SEVEN members (pictured) recently undertook a sponsored walk from the town centre to The Skylark where they were joined for lunch by non-walking members.

The total sum raised was £850, which will be donated to The League of Friends of Wellington Community Hospital to improve the range of services offered at the hospital.

NYNEHEAD Parish Annual Meeting on May 18 heard updates on an impressive variety of village activities, from work on flooding and speeding to reports on the Parish Council, Memorial Club, the Playing Field, All Saints’ Church, and the Gardening and Cricket Clubs.

Outgoing parish council chair Jeremy Toye reminded the 25 parishioners present that the village had faced major challenges in the past year.

Repeated downpours led to an unusual amount of flooding, tackled by a combination of council pressure, volunteer work and Highways support. Excessive speed by some motorists prompted the council purchase of a Speed Indicator Device, to be installed on the most populated stretch of village road next month.

The parish’s enviable range of footpaths, ably patrolled by Joe Frost until his recent retirement through ill-health, were maintained by volunteers, principally Ben Tingay and Steve Wadham. Jeremy’s departure from the council has brought back Jan Butterley as chair and a new face on the council, Peter Swinburn, with generous tributes paid to Jeremy for his work on the council and the hall committee.

Gary Sparks reported on renovations to the hall and vital repair of a water leak, plus an impressive range of activities. The Memorial Club’s popular Open Mic night was highlighted, as were recent improvements to the playing field. The church, Gardening Club and Cricket Club all pointed to the wide range of options available to our community, all reported on the Parish Council’s expanding Nynehead Now and newsletter outlets.

Questions from the floor explored several aspects of village life, before the regular parish council monthly meeting began. The evening was enhanced by generous food and drink offered by council members.

RELATIVES and friends of Barbara Creighton enjoyed a wonderful tea party at Milverton Court, kindly hosted by Patrick and Belinda, to celebrate her 100th birthday.

Milverton Lunch Club member Barbara celebrated with cake, sherry and many good wishes from friends. Corks popped, cake and canapés were eaten while a cousin read a very interesting summary of Barbara’s 100 years. Vicky, her granddaughter flew in from France to be part of the celebrations, so it was a very special occasion.

FOLLOWING a warm welcome to the meeting by president Christine and the singing of Jerusalem, guest speaker Susie, a volunteer with the Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance (D&SAA), received donations collected by members throughout the year, together with proceeds from raffles and a tabletop sale.

Susie explained to members how the Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance started in 2000 with a small daytime operation team flying one week a month to now being an advanced and professional medical aviation operation. Volunteers spreading the word about the work of the air ambulance means that more money can be raised to help in emergency situations.

At a previous Glastonbury Festival, a 24-hour sortie was successfully trialled, and it was hoped that this could be introduced in future years. The base for the D&SAA helicopter is in Yeovil and funds are currently being raised for a second helicopter. Susie explained how the system worked when a 999 call was made to the Control Centre in Exeter including how one of the two critical outreach cars can attend incidents instead of a helicopter.

Crews always carry two 15kg medical bags; red for blood circulation, and blue with airway and ventilator support. The crew have to be physically fit as they sometimes need to carry these heavy bags long distances. In 2023/2024, 42 lives were saved. As each mission costs £3,500 Susie thanked everyone for supporting D&SAA.

A vote of thanks was given by committee member Enid Halliwell for the fantastic work they do and concluded if she won the lottery she would buy them a helicopter, with a positive round of applause!

Somerset Federation WI advisor, Lynn Page, opened the AGM.

Secretary, Cheryl Bailey, gave a summary of the 2025/26 WI’s year, illustrating the variety of interesting speakers’ topics and social events. New members had been welcomed and membership totalled 47.

Highlights of the year included an ‘Afternoon Tea’ to celebrate 110 years of the WI with a celebration cake and ‘Mastermind Quiz’ about WI, and our traditional West Buckland WI Christmas get-together with buffet and entertainment by Wellington Operatic Touring Group. The monthly extra activity groups were acknowledged and coordinators thanked.

Carole Smith, treasurer, presented a summary of the audited accounts which were unanimously approved. Committee members were then voted in ‘en-bloc’ and Christine Wombwell was elected president for her final year. Christine thanked the committee and members for their ongoing support and that members could look forward to the events and activities planned during the year for the 90th anniversary celebrations.

Members then had time to socialise over a cup of tea and biscuits provided by the hostess of the month and her team. The business part of the meeting then followed.

The annual presentation of Cups and Trophies were awarded: Heather Bubb won the ‘Bill Giles’ cup for her winning entries in the monthly competition, Christine Wombwell was awarded the indoor curling trophy, Carole Smith won the cup for board games and Jane Taylor the ‘Elsie Purchase’ cup for going above and beyond for the WI, having organised the WBWI weekly walks for more than 20 years.

Our monthly raffle was drawn and the winners for the monthly competition for an object item or collectable in the colour of the month, which for May was green, was chosen.

Visitors are very welcome to come along to our monthly meetings, which are held on the second Tuesday in the month, 7pm for 7.30pm at West Buckland Village Hall, TA21 9NA, and our next open meeting is on Tuesday June 9 when we will hear about “all that glitters” by Jo Jeffrey.

If you would like to join us at West Buckland WI and come along one Tuesday evening, please speak to Christine on 01823 652863, Email [email protected], or contact Somerset County Federation of WIs for details of WIs in your area.

A SERVICE of Holy Communion in St Mary’s Church, Hemyock, to celebrate Pentecost, also known as Whitsun, was taken by the Rev John Stone.

Laurence Blythe was organist, prayers were read by Sally Lister, and Di Cooper assisted in dispensing the communion elements of bread and wine.

Pentecost is celebrated 50 days after Easter, recognising when the Holy Spirit descended on the Apostles, allowing all nations to hear the words in their own language.

Attended by more than 30 people, the joy of the festival was celebrated by the lighting of the Pascal candle and chandelier.

Hung from the pulpit was a banner depicting Christ and showing how his disciples found they could be understood in many languages at the first Pentecost.

Following the service, light refreshments were enjoyed.

MORE than 70 women came together on Thursday, May 21, for the successful launch of a new group designed to connect, support and inspire women in the town and surrounding area.

The inaugural meeting of Monumental Women of Wellington (WOW), at The Beambridge Inn, marked the beginning of what organisers describe as ‘an exciting new chapter’ for women in Wellington.

The meeting was opened by Karen Janas, joint leader of the organising team, who warmly welcomed everyone, expressed her delight at the number of women present, and spoke about the vision behind WOW. “We want WOW to be a safe, welcoming and inclusive space for all women over 18,” she said. “It’s about friendship, empowerment, shared experiences and creating opportunities for women to meet, support one another and enjoy time together.”

Guests heard about the wide range of activities and interest groups planned as part of the new organisation, including crafts, creative writing, skittles, reading groups, walks, cinema and theatre trips, breakfast outings, and many more.

Joint leader Rachel Ellins explained that while some of the activities have evolved from the former Wellington WI, WOW is an entirely independent organisation with a fresh identity and renewed focus on community involvement. “This is a completely new group and a new beginning for women in Wellington,” she said. “We’re also keen to become actively involved in community events across the town.”

The next meeting will take place on Thursday, June 18, at 7.30pm at The Beambridge Inn. Visitors are welcome to attend up to two meetings before becoming members, with a guest fee of £5 per visit. Further information, including membership details, can be found at: monumentalwomenofwellington.org or via email at [email protected]