Category: News

We are delighted to welcome the Rev Kevin Rogers to the Blog, a delightful man. Ed

Church Services to resume………but with a difference

We now have permission and guidance on opening our church buildings to the public for corporate worship.  However, as with all guidance, decisions, and actions, they are under constant review and may change.  

We cannot at this stage return to what we know.  We are returning to the same buildings, but not to church as we would necessarily recognise it, expect it, or know it.  Rather, we are attempting to create a safe and sacred space for us to encounter ourselves, one another, and God.  It will look and feel quite different to accommodate the guidance and ensure that gatherings in our church buildings are as safe as they can possibly be.

 To this end, there will be allocated seating, one way systems, hand sanitising, the use of microphones (with loop system), no paper or books but rather a projector and screen, hopefully music, but no singing, softly spoken responses, no refreshments, no communal cup, no kneeling at the communion rail, no sermon, no handling of the collection plate. The President will be assisted by one person who will do both the readings and intercessions.

We are considering at this stage, one Sunday Evening Service a week (including a very different form of Holy Communion) at 5pm, rotating between each of our church buildings in the Benefice.

Sunday 2^nd August – Horsington

      “       9^th August –Templecombe 

      “      16^th August – Henstridge

then repeat in the same order.

Our Sunday morning service and our weekly Evening Prayer (except for Sunday evening), via Zoom will continue for the foreseeable future.

There is no expectation, obligation, or pressure for you to attend any corporate gathering in church.  It is important that you make your own mind up on whether you feel able to attend, based on your circumstances, vulnerabilities, theology, or feelings.  Whatever your decision, know that you are still part of the church community, one body, under Jesus; being changed into his likeness, as you abide in him through bible reading, prayer, and service. 

  If you feel unable to attend, and normally bring a cash offering as part of your worship, may I suggest that you consider doing this electronically to avoid the risk of transmission of Covid19 through the handling of cash and envelopes.  The Treasurers will be able to provide you with the bank account details.

 Until we can meet again in person, be strong in the Lord as we walk this road with him.

Revd Kevin Rogers

 Tel: 01963 3638332

Philippa Tarling reports …“It is with regret and disappointment that the re-opening of the Half Moon must be delayed due to family illness (NOT Covid 19). We will hopefully be able to publish a new date soon.”

We hope everything sorts itself out soon and look forward to a new date -Ed

The White Horse will be serving: (Yippee!)

Beer – Cheddar Ales Potholer, St Austell Tribute, Bath Ales Prophecy and hopefully the Dartmoor Jail Ale will arrive in time.

Lager – Carlsberg, Amstel and San Miguel

Cider – Thatcher’s Gold, Thatcher’s Somerset Haze, and Stan’s Cheddar Valley Red

Yippee! Beers available this Sunday will be London Pride, Tribute and Black Sheep best. Assuming they settle on time!!

Both our local pubs are opening, but with different times. Listen carefully, we will say this only once

The half Moon: Sundays, Fridays, Saturdays. No food to start with

Andrew Tarling reports…

The Half moon , to be known henceforward as the “New” Moon will reopen for drinks only, on Sunday at 12 noon. There will be entertainment such as Track and trace cards to be filled in, One way systems to master and of course clean hands for all!

We hope that all popular drinks will be available, but sourcing a drinkable selection of real ales is proving a challenge. Initially, we shall be open Sunday lunchtimes til 5 pm and just Friday and Saturday nights. Once we have gauged the level of support for the pubs reopening from our ever-supportive  villagers we will start food service and possibly extend our hours.

Love it, use it or lose it!

White Horse: All day   Weekends, 5-11pm weekdays. Food and takeaways

Justine Kemp reports …Yes, we are opening on Saturday, midday. Off the top of my head this is what we will be doing.

At this stage booking is not required for drinking but advisable for eating.

Our new menu will be available to take away for those who prefer not to eat on the premises.

Sanitisation point on entry, with signage.

Sanitisation procedures in the toilets. Both ladies toilets have been refurbished so little more civilised…..

Basically anything that needs to be used by another group of customers will be sanitised between use.

No standing at the bar after being served.

Tables in the new courtyard area and up in the garden. Tables inside for those that are happy to be inside.

Contactless payment available, along with cash.

A log of entry will be kept so we know who was present, when, with contact details.

We ask that people are sensible and respect others.

Dogs are still welcome but must be kept on leads and under control at all times and not wander around the pub, courtyard or garden.

 We will look at any further measures we may have to implement, remembering we are a local pub for local people and not a big town establishment.

We are looking forward to welcoming our regulars and local residents.

