NAILSEA
PEOPLE
Gallery 2018
send your photos to nailseapeople@gmail.com
Backwell on camera
This is the programme for Backwell Camera Club into the new year:
is well into its autumn programme and here is details of its next meetings:
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Thursday, November 29 Thornbury Camera Club presents its best images; DONE
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Thursday, December 6 and its Working With Wildlife a presentation by Tesni Ward. A self-taught professional photographer, Tesni will share her experiences of the world of wildlife photography, the challenges that can be faced and how to overcome them; DONE
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Thursday, December 13 it Is the Christmas Show And Tell - an opportunity for club members to show small selections of work that they have produced during the year followed by festive drinks and nibbles;
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Thursday, January 3 an internal knock-out print competition for The Darwen Trophy. It is a fun knockout in which members' prints are pitched each other and the audience votes for the winner;
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Thursday, January 10 has Wildlife And Streetlife presentation by Clive Dodd. A club photographer who will share some of the wildlife, landscape, travel, and street photographs that he has taken over the past couple of years;
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Thursday, January 17 a presetation by John Chamberlin FRPS Near |And Far, a selection of recent images from the UK and around the world;
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Thursday, January 24 Reconsidering The Banal - an approach to photographing the overlooked and poetry of the everyday; and
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Thursday, January 31 Subverting The Everyday Through Photography a presentation by Tony Worobiec FRPS. He positively encourages to positively view all weather conditions as an opportunity to taking exciting landscape photographs.
The camera club has small exhibitions of its work displayed in the waiting rooms of Tyntesfield Medical Group at its Backwell and Brockway Nailsea surgeries, the New Chestnuts Dental Surgery at Long Ashton and the committee room of Backwell Parish Hall.
All are welcome at meetings at the WI Hall, Backwell at 7.30pm.
New members can learn about club activities with a display of prints, projected images and descriptions of its events and activities of the travel, photo-shoot and practical groups.
Member Mike West said: "Visitors are very welcome to our meetings."
Further details of the work of BCC click HERE.
The photo top was taken by Mike on a photoshoot at Clevedon swimathon.
Many members photographs feature on the archived Nailsea Community Christmas Fair 2017 page and on the this and other gallery pages on Nailsea People.
Nailsea Town Council
the good and the great say 'au revoir' to clerk Ian Morrell at retirement party
December 2018
Ian Morrell took several minutes to say thank you to the great and good of Nailsea who attended his retirement party on Friday, December 7.
Chairman Daivd Packham had said earlier: "Ian has been an exceptional town clerk and this has been endorsed by councillors.
"During the 13 years that Ian has been in post he has worked with a number of chairmen and councillors to deliver major projects that have benefited the town.
"These include the restoration of the Tithe Barn, the replacement of the skate park in Millennium Park, the preservation of the Nailsea’s glassworks and most recently the introduction of No. 65 in the High Street.
"This latter project will in particular be Ian’s legacy to the town and it reflects his desire to improve the quality of the lives of the residents of Nailsea.
"Ian has also supported many organisations within the town and fought in their corner when faced with the many difficulties that bureaucracy can generate!
"Ian has also undertaken sterling work behind the scenes within the offices of the town council and is responsible for Nailsea Town Council being awarded Quality Status.
"This award, along with updated procedures, puts us in a strong position and prepared for the future.
"Personally I have enjoyed working with Ian in my period as chairman. He has brought professionalism, with humour, into his role as clerk.
"No matter how challenging the task has been he has always acted in the town council’s best interests."
Ian credited his success as clerk to 'teamwork' and thanked everyone who supported him.
He now intends to work on an ad hoc basis helping at 65 High Street.
