Sassoon Poem to feature in Fund-Raising Concert in St Andrew's Church, Mells

The village of Mells, outside Frome, is the location of poet Siegfried Sassoon’s grave. It is thus especially appropriate that St Andrew’s Church in Mells should be the venue for the second performance of a setting of Sassoon’s poem ‘Everyone Sang’ by Oxford-based composer John Duggan.

On the 19th December, the Royal Middlesex Orpheus will bring this new work to Mells as part of an Advent concert in support of the community-run Mells village shop and also the church. It will be performed together with Duggan’s setting of the poem ‘Requiem’ by another World War One poet, Ivor Gurney.

Royal Middlesex Orpheus music director Matthew O’Sullivan, whose own composition ‘Advent: White Full Moon’ will receive its world premiere at the Mells concert, said of John’s work: “I was immediately taken by John’s imaginative approach to choral texture, which creates the kind of transparency that one comes across all too rarely in new music. The way the music works in reminiscences of both very new and very old styles of music, while always remaining accessible, makes it a delight for the listener.”

The Royal Middlesex Orpheus is a choir of young singers, most of whom met as choral scholars at Cambridge University, and who now enjoy singing to a professional standard while pursuing careers in other fields. In May 2008 the men of the Royal Middlesex Orpheus took part in the 3rd Bratislava Festa Choralis, competing against choirs from all over the world, where they were awarded first place in the male voice section. On 19th December they bring male and female sections together in a programme where the very newest works rub shoulders with Advent classics from the 11th to the 20th century.

Tickets cost £8.00/£6.00 conc. and are available in advance from Mells Village Shop or by contacting 01373 812201 or 812320. The concert begins at 6.30.

Journalists: For further background contact Matthew O’Sullivan on 07812 019776 or matthewos@sky.com

Latest MVS Minutes Available

You can view the Minutes of the MVS AGM on GoogleDocs by clicking on this link:

http://docs.google.com/Doc?docid=0ATXQWUQXaYoNZGdrejViYm5fMWQ5M2Yya2Q4&hl=en

Latest MVS Accounts Available to View

Please have a look at Mells Village Shop Ltd's Annual Report and Accounts for the year ended 31 March 2009 which is being circulated at our Annual General Meeting to be held in Mells Barn at 6..30 p.m. on Tuesday 4 August. All members have been invited to attend.

You can view the Accounts by clicking on the link below (apologies for the length):

http://docs.google.com/fileview?id=0BzXQWUQXaYoNODdkOTZkZGEtMTE5Ni00MjM3LWIyY2QtZTcxZWI0NDNlZWQ1&hl=en

SOMETHING FOR EVERYBODY AT THE ‘PICNIC IN MELLS PARK’

Garden lovers, architectural and political historians and Beatles enthusiasts will have a rare opportunity to explore the delights of one of the most exclusive country houses in Somerset which is opening its grounds to the public for the first time this century on August 1st this year.

Mells Park, on the edge of the picturesque village of Mells, near Frome, is set in extensive parkland surrounding a large lake. One of the star attractions is the stone temple, newly restored from an ivy clad ruin, fronting an stunning five sided walled formal garden, designed and planted by Martin Lane Fox.

Times: Sat Aug. 1st
5pm: GATES OPEN
7pm: Sgt Pepper’s Only Dartboard Band - first set
8pm: 60s fancy dress competition for U14s
8.30pm: Sgt Pepper’s Only Dartboard Band - second set
11pm: Close

In the late 1980s Mells Park House was the unlikely setting for the drawing up of the blueprint for the end of apartheid in South Africa during a series of secret meetings between the ANC in exile and leading Afrikaners. These events were recreated in April in the Channel 4 film, Endgame, researched at Mells Park but filmed elsewhere.

The 1920s Lutyens designed house and Gertrude Jekyll gardens have been renovated and restored over the past few years and visitors will be free to wander around the parkland, explore the temple and temple garden, and picnic by the lake.

Apart from enjoying the stunning surroundings, picnickers will be able to relax to music from Frome’s very own Beatles tribute band, Sgt Pepper’s Only Dartboard Band at 7.00 and 8.30 p.m.. Frome’s very popular Milk St Brewery will be running the bar tent, and for the under 14s there will be a 60s fancy dress competition at 8.00 p.m. with prizes for all entrants.

Gates open at 5pm on Saturday August 1st and the evening closes at about 11pm. Tickets at £10 (children under 14 free) are now available from the Tourist Information Office in Frome and from Mells Village Shop. All proceeds are for the development of the community-run Mells Village Shop. Ample car parking will be provided.

