Serendipity, formerly the Corner House cafe, has long been a supporter of the Forget me Not Cafe. Now owner Liz Snell and her family are moving to take up a new shop in Taunton they have presented a plate decorated with Forget me Nots to be raffled by the Group as part of the National Dementia Action Week events in Watchet on Wednesday May 15.

Margaret Tatham (pictured with Liz) thanked Liz for the gift and wished her well for the new venture. 

For more information about advice and activities for people living with dementia in the area plus their friends and families contact Margaret on 07973638030 or email [email protected] . For Minehead it is [email protected]

In a lively showdown of wits in Watchet, the annual Twinning Society Community Quiz brought together residents for a night of fun and fundraising. 13 teams gathered, all vying for the coveted crown and supporting the ongoing connection between Watchet and its twin town, St Renan in Brittany.

The Twinning Society, established in 1979, has been instrumental in fostering bonds of friendship and understanding between the two communities. What began as informal meetings between delegations from Watchet and St Renan has blossomed into a fun tradition of alternating visits.

Last night's quiz saw the "Cadenza Crusaders" team clinching victory, with West Somerset Brass Band members Jodie Watson, Mark Tranter, Michael Butcher and Niall Watson emerging triumphant. Their win not only celebrated their quiz prowess but also underlined the close bond the band has with The Twinning Society, with the band enthusiastically accompanying the Twinners to St Renan every two years. 

Mary Rhodes, Chairman of the Twinning Society, expressed her gratitude for the community's support, emphasizing the importance of events like these in raising funds for hosting French visitors and strengthening bilateral relations. The £300 raised will go a long way to ensuring a warm and fun welcome for the guests expected in May.

However, the Twinning Society's ambitions extend beyond fundraising. As with many organizations, they are eager to engage younger members of the community, recognizing the value of diverse perspectives in furthering their objectives. A wider age range, they believe, enriches the experiences and opportunities offered by twinning.

Reflecting on the success of the evening, Mary has invited new members to join up to ensure the Twinning Society's continued vibrancy and success. "It provides a wonderful opportunity to experience family life in another country," she remarked, underlining the invaluable educational and cultural benefits for both adults and children.

The quiz night's triumph not only showcased Watchet’s  community spirit but also underscored the enduring commitment to strengthening ties with St Renan. As preparations for the upcoming visit in August unfold, Watchet eagerly anticipates another chapter in its twinning journey.

For those interested in joining the Twinning Society and becoming part of this enriching exchange, please get in touch with [email protected]

Local artist and animator, Ann Farley, visited St Dubricius School in Porlock to help Adventure class create maquettes for their animated story: Escape from Pompeii.

Last year Ann released ‘The Man Who Mends Things’, which is a short stop motion animation that was selected for the 2023 Suncine Environmental Festival in Barcelona. The Man Who Mends Things also won Best Film, Audience Award and Directors Award at the Frome International Film Festival 2023 and had a special mention by the jury at the Prime the Animation!

New Talent International Festival 2023. Ann, who lives in Roadwater, near Watchet, showed the children some maquettes (animation characters made with cardboard and split pins) that have appeared in a number of her films. She then worked with the children as each child made their own maquette to be used to narrate the fateful story of the eruption of Vesuvius based on the book "Escape from Pompeii" by Christina Ballit.

Mr Cole, Adventure class teacher at St Dubricius School, said: "This was such a valuable learning experience for the children and they were so proud of their finished maquettes. The morning Ann spent with us was a special experience for each and every one of them and Ann made sure she got the whole class. We're so grateful to her for sharing her expertise." Ann Farley's artwork and animation can be viewed by visiting her website https://annfarley.com/or just by searching Ann Farley.

Besides great food and drink, The Big Somerset Picnic 2024 aims to bring people together, provide opportunities to fundraise for local causes and celebrate everything Somerset has to offer.

Somerset Day, organised by the not-for-profit Passion for Somerset CIC inspires and empowers communities, businesses and all who live and work in Somerset to share a passion for our county.

Celebrated annually on May 11, It's a day to cherish our shared traditions, culture and the sense of belongingthat makes Somerset truly unique.

This year we want everyone to join in and celebrate with the Big Somerset Picnic over the weekend of May 11-12. Organise your own picnic in your local village, town hall or community centre, your local school or nursery, care home or your office or shop. At the same time use your picnic to raise finds for a local organisation or cause.

To find out more and take part go to www.somersetday.com/picnic and we’ll send you The Big Somerset Picnic 2024 pack with full details and lots of ideas to help you organise your picnic - you’ve also got a chance to win a hamper bursting with Somerset produce as well as details on how to enter our best- decorated picnic spot competition.

Nigel Muers-Raby, Passion for Somerset CIC, said “This event brings people together, provides opportunities to fundraise for local causes and celebrates everything Somerset has to offer. Whether it’s a picnic on the village green, entertainment and food stalls outside the town hall, a special Somerset-themed lunch menu or a takeaway delivered to the office, The Big Somerset Picnic is an opportunity for everyone to get together and get involved.

Journalist, author and BBC radio presenter, Anna Jones, is coming to the Quantocks to talk about bridging the divide between town and country on Saturday May,11, at 2pm at Crowcombe Hall ,TA4 4AQ.

Anna is a guest of the Friends of the Quantocks, the conservation charity for the National Landscape area. The charity is celebrating its 75th anniversary this year with a series of special walks, talks and events. Anna’s book 'Divide - the relationship crisis between town and country’ is a heartfelt and well-balanced exploration of the issues facing rural communities and urban-dwellers and how we might better understand one another.

Growing up in a fifth-generation upland farming family and moving to work in the city, Anna brings her personal experiences to a wide-ranging cultural debate. You might know Anna from listening to BBC Radio 4’s Farming Today, On Your Farm, Costing the Earth and the BBC World Service.

She worked on BBC One’s Countryfile for more than a decade and still occasionally produces programmes. After Anna’s talk, Hugh Warmington, regenerative farmer and chair of the Quantock Hills National Landscape Joint Advisory Committee, will give the local perspective.

The event begins with tea and cake and there’ll be time for questions at the end.

Tickets cost £10 and more information is available at www.friendsofquantock.com/news/post/anna-jones-the-divide.

No matter who we are and what our connection is to the Quantock Hills, it’s the love of the land that unites us all. In our 75th anniversary year, Friends of the Quantocks invites you to join us in celebrating what’s special about this area.