Nailsea Christmas tree lights
the story of the switch-on and festive street fair two slideshows more than 100 photos from Nailsea People (top) and Grete Howard (below)
November 2018
Tithe Barn craft fair
November 2018
Children in Need Tapathon
November 2018
ON TAP: The UK's annual tap dancing event Tapathon 2018 is on Sunday, November 18, and 48 super troupers from Nailsea took part. The event at 2nd Nailsea Scout HQ was one of hundreds nationwide in aid of Children in Need. It acted as a great opportunity to tap alongside fellow tap dancing enthusiasts, of all ages and fitness levels in an attempt to smash a current world record and help raise funds for charity. As well as taking part and raising money The Jazz On Tap dance company was attempting to break the Guinness World Record. Jazz on Tap is part of the Nailsea School of Music and Performing Arts and runs classes in Nailsea and Portishead with the emphasis on fun and fitness. The CiN Tapathon choreographed routine is set to the Aston Merrygold - Get Stupid song. Dance teacher Michelle Bedford said: “Our aim for 2018 is for all our dancers whose ages range from seven years to nearly 80 to get their dancing shoes on for Pudsey Bear and help break the largest tap dancing group world record. This currently stands at more than 7,500 participants.” Each participant purchased an official T-shirt which is their donation to CiN from the proceeds and will receive a certificate after the event. Unfortunately the attempt fell short by just 102 dancers - Jazz On Tap will be trying again in 2019...
Children in Need around the town
November 2018
Remembrance at Nailsea
November 2018
ROLL CALL: The annual parade of Remembrance had even more poignancy this year as it was commemorating 100 years since the end of World War 1. Uniformed officers and cadets joined representatives from the Scouts, Guides, Nailsea Town Council, Nailsea and Backwell Lions and Rotary and just four veterans of conflict to march from Church Lane to Holy Trinity church. Backwell School student Thomas Brown stood to attention at the war memorial despite having to rest on crutches after suffering a rugby injury days earlier. For a full preview of what was happening in our area go to the special Remembrance page on Nailsea People by clicking HERE. The slideshow below is of what has been happening in the wider community including our schools and churches
Fundraising Friday at Nailsea
November 9, 2018
It was a horried evening weatherwise with driving rain and a high wind.
A test by the firework company at Golden Valley Primary School sent a rocket heading for Newport and this sealed the fate of the FoGS fundraiser was cancelled.
However, two other brilliant events did go ahead successfully.
The Nailsea School PTA fundraising quiz game played like musical bingo was a sell-out and made a whooping £760 profit..
Thanks go to Andrew Read for compering the evening and Karen Smith for the photos.
Among the winners were Cristina Napier, Elizabeth Jones and Sarah Pope.
Sam Flower won the best dancer!
The next event Pour My Bluff is on Friday, March 8, next year.
It was a full house too at Grove Sports & Social Club for the annual quiz for Nailsea Disability Initiative.
NDI is a registered charity run entirely by a group of friendly and hard-working volunteers.
It has with an office and drop-in centre at Crown Glass Shopping Centre which acts as an information point.
Chairman Sean Kelly thanked everyone for coming and those who had sponsored some marvellous raffle prizes.
A team called Just Friends won the brains of Nailsea accolade with 43 points after answering questions as diverse as ecology, Queen Victoria and Africa.
Another section which taxed everyone’s grey cells was naming counties on a Great Britain map.
Quizmaster John Hunter gave out the awards which also included a consolation prize for Young & Old who came bottom with 33 points.
Both first and last place went to tie-breaks.
Nailsea poet George Dobson, of Whitesfield Road, entertained in the break with snippets from his latest book Yet More Observational Odes, a mix of Alan Bennet and Pam Ayres humour.
He said: “While its content is considerably varied, it does tend to reflect that I am now significantly older and need to feature, hopefully in a light-hearted way, some of the issues which now need to be addressed although the final piece is a children’s poem, created in response to a challenge issued to me by an 11 year old.”
Mr Dobson has donated the profits of nearly £20,000 from his publications to good causes and is currently helping Nailsea Festival of Music fund its eisteddfod which is on Saturday, November 17, at Nailsea School.
The festival enables musicians, choirs and writers to show off their skills and helps young performers to develop their confidence, but it costs £6,000 each year to stage.
To order Yet More Observational Odes at £7.50 online click HERE or to avoid postage costs call in at 41 Whitesfield Road and collect a copy.
