CHEW Valley Choral Society came into being in 1976 through a group of singers learning Handel’s Messiah together at an evening class. Nearly 50 years and many concerts later the choir is still performing in venues round the Chew Valley and beyond.

To celebrate its 50th anniversary in 2026 the society is planning two special concerts and a workshop where people can come along and sing extracts from Handel's Messiah. If anyone would like to join, either as performer or audience, important dates are:

Saturday, May 9, Publow Church - For this concert, the society will be celebrating its own history alongside that of the Chew Valley and surrounding areas. Members have been working with some local history groups and others working with the heritage to explore a shared history through music and stories. With their help, the society is putting together a really varied selection of music and spoken word for what will be a different type of event from its normal offering.

Saturday, June 13, Handel’s Messiah Come and Sing Workshop, 2pm to 5pm, Bishop Sutton Village Hall.

Saturday, November 28 – Messiah Concert, 7.30pm, St John's Church, Keynsham.

Rehearsals for 2026 will start on Tuesday, January 20, in Bishop Sutton Village Hall and the society will be holding a ‘Taster Session’ on Tuesday, January 27. Members would love to see everyone there.

For more details visit www.chewvalleychoral.org.uk

IN November the Whitchurch Local History Society hosted Clive Burlton, the well-known local historian and publisher.

Clive told members about his career, beginning with his initial interest in the topic of history, which was fostered by his schoolteacher Anton Bantock, and the founding by the latter of the Malago History Society which regrettably has recently closed.

After a working career with various industries, Clive retired and decided to become a volunteer at Bristol Archives where he met John Penny, a great authority on many aspects of Bristol’s history. They proved to be a good team working on the digitisation of the many films held by Archives and making these available to the public.

Inspired by his wife’s grandfather’s manuscript of his life in and after the Great War, Clive produced his first book from that story and founded Bristol Books, a non-profit publishing company which has subsequently issued dozens of books of local interest. These include a number of titles related to the Great War and led to Clive’s next initiative of Battlefield Tours to historic sites in France and Belgium. The last of these will take place in spring 2026.

Clive presented many pictures and film clips to expand his narrative and to entertain members for their last evening before Christmas.

On January 30 society member Brian Edwards will be telling the story of Whitchurch’s United Reformed Church with some background on the Non-Conformist movement in the Bristol area.

The society welcomes anyone to its programme of talks or events, and also anyone wishing to come along just for individual talks. The evenings commence at 7.30pm. Members and guests should meet at the United Reformed Church on the main road though the village.

For more information about the society, membership and its events, contact the secretary, Geoff Gardiner, on 01275 830869 or at [email protected]

The Chew Valley Local History Society has a number of exciting talks and events coming up in 2026.

Sunday, February 1, for 3pm – West door of St Andrew’s Church, Chew Magna (inside if cold or wet) – a prompt start is planned. This event is in preparation for a talk, on the February 4, and is an opportunity to listen to the carillon and the Ellacombe apparatus for 20 minutes.

“Up the Tower” is the society’s latest publication, based on John Sewart’s 12 Magazine articles. Copies available at society events.

The following meetings are in the Millennium Hall and commence at 7.45pm. Booking is appreciated.

Wednesday, February 4 – Deacon Lester Yeo is talking about the antiquary Henry T Ellacombe MA, a highly valued west country priest who designed the equipment in St Andrew’s Church tower, having studied engineering at Chatham Dockyard. He wrote ‘The Church Bells of Somerset’ 1875.

March 4 – ‘Man Made for Nature’, celebrating the 60th anniversary, in 1965, of the Chew Valley Lake. A film from the ‘60’s with wildlife and locals. Paul Hodge, retired water resource manager, will give resume of water resource development over the last 180 years and a look into the future with Cheddar2.

March 11 - Prof Ronald Hatton is giving another fascinating lecture – this time a comprehensive insight into the Druids since 1500, from his in-depth research and knowledge including from ‘hundreds of sources never used before’.

April 1 – AGM Stuart Burroughs, curator of the Museum of Bath at Work, is giving a lecture on Jane Austen and the engineers.

Tickets for visits to Caerwent and Caerleon, Newport, and Villa Ventorum, at the Newt.

On Wednesday residents and staff at Cadbury Hall Care Home, Yatton, took a trip to Wells Cathedral to attend the Age UK Somerset Christmas Carol Service.

Led of Rev Edward Day, Cathedral curate, featuring The Taunton Deane Male Voice Choir led by musical director Nick Thomas with Mike Wager accompanist.

Supporting Age UK Somerset and all the work they do for the community.

A perfect winter sunshine drive from Yatton to Wells.

Cadbury Hall had its very three wise men; Mike, John and Trefor with frankincense, gold and myrrh.

Residents from Cadbury Hall joined care homes and social care providers from across the area for the Age UK Somerset Christmas Carol Service at the stunning Wells Cathedral.

It was a warm, uplifting and truly collective experience – bringing everyone together in the spirit of community, music, and Christmas.

A memorable day for all who attended.

“It was a lovely day today. I appreciate all the work that went into making it so special including all the staff at Cadbury Hall and Crandon Springs, thank you,” said Jo Shepherd, daughter of one of our residents.

A Cadbury Hall spokesperson added: “A huge thank you to our sister home Bamfield Care Home for the loan of their minibus, which meant we were able to take every resident who wished to join us.

“We were delighted to join our sister home Crandon Springs in Wells for the beautiful service and concert, followed by a delicious three-course lunch at their home.

“The Taunton Deane Male Voice Choir performed a wonderful mix of traditional and modern carols, along with beautifully sung festive hymns that made the service even more special.

“The residents loved the atmosphere, Christmas displays and we left a few gifts under the tree for Christingle later in the month.”

All of residents lit a candle of remembrance for their loved past and present at this reflective time of year. Sharing the Christmas message of kindness, friendship and joy.

ADDING up the wins, four local students have come away with a top position in a recent Maths Challenge Day competition against some tough opponents.

Year 4 pupils from Cameley CEVC Primary School in Temple Cloud proved to be maths wizards when their team took part in a ‘Year 4 Maths Competition’ day hosted by Prior Park College in Bath on Thursday, November 20.

Dexter, Octavia, Tilly and Aster worked together against 14 other school teams to tackle six brain-bending challenges that tested everything from logic to teamwork. Challenges ranged from cracking codes to creating a marble run from spaghetti. The Cameley team came third overall.

Sarah Shearn, Key Stage 2 class teacher said it had been a pleasure to accompany the children to the Maths Challenge Day and praised their team working skills, which ultimately led them to a top three ranking.

She said: “It was an absolute pleasure to accompany some of our Year 4 children to Prior Park College for the Maths Challenge Day. The whole team approached each activity with incredible resilience and determination; even when the maths tasks really stretched them.

“Their teamwork was outstanding, and they supported each other brilliantly throughout the day. They were fantastic ambassadors for Cameley School.”

Tilly in Year 4 said: “I really enjoyed the day. There were lots of different maths activities and some were quite hard, as we had never done them before.”

Now that the excitement of Christmas is over, the Chew Valley School Society is looking ahead to its first event of 2026.

On Friday, January 30, from 6.30pm for an eyes down at 7.00 pm, a bingo night has proved popular in the past and is fun for all.

A spokesperson said: “Entry to the event is free, we are asking people to secure a place by clicking the link below, just so we can get an idea of how many people are coming.”

Tickets can be found at: www.eventbrite.com/e/1978194411737?aff=oddtdtcreator