Afternoon Woman’s Institute
The Congresbury afternoon WI meet in the Methodist Hall on the 3rd Wednesday of each month at 2.15 and are a small, very friendly group, always happy to welcome visitors and new members.
Further information from our President, Val Harding, on 01934 833396 or the Secretary, Susan Hibberd, on 01934 833544
Click here for the 2017 programme
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Sing Out Loud
Choirs start again with “TeenSing” sessions which are for anyone aged between 10-19, and are held at “The Old School Rooms, Congresbury” on Mondays from 5:45-7:15pm. £76 for 11 week term. Come and join us, and if you’re new, your first session is free!
Quad bikes stolen
A garage at Hill Park, Congresbury, was broken into overnight 31 December-1 January. Items stolen include quad bikes, motor bikes and a mountain bike.
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Boxing Day walks enjoyed

Boxing Day walkers on Cadbury Hill
The Annual Boxing Day walk enjoyed good weather and the 50 walkers took two routes, one walked over Cadbury Hill and the photograph shows the panoramic view looking over the Village and beyond to Crooks Peak and Exmoor. The second group walked alondg the River Yeo and then followed a circular route back via the Strawberry Line to enjoy mince pies and sherry in the Old School Rooms.
Most of the walkers then retired to The Plough where the Mendip Morris Men did their annual Boxing Day display to a large crowd of onlookers. The highlight was perhaps the children who were invited to join in and take part in this ancient custom.
Michael Greaves
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The Strawberry Line on Boxing Day 2016

Silver Springs Fishing Lake on Boxing Day. Sketch by Michael Greaves
Michael Greaves reflects on the changes seen along the Strawberry Line following the annual Boxing Day walk
In 2013 I wrote a monthly series of articles about ‘Life on the Strawberry Line’.
On Boxing Day morning the annual Village Walk gave me the opportunity of looking at the changes that have happened in the last four years. Fortunately, the Strawberry Line is still there and being used by increasing numbers of walkers, cyclists and horse riders. The downside is that more traffic is using the old railway line with a solar farm and a new farm house having been built towards Churchill.
Sing Out Loud
Happy New Year!
Sing Out Loud UK wants to help you make this your “Year of Songs”! With our selection of choirs in North Somerset, there is a choir for everyone, and opportunities to develop your skills as well as learning new songs and refreshing old ones!
Safety warning from Avon & Somerset Police
As Christmas approaches there are plenty of new gadgets that parents and carers may be thinking about buying for their children. But before you wrap up your presents, have you checked out the safety features?
The following links will help
Tech gifts general http://www.saferinternet.org.uk/blog/tech-gifts-christmas
Various Internet providers http://www.saferinternet.org.uk/advice-centre/parents-and-carers/parental-controls-offered-your-home-internet-provider
Various Devices http://www.saferinternet.org.uk/blog/all-i-want-christmas-wii-u
Smart TV’s
http://www.saferinternet.org.uk/advice-centre/parents-and-carers/parents-guide-technology/smart-tvs
Forwarded on behalf of Kate Blackburn, Youth Project Co-ordinator
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Wreath-Making raised £310 for The New Hall Project
Last week, two wreath-making workshops were held in the village, raising a grand total of £310. Thanks to all who attended, those who made puddings and especially to Liz English who organised the lunch and made soup. The wreaths were stunning, well done everyone.
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Police Targeting Rural Crime
To read article click
targeting-rural-crime-in-somerset-avon-and-somerset-constabulary
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Christmas Around the Village
Have you spotted any festive decorations of note this year? Why not send us your pictures and we’ll publish them on our Facebook page. Here is one from the past, Barry’s wonderful scarecrow at the wier 2014. Do send us an up-to-date one.
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Definitely up this year!
Music, lights and laughter filled Broad Street for the annual Christmas Fair.
A new feature this year was the mini Ferris wheel, emblazoned with festive lights, which continually took pairs of children up and over the street to look down on the hectic activity.
The new Christmas street lights, organiseded by the Parish Council, and the superbly illuminated Christmas tree added to the jolly atmosphere.
Quilters raise £320 for charity
The first exhibition by Congresbury’s quilting group proved to be a huge success with a constant flow of visitors to The Old School Rooms where the group meets every Tuesday afternoon.
Sales of their work, raffle tickets and tea and cakes raised more than £320 for Children’s Hospice Southwest.

Organiser Pat Baker, front left, and fellow quilters at their first exhibition in The Old School Rooms
Can you identify two Scouts?
This historic photo of Congresbury Scouts was taken in 1922. Can anyone identify the two scouts on the right of the back row? One of them may have had the surname HUNT. The others have been named.
If you have any information please email Alex cidercot.alex@gmail.com
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Con artist in the area
We are appealing to the public to be vigilant and to look out for vulnerable neighbours, relatives and friends after several incidents in Nailsea and Clevedon where elderly people have been conned.
Success for The Big Breakfast
The Big Breakfast held on Saturday raised a whopping £1,480 for Weston Hospicecare. Well done to everyone who worked so hard to make it a success, and to all those who gave their support and bought a big breakfast. Special thanks go to Julie Gosling and family, without whom it would not have been possible.
Remember to take all your unwanted clothes and items to the Hospice shop in Broad Street, and while you’re there, have a look round, there may be just the thing you were looking for.
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Still remembering …..
Loyal as ever, although the Congresbury branch of the Royal British Legion is now closed, so the standard was not present, the usual crowd of villagers gathered at the War Memorial Hall on November 11 to remember Armistice Day. A contingent of pupils from St. Andrew’s Junior School was there and one of the pupils, 10-year-old Maddie Smith, who is a Girl Guide, carried the standard of the Congresbury Scouts. Traffic stopped at 11a.m. for a short service, conducted by the vicar of Congresbury, Rev. Matthew Thomson. Ben White sounded the Last Post and Reveille and 97-year-old Fred Bailey, in a wheelchair, gave the Act of Remembrance.