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This is the Parish Magazine for Timberscombe and Wootton Courtenay and has been published for many years, certainly since 1936 (which is the earliest copy we have seen)

Survey February 2023 We conducted a survey where we asked those who take the magazine, to respond to questions including the future of the Dunkery Tidings.

All respondents said that they would like it to continue, in paper format, as a source of current local information EVEN IF this information is available online elsewhere. The attractiveness being that information about local events available in one place and in paper form, is extremely useful for reference.  

In no particular order these included

Church services in St Petrock’s and All Saints, and rotas.

Names and contact details for local businesses

Adverts and timings  for forthcoming events – clubs, church, social, fundraising, commercial.

Cookery recipes from Wooden Spoon

Reflections from the Rector and Bishop

Review of events of the previous month.

Most respondents wished to see future Dunkery Tidings magazines include

More parish information and not just the church news

Parish Council information – counsellor member details, dates of meetings, synopsis of minutes.

Schools information – what has passed and what is planned, what can villagers attend

Clubs  – local clubs. More information about what and when, including what takes place in  the Village Hall.

Buying and selling adverts.               Crossword/ quizzes/ puzzles on a page

Events being held outside Timberscombe and Wootton Courtenay.

In the future it is likely that most copies will be available for collection from the Post Offices in both villages (it is already in Wotton Courtenay) and a few will be delivered. We are trying to hold the price for 12 issues to £4

To make this sustainable for the future we ask you to

Sign up for an annual subscription now at £4 which is amazing value. Every subscription counts!

If you have a Directory Entry to advertise your business please pay your sub now – £5 per line for entry in all 12 editions. And if you haven’t advertised before, please do so. The magazine currently reaches 128 homes and is a very cost effective way to promote your enterprise. Please contact the Editor Miss Sarah Campbell at the Post Office or the Timberscombe Churchwardens, Marion Jeffrey (01643 841500) or Kate Hart (01643 841745)

With your support and contributions we can ensure the Dunkery Tidings survives and thrives!

Urgent drain and gully repairs are being undertaken on the A39 Selworthy Road between Headon Cross and Venniford Cross next month.

Somerset County Council’s Highways team will be carrying out the repairs and preparatory works under a road closure during daytime hours, 9.30am – 3pm between 6 March and 10 March. Outside of these hours temporary two-way traffic signals will be in place.

All HGV vehicles over 17 tonnes and/or over 9.5m in length will be held at holding areas and access will be granted through site between 1pm and 1.30pm.

Emergency vehicle access will be granted throughout the road closure period. This will be managed by gate personal.

Access via A39 to Wootton Courtney will be available. We would advise road users to not use this as a local diversion route.

A full road closure is also required for when resurfacing of the road gets underway during night-time hours, 6pm to 7am between 13 March and 16 March. The road will be open outside these hours.

The section of the road to be resurfaced – between Headon Cross and Venniford Cross – is 450m long. Access to Wootton Courtney from Venniford Cross will not be available during the closure.

Councillor Mike Rigby, Somerset County Council’s Executive Lead Member for Transport and Digital said: “We delayed these works to find a more suitable time so the closures will have a reduced impact on road users. The work is essential – we are improving drainage and carrying out repairs.

“However, we understand there will still be disruption which is why undertaking these works outside peaks hour is likely to limit just that.

“Our team will do everything they can to minimise this. Our team will be in touch with residents and businesses in the immediate area to ensure they have all the information they need.”

“Please do check the details on the diversion and plan ahead if you use this route regularly.”

Minehead and Coast Development Trust, Somerset Wildlife Trust, Exmoor National Park and West Somerset Green Forum are working together to deliver an exciting iNaturalist training session at the Beach Hotel in Minehead on Saturday 4th March 2023 at 10am. Come along and learn how to use iNaturalist to record local wildlife and add to national and local databases.

Free tea, coffee and cakes available.
Free entry. Book your space now!

Book Now

West Somerset Housing Emergency Campaign – Fri 17th March, 7pm

Meeting convened by West Somerset Community Land Trust at 7pm in the Old Hospital, Minehead. We will set up an action group to tackle the lack of affordable housing in this area. Contact hestertavens@yahoo.co.uk.

Farming Developments and Food Production in Carhampton – Sat 18th March, 10am – 12:45pm

Join the Carhampton Climate Group on Saturday 18th March for an informative talk on farming developments and food production in Carhampton. Speakers include Jo Oborn from FWAG (Farming & Wildlife Advisory Group), Eric Parker from Eastbury Farm in Carhampton and Andrew Speed from Briddicott Farm in Carhampton.

Free tea, coffee and cake. Everybody welcome, no need to book. For more information call Susan Mew on 01643 821209 or email climatecarhampton@gmail.com.

Minehead BioBlitz – Sat 25th March, 9am – 4pm Don’t miss the Minehead BioBlitz on 25th March from 9am till 4pm, organised by Minehead and Coast Development Trust, Somerset Wildlife Trust, National Trust Exmoor Coast Team and Exmoor National Park. There will be a wide range of free activities on Minehead’s seafront including citizen science and environmental surveying using iNaturalist, arts and crafts activities for children and adults, seashore safaris and guided nature walks, among others! Join us at Minehead’s Harbour from 9am for a seawatch survey and from 10am in the Beach Hotel. Free tea, coffee and cakes available. Free entry. No booking required. Minehead’s Free Beach Toy Library The beach toy borrowing scheme housed in one the beach huts outside The Beach Hotel in Minehead is re-opening this year. It’s free to use for visitors and locals alike. From Fri 24 Feb, the Beach Toy Library will be open Fri & Sat only 10.00-14.00. Please bring along any appropriate donations of toys i.e. buckets, spades etc. For more info, email plasticfreeexmoor@gmail.com

Do join us for a very interesting talk about a turbulent period in our history which is very relevant to all who live in this part of the country..

Will take place again this Thursday 2nd March and on every Thursday in March. From 10am to 12 noon, all are welcome to drop in, have refreshments, bring your craft or hobby to work on and show to the others, and/ or just have a chat with other villagers. Simple! We will be joined this Thursday by a representative from Sparks Somerset who would like to see our Warm Welcome in action and ask us whether this should continue after March and/or in the autumn again. Your views really matter so do drop in and let us know.