THERE will be a rare opportunity to examine original antique maps of Somerset at the meeting of the Harptrees History Society at 7.30pm on Wednesday, March 25.

Joe and Christine King have been collecting these for twenty five years and will explain how the county came to be mapped, from 1575 onwards, with background to the many interesting people involved.

The society meets in West Harptree Memorial Hall, BS40 6EG and doors open at 7pm. Booking opens for visitors, who are very welcome with a donation of £3, on March 11.

Just email: [email protected] with subject line ''March 2026”.

THE Mendip Dance Club committee has organised another open afternoon of Dance to support Angela Rippon's campaign to get the nation dancing.

Open to all adults, the event this year features classes from Xavier de Santos (contemporary) and Kim Jones (Musical Theatre plus tea, biscuits and chat time for the inclusive cost of £15 on Sunday, March 8, at Chilcompton Village Hall from 2pm till 5pm.

Some places are still available but must be booked in advance from [email protected]

See www.mendipdance.wordpress.com

IT WAS great to see so many members at the Litton and Hinton Blewett Women’s Institute (WI) February meeting in Litton Hall, who had braved, not only the constant rain and flooded lanes, but also the numerous road closures and diversions.

It was a real pleasure to welcome Nathan Orr- from Mendip Hills National Landscape to talk about his work there.

He spoke with passion and humour about this amazing environment on our doorstep. There are eight Champion Species which are his main priority - some more appealing to his audience than others.

These are the adder, black oil beetle, Cheddar Pink, hazel dormouse, sky lark, greater horseshoe bat, water vole and small pearl bordered fritillary - an amazing range of very special species.

Members remarked that they hope he will return soon and tell members more about this amazing place.

Members were reminder of the Soup Lunch on Saturday, February 14, in Hinton Blewett Hall raising funds for the local Mind Bristol.

Two Litton Hall events were flagged up too: A ‘Take Art’ concert on Sunday, March 8, with indie- folk duo Good Habits; and a talk by local historian, Colin Budge, A Journey into Litton's Past on Saturday, March 14 - a free event with a collection for the hall.

The next meeting is on Wednesday, March 11, when the speaker will be Ian Caskie talking about The SS Great Britain.

All welcome to these events in Litton Hall.

Chew Valley Local History Society warmly invites all to attend a number of events and lectures (subject to hall capacity) they have planned this March in the Millennium Hall, Chew Valley, all starting at 7.30pm:

Wednesday, March 4 — John Stachey, of Sutton Court, and his fantastic work understanding the development of the current continents. Dr Mike Watts.

Wednesday, March 11 — Professor Ron Hutton: 2000 years of Druid history, a fascinating subject, with connections to the Stanton Drew complex.

Wednesday, April 1 — Stuart Burroughs, from the Museum of Bath, additional thoughts on Jane Austen’s writings: Jane Austen and the Engineers.

Expertly guided field trips to Roman highlights (with personal time).

Deposits by April 1 for Monday, May 11, coach visit to the superb Roman sites of Caerleon and Caerwent and for Monday, June 22, coach visit to the fantastic Roman villa, Newt Estate, Bruton. Subject to capacity of coach.

Sunday, April 19 —Celebrating the 70th anniversary of HM Queen Elizabeth11’s visit to inaugurate the Lake.

Beautiful, concise films of the valley through history, and in the Lower Hall archaeological finds, photographs, memories, the 1956 programme, and so on. Supported by other valley history groups, with 10,000 years of Valley history from finds including Neolithic, Roman and medieval archaeological remains. Plus, pictures and memories from the last 75 years.

Numbers are limited to the capacity of the Upper Hall in two sittings. Children free. Adults £5 entry by numbered ticket only. Email [email protected] to reserve your ticket/s which can be paid for and collected on April 19. Alternatively buy your ticket/s from Chew Post Office (until March 26). State your preference for 2.30pm or 6pm films (subject to availability, currently only 48 seats left for 2.30pm). Teas in Millennium Hall from 3.15pm.

Contact Robin Cade, [email protected], to obtain further details on any of the above events. Booking essential for field trips and April 19.

CHEW Valley Gadget Busters will be holding sessions in The Stoke Inn, Chew Stoke on March 11, and in The Queens, Chew Magna, on April 8.

Having difficulty using the Green Buses, WESTLink App or website to book a ride? Or do you have problems using your laptop, iPad, tablet, phone or digital camera? Or maybe you want to make video calls, send photos or use WhatsApp to contact your friends and family, but don't know how.

Chew Valley Gadget Busters are holding face to face sessions, thanks to The Queens pub in Chew Magna and the Stoke Inn, Chew Stoke. So do visit Gadget Busters who are here to help.

Either book an appointment by e-mailing [email protected], or turn up on the day. We hold one, two-hour sessions each month, from 12.30pm to 2.30pm on a Wednesday, alternating between Chew Magna and Chew Stoke. It costs £3 per appointment, all of which will go to charity.

IN January our speaker was Brian Edwards who gave an interesting talk about aspects of the early days of non-conformism from the time of John Wesley and concentrating on the early local influence of George Pocock.

Pocock was the founder of ‘Tent Methodism’ and was known to have preached from a tent in Whitchurch in 1814. He was also famous for inventing a man-lifting kite and later his ‘charvolant’; he used family members to try out his inventions including his daughter Martha, later the mother of W G Grace.

Following this introduction Brian outlined many of the significant events in the history of Whitchurch’s United Reformed Church, where we hold our meetings. He illustrated his talk with copies of the many newspaper reports and pictures he had discovered during his extensive research,

Our February speaker was Richard Stride on the subject of ‘The Civil War in Bristol’. Report next time. On March 27 we will welcome Richard Dean telling us all about his village family business from the days of coffin makers up to today’s musical theme in which they specialise in fairground organs.

We are provisionally looking at holding a couple of Saturday afternoon events on May 23 and July 4 in the Community Centre. These will be a mixture of films or talks – more details to be finalised soon.

We welcome anyone to our programme of talks or events, and also anyone wishing to come along just for individual talks. The evenings begin at 7.30pm. We 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]

NOMINATIONS have officially opened for the 2026 Pride of Somerset Youth Awards.

The awards celebrate remarkable young people who are making a positive difference across Somerset.

Organisers are calling on individuals, schools, community groups, clubs and families to submit nominations and help ensure that deserving young people receive the recognition they merit.

From excellence in the arts, sports, music and academic accomplishment to inspiring acts of courage, leadership and selfless care for others, the awards recognise the breadth of talent and character within the community’s youth.

The ‘Young Person of the Year Award’ will once again be up for grabs.

This prestigious accolade is reserved for a young individual who has demonstrated exceptional dedication and achievement in their pursuits, whether in fundraising, academics, community service, or any other endeavour.

Nigel Muers-Raby, CEO of Passion for Somerset, one of the organisations behind the awards, said: “Somerset is home to some truly inspiring young people. These awards are about recognising not just success, but also resilience, kindness and the positive impact young people have on others.”

The awards ceremony, organised by UCS College Group and Passion for Somerset CIC and sponsored by Taunton Round Table, will take place at the McMillan Theatre, Bridgwater on May 21.

The ceremony promises to be an uplifting evening, bringing together nominees, families, educators and community leaders to celebrate the very best of Somerset’s next generation.

Nominations must be submitted by Sunday, March 15.

To be eligible for an award, a nominee must be under 21 years of age, as of the nomination date.

To nominate a young person for an award, visit the Pride of Somerset Youth Awards website.