THE tradition of choral evensong is one which is being enthusiastically revived at St Petrock’s Church, in Timberscombe.

On June 4, for the second year running, a professional choir will sing music including Tallis, Purcell, Ayelward, and J.S. Bach.

With the aid of a grant from the Choral Evensong Trust last year, the parochial church council (PCC) was able to invite and host a choir who it is delighted to announce will be returning for choral evensong this year.

To reinforce its community engagement and to enrich the spiritual life and cultural life of the church, the PCC was pleased that a new local sponsor has come forward to ensure it can host evensong at 5 pm on the actual date of the church’s patronal feast in 2026, which is long held to be June 4.

The power of choral evensong is such that it draws in people who may not be regular churchgoers - given a regular average congregation of 20 villagers last year, there was an absolutely packed church with 100 people.

The desire to hear extraordinary music at a special event, enhanced by the liturgy of evensong, and accompanied on the church organ, is powerful and the PCC is sure it will be as much of a draw this year as last.

Prosecco and canapés are offered after the evensong at no charge, although no church is able to resist a voluntary donation if given.

ST Dubricius Church has joined forces with Porlock Parish Council to help nature thrive while caring responsibly for the churchyard’s shared space.

Villagers will see grass managed at different heights, with some areas kept short for access and others left longer to encourage wildflowers which provide food and shelter for wildlife.

A spokesperson said: “This approach will be planned and carefully managed to support biodiversity while respecting the character of the churchyard.

“We recognise it may not be to everybody’s taste, but it reflects a shared commitment to nature recovery and invites villagers and visitors alike to pause, look more closely, and consider the part we can all play in supporting wildlife.”

THE garden of Elworthy Cottage is open again for the National Garden Scheme on Tuesday, May 12, and Monday, May 25, which is the Bank Holiday Monday, from 11 am to 4.30 pm.

The garden is full of colour from euphorbias (spurges), flowering trees and shrubs, and Welsh poppies and red campion which are dotted throughout the garden.

Hardy geraniums and other perennials are just coming into flower.

The warm weather has been good for the bees collecting nectar from the flowers and there have been good numbers of early butterflies, especially orange tips.

The house martins have returned to their nests but yet again there have been only a few swallows seen.

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

Entry is £5 with children free, and dogs welcome on short leads.

Further details available by calling 01984 656427 or visiting the garden website.

ON Friday, May 15, Watchet Community Cinema will be screening ‘H is for Hawk’, a dramatisation of Helen Macdonald’s bestselling 2014 memoir following Helen (Claire Foy), who, after the sudden death of her father (Brendan Gleeson), loses herself in the memories of their time birding and exploring the natural world together.

She turns to the ancient art of falconry, training a wild goshawk she names Mabel to navigate through her profound loss.

But, as she teaches Mabel to hunt and fly free, Helen discovers how deeply she has neglected her own emotions and life.

What begins as an act of endurance transforms into an intimate journey of resilience and healing.

The beautifully shot film, with amazing performances from Foy and Gleeson, balances bruising candour about mental health issues against arresting wildlife photography and a fervent appreciation of the natural world.

The film is being shown in Knights Templar School, with doors opening at 6.30 pm and the film starting at 7 pm.

Tickets at £4 are available on the door, and more information can be obtained by calling Anne on 07557 734795.

A FORMER diplomat for 35 years, including in the British Embassy in Italy and UK Ambassador to Libya, Iran, Qatar, and Yemen will be one of the star guests appearing in this year’s Dulverton Exmoor Literary Festival.

Nicholas Hopton will be in conversation at the festival with travel editor and garden designer Miranda Taylor, who is launching a programme of wellness escapes at her home in Exmoor.

Lovers of Tuscany will be delighted that Hopton will be bringing his charming book ‘Maremma Mia’ to Dulverton.

At the centre of this memoir is the chronicle of the Hopton family’s adventure as they transform an old farmhouse, ‘I Cipressi’, in the rural Maremma region of Tuscany into their home.

The narrative unfolds across the changing seasons, capturing the unique beauty and unpredictability of renovating a property abroad.

Through these experiences, Hopton reveals both the joys and challenges of rural life, painting a detailed picture of the local customs and traditions.

A festival spokesperson said: “This lovely book evokes the unspoilt charm of southern Tuscany, serving as both a travel narrative and a love letter to a little-known corner of Italy, set against the backdrop of a changing world.

“Tom Leonard, of the Daily Mail, notes that the book is ‘a memoir that does for southern Tuscany what Peter Mayle did for Provence’, highlighting its power to capture the allure of Mediterranean rural life.”

The festival is in its fifth year and runs from Friday to Monday, November 13 to 16.

AMBITIOUS plans to build 580 high-quality, energy efficient council homes over the next five years are at the centre of a new housing strategy announced by Somerset Council.

But 98 have already either been completed, such as the 54 in Rainbow Way, Minehead, or are almost ready for occupation, meaning the strategy should see another 482 by March, 20231.

And most of the new properties will be built in towns along the M5 motorway corridor.

The council is teaming up with social housing manager Homes in Somerset for its first joint social housing development strategy, providing guidance and structure for the housing development programme of its housing revenue account (HRA).

The approach details the ambitious building goal with a spotlight on affordability, sustainability, and meeting the needs of Somerset’s diverse communities.

The council said the strategy would help to deliver thriving, balanced, and mixed communities where everybody had an opportunity to live in a safe, secure, and affordable home.

A focus on supporting customers’ physical, mental, and social health, with safe, affordable, energy-efficient, low-carbon homes which enable independence, is key to success.

While addressing the challenge of expanding into new areas of the county, including rural sites with their own specific needs, it also outlines tackling complex housing needs and displaced people.

Somerset executive Cllr Federica Smith-Roberts said: “This social housing development strategy sets out our own bold and inclusive vision to build more council homes.

“Our approach is rooted in partnership and collaborating closely with local landowners, parish councils, developers, and community stakeholders to unlock new opportunities and deliver homes where they are needed most.

“This strategy is more than a plan for bricks and mortar.

“It is a commitment to strengthening communities, supporting local growth, and addressing the challenges of climate change.

“By prioritising energy efficiency and environmental standards, we are not only reducing fuel poverty but also contributing to a greener Somerset for future generations.

“We know that good housing is the foundation of wellbeing, prosperity, and opportunity, and we are determined to ensure that every resident, regardless of age or income, can enjoy the security and dignity of a safe home in Somerset.”

Homes in Somerset, an arm’s-length organisation fully owned by the council, manages about 4,000 of the existing 10,000 council homes across the county.

WATCHET’S Pebbles Tavern has won the Cider Pub of the Year award for the 12th year in a row from the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) Somerset branch.

Landlord Sean Graham said the success could not have been achieved without his superb team of staff.

A CAMRA spokesperson said: “This small, unique tavern has won numerous CAMRA awards since 2014.”

Pebbles, in Market Street, was also runner-up in 2015 and 2022 in the National Cider Pub of the Year Awards.

As well as the pub’s ales, it can stock up to 30 ciders, 60 gins, 24 rums, and 64 whiskeys.

The spokesperson said: “You are allowed to bring in your own food from various shops in Watchet.

“Poetry night is the first Tuesday of the month and regular music nights include folk, sea shanty, jazz, and acoustic.”