NEWS NEWS && VIEWSVIEWS

ISSUE 325 SEPTEMBER 2015

NEWS NEWS && VIEWSVIEWS

KENN

Thanks go to Hazel Limage for her superb

photography

On the left we have August 2014 cover picture which

we are told by Dr Chris Blake is not a bee, but a

hover fly!

Above we have what Hazel assures us is a bee

Please keep sending pictures and articles—this is our magazine!

[email protected]

A Bee or not a Bee?

KENN NEWS & VIEWS ISSUE 325 SEPTEMBER 2015

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September Birthdays and Anniversaries 1 Katy and David Hill (WA) Clare & Matt Hibbs (WA) Tina Smith 2 Marianna & Robin Mackay (WA) Tina & Mike Smith (WA) 8 Matthew Hayden

Martin Jaehme 10 Cyril & Mary Willcox (WA) 15 Edward Harkness 18 Jean Fenwick 20 Sam Hibbs 25 Caroline and John Hayden (WA) 26 Joanna (Staples) Cheek James Mackay 29 Heather Jenkins

Kenn Altar Guild - September

Harvest Festival Sunday 13th September

Decoration of Church

I am hopeful that everyone can do their bit to

decorate the Church. If you are unable to do your

usual window please let me know.

New volunteers are always welcome,

please contact me.

Marianna 340323

Altar Guild for September:

Celia Andrews, Barbara Middleton

& Iris Callow

August - Kenn Family Service

On a really rainy morning, the sun came out in St John’s, when first

Ethan and Sophia brought Granny

and Grandpa (Marianna and Robin) to our Family Service, and then

Freya, Jeannie, Harry and Ruby arrived with family in tow.

The theme of the service was that sometimes we have to make

difficult choices between God's way

for us, and worldly ways that are more comfy, but not very good for

us in the end.

Diana told us that we can make

these choices more easily if we clothe ourselves in 'the armour of

God'.

To show this she and all the

children dressed up puppet Sam

in a splendid suit of armour, cunningly constructed out of

cardboard (sword of the Spirit),

silver paint and a chip pan (helmet of Salvation)

We had such fun, Warren decided

that the grownups didn't need

any more words, we could just remember Sam and his adventures.

We sang lots of hymns, and then

stayed behind for chatting, drinking

and munching.

Julia Bush


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Our Flag was flown on 13th August

to celebrate the birth of Ella to

Daniel and Helen Quinn.

Granddaughter for Cheryl Quinn

Hi, Once again it’s time for our regular Late Night Worship session at Yatton Methodist Church and our next one is on Friday, September 4th 2015 starting at 8.00pm. Although we start at 8.00pm the set up will be ready by 7.30pm so if people want to arrive early and have a chat over a coffee they would be very welcome. This month will see Mat, one of our regular contributors, leave to start a degree course at Cliff College so we will be wishing him well as he embarks on this new venture. So we’re looking forward to welcoming all our regular visitors and may be a few more. The usual mix of uninhibited worship to loud music recordings and videos together with a more reflective time will be there and refreshments will be available throughout. Looking forward to meeting with you all again. God bless, Keith Woodham

Church Floodlighting

Now the nights are drawing in, you may wish to remember someone by having our church floodlit — if so contact David Pugh 874278. A small donation towards the cost of power is appreciated.

HARVEST SUPPER Sunday 13th September

7.00’ish after Evensong.

Posh Ploughman’s Style Meal

Bring your own drinks

and a pudding to share.

Tickets priced at £5 are going fast.

If you would like to join the party

contact Caroline on 01275 343133.

If you could help, please pop into

Caroline’s at Chapel Cottage on

Tuesday 1st September at 7.30pm

when the final plans will be made.


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Kenn’ s VILLAGE MARKET with

Coffee Morning will be held at the

Village Hall on Saturday

12th September 10—12 noon

Come along, see what is on offer,

have a chat to your friends and meet

your neighbours.

Enjoy a hot drink and cake and visit

the local produce, craft, fair trade

goods and other stalls.

