Gallery Jan-March 2024 | nailsea-people

Gallery 2024

January to March

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BEJEWELLED COBWEBS: A cold and frosty Nailsea morning by Greta Howard, see VIP feature on this website

Impassable county lanes even for a fire engine, Backwell lake bursting its banks and Chapel Hill, the shortcut twixt Backwell and Nailsea, again proving a hazard for unsuspecting motorists.

This time it was a Waitrose delivery van that got stuck in the route under the railway bridge.

Andrew Tobin and Debra Britton took the photos at the lake.

Ann Fox said: “This is a selection of number plates and car parts left behind by vehicles speeding through the flood water near the entrance to Bristol Waterworks on Chelvey Road.

“Just drive slowly, it’s perfectly passable.

“Yesterday a car had to be towed away!”

At Crown Glass Shopping Centre in Nailsea Coffee #1 was forced to close as its roof leaked and some say the buckets were out next door at Superdrug.

These problems date make to New Look days as many former employees will attest.

However, one of the biggest problems is summed up by flat resident Sally who said: “Residents must pay for these repairs, we have paid thousands over the past 16 years to my knowledge, and every time the precinct changes hands the guarantees seem to vanish.

“Currently every home above the shops is being charged approximately £4-5k the get it fixed, yet again.

“We have been living on a building site for months.

“The contractor told them not to start work in winter but the property management company Praxis insisted.

“I have no words other than the stress and distress being suffered by private residents who have no control other than to be forced to pay, and the businesses who also suffer.

“Having lived here for decades, in truth , nothing has changed.”

While the workmen were out with the strong-smelling bitumen, at Scotch Horn Leisure Centre is was more buckets catching the rainwater.In the 1980s this was the situation at Nailsea School before it got a multi-million-pound new build in 2009 and end of problem.

The Land Yeo flooded the valley although water levels weren’t as high as the record set in November, 2016.

Thanks to James Parsons for the drone footage.

And at Farleigh Fields the excess rain spilled onto the A370 making villagers even more concerned about potential development.

Contractors Glanville were called to pump out the excess – see pic.

Rail services were cancelled as the track at Flax Bourton was fully submerged.

The forecast for the end of the month is more rain for Nailsea but in-between times we have a slight lull in wet weather.

The torrential rain and showers which have been a feature of the new year’s weather but this will ease with many regions becoming fine and dry over the weekend.

Met Office chief forecaster Jason Kelly said: “The transition to lower temperatures will be noticeable over the weekend.

“It will become rather cold next week with lower-than-average temperatures across much of the UK, accentuated by brisk easterly winds in the south.

“As the prevailing weather conditions will be characterised by high pressure, a good deal of settled weather is likely.

“Clearer skies and a marked reduction in precipitation are expected, although any showers that do occur are likely to be wintry in nature.

“With a combination of overnight freezing temperatures, saturated ground and calm winds mean increasing risks of frost, fog and icy conditions.”

Oh no, don't let the rain come down

January 2024

Country walks with Phil and Rachel

Red sky delight for Nailsea People

First February farmers' market

Saturday, February 17

MARKET DAY: Not all the people pictured in these photographs look totally happy with the drizzle and were keen to scurry home as heavy rain was predicted for the afternoon. The market doesn't usually run during February (or January). But thanks to popular demand for 2024 it came back a month early. Throughout the year stalls are ready to trade on the third Saturday of each month with a variety of food, drink and craft stalls. It is one of the biggest markets in Somerset with 40+ stalls monthly. In addition every month there are at least two invited community groups, street musicians and at No 65 High Street a Q&A information desk manned by Nailsea town councillors from 10am-noon. Nailsea MicroPub has early doors for those wanting good cheer and sometimes we have pop-up stalls in High Street shops to enhance the shopping experience. For more information go to https://www.somersetfarmersmarkets.co.uk/markets/nailsea/. Thank you to Sheer Zed, writer, Buddhist Shaman and musician who took images in this slideshow. Behind the pie stall is Home Additions which is sadly closing for good today. Learn more about the photographer here https://linktr.ee/SheerZed.

