Events Around the Village
2025
With many thanks to all the following for providing photos: Margaret Casely-Hayford, Ian and Ellen Chamberlain, Ros Dearing, David Godsal, Martin & Orla Jones, Jane Orchiston, Tracey Staples
2025 kicked off with a Country & Western themed evening at the Royal Oak. While the function room was packed out with diners, the rest of the pub swarmed with stetsons, ponchos and other strange attire
The year started quietly with a few fund raising events going on such as two "Big Breakfasts", one to raise money for the Xmoor Rox festival, and a Pre-Lambing meal which raised funds for local farming charities.
The ever popular Bingo sessions continued, one around Valentines Day as well as the regular Easter bingo. A Table-top sale also raised funds for the Youth Club. A Lent Lunch was put on for St Mary Magdalene's church
As the nation marked the 80th anniversary of VE Day, the Recreation Association arranged a picnic on the (rather chilly) Village Green, the weekly coffee morning were treated to a saxophone accompaniment, and there was a celebration service in the church .
The final of the Royal Oak Chess Championship saw the first winner from outside Bamford, but sadly Winsford, in the shape of Ian Brooks, was again the bridesmaid as Withypuddlean Andrew Parry was victorious
Our news story of April 1st was all about a proposed one way system up Halse Lane
Much to the relief of at least one resident, this never happened
Ellen Chamberlain introduced a monthly Art Club for all ages and abilities, and they straightaway started producing some very impressive images
As the nation marked the 80th anniversary of VE Day, the Recreation Association arranged a picnic on the (rather chilly) Village Green, the weekly coffee morning were treated to a saxophone accompaniment, and there was a celebration service in the church .
There were two very successful fundraising events in May
Firstly there was a charity clay pigeon shoot, which featured the inaugural Ollie Davis Cup for best shooting by a gamekeeper at the recent charity clay pigeon shoot, won by Gary Liddle of the Challacombe shoot, shown below receiving the cup from the Royal Oak's Jayne Davis and shoot organiser Tony Hemming. The prize for best Young Gun went to Winsford's Ryan Little
The shoot raised a magnificent £11,300 for Children's Hospice South West
The Minehead Male Voice choir gave us an entertaining evening in the village hall, with proceeds going to St Margaret's Hospice. The group performed a wide variety of songs, old and new, which were very much enjoyed by their audience. Winsford's Tim Debney can be seen giving his all in the back row. The evening raised a very impressive £910.
We also had visits from two groups of Morris Men - from East Suffolk, and West Somerset
In June the Winn Club visited Hestercombe & Monkton Elm Garden Centre
For the second year, Claire Sams and Beccy Brown organised an Open Gardens event in July and there were some beautiful examples about. A very impressive £1,730 was raised for St. Margaret's Hospice.
The Winn Club set off on another journey, this time to the newest castle in the country - Castle Drogo
Our very own festival Xmoor Rox made another appearance and was well attended by villagers
Sadly, Captain Walter Godsal died peacefully in Dunkirk Memorial House. Captain Godsal has celebrated his 100th birthday in the village just last December
August normally heralds Summer Fete season, and Winsford's turn came on the 9th.
The rain stayed away and it stayed warm - the Fete was well attended and a definite success. It featured the usual selection of tents selling plants, cakes, Pimms - plus a tombola, crockery smashing, balloon popping, athletics (including a very exciting Over 65s Egg and Spoon), Grand Draw, dog show, sheep race, face painting, duck race, teas, burgers, books and knick-knacks, ice creams and a tent of wonderous produce.
It even included an entertaining bid for freedom by one of the racing sheep. Charles Hayes gave them a piggy(?)back home
The Produce Show winners were:
Revd Terry Staples Cup for Photography (under 16 yrs) Beau Barry
Revd Terry Staples Cup for Photography (16 yrs & over) David Godsal
Handicrafts - Sami Jones
Flowers - Richmond Harding
Decorative Flowers - Chris Barber
Men’s Cookery - David Godsal
Ted Hedges Cup for Kitchen Garden - Richmond Harding
The good turnout led to record receipts of £5,620
