included Trish, Gabrielle, Sarah and Mark, Martin and Carrie, Peter and Linda, Liz and Rob, Jo and John, Jane and Richard, Roz and Phillip, Mary, Lee, David, Nigel P, Helen, Nigel H, Bill Hodgson, and Ian.

SOMERSET Sight is offering a warm welcome at its Northfield House, Taunton, on Tuesday (October 28) when it holds a fund-raising family autumn fair and fun dog show from 11 am to 3 pm.

There will be a BBQ, refreshments, spooky magic show, bring your own carved pumpkin competition, tombola, and traditional children’s games.

Entry is £3 adults, children free, and £3 for one dog show class, £8 for three classes.