December 2014 / January 2015 Issue83

Enterprising Youngsters collect money for Charity

Village boys Lew, Cory, Jonathan, Hayden and Lewis made the most of a beautiful Sunday afternoon on 7th September. The boys decided they were going to make and sell items made from the popular Loom Bands. They made the bands, designed banners and brought their skills to the table at the village park. At the end of a successful afternoon the boys donated £8 to Cancer Research. Thank you to everyone that bought a Loom Band and well done to the boys for their thoughtfulness and generosity. For those who are not familiar with loom bands, they look like this:

Renowned Author Tracy Chevalier at the Literary Lunch

On Saturday 25th October East Chinnock was host to renowned author Tracy Chevalier at the annual Literary Lunch. Tracy is the author of many bestselling books, including The Girl with the Pearl Earring, which was made into a film starring Scarlett Johansen and Colin Firth. She spoke to a packed village hall about her love of Dorset, where she has a home, and then about her latest book The Last Runaway, reading selected passages to the audience.

Tracy was born in America, but has lived in the UK for 30 years, and decided to set the book in Ohio, America. Her heroine, Honor Bright, emigrates from Dorset in 1850, and becomes involved with the Underground Railway, an organisation helping runaway slaves to escape to Canada. The art of quilting runs throughout the book, and Tracy was presented with a quilt, handmade by Kate Balmford and Barbara Blackerby, based on the theme of her book.

Everyone enjoyed a delicious lunch of chicken casserole, vegetables, and a selection of desserts, all made by various people in the village.

Over £500 from this event will go to the village hall fund to replace the aging windows, as mentioned in the last edition of the Chinnock Chimes.

Pictures by Roger Jewell

Bonfire Night in East Chinnock

It was a cold but dry night for the village bonfire and firework display which was

well attended. Pictures by Roger Jewell

In Memory of Richard Beasley. Jean Beasley and family would like to thank everyone for their prayers,

kind thoughts, cards and messages of sympathy and also for joining in our celebration of Richard’s life. We would also like to thank the ladies for arranging the buffet.

The Bookworm writes - We have begun our next

round of meetings since the long holidays and have just finished The Husband's Secret by Liane Moriarty. This had a mixed reaction with most of the group not wanting to read another of this popular writer’s books but a few willing to. It could be labelled chic lit but it is a well written example of that genre. The next book is The Painted Veil by Somerset Maugham.

Mobile Library Service: On 3rd Nov Somerset

County Council is started a 10 week

consultation on the future of Somerset Library

Services with proposals affecting the mobile

library service. You can find out more and

complete the questionnaire either online at

www.somerset.gov.uk/libraryconsultation or in

your local library. If you have questions speak

to a member of library service staff, attend one

of the drop-in sessions being held around the

County, email

libraryservicereview@somerset.gov.uk or

phone 0845 345 9177.

Page 2 A Rambling Rector... Many of you have probably heard the news by now that Frances and I are retiring from full time ministry in January due to a health related issue; so I guess this will be my last letter in the Chimes.

It has often been quite difficult knowing what exactly to write but I have been very grateful for the opportunity to contribute to this, as well as the other excellent local newsletters – they are a wonderful contribution to our communities and my thanks to all those who keep them going!

My aim in most of what I have shared is the desire to make a case for both the relevance and real significance of Christian faith today in the face of so much that equates such faith, grounded as it is on real historical events, with superstition, ignorance or simply just not worth even considering.

I hope that some of the things I have penned may have contributed just a little to the fulfilment of that, for it is (and will remain) my conviction that, quite frankly, there is nothing more important for any person than their relationship with their Creator as seen and revealed in the person of Jesus.

