POLICE chief’s widow Connie Matthews was the star of the show again as she celebrated her 105th birthday with a party in Croft House, Williton, for family, friends and staff.

Mrs Matthews, who used to live in Periton Road, Minehead, also received a 105th birthday card from King Charles and Queen Camilla.

After moving to Minehead in the mid-1980s Mrs Matthews was well-known in the local amateur dramatics and dancing scene and for her involvement in Minehead University of the Third Age (U3A).

The seaside move with her late-husband George came after his retirement from the police force.

He had been chief superintendent in Bath’s city police when the force merged with Somerset to become today’s Avon and Somerset Constabulary.

Croft House offers specialist residential care and is itself celebrating an anniversary - its 15th year.

YOU know you are in for an excellent evening when even unfamiliar music feels promising because you trust those delivering it.

From the opening ‘Seize the Day’, Minehead Male Voice Choir set the tone, entertaining and uplifting the audience.

Their opening sequence included ‘Love Is All Around’, the calypso ‘Yellow Bird’, and finished with the energetic ‘Cat-Like Tread’ from ‘Pirates of Penzance’.

The concert in Minehead Methodist Church also featured the talented Taunton Deane Male Voice Choir celebrating no less than their 80th year this year.

Their segment was a delight, ranging from ‘Every Time I Feel the Spirit’ to the serene ‘Benedictus’.

The repertoire included ‘Away from the Rolling Sea’ and a standout ‘Pinball Wizard’.

Who would have expected a 1969 UK chart hit to become a 2026 highlight for TDMVC in Minehead?

Mike Wager’s speedy piano performance was a visual and musical treat.

Bravo, maestro!

The first half ended with ‘I Have a Dream’, a musical interpretation of Martin Luther King’s speech, timely and poignant.

After the interval, nobody needed persuading to return - we were keen for more.

Excitement rose as TDMVC began the second half with ‘Man of La Mancha’ (with blink-and-you-miss-it choreography), followed by ‘Another Day’ and a superb ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’, where the basses excelled.

Their enthusiasm was obvious.

The set closed with ‘The Wonder Of You’ and a stirring ‘How Great Thou Art’.

Minehead MVC returned with competitive spirit, launching into the breathless ‘Rhythm of Life’ from ‘Sweet Charity’.

Their moving rendition of Coldplay's ‘Fix You’ highlighted both music and lyrics.

The set also featured ‘Siyahamba’, ‘Stars’ from ‘Les Misérables’, and concluded with the Welsh hymn ‘Deus Salutis (God of Salvation)’.

Had the concert ended there, we would have been satisfied, but the joint performance was the real highlight.

Together, both choirs sang the Welsh Temperance prayer ‘Rachie’, leaving us wanting more.

The evening finished with ‘American Trilogy’, made famous by Elvis, and with all 80 voices united, they truly were all kings for the night.

Credit must go to the outstanding musical directors Jackie Butterworth (MMVC) and Nick Thomas (TDMVC) for their calm dedication, and the skilled accompanists Chloe Kingdon (Minehead) and Mike Wager (Taunton).

The comperes also deserve thanks - Phil Knowles (TDMVC) and the brilliantly witty Kerry Steele kept us entertained.

It was a magnificent, heart-warming evening on a blustery Saturday night.

If you have never attended such a concert, consider this, I brought a friend who did not expect to enjoy it, but after the standing ovation, he exclaimed: “That was brilliant.”

Listening to MMVC is addictive – give them a try next time. SP.

Editor’s note: The Free Press apologises for the lateness of this review, which was submitted in good time last month but was overlooked. As they say, better late than never.

THE annual duck race has become a much-loved tradition in the Porlock community, bringing people together for a day of fun while supporting an important cause.

Over the years, the event has grown from a small local gathering into a highlight of the calendar, with families, friends, and visitors all coming along to take part and cheer on their chosen ducks.

The purpose of the duck race has always been simple, to raise money for the carnival and help ensure it continues to thrive for years to come.

Every duck purchased for the race, which will be held on May 24 during the bank holiday weekend, contributes directly to funding the festivities which so many Porlock people enjoy each year.

It is a fun and light-hearted way to support something that means a great deal to the whole community.

On the day of the event, the doors will open at 12 noon, and there will be plenty to keep everybody entertained.

Alongside the excitement of the race itself, there will be a barbecue, bouncy castles, and lots more activities for all ages to enjoy, making it a perfect day out for families.

This year’s duck race is particularly special, as it is raising funds for Porlock Carnival’s 40th anniversary, which this year is on September 5.

Reaching the milestone has been a fantastic achievement for the community, and the intention is to make this year’s celebrations bigger and better than ever.

A spokesperson said: “Your support will help us mark this occasion in style and ensure the carnival continues for many more years to come.

“To help make the day a success, we are also looking for volunteers to lend a hand.

“Whether it is helping set up, running stalls, or supporting activities throughout the day, any time you can give would be greatly appreciated.

“We are also welcoming donations such as cakes for our stalls and prizes for our raffle, every contribution, big or small, will help us raise even more for this year’s special event.”

SOMERSET Sight, a local charity which supports visually impaired people in the county, will again be taking its mobile advisory service (MAS) to communities across West Somerset and Exmoor this spring and summer.

Its van is stocked with various gadgets and resources which can help the visually impaired.

People are welcome to visit the MAS if they wish to buy anything, or are simply seeking advice and guidance.

Appointments are not needed.

Dates for the next MAS visits are:

A spokesperson for the charity said dates were subject to change, so anybody making a special journey should call 01823 333818 before visiting.

SEED is one of the cheapest methods of propagation, and MoreVeg has plenty to choose from, as Rachel Martin will explain when she gives a talk to members of Wootton Courtenay Gardening Club on Tuesday (April 21).

Based near Bridgwater, MoreVeg produces seed in smaller packets than most commercial seed merchants, which is economical for the customer and ideal for gardeners growing on a domestic scale.

And it is not only vegetable seeds, it offers a range of flower and herb seeds, too.

In her talk, Rachel will be giving members an insight into nursery life, telling them about a few of her favourite plants grown from seed, and offering some practical tips along the way.

Club chairwoman Marion Jay said: “We will be serving tea and biscuits in the hall from 7 pm before the talk, so please come early if you can.

“We are experimenting with teas at the gardening club meetings to see how popular it is, so your support might just swing the balance.”

The talk is free for club members, and £3 for guests.

THE garden of Elworthy Cottage will be open on Tuesday, April 21, from 11 am to 4.30 pm as part of the National Gardens Scheme.

The garden is filled with colourful spring flowers such as primulas, pulmonarias, and spring bulbs, and with plants for foliage and architectural effect such as epimediums, black leaved cow parsley, euphorbias, and clipped box.

The magnolias are in full flower and there are wood anemones and primroses in the wild flower area, and there are many interesting trees and shrubs and plants for foliage effect.

There is lots of birdsong and the bees are busy gathering pollen and nectar from the early flowers, bumblebees are particularly fond of pulmonarias.

Birds are busy nesting around the garden but swallows and house martins have not yet returned, and it is hoped they soon will.

There will be teas in aid of the Children’s Hospice South West.

Entry is £5, and children go free, while dogs are welcome on short leads.

Further details available on 01984 656427 or via the garden website.