Click on images to see slideshow.
Nailsea & Backwell Rugby Club Bonfire night
November 2018
Nailsea & Backwell Rugby Club Pink Ladies Day
October 2018
Thank you to all the Pink Ladies who contributed photographs to this gallery taken at the sell-out annual fundraising charity event on Saturday, October 20.
2018 celebrates The Year Of The Woman marking 100 years since women gained the vote.
The theme was the Land Girls from the 1940s with its iconic artwork and battlecry 'we can do it'.
The dress code also incorporated the colour pink.
The fun started a noon and ended with late night disco at Nailsea & Backwell rugby clubhouse at West End.
There was a prize for the best homemade bra and each guest was welcomed with a drink, gift and buffet food.
One of the guests of honour was retired Golden Valley Primary School deputy head Joanna Hopkinson.
N&BRFC chairman Richard Billows said: "Great day at Pink Ladies - well done both teams.
"A Nailsea bonus point win for the 2nds and hopefully a shed load of dosh made for Cancer Research.
"No balloon lauch this year due to environmenal concerns."
Nailsea market day
October 2018
Nailsea monthly farmers’ market on Saturday, October 20, 9am-1pm, at Crown Glass Shopping Centre.
Fresh produce, craft and community stalls.
Everything needed to fill your larder and fridge as well as the opportunity to buy early Christmas gifts for all the family was on sale.
Shopping list: bacon, bread, cakes, cheese, cider, eggs, fish, fruit juices, ham, meat, nuts, pâté, pies, sausages, vegetables.
Present list: bean bags, glassware, handbags, jewellery, beauty care produces, plants, pictures, pots and more.
Next date Saturday, November 17.
For full details of other markets go to the food & drink page by clicking HERE.
Apple Day at Ring O'Bells
October 2018
Environmental group Transition Town Nailsea hosted Apple Day at the Ring O'Bells on Saturday, October 13.
TTN organiser Carole Pritchard said: "This isour eighth annual Apple Day and it is at the St Mary's Grove pub and not the usual venue of the Tithe Barn this year."
Everyone bought along their surplus apples for pressing by the Nailsea Cider chaps and their press.
Entertainment during the afternoon included The Mendip Morris Men dancers and folk group Twice Dailies.
Entry was free and homemade apple cakes, juice, tea and coffee were on sale as well as drinks at the pub bar.
The apples were ‘scratted’ or chopped and then pressed to make litres of delicious juice which can be drunk as it is or turned into wine or cider.
TTN, in common with many other towns and villages in Britain is reviving long lost traditions associated with apple growing and the apple harvest.
The group hopes that more and more people will want to use and celebrate local fruit, and is keen to make links back to Nailsea’s history as a major cider-producing town.
This is all part of the Transition ideals for communities to grow and use more local food, as part of a long- term strategy to reduce air miles and the use of fossil fuel in the production of our food.
For anyone interested in finding out more about the Transition movement go to the website by clicking HERE or email transitionnailsea@gmail.com.
Nailsea’s history is steeped in coal, glassmaking and cider-making.
The famous Coate’s Cider was made in Nailsea, and before this nearly all the local farms made cider because they could pay their staff a proportion of their wages with the stuff.
Nailsea Cider is a small scale production company with an orchard near West End.
They also use apples from trees in gardens around Nailsea especially from windfalls, to find out more go to its website by clicking HERE.
Smoke gets in your eyes
October 2018
Trainspotters were out in force when The Flying Scotsman made a whistlestop tour of the West Country on Monday, October 8.
People at Nailsea & Backwell railway station lined the platform and bridge to get a good view of the iconic steam train.
Ralph Mann told social media fans: "It was worth the wait - I've still got soot in my hair."
Many thanks to Jenny Baker, Steve Tilley and Jo Thyer for the photographs.