With my very best wishes

David Wilson

The Rectory, 7 Cedar Fields, West Coker. Tel. 862328 E-mail: thevicar@fastmail.co.uk www.CokerRidge.org.uk

Manns Mobile Grocer: Due to circumstances beyond his control the start of Manns Mobile Grocery will be delayed. Mr Mann says: “Apologies to all my customers....due to delays at Traffic Commissioners department who issue Operating Licenses... my application will be processed no earlier than the 24th December....please stick with me I will be along as soon is humanly possible. Call 07704518837 or got to www.mannsmobilegrocer.com for further updates.

West Coker Community Cinema A Promise (Period, Romantic Drama) (12A) 100 mins: Friday 14 November Rebecca Hall and Alan Rickman. Germany pre-WW1 it is the story of a married woman falling love with her husband’s protégé.

The Love Punch (Comedy) (12A) 100 mins: Friday 19 December A big hit for the light-hearted subject and a cast which includes Pierce Brosnan, Emma Thompson, Celia Imrie & Timothy Spall.

The Two Faces of January (Thriller/Drama) (12A) 94 mins: Friday 9 January Kirsten Dunst and Viggo Mortensen as a wealthy couple with a dark secret who lure a young tour guide into a web of mystery & intrigue. Very elegant & very Alfred Hitchcock with a splendid 1960’s feel. Doors will open at 7.15pm, screening from 7.45pm in West Coker Village Hall in the High Street. (Bring a cushion) Licensed bar :: Tea & Coffee TICKETS £5 per person available from The Garage, The Post Office and Marilyn on 01935 863176

The Community Cinema needs your support to be successful !!

Christmas Services in St Mary’s Sunday 7

th December 9:15am Holy Communion

Sunday 14th

December 6:30pm Evensong Tuesday 16

th December 7.30 pm Carol Service

Sunday 21st

December 9.15 am Toy Service (new toys only, please) Wednesday 24

th December 4.30 pm Crib Service

Thursday 25th

December 10.00 am Family Communion

Saturday 13 December in the morning: the Christmas tree will be placed in St Mary’s, and decorated with our expanding collection of angels. If anyone would like to bring an angel to be hung on the tree in the late morning, we would welcome new additions.

Further info from Alison Suter on 863810.

Thursday 18th

December: Carol singing for charity around the Parish starting at the Village Hall 6:30pm; bring your voice and torch/lantern. The charity that will be supported will be decided at the next PCC on 18 November, (It is likely to be ‘Crisis at Christmas’). Refreshments provided for those still singing at 8:00pm.

The WI Programme 2015 If you’ve thought about joining the WI in the past, but were not sure, take a look at the programme for 2015 below. Meetings are on the 2

nd Wednesday of each month

(no August meeting) starting at 7:30pm, and finishing on average about 9:30pm. Come along to a meeting and see how you like it, you are guaranteed a warm welcome. If you decide to join then membership is £36 for the year.

14th

January: Soups and Stories 11

th February: Chris Carter, Waiting, Walk-on & one line:

The Life of a Support Artist 11

th March: Richard Kay, An Auctioneer’s Ten

Commandments 8

th April: Knit and Natter – Tea & cake whilst we chat

13th

May: AGM 10

th June: Mrs K Wych, “I was a 16

th Century Maid in

Glastonbury Abbey” 8

th July: Abigail Langstone, Allergy Testing & Reflexology

9th

September: Pat Adams, Flower Arranging 14

th October: Brian Wright, West Country Witchcraft

11th

November: Elizabeth Hanson, Chiropody & Podiatry 9

th December: 67

th Birthday, Christmas Activities:

13th

January 2016: Turns & Frivolities

The East Chinnock website is off-line for essential maintenance, back soon. Page 3

The Gardening and Countryside Club The AGM was held on Monday 20

th October, and the

attendance was much better than for the 2013 AGM. There was an encouraging increase in the interest in view of the recent reduction in membership and support for the various activities of the club. Following the conclusion of the business of the meeting there was an interesting short talk on hedges. Refreshments were then taken followed by a quiz. Altogether it was a very successful evening. The final speakers meeting of 2014 is on Monday 17

th

November on the subject of ‘Bees in the Garden’. The first speakers meeting of 2015 is ‘Butterflies’ on Monday 19

th

January. The club will be running a tombola at the Christmas Fair on Friday 28

th November.

