The Hall was very

quiet over the

Christmas period

when Cossington

residents were

enjoying the festivities

with their families. In

the first week of the

new year however,

the booking team

were busy slotting in wedding celebrations

and birthday parties into this year’s

calendar.

Although we got off lightly from the recent

storms the operations team have a full list

of improvements on their books such as

better control of the heating, a new

computer to speed up the booking

process, safer and more attractive

entrance steps, improved access to under

stage storage, better “mood” lighting and

modifications to the left hand dressing

room to allow storage of gym equipment.

Even in a new hall things never stand still.

The publicity group develops plans to

widen our user base, has taken the lead in

drafting our policies and procedures,

produces posters for users, this Newsletter

and maintains the website.

Then there is the bar group who over the

last two years have refined the service

offered, maintained the stocks and

provided barman for events. We can

always use more barmen and ladies if you

would like to give it a try. As many users will

know, our four caretakers look after the

building on a rota basis. All these activities

are carried out by an enthusiastic team of

volunteers. I would like to wholeheartedly

thank all the people who have contributed

to the (mostly!) smooth running of the hall

over the last two years and made it such a

success in the Cossington community.

Cossington

Village Hall News

Number 34 January 2014

Happy New Year to all!! By Geoff Cross

Toes were tapping in early May when the

Andrew Cooke Quartet entertained

diners at Cossington 's second Jazz Supper

event.

On stage, Andrew Barrett and Paul Toplis

playing guitar were joined by Mike Thorn

on double bass and Andrew Cooke on

alto saxophone and clarinet.

The Quartet began their evening program

with ‘I’ll See You In My Dreams’ and

continued with the tunes: ‘Si Tu Vois Ma

Mere’, ‘Cry Me A River’ and ‘Isn’t It

Romantic’. The second part continued

after the Carvery main course, with the

Django classic: ‘Minor Swing’ and tunes

from the Great American Songbook, such

as ‘Moonglow’, followed.

In the final set, following dessert and

coffee, an audience request for Jobin’s

latin jazz number, ‘Wave’ was duly

performed and as the evening came to a

close more Django pieces were played

including: ‘Dark Eyes’ and ‘Hungaria’, all

to the applause of the appreciative

audience. Nearly £300 was raised on the

night for Village Hall Funds.

Around 40 guests braved the driving rain

in mid December to attend the first ‘Jazz

in the Afternoon’ event to be held in the

new Hall. Swinging Jazz from the 30’s and

40’s, including tunes made famous by

Benny Goodman, Duke Ellington and

Django Reinhardt were performed by the

‘Quantock Swing Quintet’, as a fundraiser

for the Bath & Wells Association of

Change Ringers’ Bell Fund. The quintet is

formed of predominantly local musicians:

Andrew Barrett and Paul Toplis on guitar;

Mike Thorn, double bass; Dave Binding,

Cookes serve up appetising

menu of music and food By Jane Cooke

drums; and Andrew Cooke, alto sax and

clarinet.

The first set of the afternoon included the

numbers: ‘Softly As In A Morning Sunrise’;

‘Rockin’ In Rhythm’; and ‘Slipped Disc’.

Following the interval, when tea, coffee

and homemade cakes were served, the

final set got underway. ‘Liza’; ‘Let’s Fall In

Love’; ‘Dark Eyes’; ensued among others,

and keeping in the theme of the fundraiser,

‘Ring Dem Bells’! Thank you to everyone

who attended the event and gave the

musicians such a warm reception. Over

£100 was raised for the BWDACR Bell Fund.

Check out our website for new jazz events

in this new year. We have firm bookings on

15 March, 7 June and 11 October from

promoter Roger Collett.

Keep your diary

free for our

nostalgic fair on

Sunday 13 April at

Cossington Village

Hall from 10am to

4pm.

When you step

through the door

we create a

feeling of stepping

back in time, all

our stallholders

have been handpicked for quality goods

at affordable prices.

Stylish Art deco, vintage clothes, antiques,

vintage jewellery, vintage fabrics and lots

more.

Come along and soak up the atmosphere.

