If you’d like to sign the petition for the Strawberry line to be extended from Yatton to Clevedon click here for the website. It’s quick and easy. There are 1500 signatures so far and the target is 5,000.
Spring on the Strawberry Line
25thFebruary 2019 was claimed to be the hottest February Day ever recorded. The sun shone all day and despite the early morning frost, it felt like Spring. The best place to enjoy Spring has got to be the ‘Strawberry Line’.
I was not the only person to take advantage of the glorious weather. Two young Mums were pushing their babies in pushchairs at the same time as answering their phones ! The normal rash of cyclists all trying to beat the speed record for the track and lots of Joggers. One ambitious walker asked how far it was to Wells. Perhaps he had a dose of ‘Spring Fever’.
Michael Greaves
Peewits on the Strawberry Line
The recent snow and heavy rain has flooded many of the fields. The saturated ground must force worms and other grubs to the surface providing a good meal for the ‘Peewits’. We were lucky, as they chose the water logged fields along the Strawberry Line between Congresbury and Churchill. In times past they were a regular winter visitor and it was not unusual to see large flocks circling the low lying fields. But not for some time have I seen this number. An unexpected and most welcome treat.
Wassail at the Millenium Orchard
On Saturday 12th January, 2019 at 3pm more than 50 adults, children and pets met at the Youth Club building by the Riverside Car Park to take part in the third village Wassail. The crocodile of folk who were singing and making lots of noise to ward off evil spirits, paraded across the Millenium Green, over the bridge to the orchard. They were led by the Green Man (Brian Kemplay) and the music of Dave Byett with his squeeze box. After a speech by the Green Man the three Congresbury Beauty apples were danced around 3 times in a clockwise direction by villagers making as much noise as possible. The trees were then blessed and two young helpers put toast on the trees & sprinkled cider at their base to encourage new growth and fruit.
Afterwards the revellers returned to the Youth Club to enjoy hot apple juice from the Orchard and a variety of apple cakes made by volunteers from Congresbury Youth Partnership.
Editorial & photographs by Peter Hughes & Bryony Goodesmith
Avon Community Resilience team Recruitment
Bluey shopping trips
Bluey shopping trips run every Tuesday from Congresbury departing 10.30am to Tesco and The Sovereign Centre, Weston-super-Mare. Return 1pm. To book a seat or for information ring 01934 257247 or email: bookingmanagerbluey@gmail.com
Planning Application 10 Venus Street Congresbury BS49 5EZ
| Date | Mon 10 Sep 2018 |
| Application Type | Full Planning Permission |
| Development | Front porch, two storey side extension, single storey rear extension |
The Strawberry Line – 5 years on
Michael Greaves shares his reflections on the last 5 years of the Strawberry line…..
In 2013 I wrote a monthly account of my walks along the ‘Strawberry Line’ from The Old Station to Thatcher’s Cider Factory. Thanks to my Daughter lending me one of bikes, I have taken to the saddle and enjoyed a few leisurely rides along the ‘Old Railway Line’ and thought some might be interested in what’s happened in the last 5 years.
Looking back at my account of September 2013, we were remembering the last train that travelled from Wells to Yatton on 7th September 1963 – 50 years ago. I haven’t seen any accounts of the 55 years that have now elapsed, but a lot has happened in the last 5 years. Firstly, the Strawberry Line is as beautiful as ever. We are so fortunate to have this open space on our door step. I haven’t been as far as Thatcher’s Orchards for a few years and not since we lost our beloved Black Labrador ‘Minton’. He was the main reason I walked along the Strawberry Line every morning and evening. But, its pure magic and the views are spectacular with wildlife in abundance. Read more
Updated airplane noise complaint details
Middlecombe Nursery Celebrates 30 years in Congresbury
Established since 1988, Middlecombe is very much a family business run by husband and wife, Nigel and Isy North. It’s home to a wonderful selection of shrubs, perennials, climbers, grasses, conifers and trees, many grown on site, alongside quality Dutch and Italian stock including large specimen plants for instant gardens and a wide selection of exotics, palms and bamboos.
Situated a short distance from the A370 between Bristol and Weston-super-Mare, on the edge of the village of Congresbury, the site covers approximately three acres in a slightly hidden countryside setting.
The nursery has car parking and is within easy walking distance of a Bus Stop on the Bristol road.
Wrington Road, Congresbury, BS49 5AN
Open to the general public. Check the website for seasonal opening times.