The club Christmas dinner will be on the evening of Friday 5th

December, with an excellent meal provided by Sue Thomas and her helpers. David Balmford

POETRY, PINTS, MUSIC AND MERLOT: Sat Nov 22nd, 7:30pm in the Village Hall Local musicians playing Folk, Light Classical and Jazz, interspersed with poetry. Bring your drinks or your dinner and have an enjoyable evening. Tickets £6 in aid of St Margaret’s Hospice and

Yeovil Cancer Care from Jo Cox 863304 or Maurice Jones 862221

The Christmas Fair: Fri 28th Nov at 7:00 in the Village Hall –Start the season here with gifts and seasonal produce. Refreshments available including mulled wine and mince pies.

Annual Christmas Glass Sale Saturday Dec. 6th, 1pm - 5pm: At Ciderpress Barn, Weston Street. All profits this year to go to Triple A Animal Sanctuary in Marbella - for Chaya and Cora. Tel: 01935 863086 or 862302 for further details

Saturday 13th December at 7:30pm in the village church: The Stanchester Quire presents ‘Christmas Delights’, an informal concert. There will be seasonal interval refreshments and a retiring collection (to be split between the Friends of St Mary’s Fabric Fund and the Stanchester Quire). All welcome. More details from Pamela Lewis:

864408 or Alison Suter: 863810.

WI Carol Service: Thurs 18th Dec 2:30pm in the church: Not just for the WI and not just for women; all are welcome at this friendly service. A retiring collection will be in split between St Mary’s Church and St Margaret’s Hospice.

Coffee Mornings December coffee mornings are a little bit special with a mince pie included in the bargain price of £1 for a mug of coffee with free refill. Come to the village hall on Tuesdays the 2

ndand 16th between 10.30 and 12 noon.

Village walks: I am taking a break from organizing village walks during 2015. Hopefully they will continue with one or more volunteers to lead them. The only walk in December will be the 9

th in the

afternoon. Assume they will resume in January but times and days could change to suit a new leader. Keep up to date through the village website. Bruce Murdoch 863209

Broken Bench along Westways The bench by Boarden Bridge along Westways is broken. If those who use this bench from time to time would prefer to see it replaced with a proper seat would they contact Marianne Merchant, 2 Barrows Court, Weston Street, tel: 862390

Useful names & numbers

Village Web Mistress Julie Jewell: 862600

Entertainment Committee Chair: Marianne Merchant 862390

Village Hall Booking & Keys Ros White: 863796

Playgroup Kay Strode 872126

Pre-School (toddlers) Guides, Brownies, Rainbows

Jane Lefeuvre 862774

Beavers (6-8 yrs.) Heather Pitts 433840

Cubs (8 – 10½ yrs.) Scouts (10½-14yrs) James Divall 863105

Explorers (14 – 18 yrs.) Mike Beckerleg 862719

Scouts Active Support (adults) Pete Divall 422328

Tree Warden Pamela Lewis 864408

Parish Council Clerk Maureen Randell ecparishcouncilclerk@yahoo.co.uk 01935 507563 Mon-Fri 10am-6pm

Parish Council Chairman Michael Slater 01935 862072

District Councillor Ric Pallister 863897

County Councillor: Marcus Fysh 07585902888 mfysh@somerset.gov.uk

South Somerset DC 01935 462462

Somerset CC 0845 3459166

Crewkerne health Centre Appointments 01460 74797

Crewkerne Hospital 01460 72491

Yeovil Hospital 01935 475122

Westlake Surgery: 862212 Dispensary: 865104

Post Office Mon 1 – 3 pm. Tues 9am – 12noon

Refuse Collections over Christmas and the New Year

As Christmas day and New Year’s Day are on a Thursday this year it seems that normal Wednesday refuse collections will be unaffected. However keep an eye on local newspapers nearer the time to be 100% sure. Remember public recycling centres will be closed on Christmas day, Boxing Day and New Year ’s Day. Yeovil is normally open 7 days a week 8am to 4pm, Crewkerne closes Thursdays, Fridays and Sunday afternoons, with late opening (7pm) on Mondays

