Author: Lesley Webb

Regal Theatre in July

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THE BALLAD OF WALLIS ISLAND (CERT 12A)

Tuesday 1st July 2025 – 7:30pm

Carey Mulligan is at her most magnetic playing one half of an estranged folk duo in a film about  an eccentric lottery winner Charles who lives alone on a remote island and dreams of getting his favourite musicians McGwyer Mortimer back together. His fantasy quickly turns into reality when the bandmates and former lovers accept his invitation to play a private show at his home on Wallis Island.  But old tensions resurface as Charles tries desperately to salvage his dream gig/

BROADWAY & BEYOND

Friday 4th July 2025 – 7:30pm

Now in its seventeenth successful year touring the UK, Broadway and Beyond is a thrilling and entertaining mix of musical wit from the most popular musicals of the twentieth and twenty-first centuries.

The show consists of music from shows that have all appeared, at one time or other, on or just off Broadway – New York’s legendary theatre district. Featuring songs from classic productions such as Oklahoma!, Kiss Me Kate and The Music Man through to more modern musicals like Miss Saigon, The Producers and Spamalot, there is something to charm and delight the whole family.

BREATHLESS, PERFORMING THE MUSIC OF THE CORRS

Saturday 5th July 2025 – 7:30pm

The stunning and talented Berry family perform their show Breathless, an outstanding celebration of the music of The Corrs. The Berry family – Three sisters and their father recreate the The Corrs beautiful harmonies and look. They are said to be the No. 1 tribute to The Corrs, as they entertain audiences with the amazing songs of this iconic band. Beth, Livvy and Natalie have been singing, playing and dancing from a young age in their professional family band. They work worldwide at events, festivals, entertainment venues and at corporate engagements. Beth is lead singer, Livvy plays percussion and pads, and Natalie plays guitar. Lewis, their father, a recognised session singer and guitarist, sings and plays guitar.

AHH… FREAK OUT!

Saturday 12th July 2025 – 7:30pm

‘Ahh…Freak Out!’ is a high-energy, fast paced, feel-good tribute to 1970’s disco music scene. No details have been spared as we lovingly recreate the magic of the world’s biggest disco hits. A step into the glittering time machine into the dazzling 1970s, as we bring the disco inferno back to life!

Get ready to boogie as we take you on a magical journey delivering non-stop, chart-topping disco hits! We’re talkin’ Donna Summer’s sultry vibes, Earth, Wind & Fire’s cosmic funk, the Bee Gee’s silky harmonies, and Gloria Gaynor’s fierce diva power! So, dust off your bell-bottoms, slip into your shiniest platforms, and join us in the heart of FUNKYTOWN for a disco extravaganza that you’ll never forget!

THE SEARCHES & THE HOLLIES

Thursday 17th July 2025 – 7:30pm

`The Best of Both Worlds` brings to the stage the iconic magical hits of two of the biggest bands in the 60s and 70s era and features an incredible back catalogue of over 30 hit songs. This show is performed by the Amazing FOD band. Hear hit after hit in this live action-packed show.

The FOD Band`s qualities were recognised by Tony Jackson, the original lead singer of The Searchers, who selected them to be The Tony Jackson Group and to back him on his Tony Jackson sings The Searchers Shows. One of the biggest highlights of those days was when the guys backed Tony in front of 80,000 people who filled the street in front of a big stage erected just beside Mathew Street where the Cavern Club in Liverpool stands and where The Searchers and The Hollies appeared early in their musical careers.

Lada Dance Academy present – GET THE GROOVE!

Friday 25th July 2025 – Saturday, 26th July 2025 – 7:30pm

LADA Dance Academy have been working hard on their annual dance showcase packed full of amazing moves and some of the hottest tunes from all eras.  With students of all ages and a wealth of young talent, LADA Dance Academy bring you ‘Get the Groove’ and are ready to go!

 MINEHEAD AND EXMOOR MUSIC FESTIVAL 2025

Monday 28th July 2025 – Saturday 2nd August – 7:30pm

Now in its sixty-second year the Minehead & Exmoor Music Festival is a celebration of the finest classical music. Each year a symphony orchestra of 65 to 70 professional musicians visits Minehead for a week of glorious music making.   In three concerts, the Festival Orchestra, with conductor Christopher Stark, present a selection of popular works mixed with some less well-known pieces.

Monday 28th July features works by Vaughan Williams, Richard Strauss and Beethoven.

Wednesday 30th July features works by Smetana, Prokofiev and Brahms

Saturday 2nd August features works by Butterworth, Walton and Sibelius.