Here are the next 2024 dates for the Nailsea High Street farmer's market - full details for March will be on our What's On page HERE

Mathematician Peter Speight got the angles right to win Nailsea Town Council photo competition Images of Nailsea shot over Wraxall fields.

Peter said: "This is a view over Nailsea from the Wraxall fields on a late afternoon in September.

"The town rises gently above the wonderful green valleys of the Land Yeo and Kenn rivers with the limestone hills beyond.

"The surrounding area boasts an extensive network of lovely lanes and paths enjoyed by many for the beautiful countryside and wildlife."

Nailsea Town Council chairman Anita Smith is pictured below presenting Peter with his prize and a certificate at the Tithe Barn.

Anita said: "We had some wonderful entries for the Nailsea Town Council photography competition and it was hard to pick the winner but this stunning image really is a unique perspective of Nailsea.

"It is not only a testament to the town, but, also a source of inspiration for a future."

The second prize went to Matt Luft with a morning image of Nailsea.

Matt said: "This is a drone photography shot with Christ Church in the foreground and Nailsea Shopping Centre behind;.

"I wanted to capture Nailsea early in the morning with a beautiful sunrise.

"I felt that a good structure that represented Nailsea well was Christ Church right in the heart of Nailsea."

Third prize went to an image of the Nailsea glassblower statue in winter covered in iridescent winter cobwebs, is described by the photographer Peter Burns.

He said: "A picture reflecting the historic nature of our town together with the cold, harsh reality indicative of a labour intensive, long gone, local industry."

Captured on camera for Nailsea Town Council competition

Other highly commended images not shown are:

Bernadette Emms images from her back garden looking towards Tickenham Church. She said: "It is a lovely view we enjoy in all seasons and I wanted to capture it and share it with the people of Nailsea, before it is lost forever. "
Gordon Bennett took a winter sunshine photo of the silhouette statues at Millennium Park featuring Adge Cutler, Hannah Moore and Redvers Coates. He said: "These three are important characters in the history of Nailsea, representing music, social reform and industry. They mark the start of the Festival Way, a mostly traffic-free cycle route linking the centre of Nailsea to the centre of Bristol."
John Hyde images of the Memories group at the Tithe Barn defines Nailsea as a dementia friendly and aware community. The photo beautifully captures the iconic image of the roof structure: symbolising the supportive nature of the group. He said: "The inclusion of our members happy faces typifies the social interactions and connections made during a weekly session, over a cuppa and a biscuit."
Liz Youngs went on a photoshoot to the local nature reserve of Backwell lake. She said: "Home to mallards, mute swans and moorhens, there are usually Canada geese, little egrets and cormorants, too. Jackdaws often roost in large numbers. With luck otters and kingfishers can be seen. 19 species of dragonfly have been recorded and bats often appear at dawn and dusk. There is a car park and a 800m level surfaced path encircles the lake, with benches every 100m and two viewing points."
Michael Emslie photo of Nailsea High Street caught the judges eye as did Sam Wilmot's views from Fosse Close and Silver Street.

Stephen Holly Assistant Clerk with Matt Luft whose photo was second.jpg

Stephen Holly Assistant Clerk and Peter Burns whose photo came third.jpg

Cllr Anita Smith presenting the winner of the Photo competion Peter Speight with his certi

NAILSEA GLASSBLOWER: Urban photographer Alex Hosking took this photo of the glassblower in Nailsea Iin February 2024.. He used a Nikon D5300 camera with an 11-16mm Tokina Lens. The bronze statue celebrates the historic glassworks industry and was commissioned by Nailsea Town Council in 2008. It cost £30,000 and was designed by Barnstaple artist Vanessa Marston and part funded by Tesco, as part of a S106 planning agreement. Town council chairman at the time Mary Ponsonby performed the unveiling and special guest was Richard Barclay, whose great-great-great-great grandfather John Robert Lucas founded the glassworks in 1788. The Nailsea Glassworks was in operation until 1873. Know Your Place and Nailsea History Group Facebook pages have more information.