The Parish Plan – an update by Steering Group Chairman Scott Grinter A public meeting organised by the Parish Council was held in the village hall on 15th October to present the results of the village questionnaire delivered earlier in the year. The questionnaire was the initial step of a government initiative to give us, the residents of East Chinnock, a voice and an active role in directing the future of the village. The steering committee that will commence forming the village plan, is made up of residents who held up their hands at the meeting and volunteered to start the ball rolling. Our aim is to improve the amenities in the village by working with the Parish, District and the County Councils, and obtaining and utilising public funding.

The committee comprises of a broad range of villagers, from newcomers, those returning to the village they grew up in and those who have been here nearly 40 years; young families to those settling into retirement in the village. The first two committee meetings have taken place and we are developing some exciting long and short term plans involving the playground, the future of the Portman Arms, footpath extensions and a provision for affordable housing in the village. East Chinnock has enjoyed decades of success through villagers working together with the village entertainment committee, who organise the fantastic annual bonfire night celebrations and summer family fun day, a perfect example of this. So if you would like a say in what happens in your village then please come and join us at our next meeting – 7:30pm, Thursday 20

th November at Hi-Up,

Orchard Close, East Chinnock, BA22 9EH.

Page 4

Be Safe and Secure over Christmas from Dave Lewis PCSO 9447 The Police advise that you close the curtains, especially at night, to stop your home looking like a shop window to thieves. During the day, if you go out, make sure valuables and presents are not visible to people walking by. Every year cars are broken into and presents stolen from the back seats of cars. NEVER leave them on view in the foot-well or on the seat.

If you plan to be away for a period of time, nominate a neighbour to watch over your home and contact the Neighbourhood Police Team in Crewkerne so we can do patrols in the area. Always make sure your sheds and outbuildings are secure. Keeping a record of the serial numbers of mowers and other major items of garden equipment could help in tracing the rightful owner if the worst happens. And finally if you know someone who is alone or vulnerable, please take the time to pass pleasantries with them, maybe organise a small local gathering making sure to invite those who may be left alone. Neighbourhood Beat Team are: Chris Purcell PC 4140, Lisa Wright PC 3589, Ben Samways PCSO 8445, Gareth Allington PCSO 8506, Dave Lewis PCSO 9447

East Chinnock and World War 1 – Part 4 With the defeat of the German Plan by the French (with British assistance) in early September, the Germans retreated from the River Marne to the Aisne, where they dug in along the heights overlooking the Aisne valley. The British Expeditionary Force (BEF) attacked the German positions at Venizel and Bourg-et-Comin, but, like the French Fifth and Sixth Armies (on either side of the British), could make no impression on the German defences – a story that was to become all too familiar over the subsequent four years.

The fighting over the Aisne continued until the end of September, with men of both sides digging themselves shallow pits which were joined up over the succeeding days and weeks – the first time trenches appeared in 1914. Neither side was strong enough to inflict a defeat by frontal assault, and so both embarked on a series of outflanking manoeuvres, trying to get round the other’s defences from the side or from behind.

The fighting took the form of whatever troops were available (usually cavalry) being rushed into line to counter the equally hurried attacks of the enemy; often opposing troops would arrive at the same moment and fighting would swing back and forth while both sides struggled to overcome each other sufficiently to create an open flank. (Continued on Page 5)

When mutual exhaustion, lack of reinforcements or lack of further supplies forced a halt in hostilities, both sides dug in to what were intended to be only temporary positions; these formed the basis of the Western Front, which was to remain substantially unchanged for the next four years.