For further information, please contact Jane Mann on 01373 813681 or jane@oldprospectfarm.co.uk

VOLUNTEERS STILL NEEDED !

The shop still needs volunteers to work certain blocks of hours. The periods we need cover for are:

Saturday afternoons
Thursday morning

People to help with deliveries, buying supplies etc would also be useful. So if you have some time on your hands, and would like to help your local shop, please contact Liz O'Sullivan on 01373 812201, or contact the shop direct on 01373 812251. On the job training with till, lottery etc is provided.

PHOTOS FROM OPENING DAY 2 - TV's Kevin McCloud launches MVS

OPENING DAY PHOTOS

Chairman Bobby Hanscomb addresses crowd and produce




The throng enjoys free food and drink




The crush inside




Raymond Asquith salutes Robin Tindale




The National Press clamour for a view

EASTER WEEKEND OPENING TIMES

Note: These hours only apply over the Easter Weekend.

The Shop:

Wednesday 8th:  Closed for re-stocking
Thursday 9th:   Closed for re-stocking
Friday 10:      Closed for re-stocking
Saturday 11th:  Open 8.30 - 4.00
Monday 13th:    Open 9.00 - 5.00

Post Office:

Wednesday 8th:  9 - 12
Thursday 9th:   9 - 12
Friday 10th:    Closed
Saturday 11th:  9 - 1
Monday 13th:    Closed

MELLS VILLAGE SHOP & POST OFFICE OPENS 11 APRIL

Mells Village Shop & Post Office will be finally opening its door again for trading on Saturday 11 April at 10.30am, working towards the Official Opening on Saturday 9 May.

The interior of this former cottage has been transformed into a traditional village shop stocking basic groceries and locally sourced delicatessen items.

Mells resident Mike Phypers, our new Manager and Sub-postmaster, assisted by Wendy, Jeanette and a number of volunteers, are looking forward to serving the needs of the community of Mells and the surrounding villages.

Opening hours:

Shop
Mon to Fri: 7.30 – 7.00
Sat & Sun: 8.00 – 4.00.

Post Office
Mon, Tues, Thurs, Fri: 9.00 – 1.00, 2.00 – 4.00
Wed: 9.00 – 1.00
Sat: 9.00 – 12.00.

The Shop will be stocking local vegetables, fruit, fresh bread, hot pies, cakes from local kitchens and featuring Mells Kitchens home baked dishes. You can pay by card on purchases over £5. And while you’re buying your groceries, why not treat yourself to a cup of coffee or tea and some cake and enjoy the view over the duck pond from our new tables and chairs?

Mells Village Shop Ltd is grateful to those listed below who have made a significant financial contribution to the regeneration of the shop as a village co-operative:

- 
the people of Mells and the surrounding villages
- Somerset Aggregates Levy Sustainability Fund
- The Village CORE Programme (Plunkett Foundation)
- Mells and Vobster Community Trust
- The Co-operative Loan Fund
- Mells Parish Council
- The Mells Estate


- And to those many local businesses and individuals who have supported the project financially or with practical help.

SHOP OPENING CEREMONY

MELLS VILLAGE SHOP OPENING: 10.30 a.m. SATURDAY 11 APRIL

- Presentation to Robin
- Grand Draw for Mells Village Shop Members of 4 jute bags filled with groceries
- Ribbon cutting
- Cider tasting, squash, balloons
- Beer and food

PLEASE COME ALONG AND SEE FOR YOURSELF WHAT’S ON OFFER!

COLLECTION FOR ROBIN TYNDALE

If you would like to contribute to a retirement collection for Robin Tindale, our Postmaster for over 18 years, to be presented at the Village Opening on 11 April, please send your donation to June Costelloe, Hatherleigh, Mells Green, BA11 3QP, or put in the marked box in the Talbot bar .

DATES FOR YOUR DIARY

9 May at 11.00 a.m.: Official Opening with Kevin McCloud of Channel 4’s Grand Designs. Members’ Reception.

6 June 2.00 p.m. – 6.00 p.m.: Mells Open Gardens.

1 August: Picnic in Mells Park.

16 October – Barn Meeting: discover how to research the history of your house for a forthcoming booklet.

MELLS OPEN GARDENS AFTERNOON SATURDAY 6 JUNE

Mells will be opening its gardens to the public in aid of Mells Village Shop Ltd on Saturday 6 June. Is this the first time ever? (please let me know!)

We already have a number of residents who have kindly volunteered their gardens for this event but we would be happy to have more, particularly from Fairview and Longfield. Please consider volunteering to help the Shop. Gardens don’t have to be Wisley standard and to judge from front gardens around there are some keen gardeners in Mells.