Kenn Church Room

Coffee Morning

September Charity

Coffee Morning

Saturday 26th September

10.00am—12 noon

FORUM

CHAPTER HOUSE

St Mary's Church, Yatton 8.00pm THURSDAY

17th SEPTEMBER

Speaker Revd Avril Gaunt

on Hospital Chaplaincy

A Day Trip to Wells.

Warren had suggested this to me informally

during a chat.

A Kenn and Kingston Seymour

day trip to Wells.

The proposed date is Saturday 17th October

2015. Here is a provisional itinerary.

Share cars or get there under your own steam.

Get there for about 2 o’clock.

Have a late lunch or afternoon tea in the

Cathedral restaurant, it may be too cold for a

picnic. Then take a tour around the Cathedral

and stay for Evensong. On Saturday at the

Cathedral Evensong is at 5.15pm so it would

not be a long day.

People who do not come to church are of

course welcome.

If you just want to come along for the outing

and absorb the architecture and aesthetics of

the magnificent cathedral that is fine.

Contact me if you are interested...............

Caroline. 343133


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Useful Numbers:

Village Hall Booking Secretary: Sarah Clark 01934 833307 St John the Evangelist Priest in charge: Rev. Warren Williams 01934 833608 Yatton Moor Parish Office 01934 832184 Churchwardens: Julia Bush 873554 John Ball 874077 mob. 078 1667 1304 Church Floodlighting: David Pugh 874278

Village Flag Flying: Marianna or Robin 340323 or Hazel 349535

Altar Guild Secretary: Marianna Mackay 340323

North Somerset Council: 01934 888 888 out of hours: 01934 622 669

News & Views: Margaret Ball 01275 874077 Email: [email protected] Chaseside, Kenn Street, Kenn

Antique and Quality Furnishings. Collectables etc Thursday 17th September

Viewing at Saleroom

Wednesday 16th September - 10.00am - 7:30pm Morning of sale from 9am

Quarterly Specialist Sale Thursday 3rd September 10.30am

Viewing at Saleroom

Tuesday 1st September 2pm - 5:30pm Wednesday 2nd September 10am - 7:30pm

Morning of sale from 9am

Catalogues can be viewed at www.clevedon-salerooms.com

Saturday 12th September 10.00 -12noon

Recycling - 1st,8th,15th,22nd,29th Dustbin - 8th,22nd September Green Waste - 1st,15th,29th September

Kenn Women’s Institute

Kenn Village Hall, 7:30pm 2nd Wednesday of each month

Next meeting will be

9th September

North Somerset Times/ Clevedon Mercury

Copies of these local newspapers are freely available in the bar of the Drum and Monkey from Wednesday afternoons.


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KENN WOMENS’ INSTITUTE

We did not have a meeting in August as

this is traditionally the time when we have our annual outing.

This year was no exception. A group of 22 visited the Organic Gardens at Yeo Valley Farm in Blagdon. Despite the inclement weather we had an enjoyable

time.

After a welcome cup of coffee we had a tour of the gardens, undertaken by

Lisa one of the five full time gardeners.

The gardens are one of only a handful of organically certified ornamental

gardens in the country. We were told how the gardens are the brain child of Sarah Mead, one of the owners and they have been evolving over the last 20

years.

We saw the joys of compost making, the purple greenhouse where they grow

plants from seed and propagate new plants. We marvelled at the gardens

where they grow enough flowers to produce 60 displays each week for the cafe and house as well as the vegetable area and much more.

After the tour we retired to the Garden Cafe for a lovely lunch.

Our next meeting is on Wednesday 9th September, starting at 19.30 when we will be entertained by Jinx Newley who will talk about “Bristol a City of

Monks & Bones”.

All visitors are welcome.

Marion Hulance


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Margaret’s Mutterings

Annual Churchyard Clean-up - As usual the people of Kenn turned up to do their bit to

make our lovely churchyard tidy and ready for the Team Service on 30th August.

