Skip to main content

NEW SUMMERTIME ART EXHIBITION LAUNCHED TO CELEBRATE LOCAL CREATIVE TALENT

Cadbury Garden Centre in Congresbury is teaming up with Codename Octopus to launch a new Summertime exhibition that showcases the work of 14 talented local artists.

Visitors will be able to discover an array of original artworks, prints, jewellery and ceramics at the free event which will take place in The Parlour Room from 9am on June 27th to 3pm on July 3rd.

Different artists will be attendance each day so visitors can meet the makers and learn about their work. All of the pieces in the exhibition will be available to buy.

Among those exhibiting are MA graduates from the Royal College of Art, UWE and Bath Spa University, and two of the artists have recently received awards for their innovative work.

There will also be a selection of £10 taster workshops for visitors to try including printmaking, calligraphy and recycling art.

Blue Diamond’s Group Event’s Manager Rebecca Gurnett says: “Cadbury Garden Centre is located in the heart of a vibrant creative community and this exhibition is a chance for visitors to meet the local artists, hear their stories and discover how each piece is made.”

“We’re also hoping to inspire people to explore their creative sides by learning new art forms, taught by the artists from the show.”

The taster workshops will run from Monday to Friday twice daily at 10am and 2.30pm. They include Botanical Monoprinting, Calligraphy Cards, Gelliprinting, Recycling Tetrapack into Art and Exploring Charcoal.

The workshops can be booked online here https://events.bluediamond.gg/category/73459

Codename Octopus are a group of Somerset-based artists and educational professionals dedicated to supporting local artists and craftspeople. They have a programme of workshops designed for all abilities to develop new skills.

Art, Craft & Photography, Local News, Noticeboard

Police Alert on Courier Fraud

In 2025, criminals stole £21 million from victims of courier fraud.

In Avon and Somerset alone, there was a financial loss of £346,000.

City of London Police are issuing a renewed warning to the public as courier fraud continues to evolve across the UK, with criminals using increasingly sophisticated and persistent tactics.

Please read the attached for more information:

Attachments:

Local News, Noticeboard

Good Neighbour Scheme

Hour spare with a helping hand

Voluntary Action North Somerset (VANS) is delighted to announce the roll out of the Good Neighbour Scheme, a community led initiative designed to support older residents (65+) living in rural villages across North Somerset. The scheme connects local volunteers with residents who need occasional help with small odd jobs in and around their home, enabling people to remain independent in their own homes for as long as possible.

If you have a spare hour and would like to volunteer with this scheme, please contact Tracy on 07458073262 or email info@vansmail.org.uk

Local News, Noticeboard

Congresbury WI

Activity The Women’s Institute is not just about jam and Jerusalem. “Inspiring Women” is our slogan!  We meet for friendship, fun and information, supporting each other in good times and bad.  We’re involved in community issues and national campaigns.  We have monthly meetings with interesting speakers on all sorts of topics.  We can go to WI organized talks and shows across the area, join in sports activities or day excursions, even go on holidays in the UK or abroad.
Details We meet on the third Wednesday of each month at 2:15 pm in the Methodist Hall.  There is an annual membership fee but we always welcome visitors to meetings.
Contact Susan Hibberd, secretary of Congresbury WI Phone 01934 833544 Email  

C g-z, Clubs & Groups

Avon and Somerset Police

The Police has issued the warning below. Although the reference is to parking in Watchet there are fake QR codes in use elsewhere so please take care and check that the QR code is not a sticker over the original code.

We want to make people aware of criminals who have put a fake QR code over the genuine article on parking ticket machines in Watchet. These are the codes that can be scanned by smart phones to make payments, such as paying for a parking space in these occasions. Instead of payment going to the legitimate operator, these payments are going to the offender. Typically these scams may only take a small sum so it doesn’t raise any suspicions to the victim, allowing the fraud to continue.