We are also looking for volunteers (including Shop Members from surrounding villages) to help with serving teas at the Barn, to bake cakes, to sell tickets for the event and to sell plants. Green-fingered volunteers are also requested to start potting up plants to sell at the Plant Stall – things that will look good in June, please.

To offer help or for more information, please contact June Costelloe on 812 199 junecostelloe@yahoo.co.uk.

by June Costelloe

MELLS VILLAGE POST OFFICE MOVES BACK TO SHOP

The Post Office will be closed on Tues 17th & Weds 18th March, and will reopen in the main shop on Thurs 19th March, offering all the current services.

POST OFFICE CLOSED TUES 10TH

The Mells Post Office will be closed all day on Tuesday, 10th March.

YOUR VILLAGE SHOP NEWS - WINDOWS & DOORS IN !

As you can see, thanks to the generosity and hard work of local people, Mells refurbished Village Shop is rapidly taking shape with the new windows now in place. Internal building work will be finished by the end of February and the Shop is on course to open in April.

The shop's revival is a community venture, and in order to succeed, the Shop and Post Office will continue to need the goodwill and help of everyone within the Mells, Vobster and Great Elm area. If it does well in the first year, we will be able to add a café by the summer of 2010, and if it continues to flourish we should be able to sell it on as a thriving business.

What does the shop need from you?

Your financial support. Thanks to a huge communal effort, we have raised £120,000 from local people and from various grants and sponsors. But this is still £10,000 short of the sum needed to restock, refurbish, and maintain the shop for the first two years. So if you are not a member of the Village Shop co-operative please become one, for as little as £5.00. (Please phone June Costelloe on 812199/ junecostelloe@yahoo.co.uk), and encourage others to do the same.

Your voluntary help. The Shop needs as many volunteers as possible, to help behind the counter, fetch supplies, deliver sandwich rounds, clean and maintain the premises - just a few hours a week will make a great difference. We are also looking for a part-time paid assistant. Please phone 813763 to offer help or for further information.

Your ideas. If you know of good local food producers or useful suppliers or anything else that you think will improve the shop, please write your suggestions in the book in the Post Office portakabin or make a comment here on the blog.

Your custom. We also need to know your top priorities, the things you would most like to see on the new Shop counters, either in the suggestions book or on the blog.

Your goodwill. Throughout this year there will be various events and entertainments to raise further funds for the Shop. We hope you will join in and enjoy them and perhaps think up some fund-raising ventures of your own.

ATTEMPTED BURGLARY AT THE POST OFFICE

The Somerset Standard (Feb 12) is reporting as follows:

'Police are investigating an attempted break-in at Mells Post Office on Sunday evening. The Post Office is being run from a temporary cabin while the building is being refurbished and raiders cut wires leading to the alarm. They then forced a padlock on the door, but police say they did not enter the building.'

LET US KNOW WHAT YOU THINK

We are keen to know your views on anything to do with the Shop - or this Blog. All you have to do to is to click on the word 'Comments' at the end of each post.

A new window will open, with a blank 'Leave your comment' field. You will be prompted to create a Google identity, if you don't already have one, by choosing a username and password. Then simply type your comment and click on PUBLISH YOUR COMMENT.

SHOP ASSISTANT and VOLUNTEERS NEEDED !

A part-time assistant is needed for the new Village Post Office. 20 hours a week, experience and flexibility an advantage. We are also looking for volunteers for all aspects of the shop business.

Please contact Clare Asquith at clare.asquith@gmail.com

PROGRESS REPORT - SHOP RENOVATION ON SCHEDULE

The Shop in the snow.

The building work on the shop has been going well, with work ahead of schedule. The new windows are on order, internal demolition is complete, the ceiling rafters are in place, and plastering is under way.

MELLS VILLAGE SHOP in the MENDIP TIMES, Feb 2009 issue

To download the February issue of MENDIP TIMES, go here

PRESS RELEASE JAN 21/09: WORK BEGINS ON NEW MELLS VILLAGE SHOP

Thanks to the support of local villagers and the first tranche of community grants, work has begun in earnest on the bigger, brighter and community-owned Mells Village Shop.

Whilst the shop building is closed for refurbishment, basic needs will continue to be served by postmaster Robin Tindale from the adjacent portacabin.

The Post Office and prescription service will function as normal, and newspapers and a basic range of groceries will continue to be available.

The shop is open:
Monday - Friday 8.00am - 4.00pm,
Saturday 8.00am - 12.00am
Sunday closed.