Lots came during the day, gullies were cleared, weeds were removed, including some of

the infamous ragwort.

Graves were tended, paths swept, edgings strimmed, the grass was cut and lots more care

and attention was bestowed before the set time of 6.00pm, when I arrived. Brilliant.

Our thanks go to all those who regularly keep

this hallowed ground tidy, to those who

organise the hedge trimming, regularly mow

and strim and all the other jobs which are

quietly done and greatly appreciated.

As a former Best Kept Village Judge

commented, at its worst, Kenn Churchyard

is vastly better than the majority he has inspected.

As is traditional - lots of the helpers met at

The Drum and Monkey for refreshments

after their labours.

Village Lunch versus Village Supper Club.......................

It has been suggested that our Monthly get-together at The Drum and Monkey should

change from the 2nd Tuesday Lunchtime to 7.00pm on the 3rd Wednesday of each

month. Let John Griffin know your thoughts please!!!!

October News & Views - John and I are taking a break during September, so please get

your October copy in early. [email protected]


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Pangaroos

Forged in the southern tip of a sunburnt country, Pangaroos are a musical duo who defy classification - performing on a large array of instruments. Both highly sought after musicians in their own right, Jeremy Diffey and Adrian Portia perform on handpans, woodwind and percussion. Their music is both composed and improvisatory in nature, and will both relax and excite you! Bringing their unique brand of music to Kenn Village Hall on September 10, this is not a night to miss!

62 Griffin Road, Clevedon

2.8.2015

To the Editor, Whilst visiting my husbands grave; ALFIE WATTS on 31st July, I met two gentlemen who were looking for information regarding their grandfather, who was vicar at Kenn in the 1950’s. Knowing my Banns were called in May 1950 at Kenn Church, I found my Banns and also the Vicar’s name as ‘Basil Langham’. It was such a coincidence, I thought the Kenn news might like to print this. Sincerely, Mrs Jean Watts

Thanks to Jean for her letter, but probably a ‘red herring’ .

About the same time, John, as Churchwarden, received a request from the grandson of the Revd

Francis Tambling for a chance to see inside the Church. During conversation he asked if there is a

noticeboard of past vicars. Unfortunately, not, but John was able to showed him the plaque dedicated

to the Revd Tambling by the door to the Bell Tower.

Margaret, Editor


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SERVICES FOR SEPTEMBER 2015

1st Sunday 6th September THE FOURTEENTH SUNDAY AFTER TRINITY GREEN 8.30am Holy Communion at Kenn* 9.30am Parish Communion with Holy Baptism at Yatton 9.30am Holy Communion at Cleeve 11.00am Taste & See with Holy Baptism at Claverham 11.00am Family Service at Kingston Seymour 6.00pm Evensong at Yatton* 2nd Sunday 13th September THE FIFTEENTH SUNDAY AFTER TRINITY GREEN

KENN HARVEST FESTIVAL

8.00am Holy Communion at Yatton* 9.30am Parish Communion at Yatton 9.30am Holy Communion at Claverham 11.00am Harvest Family Service at Kenn 11.00am Holy Communion at Cleeve 6.00pm Harvest Evensong at Kenn * 3rd Wednesday 16th September 11.00am Holy Communion at Kenn 3rd Sunday 20th September MATTHEW THE APOSTLE & EVANGELIST – 21st RED THE SIXTEENTH SUNDAY AFTER TRINITY GREEN KINGSTON SEYMOUR & CLAVERHAM HARVEST FESTIVALS 9.30am Parish Communion at Yatton 9.30am Holy Communion at Cleeve 11.00am Harvest Family Service at Claverham 11.00am Harvest Family Service with Holy Baptism at Kingston Seymour 6.00pm Harvest Evensong at Kingston Seymour * 4th Sunday 27th September THE SEVENTEENTH SUNDAY AFTER TRINITY GREEN 8.00am Holy Communion at Yatton* 8.30am Holy Communion at Kingston Seymour* 9.30am Parish Communion at Yatton 10.00am Café Celebration at Court de Wyck School 11.00am Holy Communion at Kenn 6.00pm Holy Communion at Cleeve 6.00pm Ecumenical Evensong at Yatton*