For details of how to become a Festival Friend and for the full programmes of all the concerts please visit the festival’s website: www.mineheadmusicfestival.org

Tickets for all events may be booked in advance online at https://regaltheatre.co.uk/whatson or from the Box Office (Tel 01643 706430) between 9.30am and 12.00pm Monday – Saturday;

Wootton Road Closure

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Notice from the Wootton Courtenay website.

It seems there may be some confusion over which road is currently closed for works by National Grid, as ‘Road Ahead Closed’ signs have been placed on several different access points to the village. Just to clarify: the closure currently applies to Ranscombe Road only. You will be notified via email before National Grid move onto another road.

Please note, any road closures by National Grid are from 8.30am – 5.00pm on weekdays only. There is no closure of any road on evenings, weekends, or overnight.

Marion Jay

Can you help?

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Timberscombe Village Hall will be holding their annual clean up on Saturday 14th June 10am-12 noon.

This is a chance for us to tackle areas which the regular cleaner doesn’t do , such as cleaning window, walls, microwave and fridge,  weed clearance outside, touching up paintwork, etc.

We would be delighted if any parishioners could come along and give us a hand.

Just turn up. Cleaning equipment, tea/coffee and biscuits provided.

Nuclear regulation news

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Parish Council Chair’s Report May 2025

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There have been 4 changes in personnel on Parish Council this year. With Flo Lloyd, Allan Sutton, Scott Walker and Kathy Walker stepping down from the Parish Council. We thank them for their efforts whilst on the Council. In May 2024 I was re-elected as Chairperson for the year.

The Parish Councillors are now K. Attwater (KA, Chair) S. Campbell (SC), C. Gibbard (CG), J. Daniel (JD), L. Davies (LD), I. Ware (IW), H. Moore (HM) and the clerk is L. Webb (LW)

Our County Councillors are F. Nicholson (FN) and S. Pugsley (SP)

The following areas of responsibility have been agreed by the councillors:

KA – Chair, LCN rep, Housing Enabler link

LD – Footpaths and Bridleways

SC – Village eyes and ears and JAPF chair

CG – Liaison with the School

IW – Defibrillator monitor, SID. Bus representative

JD – Facebook

All Parish Councillors are also trustees of the JAPF.

Over the last year there has been 5 planning applications.

EAST HARWOOD FARM
Hedgerow located between the A396 and Knowle Lane,TA24 7TD
North Hawkwell Farm, TIMBERSCOMBE,  TA24 7UH
Croft Cottage, BURROW, TIMBERSCOMBE, TA24 7UD
WELL FARM COTTAGE, TIMBERSCOMBE, TA24 7UB

Details of planning applications and our responses can be viewed on the ENP website.

Unfortunately, our requests for an enforcement notice to be served for unlawful work on one house in the village continues to be denied by ENPA.

Our request for the builders rubbish in Great House Street to be removed was more successful, thanks to help from Webbers estate agents.

Throughout the year the PC has organised village maintenance, including the cutting of hedges and grass and the clearing of roadside weeds.

We contract the emptying of the dog and rubbish bins and the filling of the salt bins and bags. We have also made repairs to dog bins.

Councillors planted a large number of  daffodil bulbs around the village and this gave a good show in the spring.

The grass cutting regime, which caused much discussion last year, has been re-evaluated and we hope that it will be more successful this year.

Our plans for Mr Fowler to replace the bus shelter, which is in a poor condition, where scuppered when he suddenly closed his business. We have now accepted a quote from Mr Evans to rebuild a slightly different shelter, with a small brick wall and a greater paving area for users to stand on.

Numerous potholes, problems caused by tree roots and damaged or missing signs were reported to Somerset Council for repair by the clerk. Problematic street lighting has been reported for repair. Parishioners should be aware that they can report problems themselves by using the “problems on the roads” page on the Somerset Council website. Alternatively, problems can be reported to the PC clerk.

The Parish Council’s query about the frequency of road sweeping resulted in the immediate siting of the sweeper in the village !

Footpath problems have been dealt with by our Footpath Liaison officer, Mr Southon, Cllr. LD or the Clerk. Reports have included trees down, vegetation blocking pathways, holes in footpaths, discarded tree guards and rubbish.

The PC has not forgotten the perennial problem of the surface water in Great House Street. The Parish Council has been working with Somerset Highways to try to resolve this problem. Unfortunately, Wessex Water refused permission for the water to be diverted to a nearby drain, as they are trying to reduce surface water entering their system. A quote of £75,000 – £100,000 was then given for a gulley to pass down the side of the road to the nearest permissible drain. This then prompted a suggestion from the Parish Council to insert a new drain to link up with a nearby drainage system. This would be considerably cheaper. Positive discussions have been taking place between Highways and a resident’s solicitor to undertake this work as a solution.