"It is thanks to the generosity of local people, both with time as well as money, that we have got this far, and we hope that they will also bear with us during the next few weeks of building work," says chairman Bobby Hanscomb. "Mells is very lucky to retain its shop and Post Office when so many have gone".

It is hoped that the refurbished shop and Post Office will re-open for business in mid-March, which will give the village and surrounding community the benefit of a wider range of stock and services than was formerly possible. Suggestions and ideas from local people are welcome, and can be given to Robin, or posted at the Mells Shop blog; mellsvillageshop.blogspot.com, where latest news about the project will be reported.

As well as local share-holders AND OTHER SPONSORS, Mells Village Shop is grateful for the support of the Somerset Aggregates Levy, ViRSA (Village Retail Services Association) and the Co-Op.

by Jo Plimmer

POST OFFICE UP & RUNNING IN THE PORTAKABIN - WEDS JAN 14

Shop & Post Office Latest: (as of Weds 14th)

The Post Office is up and running.

The Shop has virtually no space - there is a drinks cooler and some crisps, but once the remaining stock has gone the feeling is that there just won't be enough room to make it worthwhile to stock the shop, apart from bread and milk.

Newspapers will start again as normal on Thurs Jan 15th, both reserved and to buy.

The Lottery is working normally.



Wendy and Robin ready for business on the first day of the PO - Portakabin Office.



getting organised ...

THEN & NOW: OLD VIEWS

These two images come from Radstock Museum, which has kindly given us permission to reproduce them. (click on them to enlarge)





The Mells Cross photo (credited to Nick Stickland) seems to be from the 60s or 70s, the panorama from much earlier. If anyone can shed light on either image, for instance when they were taken, or if you have any other old images of the shop you would like to share, please click on 'Comments' below and let us know.

There's another old photo here from c1950.

And here, from 1907.

And a couple of contemporary views from flickr.com, here, and here.

NEWSPAPERS - LATEST

There will be no newspapers at the shop on Monday 12, Tuesday 13 and Wednesday 14 January.

Beyond that things are uncertain as the Portakabin is small and Robin is not yet sure how space will be allocated.

As soon as I have any news I will post it here.

PRESCRIPTION SERVICE TO CONTINUE

Robin Tindale wants to reassure the village that the prescription service which operates between the Mendip Country Practice and Mells PO will continue uninterrupted during the current refurbishment.

THE PORTAKABIN HAS LANDED !

Shortly after 10am on Thursday 8th Jan the Portakabin arrived and was installed on its plinth beside the shop.

Opening Hours from Wed 14 Jan until further notice will be:

Mon - Fri....8am - 4pm

Saturday.....8am - 12.

MELLS’ HELPING HAND SAVES SHOP AND POST OFFICE

Welcome to the Mells Village Shop blog. We've started the blog to help publicise the shop, and as a way of bringing information about the shop to those who care about it and use it. If you would like to comment on anything in the blog, please click on the word 'Comments' beneath the post.

To bring you up to date, here is a Brief History of the last year in the life of the shop, by June Costelloe.

Early 2008: Mells Sub Postmaster Robin Tindale decides to give up running store.

April 2008: Group of villagers plan campaign to save store and Post Office.

July 2008: 120 people attend meeting in Tithe Barn; unanimously pledge support. Mells and surrounding villages leafleted with membership forms for ‘Mells Village Shop’.

Summer 2008: Applications to join MVS received from cross section of Mells and wider community. Donations range from £5 to £1,000. Friends and relations from further afield also join. All 208 members receive complimentary jute bag with MVS logo. Bids prepared for funding bodies and sponsorship sought.

August 2008: Mells Village Shop Ltd registered as limited company under Industrial & Provident Societies Acts. Plans drawn up to gut, refurbish interior and update Post Office equipment.

September 2008: MVS awarded £30,000 grant from SALSF.

October 2008: £20,000 raised from community in 4 months; MVS awarded loan of £20,000 from Co-op, with match-funding of £20,000 from ViRSA. Further grants add up to nearly £120,000. Plans can go ahead.

December 2008: Robin Tindale decides to retire as Postmaster as well and Mells man Mike Phypers appointed Manager/Sub Postmaster designate from 1 March 2009.

January 2009: Building work begins. Post Office and newspapers move in to next door portakabin.

March 2009: Work should be finished; plans underway to build on coffee shop. Fund-raising events to be organised; appeal still open.

11 April 2009: Grand Opening of Mells Village Shop!

To become a member of Mells Village Shop, call June Costelloe on 01373 812 199.

The picture below shows Robin Tindale, left, and Clare Asquith, underneath a banner indicating the success of the fundraising effort.