By Harry Mottram: It was a bizarre phone call from the public relations department of Bristol Water. I asked them on an email when would Cheddar Reservoir begin to fill up as there was no water entering from the Sharpham Road inlet and for weeks the levels were so low it resembled an estuary at low tide. Harriett from Bristol Water Comms explained that the levels were low due to a very dry summer and when it rained it would fill up. I explained about the broken inlet valve at Sharpham Road – I had asked the engineers working on the problem when I was passing the tower – and she said that wasn’t the issue – it was the lack of rain. You can take what you like from that but after several weeks (and despite periods of rain since then) the levels are still very low. I’m not one to draw any conclusions but if a basic problem of an inlet valve can’t be fixed within weeks, then building a second reservoir may take… well you get my drift.
Football News
Axbridge has a long history of footballing prowess – but currently Axbridge United are in search of a new Reserve Team Manager. Freddy Bell Simmonds is stepping down from the voluntary post leaving a vacancy. Anyone who fancies themselves as Premiership Manager or plays Fantasy Football and pontificates on whether Sean Dyche is suitable to replace Ange Postecoglou at Nottingham Forest should look at this golden opportunity to become the next coach for ‘The Bridge’. In a statement online the club said: “Axbridge United FC can confirm that our Reserve Team Manager Freddy Bell Simmonds has decided to stand down for the remainder of the season. We’d like to take this opportunity to thank him for all his hard work, dedication, and commitment to the club during his time in charge. His efforts both on and off the pitch have been hugely appreciated by everyone involved with Axbridge United. With that said, we’re now on the lookout for someone to step up and take on the role of Reserve Team Manager. If you’re interested in getting involved and want to be part of the club, drop us a message — we’d love to hear from you.”
To apply simply message the club’s Face Book site at https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100057415330683
Or if you know any of the players or staff have a chat. Meanwhile Axbridge Saxons Juniors are back in action and they always need adults to help in organising the various teams – check out their social media at https://www.facebook.com/axbridgesaxonjfc
Postural Tachycardia Syndrome
It might not be the first medical issue that comes to mind, but Postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS) is a condition characterized by an abnormally large increase in heart rate upon sitting up or standing. POTS in adults is characterized by a heart rate increase of 30 beats per minute within ten minutes of standing up, accompanied by other symptoms. The Member for Parliament for Axbridge – and the wider Wells constituency – Tessa Munt – was involved in a debate in Westminster Hall last week about the condition – she writes about the debate on her X account at https://x.com/tessamunt?lang=en. It is not a widely known condition but there is plenty more on the NHS website at https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/postural-tachycardia-syndrome/
Book Clubs
Someone asked on the Axbridge Community FaceBook site (https://www.facebook.com/groups/393368381558682) recently whether there are any book clubs in the town. To my understanding there are more than one – with the longest running one being The Axbridge Four Season’s Book Club begun in the late 1990s. They are currently reading a Rose Tremain novel The Gustav Sonata, while The Axbridge Book Club are reading The Names by Florence Knapp – and there is at least one more club. To join you need to send a request to the organisers – in the case of those two clubs they are on the FB sites. There is a simple stipulation to join: you must read the novels (and most novels are available from the library) – you don’t need to be an English Lit level student to join in. It’s a great way to enjoy novels you wouldn’t normally read, drink some wine and meet fellow residents who like books.
Cheddar Reservoir 2
It may not be the first magazine you choose in the Co-op in Axbridge but The Water Magazine does have a report on Cheddar Reservoir 2 – or rather the news associated with its construction. It reads: “A second reservoir in Cheddar will play a critical role in securing water supply for the future and improving water connectivity within the West Country, say experts from a collaboration of water companies. It will be responsible for transferring millions of litres of water to customers each day during peak months – improving the region’s resilience against future uncertainties, from big drought events to small short-term supply issues.”
With the public consultations now over it will be interesting to see how the next stage develops with a number of questions raised in the town. Will the planned housing development take place over Orchard Road since on the website of Strongvox based in Taunton the plans to build 43 homes is no longer on their website.
The plans published by Bristol Water indicated an access road will be built from the main road near the entrance to the footpath off the A371 (it’s the one that goes up towards Shipham) to the current reservoir where a new treatment works would be constructed by the existing one on the Axbridge side of the Res. Apart from the disruption to the activities of joggers, dog walkers and bird watchers this surely will see a major development at the Axbridge entrance to the Res. We await further news.
