Dora's Poetry Corner Some residents might remember seeing an 1885 century map on Shapwick Residents' Facebook page earlier this year. Several people expressed interest in the book in which it was included. It is out of print but I am arranging a reprint. The first 50 copies are already spoken for, but if you are interested in obtaining a copy of this informative and fascinating document, please contact Anthea Beale as soon as possible to make an additional order. The book costs £9.00 per copy. This is a non profit making venture. What is included in the 107 pages? Maps through the centuries, floor plans of early houses and cottages, names of homeowners since 1660, details of the two manor houses and the land and domiciles associated with them, plans and details of the ‘back in the day’ 17 farms within the village and the parish boundary, historical facts and much, much more. Contact Anthea Beale, anthbeale@aol.com or 01458 210524, for more information or to place an order. We’ve had an extraordinary few weeks. We should have expected that, at 96, the Queen didn’t have much longer left – but it was still a shock for most of us, especially as she had been inducting a new Prime Minister only two days previously. Right to the end, she was utterly devoted to her role of serving our nation as Queen – and as a nation we recognised that devotion. What underpinned her dedication was her real, deep faith in Christianity. She spoke about this consistently in her Christmas messages - although you wouldn’t have thought so from some of the newspaper coverage! As she said in her 2020 Christmas broadcast: "The teachings of Christ have served as my inner light, as has the sense of purpose we can find in coming together to worship." As a nation we should be deeply grateful that she saw her role as monarch as one of dedicated service, following the Servant King. The greatest ruler we can follow is the Servant King himself, Jesus. As the son of God, he could have used his position for his own power – but this was not in the character of God. Instead, as we read in the gospels, “the son of man [as he called himself] did not come to be served, but to serve”. He showed this in his teaching, his healing the sick, in the way that he often took the side of the powerless, and in his dying on the cross. His rising from the dead shows how God’s power is very different to human power. Rich can be contacted on vicar@poldenwheel.co.uk and on 210260. The Vernacular Buildings of Shapwick 3 AUTUMN I S SUE | OCTOBER 2 0 2 2 'POLDEN STONE ' BY DORA WATKINS Stone backbone of the Polden Hills Once quarried for local housing. Blue lias stone, attractive stone, Makes for strong, solid, well-built homes. Thick, thick walls. Wide, wide window seats. Rooms summer cool, winter warm. Homes that will stand for centuries, Buttresses against winter gales, Impervious to rain and snow. Sentinels, icons of the Polden landscape. Blue lias stone, our local stone. Need small stones for draining your pots. Dig on your garden you’ll find lots, Dig deeper may hit solid stone. Our own Polden blue lias stone, Keeping the Poldens high and dry From the soggy Levels nearby. RICH TWEEDY Reflecting on the Queen's Death Image Credit: Press Association ANTHEA BEALE Ash Dieback LESLEY GASKELL Ash dieback is a fungal disease which particularly affects UK native ash trees. The disease is transmitted by airborne spores. Once infected the fungus spreads through the tree and blocks the water transport system, typically causing diamond shaped lesions and leaf loss. An infected tree can lose limbs or in some cases topple completely. The matter has been raised with the Parish Council who are seeking assistance from Somerset County Council. The County Council have a helpful guide on this issue, which reminds landowners that they have responsibility to the public under the Occupier’s Liability Acts 1957 & 1984. If you are a landowner and there are ash trees on your property, particularly where these trees are near roads or footpaths, you are urged to monitor the health of these trees and take appropriate action in the case of infection. Further information can be found on the Somerset County Council website: somerset.gov.uk Adjacent ash trees with varying degrees of dieback
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy NTc5NzI=