Jill Newton is a well known Watchet artist, specialising in book illustrations- she has a great love of horses which figure in very many of her pictures.

She recently opened her workshop to the public as No.13 in Anchor Street. Jill has long had a link with the Forget me not Cafe and has now joined the Watchet Dementia Community. Soon after the picture was taken she visited the Cafe for a session. And what did we all draw? Horses of course!

To learn more about activities for people living with dementia in this area plus their friends and families contact Margaret Tatham on [email protected]

Minehead Gardening Club held its Annual Plant Sale on May 24 at Minehead Methodist Church Hall to raise club funds.

A wonderful assortment of plants, flowers, cakes, jams, garden produce and sundries were soon snapped up. Refreshments were enjoyed and the tombola sold out.

Some visitors to the sale exchanged gardening tips with the club members manning the stalls and over a cuppa. A really enjoyable occasion for everyone.

Information about the Gardening Club and the programme of events for year 2025/26 was on display with new members signing up on the day.

Thanks go to the Methodist Church for use of the hall and facilities.

And, of course, thank you to everyone involved in making the plant sale a success.

Total raised £796.56p.

THE last-ever exhibition in Watchet’s Lynda Cotton art gallery, featuring the work of its founder and owner, the late Nick Cotton, was a sell-out and a huge success, his daughter Jennie Jukes said this week.

The week-long exhibition of oil paintings, water-colours, sketches and prints, reflecting every aspect of the town Nick had loved for more than 60 years, attracted hundreds of residents, and visitors and more than 50 artworks, many never seen in public before, were sold on the first day.

Jennie said: “We sold 101 paintings out of 102 and we could have sold many more.”

Nick Cotton, a local historian, artist, and art and antiques expert, died suddenly in December, 2023, aged 74, and his exhibition was the last before the gallery, which he opened 40 years ago, closes for good.

Jennie said: “The week was incredibly emotional, seeing so many people come through the doors to see dad’s work.

“So many complimentary words said and wonderful stories shared.

“It really felt like a most fitting tribute to somebody who gave his life to Watchet and its people.

“This little town was his whole world.

“We spent years telling dad he should have a retrospective exhibition at the gallery but he never felt confident enough to display his own work on the walls.

“We really wanted everybody to be in a position to enjoy dad’s work in their own homes, which is why the pieces on sale were all affordable and we were thrilled they were all snapped up.

“Many of the paintings featured Watchet characters and surroundings, particularly the harbour, the sea, and ships.

“Dad was completely self-taught with no formal training and some of his best work was produced as he sketched away at the kitchen table while we chatted over a cup of tea.”

A TRIO of West Somerset shanty singers has boosted the funds of charity Prostate Cancer Research in support of fund-raising efforts by former group member Chris Webb.

The £700 donation from Hugill’s Crew comes after Mr Webb was diagnosed with advanced prostate cancer last November and has since raised more than £2,000 for the charity.

Williton-based Chris, who is currently undergoing chemotherapy and other treatment, received the money at an afternoon tea also attended by former Hugill’s Crew member Colin Adams.

Mr Webb said: “I was really touched to receive the cheque from my shanty friends and I know it will fund more research into what is now the most common cancer in men.”

In February, Mr Webb completed a 56-mile walking challenge, clocking up to two miles a day to raise money for the charity.

This was despite undergoing two sessions of chemotherapy during the month.

He said: “The support and generosity of my family and friends has been overwhelming.

“The treatment has been hard but it means that at the moment I am able to live with prostate cancer.”

Since being set up in 2019 by Keith Woolgar, from Minehead, Hugill’s Crew, previously a five-man band named after former celebrated British shantyman Stan Hugill, has raised thousands of pounds for charitable causes and provided hours of entertainment.

Although officially disbanded more than a year ago, Keith and fellow singers Ray Coleing, also from Minehead, and Mike Dibble, of Timberscombe, continued to raise money at a limited number of events.

Mr Woolgar said: “We have supported a large range of charities in the past, including Guide Dogs for the Blind and the RNLI.

“So, we were delighted to help Prostate Cancer Research.”

The shanty singers have appeared at venues large and small in the past six years from Minehead’s Regal Theatre to Women’s Institute meetings.

The Exmoor Coast Railway Modellers are holding their annual model railway show, EXMOOR RAIL, on Saturday 31st May at The West Somerset College, Minehead, TA24 6AY, from 10am to 4.30pm.

There will be many high quality layouts, demonstrations, societies and wide trade support. Hot and cold food/drinks will be available all day and the entire show is on the ground floor. There is also free onsite parking. This is a really friendly show and all are welcome. Entry charges apply.