Nailsea International Bike Show
September 2018
BIKE SHOW: The ninth Nailsea International Bike Show revved up on Saturday and Sunday, September 15-16. The amazing photographs in the slideshow are taken by globetrotter Greta Howard who is a member of Backwell Camera Club. Back on home territory the two day event at the Royal Oak pub at High Street attracts bikers from near and far and raises thousands of pounds for Children's Hospice South West. It was a wonderful weekend with motorcycles of all types both vintage and just off the production line along with many trade stands, great live music and other fun family activities. Admission is free and it is run by volunteers for CHSW. As well as the motorbikes it features trade stands, great live music and many other fun activities for the whole family. Organiser John Colley said: "This event has a great atmosphere and every year gets bigger and better. Last year’s show raised more than £4,000 for the CHSW and we hope to do even better this year." During the event school boy Peter Colley had a sponsored haircut. Peter said: "I am nine years old and live in North Somerset. I have been growing my hair for more than two years now and I have decided to get it cut to make a wig for someone who needs one, and to raise money for the Children's Hospice South West. This is a very good local cause that my family have supported for several years through various events, and by cutting my hair in a certain way we can send it off to the Little Princess Trust to be made into a wig to help someone who has lost their hair through illness. I hope you can help me raise as much as we can to help support the hospice." Peter raised £1,138.71. His JustGiving page is still open so to add to this amount click HERE. Peter's haircut photos are in the gallery see below.
Fire and police station open day
September 2018
The fire brigade were first to arrive at the scene of the road traffic collision followed soon afterwards by the ambulance service and the police.
Looking on at the staged 'RTC' was North Somerset MP Liam Fox.
As the medics practised their skills the former GP and hospital doctor turned politician said: "Just think I used to do this for a living."
And Dr Fox recalled as he watch the crews taking part at Nailsea fire and police station open day on Sunday, September 9, a particularly challenging incident when he was on duty involving an articulated lorry on the outskirts of High Wycombe where he used to live.
Hundreds turned up for the free family weekend event organised by Avon Fire & Rescue Service (AF&RS) at its Pound Lane base.
Police dogs and horses were booked for a midday appearance, the football cage was the place for officers and youngsters to show off their skills while cadets took the fingerprints of anyone who would let them.
Free bike marking was also on offer and the special constabulary was on hand to talk about volunteering.
A demonstration of a rescue from a tall building along with showcasing the High Volume Pump was part of the itinerary.
Officers were on hand to show off some of the fire engines and rescue equipment, along with answering any questions concerning fire safety.
Avon and Somerset Police Nailsea acting sergeant Phil Rudden said: “Engaging with the community is a really important role for our local police teams, we aim to speak to residents at every opportunity.”
AF&RS watch manager Tony Smith said: “This is a great way for the community to discover more about their local fire station and learn about some of the work that we undertake.
"On-call firefighters provide a lifesaving service to the community and cam work flexibly around other work and family commitments.
"It’s a great role and we would love to share that.“
Also there on the day with games information and demonstrations was South Western Ambulance Service, the Community Resilience Team and RNLI with its rescue boat.
Additional photos John Colley, Hayley Gough and Annabel Tall - many thanks.
Tour of Britain
September 2018
Nailsea Race Night
August 2018
Nailsea has been in mourning ever since the untimely death of mum Claire Tavener.
But her friends have turned their grief into something positive for her two small boys and set up a fund to help the youngsters in the future.
The 27-year-old mum who worked at the Old Farmhouse died from multiple stab wounds at her Brendon Gardens home on January 8 this year.
Her husband Andrew Tavener, aged 45, a tree surgeon, pleaded guilty to murder and received a life sentence.
The loyal friendship group organised a Virtual Race Night as their final event and sponsored by eight local businesses held the function on Saturday, August 18, at Nailsea Masonic Hall.
The event raised a marvellous £2,500 and big thanks go to sponsors:
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Sawyers Arms, High Street, Nailsea;
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White Hart, Congresbury;
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Café 119, Nailsea;
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Portis Beds; and
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Church Lane Pre-School, Nailsea.
