Friday 5 November 2010

'MEN OF IRON - The Fussells of Mells' by Robin Thornes

 
'The impact of the Fussells on the East Mendips was such that even in their own lifetime they and the edge-tools that they made took on a mythical quality. Their businesses lasted for more than 150 years, spanning the period of the Industrial Revolution. They made their appearance in the historic record in the time of water-powered craft industry and their exit in the age of steam-powered mass production. In that same period the Fussells made the transition from village craftmen to gentlemen with country estates and mansions. Although best known as makers of agricultural edge-tools, they also had interests in the woollen industry, coal mines, railways and canals'.
            This is part of the introduction on the back cover of the newly published book by Robin Thornes. It is a fascinating account of the area and the people living and working locally. Names and places are easily recognizable.
          'MEN of IRON - An illustrated talk' will be held in Mells Barn on Friday 19th November at 7.00pm. Tickets £5.00 can be obtained from Mells Village Shop and Robin is very generously donating all proceeds to the shop fund.
Doors will open at 6.30. Wine will be served included in the ticket price. There will be an interval during which refreshments will be available and also the opportunity to purchase a copy of this excellent book. 

Friday 10 September 2010

MELLS LITERARY LADIES PRESENT COLERIDGE AND THE WORDSWORTHS IN SOMERSET




Susan Date and Helen Wynter’s literary performances have acquired a devoted following over the past 6 years and Mells is delighted to welcome them to their home territory in Mells Barn on Saturday 16 October for An evening with Coleridge and the Wordsworths in Somerset, July 1797 – September 1798. 

Some of the finest work of Coleridge and Wordsworth was produced during the short period they lived in Somerset.  Drawing on published and unpublished work of the period and letters and reports made by later generations, extracts will include prose and a selection of their poems.

Helen Wynter trained and worked at the Central School of Speech and Drama, retiring as Senior Lecturer.  Susan Date’s background is theatre, television, radio and film.  She was Assistant Principal and Voice Coordinator at Guildford School of Acting.

The programme will begin at 7.00 p.m. and lasts about 2 hours, including an interval.  Doors and bar will be open from 6.30 p.m.  Tickets, priced £6 (to include a glass of wine), are on sale at Mells Village Shop, to which all proceeds will be given.


For further information please contact June Costelloe junecostelloe@yahoo.co.uk   01373 812 199

Friday 14 May 2010

Tuesday 11 May 2010

MELLS GARDENS OPEN ALL DAY ON SATURDAY 22 MAY

14 of Mells finest gardens will be open from the extended hours of 11 am to 5 pm on Saturday 22 May, following our successful first open gardens afternoon last year. On display are 5 gardens open for the first time this year and the historic formal South Court at Mells Manor will again be opening its garden gate.

One of the gardens on show:

Picnic-in-the-park-006

The gardens featured range from traditional cottage gardens, large, medium and tiny, a river-side garden, a hill-side garden, a walled garden growing commercial cut flowers, a small holding with animals and several gardens with chickens.

Lunches, teas and home-made cakes are being served at the ancient Mells Tithe Barn, where there will also be a plant stall.

The proceedings will be accompanied by the ringing of bells from the fifteenth century St Andrew’s Church, courtesy of Mells Ringers.

Mells Gardens are being opened in aid of the community run Mells Village Shop which will also be open for business. Tickets with a map at £4.00 are available in advance and on the day from Mells Village Shop and Post Office, Woodlands End, Mells. Accompanied children under 16 go free.

For further information, please contact June Costelloe: junecostelloe@yahoo.co.uk 01373 812199

Monday 22 February 2010

Volunteers Wanted for Daffodil Day - Monday 5th April 2010

The Daffodil Day Committee have organized things a bit differently this year in terms of proceeds from some of the various activities. It means that any money made from within the Manor House grounds will come directly to the shop. Therefore, we need to do our best to raise as much as possible.

Firstly, we will need volunteers to man the entrance gates. We plan to ‘do’ teas in the corner of the North Court with a string trio to lend a little light music! There could then be children’s games on the lawns nearby.
We are hoping that there can be pony rides in the paddock, a fortune teller (a traditional figure in times gone by!) and there is plenty of room to allow space for any other bright ideas!

Would you be free to help on the day? If so could you gave me some idea of the times that would best suit you and which activity you would most like to help with.
Could you bake some cakes? Would you like to serve teas?
We will need a small gazebo for the fortune teller to give some protection from the elements!
If we need tables and chairs would you be able to loan some?
Do you have any garden games which might be fun and suitable? Perhaps a set of boule? We do have some other things already.
Time marches on and although the event seems a long way away it is only a matter of weeks. Let us hope that the sun will shine!

With many thanks. I look forward to hearing from you.

Liz O’Sullivan 812201 or s-eosullivan@hotmail.co.uk

Monday 8 February 2010

Friday 15 January 2010

Advent Concert CD Available

The CD of the Royal Middlesex Orpheus Advent concert (see post below) is now ready and can be purchased by sending a cheque made out to Peter O’Toole to:

1, Springfield Road
Teddington
Middlesex
TW11 9AP

The price is £10 including UK p&p. If you have any questions, please contact Peter on 0208 977 0998 or by e-mail at; peter_otoole@lineone.net