The BEF was transferred by train from the Aisne to northern France, moving into Belgium to support their army still fighting in Antwerp; Royal Marines had been landed at Ostend in late August and Winston Churchill (First Lord of the Admiralty) arrived in early October to assist the Belgians’ defence. Antwerp fell to the Germans in mid-October and the Belgian army and various British forces retreated westwards along the coast. The British government was concerned about the threat of German advance to the Channel ports (Calais, Dunkirk, Ostend and Zeebrugge) and fed into Flanders all the forces available (including 3 divisions of the Indian Army, and the last of the Regular Army troops which could be brought back from posts around the Empire and, by the end of November, the first of the Territorial Army battalions). The fighting concentrated around the Belgian town of Ypres and extended along the canals to the coast at Nieuport.

The British troops were positioned in a salient around Ypres and were to remain there until the end of the War. (A salient was a bulge in the line – the particular problem of which was that troops holding it could be exposed to the fire of the enemy both in front and also on either side or even behind). While fighting in this small area never really stopped throughout the duration of the War, there were 4 distinct major battles: the 3

rd Battle

of Ypres (Passchendaele) has come to exemplify for the British the futility and horror of the First World War, but the 1st

Battle (19th

Oct to 22

nd Nov 1914) was in many ways the most desperate, and the first major battle for the entire BEF. The Germans threw everything they

had at the British positions, the British responded in kind; even cooks, grooms and transport drivers found themselves in the front line with rifles. Some German units were composed of young and inexperienced reserves (including one Adolf Hitler), partly volunteers from German colleges and universities, the remainder were active soldiers and older members of the Landwehr and reserve. Even with superior numbers and better artillery The Germans were unable to break through the British, French and Belgian troops and lost some 80,000 casualties in the attempt.

Exhaustion forced a cessation in the struggle, with stronger British defences (the 8th

Division was deployed to the front on 13th

November, providing much needed but only just sufficient reinforcement), heavy snowfall and hard frost ending large-scale fighting. Towards the coast, the position of the Belgian troops had been desperate enough that the decision had been made to open the sluice-gates and allow the North Sea to flood the land over a strip approximately 1.5 miles wide from Nieuport inland to Dixmude. The temporary end of the fighting around Ypres sealed the last gap in what became the Western Front; a 460-mile long line (only 24 miles of which were held by the BEF at this time) of hurriedly-dug defences which were gradually linked together to become the trench system which controlled the nature of the fighting of the next three to four years.

The First Battle of Ypres is usually regarded as the death of the pre-1914 British Regular Army. This is an exaggeration, as Regulars continued to form the core of the BEF over the next four years and there were still many in overseas stations defending critical points of the Empire. However casualties were very high (between 54,000 and 58,155 killed, wounded and “missing”, of some 269,000 British troops sent to France by the end of November 1914). These numbers were small in comparison with French and German casualties (the BEF is considered to have lost around 90,000 killed, wounded and “missing” in the 4½ months of fighting to the end of 1914), Belgian casualties were approximately 50,000 (50% of their small army ) while the Germans are thought to have lost 800,000 men, including 116,000 dead, in France and Belgium alone and French casualties are generally estimated to be of the order of 528,000 (265,000 of whom were killed).

The British Regulars were our ONLY trained soldiers; the Territorials needed 6 months training to approach the proficiency of the Regular troops (and then had no legal obligation to serve outside the UK) and the men and officers of Kitchener ’s New Armies had little or no military experience at all. The lack of experienced trainers and equipment meant it would be a long time before British troops could do anything significant to support the French; this goes a long way to explain failed British attacks and high casualty figures of 1915 and 1916.

