Would you like to make a positive difference in 2024?
There’s a famous quote from Rev Sydney Smith “It is the greatest of all mistakes to do nothing because you can only do a little. Do what you can.”
From as little as a couple of hours a fortnight and less than a week’s quality training, you could be making purposeful contact with a young person and make a positive difference for them through outings, conversations, activities and more...
Hanson UK have shared their Autumn/Winter Community Matters newsletter.
This issue includes a report on the Whatley Open Day; an update on Hanson’s rebranding to Heidelberg Materials in October and their part in the redevelopment of the parish field play and picnic area in Whatley.
MATCH STARTS AT 2PM
VENUE: CRANMORE VILLAGE TENNIS CLUB, X-Roads, Piers Rd, Cranmore, Somerset BA4 4RP
Come and watch this free event. Bring a picnic and chairs. Free parking available at the ground.
If you can volunteer on the day, please e-mail
Could you spare an hour a week? You could really help make life happier for older people in your community.
At independent local charity Age UK Somerset (not to be confused with the separate, much larger national charity Age UK) we are working hard to help older people feel less lonely, listened to, given help when they are struggling financially and to always be there when they have no-one else to turn to. But we can’t do it without your help.
Volunteers help us deliver our much-needed services in your community and throughout Somerset and North Somerset. We have a variety of roles which are interesting, satisfying and enjoyable. Our Volunteers say they feel good when they know they are helping, they like giving something back, they appreciate feeling a renewed sense of purpose and they enjoy meeting new people and learning new skills.
Help to reduce loneliness and put a smile on someone’s face with a friendly phone call, home visit or providing company and boosting someone’s wellbeing by walking and talking,
bring people together in fun chair based exercise groups
reduce financial anxiety by helping with benefit claims.
However much time you can spare, and whatever your interests, please get in touch – we will be keen to take up your offer of help.
Tel: 01823 345627 email:
or for more information visit: www.ageuksomerset.org.uk/volunteering
‘Bus It’ bonus as £2 single bus fare in Somerset is extended to the summer
Bus users in Somerset can now travel on most routes in the county and beyond for just £2 until July.
The major fare cut is part of a national initiative funded by the Government aimed at boosting bus use while helping passengers to save money. It was introduced in January and was originally due to end on 31 March.
Now thanks to further funding it will continue for an extra three months, until 30 June. It’s welcome news for people in Somerset as the cost of living crisis continues to bite, fuelled in part by high petrol and diesel prices.
The £2 single fare is available from all participating operators, which includes Somerset County Council. The initiative will apply to the majority of routes in Somerset until 30 June. You can check here www.somerset.gov.uk/busit to see which operators are involved in the scheme.
It’s worth remembering that the initiative applies to cross-county services, which means for example you can travel from Street to Bristol for just £2.
Somerset County Council and the Somerset Bus Partnership have launched the ‘Bus It’ campaign to encourage more support these aims.
The 13 operators involved in the scheme are:
ATWEST
Bakers Dolphin
Community Transport (South West) Ltd
FromeBus
Libra Travel
Mendip Community Transport
Somerset County Council
Dartline
Faresaver Buses
First South West (Buses of Somerset)
First West of England
Hatch Green Coaches
South West Coaches
Cllr Mike Rigby, Somerset County Council’s Lead Member for Transport and Digital said: “The £2 fare is vital in helping us encourage more people to choose the bus. I wrote to the Secretary of State requesting this extension so it’s great news that this has been extended.
“If we’re going to make bus travel attractive we have to start with making fares attractive. Getting on the bus makes supports our climate change objectives, it could well save you money, and it’s the best way to help preserve bus routes.”
Visit https://www.travelsomerset.co.uk/.../bus-it-you-know-it.../ to find out about ticket deals and calculate how much you could save.
Please see below the link for the latest round-up of health and wellbeing news, contacts and information.
We hope you will relay this information to your communities, networks, family and friends.
Mendip District Council Health & Wellbeing Bulletin - February 2023
People across Somerset with no transport of their own need help to get to important medical appointments.
From routine checks to cardiology and cancer-related care, these Somerset residents benefit enormously from reliable volunteer drivers to get them there.
Somerset County Council’s current volunteer drivers are in need of new recruits, to support the NHS and the Council in ensuring patients get the care and treatment that they need.
The team also support adults and children with journeys relating to social care.
It is an ideal opportunity for anybody over 18 with a full UK driving licence and four-door car to do something for their community; especially those who enjoy driving and meeting new people. Patients appreciate the opportunity to chat to their drivers, since some live in socially or geographically isolated situations.
Pat Ryan, who has been one of Somerset County Council’s volunteer drivers for 10 years, said:
“I feel I’m doing something useful for the community in which I live. I've been lucky with my health throughout my life, and I want to help people who have not had the same luck.
“I’ve been a volunteer driver for 10 years now and thoroughly enjoy taking passengers to hospital for their routine appointments.
“Driving around beautiful Somerset is not really a hardship!”
For each journey carried out by a volunteer driver, a mileage reimbursement rate of 45p per mile or 50p per mile loaded is applied.
