A GROUP of jazzers enjoyed an evening of trad-jazz by Roger Marks' Fiesta 5, listening and dancing to tunes such as Moonlight Becomes You, Georgia On My Mind, Magnolia's Wedding Day, Higher Ground and Sweet Sue.

The groups next session is at 7.30 pm on February 11, in Langford Budville Jubilee Hall.

Zoe Lambeth's Vintage Jazz Collective will be entertaining the jazz group with music from the 20s and 30s.

Everyone is welcome to attend.

Entrance is cash only, payable at the door.

THE CEO of Christians in Politics, Mr Andy Flanagan is coming to Wellington Methodist Church on Sunday (February 1) at 3 pm to talk about the organisation.

Everyone is welcome to attend.

The strap line for Christians in Politics states: “Our mission is to inspire Christians to get involved in politics and public life regardless of their personal political affiliation.”

To find out more about Christians in Politics, visit: www.christiansinpolitics.co.uk

THE first meeting of 2026 for the Wellington Basins Volunteer Group (WBVG) took place on Friday (January 16).

Members were informed of an injury to one of the swans caused by fishing tackle left carelessly in the water of one of the ponds and causing an obstruction to the swan’s neck and digestion.

A vigilant member of the public had noticed the injury and arranged for the swan to be taken to a vet for an operation to remove the obstruction.

The swan has recovered well and is once again back safely at the Basins.

Several members of the public have contributed to the payment of the vet’s bill.

A spring clean had taken place in both of the containers. Several items of furniture were identified as no longer purposeful - in particular some small plastic tables and chairs which were no longer used.

These will be placed outside the containers on a free offer to a good home.

Plans for the rest of the year were also discussed and in particular, attending May Day in the park. The treasurer reported that funds were still in a healthy state.

Some repair work on benches and a pontoon were noted.

The next meeting of WBVG will be on April 17. This will be the AGM.

MEMBERS of Wellington & District Townswomen’s Guild welcomed in the new year with a special celebratory lunch at Lodge Close Hall in place of their January meeting.

A two-course meal was provided by talented caterer Jackie White, of Jackie’s Cakes in Wellisford, with a choice of two carvery-style main courses and two delicious puddings.

After every had eaten their fill, Betty Bennet, a Guild member for over twenty years, was presented with a beautiful bouquet of flowers in honour of her recent 95th birthday, and a chorus of ‘Happy Birthday to You’ was sung by all.

The afternoon ended with the raffle being drawn, and members were reminded that the next meeting would be at Lodge Close Hall on Monday, February 9, at 2.30 pm.

The Guild is a very friendly group, so prospective new members are always welcome to come along.

ST Mary’s Church, West Buckland, has thanked all those who visited, supported, and volunteered at the recent Christmas tree festival.

Congratulations went to Tracey Lavery, of West Buckland, who was the winner of the favourite Christmas tree of the festival and who was presented with a Christmas hamper by the mayor of Wellington Cllr Janet Lloyd.

A special thanks was made to A&M Cars, Taunton, Mount Vets, Wellington, Chelston Nursing Home, Langford Lakes Christmas tree farm, Sheppy’s Cider Farm, the Iron Duke public house, Waitrose, Asda, and Co-op supermarkets, Willowbrook Nursery, Somerset Signs, and several private individuals for their generous donations.

THE first meeting of the New Year commenced with a warm welcome from President Christine who greeted members and visitors .

This year is West Buckland WI’s 90th Anniversary and they will be celebrating with a variety of additional events throughout the year to commemorate.

The meeting continued with WI business. It was reported that the WI’s skittles team lost their first match in the County Skittles Tournament even though they put up a good fight, and thanks were given to the team, supporters and captains.

In December, West Buckland WI had entered a tree in the West Buckland Church Christmas Tree Festival competition. Although not a winning entry the WI tree had looked very festive in WI colours alongside all the many entries.

The West Buckland WI extra activity groups continue to flourish. These include board games, coffee and chat, craft group, lunch group, indoor kurling, reading group and a weekly walking group.

West Buckland WI hope the handbells group will start again in February.

Members are welcome to join all groups.

The meeting continued with members reminiscing with ‘A Jamboree of Memories’ talking about their own personal memories of their treasured possessions.

These ranged from a book on modern needlework dating back to 1919 which survived the London Blitz, an antique nutcracker, a box of well-used buttons dating back to the 1930s, a pocket-sized Methodist Hymn Book from the 19th century, together with a replica of a Clarice Cliff tulip design tea set, followed by fond memories of a very special occasion with a tale of two cows taken to the Royal Agricultural Show in 1958 when HM Queen Elizabeth II was present.

One of the groups long-standing members brought past West Buckland WI Programmes and photographs with interesting monthly competitions which included making a donkey sculpture out of soap, a packed lunch for one, or a jar of bottled gooseberries.

West Buckland WI were also introduced to a small model of an ‘inuksuk’ a type of stone landmark in the likeness of a human and used by the Inuit people, purchased on a WI trip to Canada.

The monthly raffle was drawn and the winners for the monthly competition for an object item or collectable in the January birthstone colour of dark red (garnet) were chosen.

Members then had time to socialise over a cup of tea and biscuits provided by the Hostess of the month and her team.

Visitors are very welcome to come along to the monthly meetings, which are held on the second Tuesday of the month from 7 pm at West Buckland Village Hall, TA21 9NA.

The next open meeting is on Tuesday, February 10, with the speaker Liam O’Farrell who is an artist.

If you would like to join us at West Buckland WI one Tuesday evening, come along or contact Christine on 01823 652863 or 07736 712273.

Email [email protected], or Somerset Federation of Women’s Institutes for details of WIs in the area.

THE Rotary Club of Wellington are looking for donations of wool for an upcoming project to raise money for local good causes.

A spokesperson for The Rotary Club, said: “Thank you to those who have already donated, but we would be grateful for any more donations of wool- part balls or full, it doesn't matter.”

To donate wool to the Rotary Club, drop it off at the King’s Arms Community Hub on High Street.

THE town council now look after the play areas in the Longforth Farm estate.

The management company approached Wellington Town Council last year about taking these play areas on along with the maintenance of the grass in along the entrance to the estate.

A spokesperson for Wellington Town Council, said: “We are pleased to say that the play areas in the Longforth Farm estate are now under our care, if there are any issues with equipment here please contact us.”

FERNE Animal Sanctuary have launched an urgent appeal to raise money for hay to keep their horses, ponies and small animals fed and happy.

The dry conditions over the summer, combined with a late and dry spring this year have led to much smaller hay yields.

The low yields and lack of good grass means that the animal sanctuary have had to supplement some of the animals with hay from July.

A spokesperson for Ferne Animal Sanctuary, said: “As you can imagine, hay is absolutely essential for the animals here at Ferne, but right now it’s in short supply, high demand and more expensive than ever.

“Because hay is a vital part of many of our residents’ daily diets, they get through it incredibly quickly - and with so many mouths to feed, the rising costs soon add up.

“Should we be lucky enough to exceed our target, the additional funds will go towards the other costs of keeping our animals warm over the winter months.”

To donate to the appeal, search ‘Urgent Hay Appeal’ on Justgiving.com