Dubbed The Dreamcatchers the friends are Laura Hunt, Beki Dugdale, Laura Tyler, Emma Fletcher, Tracy Perry, Kerry Simpkins, Cath Ridge, Lucy Webb, Clare Mansfield and Louise Abbey,
A Go Fund Me page set up with the original goal of raising £1,000 for Claire’s small sons exceeded that amount in hours and now stands at nearly £20,000.
To contribute click HERE.
Nailsea summer flower show
August 2018
SUMMER SHOW: Full report and results on the Flower Peeps page by clicking HERE
Balloons over Nailsea
July 2018
UP AND DOWN: Pilots on a practise run used the skies over Nailsea at the weekend for reconnaissance missions ready for Bristol International Balloon Fiesta which runs from Thursday to Sunday, August 9-12. This is Europe’s largest annual meeting of hot air balloons, attracting more than 130 hot air balloons from across the globe taking off from Ashton Court Estate. The free festival boasts great trade stands, fairground rides and entertainment in the park. Meanwhile back in Nailsea the balloonists shouted 'good morning' to a person hanging out washing before skimming the top of Holy Trinity church and landing on a field off Engine Lane. Thank you to Chris Perry, Pat Pratt and Lynette Wanjau for the photos.
Ring O'Bells summerset festival
Bands and barbecue Saturday, open mic Sunday
July 2018
Nailsea & Backwell
Beer + Cider Festival
With gin and Prosecco tents too!
July 2018
Bits and bobs from the final day...
From the album of Michael Steadman, MD of Skylark Aerial Services Ltd
Saturday, July 14
Getting ready for three days of fun in the sun...
BEER AND BANDS: Nailsea and Backwell Rugby Football Club annual beer and cider festival 2018 at its West End ground was the best of times in the balmy summer heat when sunblock factor 50 was needed by all. North Somerset MP Liam Fox and his wife Jesme put in their statutory appearance on Saturday afternoon and by Sunday 4pm the beers were beginning to run out (helped no doubt by Trendlewood new curate Michelle Taylor who took a turn serving behind the bar). The pizza stall also sold out and shut up shop but it was late afternoon. The event on Friday to Sunday, July 13-15 included Prosecco and a new gin tent and a marvellous kids zone. Popular Nailsea rockers Corvus had everyone dancing late on Saturday evening and the finale had the festival goers doing a Reggae-style conga, whooping and clapping as they snaked they way around the field. The rugby players sported outlandish shirts and sparkly or scary painted faces for the duration which raises thousands of pounds for charity. Rumour was the premier event was going to take a break this year but with extension plans in the pipeline the need to raise more funds and support its charity overcame doubts. Thanks go to those businesses which sponsored a barrel and those who worked tirelessly behind the scenes to make this a premier event for the town. The 'bar' in the 200ft marquee served more than 160 different brews for 2018! The festival which began in 2004 has raised more than £100,000 for charity and this year monies raised will benefit Children's Hospice South West.
World Cup
From Russia with love
July 2018
GOOD SHOW: Maybe deliberate but photographer Julie Redman wondered if ‘good listening skills' were needed at a local pub sporting the banner 'watch the World Cup hear'. When we asked on the Nailsea People Facebook page the pundits had a field day. Hayley Gould was in the High Street bar to capture the nail-biting moments on Wednesday, July 11, with family and friends watching at the Grove Sports & Social Club and the Royal Oak. Until the Croatia clash betting outlets said England had a 59 per cent chance of making the World Cup final.
Nailsea School
Prom night
July 2018
POSH PUPILS: On a balmy July Friday evening many Nailsea School students donned shades for the annual prom. This followed a fancy-dressed leavers brunch in the morning. Year 11 students dressed in their finery for the social at Cadbury House which was a chance for some to say goodbye to classmates and hello to the next chapter in the lives. Very many however will be back for further studies in what used to be called sixth form. Throughout the year students had earned house points so that they were able to get prom tickets. They had all worked incredibly hard throughout the exam period and the prom was an ideal time to dress-up, relax and have a fantastic evening with their friends. Results day is A-levels Thursday, August 16, and GCSE Thursday, August 23