SPRING IS SPRUNG: Five different shots of daffodils, the first has the horrid old Crown Glass Shopping Centre toilets in the background, then we have the lovely shot of a flower bed at the Royal Oak pub garden, then the Millennium Park blooms and finally from Queens Road along to Mizzymead Road there is a host of white and yellow daffodils but sadly none on Lions Park?

Backwell lake March 2024

NO BLUE MOON: Paul Balsh took this stunning sunset from Nailsea & Tickenham FC ground at Fryth Way looking west

Friday night, March 15, saw the return of Red Nose Day for Comic Relief 2024 and the three-hour show was packed with entertainment, from McFly’s opening medley performance to a spoof of The Traitors.
The Traitors 'movie' starred Nailsea's own disability model Molly Pearce who finally got her own back on Horrid Harry by pan-handling him on BBC television!
Scenes from the reality show including some of the most legendy moments of the round table chats and banishments were relived.
Dubbed by the Mail Online 'the innocent' Molly's revenge was hitting 'Harry' around the head with a giant frying pan as the stand-in actor gushed he was 'the greatest traitor'.
This year marked Sir Lenny Henry’s final time co-hosting the annual programme that raises money for charity.
The Dudley-born actor, aged 65, co-founded Comic Relief in 1985 alongside Love Actually screenwriter Richard Curtis and will continue to serve as life president following his departure as host.
The money raised by Red Nose Day goes towards organisations helping to tackle homelessness, poverty and mental health along with other causes in the UK and throughout the world.
Sir Lenny was also joined by co-hosts, Davina McCall, Love Island presenter Maya Jama, Doctor Who star David Tennant, actor and comedian Romesh Ranganathan, The Masked Singer host Joel Dommett, Take Me Out star Paddy McGuinness and podcaster Rosie Ramsey.
Reflecting on the comedian's legacy, Davina told Sir Lenny he was “irreplaceable.”
She said: "On behalf of all of us here tonight, and of course the entire nation, I’ve got to say you are 100% totally, utterly – am I right when I say – he’s irreplaceable.”
Sir Lenny commented: “I don’t want to make too much fuss, it’s been an

Our girls on Red N se tv

honour and a joy… it’s so not about me, it’s about the mirth and the money, it’s about comedy and compassion.”Earlier in the night, the first total was announced at £21,700,628, but what was the final amount at the end of the show and how much has Comic Relief raised so far this year?

Revealing the Red Nose Day total during the show on BBC One, Sir Lenny said: “Red Nose nation. Your generosity has brought tonight’s total, so far, to a phenomenal £37,019,832.”

Elsewhere on the show, Hollywood actors including Julia Roberts, Olivia Colman, Hugh Grant and Liam Neeson made a special appearance to argue among each other to be named the most famous in a comedy sketch.

The cast of spoof comedy series W1A, including Downton Abbey star Hugh Bonneville and Spaced actress Jessica Hynes, reunited to search for a new host and Steve Coogan appeared as his alter-ego Alan Partridge alongside comedian and actor Tim Key.

There were also musical appearances from Paloma Faith and the West End stage show Just For One Day, based on the 1985 benefit concert Live Aid, organised by Sir Bob Geldof and Midge Ure and again starring another former Nailsea School student Hope Kenna.

The comedian wore a white fur coat and blonde wig as he sang I’m Just Len and contemplated becoming prime minister, following his final stint as host of Red Nose Day.

After the video aired, Sir Lenny joked he had been planning the song “way before” Barbie actor Ryan Gosling performed it at this year’s Academy Awards.

We didn't need a brolly because although overcast and the Met Office is predicting rain for Saturday it stayed dry..

There was a bumper crop of food & drink, flowers & plants, arts & crafts stalls at the monthly market but we don't think everyone who had booked turned up?

We didn't see the police but told they were there earlier.

And market organiser Louise Hall said: "Everyone came long except olive stall whose van wouldn't start.

"The PCSOs also came but this month without the van and spent time at
the market as part of their 'beat' chatting to the community."