Meanwhile the German Army had invaded and captured nearly all of Belgium, all of Luxembourg and approximately 1/10th

of France, including most of France’s coal and iron ore deposits and several important industrial areas (this ignores the German invasion of Russian territory in what is now Poland). Except for one tiny part of Alsace, German troops were everywhere on their enemies’ territory. Before the French and British could even think about winning the War, they had to drive the Germans out. This was the basis of all French and British planning for the next four years and must be remembered when trying to understand the reasons behind what happened in that time.

Of the East Chinnock men who were already serving with the Regular Army at the outbreak of war, Arthur Russ (413 New Buildings), of the 1

st Battalion, Somerset Light Infantry, and Walter Pike (of 441, Weston Street) serving in the 1

st Battalion, The Rifle Brigade (also part of the

11th

Brigade) would have been in the thick of things, but both these managed to survive the fighting, as did Walter Russ (brother of Arthur) in the 1

st Battalion, Coldstream Guards, and William Taylor (of The Rookery), serving with the 2

nd Battalion, Coldstream Guards.

Charles Andrews, Cyril Andrews, Gerald Dane, Percy Dane, and Arthur Shire, of East Chinnock had by this time volunteered as part of the 7

th (Service) Battalion Somerset Light Infantry (61

st Brigade, 20

th (Light) Division of Kitchener’s first New Army and were discovering the

delights of living in temporary hutted accommodation near Woking while training without uniforms, weapons or equipment in what was to prove a particularly cold and wet winter.

Fighting another kind of war altogether was Private Talbot Axe, son of Hannah, brother of Henry W & Sydney A, of 390, Old Hollows (now presumably incorporated into Nos. 389 & 391, The Hollow). He was serving in the Plymouth Division of the Royal Marine Light Infantry aboard HMS Goliath, Goliath being a Canopus-class pre-Dreadnought battleship (launched 1898). She covered the landings of the Marines at Ostend on 26

th August 1914 and then went to the East Indies in September 1914 for convoy protection duties. She was diverted to East

Africa in November 1914 – to take part in the operation against the German cruiser Königsberg in the Rufiji River (in what is now Tanzania). To be continued . . .

Slightly abridged. The full article will be posted on the East Chinnock Web site

West Coker Community Cinema A Promise (Period, Romantic Drama) (12A) 100 mins: Friday 14 November Rebecca Hall and Alan Rickman. Germany pre-WW1 it is the story of a married woman falling love with her husband’s protégé.

The Love Punch (Comedy) (12A) 100 mins: Friday 19 December A big hit for the light-hearted subject and a cast which includes Pierce Brosnan, Emma Thompson, Celia Imrie & Timothy Spall.

The Two Faces of January (Thriller/Drama) (12A) 94 mins: Friday 9 January Kirsten Dunst and Viggo Mortensen as a wealthy couple with a dark secret who lure a young tour guide into a web of mystery & intrigue. Very elegant & very Alfred Hitchcock with a splendid 1960’s feel. Doors will open at 7.15pm, screening from 7.45pm in West Coker Village Hall in the High Street. (Bring a cushion) Licensed bar :: Tea & Coffee TICKETS £5 per person available from The Garage, The Post Office and Marilyn on 01935 863176

The Community Cinema needs your support to be successful !!

Handyman (Fix ‘n Finish) Based in East Chinnock Any jobs around the house and garden Including decorating and repairs. Call Phil for advice or estimate: - 07768 106 403 or 863094

Classified Advertisements There is a charge for classified adverts as shown below. Size 1 Issue Per Year (6 issues) 1/16 page £2 £10 1/8 page £4 £20 The money is payable to the Parish Council, either as cash or cheque made out to East Chinnock Parish Council. It may be given to me, Alix Janes, at 3 Weston Close, and I will deliver it to the PC or it may be given direct to the Clerk to the Parish Council, Christine Langford. There is no charge for adverts for charitable events.

Deadline for the next issue is

Friday 9th January 2015 The Chinnock Chimes is edited by Alix Janes, 3 Weston Close Tel: 01935 863474 Email: Chinnockchimes@btinternet.com