LOCAL village flower arrangers and members of the congregation are pleased to invite everybody to the annual flower festival at St George’s Church, Dunster, taking place from Friday to Sunday, July 25 to 27.

This year's event will showcase exceptional floral exhibits that enhance both the church’s interior and its remarkable architecture, providing a distinctive backdrop for displays inspired by the theme ‘Movies’.

Dedicated members from various village organisations and the community have invested significant time in planning this three-day celebration.

The festival also offers an opportunity to acknowledge the invaluable contributions of residents supporting behind the scenes, exemplifying outstanding community collaboration.

Visitors can enjoy refreshments, including tea, coffee, and homemade cake, and explore stalls featuring handmade gifts, second-hand books, bric-à-brac, and cards. Raffle tickets will also be available for purchase.

A representative of the flower festival said: “We are delighted to host the flower festival once again and welcome visitors to experience the event’s warm, friendly atmosphere.

“All proceeds this year will go toward essential repairs for the church bells and clock tower. Your support is greatly appreciated.

“Please also take some time during your visit to discover the charm of our medieval village of Dunster."

Opening times are as follows: Friday and Saturday, 10 am to 4 pm, Sunday, noon to 3.30 pm (following the flower festival service from 11 am to noon).

All are welcome. Admission is free, while voluntary donations are appreciated.

QUANTOCK U3A Military History group recently visited Minehead RNLI station to lean about the RNLI's role in the Bristol Channel during World War Two.

We had an excellent presentation from Tony White, of Minehead RNLI, who listed the various ‘shouts’ (launches) that the local stations had received during WW2.

Minehead’s switch from a pulling-and-sailing boat to a motor lifeboat in 1939 mirrored the RNLI’s wider modernisation to meet wartime demands.

We learnt about the old pier and the problems caused by its demolition, the work of the ‘Kate Greatorex’ (Minehead's first motor lifeboat which was operational during WW2) and heroic work of then coxswain (G. Slade) and signaller (T. Escott) who investigating suspected wreckage in December. 1941, and sadly were blown up and killed by a mine.

One aspect that was probably not familiar to many of us was that many wartime RNLI crews joined the Royal Navy and thus lifeboats were largely crewed by men past serving age.

It is recorded that during the war there were 3,760 shouts and 6,376 lives were saved.

One question which was unanswered was the circumstances in which two German airmen were found in1941 (allegedly headless) in the Bristol Channel and were buried in a War Grave at St Etheldreda's, West Quantoxhead.

If any readers know of the identity of these men will they please contact the RNLI or the Free Press.

As part of the Quantock U3A, an organisation that offers those no longer in full-time employment to come together, learn new skills, and have fun, the military history group is military in the widest sense of the word, covering Roman history in Dorchester, German occupation of the Channel islands, Naval battles. military flying at Yeovilton, and role of Avon and Somerset Police during WW2.

To find out more about the Quantock u3a and the military history group visit their website or email [email protected].

Stuart Dowding

ON one of the hottest days of the year so far on Saturday (July 12), more than 30 volunteers of all ages joined a summer beach clean and litter pick in Watchet.

The event was organised by local campaign group Plastic Free Watchet and brought together children from Knights Templar Community Church School along with their families and older members of the community who are just as passionate about looking after our planet.

Armed with litter pickers and sacks, some of the group combed West Street beach for items washed up, while others spread out along the coast and around the town to see what they could find.

Among the discarded plastic packaging, bottles, and cans, some more ‘interesting’ things were picked up, including several pairs of sunglasses, a bike pedal, the remains of a metal sign, and a St Ivel yoghurt pot thought to be from the 1980s – a reminder that plastic containers do not just disappear.

At the end of the morning, all that had been collected was sorted back at The Sanctuary, where volunteers were rewarded with well-earned drinks and cakes.

Items that could be recycled were separated and plastic bottles containers and wrappers were counted for the brand audit.

Surfers Against Sewage use the information to put pressure on big companies to reduce single-use plastic packaging.

Alina, aged seven, one of the eco warriors at Knights Templar School said afterward: “It is important to take part because if an animal starts eating the plastics they can get poorly or sometimes stuck, like in fishing line and hooks.

“Also, when the tide comes in it can take our rubbish straight back to the ocean and hurt other animals.”

Event organiser Andy Levett said: “It is always good to come together and do something positive in our community and at the same time reminding ourselves of the huge amount of unnecessary single-use plastic we throw away every day.”

Plastic Free Watchet is part of Plastic Free West Somerset, along with the Minehead and Exmoor groups.

For more information on the campaign visit sas.org.uk/plastic-pollution/ or follow ‘Plastic Free Communities in West Somerset’ on Facebook.

THE West Somerset Morris will be celebrating their 60th anniversary with Chalice Morris on Saturday, July 19, at 11.15 am at Minehead Railway Station, then at 12 pm outside the Ship Aground, Minehead Harbour, and 2.15 pm in Dunster Yarn Market, and 3 pm at Skye’s Bar, Wootton Courtenay.

The Morris dancers and musicians will also be performing on Thursday, July 24, at 8 pm at the Valley of Rocks Hotel, Lynton, followed at 9 pm at the Bath Hotel, Lynmouth.

TWO new chaplains have been appointed to Hinkley Point C, enhancing the pastoral support available at the UK’s largest construction site.

The lead and night chaplains will join the team supporting workers in a partnership between EDF and Somerset Churches Together, with the funding provided by EDF.

The Ven Andrew Hillier is lead chaplain for the multi-faith chaplaincy team and takes up the position in November, when Ewen Huffman, the site’s first chaplain, steps back after more than five years but will continue part-time.

Alongside Andrew, Lieut Heather Culshaw will be the dedicated night chaplain, strengthening the commitment to round-the-clock pastoral care for the workforce.

Archdeacon of Taunton the Rev Prep Simon Hill said: “I am delighted that with Hinkley Point C we have been able to make two great appointments to serve all those working on site.

“Andrew and Heather bring different experience and wisdom and will both be real assets to the construction site.

“Under Ewen Huffman’s leadership the chaplaincy has developed enormously and its role is appreciated by the very large workforce. Ewen will continue to be involved.

“We look forward to the next chapter in the Hinkley chaplaincy as it branches out to include night time as well and supports its 12,000 workforce from more than 100 countries.”

Hinkley C project construction director Rob Jordan said: “We are very pleased to give a warm welcome to both Andrew and Heather.

“The team of chaplains are a much-valued asset to all of us who work here, helping to bring people together and to provide a listening ear.

“The welfare of our workers is at the heart of all that we strive to achieve on this amazing project.

“I would also like to thank Ewen for all that he has contributed since starting out as the first salaried chaplain to a UK construction site back in 2020.

“Ewen has not only become a much-loved and respected member of our family, but he has also grown his own family of chaplains to help reach out to all sections of the workforce.

“It is a tribute to his dedication that he is able to hand across the lead chaplaincy in such good order.”

Andrew is Chaplain of the Fleet and Archdeacon for the Royal Navy, working to the First Sea Lord leading the chaplains who support the men and women who are scattered across the world and has served on tours of duty in Afghanistan, and taken part in an exchange with the US Navy.

Heather previously served as an associate chaplain on the Hinkley site alongside her role as a Salvation Army officer.