http://fiddingtonvillagehall.webs.com/ ' To book the Village Hall see website or phone Richard Brazier on 01278 734565' Happy New Year Well then, 2014 is here already. Here s hoping everyone had an enjoyable Christmas and New Year. For us 2013 was memorable, bringing us our Fiddington home in January (though we didn t move in until May) and a new grandson in December. January always seems rather dull and slow. I recently re-discovered a beautiful leather-bound perpetual children s diary I have owned for decades. It takes the reader on an adventurous journey every month through Britain s rich heritage of tradition, myth, legend and anniversaries. January boasts Epiphany, St.Distaff s Day, Plough Sunday and Monday and Granny Smith s Australia Day amongst them. Wassailing seems to be strongly rooted in Somerset (Carhampton is mentioned) so instead of the Port Wine Jelly I made over the holiday perhaps next I should try Mulled Cider Jelly. Editor: Sheila Bristow Tel: 01278 732097 email: fiddingtonnews@yahoo.co.uk 1
Post Christmas Flooding How truly grateful other road users and I am to Nigel Hunt of Coultings who cleared loads of debris from the brook at Bonson. Nancy Small For a modernised version of Twelfth Night Cake google for Nigella Lawson s Galette Des Rois or The Hairy Biker s Kingy Cake. Anyone who loves buttery pastry and sweet almondy paste will love either and it is very simple! Do you know that Santa now puts lottery scratch cards into Christmas stockings? Give me a bag of gold chocolate coins any day! Editor: Sheila Bristow Tel: 01278 732097 email: fiddingtonnews@yahoo.co.uk 2
News from The Fiddington Hall Committee By the time you get this News Letter all the Christmas festivities will be over. We hope that all who came to the Christmas Meal and Carol Evening had a good time. The meal made 175 profit, mainly due to the raffle as we do not set out to make a profit on the meal. John Taylor organised yet again a diversion to the evening in the form of a micro pantomime 'Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs'. I have never seen such tall dwarfs and was very impressed by the display of hats worn by them! Thank you to Jim and Nigel for their help in putting the lights on the tree, always a difficult task! We had tried to get a 'Merry Christmas' sign in white that lit up with the fairy lights in the tree but we were not able to find one for this year. If you know of somewhere that does a good size one that's not too expensive, can you let me know please (734624). Otherwise, we will try to improve on that for next year. An addition to Editor: Sheila Bristow Tel: 01278 732097 email: fiddingtonnews@yahoo.co.uk 3
the Christmas Tree lights this year was made by Andrew Watson of Watson and Smith Opticians. Thank you very much Andrew for helping to brighten up the village! The next event is the COFFEE MORNING AND BOOK SWAP, SATURDAY 11TH JANUARY 10-12 -A WEEK LATER THAN USUAL. Next meeting Monday January 13th, 7pm. Happy 2014 to you all! Carol Singing The Carol Singing evening was a great success with about 30 adults and children turning up. We randomly had Carols from the Carol sheet but I think we actually sung them all in the end! Thank you to all of you for coming. Also thank you to David Scott who played his euphonium which gave some structure to the singing! Our ever supportive committee members supplied the mince pies and mulled wine plus goodies for the children which seemed to be enjoyed by all with many coming back for seconds. WI Report. Heather Hawley. Fiddington WI met on Thursday, 18th December where we all enjoyed our Christmas Party. This was an extra special occasion as our President Liz Grandfield had just become a Grandmother! We look forward to our first meeting of 2014 which will be held on Thursday, January 14th in the Village Hall at 7 30pm. Mr Steve Page will be speaking about 'The Sky at Night'. New members or visitors are always welcome.for further information please phone 732175. Jackie Matthews Quiz Night Quiz night in aid of the Marion Evered trust at Fiddington village hall Saturday January 25th 7 for 7.30 start 6 per table of 4 Bring your