NAILSEA
PEOPLE
Gallery 2024
October to December
We love to publish your images
Email photographs to nailseapeople@gmail.com
AIN'T NO SUNSHINE: On Tuesday, October 8, the heavens opened and more than an inch of rain fell on Nailsea. The pitch flooded at Fryth Way so the football game was postponed and our worse shortcut from the lane by The George at Backwell to east side of Nailsea under the railway bridge flooded. This photo is by Kien Searle. The M5 closed at Almondsbury and there were long tailbacks while reports came in that Wraxall hill was a mudslide. Pauline Davis said: "Really bad on B3130 near the lay-by at bottom of Towerhouse Lane." The moat at Moat Farm, Wraxall, filled with water. Farmer Anthony Bush said: “Big rain,30mm in biggest moat first time overtop for many years.” And Sandra Cook said on Tuesday afternoon: "Portbury Lane was a river and hour ago." As gardens and conservatories filled with water people questioned the wisdom of building more houses on the edge of the Somerset Levels once ancient marshland when the current drainage system can't cope. Richard Hendricks said: "Just checked the rain gauge in our garden which was emptied at approximately 9.30am this morning; it now has 1.5 inches of rain in it."
The lake in autumn/winter
October to December 2024
Backwell Lake, also known as Buckland's Pool, is, despite its name, much closer to nearby Nailsea.
The lake was built as a balancing pond in the mid-1970s and has become a wildlife haven for birds, bats and dragonflies, which are attracted by the open water and surrounding vegetation.
Bird species include gadwall, shoveler, pochard, tufted duck, grey heron and most famously for its mute swans.
In January 2018, local people circled the lake, linking hands, to protest against the proposed building of 700 homes and a four-lane link road in the village by Taylor Wimpey, which they believed would affect the lake and its wildlife.
The nature reserve which is open all hours belongs to and is maintained by Wessex Water.
There is a path all round the lake and a free car park which as the rubbish fly tipped in mid-October shows is abused by some people.
Thank you to the photographers who contributed to the slideshow above.
When you visit please follow these rules.
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Stay out of the water
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No fires or BBQs
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No dogs (except assistance dogs)
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No fishing
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No cycling
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No littering
UPDATE: Wessex Water and National Grid met in October and inspected the bird reflectors/deflectors at Backwell Lake They have agreed that broken and missing deflectors will be replaced ensuring one every 5m of cable. This work is scheduled to be carried out at the end of November.
Farmers' market High Street
October 2024
The Causeway, twixt Nailsea and Tickenham
Phil Williams drone photos showing an ancient Roman road, October 2024
Rachel's autumn photos taken in Nailsea
Meet the spooks on Halloween in Nailsea
FRIGHT CLUB: Noah’s Ark Zoo Farm is home to the UK's only Spix's Guan, a rare bird with a quirky night-time habit that’s been delighting staff with its signature serenade under the moonlit sky. The Spix’s guan, native to the forests of South America, resides in the Macaw Aviary at the zoo, where its unique call echoes through the Somerset nights. As the moon rises, this feathered friend lets out a distinctive vocalisation—a captivating and slightly strange mix between a bark and a yell. The Wraxall zoo farm also qrew its pumpkins in elephant poo and we have an example of a homely carving. Tyntesfield's display was amazing as was the barn at Triggol;s farm. Aaron's Pets made a spooky shop window and elsewhere it was Halloween trick and treat house parties, spooky company characters, Livro Lounge and Nailsea Social Club people all making a great effort to celebrateThursday, October 31
Remembrance parade 2024
Young children stood patiently raising and lowering their banners to calls of 'parade attention' as the Rev James Packman led prayers and read passages from the bible.
The reading of the names from the roll of honour from WW1 and WW2 doesn't lose impact with the passing of time. So many from such a small village.
Organised by Nailsea Town Council is was a fitting tribute to old soldiers and young combatants involved in current conflicts.
Rotary, Lions, police, fire crews and more laid wreathes while at the end small Beavers added peace pebbles they had painted.
