FOR the past 30 years the local churches in Quantock Deanery, which stretches from Cannington to Watchet along the coast and inland to Spaxton and Crocombe, have run a fun-draising project for a local or foreign charity.

In the past, schools in India and Africa have been helped, Sure Start West Somerset was given funds, and other very good causes supported.

Last year, more than £5,000 and still counting was raised for the Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance from coffee mornings, cream teas, and many other events.

At a meeting at Nether Stowey Church Centre last week the project for 2026 was unveiled - for the Salvation Army to fund a minibus taking supplies to homeless people across West Somerset.

Sam Searle, who runs the Watchet Salvation Army Corps, gave a talk showing exactly the items she needs to buy - things such as blankets, duvets, towels, mugs, and thermos flasks - too many to mention here.

But, she explained how a tent can cost £25 and a thermal T-shirt £10, while a packet of biscuits is £1.

It all adds up. And it is so important.

Can you imagine living rough on the cold, wet, stormy nights of this winter? And can you help?

Margaret Tatham and others have some collecting boxes and anybody who wants to know more about this project cab contact Margaret on 07973638030 or by email to [email protected] or Sam Searle on [email protected].

AFTER a well-earned break, following a very busy 2025, Minehead Male Voice Choir returned on January 12 to the rehearsal room in Alcombe.

What does the New Year hold in store?

The highlight focal point of the year is the choir’s visit to Cornwall for the prestigious Cornwall International Male Choir Festival.

Proud to represent the town alongside other choirs from around the UK, the choir will open with a return visit to the beautiful Truro Cathedral.

In a packed May Day Bank Holiday weekend there will be a further four concerts in local churches and visitor attractions, such as the cider farm at Penhallow. and Killacourt in Newquay.

Back home in West Somerset the choir will put on concerts helping local charities and churches to raise much needed funds.

As details are completed, full information will be provided.

In the past years, concerts have always been very well supported by the public and the choir looks forward to continued support in 2026.

For the first concert of this year, the choir will be joined by Taunton Deane Male Voice Choir on Saturday, March 14, at 7 pm, in Minehead Methodist Church.

With a register of about 40 men, the choir can put out a balanced group of singers for each concert.

New singers are always welcome, no auditions are required, simply the ability to hold a tune. Anybody interested is invited to the regular Monday evening rehearsals in Alcombe Methodist Church beginning at 7.15 pm.

Go along for a taster session and enjoy the camaraderie of like minds.

FOLLOWING the success of the inaugural Connects Minehead event in January, solicitors Amicus Law has announced a schedule of networking sessions to be hosted on the second Wednesday monthly.

The next will be on Wednesday (February 11) between 8.30 am and 10.30 am in The Beach Hotel, Minehead.

Each event is open to anybody who works in, runs a business in, or actively supports West Somerset.

With a rotation of guest speakers, the initiative aims to support the local economy and wider community, while creating a collaborative space for business leaders to network and share ideas.

WPA health insurance specialist Jon Goss said: “I really enjoyed the first event and thought it struck a fair balance between being friendly and having a genuine business focus.

“Starting with coffee worked well as it gave time to chat and properly connect before things got going.

“The turnout was very good for a first event, breakfast was lovely, and the atmosphere was relaxed but professional.

“Overall, a very positive experience and I am looking forward to the next one, which I have already booked.”

Guests will enjoy a relaxed morning of breakfast and informal networking and meaningful conversations between local business owners, professionals, employees, and community champions who are committed to the future of the area.

THE true story ‘I Swear’ will be screened by Watchet Community Cinema on Friday (February 13) in Knights Templar School.

The film depicts the experiences of John Davidson, who was diagnosed with Tourette syndrome at a young age and navigates his struggles with the condition, societal ignorance, and his journey toward acceptance and then advocacy.

Performances from the cast are so natural that at times it is easy to forget this is dramatic depiction and not a documentary.

