By Harry Mottram: The death has been announced of Alistair Forster, the priest in charge of Axbridge Parish Church. This is the message from the Church:
Death of the Revd Alistair Forster, Priest in Charge of Axbridge with Shipham and Rowberrow
It is with deepest sadness that I share the news of the death of the Revd Alistair Forster, Priest in Charge of Axbridge with Shipham and Rowberrow. Our thoughts and prayers are with Alistair’s wife, Heather, and the family.
Alistair died on Advent Sunday, the 30th November. His death comes after a long battle with cancer, that he undertook with great grace, dignity and faithfulness. We give thanks for Alistair’s service, his life, and for all that he meant to so many people.
Alistair’s faith in Jesus Christ shone through at all times. May he rest in peace and rise in glory.
Bishop Michael
A further message comes from Alistair:
Message from Alistair
Dear friends
This is a message which I would never wish to send but, as you’re all aware, my cancer has been progressing and has now progressed to a point where I can neither work nor fight the cancer. The consultants have decided between them that I have reached a point where I should take some me preparing for my healing to be a heavenly one. I was moved to a hospice on Friday.
I have been so blessed to minister to you over the last few years and take much joy from how much of a praying community you have become, how much a personal relationship with Jesus means to each of you and how scripture is at the heart of everything you do. It has been my privilege to be God’s servant with you and to lead
you to where you are and where you’re going: I pray that you’ll continue to move forward as you’ve been doing.
I’m humbled by your support, your love and your prayers and want you to know that nothing has been in vain: God has heard us but his will is clearly that I’m healed with him.
Please know that I continue to hold all of you in my thoughts and prayers. I understand that this is sad news for you but rejoice that we had two years longer together than predicted by the consultants originally. I look forward to being reunited with you all in heaven.
Alistair
+++++++++++++
Compton House Intersection
A dashcam video was posted on Axbridge Community Facebook site this weekend showing how a vehicle entering the junction at the top of West Street and Cross Lane – the Compton House intersection – failed to slow or stop as the vehicle recording the footage indicated to enter West Street from Cross Lane. Almost anyone who has navigated that section of the road will have experienced that traffic coming off the bypass sometimes fail to take into account road uses to the right. To put it one way – having driven along the A371 bypass at full speed they come down the slip road with their vision concentrated on entering Cross Lane at speed. Over the years there have been numerous RTAs or Road Traffic Accidents – journalists call them crashes – at the junction. Somerset Highways have installed STOP signs on the slip road along with clear road markings but the slope and width of the road fails to encourage caution.
The road layout there has been the subject of numerous articles, incidents and opinions over the years. After a near fatal crash there a few years ago while I worked for the Gazette I stood on the roundabout for an hour in the early morning and recorded a score of one in three vehicles failing to even slow down as they came down the slip road – the STOP signs have improved matters but clearly there is more to do. Somerset Highways are the authority but if you have a strong view then email https://www.somerset.gov.uk/roads-travel-and-parking/report-a-problem-on-the-road/
Email the MP for this area at tessa.munt.mp@parliament.uk and raise it with Pauline Ham pauline.ham@somerset.gov.uk and Ben Ferguson ben.ferguson@somerset.gov.uk who are the Somerset Councillors for Axbridge. The Town Council have been supportive of improved road safety in the area – and can reflect concerns if you email the clerk at https://www.axbridge-tc.gov.uk/contact/
Magic Man
An Axbridge man has won the Bristol Society of Magic Close Up Competition 2025. Damian Surr was awarded the title Close Up Magician of the Year 2025 by the Bristol Society of Magic. The event took place at BAWA Healthcare and Leisure in Filton. Close up magic is performed just inches away from the audience, making every detail visible. Each magician performed six short shows across six tables, with judging based on entertainment value, mystery, technical ability and originality. Damian ended his routine with a brand new trick of his own creation. “I wanted to push myself by debuting something new,” said Damian. “It was a risk, but I’m thrilled it paid off.”