Cllr Federica Smith-Roberts, Executive Lead Member for Communities, said:
“The Covid pandemic impacted many of our wonderful volunteers’ ability to do the volunteer driver role, due to lockdown rules and social distancing precautions that were in place. Since then, we have welcomed many of our drivers back; however, we are still in desperate need of more due to the vital role they play in supporting those who need help to appointments.
“In this role, you will get to meet many of our residents who appreciate the time with our volunteer drivers when they are living in remote or isolated situations. We therefore need individuals from all walks of life who have the time to give; the role can suit both those who are part time or retired as well as those looking for work to enrich your CV.
“We could not be without our volunteers, so a huge thank you to our existing team, and welcome on board to anyone who may join us – we appreciate your dedication enormously.”
To find out more about the role and apply, please visit: https://volunteering.somerset.gov.uk/drive/
Alternatively, you can email
Mendip launches ‘Somerset Energy Saver’ to help residents cut energy bills and carbon emissions
Mendip District Council has launched a campaign to help residents reduce their energy bills and carbon footprint.
The Somerset Energy Saver is a free, online hub with advice for residents on how to make energy-saving changes to their home.
With energy prices soaring, the campaign helps to raise awareness of the range of measures available - whether through small, free-of-charge changes, or bigger adjustments to properties, such as installing different types of insulation and exploring alternatives to oil and gas heating.
It provides information on financial assistance available to eligible residents in Mendip, to help make the bigger energy-saving measures to their home. It also offers advice on Energy Performing Certificates (EPCs) and provides answers to commonly asked questions.
Cllr Richard Pinnock, Portfolio Holder for Housing Services, said: “The launch of the Somerset Energy Saver campaign has come at a hugely important time, with energy bills on the rise and the cost of living a worry for many.
“Whether residents are looking for some quick tips to save them money, or to make more significant changes to their homes, Somerset Energy Saver provides a valuable hub of information.
“I would recommend that anyone looking for ways to reduce their energy bills should visit the website and learn more about the changes you can make.”
For more information on the Somerset Energy Saver campaign, please visit: www.somersetenergysaver.co.uk.
For more information on Mendip District Council, please visit: www.mendip.gov.uk.
Cranmore Parish Council are deeply saddened by the news that Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II has died.
On behalf of the people of Cranmore we offer our deepest condolences to the royal family.
A book if condolence is open at St Bartholomew’s Church between the hours of 9am & 4pm for your thoughts, memories and messages of condolences.
There will be no Parish Council meetings during the period of mourning.
A Call to Action from Cranmore Parish Council
Bus Back Better and the Somerset Bus Partnership
Earlier during June & August this year, in response to the Department for Transport Bus Back Better initiative the Cranmore Parish Bus Service Improvement Plan or (BSIP) was submitted along with similar feedback documents by all the parishes across Somerset to the county council as part of the wider community planning for improving all bus services.
Shepton Mallet Leisure Centre offers 2 Healthy Hearts sessions per week. Every Monday between 4pm and 5pm and every Wednesday between 10am and 11am. These are classes aimed at customers who are looking to get mobile again after suffering a heart attack/stroke, surgery or procedure. The class is led by a fully qualified instructor and involves low impact, circuit based exercises. Before new participants join they must meet with the instructor to ensure it is suitable.
Book your classes: 01749 346644 www.sheptonmalletleisure.uk/online-booking
On Thursday 22nd July, The vicar, Revd Johnathan Newton-Dunn, Church Warden, Gerry Locke and Chair of the Parish Council, Ann Crowcombe met to say a big thank you to Wolf Stonemasons. Recently, the village cross, which is believed to be some four hundred years old, fell from its plinth and was shattered. The local firm offered to replace it and a member of their staff, Darren Hill made an excellent job of carving a new one. The church owes the company a big debt of gratitude.
Pictures from the official opening of the newly refurbished Museum, Old Waiting Room and Ticket Office at Cranmore Railway. Wildlife artist, Mandy Shepherd, daughter of David, performed the opening on Wednesday June 30th.
It was a great turnout when Cranmore said goodbye to Mike the Postie. He had given Cranmore many years of devoted service and he will be sorely missed. Despite the knobbly knees and the fact that he was an Everton supporter, the village knows it will never be the same again. Nothing was too much trouble and his friendly smile brightened our day especially during the recent difficult times. Have a great retirement Mike!
CRANMORE PARISH COUNCIL – 12 MONTH ACTION PLAN FROM JANUARY 2021 (Fin.)
(Where applicable, lead Councillor shown in brackets)
Roads and Safety
4 of the 6 “Twenty is Plenty” signs for Cranmore village are now in position (Lodge House East Cranmore Lane; East Cranmore Lane at village edge from All Hallows; Piers Road from ESR entrance, Cooks Lane from north). 2 other sites (Piers Road from A361 and at village left turn) are in hand, to be completed soon.(JB)
A reply from SCC Traffic Management on “ Road Issues for Cranmore” (see para 9.4 of minutes of PC Meeting 14 Dec 2020) is summarised as follows:
Enhanced signage at Tansey crossroads - Not permitted; “prescribed signage” already exists
30 limits at Tansey Crossroads & Dean - Evidence and consultation to be funded by Parish (£5-10K)
New Speed Indicator Devices - 2 new devices for Waterlip procured by PC. Possible for Tansey.