There are four slideshows on this page:
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those gathered to pay their respects
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with drums banging the parade arrival
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laying of wreaths at war memorial; and
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poppies at Holy Trinity war memorial
Christians Together in Nailsea and District say all are welcome to the Remembrance service in Nailsea shopping centre at 11am on Monday, November 11, with bugler and two minutes silence.
And Holy Trinity church is open on this day from 9am-9pm for people to light a candle and view the amazing paper dove ceiling decorations made by Hannah More infant and Grove junior schoolchildren during this 12hr peace vigil.
On Sunday, November 16, before the Nailsea & Backwell RFC home game against Old Bristolians there will be an act of Remembrance at the West End ground, ko is at 2.45pm. The Ravens represented by Steve Gillard and son Tyler attended the wreath laying at Bristol Memorial Gate.
At the HoC North Somerset MP Sadik Al-Hassan planted a memorial cross outside the building on behalf of North Somerset.
11am 11th November Somerset Square, Nailsea
11.11.11 Two minutes silence followed a service led by the Rev James Packman in Somerset Square to mark Armistice Day, later known as Remembrance Day . It is commemorated every year on 11 November to mark when WW1 armistice was signed
FALLEN HEROES: On Sunday, November 10, at 10.45am was St Andrew's annual Service of Remembrance. All were made welcome to this ecumenical service, when men and women who lost their lives in conflict were remembered. Uniformed organisations took part and wreaths from various groups were laid. This was followed by a short Act of Remembrance on Monday, November 11, at 11am at the war memorial. Backwell WI led the wreath laying as two young men who lost their lives in more recently were remembered. Major Matthew James Collins, aged 38, of the 1st Battalion Irish Guards, was killed in Afghanistan on Wednesday, March 23, 2011 and British army veteran and mine clearance worker Chris Howe, 36, was murdered in Cambodia by the Khmer Rouge in 1996. Prior to the service Nailsea Town Council chairman James Tonkin restored the gold lettering and tidied the overgrown plot and cleaned the granite stone as his tribute to Chris, something he does when needed every few years...
When war ravages nations and communities, the sacrifices of human lives, made by forgotten heroes to defend our freedoms, can often be overlooked. The sprawling war graves in Europe are a stark reminder that so many young people died while protecting our values and liberties.
In World War 2, more 19-year-olds died than at any other age.
The first post war icon, James Dean, died at the age of 24.
Using the lyrical concepts and imagery from 24 songs which reference conflict, James Dean by James Stretch is a tribute to the brave men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice.
The song was inspired and written during a visit to Normandy in the summer of 2024, coinciding with the 80th anniversary of the D-Day landings, and after witnessing the sheer scale of human lives lost at three war cemeteries.Hailing from Nailsea and now residing in Andover in Hampshire, James Stretch is a singer songwriter with more than 25 years of recording, performance and gigging experience, including his 2023 album, A Life on a Line and upcoming album Thrillseekers and Renegades.
After graduating from ACM, he has toured with artists attached to two
major labels, performed at festivals across Europe, and is due to beperforming throughout summer 2025 at UK festivals and venues.
He has also recently supported household names such as national breakfast DJ, Chris Moyles with his band The Showponies, who are currently nominated for Best Live Band in the Hampshire Live Music Awards.
In conjunction with producer and arranger Nicholas Lindsay, and recording engineer Marc Burford, James Dean is a poignant tribute to the everyday heroes who served to protect us.
Out now on Spotify, Apple Music and all major streaming service
Nailsea songwriter honours those who died young
November farmers' market
Saturday, November 16
Nailsea Farmers' Market trades throughout the year except in January on the third Saturday of each month with a variety of food, drink and craft stalls.
Every month there are nearly 50 stalls booked by Somerset Farmers' Market filled the High Street with activity and bustle, music and weather as they welcome farmers, food producers, craftspeople and customers!
Setting out their stalls some months are The Plants by Ogie Placido which featured in Garden News Magazine and Karen Osborne who mans the Made For You craft stall which has had a slot on Really TV.
The market continues to expand with many regulars returninging on Saturday, November 16, as we expect in the run up to Christmas more festive stalls will appear, 9am-1pm, all along the High Street which will be closed to traffic all day.