A QR (Quick Response) Code is a two-dimensional matrix barcode which gives access to websites, digital content, or other information. At it’s best it provides swift access for payments, which comes from PayPal or similar companies, who then take payment for the user. At worse, it may also download phishing or malware viruses. Always check there isn’t a sticker over the original code. Be very careful if a smaller sticker seems to be over of a larger size or shows signs of tampering. Be especially aware if the website asks for sensitive information or offers unrealistic deals.

Local News, Noticeboard

Debbie Fortune Estate Agents

DEBBIE FORTUNE ESTATE AGENTS are Property experts in Sales, Lettings, Land and New Homes, Auctions, Mortgages

Debbie Fortune Estate Agents is a family owned, totally independent sales and lettings agent, established in January 2009.

Our enthusiastic team is dedicated to providing a service that is friendly, personal and professional. We have an enormous amount of experience, selling homes since 1978, and over the years have dealt with literally thousands of sales covering North Somerset and Somerset, including Wrington Vale, the Yeo Valley, Chew Valley and The Mendips.

Our team bring a wealth of knowledge of the property market in this area which simply cannot be challenged by any other estate agent, and which has contributed to the company’s success.

Telephone number – 01934 862370

Email- salesadmin@debbiefortune.co.uk

Click here for our website- https://debbiefortune.co.uk/

Property Sales & Services

Congresbury Cricket Club

Congresbury Cricket Club president Les Owen has decided to stand down from his role of leading the team behind plans to rebuild the ageing Rec Club and asked for the following to be posted on the village website.

In his resignation note to the club’s trustees he said:

“Some of you will recall that I volunteered to lead a project which we named Plan B in 2020. Originally this was to produce a ‘Plan B’ for the refurbishment/replacement of the ageing Rec Club building in the event that the New Village Hall project was not successful (which turned out to be the case). This became Project Construct when the NVH project ended

Since then, in summary, Project Construct has:

  1. Produced high level concept plans for a new building and got support of the Trustees, the Rec Club and the CC/FC/TC and the Parish Council
  2. Engaged architects (Stride Treglown) to produce more detailed plans to satisfy ECB and Sport England requirements
  3. Engaged numerous consultants to produce reports to enable an application for planning permission to be submitted mid 2022
  4. Received planning consent from N Somerset in December 2022
  5. Attempted to kick off the fund raising by seeking local community support and the development of local fund raising targets and plans, an essential first step before approaching grant funding bodies, corporates, HNWs etc

I put a very substantial amount of my time into this phase over two and a half years. I have tried to get the local fund raising off the ground but the lack of support from local people willing to take responsibility for elements of this has been very disappointing. After six months of trying to find an individual or small group who would lead this there were some volunteers in August 2023. However there has been very little progress since then not least because those volunteers have full time jobs and family and other responsibilities. I thank them for their efforts but we are not making any meaningful progress and I think it is time for a change.

Whilst I remain supportive I am no longer prepared to keep banging my head against a wall facing the apathy shown by many from whom I had hoped for more tangible support.  I have decided that I am not going to continue trying to lead this initiative. I will continue to support the project if that would be helpful if someone else, or a group of people, steps up to lead it going forward. I feel that new leadership is needed if there is any chance of getting local fund raising going.”

Local News, New Rec Club, Noticeboard

Scheme for 90 Houses Behind Park Road & Mulberry Road

Congresbury’s residents are being urged to attend next Wednesday’s meeting of North Somerset Council’s planning committee to demonstrate their opposition to a new housing scheme.

The scheme, for up to 90 houses on a field behind Park and Mulberry Roads, has been hanging over residents for more than 18 months while land agents M7 tried to answer more than 1,000 objections to the plan.

Because the officer has recommended approval, Congresbury’s district councillor Dan Thomas has referred the matter to the council’s planning committee.

Said CRAG’s Mary Short: “This would be a high density, urban development on an ecologically, historically and socially important site which is totally inappropriate.

“Also, M7 seems to be trying to influence the decision by promising to build a new surgery. Their previous attempt at this was not supported by either the NHS or Mendip Vale Medical Practice, so it is a pointless offer.”

The Planning Committee meeting is scheduled for 2.30pm next Wednesday at Weston town hall, entrance through the old building.

Local News, Noticeboard, Planning