By Harry Mottram: I’ve been having a bit of tidy up of this website some so some articles and features may have disappeared or been relocated. Essentially though Axbridge News is under Publications while the Diary of Events is on the home page – it gets hundreds of views every day do it is well worth adding to it by sending me your events. A reminder it is is at https://www.harrymottram.co.uk/diary/
Wagatha Christie Cast
Axbridge Community Theatre have published ahead of their production the play Vardy V Rooney: The Wagatha Christie Trial the cast. The drama about the two high profile wives of famous footballers sees Rebekah Vardy played by Liz Browne while Coleen Rooney will be portrayed by Sonia Cherry. Dan Ward is playing Hugh Tomlinson QC, Katie Weir is Mrs Justice Stayn, and publicist Caroline Watt is to be played by Diane Lukins. David Connor is David Sherbourne, Phil Saunders who also directs the play in Pundit Jim, Christine Cuthbert is Harpreet Robertson. The husbands of the two protagonist wives are Jude Wilson who plays the former Leicester striker Jame Vardie while Wayne Rooney is played by Ryan Frewin. The play runs from Wed 26-Sat 29 November in Axbridge Town Hall. Tickets are still available for the first two nights.
Poetry and Spoken Word
The latest evening of poetry and spoke word at the Axe Vale Arts Centre featured some classic English poets including Simon Rennie reading The Windhover by Gerard Manley Hopkins and Malcolm reading Philip Larkin’s The Whitsun Weddings. John Page read a poem about his dog Jet, Helen recalled the excitement of seeing it snow through the eyes of a child, and Mike had lines on a favourite walk in the hills. Nico read his amusing story about a cold call – a subject that’s become part of life in the 21st century. David Parkin recalled some lines by WH Auden on the eve of war while Malcolm read another favourite poem by John Betjeman for his crush on Miss Joan Hunter Dunn. Nico also had some lines from Medieval France which he has translated during Covid – including a passionate woman who was keen for the lover – a knight – to comfort her on Monday evening. Mac’s poetry was another highlight with a poignant poem on the death of a child. So much variety and so much thought in the beautiful surroundings of the former Methodist Chapel. The next event is on Wednesday 17th December at 7am – again hosted by Simon Rennie – a published poet and lecturer in poetry.
MP on ME
The MP for this area, Tessa Munt, who represent the constituency of Wells and Mendip Hills, took part in a debate on Government support for people with ME (Myalgic Encephalomyelitis) in Westminster. It’s a condition that wasn’t recognised for many years – dismissed as Yuppie Flu by some but now it is being taken seriously by the Government who are planning on further research and delivery plan. The MP said: “While I welcome the new NHS Delivery Plan, it includes no new substantial funding for ME. Despite proposing to ‘explore’ specialist services, it offers no support to those in crisis, risking the lives of ME sufferers across the country. Urgent action, accountability and specialist services are needed.
“For too many sufferers, ME has meant years confined to bed, living in darkness, hoping a cure will be found. In the UK, an estimated 1.35 million people with ME or ME-like symptoms want nothing more than a return to normal life. In addition to the huge mental and physical effect on those living with ME and their carers, the economic impact of ME is significant; outdated estimates put it at £3.3bn annually, and this is likely to be many times higher now.”
Information on the debate can be found here: https://commonslibrary.parliament.uk/research-briefings/cdp-2025-0217/
Gold robbery
Police have appealed for witnesses after gold jewellery was stolen from a home in Cheddar last month. At around 8pm on Thursday 30 October, an unknown person entered a property in Round Oak Grove, Cheddar, and stole jewellery, including: A gold charm bracelet with 12-15 charms, such as a small gold lamp; A gold ring with an oval opal stone; A gold engagement ring with a sapphire stone with diamond surround.
Forensic enquiries were completed on the house the following day (Friday 31 October) and police are appealing to the public who live in the area and beyond who may have footage of someone in the vicinity, have seen someone acting suspiciously or have seen the items for sale online or in a pawn shop. If you can help, please call 101 and give the call handler the reference number 5225304670, or complete our online appeals form.
Trail Hunting
Every Boxing Day for years there has been a meeting of the Weston and Banwell Harriers in Axbridge Town Square at around 11am who use to hunt foxes. A report online from an anti-hunting group said the Harriers based at Webbington are merging with the West Somerset Vale Hunt based near Minehead – whether that will change things is not known. The annual meeting has met increasing calls for it to be banned by opponents of hunting while the Government promised at the last election to ban trail or drag hunting due to its abuses and accusations trail hunting was still essentially fox hunting. Under the Hunting Act 2004 in England and Wals hunting with dogs was restricted under new rules. Details of the law: https://www.cps.gov.uk/prosecution-guidance/hunting-act-2004
Diary of Events in Axbridge: https://www.harrymottram.co.uk/diary/
Harry Mottram
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