Community news from across West Somerset

‘THE Signalman’, a short story by Charles Dickens adapted for the stage by Jonathan Holloway, echoes haunting, real-life-inspired events which profoundly affected the author's later life.

The tension-packed tale set against the often romanticised ‘Age of Steam’ could not have found a better setting than the beautiful, historic Minehead Station.

Sat between the carriages and train engines of the West Somerset Railway, my excitement for this piece of theatre was already high.

As the ghostly chorus actors appeared, skeletal and dressed in their Steampunk Victorian style (with a touch of Clockwork Orange), making wonderfully dramatic use of their instruments and voices, I knew I was going to be in for a treat.

The Greek Tragedy-style chorus, moves props around with precision, creating the world of the various scenes and providing eerie tension throughout the tale that draws us in and does not let go.

The addition of the chorus is a stroke of genius by Pleasure Dome, adeptly directed by Scott Le Crass, as they serve to underscore what is essentially a two-hander between our main characters, The Visitor - Ben Fensome, and The Signalman - Gerald Dickens.

This chorus also leave their suitcases or lamps at times, seamlessly jumping into the story as supporting characters, such as Charlotte Ellen’s unnervingly recognisable Landlady - Mrs Carter (who makes one worry if I, too, may have left muddy prints on the carpet of my own lodgings).

Or, Nayomie James’ traumatised and moving Train Driver, as well as local actors Molly Gooch and Freya Warren-Brand’s tragic portrayal of a young married couple, before returning to the ensemble alongside multi-talented producer/actor, Helena Payne, who leads the music with her accordion, all serving as the ghosts or demons that haunt the memories and sleep of our storyteller.

Known to medical science today as PTSD, Fensome’s nuanced portrayal captures the debilitating condition with a genuine sensitivity, skillfully drawing on his background as a comedic actor to turn the screws of the drama as a delightfully awkward character with just the right mix of ‘pathos’ and ‘bathos, fitting to the Greek style of the play.

Gerald Dickens, our Signalman, is no stranger to the play.

As great-great-grandson of the author, he has played many Dickens roles, with a one-man The Signalman already in his repertoire, and brings a weight of gravity and dramatic tension to the role that keeps the heart rate high.

Also suffering from immense strain in an era when mental health was largely misunderstood and often decried and disparaged as simply ‘weakness’, Gerald’s portrayal sensitively captures the heart-wrenching predicament our lonely, fearful, and isolated Signalman feels in his job, which has become his life.

As the play reaches its climax, the revelation of the struggles of both our lead characters reveals the personal cost, brutal decisions and wider tragedy that can easily accompany ‘progress at all costs’.

This beautiful, tense, and stylised play has really been a triumph on all levels and continues to establish Pleasure Dome Theatre Company as a tour de force of theatre in the South West.

Daniel Arbon

RESULTS from the annual Cutcombe Show, which was postponed in June and instead held earlier this month, were as follows (in 1,2,3 order):

Working Hunter Pony not exc 15hh - 1 and Rosie Cockerton Shield Valder Freedman (Aspen), Ros Kempe (Eddie), Lyra Burt (Little Miss Piggy).

Riding Club Horse - 1 and Shearwell Cup Fliss Gostling (PFP Portbreaker), Sam Symonds (Willie McKovin), Lizzie Little (Gem).

Retrained Racehorse - 1 and Stevens Trophy Sam Symonds (Willie McKovin), Pip Bishop (One Step Ahead), Lizzie Little (Gem).

Small Ridden Hunter not exc 15hh - 1 and Badcock and Evered Cup Lyra Burt (Little Miss Piggy), Emily Illing (Wellshead Squiggle), Ella Watts (Gallahad).

Ridden Hunter exc 15hh - 1 and Skipper Shield Fliss Gostling (PFP Portbreaker), Grace Blackwood (Beau), Maddie Turner (Love Whisper).

Best In Show for Chanin and Thomas Cup, Champion Sam Symonds (Willie McKovin), Reserve Lyra Burt (Little Miss Piggy).

Fancy Dress - Amy Sellick (Household Cavalry), Hazel Richings (Hungry Caterpillar), Annabelle Quick (Hey Diddle Diddle).

Best Turned Out - 1 and Claire Challinor Cup Ella Watts (Gallahad), Bobbie Wyn-Evans (Maisie), Millie Vincent (Gwyn).

Leading Rein 12.2hh and under - 1 and Jim Stevens Cup Ruby Merchant (Teddy), Millie Vincent (Gwyn), Amy Sellick (Jimmy).

First Ridden 12.2hh and under - 1 and Clarence and Christine Stevens Cup Hugo Partridge (Pippa), Ruby Merchant (Teddy), Bobbie Wynn-Evans (Maisie).

Family Pony - 1 and Henry and Peggy Stevens Cup April Little (Bluebell), Pip Moody (Tyrone), Hugo Partridge (Pippa).

Pony Club Type - 1 and De Souza Cup Lyra Burt (Little Miss Piggy), Ella Watts (Gallahad), Grace Chapman (Alfie).

Veteran 15 yrs and over - 1 and PG Hayes Shield Emily Illing (Wellshead Squiggle), Millie Vincent (Gwyn), Sophia McKenzie (Cara).