Speeding has long been an issue in the village. The Parish Council have now purchased a speed indicator device (SID) which we hope to put up shortly. One post has been agreed with Highways, opposite the Old Dairy. We are awaiting a new post at Duddings and a person to undertake the appropriate training. We are grateful to the owners of Duddings who have agreed to us siting a post on their grass.

Following concerns expressed by villagers. The Parish Council also purchased three  “slow 10mph” signs which have been put up on the 3 entry point to the village centre. The Council would like to thank the Weallans for allowing us to site a sign in their garden. We are also discussing the possibility of CCTV at the Post Office junction, following several accidents at this site.

The PC works closely with other agencies. A huge amount of time was spent by councillors on the Magna heating problems. This culminated in an agreement to hold a residents’ meeting at the village hall. The event was well attended and productive on both sides, with many inspections arranged and many jobs undertaken by Magna. The replacement of the Magna roofing in The Glebe has resolved several problems but discussions are still underway between the Parish Council and Magna about other issues.

We were delighted to hear that Magna have received a grant to retro-fit all of the Orchard properties in 2025 with up to date heating systems. Our councillors have also met with our local MP, Rachel Gilmore, about the Magna problems.

We continue to have discussions with FN, SP and Somerset County Council to try to ensure Magna are held to account at County level and above.

The Parish Council worked with Wessex Water to ensure the smooth replacement of the water mains throughout the village. This now been successfully completed and I sent a letter to Wessex Water thanking them for the efficient way the work was completed, with all areas (except Great House Street) being completed earlier than planned.

The local Citizens Advice team continue to support our residents and this year the Parish Council agreed to a donation of £315 to help them with their work with Timberscombe residents.

The Parish Council also gave a donation of £20 to the Poppy Appeal and our internal auditor donated her fee of £40 to the Red Cross. The church was given a donation of £350 to help with their grass cutting costs and £200 was donated towards the  Dunkery Tidings. We continue to fund the village website.

A one off donation of £3000 has been given to the playing field committee to enable them to pay for the lease extension legal fees and insurance.

One of the other worthy projects in the village has been the purchase of an emergency generator by the village hall. The Parish Council was pleased to support this initiative with a £600 grant. Final touches are currently being made to the village emergency plan before it is published.

IW has  now taken over the responsibility for the defibrillator. The Parish Council organised a First Aid training night in the village hall. This excellent course, run by the Minehead Defibrillator Group, was attended by 26 residents. A donation of £100 was given to the group for the training. A villagers’ Whatsapp emergency call group has now been set up to summon help in an emergency. Following the training the Parish Council also purchased a Bleed Kit, which is sited in the red telephone box in The Glebe, alongside the defibrillator.

The clerk and I have been regular attendees at the Local Community Network (LCN) which meets to ensure that local issues are dealt with. The worrying financial crisis at Somerset will inevitably mean that the Parish Council will have to do more than in the past to take up the slack. The Council has a good reserve, which has been earmarked for village projects, such as the bus shelter and SID training. It was agreed not to increase the village precept by more than the rate of inflation, which was at that time 2.5%.

Following a presentation by Victoria James, our local micro-provider lead, the Parish Council was able to obtain a grant of £3000 to enhance village resilience amongst the elderly or infirm. This grant will be managed by the Good Neighbours team which aims to use it to improve communications between villagers and micro-providers, to increase the number of providers in the village, to connect people to those who can provide help and to support the work of the Good Neighbours. So far it has funded such things as the free cream teas, connecting residents and helpers, purchased some items for the emergency plan and some disabled equipment for the team to use with its clients.

Colin Mc Donald, a rural housing enabler, also attended one of our meeting. The discussion centred on housing needs in the village, the worrying number of 2nd homes and the lack of truly affordable housing.

As trustees to the John Arlott Playing Field, the Parish Council looks after the play area. As a result of our work the play area received a very good annual inspection in October.

The JAPF have long found it difficult to secure grants for new equipment, because they do not own the land, or have a long term lease. The JAPF committee was unable to persuade the diocese to sell the land to the village but we have now negotiated an extended 20 year lease. This will enable the committee to apply for larger grants, such as the lottery.  We hope to sign this new lease shortly and we will then be able to plan for more equipment. A huge amount of fundraising will be needed. If you are interested in helping please get in touch.