The Month That Was Feb 26

Back to the Future

A bit of an extrapolation but a phrase that nevertheless captures the dynamics of February. We kicked off dipping back in time with a visit to the Wells Archives and then followed up later in the month  with plenty of discussion and even decision making at Club Council, at the Social Committee and at the Business Meeting around future projects.

Meal & talk by Wells City Archivist

The start to our first Monday in the month meeting at The Crown was delayed to accommodate two groups of 10 making tours of the Wells City Archives, led by Jonathan Chivers the City Archivist.

In addition to hundreds of original documents and bound volumes, the archives contain maps, plans, prints, posters and photographs ranging in date from the medieval period to the present day. The collection includes:

• 34 early City Charters - the oldest dating from c. 1174
• a collection of Corporation Act Books, dating from 1378 to 1835
• records relating to: markets and fairs, railways, health, schools, allotments, World Wars I and II, assizes, elections, royal visits, local clubs and societies, the water supply and sewerage scheme, amongst others
• plans for many of the Victorian houses in Wells
• Historic Ordnance Survey maps and tithe maps

The collections are stored at Wells & Mendip Museum, having been moved there in 2011 from the old jail cells at Wells Town Hall to modern, climate-controlled storage at the museum. Wells City Council continues to fund the care of the archives. Jonathan  manages the archives, and is supported by a team of volunteers.

A display case in Wells Town Hall presents a changing display of documents from the City Archives, chosen by the Archives Manager. Novembers choice was a lovely photograph sadly undated of pupils from Wells Central School. However the clothing suggests the late Victorian or Edwardian period.

An excellent evening followed by an excellent meal and good fellowship at The Crown courtesy of Adrian and team.

Club Council

Held at Chubb Bullied on the second Monday, it was a productive meeting with plenty of business debated and reviewed.

Key decisions included recommendations to the club for endorsement by members that the club would supports President Elect Sharon in staging a Meet the Sikhs event in August, and the proposals set out by Ellie and Kevin for the sensory garden project at Stowberry School.
 

Following progress updates, Council also endorsed the on-going activity and planning in and around the ‘Festival of Running’ event at end May and in preparing project proposals for the Dairy House project

Dairy House Visit

Organised and led by Alan, on Friday morning of February 27th six members of the club and two potential members visited The Dairy House and Root Connections, at Manor Farm.

They spent 1 1/2 hours in discussion with Steven and Suzanne and also engaged with residents and volunteers working in the vegetable and flower gardens of Root Connections. The work allocated on the day was the harvesting of willow canes that had been growing for approximately two years and they were bundled to be stored for two years of drying before being used in the craft making of hurdles plant frames baskets and the lake. This is an activity with great potential as the planting area is being increased.

It was clear to see the need for a craft workshop on the site due to the increasing need for therapy and rehabilitation activities. It is estimated that the proposed workshop will have 10 workstations and it will be used mornings and afternoons, therefore there will be capacity for 100 sessions undertaking various craft and woodworking activities each week.

The group were able to inspect the site for the proposed craft workshop. This is in the vegetable and flower garden with a  south facing aspect with with lovely views.

The purpose of this visit was for the club members to gain a deeper understanding of the work and future plans of The Dairy House and Root connections to enable them to engage with the club discussions on our future involvement.