Ward Cup for Best Rider In Ring 2 - Ella Watts.

Best Pony in Show for Jack Strong Cup - Champion Emily Illing (Wellshead Squiggle), Reserve Ruby Merchant (Teddy).

Ring 3 Mountain and Moorland

In Hand 1, 2, 3 yo - Emily Eels (Lady of the Glen), Poppy Goodwyn (Jinks); In Hand 4 yrs and over - Pip Bishop (One Step Ahead), Elsie Poirier (Daisy); Ridden Exmoor - Claire Phillip (Tipperlake William), Maisie Miles (Angus), Hazel Richings (Geronimo); Ridden Non-Exmoor - Imogen Tucker (Tiger Lily), Primrose Parkman (Dinky), Felix Murray (Bow); Exmoor 1, 2, 3 yo - Charlotte Matravers (Tawbitts Dakota), Tricia Gibson (Tawbitts Diamond), Amanda Hill (Tawbitts Dixie); Exmoor In Hand 4 yrs and over - Maisie Miles (Angus), Cassie Sheasby (Apple Blossom), Lizzie Little (Gem); Joyce Trow Cup for Best M&M Champion - Imogen Tucker (Tiger Lily), Reserve Elsie Poirier (Daisy); Bob Westcott Cup for Best Exmoor Champion - Maisie Miles (Angus), Reserve Lizzie Little (Gem); Tawbitts Rosebowl for M&M Overall Champion - Maisie Miles (Angus), Reserve Imogen Tucker (Tiger Lily).

Ring 4A

Handy Pony - Hatty Alford (Jinx), Pip Moody (Tyrone), Chloe Long (Petal).

Gymkhana (A 8 yrs and under, B 12 yrs and under, C Open) A Bending - Imogen Tucker, Pip Moody, Isabel Cole; B Bending - Kaleb Neate-Burke, Mollie Stenner, Leanna Cook; C Bending - Gussie Daniel, Caleb Weston, Olivia Stenner; A Card Game - Pip Moody Tristram Rawle, Beatrice Randall; B Card Game - Angus Neate-Burke, Kaleb Neste-Burke, Poppy Goodwin; C Card Game - Sophie Stenner, Beth Rawle, Caleb Weston; B Mug Race - Leanna Cook, Mollie Stenner, Harry Harding; C Mug Race - Caleb Weston, Gussie Daniel, Olivia Stenner; B Sack Race - Leanna Cook, Sophie Stenner, Alfie Rawle; C Sack Race - Gussie Daniel, Caleb Weston, Olivia Stenner; A Potato Race - Isabel Cole, Harry Harding, Pip Moody; B Potato Race - Sophie Stenner, Leanna Cook, Mollie Stenner; C Potato Race - Gussie Daniel, Olivia Stenner, Caleb Weston; A Hunt the Sweet - Harry Harding, Pip Moody, William Randall: A Flag Race - Harry Harding, Isabel Cole, Pip Moody; B Flag Race - Kaleb Neate-Burke, Mollie Stenner, Sophie Stenner; C Flag Race - Gussie Daniel, Olivia Stenner, Caleb Weston; A Cutcombe Cup for Points Winner - Pip Moody; B Kath Rawle Cup for Points Winner - Mollie Stenner; C Claire Shield for Points Winner - Gussie Daniel.

THE monthly coffee morning of Minehead and District u3a welcomed Hazel Prior, local author and Celtic harpist.

Hazel’s books have wildlife and environmental themes and are published in more than 20 languages.

Her second novel, ‘Away with the Penguins’, was a Richard and Judy Book Club pick in 2020, a BBC Radio 2 Book Club pick, and a number one bestseller.

She gave a fascinating insight into the stories behind her five novels, reading extracts accompanied by evocative music from her harp.

The next coffee morning is on October 15, in Minehead Methodist Church, when Di Martin will talk about the life of Billy Butlin.

A SUCCESSFUL geology and rock pooling day was held on Kilve Beach by the Quantock Hills National Landscape joined by members of Watchet ecology consultancy Geckoella.

Dr Andy King, a well-known palaeontologist from Geckoella with more than 30 years of experience, led two geology walks along the beach.

Throughout the day, he shared his extensive knowledge and helped visitors uncover the fascinating geological history of the area.

Meanwhile, Kate Jeffreys, an ecologist with more than 20 years of experience, was on hand to help visitors identify the species they discovered in the rock pools.

Nets and trays were provided for visitors to borrow and they were encouraged to take their finds to the QHNL stand for identification.

Crabs were by far the most common discovery, and Ms Jeffreys explained it had been an excellent year for crabs, with increased numbers being recorded locally.

A QHNL spokesperson said: “It was fantastic to see so many children fascinated by the creatures living along our coastline, as well as the fossils that can be found there.

“Their enthusiasm, curiosity, and eagerness to learn were among the highlights of the day.

“Our stand also featured an impressive display of fossils and shells which attracted plenty of interest throughout the event and provided another opportunity for visitors to learn more about the area’s natural and geological heritage.

“Overall, the day was a great success, giving visitors of all ages the chance to explore Kilve Beach, discover local wildlife and fossils, and learn from the experts at Geckoella.”