They humanise the challenges John faced from the time he started experiencing his tics and, while the film does not shy away from the challenges of living with Tourettes, it also finds humour in his experiences, creating a nuanced representation of his character.

Doors open at 6.30 pm and the film starts at 7 pm. Tickets at £4 are available on the door. For more information call Anne on 07557 734795.

MEMBERS of Minehead running club finished their year on a high with the annual Porlock Hill run followed by refreshment at the Ship Inn, Porlock, and the presentation of a cheque to the club’s charity of the year The Calvert Trust.

As is now tradition, members dressed in fancy Christmas dress with bright lights and were rewarded with a glass of port and a mince pie when completing the challenge of reaching the top of Porlock Hill before running back down.

This year, an invitation was given to the Minehead Cycling Club to join in and some cyclists took on the challenge with some healthy competition between the two groups.

After the presentation, Gemma Cartwright, fund-raising officer for Calvert Devon said: “The donation will help provide even more opportunities for our guests, their families, and carers to enjoy enriching and accessible breaks in a truly supportive environment.

“Each contribution we receive directly helps create those moments of joy, achievement, and connection that makes such a difference to peoples lives.”

CIVIC and faith representatives from Somerset have made a fact-finding visit to Plymouth to explore the city’s community and cultural connections.

The trip was organised by the Somerset Interfaith Forum, which aims to foster dialogue and understanding among all faiths represented across the county.

Civic dignitaries, themselves reflecting a diversity of faiths, included Lord Lieutenant of Somerset Mohammed Saddiq, High Sheriff of Somerset Janet Montgomery, Somerset Council chairman Cllr Mike Best, Taunton Mayor Cllr Martin Straus, and Mayor of Wells Cllr Louis Agabani.

Faith group representatives included members of the Society of Friends, Buddhist, Muslim, Jewish, non-conformist, and Anglican Christian communities, and reflected a spectrum of spiritual care offered in health, education, and community life.

The Somerset contingent was hosted by Dr Judith Beckman, president of Plymouth Synagogue.

They were treated to an inspirational presentation by Jerry Sibley, custodian of the 263-year-old home of the Jewish community.

Arezoo Farazad, chairman of Plymouth Centre for Faiths and Cultural Diversity, also representing the Lord Lieutenant of Devon, and the Rev Michelle Parkman, multi-faith chaplain of Marjon University, explained the approach of the group, which fosters co-operation among the various faith communities and provides educational encounters to thousands of pupils and students.

Speaking after the event, Mr Saddiq said: “I enjoyed my visit to the Plymouth Synagogue with friends from across the county and from different faith groups.

“It offered a fascinating insight into the history of Plymouth and highlighted the enduring importance of the synagogue.”

After lunch, which included the traditional Jewish delicacy smoked salmon, Cllr Straus, who, by his lineage, is a ‘Kohen’, or Jewish priest, gave the priestly blessing in the traditional Jewish chant, aided by Menachem Olberg, a ‘Levi’, or priest’s assistant.

A reception was hosted by Lord Mayor of Plymouth Cllr Kathy Watkin in her official residence on Plymouth Hoe, a house formerly owned by Lady Nancy Astor, the first woman to sit in the House of Commons.

High Sheriff of Devon Caroline Harlow spoke for all participants in her thanks to the Lord Mayor and appreciation of an absorbing day, saying: ‘It really was wonderful to chat to so many and to learn so much.”

Plymouth Synagogue maintains an Orthodox Jewish tradition and is the oldest Ashkenazi synagogue for Jews of central/eastern European descent in continuous use in the English-speaking world, having been built 1762-64.

The Plymouth trip was the first in what is hoped will be several opportunities to enable representatives from civic bodies and faith communities in Somerset to meet informally and build relationships by visiting places of worship to explore other faiths and cultures.

For more information, contact Andy Spragg via [email protected] or telephone 07780 991 952.