Enjoy a lovely vintage tea on original china

with delicious homemade cakes and

refreshments prepared and served by the

Bell ringers of St. Mary’s Church, Bridgwater,

in aid of Tower funds. Website and

Facebook coming soon.

“There’s no time like the past”. Entry £1 for

Adults, Children Free.

For further information call 07506 726652

after 6pm.

VINTAGE AT THE VILLAGE

coming to Cossington!!

By Laura Payne

Happy New Year from Cossington Concerts! By Sophie Tarleton Photos by Ian Rix

We are delighted

to be able to

announce the

continuation of the

Cossington Young

Musicians' Fund

with the

appointment of

three new Trustees

to the Cossington

Concerts Trust - Antony Carr, Mary Pritchard and Sophie

Tarleton. Huge thanks must go to those who have worked

so hard as Trustees for many years: Sheila Hamilton, Marian

Curry, Alison Buchanan and Ian Rix who have now retired

from their roles in the Trust, but will remain involved in the running of concerts.

Together with Barbara Murray, our wonderful pianist, Andrew Carter and Stephen Bell

(former Chair, who is continuing as a Trustee for the time

being), the new team will be continuing the fantastic

work of the Trust and the Cossington Young Musicians'

Fund - supporting young musicians in the area and

providing a concert platform for talented young people

and professionals from further afield - bringing high

quality music to Cossington.

Throughout

the existence

of the Trust,

the support,

interest and

practical help of local people in Cossington and

neighbouring villages has been a key element of

the success of the whole venture. We very much

hope to be able to continue to excite and involve the local community in musical

experiences on their doorstep (in the lovely acoustics

of the village hall), and we would like to invite all

who would like to be

involved in any way in

the Trust to become

"Friends of Cossington

Concerts". If you

would be interested in

becoming a Friend

(which will be free

and will simply be a

matter of supporting

the Trust in whatever

way you like, e.g.

putting up a poster,

receiving details of events, making suggestions), please

email Mary Pritchard (fremsley@yahoo.com) or telephone on 01749 850631.

We very much hope to hear from you or to see you at a Cossington Concerts event during

2014 and beyond!

What’s On in Cossington (event in the Hall unless otherwise stated)

Date Title Details

31 January at 7.30pm Burns Night Celebration Dancing with the Somerset

branch of the Royal Scottish

Country Dance Society. In

aid of church funds. Tickets

£12.50 include three course

supper call 722663 or 723105.

15 February at 7pm FOCS Quiz Night Please see the advert on

page 1

15 March Doors open 7pm,

starts 8pm

Jazz at the Hall

Clarinet Marmalade

promoted by Roger Collett

Join the supreme duo Mike

Denham ( piano) and Mike

Snelling (clarinet and

saxophone) perform an

evening of vintage jazz.

Reserved seats at tables cost

£10 (includes tasty interval

treats) from Roger : 451187.

29 March at 7.30pm Abba Night Supper included. In aid of

church funds.

Tickets £10 from Rachel on

722967 and Liz on 722177.

Dance along to all the Abba

favourites. Fancy dress if you

wish!

Cossington Village Hall

Trivetts Way

TA7 8JN

01278 723816

www.cossingtonvillagehall.org uk

Table Tennis at the Hall By Peter Rendle

Monday Evening Table Tennis activities have

started again after the Christmas Break at the

Hall.

Table Tennis got off to a very successful start last

year, with plenty of people “having a go”

and finding the experience a fun way of getting

exercise and meeting new people.

We now need to keep things going, and look

forward to seeing all those who have shown

interest take part in creating a viable Club.

We have four Tables and are able to supply Bats and Balls, so you only need to turn up and

join in !!

There is the opportunity to play at any level, from complete beginner to competitive local

league. We can provide basic tuition and coaching.

So if you find yourself inquisitive, please give us a try any Monday Evening from 7.00pm.

Further information is available from Pete Rendle Tel (01458) 210583.

New Playing Field Committee in the

Village– can you help? If you or would like to find out more please

contact Joe Stradling on 722932, E-mail

joe_strad@hotmail.com.