* Book of Common Prayer (1662)


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September - What’s On in Kenn

Tuesday 1st September - Chapel Cottage 7.30 ref Harvest Supper

Saturday 5th September 10.3am - 12noon - St Barnabas, Claverham

Coffee Morning - All Welcome

Monday 7th September — KVH — 7.30pm Kenn Parish Council

Tuesday 8th September - Village Lunch at The Drum and Monkey

Meet from 12 noon

Wednesday 9th September 7.30pm - Kenn W.I at KVH

Thursday 10th September 7.30pm - KVH

PANGAROOS — Tickets £5 inc. Raffle

Saturday 12th September 10.00-12 noon

Village Market and Coffee Morning

at Kenn Village Hall

Sunday 13th September - Harvest Supper at KVH after Evensong

17th September — Forum with Avril Gaunt — Chapter House, Yatton

Friday 25th September 7pm for 7.30pm

Cleeve Village Hall proceeds to Holy Trinity Church

FASHION SHOW and sale of Nearly New Ladies and Girls Clothes

Saturday 26th September - Charity Coffee Morning

10.00am-12noon The New Room at St. John’s Kenn

Monday 28th September - Book Club at The Drum and Monkey

Tuesday 29th September 3pm — 4.30pm

Palm Court Afternoon Tea at The Chapter House, Yatton

Proceeds to Noreen’s Kids - Romania


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Diary Dates

OCTOBER

Saturday 10th October — Gospel Choir at St. John’s Kenn

Saturday 17th October Kenn & Kingston Seymour visit Wells Cathedral

Sunday 18th October — at St. John’s Celebration of 200th Anniversary

Kenn Church’s Bell

Saturday 31st October - Kenn Village Hall - The Red Hillbillies

Halloween Disco with Bar and Hotdogs

Proceeds to Cancer Research and Dementia UK

DECEMBER

Wednesday 2nd December - Christmas Tea Party — Kenn Village Hall


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Celebration of the 200th Anniversary of the Casting and Installation

of the Present Bell at St. John’s Kenn.

Warren, Tim, and our Churchwardens have given me permission to arrange a

“Songs of Praise” service at St. John’s

at 5.30 for 6pm on Sunday the 18th of October.

This is to celebrate the 200th anniversary of our present ‘William Jefferies’ bell – see separate account of its history and that of earlier bells at St. John’s, in this issue. The Churchwardens’ accounts, now held at the Somerset Records Office, show that it was installed in mid October 1815. All members of all our team churches are welcome to this event – let us hope we have enough chairs to boost the seating capacity! I intend to also invite previous priests who still live near enough to attend on an Autumn evening and of course this includes Dick (and Margaret) Acworth who set up the ‘Yatton Moor’ team. At that time in the 1980s I remember we rang at St. Mary’s, Yatton, and at All Saints’, Kingston Seymour, but we were disappointed that the bell at Kenn remained silent. I was not known at Kenn then so no-one asked me, and I didn’t push forward, to ring it. So we intend to alter that on Dick’s visit this time! I hope to have the Chalice Handbell Team in attendance for at least 20 minutes before the service and we hope to play at least the first hymn of the evening as well. Hopefully there will be a surprise bell-ringer (or two!) on the end of our tower bell rope as well between handbell items before the service starts. Geoff Marchant Please take this as an invitation to all our team church members and friends and we hope you

enjoy the celebration.


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Bird News August (in general) marks the end of our birds’ breeding season and the

commencement of Autumn migration. Rob Treble reported hundreds of

House Martins early in the month, probably feasting on (lots of) emerging

insects. House Martins continue their nesting into September but it is likely

that this big flock contained a lot of young birds from first broods.

John Croxton saw a Kingfisher at Kenn Pier and Barn Owls around

Littlewood. I have spotted the odd Barn Owl at dusk along the Strawberry

Line, but there is little visible activity which indicates a continuing good

food supply. We shall be checking the boxes (under licence) soon for second

broods.

