WITH the star shining at the top of the church tower, the cold wind did nothing to stop about 100 people gathering in the churchyard of St Mary’s, Hemyock, for the annual crib and carol service.

Led by the rector Rev Vanessa Cole, children were invited to search the churchyard for the various characters as the story unfolded.

Nigel Atkinson provided piano accordion accompaniment for the singing of well-loved carols.

Many people took the opportunity to view the 25 decorated Christmas trees within the church before enjoying confectionery on their departure.

The following morning, the rector welcomed a large congregation to a service of Holy Communion.

MEMBERS of The Taunton French Circle from Wellington, Wiveliscombe, Milverton and Taunton gathered in mid December to celebrate 10 years of the circle.

Friends and members of the group shared meal and drinks at Staplegrove Village Hall to celebrate the anniversary.

Anyone who loves French, the French speaking world and the culture it embraces is welcome to join The Taunton French Circle events at Staplegrove Village Hall.

To see their programme, visit their web page: TauntonFrenchCircle.com

For enquiries email [email protected]

DURING 2025, the Somerset Industrial Archaeological Society (SIAS) continued to enjoy the benefits of a mix of live meetings at Silver Street Baptist Church Hall, Taunton, and alternate online talks via Zoom.

This popular format allows a wider audience to enjoy the programme and listen to interesting speakers from much further afield.

In the autumn, and in a first for SIAS, a British historian living in New York recalled the huge global impact of the spread of undersea cables in the 19th century.

The transformation of governance, trade and warfare was possibly greater than that caused by today’s internet.

The SIAS Winter 2026 programme now begins on Monday, January 12, with a talk in the Baptist Church Hall on “The Victorian Way of Death” when Dr Charlotte Coles reveals how growing cities dealt with huge increases in their populations.

Many innovations and funeral practices were introduced, and some are still with us today.

One unusual response was the start of a train service carrying coffins and mourners from London’s Waterloo Station to a vast new cemetery in Surrey. Naturally, the wealthier deceased could afford to travel first class.

Forthcoming talks will include a study of the Shrewsbury Flax Mill; the first iron-framed building in the world, and also ask how will we choose to remember our coal mining industry, which for so long underpinned our economy but which has now disappeared.

Meetings continue fortnightly until April 13, with a gap to avoid Easter.

All meetings commence at 7.30 pm, all are welcome, and there is a small admission charge for non-members.

For details of the full programme of talks, SIAS activities and publications, visit www.sias.me.uk

THE results are in for the Hemyock Christmas lights competition.

Cllr Luke Taylor, leader of Mid-Devon District Council, judged the decorations with assistance from his daughters Millie and Meadow.

Cllr Taylor, said: “A fantastic display of lights across the parish of Hemyock.

“Firstly a special mention for the Lights Brigade - the pink trees , the star on the church and other Christmas lights makes the whole village look very festive . ( I help organise the lights in Bradninch and this has given me some ideas to take away).

“Also , a special mention to the residents of Longmead for their joined up efforts and to the people in Pencross view too. The Catherine Wheel pub deserves a special mention for their great efforts both in the square and the beer garden. As was the lights and decoration in the churchyard and the parish hall.

“The community of Hemyock should be very proud of the festive cheer brought to the whole village.”

The winners, with a brief description by Cllr Taylor, were:

4) 24 Eastlands, splendid, with the garden and every window lit up.

3) Fourways House, very definitely worth visiting to have a look.

2) Pophayes, High Street, hasn’t the garden space but the artistic display made up for this brilliantly, well done.

1) 7, Castle Park, a tremendous effort, my daughters and I especially liked the dinosaur nativity scene - very original.

Cllr Taylor added: “A brilliant effort by the residents of Hemyock, a big thanks to Simon Cist for asking me to judge, driving me around and the pint.

“Well done everyone.”

DECEMBER was a productive month for the Transition Town gardeners with a great team of volunteers coming to sessions and not too many rainy days.

At Fox’s Field, the group managed to remove the fence from the previously planted area to the new one.

The gardeners just have the wire to put back up in January, but the forest garden now looks totally different.

A spokesperson for the group said: “It feels so open and flows along the path, giving more of a sense of what it will be like in years to come when it’s all planted up.”

The group are going to start their planting for 2026 by adding some more cobnuts and replacing the mulberries in early January, as well as putting the wire back up and continuing to move the hay bales.

The plan is that one side of the new area will be a series of compost bays which we can grow next year’s squash in.

At Longacre, the group pruned three of the 14 apple and pear trees during December.

With 11 more trees to go, there will be another two pruning sessions in January during the right phase of the biodynamic calendar.

One pruning session will aim to increase growth and one to decrease growth, (plus one pruning session on Fox’s Field).

During these sessions volunteers can learn with a one to one session on a tree and take it in turns to prune back the brambles with the rest of the team.

At Trinity Orchard, winter is the best time to prune back brambles and laurel on this site.

The gardeners will make sure the areas they cleared in the last two winters aren’t growing back to help the wildflowers that grow here.

Upcoming community gardening dates are:

Tuesday January 6, community gardening at Fox’s Field.

Thursday January 8, planting at Fox’s Field.

Friday January 9, community gardening at Fox’s Field.

Tuesday January 13, pruning at Longacre.

Friday January 16, pruning at Fox’s Field.

Tuesday January 20, community gardening at Trinity Orchard.

Friday January 23, community gardening at Fox’s Field.

Tuesday January 27, pruning at Longacre.

Friday January 30, community gardening at Fox’s Field.

THE Spanish Conversation Group are inviting budding or fluent Spanish speakers to join their monthly sessions.

The Spanish Conversation Group will meet at Wellington Library on the first Monday of every month at 10.30 am until 11.30 am.

Their first session of the year will commence on Wednesday, January 7.

A spokesperson for the Spanish Conversation Group, said: “If you're thinking of practicing your languages as a new year's resolution then why not come meet others wanting to improve their Spanish conversation skills from basic to fluent.”

For more details on the Spanish Conversation Group, contact: [email protected]

THE Transition Town Wellington Bookworms will meet on Wednesday (January 21) to discuss the book "How animals heal us" by Jay Griffiths.

The session will start at 7.30pm and finish at 9 pm.

The October session of Bookworms had to be postponed due to illness, so the group are still focussing on "How animals heal us".

A spokesperson for Bookworms, said: “This is more than a beautifully written book about animals; it takes a philosophical position that expresses not only how vital their role is to human health, but also how they can affect the vitality and proper working of the entire planet.

“Jay explains that animals have a ‘profound Indigenous knowledge’ that can tap into our physical, psychological and spiritual health in remarkable ways.”

Ring Sue beforehand if you would like to come along on 07896031236

The venue is in Wellington.

WELLINGTON Medical Centre practice manager, Lydia Daniel-Baker retired at the end of 2025 after many years service.

Lydia will be succeeded by Jessica Cook who has worked at the medical centre for many years.

Lydia was presented with a gardening voucher by the Patient’s Group and thanked for all her input with them.

NYNEHEAD Memorial Club are kicking off the new year with a open mic night on Friday, January 16.

Doors and bar open at 7 pm and mic opens at about 8 pm until late.

Drum kit can be available by prior request.

No pre-booking need.