VILLAGE HALL MONTHLY DRAW December £25 194 Mrs C Harrison £10 115 Mr K Coles £5 84 Mrs A Sheppard BINGO will be on Wednesday 13th February . Doors open at 7pm and its EYES DOWN at 7.30pm. The SNOWBALL is now £50. (Please note all participants must be over 16 years of age). The WHIST drive will be on Wednesday 27th February at 7.30. Our next JUMBLE SALE and AUCTION is on Saturday 26th January at 12 noon. We will be in the Village Hall on Friday 25th from 8pm until 9pm to receive jumble and from 8.45 to 10.30am on Saturday 26th. The HEALTH WALKS FOR FEBRUARY will be on Wed Feb 6th at 10.30 am from Creech Canal Car park and is up to 1.5 hours in duration, and Wed Feb 20th at 10.30 from Ruishton Village hall. Dogs are welcome but must be kept on leads. For more information please ring Pat Pike on 442609 or Andy Smith on 444815 . RUISHTON CARPET BOWLS CLUB: We meet at RUISHTON VILLAGE HALL every Tuesday Evening from 7pm to 9pm, and Friday Afternoon 2pm to 4pm. We welcome all new members whether couples or singles living on their own. Come along, and join in with our friendly social community club, you can have a trial session of carpet bowls for £2 each per session for up to 4 weeks, before you decide if you want to become a full club member. Tea & Biscuits for half time break, and All Equipment Supplied. For further details phone Mavis Skeggs (Treasurer) 01823 442427 or Derek Garrett (Chairman) 01823 442876. CARDS pantomime this year will be Cinderella. The panto will run at Ruishton Village Hall from Wednesday 20th February to Saturday 23rd February each evening at 7.30pm and Saturday 23rd matinee at 2.00 pm. Tickets will be on sale from Wednesday 2nd February 2019. Adults £8, Concessions £6, family ticket £23. (No concessions on Saturday night). Box Office Joan 01823 443330. RATS (Ruishton Artists in TexStyles) We are a group of craft enthusiasts who work with fabric and thread. We are now meeting on the 3rd Mon of each month 10.00a.m. - 3.00p.m. in the Village Hall meeting room. For more information about our regular meetings ring Lydia (444982)

TAUNTON & DISTRICT FRIENDSHIP CLUB We are a club offering a wide range of social activities for the over 50s, including a monthly meeting at Ruishton Village Hall. For more information contact Sally (442733). Ruishton Book Club Ruishton Book Club Gone Girl' by Gillian Flynn is a very modern dark thriller, cleverly written with a cast of extremely manupilative characters. Our next meeting is on Wednesday 13th February at 1030 discussing Joanna Harris's 'Blueeyedboy'. For more information phone Peter Jones on 443160.

In Stitches @ St George's will have it's first meeting for 2019 on Friday February 8th from 10 – 12am in the Ruishton Church Meeting Room. ———————————————————————————————————————————— For all bookings and enquiries regarding the Village Hall, please contact Chris on 07958574905 ALL ITEMS FOR THE March 2019 newsletter should be delivered to the Editor, Liz Harper, 20 Newlands Road, Ruishton (443369) NO LATER THAN Saturday 16th February 2019 or email

ruishton_magazine@hotmail.com .

RUISHTON VILLAGE HALL NEWSLETTER FEBRUARY 2019

THE RUISHTON INN Tel:442285

Quiz Night every Wednesday at 9.00 Free entry

Next Auction 21st February 6.30 pm start

OPENING HOURS Home cooked food served 12.00 – 1.45 and

6.00 – 9.00 (7.00 - 9.00 Sundays) (Not open on Monday or Tuesday lunchtimes)

Cask Marque Ales & Fine Wines

Traditional Sunday Roast

Senior Citizens Lunchtime specials Wednesday to Saturday £5.00

NICOLE PERRET D.O.,M.R.O.

