RESIDENTS of Porlock packed the village hall on Saturday (February 14) eager to see if they could spot friends or family members in an impressive collection of historic local photographs.

Throughout the winter, volunteers in the Dovery Manor Museum have been cataloguing their archive of artefacts, documents, and drawings, and had asked the public to help identify the people and events portrayed in a series of photographs.

The hall was filled with tables displaying photographs covering a wide variety of themes – old school pictures, sports teams, and various village events, including the Porlock Carnival.

The exhibition organisers were delighted with the numbers who attended, and with how many people and events they managed to identify.

Museum committee member Jan West said: “It was lovely to see so many people coming together to share their memories and experiences while looking at the photographs and putting names to faces.

“Some recognised, from photographs at home, their ancestors going back three generations.”

The Dovery Manor Museum reopens on May 1, when it will stage a summer-long exhibition celebrating the rich ecology of Porlock Marsh.

The exhibition will mark 30 years since the tail of an Atlantic storm finally breached the impressive pebble ridge edging Porlock Bay, creating today’s saltwater habitat.

A PUBLIC meeting in Kilve was attended by 42 residents from the village and surrounding areas to hear more about proposals for a community shop.

Kilve Community Shop Committee chairman Jim Morris welcomed everybody before committee members reported on their work so far.

They covered the need for a shop, where a shop should be sited, what the planning application was likely to involve, what the expected turnover and profits were expected to be, what the cost of the project was likely to be, and how it would be financed.

The committee stressed that for the project to succeed there would have to be a greater involvement by residents in volunteering to serve on the committee and to help with the staffing of the shop.

There followed a lively question and answer session with people expressing various ideas and points of view.

At the end, a show of hands indicated 28 people were in favour of the project going forward, and 15 would be willing to volunteer.

An online survey has been held to gather feedback from people, the results of which are now being reviewed before a decision is made as to whether to proceed with the project.

Kilve has been without a village shop and Post Office for the past 12 months.

NEW organisers are being sought for Stogursey’s annual Christmas Tree Festival as Pauline and Tim Kaye step down after three years.

The lovely comments received by the couple both during and after the 2025 festival proved it to be as big a success as in the two previous years.

The 21 trees saw seven new entrants, including craft and music groups, nature-based ones, and a ‘Christmas Teddy Bear Tree’, a fund-raiser for Musgrove Park Hospital’s Beacon Centre, which was featured by the Free Press at the time.

Mr and Mrs Kaye said, as always, they were delighted by the variety, imagination, and artistic flair which went into the making of the decorations which provided such a wonderfully eclectic display of trees.

Over the three years, the entry fee has been kept at £5 to enable as many people as possible to take part, and despite fund-raising, the number of entrants meant the couple needed to again ask the parish council for financial support, which they received ans for which a ‘big thank you’ was given.

Mr and Mrs Kaye have decided that it is time to ‘pass the baton on’ to somebody else, either individuals or a group.

They said: “Ageing and the inevitable accompanying health issues for both of us, have played a big part in this decision.

“So, if you think you would be interested in taking over, please give us a ring on 01278 734550 and we will happily have a chat with you about what is involved.

“For now, we would just like to pass on our heartfelt thanks to everybody who has been part of the festivals – entrants, stewards, helpers, we could not have done it without you, we loved working with you, and you all did a really fantastic job.”

THE first Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue (DSFR) community conversations event of the year will focus on the brigade’s community risk management plan.

People can join the brigade’s friendly experts to hear about the process and ask any questions they may have.

It takes place online using the Microsoft Teams from 12 noon to 1 pm on March 6 and is open to everybody who lives and works in Devon and Somerset.

It will start with a 10-minute presentation on seasonal fire safety advice, followed by a general discussion and Q&A.

DSFR consultation and engagement officer Megan Hegarty said: “It does not matter what your background or experience is, whether you represent an organisation or are speaking as an individual, you are very welcome.

“If there is something you would like to find out about, you can share your questions in advance by emailing [email protected].

“We understand there may be some strong views in the virtual room, so we may suggest a separate conversation if we feel a topic needs more time.”

The session can be joined via a link on the DSFR website.

PARISH clerk Lesley Webb is attempting to have a dog exclusion area designated in Timberscombe for the village football pitch, as the nearby play area is already covered by one.

It would mean that dog owners taking their dogs onto the football pitch could be subject to a £1,000 fine.

Somerset Council requires evidence of complaints to the parish council from residents, along with any other supporting evidence.

Anybody who has seen people walking dogs on the football field and wants to support the initiative is asked to email Ms Webb with details of any incidents, with approximate dates and times, to [email protected].

Photographs would also be welcomed along with people’s thoughts on the subject.

Ms Webb said “I am specifically interested in incidents on the football pitch at this time, not general complaints around the village, please.”

COMMUNITY soup lunches are to take place again in Porlock.

Porlock Information Centre is inviting people to attend on Friday, February 27, to enjoy lunch with friends, or to maybe make new friends, at 12.30 pm in the village hall.

A spokesperson said: “Please do come along and enjoy a delicious bowl of soup - vegan and gluten-free diets catered for - cooked by The Top Ship and served by Porlock ladies.

“It is free to attend, but donations of £5 are suggested.”

All donations will be used to support other community work throughout Porlock Vale.

Booking is recommended, by calling 01643 863150.

FAMILIES across West Somerset being encouraged to donate, swap, and discover stories together.

And Somerset Council is making World Book Day made easier, greener, and more affordable for them thanks to a new costume swap scheme launching in local public libraries.

Following the success of the council’s winter coat exchange, Somerset Libraries is looking for donations for a recently launched special World Book Day costume swap ahead of Thursday, March 5.

From half-term, people can donate pre-loved costumes at participating libraries and pick up a different outfit from the costume rail, helping children celebrate reading without the cost or stress of buying new.

The initiative aims to support families while encouraging more people through library doors and promoting environmentally friendly choices by reusing and sharing items.

Local libraries taking part in the scheme include:

Somerset executive Cllr Federica Smith-Roberts said: “World Book Day is a fantastic celebration of reading and imagination, but we know it can sometimes feel like extra pressure for families.

“This costume swap is a simple idea that makes a big difference, helping parents save money, reducing waste, and bringing more people into our welcoming library spaces.

“It shows the strength of our communities.

“By sharing costumes, families are helping one another while supporting a greener Somerset.”

The scheme is easy to take part in:

The costume swap builds on the popularity of previous community sharing schemes in Somerset’s libraries and supports efforts to reuse items rather than buy new, reducing environmental impact and supporting local families.

Residents are encouraged to visit their nearest participating library during opening hours to donate or browse available costumes.

More information about Somerset Libraries in your local branch, or by following Somerset Libraries UK Facebook page, or emailing to [email protected].