THIS year marks Marcus Capel’s 20th anniversary as musical director of the Minehead and District Choral Society, the second-longest serving in the society’s history.

During the final rehearsal last Saturday (March 28), before the concert featuring ‘The Magic of the Musicals’, society chairman David Beach congratulated Marcus, thanking him for his long service, dedication, and inspirational musical leadership, quipping that Marcus only had another 13 years before becoming the society’s longest serving MD.

Amid warm and appreciative applause from the members and on their behalf, president Daphne Midwood presented Marcus with a kiss, a card, and celebratory cake.

Minehead Choral is a friendly, welcoming group and always happy to greet new members of all voices.

Singers do not need to be able to read music, just to enjoy singing.

Rehearsals for the Christmas concert will start in September.

Anybody interested should contact Penny Brown at [email protected]

Linda Wear

MORE than £5,000 has been raised so far this year for a range of charities and good causes by a series of events organised in its Clipper Lounge by Watchet Bowling Club (WBC) and Community Venue.

These included a quiz in aid of the South West Ambulance charity, which raised £710, and two events which supported the Washford-based South Coast Waves Cheerleaders in their efforts to raise money for a trip to Florida for the Cheerleading All Star World Championships next year.

The group, which has more than 70 members, qualified for the world championships after winning the recent regional finals in Cardiff.

A spokesperson for the bowling club said the two events for the cheerleaders raised £1,924.

They said: “The second, a music bingo, saw people winning fancy dress prizes which they had to wear for the entirety of the night, progressing to the winners having dance-offs.

“The cheerleaders expressed extreme gratitude for the support from WBC and we hope to keep supporting each other’s causes when possible.”

Another bingo night with a difference was held in March, a drag bingo with host Penny Drops, in aid of Crohn’s and colitis charities, which raised £2,155.

The final charity event of the quarter was held on March 28 in aid of the St Renan Twinning Society, when a fun quiz raised £235, which will help to finance hosting visitors from St Renan, Watchet’s twin town in Brittany.

The spokesperson said: “A pretty impressive total of over £5,000 has been raised overall.

“And exercise classes, live music and celebratory events continue to be held, plus indoor bowls, too.

“The outdoor bowling season will also be starting soon.

“Why not come on down and see what we have to offer.

“A warm welcome awaits anybody who visits, and those wanting to try bowling can call Derek, a qualified coach, on 07368592613.”

ON Monday, March 23, a group of female year eight students from Minehead Middle School took part in a ‘walk and talk’ session run by Avon and Somerset Police.

The sessions, organised in partnership with the school, are designed to help local police officers to understand the safety concerns the students may have in and around their local community.

The Monday session was led by PSCOs Samantha Virgin and Harriet James, PCSO supervisor Katherine Williams, as well as Minehead Middle School staff, assistant head Ruth Bulpin, and learning support assistant Ellie Breillat.

It is hoped the sessions will encourage open communication between female students and local police officers, as well as strengthen the trust and relationships between the whole student population and the police.

Ms Bulpin said: “The walk and talk session gave our students a valuable opportunity to share their experiences openly and feel heard.

“Creating space for honest conversations about safety helps empower our young people and strengthens our partnership with the local police.

“We are incredibly proud of the maturity and confidence our students showed throughout the session.”

A LARGE and appreciative crowd attended Porlock Horticultural and Craft Society’s spring show last Saturday to admire a glorious display of spring flowers and applaud the rosette and class winners, who were presented with their prizes by Malcolm Appleton.

Class Results

Rosette winners (best exhibit in each section):

Section I (Narcissi) – Chris Yates.

Section II (other plants) – Jason Senior.

Section III (decorative) – Catherine Greer.

Section IV (children’s entries) – Chloe Denton.

Section V (St Dubricius School entries) – Tommy Ashman.

Section VI (baking) – Andy Short.

Section VII (preserves) – Christine Miles.

Section VIII (homemade drink) – Linda Puxley.

Class winners in each section:

Section I (Narcissi): Sue Appleton, Pauline Garfield, Rosalinde Haw, Wendy Pettitt, Hayley Richards, Jason Senior, Chris Yates.

Section II (other plants): Sue Appleton, Sue Denmark, Jeanette Eastwood, Alanna Edward, Geoff Garfield, Shirley Gibbons, Betty Glossop, Ruth Hyett, Peter Leather, Caroline Lister, Christine Miles, Pam Molford, Jim Moon, Kath Moon, Jeanette Prince, Linda Puxley, Jason Senior, Anna Toeman.

Section III (decorative): Catherine Greer, Hayley Richards, Jeanette Prince.

Section IV (children’s entries): Chloe Denton, Reggie Gande.

Section V (St Dubricius School): Tommy Ashman, Darcie Blaney, Dexter Sutton, Ada Walker-Blair, Margot Walker-Blair.

Section VI (baking): Chris de Vere Hunt, Georgie Ford, Holly Gande, Geoff Garfield, Mij Kay, Joyce Leather, Christine Miles, Kath Moon, Ruth Mounfield, Wendy Pettitt, Andy Short.

Section VII (preserves): Greer Ford, Geoff Garfield, Lorraine Hunt, Christine Miles, Linda Puxley.

Section VIII (homemade drink): Paul Murch, Linda Puxley.

THE Watchet/Saint Renan Twinning Society held its annual community quiz at the Watchet Bowling Club premises on Saturday, March 28, and raised nearly £300 for the society.

The question master Tony Bowden devised an entertaining range of questions, and the overall winners were the team ‘Ooh Là Là’, who received their prize from the society chairperson Marilyn Binding.

The twinning society has been active since its inception in 1979, and is currently preparing to receive a group of 18 French visitors in May.

Various events have been planned, including a visit to the Minehead Lifeboat Station, and a trip to Fairfield House.

Anybody interested in joining the twinning society should contact [email protected] or [email protected].

A spokesperson said: “We are immensely grateful to those who have agreed to host our French guests.”

THERE are some great opportunities to join the Watchet War Memorial Recreation Ground committee as a trustee this year, or to take part as a volunteer with the new events happening on the ground.

Anybody who wants to join would really be helping to raise funds to restore and long-term rebuild the recreation ground’s historic pavilion.

They would be part of a group creating new Watchet traditions for a worthwhile cause.

Along with football, cricket, fun runs, boot sales, a dog show, flower show, and carnival events happening during the year, the committee would like to build on this to raise as much money as it can to keep the ground going.

Volunteers can help even with just a half-day during the year.

Anybody interested should attend the committee’s annual meeting at 7.30 pm on Friday, April 24, in the pavilion.

Or, for those who cannot make the evening but are interested, they can contact Lori by emailing to [email protected] or calling 07935318022.

THE River Severn, Britain's longest river, is known to wash the shores of West Somerset, but many people do not know much about its source and the many beautiful and historic places it passes through to reach the district.

Much will be revealed when David Beach gives a talk, illustrated with more than 100 slides, about ‘The Severn, from Source to Sea’.

Presented by the West Somerset National Trust Association, the talk is open to all, with admission of £4, and starts at 2.30 pm in the Methodist Hall, Minehead, on Wednesday, April 8.

THE Palm Sunday service returned to St Decuman's Church, in Watchet, following services since Christmas being held in the Holy Cross Chapel because there had not been any functioning heating.

Although the church was still waiting after four months for EDF to install a meter for its new heating system to work, it was decided parishioners could brave the cold for Palm Sunday.

Everybody went well dressed in their thickest woolies, and were hoping people would also attend for Easter this weekend.

All will be welcome at the 10.45 am service, but are advised to wear a pullover!