REGISTERED OSTEOPATH Blackbrook Pavilion,

Taunton 01823 33 34 35

Phillip Greenslade

01823 442971

The POLICING TEAM that cover the Ruishton area are as below. They are no longer contactable by phone but can be contacted by e-mail. david.rowe@avonandsomerset.police.uk scott.windsor@avonandsomerset.police.uk claire.escott@avonandsomerset.police.uk If it is an emergency and you need an immediate response please telephone 999. If you wish to report a crime or for any non emergency calls please telephone 101.

RUISHTON GUIDING If you wish to put your daughter's name on any of the waiting lists please contact: Guides Cath Ellis (442398), Brownies Kay Allen (444426), Rainbows Cath Ellis (442398)

OPEN MONDAY TO FRIDAY

8.00AM TO 3.00PM For information contact 01823 444302

WOODLANDS PRE-SCHOOL

at Ruishton

Primary School

01823 442944 /Mob:07774 674959 jmpike8@btinternet.com

Somerset Water Pollution article A Somerset farmer has recently been ordered to pay nearly £4000 in fines and costs for polluting a stream with contaminated water. The incident near Stoke St Gregory was picked up during a routine Environment Agency visit. Water from a roofing drain had become contaminated by sileage discharge. It emptied into a watercourse within a Site of Special Scientific Interest, impact-ing several kilometres of watercourse. All farmers, landowners and businesses should have measures in place to prevent pollution. How-ever, ensuring that these measures work and continue to work is vital. Regular monitoring and testing can pick up any changes before the local environment is impacted. It can also avoid costly cleanup processes, and help avoid accusations of negligence. Incidents over the last few years in Somerset have included costs of £4000 for a Merriot poultry farm, £9000 for a Radstock dairy farm, £18,000 for a Yeovil box company and £30,000 for a Can-nington anaerobic digestion plant. Fines are unlimited and there is the risk of up to 5 years in pris-on. If your business creates contaminants, or you have a consent to discharge from the EA, get your equipment and processes checked and tested on a regular basis. Contact Somerset Scien-tific Services, part of SCC, for advice on 01823 355906 or SSSmailbox@somerset.gov.uk

A-2-B with Sandie

Minibus Hire. 16 and 29 seat-

ers available for par-

ties, pub and Club outings, Sport venues,

airport runs etc. Tel:01823

443487

Offering experience in all colouring, cutting and styling

techniques, keeping up with the latest trends and fashions. We welcome all ages from children to adults, gents and ladies.

Call today for an appointment:

01823 443528 Or come and see us at:

Hairlines, Cheats Road, Taunton, TA3 5JW

Save going into town, bring us your dry cleaning.

Good parking

Time to start thinking of cards and parcels which need to be posted in time

for Christmas.

Tel:442337 Open 9am-5.30pm (Lunch time closing

1-2pm )

Ruishton Weather Ruishton now has its own Weather Station site If you would like to share access to the live data that is available here, please send an email to ruishton@yahoo.com Instructions and information on how to access this will be sent by return email.

Rc RON CULL CARPET FITTER

23 Queens Down Creech St Michael,

TA3 5QY Tel: 443522

Mob: 07971881671

Maths Tuition

Need some help with your GCSE or AS/A Maths.

Reasonable rates

Ring Liz on 01823 443369 or email lizharper1945@hotmail.co.uk

dithorne7@gmail.com

QUALITY VINYL

BOUGHT AND

Telephone MAX

Taunton Mobile Foot Care

For the professional treatment of

•Corns•Callus•Cracked Heels•

Athletes Foot•Nail Trimming• Fungal & Thickened Nails

Contact Bethan (SAC Dip FHPT/FHPP)

On 01823 442705 or 07989 046024 tauntonfootcare@hotmail.com

Treatment in the comfort of your own home

Here because we love animals and care about their owners

Surgery Opening Hours – Monday to Friday 9.00am-6.00pm

Saturday 10-1pm Telephone – 01823 490433

St Giles Kennels, Newport Road Wrantage, Nr Taunton, TA3 6DJ

24 hour cover provided

FED UP WITH HIGH ACCOUNTANCY FEES?

