I first read "Scenes From a Smallholding" a few years ago and it was one of a tiny handful of titles that made me truly belly-laugh out loud. Incredibly, it still has the power to crack me up whenever I find a pocket of time for an idle flick through
I first read "Scenes From a Smallholding" a few years ago and it was one of a tiny handful of titles that made me truly belly-laugh out loud. Incredibly, it still has the power to crack me up whenever I find a pocket of time for an idle flick through
AN ILMINSTER man felt like he'd hit a brick wall this month when he found an unexpected obstacle during a holiday in Malta. David Pincombe, 56, from Ilminster took the picture on a recent holiday to Malta. He said: "Even if you slow down now, you have
PLANS for a youth club at South Chard Fellowship Hall are due to be discussed at a meeting on Thursday. The newly elected Tatworth and Forton Parish Council will hear the progress of the plans, which had been supported by the previous council. It is
AFTER weeks of complaints from motorists and shopkeepers in Ilminster, problems with the Ditton Street diversion seem to be over. As reported, people were baffled to find a hefty diversion to get into the town due to the closure of Ditton Street while
A NEW way of getting fit is about to start in Yeovil - British Military Fitness classes begin next Tuesday (May 22) at 7pm. The meeting point will be at end of Chilton Grove in the Mudford Rec. Set up in 1999 and now operating throughout the UK British
Results at May 9 Furnham Floppers 258 (A. Bristow 48), Shipwrecks 202 (K. Lee 44); Hoodwinks 261 (B. Parsons 60), Wanderers 247 (R. Banfield 48); Rainbows 292 (T. Finn 58), Ghostbusters 256 (D. Ellis 57); Happy Go Luckys 261 (D. Stoodley 56), Woodentops
WORK continues on the Shudrick Lane Tesco site in Ilminster this week with builders working to remove a huge part of the old culvert around the Shudrick Stream. Reader Faith Vince sent us her pictures of the site, thinking some readers may remember the
Results at May 11 Rebels 304 (M. Grinter 48), Breakways 314 (L. Newton/S. King 45); Kit-E-Kats 263 (S. Hebditch 38), Waspies 305 (G. Lacey 48); Smarties 304 (R. Boddington 48), Rampant Rabbits 298 (K. Ayres 43); Bits & Bobs 311 (W. Massey 43), XS 309
THE Chard Insurance-sponsored Evening Cricket League was badly hit by the weather last week, with only one game in each league being played. In Division 1, Ilton scored 175-3 against Barrington, with Mick Price scoring 76 and Brett Venn 34 not out. In
John Baker Cup Final: Ashill Grasshoppers 386 (R. Turvey 58), Swillers 406 (S. Paul 60). Thanks to Amanda and her staff at the Barrington Oak for hosting the final. Presentation nights will be held on May 25 for Division 3, June 1 for Division 2, and
A CHARD woman has praised the work of actor Derek Thompson for helping promote an illness characterised by involuntary and sustained muscle spasms. Derek, who plays Charlie Fairhead on BBC's Casualty, suffers from Cervical Dystonia and gave his support
MEMBERS of Ilminster and District Pigeon Club, part of the WECA Federation, sent 187 birds to Salisbury on May 5. The winners were 1 P. Stoodley (velocity 1328), 2 B. Symes and J. Boyland (vel 1296), 3 B. Symes and J. Boyland (vel 1292), 4 J. Davis (
Ilminster-Holway Utd 2, Bishops Lydeard 0 THIS was the first year that Somerset FA had put on this competition, the final being played at Ilchester Youth FC. Bishops Lydeard fielded a side with more girls in the U-16 age group compared to Ilminster-Holway
ILMINSTER-Holway U-15 Girls took part in the Bishops Lydeard U-15 Girls 6-A-Side tournament on Bank Holiday Monday. Nine strong teams entered the tournament, in which all sides played each other in a league basis. Ilminster-Holway won four, drew three
AT the 21st Merriott Youth Football Club presentation evening, club chairman Pascal Szczepanski thanked everyone for coming and asked for a round of applause for the children who had given such great entertainment this season. He also thanked all the
MAY 5 saw both Donyatt Bowling Club's league sides in action. Both got off to a fine start, winning by ten points to two on both counts, the Premier League side against Williton and County League side against Nailsea in home fixtures. -o- ON May 8,
CHARD Bowling Club played a Wessex League match at Queen Camel on May 10. It was a wet and windy afternoon which obviously suited the hardy players from Chard, as they won comfortably on three rinks and by 82-60. Scores: R. Wood, B. Raistrick, S. Nicholas
PEOPLE in Chard and Ilminster have been making the most of the Somerset Social Group, enjoying a number of activities and days out in the area. The group organises trips in and around Chard and Ilminster. Over the years, the social group has organised
HOMEOWNERS in Chard, Ilminster and Crewkerne may be eligible for a low interest loan to help make essential repairs to their homes, thanks to a new scheme by South Somerset District Council. People on low incomes who need to make improvements, but cannot
As I am sure that you will be aware, 2006/7 has been a difficult time for Chard Town Council as it was faced with two tribunals - one from the Standards Board for England, the authority that regulates the conduct of Councillors and an Employment Tribunal
