Community news from across West Somerset

VISITORS would never have guessed it was a drought year, looking at the displays for Wootton Courtenay Flower and Produce Show on Tuesday (August 4).

The show benches were laden with beautiful flowers and plump vegetables.

The scent from the sweet pea and rose tables was described as ‘heavenly’.

There were cakes and bread of all kinds, delicious jars of preserves, and some remarkable creations in the needlecraft and knitting categories, including a stunning quilt made by the show secretary, Roz Griffin, which won ‘Best in Show’.

The 16 cup winners received their trophies from former chairwoman Veronica Clegg.

The photography section was judged by a people’s choice’ secret ballot and was won by a photograph of Exmoor trees by Greta Gardner.

Show chairwoman Ingrid Popplewell said: “This has probably been one of the most difficult gardening years we have faced.

“The combination of extreme heat, no rain, and some strong winds has stressed our plants and stressed us, and has really woken us up to the implications of the changing climate.

“Despite the challenges, we have had a great turnout of entries, which is just fabulous.”

The proceeds of the show go to Wootton Courtenay Gardening Club, which donates all of it to various good causes locally, including the community growing project Good Vibe Veg, at Horner, and the West Somerset Food Cupboard.

FROM Minehead to the world stage, young Spotlight Dance Academy dancers Billy Cook and Mollie Eagle have returned from the Dance World Cup in Dublin after competing against 11,500 dancers from more than 40 countries.

The two talented youngsters achieved some of the best results in the world, putting a small West Somerset dance school firmly on the international map.

Ten-year-old Billy, from Minehead, finished an incredible fifth in the world in the Mini Boys Lyrical Solo category, while 13-year-old Mollie, also from Minehead, achieved an outstanding fourth and two sixth place finishes.

It was Spotlight Dance Academy’s first appearance at the Dance World Cup finals, making the achievements even more remarkable.

Simply qualifying for the event is a significant achievement, with only the highest-scoring dancers from qualifying competitions earning their place.

Billy’s fifth place finish came during his Dance World Cup debut, while Mollie’s success reflects years of dedication, balancing school with intensive training and monthly sessions with Elite Acro Dance Associates, travelling across the country to further develop her skills.

Spotlight principal Laura Cook said: “Watching Billy and Mollie perform alongside the very best young dancers in the world has been one of the proudest moments of my career.

“When people think of West Somerset they do not necessarily think of producing world-class dancers, but Billy and Mollie have shown that with talent, determination, and the right support, you can compete with the very best in the world.

“For a small dance school like ours to achieve these results at our very first Dance World Cup is simply incredible.

“They represented Spotlight Dance Academy, their families, and West Somerset with professionalism and confidence, and we could not be prouder.”

Behind the results lie years of commitment, early mornings, evenings in the studio, long journeys to competitions, and countless hours of practice.”

Ms Cook also paid tribute to Spotlight’s competition team and sponsor Integy, whose support helped make the dancers’ journey to Ireland possible.

RESULTS from this year’s Dunster Country Fair include the following (in 1,2,3 order), with results for the hounds classes to follow next week due to limited editorial space:

Exmoor Pony

CLASS 1 - YEARLINGS Tawbitts Dove, Anchor U.F.O, Tawbitts Dactari.

CLASS 2 - 2 yr olds Anchor Tigers Eye, Threeshires Raedwald, Westwilmer Juncus, Westwilmer Jasmine, Sweethworthy Toffee, Sweetworthy Tulip.

CLASS 3 - 3 yr olds Withypoole Jennifers Delight, Anchor Sanderling.

Youngstock Championship Champion - Anchor Tigers Eye, Reserve - Withypoole Jennifers Delight.

Class 4 - Senior Geldings Pinkery Tamarix, Tawbitts Squirrel Nutkin, Fearland Pico’s Quest, Dunkery Bullfinch, Anchor Kryponite, Withypoole Anstey Duke, Blackertor Sinbad.

Class 7 - Dry mares Burrewelle Blue Ivy.

Senior Championship Champion - Pinkery Tamarix, Reserve - Tawbitts Squirrel Nutkin.

Class 8 - Inhand Pairs Westwilmer Jasmine + Westwilmer Juncus, Sweethworthy Toffee + Sweetworthy Tulip, Withypoole Jennifers Delight + Withypoole Anstey Duke.

Class 9 - Best bred on Exmoor Pinkery Tamarix, Anchor Kryponite, Tawbitts Squirrel Nutkin, Withypoole Jennifers delight, Tawbitts Dove, Westwilmer Juncus, Withypoole Anstey Duke, Westwilmer Jasmine, Tawbitts Dactari.

Class 10 - Best Bred outside of Exmoor Threeshires Raedwald.

Class 11 - Junior Handler all joint winners - Mystical Master Bee, Anchor Bufo, Blackertor Sinbad.

Class 12 - Leid rein and junior ridden Anchor Kryponite, Anchor Bufo, Mystical Master Bee.