Update to the West of England Joint Spacial Plan
Click Here for the link
Big Breakfast Success
What a great event we had today. The sun shone and we were very busy the whole morning with a jolly crowd enjoying a full English breakfast. There were cakes, jams and cards for sale, a guess the cake competition and a raffle. Thank you to all who contributed either by helping or by dining. A special thanks to the organiser, Kath Kemplay, who did a brilliant job taking over from the wonderful Julie Gosling this year. We raised £1,455 for Hospicecare, well done!
Remember to take all your unwanted clothes and items to the Hospicecare shop in Broad Street, and have a look for something nice while you are there.
See our Facebook page for more photos.
Victories for Congresbury bowlers
Congresbury men celebrated winning the C&D Evening League for the first time in the modern era as well as gaining promotion from Somerset North1 to Premier 2 for 2018. To cap a remarkable season, the B team also clinched promotion from North 2 after a nail-biting victory over closest rivals Bristol B in the final game of the season.
The men were also finalists in the North Somerset KO Cup, losing to Victoria and reached the semi-final of the 4D competition, losing by just one point to eventual winners Clevedon Prom.
Congresbury Chronicle
Please look out for the latest issue of the Congresbury Chronicle that will have been delivered to your house recently. If you need a spare copy you can find them in the Library, in the Parish Office or in the Fish and Chip shop in the precinct.
New support centre for those living with Alzheimer’s
A new local drop-in centre aimed to help those suffering from Alzheimer’s disease as well as their carers or anyone who wants to know more about dementia is now operating in Wrington.
The information hub and café is being run with the support of Yeo Valley Lions Club who are working with the Dorset and Somerset Locality of the Alzheimer’s Society to help develop services to support families in the Yeo Valley area.
The hub is open from 10am to midday on the first Tuesday of each month in the Reading Room, Wrington. It is being run by Helen Harvey-Foster, a dementia support worker with the Alzheimer’s Society, who can be contacted on 077404 56706.
The hub offers not just a wealth of information but also tea, coffee and cake.
Dementia is a progressive disease of the brain and currently over 850,000 people are living with the condition; this is predicted to increase to more than a million by 2025.
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Hermine Ellis – A Full and Interesting Life
The large congregation, which filled St. Andrew’s church, Congresbury, on May 5th, for a celebration of the life of Hermine Ellis, was indicative of her wide circle of friends and her involvement in the village. Hermine, who died at the age of 90, was born in Saarland, Germany, into a Catholic family of 11 children, and her childhood was spent in wartime Germany. Read more
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Betty Sutton Memorial
Betty Sutton who has died aged 90
Abundant flowers decorated Congresbury Methodist Church for the Thanksgiving service of Betty Sutton, on March 6th, reflecting that many of her 90 years of life, centred on flowers.
Born in Oldmixon, Betty attended Hutton village school, and then moved to Weston-super-Mare, where she was a Girl Guide and joined the Red Cross. She met her husband Derrick at a village dance when he was stationed at R.A.F. Locking. Aged 16, she moved to London and worked as a Red Cross nurse in the Soho Women’s Hospital, before returning to the West Country to train as a State Registered nurse at Bristol Royal Infirmary.
Wyn Daniel 1951-2017
Wyn Daniel: a hugely popular figure in the village
Wales and rugby were two main strands running through the DNA of Wyn Daniel, a well-known local rugby player and popular teacher, who died suddenly aged 65.
Born in Cardigan. Wyn spent most of his early life on his parents’ small farm in Pembrokeshire. He was always involved in sport, but his passion was rugby, and he gained a County schoolboys cap in Pembroke and competed at national level in the shot put.
Studying as a teacher in Cardiff, he met his future wife, Carolyn, also a student there, and they married in 1974.
Burns Night Super Supper Success
BANG, CRASH WALLOP – WHAT A CELEBRATION – ROBBIE BURNS WOULD HAVE LOVED IT
Congresbury Scouts and Guides HQ is not the most likely venue to celebrate the memory of Robbie Burns. But, for the 90 people who attended this annual event on Saturday 28th January, it was ‘Fantastic’.
Do you have a story to share?
Do you have a military service background?
Did you complete National Service?
Did your husband or wife serve in the Armed Forces?
The Village Agents would like to hear from you as part of a mapping project that will inform the provision of support to those who are members of the Armed Forces family.
The Rural Hidden Heroes project has been celebrating the service of servicemen and women and their spouses, widows, widowers and dependents. Many local people have stepped forward to share their stories and we would like to bring those together for an exhibition and community event.
For more information or to add your details please contact alison@wern.org.uk or call 01275 333 700
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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