English Wine and Cheese for St George’s Day

Cry God for Harry, England and a glass of (English) wine and nice bit of cheese! St George’s day is on Monday 23 April, and to celebrate, there is a an English Wine and Cheese tasting evening at the Half Moon.

7.30pm start – a’Becketts vineyard from Wiltshire will be guiding us through a selection of their wines and Kevin from Longmans cheese sales, North Cadbury is bringing some lovely West Country cheeses, crackers and pickles. Only £10 per person.

STOP PRESS – There is now wine from Dorset (Parhams from Melbury Abbas) and one from Somerset (Wraxall from Shepton Mallet) for the wine tasting.

Brilliant idea for Jubilee street party

BloggoVisionHere’s something for the organising committee to think about as a diversion to liven up the Horsington Jubilee street party on Sunday June 3rd. (Have you ordered your tickets yet? Why not -Ed).
Only in Belgium . . . .

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=316AzLYfAzw

(Click the symbol at the bottom right of screen to view full size)

Solar panels near Cheritons/ Holton

The Blog's helicopter captured this view of the proposed Solar Park. The A 303 runs across the picture, with Wincanton in the background. The A357 is away beyond the left of the picture. (Click to see full size)

A 5MW “solar park” has been proposed at Higher Hatherleigh Farm, Grove Lane, about 1 km (0.62 of a mile) south of Wincanton alongside the old S&D railway line adjoining the Wincanton sewage farm .

The solar panels will be in some 33 rows about 3 metres off ground – virtually invisible from any road, but very visible from vantage points like Cucklington or the Monarch’s Way.

The 29 acre installation will generate enough energy to power around 1450 two-bedroom homes. The proposal is for the scheme to last for 25 years, during which time animals like sheep can graze between the panels, thereby preserving an element of agricultural use.

According to the solar power feed in tariff calculator on the Parker Energy website, such a system will cost in the region of £394, 000 and pay back its investment in under 13 years. The total profit over 25 years (when the current scheme ends) will be in the region of £591,000, a return of 6%.

Hatherleigh Farm lies in neighboring Holton Parish. There have been a number of objections, including from the Holton Heritage Trust, which states that the proposal will cause huge damage to the highly valued landscape of the Blackmore Vale. Although the Trust has previously supported planning applications for rooftop panels, it is strongly opposed to panel generation parks in open countryside.

They point out that the proposal goes against the Holton Plan, which has been approved by the council.

Blog comment: The Council is in a difficult position. Solar energy is a good thing, and preferred to 400 ft wind turbines. But if they permit this one, than every landowner in the area will think it worth having a go. With reluctance, we say no, simply because we would not like to see a precedent created- Ed

Horsington Annual Parish Meeting – 12 April

The  annual Parish Meeting and public forum is at 7.15 (after coffee and biscuits at 7pm) on Thursday 12 April at the Village Hall. Anyone who is interested in who is on the council, and what they do, should attend.

It’s your chance to ask questions and raise issues for debate, and to hold the councillors to account for the way they conduct their (and our) affairs. There is no excuse for not attending, as the only other worthwhile thing that night is “Follow That Girl” at Milborne Port, and we undestand Thursday night is already a sell out!

The agenda includes a Q and A session  with David Norris, Development Manager of South Somerset District Council’s Planning department, so you can ask him about some of the weirder planning decisions which happen.

You are also  welcome to stay for the full parish Copuncil Meeting after the open forum. The agenda includes a number of planning applications, including a 5MW “Solar Park”  at Grove Lane, South Cheriton (more details of this soon -Ed) and some correspondence with a David Ramsbottom about Wind Turbines.

 

European News

Our sterner critics complain that we are very parochial, concentrating only on Horsington matters. So from time to time we bring you cutting edge news from the heart of the European Union in Brussels.

The European Commission has just announced an agreement whereby English will be the official language of the European Union rather than German, which was the other possibility.

As part of the negotiations, the British Government conceded that English spelling had some room for improvement and has accepted a 5- year phase-in plan that would become known as “Euro-English”.

In the first year, “s” will replace the soft “c”.  Sertainly, this will make the sivil servants jump with joy. The hard “c” will be dropped in favour of “k”. This should klear up konfusion, and keyboards kan have one less letter.

There will be growing publik enthusiasm in the sekond year when the troublesome “ph” will be replaced with “f”.  This will make words like fotograf 20% shorter.

In the 3rd year, publik akseptanse of the new spelling kan be expekted to reach the stage where more komplikated changes are possible.

Governments will enkourage the removal of double letters which have always ben a deterent to akurate speling.

Also, al wil agre that the horibl mes of the silent “e” in the languag is disgrasful and it should go away.

By the 4th yer people wil be reseptiv to steps such as replasing “th” with “z” and “w” with “v”.

During ze fifz yer, ze unesesary “o” kan be dropd from vords kontaining “ou” and after ziz fifz yer, ve vil hav a reil sensi bl riten styl.

Zer vil be no mor trubl or difikultis and evrivun vil find it ezi tu understand ech oza. Ze drem of a united urop vil finali kum tru.

Und efter ze fifz yer, ve vil al be speking German like zey vunted in ze forst plas.

Follow that Girl at Milborne Port – 11-14 April.

TICKETS SELLING FAST SO BOOK NOW! 07926 983 585

From Wednesday 11th to Saturday 14th April, Milborne Port Opera (MPO) http://themoose.co.uk/opera/follow-that-girl presents the musical ‘Follow That Girl’, at Milborne Port Village Hall. Written by Dorothy Reynolds and Julian Slade,  it is the intriguing, sibling of the popular show ‘Salad Days’. It’s funny, with  great songs, and features some Horsington residents on stage or behind the scenes.

