Access to adequate broadband - and indeed the lack of it - remains a big challenge for rural business and communities. The Rural Services Network in association with Calor are tackling three key rural issues: fuel poverty, broadband and rural transport. Read more here.

Read it here or go to the website.

The latest report called "State of Nature" from 25 wildlife and conservation organisations makes very worrying reading. It shows very clearly that wildlife reserves, valuable as they are, are incapable of saving our wildlife, much of which is now under severe threat. Even one of our national wildlife icons, the Hedgehog is now under threat of extinction in the UK and it is likely that our grandchildren will never see one. Wouldn't it be good if every parish would pro-actively encourage…

We have a new Parish Councillor. See the minutes here.

Please note the date of the next fete meeting has been changed to 5th of June from 12th. See events for details.

Once again, the Jumble Sale raised a really great sum, £473, which will help keep our churchyard looking so good, badgers permitting. Very many thanks to those who helped make the event today such a success and to all those who came and supported it so well.

Bruce Bower PCC Treasurer, Saturday, 27 April 2013

The deadline for contributions for the June issue of the Pen Paper is 20th May. Contributions are welcome before then to Cliff Clark.

Rural Services Network Newsletter and you'll find the latest news here.

The Hart 

You'll find the finishing times here.

From Rachael Whaites, SSDC Countryside Ranger for Moldrams Ground LNR:

I attended a Barn Owl box monitoring workshop with Chris Sperring from Somerset Wildlife Trust (SWT) and the British Trust for Ornithology (BTO) on Saturday 13th April.  I would like to share some of the information I gained from attending this workshop and also tell you how you get can get involved with monitoring your community Barn Owl box.

Barn Owls are one of nearly 90 species of bird that are listed…

We had a great evening on 11th April with Terry Farris giving us a Masterclass in cooking vegetables in unusual ways. On the menu were:

Moroccan Tagine with Harissa Couscous

Vegetable with feta cheese strudel

Veggie muffins

Thai…

If you haven't been down Coombe Street recently, you will notice a change. The railings at the top of the Coombe have been completely renovated by the Parish Council.…

This morning I walked my dogs through the village, between Underhill and Long Lane I picked up over 30 bottles which were strewn along the roadside.  I appreciate that some may have been blown out of the recycling  vehicle but not all and especially not along Long Lane.

I have lived in the village for nearly four years and I have noticed that the litter problem is getting worse.  Litter I know is a problem everywhere but Pen Selwood is our bit of England let us all try and keep it…

We had a very successful dog friendly walk on Saturday 5th April - a good length (1.5 hours) and a good route; here are the happy walkers back at the church. 

It was a cold but sunny day when a large group from the village had a Walk and Talk around Moldram's Ground given by Rachael Whaites, the Countryside Ranger.  We learned about the endangered species seen there - dormice, barn owls, greater crested newts and slow worms.

We left with a much greater understanding of the nature on our own doorstep.…

A vacancy has occurred on the Parish Council. Please see the public notice here.