Last Tango in Axbridge
Strictly Come Dancing meets Last Tango in Halifax – well not quite that – but add a few stretchmarks, a bit of Devon, a lot of Chile and the fabulous Argentina Tango, plus a love story – and you’ve got the ingredients for a brilliant piece of theatre – and it’s here in Axbridge. Details: Sat 8 Nov. Last Dance Saloon. Axe Vale Arts Centre, Axbridge. Multistory Theatre and Axe Vale Arts present ‘Last Dance Saloon’, a captivating new show that explores love, legacy and the future we envision for coming generations. Filled with music, dance, drama and laughter, it promises an engaging and thoughtful evening of theatre. Two people, no longer in the first flush of youth, meet at a dance retreat in Buenos Aires. A spark is ignited. With family ties in Chile and Devon, they navigate the challenges of a long-distance relationship sustained by tango sessions in Argentina that include unexpected flights of the imagination.
See https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/axe-vale-arts
Dylan Squared for deafblindness
Diary date in Axbridge Town Hall. Fri 24 Oct. Town Hall. Roland Jones performs the music of Bob Dylan and the poetry of Dylan Thomas in Dylan Squared. 7.30pm. In aid of Sense International. For more on Sense International see https://www.senseinternational.org.uk/…/about-sense…/ Sense International is the only international non-governmental organisation dedicated to supporting people with deafblindness and their families around the world.You may recall the movie The Edge of Love which featured part of the story of the Welsh poet Dylan Thomas. His poetry included the play for radio Under Milkwood which will no doubt be revived as part of the evening. The Town Hall features a pay bar – and tonight in aid of Sense International there will be a selection of wines, beers and soft drinks – at very reasonable prices – making for an economic night out. Tickets from Les at les@paceuk.com only £5 each for a brilliant charity. See poster for details.
Progressive Supper
I first joined the progressive in the late 1990s – it was a massive event in Axbridge with close to 200 people taking part – since then over the years Linda and I have taken part – either as a couple or with a friend – and it is always a great night out. Mainly due to the unpredictability. I am involved in the night – we raise cash for local courses – this year it is the Food Bank, Axe Vale Arts Centre and the Friends of Axbridge Church.
Tickets are now on sale in batches for the Axbridge Progressive supper on Saturday 22nd November. We release them in batches and once each line of starter, main and sweet is sold another batch is released. For more and for tickets visit https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/…/axbridge-progressive… Everything you need to know can also be found here: https://tinyurl.com/393b49w2
Supermarket
Lidl have put in a planning application to build a supermarket on Upper New Road which is essentially betwixt Axbridge and Cheddar. They have sent an email to residents who sent them feedback in which they state: “Over 2,000 local residents indicated their support for Lidl’s plans, with an overwhelming majority in favour. The key reasons for support included increased local shopping choice and competition, easier access to a discount foodstore, and the creation of new jobs.”
The German family owned supermarket chain has previously stated they are expanding more outlets across the country taking the numbers to just under 1,000 with 14 distribution centres in England, Scotland and Wales. A planning application has been submitted to Somerset Council under reference number 17/25/00051/GNN.
Backing onto the Bloor estate the store will take a couple of years to open and will be up against Tesco, Sainsbury’s and the two filling stations in Cheddar that have mini supermarkets on site and the Co-op in Axbridge, and the village shop in Shipham. With more homes scheduled for Axbridge and Cheddar plus the new Reservoir Lidl will have calculated there is enough potential to make it work financially.
Sidetracks on Sunday
Axe Vale Arts have published more dates for events at the former Methodist Chapel in West Street in Axbridge with the soft rockers Side Trackers appearing on Sunday 26th October and The Scarlett Stone Jazz Quartet appearing on Friday 12th December. The organisers are keen to offer a wide selection of performances and events as befits an arts centre serving the wider area. All the gigs and events are listed on my website at https://www.harrymottram.co.uk/diary/ along with events in the town hall, Lamb Inn and Oakhouse and elsewhere in the town.
It does beg the question of whether there is an audience for all of the what’s on – the music gigs in particular. Concerns have been raised by some in the town that the arts centre could see fewer live events elsewhere – but it is early days so far. One factor is the town hall and the pubs have a drinks licence which the arts centre doesn’t – and old hands of fundraising know a pay bar is ‘what makes the money.’ Time will tell and hopefully there will be a full house for all the events in the town but the next gig in the Town Hall is on Fri 24 Oct. Town Hall when Roland Jones performs the music of Bob Dylan and the poetry of Dylan Thomas in Dylan Squared at 7.30pm. In aid of Sense International.
Axbridge News and Harry Mottram
For more news, views, reviews, previews and features about Axbridge visit www.harrymottram.co.uk
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