History seems to be to the fore this month. Roger Gallannaugh gives us a succinct overview of what happened to the Abbey during the Reformation (page 23), while Will Vaughan’s talk on the history of Castle Cary from the Middle Ages drew a large audience to the Caryford Hall (see page 32).
The late Lord Rees-Mogg was, if not actually from the Benefice, a fairly local figure, and his daughter Emma is a tireless and very effective contributor to local life. Roger Ketley has discovered some fascinating memorial tablets to the family in the church of St Peter in Shepton Montague (page 45). I hope readers take the time to enjoy the Parish News articles, which are so often full of wonderfully interesting facts.

Plenty of other information on the town’s present and future is here in these pages. The Durslade Walled (Community) Garden project is going from strength to strength, thanks to the support of Hauser & Wirth and a team of dedicated helpers led by Lisa Pickering (page 27). Mayor Alex Rubbo’s Town Council article (page 49) is, as ever, full of news. And the Bruton Trust, under the guidance of the indefatigable John Bishton, is as concerned with future developments as with the preservation of the past (page 15). Finally, we see evidence of the generosity of the residents of Bruton and Benefice from the success of several charity lunches and appeals.
There are still a few readers who have not yet renewed their subscription for 2013. To ensure delivery of the May issue of The Dove to your door could you please pay £10 (£20 if you receive your copy by post) into the Church Office marked ‘for the attention of Mike Kelham’ by 20 April.
Elisabeth Balfour