Following on from last month's notes and photo, Pearl at Kenn Pier has also

had visits from a Siskin to her feeder and I shall be glad to hear of any

others please.

A Yacwag bat detector in Duck Lane recorded five bat species including a

Greater Horseshoe, a Noctule and a Nathusius Pipistrelle - this is a

migratory bat - one tagged in Tickenham was recovered in Holland last

year.

Migration was underway along the sea wall mid month with a few

Wheatears, 250 Ringed Plovers and several hundred Dunlin noted. On the

23rd inclement weather brought 30 Black Terns to Blagdon Reservoir -

these birds are uncommon migrants - they feed on insects on the surface of

the water whereas our resident Tern species are all fish eaters, captured by

diving into the water.

On the Somerset Levels the Marsh Harriers have enjoyed a productive year

with at least eight successful nests - a far cry from the lack of summer

birds just six years ago.

Trevor Riddle 01934 835208


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Down on the Farm

Much has been said in the press and television about the fall in milk prices to farmers. Many small dairy farms have given up milk production over the last 20 or so years as they became un-economical. The ones that were left were encouraged to produce more milk. This involved investment in modern housing, dairies and increasing cow numbers. Over the last six months or so the milk price received by farmers, unless on fixed price contracts, has fallen to well below the cost of production. If this continues for too long many farmers will go out of business. Unfortunately the price of lamb to the farmer has also fallen to its lowest level for a number of years and we are also selling at a price which barely covers costs. I have spent every spare moment in the last couple of weeks pulling up Ragwort. Ragwort is a non-native plant introduced by accident some years ago. It is a tall plant which can grow to approximately 4ft with bright yellow flowers similar to some Daisies. This plant is very toxic and can kill cattle and sheep. If you cut the plant it becomes more palatable to livestock in the fields, the only option is to pull up the plants by hand. This is an uphill struggle as along the motorway verges and central reservation it grows unchecked and the seed will blow onto our fields, and no doubt even more will grow next year. Notes by Miles Naish, typed by Leon Naish


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Drum &

Monkey KENN

VILLAGE LUNCH

DRUM AND MONKEY

TUESDAY 8TH SEPTEMBER

MEET FROM 12 NOON

Come along and share a meal with your friends and neighbours.

QUIZ NIGHTS

Drum & Monkey

Every Wednesday from 9.00pm Prizes !!!!


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A Short History of Bells in St. John’s Church, Kenn, North Somerset

Condensed from articles I wrote for Kenn News and Views in 2000, and later, which also appear on www.kennvillage.co.uk under Clubs/History Project/St. John the Evangelist/Church Services/Church Bell, with full history and photos of old, and some new, bell hangings.)