SUCCESSFUL Ilminster firm Gooch and Housego has announced their take over of a market leader for a massive £5million. The specialist manufacturer of optical components and systems bought 100% of the issued share capital of SIFAM Fibre Optics Ltd. SIFAM
THE Jurassic League 2007 began with members of Ilminster Swimming Club attending the first round gala hosted by Heron Swim Club, at the Yeovilton Naval Base. The competition was fast and demanding for all the clubs involved, providing some unexpected
CHARD & District Swimming Club won the Top Club Trophy and Abi Abrahams was Top Girl in the 11 years age group at the Avalon Open Meet held at Millfield School, Street. These awards were based on six points for a first position down to one point for
Tuesday May 15: Bill Bailey Cup Final at Chard Town FC, 7pm kick off: Fivehead United v Ilminster Town Colts. Thursday May 17: Durnford Cup Final at Cheddar, 7.30pm kick off: Perry Street & District League Under 18 v Yeovil & District League Under
PERRY Street U-10 team, pictured with the Yeovil & District Youth League Under 10s Champions Plate runners-up trophy. Back row, from left, Marlon Hooper, Braeden Symes, Thomas Smith, Jordan Totterdell, Warren Lewis, Jake Power, Jamie Sweet, James Taylor
AT Ilminster's annual town meeting last month, mayor Carol Goodall said she could have written a book about the turbulent arrival of supermarket giant Tesco. With the release of Our Farm this week, Rosie Boycott, broadcaster and national newspaper editor
A NEW partnership overseeing Somerset's three main river systems has been launched with the creation of the Somerset Water Management Partnership. The group replaces the Parrett Catchment Project and Levels and Moors Partnership, and is made up of 14
THE French Navy Aeronavale will be taking part in the Yeovil Air Day at RNAS Yeovilton on July 7. Their large static contribution will include four fighter planes and three helicopters, and follows their support of last year's event. The international
Toolstation Western League Premier Division THIS battle of the Robins, which closed the curtain on the current season, was the archetypal game of two halves. Having matched their opponents, who only needed to avoid defeat by less than six goals to ensure
HEAVY showers on Bank Holiday Monday saw a small field competing for the Bader Cup, a National mixed greensome Stableford competition with the winners able to go through to regional finals. Despite the weather conditions it was a closely fought game
PEOPLE in Chard are being asked to show their support for missing youngster, Madeleine McCann in an awareness day at Clare House childcare centre on Friday. Four-year-old Madeleine disappeared from an apartment in Portugal on May 3, while her parents
GARY Le Coadou and Paul Hollingham had a successful visit over the weekend to Down Ampney in Gloucester and returned home to Somerset with their Toyota Celica GT4 having been the Overall Winners at the Owen Developments Stages Rally. The rally attracted
U-12 District Cup Final Holyrood 1, Westfield 0 HOLYROOD School U-12s beat Westfield School (Yeovil) in the final of the District Cup at Wadham School, Crewkerne, on May 2. Holyrood beat Sexey's School (Bruton) 7-1 after extra time in the quarter finals
CHARD C successfully saw off Yeovil B with ease on what was a blustery Bank Holiday Monday in Yeovil. This match was Chard C's first match of the season and with the encounter between last year's two relegated clubs, it seemed like it was going to be
MIDWIVES at Yeovil District Hospital will be supporting National Breastfeeding Awareness Week this week by helping deliver a new support group in the town. Pregnant women and new mothers are being invited to meet and chat over a free lunch at the Reckleford
WHITELACKINGTON Country Music Club will play host to Howard Hawks at the Vaughan Lee Memorial Hall this Saturday, May 19, from 8pm till late. Please note, there will be no line dancing. Bar and snacks will be available, admission £5 on the door. More
IN spite of wind and rain, the Plant Sale on Friday, May 11 in Ilminster Market Square raised over £200 for Operation Christmas Child. Residents from Buckland St Mary, Chard and Ilminster held the winning raffle ticket numbers 164, 175, 186 and 215.
THE winners in the most recent 100 Club draw were Clive Carvell (£20), Chase Curtis (£10), Val Pipe and Gemma Wells (£5 each). The club's next fundraising event will be a sponsored children's bicycle ride from South Petherton to the Duke of York, Shepton
ON behalf of the trustees and myself I would like to express my heartfelt thanks to all the therapists who gave up their time so readily to help at our makeover night, also Minster Pharmacy and Body Shop for donating makeup and toiletries. A big thank
WE would both like to thank everyone who voted for us in the recent elections - we were both very pleased to be elected to Chard Town Council. It was the first time either of us has ever got involved in council elections and we both found it an interesting
THERE will be an Antiques and Collectors Fair at the new village hall, Barrington, next Sunday, May 27, from 10am-4pm. Admission is £1, and 20 dealers will be operating on two floors - and there is a lift! Refreshments available all day.