The show begins in the 1960s. Writer Tom is explaining the plot line to his new musical to his girlfriend, Victoria. She is intrigued to learn that she is the inspiration for this new piece, set in the heart of 1800s London. The make-believe, fantastical world of Tom’s musical then opens up before our eyes. Victoria embarks upon an adventure of Tom’s imagination, drawn out of his true-life adoration of her, culminating in all his show’s characters conspiring in a desperate chase through the streets of Victorian London in search of her. On our journey we meet a host of colourful characters, including parents, artists, shop keepers, potential suitors, aquarium keepers and even mermaids! And of course we are treated to some fantastic songs along the way! All are accompanied by a wonderful live orchestra.  This is the talented amateur group’s 22nd production, the last being the award-winning sell-out HMS Pinafore last Easter, and is definitely not to be missed!

So join us in Victorian London and ‘Follow That Girl’ to Milborne Port Village Hall  – less than a 10-minute drive from Horsington. Tickets are £10 (£8 concessions Wednesday and Thursday). All performances start at 7.30 pm and are suitable for all the family. Tickets are on sale from Wayne’s Butchers and Milborne Port Post Office or call 07926 983 585.

Bee Alert – it’s all change at the Grange!

Horsington Bees
Secret training for the largest bee farm in the UK

The Blog has learnt that The Grange is embarking on a new venture to compensate for the lack of income from its wedding and party business following vociferous local opposition.

The secret plan, under discussion with local authority officers, is to start the country’s largest bee farm in the grounds. Environmental officers estimate that it would be possible to accommodate some 7,000 hives, each one containing some 40,000 bees. That means there could be 280 million bees buzzing around Horsington by this time next year.

In a good year the honey crop would be some 375 tons, worth about £3.8 million at retail price levels. Surplus wax, used for many household products such as polish and candles, retails at about £14 per pound and will bring in considerable extra income.

However the real income from these creatures will come from supplying them to police forces and HM Customs as drug and explosive sniffers. Bees can be trained more quickly, and at a fraction of the cost of sniffer dogs. See story

There will be  local employment opportunities to collect the honey and wax, and to feed the bees in winter, when their numbers will drop dramatically. The Blog understands there will jobs for about 5 people, plus a manager.

Local opposition is expected to be strong, as it is thought that some residents will be disturbed (or is it outraged?-Ed)  by the noise of  buzzing bees and the honey tanker traffic.

Local beekeepers are understood to be concerned that the new bees may steal food from established bee colonies. A prominent local beekeeper, who did not want to be named, speaking to the Blog on April 1st said “This must be stopped. Promiscuous drones from the Grange will mate with our queens and ruin the breed”.

Blog Exclusive! See the promotion video on the proposed scheme .
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xy9JZLmgrPE&feature=fvwp&NR=1

More about bees –it’s really interesting
http://www.somersetbeekeepers.org.uk/

Pub quiz question: What is the chemical formula for beeswax?
C15 H31 CO2 C30 H61, of course.

Music Night at the half Moon – April 4th

The friendly and relaxed Half Moon Music Night continues on Wednesday the 4th April at around 8.45 p.m. in Horsington. Please come and join us to play, sing and say whilst enjoying a beer; it is completely free apart from the drinks. Further details from Anna 01963-370749.

 

Another successful event with a dozen or so participants.  Come along next month and enjoy an eclectic mix of music and, if you’re so minded have a go yourself.

Easter Sunday Pub Quiz

” Can the Moonies, recent victors in King Arthur’s School annual quiz, repeat their winning run?”

Indeed they could.  The Moonies headed off 8 other teams to secure victory.  The quiz, set by Wincanton Phoenix in aid of Horsington Village Hall, raised about £80.  Thanks to all involved in the organisation

Pawfest announces line up for June 9 concert at Wincanton

After such wonderful feedback was received from the first ever ‘PawFest’ Music Festival held in September of last year, Somerset & Dorset Animal Rescue are doing it again!

PawFest 2012 will take place on Saturday 9th June 2012 in the superb surroundings of Somerset and Dorset Animal Rescue, Common Road, Wincanton.

The day features a very diverse line up headlined by Toploader, who have enjoyed a string of top 20 hits. Other bands include Babyhead, Tenshed, Twin Falls, The Rock Doctors, Stop Go Sixty, Jack Grace, Buzz and Abbi Baker

There is a fully stocked bar which features scrummy ‘Black Rat Cider’, a gorgeous Honeybuns Tea Tent, Chill out area and delicious hot and cold food.

New for 2012 is the Kids Activity tent, where the children will be able to keep busy with a little art and craft after having their face painted or hair braided.

Last year PawFest was quoted as ‘the best thing that has ever happened in Wincanton’. Come and see what all the fuss is about and if you have never been to a Music Festival make this your first.

It is relaxed, safe, family friendly and most importantly,  held in aid of Somerset and Dorset Animal Rescue.  Doors open Noon -11pm.

Tickets are on sale now at £16 under 12’s free (but still require a ticket) on sale at  www.pawfest.co.uk, or from Totally Floored, Wincanton, Unicorn Inn, Bayford, The Ship in, West Stour, and other outlets

BloggoVisionPreview Toploader singing their hit “Dancing in the Moonlight”
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0yBnIUX0QAE
(Viewed by over 3 million people already)

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