Signalised Pedestrian crossing, 4 way traffic signals, Junction widening, Roundabout, Footbridge.
All these would have to be Small Improvement Schemes (SIS) to be proposed via our County Councillor,
Mr Phillip Ham.
Continue Community Speedwatch activity at Tansey, Waterlip, and new locations in Piers Road and Cranes Cottages, (East Cranmore Lane).(JB)
An identical exchange SIDS machine for Dean reprogrammed to 40mph has been offered by County Hall, who will advise when this is available. (JB to chase).
2 new SIDS for Waterlip have been procured by the Parish Council, kindly funded by local businesses, and will be in place in due course (AC).
3 CSW members to be trained as Moving Works Operatives to change batteries for Waterlip and Dean SIDs.(JB/AC)
Ensure that vegetation and hedges do not encroach on road or reduce carriageway width by using SCC website reporting system and direct contact with property owners. This includes any highways issue such as signage, road markings, potholes.
Village Carol Singing on 20th December at 6pm
Come and sing with the joy of Christmas on the steps of the Memorial Hall.
Please watch the noticeboards and Cranmore website for updates as the event will be weather and COVID dependent.
Life in the Undergrowth is a project artist Fiona Campbell developed during lockdown as a new way of looking at the world. One of the outcomes is an enchanting short film - Fiona’s ‘first serious experiment with film-making’, and the result of a 5 month engagement with the nature in her garden.
‘In isolation, I began taking life at a slower pace, sowing veggie seeds, and mending things. Appreciating, observing and attending to nature seemed vital.’
One of Fiona’s pieces Time Capsules comprises found objects: giant molars, glass bottles, ceramics, old rusty nails.. attached to each other with fine copper wire, suspended on a steel structure. ‘During lockdown I dug up a lot of soil to make space for a studio bay. I sold the soil locally to help finances through covid19. Excavated from the earth in my garden, each find has a story - some known, others a mystery.’
Fiona’s garden in the rural village Cranmore, Somerset, was until then somewhat neglected. It became her world and route to wellbeing, providing a sense of peace and purpose. ‘Life in the Undergrowth’ was inspired by small hidden worlds in her garden that often get overlooked. It became a circular process - garden feeding art and art feeding garden.
‘While resurrecting my veggie patch, a fascination with the entanglement of roots, worms and shoots in upturned turf led to experimental responses using to-hand materials and found objects’. Fiona drew knotted clumps of turf; dried duckweed, sunbleached, became paper; handmade tools from plant debris generated drawings and sculptural works evolved.
Encounters between Fiona and her garden helped her form a stronger bond with all that comes and goes. ‘Witnessing transformation, life and death, it was emotional at times. Communing with small creatures, incidents happen, some wonderful, others very sad’ says Fiona.
The project was supported by the Art Council England/National Lottery Emergency Response Fund.
Fiona’s Life in the Undergrowth project will be showing alongside some of her other mixed media artworks during Somerset Open Studios, opening this weekend (19 Sept - 4 Oct). Visits are welcome by appointment. This sunny start to autumn is perfect for a wander in the fresh air of her spacious sculpture garden, and safe measures will be in place in the studio: Venue 70, West Cranmore, BA4 4RH. Bookings T: 07515537224 or E:
For further information visit: www.fionacampbellart.co.uk
Few of you cannot have failed to notice the much-improved entrance to Jills Close. The slope has disappeared and even large vehicles can access the amenity with ease. This project marks the successful conclusion of a combined effort including Wainwrights, John Shepherd Engineering, the Parish Council and village volunteers. Well done to all involved!
This week we were pleased to welcome a representative from Viridor; the company who supplied most of the funding for the replacement of the Village Hall roof. Nick Berry, the company representative, said he was delighted to view the finished article. It was a very timely visit as the Memorial Hall has been redecorated throughout and Nick was able to view from inside and out.
The project is yet another example of our local groups working together to achieve something really special and which villagers will be able to appreciate for many years to come.
Firstly, we would like to thank Leila Hodgkins for designing this exciting new website. She did so free of charge and we are all very grateful to her.
Secondly, this is Cranmore’s website. We want it to be informative for both existing residents and also for those who are moving to or visiting the area. We have lots to shout about and we are hoping that this new tool will help us to do this more effectively.
To local businesses, we would welcome information from you. Please use this website as a means of making residents more aware of you.
To all parishioners, there is a wealth of history within our community; we would love you to send us stories and pictures from the past.
The web will also be an excellent tool for promoting local events; please keep us informed
Every cloud has a silver lining. With the lock down and the most generous funding from Viridor, you may have noticed a significant change in the appearance of the Memorial Hall. We are expecting work to begin any day now on the hall roof; a much needed replacement as the present construction has been in place since the end of World War 1. As the Cranmore and Doulting Playgroup had to close temporarily, the work could commence well ahead of schedule and it is hoped to cut the ribbon on our refreshed leak-free hall before the children return.