Somerset Farmers Markets will have for sale a limited addition eco shopping bag £6 celebrating its 25th anniversary available on The Great Cake Company and Whites of Wick stalls.
Market organiser Louise Hall said: "We also join forces again with the Nailsea Climate Emergency Group whose welcoming and interactive stall will be focusing on keeping your home warm over winter without harming the environment, plus a special activity for the kids!
"Please note Ambrose Farm is no longer selling free range chicken but are specialising in their duck and quail eggs while also growing mushrooms.
"They will have growing kits on Saturday (now that would be a great gift) plus fingers crossed for the first crop of fresh mushrooms including oyster, shitake and lions mane."
There are a full list of stalls on our Food & Drink page HERE.
At No 65 High Street will be a Q&A information desk manned by three Nailsea town councillors from 10am-noon.
Nailsea MicroPub usually has early doors for those wanting good cheer.
But there will be no more Nailsea & Backwell Rotary book stalls this year.
Go to the gallery for photos in slideshows from previous markets.
Cold and frosty mornings
Nailsea Christmas lights dusk
Tuesday early evening, November 26
Tithe Barn & Holy Trinity fair
Saturday, November 30
GOOD CHEER: It was standing room only in the church as the choirs sang out with Christmas carols conducted by Dave Francis.
The musical programme including 1st Nailsea Scout Band, Flax Barbarettes, The Barn Owls and the Rock Choir. The craft stalls were stacked high in the Tithe Barn and the catering crew at Holy Trinity were very busy serving a long line of hungry people bacon butties. Pre-loved Christmas jumpers and carved wooden ornaments vied for customers along with the newly published charity cook book and the tombola table supporting Myanmar orphans offered lots of lovely donated prizes. There were also lots of stocking fillers and marvellous mix of seasonal good cheer. Thank you everyone who posed for Nailsea People
Downing's bar opening night
first customers (and a few last orders) on Friday, December 6
CHSW Santa's run December
Grete Howard goes on photoshoot to Charlton Farm, Wraxall
A much-loved Christmas event – Santas on The Run – returned to North Somerset in 2024.
Santas on the Run, saw people dressed as Father or Mother Christmas, elves and other festive characters, on Sunday, December 8, in the grounds of Children’s Hospice South West’s hospice at Charlton Farm in Wraxall.
This is the second year the 2k festive run has been held in the beautiful grounds of Charlton Farm.
Last year’s event saw more than 260 people take part, raising an incredible £18,000 for CHSW.
This year the event kicked off at noon with activities in the specially created events village.
On the day there was entertainment from the Rock Choir, a snow machine, face painters, food and drink and a fabulous festive warm up by Joe Chapman to get everyone in the Christmas spirit.
People were encouraged to arrive in festive fancy dress with prizes on the day for the best dressed child, adult, pram and dog.
Money raised from Santas on the Run will go towards offering care and support to local families who use CHSW’s three hospices including Charlton Farm.
All money raised from Santas on the Run will help CHSW to continue providing care to local children living with life limiting conditions and their families.
Participants were encouraged to raise £25 in sponsorship as an individual and £70 per family.
A CHSW spokesperson said: "What a super Santa-filled Sunday!
"Hundreds of people put on their Christmas outfits to take part in our Santas on The Run event at Charlton Farm at the weekend.
"Elves, reindeers and even doggies dressed in their festive finery to take part in the 2K run around our beautiful grounds.
"It may have been cold outside and we may have had to scale things back thanks to Storm Darragh, but laughter, dancing and plenty of treats kept the festive spirit flowing!
"Our elves are now busy counting up all the sponsorship money you all collected
"Thank you to all those who took part on the day!"
Christmas charity vans cruise
Saturday, December 14 photoshoot by Nailsea people
NAILSEA CRUZ: Setting off late afternoon on Saturday, December14, from Towerhouse car park on a brief tour of Nailsea first then heading further afield the Christmas Dubs bring good cheer while raising money for The Grand Appeal for Bristol Children’s Hospital. The charity launched in 1995 with Wallace & Gromit spearheading the fundraising - QR code on vans to donate. Marvellous slideshows by Grete Howard, Julia Miners, Nailsea People and Matthew Harris