Our hours will start off as

Friday, Saturday and Sunday all day opening 12-11pm – Food 12 to 2.30pm and 6 to 9pm (No food Sunday evenings)

Monday to Thursday 5-11pm – Food 6 to 9pm

These will be extended as time progresses, should people want to arrange something outside the above hours then we are more than happy to take bookings.

I hope this helps, any specific questions let me know and I will try to answer them. 01963 370394

Horsington Parish church is now open on Wednesdays and Sundays for private prayer only.

9am-5 pm.

Please respect social distancing and Covid 19 lockdown regulations.

Our exclusive and aristocratic flat racing correspondent Sir George Paddock has let himself down badly today with a miserable return on investment on the third day of Royal Ascot. Sir George, explain please -Ed

 Well, that’s racing for you! Despite the best efforts of my team here and at Ascot, harvesting some of the best racing information its possible to obtain and distilling it into a shortlist of likely winners, the omens were against us. The rain, the thunder and the water laying on the track did nothing to improve the performance of our selection and St Leger, the patron saint of racing, did nothing for us either. Our result was as follows:

1315 Global Storm 3rd

1350 Fox Tal 6th

1500 Modern News 5th

1640 Seperate 11^th

The return on our investment of £15 was a handsome 90 pee, not quite enough to buy a packet of Cheeselets in the Half Moon, if only you could. Still, what’s done is done. Better luck tomorrow, what?

There is no tomorrow. You’re fired! -Ed

Sir George is a little late with his selections today. But nevertheless, good luck foolish people -Ed

Today’s racing is tricky, but as I pointed out yesterday, Royal Ascot always is.

It’s akin to looking for a needle in a haystack, but here are my selections for a lucky 15

1315 Global Storm (William Buick) 4/1

1350 Fox Tal (Silvestre de Silva) 3/1

1500 Modern News (William Buick) 7/2

1640 Seperate (Sean Levy) 50/1

This little lot will deliver £4,406.94 if everything wins!

The each way returns will be paltry, unless Separate delivers the goods. I wish you all the best of luck!

Thanks, we will need it -Ed

If you get the blog by email, you will probably receive this tomorrow after the race. But we also post on Facebook, where it appears instantly.-Ed

As small improvement from Sir George at Ascot this afternoon. But we’ll let him tell the story…

Sir George Paddock Bt writes…

Well, that’s racing for you! Today  we had one winner at 12/1 and a place at 8/1, resulting in a return of £13.92, a small loss of £1.08 on a total bet of£15. One of our two losing horses, Mighty Gurkha, missed out on the place money by a smidgen. So not an entirely bad result for Team Paddock.

I defy the editor chappie’s scorn by pointing out that the Royal meeting pitches the best bred and trained horses in the world against each other in fiercely competitive racing. Picking one winner is hard enough, let alone four, don’tcha know?

Being above all a gentleman, I might also point out that our selection Mighty Gurkha politely and loyally made way for her majesty’s Horse, Tactical, who achieved a popular win in the 4.10. God Bless your Majesty!

I’ll be back tomorrow with some more Ascot selections. Third time lucky

Thank you Sir George See you tomorrow -Ed

Our exclusive racing correspondent Sir George Paddock continues to blunder and bluster his way through the Ascot card. Today he believes he can win you £4000 for a modest outlay. Fools and their money ! -Ed

I have to take exception to your headline in yesterday’s Blog. To my racing colleagues a mere £7.50 loss against a £9.50 return is akin to a victory. Think of the excitement, the thundering hooves and the lovely Francesca Cumani, all thrown in for nothing!

However, if you don’t succeed, change your tactics, and that’s what we’ll do today. My selections yesterday were mainly favourites or second favourites, so today we’ll be a little bolder and stalk some meatier odds.

I’m  still sticking with Frankie Dettori . We’re only asking him to land one winner today.

Here are my four lucky 15 selections – several bookies are paying extra places, so bet each way.

1315 Alternative Fact (Frankie Dettori) 8/1

1535 Dark Vision (William Buick) 12/1

1610 Mighty Gurkha (Hollie Doyle) 15/2

1640 Ranch Hand (David Probert ) 9/2

A 50p each way lucky 15 will set you back £15 and if all 4 come up you stand to win £4400 – or around  £100 if they are all placed.

Each of these is worth an individual each way bet, but be prepared to spend more than 50p!

As my colleague Mr Swinley Bottom observed, bet like a man!

And as I observe, Carey Street* is littered with failed betting geniuses -Ed

*Where the bankruptcy courts used to be, an address familiar to Sir George and his pals