This was also a first in his career: “My family were in the audience for the first time,” Damian explained. “It was wonderful seeing their reactions. Winning with them there felt very special.” Damian performs professionally at weddings, parties and corporate events across the South West. More information can be found at: www.gingermagic.com
WAGS V WAGS
Anyone who attended the Axbridge Community Theatre’s production of Olivia Hennessy’s play Vardy v Rooney: The Wagatha Christie Trial staged in the town hall this week will have witnessed the talents of the town’s thespians. It was a triumph for the group and it broke new ground as the drama is largely verbatim of what was said in the trial – a neat move as the protagonists couldn’t object or take legal action as it was all on the record. The play had full houses for its four night run and enjoyed a good review which you can read at https://www.harrymottram.co.uk/2025/11/28/theatre-review-a-dazzling-production-by-axbridge-community-theatre-of-olivia-hennessys-play-vardy-v-rooney-the-wagatha-christie-trial/
Cash raised
For the record the Axbridge Progressive Supper raised £1,701 in one night with £567 going to Cheddar Food Bank, Axe Vale Arts and Friends of Axbridge Church. The money came from the fees people pay to take part and the raffle held on the night. To find out more about the supper including the date of the next one visit the Facebook group site at https://www.facebook.com/AxbridgeProgressive/ and find out more at https://www.harrymottram.co.uk/journalist/axbridge-news/axbridge-features/progressive-supper-2025/ Meanwhile Axbridge United FC raised £1,543 on their Race Night in November to aid club funds. And a shout out for the Friends of Axbridge Church who look after the historic and visitor aspects of the parish church which raised £1,000 in their drive to unwanted and foreign currency appeal donated on Farmers’ Markets.
Santa
Sports and Social in Axbridge who run a number of community events in the town have put up the annual Christmas tree in the Square along with all the smaller trees that are lit up and posted on various homes throughout the town. They are gearing up for Santa in the Square – one of the town’s big social events for all the family – on Saturday 20th December when the man in red visits the children of the town Bringing gifts. The fun starts at 4pm at dusk and features a pig roast, mulled wine, music and of course the arrival of Father Christmas at 5pm. The Community group added this on Facebook: “As you will have no doubt seen we were busy in Axbridge on Saturday putting up the Christmas trees in the Square and surrounding streets. None of this would have been possible without the donation of the large tree by R Millard & Son Funeral Directors. Also thanks to Abbas Tool Hire for the cherry picker to allow the big tree to be decorated. Don’t forget Santa in the Square from 4pm on the 20th December.”
Strawberry Line
A new section of the Strawberry Line has opened in Cheddar linking the Draycott Estate on the Draycott side of the village and the area by the Recycle Centre now known as the Kings of Wessex Gap in Cheddar. The new section runs from Cheddar Leisure Centre in Station Road, around the perimeter of the Kings Academy playing field and over a new bridge across the Cheddar Yeo.
Cheddar Reservoir
No news on Cheddar Reservoir 2 but anecdotally workers have been seen in the fields to the south of the current reservoir and in particular around the current pumping station on the Axbridge side of the reservoir. Clearly exploratory work is taking place although Bristol Water remains tight lipped about the work. The main inlet at Sharpham Road’s Tower has not been repaired but water is being pumped into the Res from under the tower with the levels slowly rising – although someway off where they would be at this time of year. The other inlet to the south side of the Res has so far not been used.
Green Bins
The new dates for the green bin collections are Thursday 11 December followed by Thursday 8 January – a change from the Tuesdays previously. Paul Manning continues to remind readers of the Axbridge Community Facebook site of the various days of bin collections in general – preventing marital arguments in the town.
Diary of Events
I try to keep the diary of events on my website up to date – do send them in at harryfmottram@gmail.com
Axbridge News:
Harry Mottram compiles Axbridge News for his own interest and those of fellow residents.
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