2013
November/December
The year drew to a close with a lovely candlelit Midnight Mass on Christmas Eve. The beautifully decorated Church was filled with hearty voices and Christmas cheer.
The annual carol singing through the village, where we raise funds for local charities, was a well supported event. The vocal chords of the young and not-so-young were soothed along the way with warming drinks and the carollers were rewarded at the end with much needed sustenance beside a roaring fire.
This month saw us taking village crafts and Bullbeggar Cider to fairs in Castle Cary and Evercreech and the very successful Bruton late night Christmas shopping event. Here we had a stall selling mulled cider together with Bullbeggar and Lamyatt Apple Juice Christmas packs and lovely handmade decorations.
Our first Supper Club of the season was held on 22nd November and the movie featured was Buena Vista Social Club. A lively musical documentary from Cuba it was accompanied by appropriate fare from the region which played to a capacity audience.
The second Lamyatt Bridge day was held at Lamyatt Lodge, kindly hosted by Mary Clare Rodwell. A group of some thirty avid Bridge players descended on the village and enjoyed an exciting day with a delicious lunch provided by some of our excellent chefs. Together with entry fees and raffle funds the day raised £1000 for the Village Hall
Village Chirstmas cards, from original watercolours by Sylvia Anderson, were printed and are ready for sale with all proceeds raised towards the upkeep of our church of St. Mary & St. John.
A busy start to the month with a wonderful Guy Fawkes’ Night. A huge bonfire and an amazing fireworks display, very generously donated by the Stone family, was enjoyed by a large crowd of Lamyatt and Bruton inhabitants. Hot Dogs were provided and all washed down with Cider and Hot Chocolate. A very healthy contribution to Village Hall coffers resulted.
October
A rather damp, cold and gloomy autumn day saw the apple picking stalwarts from the village gather at Montgomery Farm for the annual harvest. A bumper crop was collected and tea, cake and cider were the rewards. We all look forward to a sunnier day next year!
September
We have a novelist in our midst and this month saw the book launch at Kings School, Bruton of Dick Joyce’s first novel. a very enjoyable tale of life and love in 60’s America. Sales are buoyant and Dick is now putting pen to paper on the sequel.
August
On a glorious, quintessentially English afternoon Victoria Lang hosted Lamyatt’s first croquet match accompanied by a delicious traditional afternoon tea and home made cakes. Competition was rife and practiced players were soon given a run for their money by some new to the game. A hugely enjoyable afternoon which raised welcome funds for the Village Hall and a desire for a repeat next summer!
July
This month saw our third production of a Shakespeare play performed by touring company The Festival Players. A Midsummer Night’s Dream was enjoyed by some 200 guests in the warm sunshine at Speeds Farm. Once again another very successful event which raised £4000 towards the Village Hall and Church
The Bullbeggar featured again this month with strong sales at local Farm Festival. The well organised and family friendly event takes place over one weekend and Lamyatt’s cider is enjoyed by many.
June
Our annual Village Fete took place on Father’s Day and was enjoyed by many villagers and others from the surrounding locale. All manner of activities and stalls provided endless entertainment and included our famous sheep racing with the participants kindly provided by Ern & Jen Richards.
May
The Lamyatt Larder, a cookbook compiled from villagers’ recipes was published. Taking inspiration from our Give & Take table which appears each year at the Church gates, recipes include many ingredients from our village gardens, orchards, and fields. All profits from the sale of the book will be donated to the Village Hall improvement funds.
The new stock of village cider will be available at the Bruton Packhorse Fair on Monday May 27th. We expect the Bullbeggar giant to come along to sample this year’s cider. Look out for the stall & the giant!
April
There was a successful new coffee morning and home produce sale held on the first Saturday of the month, to raise funds for the village hall project.
The traditional Egg Rolling competition on Portway Hill took place on Easter Monday and many chocolate eggs were discovered in Ern’s field behind the village hall.
January, February April
Supper Club showings of three excellent Films in the village hall. In January we had a Mexican supper accompanied by Tequila and Mexican beer followed by the Film ‘Like Water for Chocolate’.
In February a Greek meal and wine was followed by a showing of ‘My Big Fat Greek Wedding’. Also our Burn’s Night celebration on February 25th was a great success with many enjoying some excellent haggis, good whisky and lots of Scottish country dancing.
The final Film this season was in early April when a Danish evening included the showing of ‘Babette’s Feast’.
Lamyatt - Somerset 