TO help entice new members, Minehead Rotary Club is hosting a ‘Community Volunteer and Recruitment Coffee Morning’ on Saturday, October 18.

It will be in the Minehead Methodists Church Hall from 10 am to 12.30 pm.

The event, which first took place in 2023, is intended to enable interested members of the local community to come and find out much more about the wide variety of community groups and charities operating in West Somerset.

All organisations are in need of volunteers or additional members so this is an opportunity to meet some of the people involved and ask lots of questions - who knows, you may find out about something new that you might wish to get involved with!

Contact Richard Robbins on [email protected] if you have any questions.

VOLUNTEERS from across the West Quantocks area came together on the last Saturday of September at Watchet Community Centre to repair broken household items, making the launch of the West Quantocks repair café a great success.

Clocks and table lamps that had ceased to function were safely fixed and tested. Broken furniture, ornaments and household gadgets were mended, and numerous kitchen knives, secateurs and scissors were sharpened.

“Everybody has something in their house that would end up in landfill if it can’t be repaired. Our aim is to reduce landfill, minimise waste, and fix small items and gadgets for the local community,” said Paul Levy, Repair Café organiser. “And if we can’t fix it, we can advise on how to recycle it safely.”

Thirty local people brought their items for assessment and repair, some of which were taken home by volunteers for later repair and collection from Watchet Visitors’ Centre. The café element of the event was a great success, with coffee and cakes enjoyed by repair clients while they waited.

The event launch was supported by Somerset Communities Group (CAG), Watchet Coastal Communities Team (WCCT), Co-op Liddymore Road, Chives Café, East Quay Café, and Watchet Marina Café and Shop.

The next Repair Café will be on November 29. For more information, email [email protected] or find us on Facebook.

THE Watchet Community Cinema will be holding its AGM on Wednesday, October 22, and then showing the acclaimed documentary "Ocean with David Attenborough".

This event will be held at the East Quay cafe TA23 0AQ with the meeting at 6.45 pm.

From 7 pm the cafe with licensed bar will be open for drinks, cakes and snacks, the film starting at 7.30 pm.

“Ocean” explores the importance of the Earth’s seas and the considerable threats they face.

Space is strictly limited so booking is essential to ensure a seat. Tickets are £4. Call Anne on 07557 734795 to make your reservation.

As the year draws slowly to its close, Minehead Male Voice Choir continues to work hard in preparation for its final concert in what has been a very full year.

After the success of the Anniversary concert in March, further performances were staged around the area of Minehead including a first ever concert in Williton.

This final concert will take place on Friday, October 24, in Minehead Methodist Church starting at 7.30 pm, when the stage will be shared with Corby Male Voice Choir who will be on a short weekend tour of Somerset.

Following the end of the concert season the choir will then return to the rehearsal room to prepare pieces – new and old – which will form the basis of the programme for the new year of 2026. The highlight of next year will be the third visit to the prestigious Cornwall International Male Choir Festival, when there will be the opportunity to listen to and sing on the same stage as choirs from not only the UK but from across the world.

New members are always welcome on a Monday evening in Alcombe Methodist Church, with rehearsals beginning at 7.15 pm. No audition is necessary, simply the ability to hold a tune. All gentlemen who are interested to learn more are welcome to come on a Monday evening to see what is involved.

MEMBERS of Minehead Twinning Association joined celebrations recently marking 35 years of twinning with St Berthevin (France).

On 25th September representatives of five countries convened in St Berthevin (France) for a weekend, to celebrate 35 years of twinning between St Berthevin and Minehead, and 30 years of twinning between St Berthevin and Caslino d’Erba (Italy).

Other towns represented, also twinned with St Berthevin, were Wehingen, (Germany) and Ceuti, (Spain).

Thirteen members of the Minehead Twinning Association travelled to St Berthevin, some by car, others were met from the ferry at St Malo by minibus provided by the town council of St Berthevin.

They were greeted with a warm welcome by their hosts and treated to generous hospitality and cultural entertainment. The highlight was a ceremonial evening on the Saturday, including a formal event at which all the countries represented renewed their pledges of friendship and mutual understanding by facilitating exchanges between their respective towns. They spoke of the importance, at a time of such uncertainty in Europe, of maintaining these bonds with each other. Minehead’s mayor was unable to be present but each of the other mayors attending spoke with passion about the value of the exchange. A letter from the Minehead Mayor was read out by Jonathan Greenhow, with a warm invitation for a future visit to Minehead.

Entertainment was provided by a choir and traditional Breton dancing as well as several bands. On the Sunday there was a visit to a former convent, now converted into a very modern and well-equipped music school and cultural centre with a beautiful theatre. This was followed by a boat trip on the River Mayenne

The group returned, humbled by the generosity and warmth of their hosts and looking forward to the next exchange.