drink n nibbles and enjoy the evening. Call 01278 445749 to book your table Tables may be available on the night room permitting Ian Barrow Church Services Services for January for St Martins Fiddington are: Sunday Jan 5th Eucharist 9am Rev. Tony Smith Sunday Jan 12th Praise Service 4pm Rev. Stephen Campbell Sunday Jan 19th Eucharist (BCP) 9am Rev. Stephen Campbell Sunday Jan 26th Joint Service for Week of Prayer for Christian Unity 10am at St Andrews Church Stogursey. Jenny Kinahan Boxing Day Run Bright sunshine greeted the 15 runners, two walkers and their supporters at the start of the 26 th Fiddington Boxing Day Run. The idea for a run was conceived at a party on Christmas Eve in 1987, when fuelled by alcoholic bravado, a few foolhardy souls thought it would be a good idea to run off some of the excesses of Christmas Day by running a 4 mile course around the parish. Since that inaugural run the course has changed, the number of participants has Editor: Sheila Bristow Tel: 01278 732097 email: fiddingtonnews@yahoo.co.uk 4
increased and the level of fitness of the runners has grown, but the guiding principle of the event remains, namely get out in the fresh air and enjoy if you can the sometimes questionable pleasure of running around the village. Mike Short presented the trophies, and this year the winner of the cup in the under 13 years old category was Brad Barrett in a time for one lap of 12 min 09 seconds. The 13 to 16 years old category winner, again for one lap, was Veronica Parr in a time of 16 min 53 seconds, and the winner of the Senescent Cup was Tony Barrett, in a time for 2 laps of 24 min 04 seconds. Many congratulations to all those who took part and thanks to all those who turned out to give them support. John Taylor ST. MARTIN S, FIDDINGTON, CHURCH FABRIC FUND 200 CLUB DRAW IN 2014 I would like to invite members from 2013 and also any new people to join our 200 Club draw in 2014.The format remains the same as for last year. For an entry fee of 10 per ticket, you will participate in eleven monthly draws for 30 commencing in February 2014 and ending with the Christmas Draw in December 2014 for the four major prizes of: 1 st Prize 250 2 nd Prize 100 3 rd Prize 70 4 th Prize 50 I would like to thank those of you who participated in the 200 Club Draw in 2013. The net profit of 1,000 will be used for the general fabric maintenance of the church. The net proceeds from the 2014 Club Draw will also be used for this purpose. If you wish to take part in the 200 Club Draw in 2014, will you kindly complete the Proforma at the foot of this newsletter and return to me at STOCKLAND LOVELL MANOR, COULTINGS, FIDDINGTON, BRIDGWATER, TA5 1JJ, together with your cheque made payable to Fiddington P.C.C., before the 14 th February 2014. Alternatively, you may wish to hand the Proforma and cheque to the member of the P.C.C. committee who sold you your ticket (s) last year. Thank you very much for your support in 2013. I wish you good luck in the future draws in 2014. Michael Hill Editor: Sheila Bristow Tel: 01278 732097 email: fiddingtonnews@yahoo.co.uk 5
CLUB WINNERS FOR 2013 December monthly draw 30 No4 Claire Brimble Taunton Christmas Draw 50 No9 Martin Lane N Petherton 70 No194 Andy Doran Peadon House 100 No46 Peter Spear Church rd, Fiddington 250 No195 Rachael Doran Peadon House APPLICATION FOR MEMBERSHIP OF THE FABRIC FUND 200 CLUB DRAW IN 2014 TO: MICHAEL HILL, STOCKLAND LOVELL MANOR, COULTINGS, FIDDINGTON, BRIDGWATER, TA5 IJJ Name:... Please indicate number of 10 tickets required...... Address:...... Post Code...... Telephone No... Signed:... Date:...... I enclose a cheque to the value of...cheques should be made payable to FIDDINGTON P.C.C. APPLICATION FOR MEMBERSHIP OF THE FABRIC FUND 200 CLUB DRAW IN 2014 TO: MICHAEL HILL, STOCKLAND LOVELL MANOR, COULTINGS, FIDDINGTON, BRIDGWATER, TA5 IJJ Name:... Please indicate number of 10 tickets required...... Address:...... Post Code...... Telephone No... Signed:... Date:...... I enclose a cheque to the value of...cheques should be made payable to FIDDINGTON P.C.C. Editor: Sheila Bristow Tel: 01278 732097 email: fiddingtonnews@yahoo.co.uk 6