NYNEHEAD Court, in Nynehead, near Wellington, is delighted to announce the launch of its new garden tours, offering clubs, community groups, and garden enthusiasts the opportunity to enjoy a relaxed and informative exploration of the estate’s beautifully maintained grounds.

Led by our knowledgeable head gardener, the tours provide insight into the design, planting and seasonal highlights across Nynehead Court’s 14 acres of parkland and formal gardens. From the historic pinetum with its towering conifers, to vibrant borders, quietly placed sculptures and woodland paths, each tour reveals the unique horticultural character that makes the gardens such a special part of the estate.

Whether you’re a horticultural society with a passion for planting, a walking club looking for a scenic outing, or simply a group of friends who appreciate time in nature, the experience is designed to be gentle, tailored, and engaging.

Tour highlights include:

Each visit can be adapted to suit the focus of your group—whether that’s seasonal planting, garden design, trees and wildlife, or the estate’s historical landscape.

Nynehead Court’s gardens have been lovingly cared for over generations, and today they continue to offer a peaceful and inspiring space for both residents and visitors. Our Garden Tours are a chance to experience this living heritage and to enjoy the restorative power of nature in one of Somerset’s most tranquil settings.

The tours have already attracted interest from across the region, and early booking is recommended. Tours are available throughout spring and summer, with dates offered on request.

Advance bookings for the tours during spring and summer are essential.

To arrange a visit or enquire email: [email protected]. More information can be found at Nynehead Court’s website: www.nyneheadcourt.co.uk/nynehead-court-garden-tours/

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WELLINGTON School has yet again won a prestigious national award for its work in the local community.

The school is incredibly proud to have been announced as the winner of the Best Community Work in the Boarding School Association (BSA) Awards. This is the second time they have won this coveted award and they have also been shortlisted a further three times demonstrating the outstanding commitment to the local community.

The award was judged on the community-based initiatives undertaken by the School in the past year. These awards celebrate the achievements, hard work, and dedication of schools and individuals, and this year they were more competitive than ever with over 300 submissions received.

Wellington School has been part of the Wellington community since 1837 and takes great pride in playing a full and active role in the life of the town and the wider local area.

The community beyond the gates is an integral part of the identity of Wellington School and they are deeply committed to supporting it to the very best of their ability. Whether in the form of bursaries, sharing facilities, charity fundraising, community service or hosting joint learning and events, Wellington School seeks to support families, schools and partners in many varied ways.

The ethos of compassion and caring for others is deeply embedded within the School community and the enthusiasm for carrying this forward into practical action runs throughout the whole school. There are consistent efforts to help others cheerfully, willingly and usefully and for pupils all ages, staff and parents work together creatively to help members of the local community in difficulty.

In addition, the school was named as a finalist in the sustainability category, highlighting the work done by the community to reduce the impact on the environment and make a positive contribution to the future of the planet.

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A BRAND-new dance class is making waves in Taunton, offering women a unique opportunity to move and reconnect with themselves — all whilst soaking up feel-good vibes.

Femme Flow, the first sensual dance class of its kind in the area, takes place every Friday evening at 7.15pm in a luxurious yoga and fitness centre, Nourish Yoga Studio. Designed specifically for women, the class blends sensual floorwork with mobility, flexibility and yogic techniques — creating a confidence-boosting experience like no other.

Focusing on fluidity, feline-inspired movement and body positivity, Femme Flow is ideal for complete beginners and welcomes women of all shapes, ages, and abilities. No heels are required — as it prioritises accessibility for all women.

“It’s all about feeling sexy, strong, and supported,” says Carmen Lee, the class founder. “We’ve created a space where women can move with intention, boost their self-confidence, and simply enjoy being in their bodies.”

Femme Flow — also playfully known as Taunton’s Pink Pony Club — is more than a fitness class. It’s a self-celebration movement for women ready to embrace their sensuality in a safe, soulful space.

Bookings can be made via www.nourishyoga.co.uk.

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AS care givers, it was really important for us to celebrate VE80 with our residents at Linden House Nursing Home in Wellington. Most of our residents were children 80 years ago but remember the original VE Day and what they did on that day. In another 10 years (VE90) there will be few people left who remember, so it was really important to us to ensure we gave our residents a day to remember.

We spoke to our residents about their memories of the original day. Most remember the street party celebrations happening in their area, so we felt that was the best way for us to celebrate with them. We decorated our dining room (we were going to hold an outside street party in the grounds, but the weather was not warm enough). We gave residents the option of sausage and mash, or buffet style food. All the staff dressed in red, white, and blue and the home was decorated with flags and memorabilia. We recorded our residents’ memories of the original VE Day and put them all on a board for visitors to read. Outside we had flags blowing and silhouette soldiers around the grounds for the residents to see. We feel proud that we got to celebrate such a memorable day with those who were there.

The VE 80 celebration will continue with a fete on June 28 from 2pm to 5pm.

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As part of the celebrations for VE 80 Day, the mayor of Wellington, councillor Janet Lloyd, was invited to Oaktree Court care home for coffee and cake. While she was there she met a resident, Ken Embleton, aged 100, who fought in Burma during WW2 and therefore is a holder of the Burma Star.

Councillor Lloyd said that she was very privileged to meet Ken not only for achieving such a great age but for having fought in Burma. She said: "I have never met a holder of the Burma Star previously and it was a great honour to meet and talk to Ken."

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WELLINGTON Local History and Museum Society exhibited at the Wellington Spring Fayre in Wellington Park on Sunday, May 4, in glorious sunshine at which over 100 people came and looked around the items on show in the gazebo.

It was a real pleasure to be at this event and congratulations to the organisers for putting on such a good a show for all the family to enjoy, and then picture shows museum volunteers ready to welcome the visitors.

The 80th anniversary of VE Day is also celebrated and the museum has its window in Fore Street decorated to commemorate to mark this occasion and to remember all those who gave their lives in the Second World War. Do come and see the window and visit the museum where there are many exhibits to remember the war.

Please see the museum’s website www.wellingtonmuseum.org.uk

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Dukes Court in Wellington, run by McCarthy & Stone, held their own VE Day celebrations recently.

They decorated the property’s railings and said they were happy to play their part.

Dukes Court house manager said: “It was so lovely last week to see towns up and down the country festooned with bunting to mark the 80th anniversary of VE Day, and all the events that were held too. We at Dukes Court decorated our railings with bunting to play our part, as we always do for occasions like this.

“We also purchased an 80th anniversary banner, which was put on the railings on May 8 and featured an image of a Spitfire.”

The team were sad to report that the picture went missing later that week.

The spokesperson added: “It was with great disappointment that we discovered that someone had removed this by Saturday!

“We would have willingly let someone have it after the event if they had just asked, but to just take it for themselves is particularly galling when you consider the event we were marking.”