Week three already and Chew Stoke Church School is now really settled back into school life and of course some fantastic learning.

As part of the Team Modeshift Month work the school held a walk, scoot or cycle to school day on Monday, September 22. As many children as possible used green modes of transport, this is part of the school’s work to promote sustainable and active travel at Chew Stoke.

On Tuesday, September 30, the school was due to hold its harvest service at St Andrew’s Church, Chew Stoke, which followed this year’s Harvest Home, which was a great success. The headteacher Ben Hewett said it was lovely to see it being so well-supported by the school community. “Huge thanks to Anna, Vicky and all the hard-working members of our PTA, who provided all the refreshments through the day. They raised about £3,000.”

The annual Macmillan Coffee event was due to be held on Friday (September 26) in the school hall/large playground from 8.45am to 11am as the Gazette went to press. This popular occasion transforms the school into a place where you can meet and talk together, a great chance for new parents to meet each other and catch up on school news while enjoying a coffee and cake.

On Thursday, October 9, the school’s photographer will be visiting to take individual photographs of the children and sibling groups, so parents/carers are asked to ensure each child has a clean jumper with them.

Where there are pre-school aged siblings the photographers are happy to take family group photographs; to avoid toddlers becoming fractious by being kept waiting these pictures will be taken in the school hall at 8.30am. Access for this will be via the gate to the large playground at the top of the driveway by School House.

A proof of a child’s photograph will be sent home shortly afterwards with details of how to place orders. Note that people are under no obligation to buy if they do not wish to.

There is an open invitation to parents to drop into school for tea/coffee and biscuits on Tuesday, October 7, at 2pm. Jane Kemp from B&NES SENDIAS Support for parents of SEND children, will be visiting to answer any questions or concerns.

THE next St Andrew's Church, Chew Stoke, ‘Soup Lunch’ will take place in the village hall on Wednesday, October 1, from 12.30pm till 1.30pm. It will be in aid of the Carpenters Foodbank in Hartcliffe.

As usual homemade soups, cheese, pate and bread will be served. Also tea and coffee and home made cakes. Entry is £7 (£1 for children under five who will be very welcome).

A wine tasting evening is being held at the village hall on Friday, October 3, starting at 7.30pm. Fine wines from local vineyards will be on offer (with non alcoholic alternatives available) and tickets include wine and a Ploughman’s supper.

Further details for the wine tasting event can be found here: files.schudio.com/chew-stoke-church-school/files/documents/Wine_Tasting_2025_A4.pdf

THE Chew Valley Local History Society recently celebrated its 50th anniversary.

Apart from numerous very successful talks, several booklets and reports were produced by various members during the fifty years.

The committee deserve a well earned rest and the society are putting activities on hold for six to 12 months.

So that residents do not miss out on talks four special, fascinating talks have been arranged by renown speakers and experts.

These are not society events, but are being held at the same venue, the Millennium Hall, Chew Magna, on the first Wednesday of October, November, December and February.

All Chew Valley residents are welcome to attend any and all events.

It is hoped that details of a special Chew Valley Local History Society meeting can be given at one of these events, as soon as more details are known.

The upcoming events are:

Wednesday, October 1 : The Roman Civil War - Republic to Empire with Dr Michael Watts.

The Republic, 509-27 BC, representing democracy, was established after the overflow of the monarchy, with elected officials for limited terms; a powerful Senate, and citizen assemblies.

The Empire, 27BC - 476 AD, was defined by autocratric rule under an emperor, who held supreme power, although the Senate continued with greatly reduced power. Under both Rome expanded in size and wealth and combined to give a fascinating story of rivalry, propaganda, conquest, treachery and lust.

The talk introduces how the events and personalties were frozen in time by the 'money of the day'.

Wednesday, November 5: Caerleon and Carwent with Dr Peter Guest.

Two exceptional Roman sites, benefiting from a tidal range which provided exceptional transport links around the Empire. Founded around 75 AD Caerwent is quoted as 'one of the very best secrets' and 'easily the most impressive Roman town defence to survive' Caerleon is a superb fortress built on an Iron Age hillfort; with both sites providing opportunities to experience life in town and garrison almost 2000 years ago.

Wednesday, December 3: The First Residents and Their Lives with Prof. Richard Everard.

Professor Everard, Bristol University, has developed a pioneering analysis which takes the guesswork out of the lives lived by the first residents to the Chew Valley - the New Stone Age or Neolithic.

Organic residues remaining in arcgaelogical finds are used to show their food choices, food preparation and the origin of materials used in utensils. The utilisation of plants and food storage. This prehistoric period is no longer guesswork.

Wednesday, February 4, 2026: Henry T. Ellacombe with Deacon Lester Yeo

Henry was west country born, in 1790, and died in 1885. He was an English divine, antiquarian, inventor, historian, author, a skilful florist and botanist. He wrote numerous books and papers including 'The Church Bells of Somerset' in 1875.

He designed and built the Ellacombe apparatus. He did much to support ordinary people, especially children's education.

THE autumn series of talks organised by the Harptrees History Society is well under way, with the September meeting being a complete sell out.

On Wednesday, October 29, military historian Phil Curme will be sharing his knowledge of how the Bristol Channel features in the military history of the region now known as North Somerset.

Starting with the vikings and finishing with Cold War, and drawing on his experience of exploring local military history sites, Mr Curme will describe how the war and the threat of war have touched local communities.

Phil is a trustee of the War Memorials Trust, a grant giving national charity which aims to protect war memorials across the United Kingdom. He recently attained an MA (with Distinction) in Military History and is also the author of the website www.walkingthebattlefields.com.

Visitors are very welcome at £3 a head. Book in advance but pay on the night. To do so, email [email protected] with subject line ‘October 2025’.

The event will be held at West Harptree Memorial Hall, with doors opening at 7.15pm ahead of a 7.30pm start.

Visitor booking opens on Wednesday, October 15, and closes at midday on Wednesday, October 29.

IT was a pleasure to be back in the village hall after the summer break, although we had enjoyed a wonderful garden meeting, lunch at Wells Golf Club and fascinating visit to Mendip Hospital Cemetery and a charity Cream Tea raising funds for Breast Cancer during the summer months.

There was a short business meeting. We are sorry that Chewton Mendip WI has folded after over a hundred years but were pleased to welcome some of their members to join us.

There was lots of news of forthcoming WI events both local and county, including a Quiz in Litton Hall on 31st October, Skittles evening in November in Ston Easton Hall and Somerset Federation AGM in November which several members will be attending.

It was a pleasure to welcome our speaker, Catherine, from the British Red Cross.

Although many of us have attended courses for first aid in the past, it was invaluable to have this brought up to date in a fun and lively way. She spoke of the 'power of kindness' and hoped to help us to become 'confident, willing and able ' to give assistance in an emergency situation we might encounter. She demonstrated the use of the defibrillator, and we were able to try out our CPR skills on Mini Anne, the dummy. She recommended the use of the Red Cross App on our phones.

The evening ended with a yummy supper and lots of discussion.

The next meeting will be on Wednesday, October 8.

when there will be a talk and discussion on The Work of the YMCA. All are welcome.