It was Nailsea town councillors Rod Lees and James R Turner who set up their stall outside Number 65 to answer residents’ questions which mostly revolved around the planning application for the small triangle with a tree in the middle off Trendlewood Way - see our property page for more details.

1st Nailsea Scout Group invited young people and volunteers to get involved in scouting and displayed a great new banner for Nailsea carnival.

Grey Dogs Jazz Band provided the music and as usual Nailsea MicroPub had early doors from 10am.

LIST OF BOOKED STALLS

Ambrose Farm - free range poultry ,duck & quail eggs and biltong
Bath Soft Cheese - farmhouse produced cheeses
Barley Wood Kitchen Garden - fruit and vegetables using an organic no dig method in Wrington
Baker in a Beanie - organic ancient grains used to produce tasty, wholesome loaves
Bee Sweet - chocolate truffle fudge plus all flavours using local ingredients
Cheddar Spirit Company - gin ,vodka and rums
Demilles Botanicals - plant based soaps and CBD infused products
Dickies Pies – award-winning curried pies using local ingredients
Go Wild Preserves - contemporary twist on traditional preserves
Glastonbury Ferments – gut-friendly Kombucha, Kimchi & Sauerkraut
Heart of Greece - Greek olives processed and dressed locally
Katherines Free Range Eggs – come early to buy a whole tray!
Incredible Brewing Company - Bristol based micro-brewery
Janes Flower Pots - hanging baskets and tubs with seasonal plants
Nutt's Scotch Eggs – award-winning Scotch eggs, pies and quiches
Nailsea Cider - made from local apple orchards by Nailsea locals!
Nailsea Country Markets - sweet and savoury baked goods and preserves
Plants by Ogie Placido - carnivorous plants and unique succulents all propagated by Ogie
Robert Hawker Venison - fresh venison from sustainably managed estates
Real Pork - outdoor reared rare breed pork all cuts plus hams ,bacons and sausages
Salsa Stories - Tex Mex inspired salsa to take home or enjoy on the day as part of her savoury combos- think loaded nachos!
Sunbird Kitchen - one woman dynamo creating own range of granola and overnight oats
Somerset Cheese Company – award-winning cheeses using local milk from cows .goats, sheep & buffalo
Somerset Charcuterie - continental style charcuterie with a distinctive Somerset twist
Seafoods – more than 50 years of fishmongers experience serving up a wide range of seafoods sustainably caught
Somerset Orchard Garden - back after a seasonal break spring fresh flowers and indoor & outdoor plants
Somerset Cup - speciality teas and coffee

Nailsea Farmers' Market

Times Past Cheese – deliciously flavoured cheddars
Uncle Paul’s Chilli Charity - sauces and jams from a farm based charity
Wesley Cottage Bees. – a taste of honey from the master beekeeper
Whitegate Apple Juice - plus Ciders , pear juice and apple cider vinegar
Whites of Wick - home bred and forage fed Aberdeen Angus beef plus pies
Winnies Bakery - from sourdough to lardy cakes and pastries

ARTS AND CRAFTS
Bristol Woodturning
Clevedon Bag Company
Colour Me Designs
Dragonfly Jewellery
Grandmas Knitting
Granny Bear Crafts
Yeti Cards
NB Industrial Modern furniture will be back in April.

COMMUNITY STALLS
Nailsea Town Council
Nailsea 1st Scout Group
Nailsea Model Railway Society
Nailsea PCSO'S -Neighbourhood Policing Team.

For more information go to www.somersetfarmersmarkets.co.uk

Saturday, March 16

The Sausage shed - award winning range of handmade sausages from welfare friendly local meats
The Great Cake Company - delicious & gluten free tray bakes, cakes scones and quiches plus a selection of dairy free options

VILLAGE GREEN: The top three photos were taken in March 2024 whereas the final photo is when BetFred and PS Travel were still trading in Station Road. This was before the arrival of the new fishmongers or expansion of Café 119 when the tree looked healthy and before it was reduced to a wonderful wooden wildlife statue which is sadly slowly being eaten by bugs and decaying. We think the last photo was taken in 2019 or before? If you can pinpoint date let us know