In 1775 the bits and pieces of the former Kenn church bell were used, together with new materials, to cast a new bell for St. John’s church. We have no idea who cast the original one, or how it came to be broken in the tower, but we do know from the Churchwardens’ accounts that William Bilbie of Chew Stoke cast the new one for a sum of £8. 8s. 0d. Normally, Bilbies’ bells would have lasted for hundreds of years but this new one for Kenn only lasted 40 years or less, as in 1815 it was re-cast for the sum of £16. 2s. 5d. The founder’s name on the bell is William Jefferies of the Bristol foundry, but bell historians have doubted that this particularly good casting could have been made so early in William Jefferies’ career. They suspect, instead, that it was ‘put out to contract’ to the Gloucester foundry of John Rudhall. Rudhall himself had gone into bankruptcy by 1815 they say, but foundry manager James White was still doing some bell casting and the lettering and casting features on our bell at Kenn strongly suggest that it is from the Rudhall foundry. (It may be of local interest to note here that the Tyntesfield ‘call bell’ was also by William Jefferies and was dated 1832, i.e. 17 years later.) The actual date of William Jefferies’ bill for Kenn bell was dated October 25th. 1815, so our bell will be 200 years old in October this year, 2015. Due to excessive movement of the bell-frame upper (and virtually only!) members, Kenn Parochial Church Council (PCC) sought quotations from three bell-hanging firms in 2007 and in May 2009 the Whitechapel Bell Foundry (London) re-hung our bell in a much-strengthened frame, but still retaining the massive wooden beams of the old upper-frame members. Unfortunately the foundry kept the old boxed clapper in this re-hang and, in several local opinions, the tone now with the new all-steel clapper is not as mellow as formerly. However, the bell still retains its inscription “WILLIAM JEFFERIES BRISTOL J8J5” (the ‘J’s instead of ‘1’s were to John Rudhall’s design, evidently) and its original “crown” or “canons” are still there, but inside a “canon-retaining headstock”. Thus, hopefully, our bell will be able to be rung full circle for at least another 60 to 100 years without any further serious restoration. Geoff. Marchant, February 2015. Footnote: In August 2012 our Rector, churchwardens, and myself decided (on advice from the Diocesan Advisory Committee for the Care of Churches) to leave our bell “un-listed”, whereas one bell-hanger had suggested we should ask for “listing” of this significant bell. It was felt that, with the confusion of founder, and the problems ‘listing’ could produce if ever the bell became cracked, it was better not to proceed with such a request. G.M.


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Cut your energy costs at Weston-super-Mare Town Hall. Local energy charity the Centre for Sustainable Energy will be at Weston-super-

Mare Town Hall between 1:00-4:00pm on the third Thursday of each month this winter (17 September, 15 October, 19 November and 17 December 2015).

CSE will be offering free and impartial drop-in advice on a wide range of home energy related matters including:

Help moving from a key or card meter to a credit meter Information about new key or card meter technologies which can be cheaper and

more convenient

Information about grants for heating systems and insulation

Tackling condensation, damp and mould

Staying warmer in the winter months

Finding a better deal for your gas or electricity

Did you know for example that some fuel suppliers now offer ‘smart pay as you go’ meters. These work just like a key or card meter but can be topped up using a

smartphone or online meaning you can top up at any time from your home. Often ‘smart pay as you go meters’ will also charge less for the fuel and provide an in

home display which lets you know how much energy you are using and helps you to reduce energy.

The advisors will happily help anyone who turns up on the day but to avoid a wait, book an appointment by emailing [email protected] or texting ENERGYADVICE to 60777 with your preferred appointment time.

If you are not able to come to the town hall, CSE’s Home Energy team offer free advice on 0800 082 2234 and can in some circumstances offer a home visit.

Our thanks go to Ann Holtham who passed me the information above.


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KENN PARISH COUNCIL Chairman’s chat I had an invitation to look around the Dismaland theme park before it opened……well what can I say..or print? The staff have been trained to be miserable..they do that well..the Banksy painting and the seagull lady were good…I had my picture taken with them. The rest of it…..well…..not my thing, depressing, not in good taste some of it, and some of it completely over my head! Each to their own. However as a quick money spinner and to attract people to Weston super Mare..brilliant, and goes to show that someone MUST be able to put that area to good use… We shall be discussing the proposed new development on the Modwen site again at the next meeting. It is still in the pre app stage. Look forward to seeing you at the next meeting. Sheila

NFU Broadband & Mobile Coverage Survey

The NFU has launched the first farmer-focused broadband and mobile phone survey to help our lobbying work in securing an efficient service across all rural areas. Farmers and growers are increasingly using digital technologies to farm more efficiently, and using government digital services as well as to enjoy family life. Yet where there is no broadband coverage, or no signal for mobile phone voice or text, this can

create a real barrier to efficient farming – not to mention the health and safety implications if you cannot reach emergency services - which we need to address sooner rather than later. NFU researchers will be calling members over the next three weeks to ask for their views – as well as questions relating to reception, what technology is used and how it is used on-farm. However, any members who would like to take part can also do so online at http://bit.ly/1IrsGt0

http://bit.ly/1IrsGt0


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