Issue 36

This is the July/August double issue - supposedly the summer issue, though so far (early June) there’s not much of a summer to write about. During the next two months we hope you’ll find much to claim your attention as you scrutinise the Diary entries. In particular we commend the church fêtes: St Mary’s Bruton on Saturday 14 July, Shepton Montague on Saturday 25 August and Batcombe on Monday 27 August. These events are unmissable, in our view, and most rewarding in every sense. Nor should you miss Batcombe Horticultural Society’s show on 28 July, or Bruton & District’s on 18 August. And your views will be welcome at the Hauser & Wirth Open Days on 12 and 13 July about plans for Durslade Farm.

The Queen’s Jubilee celebrations over the June Bank Holiday weekend have been a tremendous success nationwide from all points of view (except, maybe, those of a few staunch republicans) and, even with the truly British weather, all of the parishes in the Benefice had a wonderful time paying tribute to Her Majesty and her 60 years on the throne. The Packhorse Fair was a resounding success, helped by a rare spell of beneficent sunshine (a change from the dramatically dire weather of 2009, which had some of us dancing, full of trepidation, to a splendid fiddle, while nervously watching the river creep inexorably up towards the refreshments tent a few feet from the river bank). Lisa Pickering and Tia Cusden deserve a huge round of applause for their management of the Fair, as do their myriad helpers – all done for no reward except to see the enjoyment of everyone who came and took advantage of all that was on offer. We hope the Fair will take place again next summer, but it needs lots of support from now on. See page 15.
You can find back issues on our website (www.thedovemagazine.blogspot.com), and we’ve also posted a list of B&Bs for summer visitors. Elisabeth Balfour