Class 13- novice ridden Tawbitts Squirrel Nutkin.

Class14 - Open Ridden Mystical Master Bee, Dunkery Bullfinch, Anchor Kryponite.

Ridden Championship Champion - Mystical Master Bee, Reserve - Anchor Kryponite - with junior rider.

Supreme Championship Champion - Mystical Master Bee, Reserve - Pinkery Tamarix.

Equestrian

INTER HANDY HUNTER – CHAPEL CLEEVE MANOR PC CUP Minehead Harriers – Izzy Mackin & Hannah Hill, West Somerset Hunt – Harriet Aldworth & Olivia Stepner, TVBH – Tully Mugleston & Caitlin Callaghan.

PONY CLUB INTER HANDY HUNTER Dulverton West Team 1 – Tully Mugleston & Caitlin Callaghan, Devon & Somerset F Team – Imogen & Harriet Aldworth, Dulverton West – Angus & Caleb Neate-Burke.

Family dog show

Best Puppy 6-12 months Chelsea with Ronnie, Patricia Cooke – Fred.

Best Condition Chelsea – Petal, Karen – Turbo, Lisa – Crumpet.

Best Rescue Marilyn – Odie, Oliver – Milo, Winifred – Hector.

Terrier Type Karen – Turbo, Julian - Trebyla, Emma – Bramble.

Veteran - over 7 yrs Harper – Chewitt, Ailbe – Elvis, Carol – Bradley.

Hairy Dog/Bitch Julian - Trebyla, Winifred – Hector, Carol – Bradley.

Smooth Dog/Bitch Chelsea – Ronnie, Heidi – Dash, Paul – Phoebe.

Best in Show from 1st prizewinners 1-7 Champion: Chelsea Smith – Ronnie, Reserve: Karen Pollard – Turbo.

Child Handler Ben & Harry – Scout, Heidi – Dash, Leni – Dill.

Waggiest Tail Winifred – Hector, Marilyn – Odie.

Best Trick Chloe & Buddy.

A TRULY inspiring concert was given by Minehead Male Voice Choir in St Andrew’s Church.

Despite the exceptionally hot weather, the gentlemen maintained amazing energy throughout a varied and challenging programme compiled by their musical director, Jackie Butterworth, herself an extremely talented, experienced soloist and voice coach.

She has developed her choir to a very high standard, paying close attention to detail, dynamics, excellent diction, every word could be clearly heard.

The choir demonstrated beautiful soft singing, rising to glorious, powerful crescendos when required.

Every member was firmly focussed on their conductor, thus expressing the full range of emotions determined by the music.

The choir was expertly accompanied and supported by Chloe Kingdon, who worked very hard all evening, playing with strength and sensitivity, also accompanying ‘Fields of Athenry’ on her flute.

The concert was brilliantly compered by the ever-popular Kerry Steele, whose lively anecdotes never fail to amuse and entertain.

There were a variety of solo items, giving the choir a well earned brief break, also providing interesting contrasts.

John Brooke sang ‘Tickle My Heart’ and ‘Leaning on a Lamppost’, accompanying himself on his ukelele.

Later, Andy King sang ‘My Oklahoma Home’, ably playing his guitar.

Ivan Evans contributed an excellent account of ‘Yorkshire Puddin!’, bringing a smile to the audience’s faces.

One special solo commanded huge applause, consisting of two contrasting piano pieces, beautifully played by Jackie’s 10-year-old granddaughter Florence, who already shows great musical promise.

A real highlight of the evening was a duet sung by tenor Glenn Baker together with Jackie.

They gave an exquisite interpretation of Caccini’s ‘Ave Maria’, their voices blending perfectly, displaying the emotion and beauty of the piece. Utterly sublime.

There were many contrasting items in the programme, demonstrating the versatility of the choir.

All were sung with enthusiasm and appropriate dynamics, extremely well executed.

The communication and camaraderie between the choir and their conductor was palpable throughout, culminating in a wonderful rendition of ‘Morte Christe’.

Jackie joined her choir singing the final verse, clearly demonstrating the shared musical passion of every member of MMVC as they go from strength to strength.

Rapturous appreciative applause concluded a superb evening.

SMD

A GROUP of church members from across the Quantocks has made a pilgrimage from St Decuman's Holy Well, in Watchet, to St Andrew's Holy Well, in Stogursey, and were joined by new Bishop of Taunton the Rt Rev Dr Fiona Gibson.

The route led the pilgrims along the King Charles III Coast Path.

All four parts of Quantock Deanery were visited as the pilgrims called in at East Quantockshead church for refreshments and Kilve church for a short service, finishing at St Andrew's Well, which had been given a beautiful well-dressing for the event.

Bishop Fiona said: “I really enjoyed experiencing the varied coast and countryside of the Quantocks as well as meeting and talking to those who walked with me on the journey and to those who met us, and fed us, at each stop.”