A WOMAN who was raised on Exmoor and now lives in California, USA, has just had a new book published by Pavilion ELT, a part of Pavilion Publishing and Media Ltd, based in Brighton.

Carol Lethaby grew up in Exford and attended Exford First School, Dulverton Middle School, and the West Somerset School, in Minehead.

Since studying languages and linguistics at Essex University and earning a teaching qualification at York University, Carol has been living abroad and teaching English, as well as training teachers and writing textbooks for learners of English.

In 2024, she was asked by Pavilion ELT to edit a series of books which deal with issues in the field of English language teaching.

The new book ‘Women in ELT: the brain, language and power’ is the first in the series, which she has authored with her colleague Patricia Harries.

The book is about the history, science, and circumstances that make sexism and gendering so prevalent in today’s society and in teaching.

Carol has lived and worked worldwide, including for 14 years in Guadalajara, Mexico, and now lives in San Francisco, where she has lived for more than 20 years.

The book is available now at https://pavpub.com/pavilion-elt/action-on-issues/women-in-elt.

Carol’s father John Lethaby still lives locally.

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CARHAMPTON Community Orchard midsummer picnic is being held on Sunday (June 29) from 12.30 pm and 3 pm, when visitors are invited to go along and revel in the beauty of the orchard. Organiser Elizabeth Atkinson said: “Bring your own food and drink and something to sit on and enjoy making new acquaintances and learning about our many varieties of apples - not to mention pears, plums and a medlar - as you stroll among the trees.

“The orchard has uneven ground, with some patches of nettles and thistles, so come prepared.”

The orchard is opposite the currently closed Carhampton Stores, and parking is available at Carhampton Recreation Centre for a £1 donation, the entrance to which is near the bus stop.

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The West Somerset Morris, who are celebrating their 60th anniversary year in 2025, will be dancing at The Hood Arms, in Kilve, from 8 pm on Thursday, July 3, and would welcome the support of people to go along and watch.

Practice sessions will resume in the autumn following the annual summer dance outs and will be held from 7.30 pm to 9.30 pm every Thursday in the St Audries Village Hall.

Anybody interested in joining West Somerset Morris either as a dancer or a musician, or both, should call 07853 546777 or email [email protected].

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SATURDAY, June 21, was officially the hottest day of the year, so it was truly appropriate that the Watchet Twinning Society was able to hold their midsummer barbecue and boules evening on such a beautiful day.

The barbecue, together with a friendly boules tournament, was held at the Star Inn, in Watchet, the food was voted ‘excellent’ and the members of the society enjoyed getting together once more for this informal event.

It was a splendid way to spend a long summer evening enjoying the treat of good weather.

A ‘thank you’ went to all those involved in organising it.

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MORE than £600 was raised toward Wootton Courtenay’s All Saints’ Church roof repairs with a tea party held by Ingrid and Nigel Popplewell at their Manor House.

The couple thanked everybody who attended and contributed so generously to raise more than £645, as well as the cake makers who provide a ‘most delicious and eclectic selection’ with barely a crumb remaining at the end of the afternoon.

Thanks also went to Carrie, Martin, and Roz for manning the teas, and Simon and Jeremy and Alan and Greta for the loan of some very stylish garden chairs.

The couple said: “We loved sharing the garden with you all, and it was really nice to get so many lovely, positive comments about it.”

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THE 2025 Dulverton Weir and Leat Conservation Trust (DWLCT) annual summer garden party with Lord Dulverton on Tuesday, July 8, will celebrate the anniversary of the formation of the trust in 2016 and give an update on progress.

The format this year will be on a charitable donation basis with a suggested donation of £15.

DWLCT was set up by local people and wider interest groups who have been working to save Dulverton’s medieval weir and mill leat from collapse, restore them to good condition, and conserve them for future generations.

This is an important grassroots community initiative and many local people are enthusiastically engaged and interested in its potential, as well as in the new and important discoveries that are coming to light and regularly being reported in the media.

It is no exaggeration to say that Dulverton would not have grown to be the town it is today without the waterpower provided by the weir and leat for industry and commerce.

Helped by the trust’s project partners and also by Historic England, Leicester University, The Environment Agency, and the Wild Trout Trust members have embarked on a journey to save this historic asset (known by academics as an 'Urban Watermill Landscape).

The project goals are:

More information about the project can be found on the trust’s website www.dulvertonweir.org.uk.

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CHORAL Evensong will be celebrated in St Andrew'’s Church, Old Cleeve, on Sunday, July 6, at 5 pm with a performance by the choir Cantores Laeti (Joyful Singers), from Taunton.

Everybody is warmly invited to the hour long service.

This Sunday (June 29) a one-hour benefice service will be held in Cleeve Abbey on the festival of Peter and Paul, Apostles, when people are advised to take along their own portable chair.

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OLD Cleeve parish councillors have restated their decision that from May, 2026, they will be moving to the interment of ashes only in Leighland graveyard.

Anybody who would wish to be buried in Leighland graveyard is asked to contact the rector, the Rev Richard Higgins, so that a record can be kept of their wishes, especially if there is a certain location they have in mind.

There is little new space left (for burials), and Rev Higgins is aware of those who may wish to be close to relatives.

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The Rev Margaret Jackson, who has been an assistant priest for many years in both the now defunct Dunster Benefice and the current Grabbist Hill Benefice, is retiring.

There will be a service for her, followed by a tea, at St John’s Church, Carhampton, on Sunday, July 20, at 3 pm.

Everybody is most warmly invited to the occasion and the opportunity to say farewell to the Rev Margaret.

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Man enthusiastic, competent, and motivated individual with an interest in community and local government is being sought to fill a vacancy for a parish clerk for Over Stowey Parish Council.

The clerk is the council’s only employee and mostly works from home while also attending meetings in the village hall usually on the third Wednesday evening of the month, except in August.

A full job specification is available on the council’s website and application forms, which need to be returned by Monday, July 14, can be obtained by emailing [email protected].

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The garden of Cherry Tree Cottage, in Allerford, is being opened again by Mike and Scilla Barney to the public on Saturday (June 21) from 10 am to 4 pm, when all donations will be welcome in aid of Allerford village playground.

This is a pop-up event, raising money for a new slide in the Allerford playground.

Parking available at Allerford Village Hall.

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MINEHEAD Museum has emerged from its surround of scaffolding in time to receive the 80,000th visitor since the museum project started.

The special visitor was Mr Viper Storm, a musician from Barnstaple.

Visiting Minehead for the day, he had a chance to admire the hobby horse and this year's new displays, including those featuring Samuel Warren and the Minehead Turnpike Trust, and the career of botanist Isabella Gifford.