May I once again claim the hospitality of your esteemed blog to report that I heard the first cuckoo of the summer whilst walking my dog Winkle on the marsh.
The time was precisely 10.55 this morning, Saturday 21 st April.
This has put a spring in my step, and I hope it does the same for you, as the Blog has been very quiet these past few months.
Wincanton Museum and History Society . Mothers, mistresses, wives and Queens. Women of consequence in the 12th century a talk by Brian Garton. Wincanton Memorial Hall
Milborne Port Opera is staging a musical comedy double Bill at the Milborne Port Village Hall from April 4th-7th – the week after Easter.
Gilbert and Sullivan’s Trial by Jury needs little introduction: a musically brilliant courtroom skit featuring a prosecution for Breach of Promise of Marriage. With a none-too-innocent blushing bride, a philandering fiancé, a judge with an eye for the ladies, and a decidedly biased jury, the stage is set for legal mayhem!
More mayhem is in store in their second mini-opera, this time of a murderous nature. Murder at Shakerley House was created by Neil Edwards in 2010 as a full-length operetta; a 15-minute version was performed at The Giant Coarse Acting Festival at the Questors Theatre, Ealing, last November, where MPO was awarded the coveted prize for Best Production by chief judge Timothy West. Now Milborne Port audiences have the chance to see a one-act version, performed in our inimitable Coarse Acting style: When Opera goes Wrong!
Chris Bailward
The cast includes Horsington residents Chris Bailward and Richard Gaunt (a 3-time winner of the Coarse Acting Competition).
Performances are at Milborne Port Village Hall, 4th – 7th April 2018 at 7.30 p.m.
For all sorts of good reasons lots of people in the two villages are unable to come to the biennial fund-raising supper on 3rd March so the Village Hall Committee have decided to postpone the event until later in the year. Apologies to, and commiserations with, those who have already said they would attend but, hopefully, you’ll be able to make the re-arranged date.
This is a useful source of income for the Village Hall so a good attendance is important. Please try to come to the event: it’s a great opportunity to meet new people, see old friends and have a relaxed and enjoyable evening.
St Margaret’s Hall Committee will be holding it’s popular Village Hall fundraising supper on the evening of 3rd March 2018. Since the date is the nearest to St. David’s Day, there will be a Welsh theme.
Grab a Golden opportunity to meet new people in the villages of Horsington and South Cheriton or reacquaint yourself with old friends.
A ticket costs £15 a head for three courses. Please bring your own bottle(s)
Book your seat at the table with John Macdonald on 01963 370444. Tickets are available now.
Come and talk with your local bobbies and other interested parties at the Wincanton Rural North and South PACT meeting at Ansford Academy main Hall, Castle Cary on Tuesday 20th February between 7 and 9 pm.
Get Involved: the world is run by those that show up
There are two great film events coming up as part of a new exhibition at Hauser & Wirth Somerset : (Bruton)
The Levelling – Saturday 27 January – 4-6pm – A drama about the Somerset floods, with a showcase of short films from the Harvest Film Festival screened before the main feature. Mark Kermode gave The Levelling five stars and called it “A tremendous debut” for writer/director Hope Dickson Leach.
Watership Down – Saturday 3 February – 10-12pm – Family Saturday – Based on Richard Adams’ acclaimed novel, Martin Rosen’s animated film tells of the adventures of Hazel (voiced by John Hurt), Fiver (Richard Briers) and a group of rabbits in search of a new warren.
Following the screening, families can take part in creative activities inspired by the themes of the film, including making rabbit shadow puppets.
A free event – but mail to ensure a place (there are only 60 and it’s already popular education@hauserwirth.com.
WhereWestBegins have other events coming up over the half term:Charlie Chaplin and circus skills at Port Regis school; Studio Ghibli’s The Red Turtle with Workshop at Bootmakers in Wincanton; The Wizard of Oz with a dance workshop from Just Dance; West Side Story with a dance workshop from Lexy Robertson).
During March there are a number of film events celebrating 100 Years of Suffrage and Women’s Leadership in the Community with Lynne Franks and the Power Of Women.