Community news from across West Somerset

POPULAR Watchet watering-hole Pebbles Tavern has added to its haul of accolades with its13th Somerset Cider Pub of the Year award, presented by Bob Southwell of the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) to landlord Sean Graham at a ceremony in the pub last week.

Pebbles has also been CAMRA regional cider pub of the year six times and national runner-up twice.

It won its first award in 2014, only months after being taken over by Ben and Tanya Allen - it was the first time they had run a pub.

Mr Graham said: “We pride ourselves on the quality and number of our ciders.

“We have over 30 brands, many of them produced locally.

“We keep winning awards because we have top-class products, a fantastic staff, and a wonderfully loyal crowd of customers, which all makes for a great atmosphere.”

Pebbles Tavern has also made a name for itself as a hotspot for local music, putting on live performances several times a week from blue grass and jazz to classic sea-shanties and visits from top guest artists.

YOUNG people aged 13 to 16 years are being invited to join a free film-making workshop at Minehead EYE to learn new creative skills while helping to shape a campaign about the issues of vaping and its effect on local youngsters.

Organised by Somerset Film, the workshop on August 8, from 10 am to 4 pm, offers an opportunity for youths to have a voice about an issue affecting them.

Working alongside professional filmmakers, they will create their own adverts exploring vaping.

A Somerset Film spokesperson said: “This is not about being lectured or told what to think.

‘Instead, the workshop is designed to listen to young people's ideas, experiences, and opinions, creating content that young people would actually want to watch.”

During the session, youngsters will learn practical filmmaking skills from professional filmmakers, explore how films, adverts, and social media content are created, and develop stories and campaign ideas.

They will also film and edit their own short content and watch their finished films with the rest of the group.

Somerset Film, which runs a community media centre, said no previous filmmaking experience was needed.

Whether participants are interested in acting, storytelling, filming, editing, social media, or simply sharing their ideas, everybody will be welcome.

The spokesperson said: “As well as learning creative and technical skills, participants will meet new people, work as part of a team. and contribute to a campaign which could make a real difference to other young people.”

Following the event, some of the ideas developed by the youngsters will be turned into professionally produced films, with a number of young people invited to work alongside a professional cast and crew and see their ideas brought to life on screen.

Advance booking is essential via the Somerset Film website.

FRIENDS of the Quantocks (FoQ) members are celebrating winning a prestigious award for their pioneering ‘Elm and Hairstreak Project’.

The volunteer-led conservation charity, which has been protecting the Quantock Hills for more than 75 years, received the award from Campaign for the Protection of Rural England (CPRE).

They picked up a ‘Love your Countryside Green Spaces’ award in recognition of a project helping to restore habitats for the rare and endangered white-letter hairstreak butterfly.

The butterfly is dependent throughout its lifecycle on mature flowering elm trees, but its population has declined by up to 80 per cent over the past 50 years following devastation caused by Dutch elm disease.

Before the project’s 2024 start, there had been just five confirmed sightings of the butterfly on the Quantocks in the previous 75 years, the last in 2008.

Elm trees were once a defining feature of the Quantock landscape until the disease destroyed almost all mature trees during the 1970s.

FoQ launched the ‘Elm and Hairstreak Project’ to reverse the decline by planting disease-resistant elms, with the long-term aim of restoring mature elm populations and creating the habitat needed for the butterfly to thrive once again.

Friends chairman Robin Stamp said: “It was a great honour to receive the award on behalf of Friends of the Quantocks, our team of volunteers, and participating landowners.

“It has been amazing to see so much support for the project which has led to the re-discovery of white-letter hairstreak in three Quantock villages and the planting of almost 450 elm trees.”

A team of 20 volunteers has been trained in how to locate white-letter hairstreak caterpillars using ultraviolet lights during nighttime surveys.

Nearly 450 disease-resistant elm trees have been planted across 38 sites throughout the Quantocks by volunteers and partner organisations, including the Quantock Hills National Landscape, pupils from Crowcombe Primary School, the Enmore Wilder Community Group, and local MP Rachel Gilmour.

More than 200 people also attended talks, helping to raise awareness of the butterfly’s plight and the importance of restoring elm trees to the landscape.

CPRE recognised the project not only for its contribution to protecting, restoring, and enhancing the rural environment, but also for the way it has connected local communities with nature through hands-on conservation.

Just over two years after the project began, more than 70 Quantocks sightings of the butterflies and caterpillars have been recorded, offering hope for the species’ future.

More disease-resistant elm trees will be planted this winter, with more than 20 additional landowners already committed to supporting the initiative by providing sites for new planting.

Anybody interested in learning more, supporting the work, or becoming involved can visit the Friends website.

A BEAVER presentation is being hosted by the National Trust in Wootton Courtenay Village Hall on Tuesday, July 21.

It will be an opportunity to hear an update from the trust’s beaver and wetlands project officer Jack Siviter on what has been happening since the release of 11 of the mammals into the wilds of Exmoor on its Holnicote Estate.

News broke this week that some of the beavers have been breeding and kits have been spotted, the first to be born in the wild on Exmoor in 400 years.

The drop-in format event will run from 6 pm to 7.30 pm and will include time at the end for a question and answer session.

DANCERS and musicians from West Somerset Morris are spreading their wings to travel out of West Somerset district next week for two performances.

On Thursday, July 23, they will be dancing at 8 pm at The Valley of the Rocks Hotel, in Lynton, and then moving on to dance near the Rhenish Tower, in Lynmouth at 9 pm.

THE RSPCA has renewed its appeal for people to not forget wildlife as heatwaves see soaring temperatures across the area.

It follows previous hot weather which saw the RSPCA experience its busiest day of the year with 4,135 calls from people concerned about animals.

While many pet owners will be focused on keeping their companions safe and comfortable, the charity is encouraging people to spare a thought for wildlife, as many species can struggle to find food, water, and shelter during prolonged hot weather.

RSPCA wildlife expert Rebecca Machin said: “The last heatwave showed how quickly extreme temperatures can affect animals, including wildlife.

“The RSPCA experienced its busiest day of the year as thousands of people contacted us with concerns for all kinds of animals.

“With another heatwave now here, we are asking people not to forget about wildlife.

“There are simple things we can all do to help.”

The RSPCA is encouraging people to take a few simple steps to help wildlife during the hot weather:

THE garden at Elworthy Cottage will be open again for the National Gardens Scheme (NGS) on Tuesday (July 21).

The garden is planted naturalistically to blend in with the beautiful West Somerset countryside

There are ornamental grasses and late summer perennials along with many interesting trees and shrubs, the meadow areas have good numbers of butterflies in the recent warm weather.

Cottage owner Mike Spiller said: “We do not use pesticides in the garden and all our plants are grown in peat free compost.”

The garden is open from 11 am to 4.30 pm with admission at £5, children free, and dogs are welcomed on short leads.

Teas are available in aid of the Children’s Hospice South West.

The garden is also open for the NGS by appointment until the end of he summer.

Elworthy is on the B3188 half-way between Wiveliscombe and Watchet and more details available by calling 01984 656427 or visiting the garden’s website.