ON Good Friday the congregations of the Churches in Wellington joined together at the Baptist Church for a joint service to remember the crucifixion of Jesus on the cross outside Jerusalem.

Approximately 200 attended, where leaders and members from a number of Churches took part.

The Walk of Witness headed by a cross bearer walking on the pavement then left the Church to walk to St John's Parish Church where tea, coffee and hot cross buns were enjoyed by all.

While the walk was taking place members from various churches handed out hot cross buns to folk who were out shopping in the town, and to some shop staff as well. This included a leaflet that asked the question was the crucifixion "Fake News or Good News.”

John Salter, secretary of Wellington Churches Together, said: “A big thank you to everyone who was involved in any way to make this a very successful morning.”

CACTI and succulents was the topic for our April meeting, and we were pleased to welcome Tony Irons to guide us.

Tony now lives in Portishead, but started his cacti collection as a 15-year-old in London when he was given some cuttings to pot on and grow. He now grows all his cacti, succulents and lithops from seeds, and sells seeds and seedling plants through his eBay shop and at cacti events. He also talks regularly of his learning experience, including a slot on a Gardeners World programme and podcasts on You Tube.

Cacti and succulents are low maintenance plants, best grown either indoors or, as preferred by Tony, in a greenhouse or conservatory. His talk focused on compost, growing and watering, and pests and diseases.

The essential aspect for cacti composts is to mimic their growing environment in Africa or the Americas, namely a sandy or gritty medium. While there are ready mixed cacti composts available, Tony makes his own from one part each of John Innes No2, vermiculite or pumice, and coir. He finds this provides a mix for both retaining water as well as allowing root ventilation and drainage.

Tony stated that caring for cacti and succulents has two seasons. During Winter (mid-October to mid-March) no water must be given to enable cacti to hibernate, also the temperature must not go below 5 degrees Celsius. Water the plants gradually from mid-March until you again reduce the watering to nothing by mid-October.

During the height of the summer watering should be every five days, with the occasional light spraying during the odd evening when the sun is not shining into the greenhouse. During the watering period plant feed should be added every second week.

While the plants like heat, as in their native environment, they must have air circulating to prevent scorching. Cacti and succulents may also be attacked by mealy bugs or red spider mites; early detection and treatment with readily available insecticide sprays will help eradicate them.

Tony also grows lithops or living stones. Growing and care of these is very similar to cacti and succulents, although watering starts slightly later (early May) and finishes earlier (end September). Tony notes that younger lithops may require one teaspoon of water every six to eight weeks over the winter, just to keep them ticking over.

For our May meeting we are on tour with a coach trip to Yeo Valley Organic Garden near Blagdon, south of Bristol.

For further information on this visit or our club activities contact Sue or Nick on 01823 672662.

MORE than £1,600 was raised from a dance-a-thon in West Buckland Primary School and Nursery for the charity Young Somerset.

The charity’s Peter and Jenn Chidley-Sanders visited the school and were presented with a cheque for £1,634.34.

Pupils had taken home sponsorship forms and encouraged friends and family to support them as they danced their hearts out from 9.30 am to 2.30 pm, enjoying everything from freestyle and disco dancing in the morning to a fun line-dancing session in the afternoon.

During the visit, Peter and Jenn spoke to each class about the work of Young Somerset, sharing how their generosity would directly support young people across the county.

They also spent time talking with the children about their own wellbeing, helping them understand when they or a friend might benefit from support.

They said: “We are absolutely thrilled to receive this donation, a huge ‘well done’ to the pupils, staff, and families at West Buckland Primary School.”

Young Somerset, previously called Somerset Rural Youth Project, was established in 1997 and engages and supports young people in a range of social, economic, educational, and recreational opportunities designed to encourage social inclusion and life-long learning.

It addresses issues such as exclusion, isolation, and disadvantage which affect young people to encourage the take-up of education, training, employment, and enterprise opportunities.

RESIDENTS at Abbeyfield’s Ivy House in Wellington enjoyed a lively Easter celebration on Thursday, April 9, organised by house manager Alisha Cordy.

The event brought together residents aged 60 to 99, who were entertained by local musician Rod Thomas. Performing a range of well-loved classics on guitar, he kept guests engaged for several hours.

There were smiles all around, with many residents singing along and even taking to the floor to dance. Refreshments were served, helping to round off a successful and enjoyable evening for everyone involved.

TWICE a year for the past five years sisters Susan Haddow and Linda Bennett, of Wellington, have raised funds for Breast Cancer UK and Christian Response to Eastern Europe (cr2ee) which works in Moldova and Ukraine, by running the town council’s Pop Up Shop for a week.

During that time, and thanks to those who have shopped there, they have raised about £15,000, which has been equally divided between the two charities.

The sisters are hopeful that after they organise their final ‘Pop Up’ of this year in October, they will have raised £20,000.

On recognition of their efforts, David and Janice Bawler, of Hemyock, who are local coordinators for cr2ee, presented the pair with floral arrangements.

Mr Bawler said: “The commitment and financial support from Susan and Linda has been an enormous help to cr2ee. As well as the funding, the couple have donated a large amount of knitted items.

“The floral arrangements to both ladies was just a small token of our appreciation for all their hard work.”

EASTER Sunday in the Upper Culm Valley began with a 7 am sunrise service in Clayhidon attended by members from the various local churches, with each holding their own service mid-morning.

Holy Communion in St Mary’s Church, Hemyock, was led by the rector, the Rev Vanessa Cole, with organist Michael Osmond accompanying the choir.

Among the beautiful floral displays were lilies given in memory of a loved one.

Following the service, light refreshments were served and chocolate Easter eggs distributed.

Nynehead Court will once again welcome dogs and their owners for its much-loved annual Dog Show on Saturday, April 25, offering an afternoon filled with character, companionship and community spirit.

Running from 2 pm to 4.30 pm, with enrolment from 1 pm, the event has become a firm favourite in the local calendar. It brings together residents, families, visitors and four-legged friends in a relaxed celebration of all things canine.

The emphasis is on participation and enjoyment, with a range of light-hearted classes including Best in Show, Waggiest Tail, Golden Oldie, Best Rescue, Cutest Puppy and Dog that Looks Most Like Owner. Entries are £2 per class or three for £5 (cash only), with judging beginning promptly at 2 pm.

Alongside the show ring, visitors can enjoy refreshments, a tombola, raffle, gift stalls, face painting and children’s activities, creating a welcoming and sociable afternoon for all ages.

Set within the attractive grounds of Nynehead Court, the Dog Show captures the simple pleasure of a Somerset afternoon spent outdoors, where dogs can be themselves and the community comes together in a relaxed and friendly setting.

The Armed Forces charity SSAFA are hosting HM Royal Marines Band from Lympstone as they return to St Andrews, Wiveliscombe for a third time.

Top class military musicians and the world famous Corps of Drums invite you to join them for an unforgettable evening of varied music and military precision at St Andrew’s Church on Saturday, May 2.

Tickets are £23.85 with seating on a first come, first served basis and doors open at 6.45pm with concert starting at 7.30 pm.

Tickets can be booked at: https://www.ticketsource.com/whats-on/somerset/st-andrews-church/hm-royal-marines-band-concert-wiveliscombe/2026-05-02/19:30/t-mjopejj