NSC ACCOUNTANCY & TAXATION SERVICES

over 29 years experience I offer local, friendly, personal help with

Bookkeeping & Vat Returns Sole Trader & Partnership Accounts Limited Company Accounts Property Letting Accounts Tax Returns Corporation Tax Returns And more Give Nicky a call on 07557 092087 or e mail nicky.cornelius@outlook.com

Domestic, Office &

Spring Cleaning

– Ironing -

Also available for financial payroll and

other financial duties References available

For a free estimate contact Sharon on 07511 193022

Butterflies

JULIE’S COMPLETE HOMECARE. DO YOU NEED SUPPORT TO

REMAIN LIVING IN YOUR OWN HOME?

“ Services Provided” General Welfare and Support

Si ng and Companionship > Personal Care > Medica on Assistance and Monitoring Shower and Bath Assistance > Sleepover Support Demen a support > Pallia ve Care

Contact Julie Oaten on 07927694700

RUISHTON AND THORNFALCON PARISH COUNCIL DEFIBRILLATOR The defibrillator is in its cabinet and on the pole and now in operation at last plus there is also a double- sided sign to direct to where the defibrillator is positioned. The Parish Council would like to thank Phil James of P.J. Signs for donating the sign and to Tarmac for supplying the concrete for the pole base for the defibrillator. The total cost of the project was £3052, but the cost to the Council was £536 as the Council received £1250 in grants, a donation from the Village Day Committee of £500 and a donation of £766 from Ian Tucker, a parishioner who was very eager to have a defibrillator installed in the village as he had a heart attack 3.1/2 years ago and was saved by a defibrillator. This is his story. I had a bit of a chest pain which I thought was indigestion but my wife seeing that apparently, I was sweating and looking grey called an ambulance. By sheer luck an ambulance was approaching Junction 25 on its way from Musgrove back to its base in Bridgwater, and therefore was only literally 2 mins away. It was whilst the ambulance was taking me to Musgrove that my heart stopped and after failing with the initial CPR treatment a defibrillator was used to successfully get me started again. Obviously, it is hoped that the defibrillator does not have to be used but if needed, and it saved just one life, it is well worth the money and time that has been spent on the project. The Council will arrange the training in the near future but remember defibrillators are designed to be used by lay persons; the machines guide the operator through the process by verbal instructions and visual prompts. Now that the defibrillator is situated adjacent to the Dinham Bungalows ‘garden’ the Parish Council would like to give the garden a ‘make-over’ and are looking for volunteers to help. If you are interested in helping, please contact the Clerk NEW COUNCILLOR The Council co-opted and welcomed Domini John as a Councillor for Ruishton & Thornfalcon Parish Council. The Chairman thanked Domini for putting her name forward for this short spell and hoped that Domini will be encouraged to stand again in May. The Council’s four-year term ends in May 2019. There will be more information in a future newsletter. PRECEPT 19/20 The Council set a precept of £22,150 which is 2.1% rise from last year for a Band D property. The increase equates to just 78p a year. The Council has budgeted for £5,000 for the Neighbourhood Plan, £3,000 to the Play Ground equipment reserve (currently at £6,500) and there is a new reserve of £1,400 for parish projects. POLICE AND CRIME COMMISSIONER Sue Mountstevens, Police and Crime Commissioner will be attending the Parish Council’s 6th March meeting to give a presentation and answer any questions from Councillors and the public on policing matters especially in light of the reduction in Police numbers. So please make a note in your diary. Please note the Council meeting will start at 7.00pm instead of 7.30pm FIRE SAFETY As part of the fire service's ongoing prevention and protection strategy, residents are encouraged to ask for Home Fire Safety Checks by calling 0800 05 02 999. Equipment that can be provided for vulnerable people includes smoke and heat detectors, carbon monoxide detectors, hard of hearing alarms, and arson proof letter boxes. D COUNCIL 2019 6.3.19 3.4.19 Council Meetings commence at 7.30pm (unless otherwise stated) and are held in Ruishton Village Hall. There is an opportunity at 7.30pm for the public to make comments or ask questions. A full set of minutes can be seen our website at www.ruishton.org.uk Parish Clerk: Mrs Heather Bryant, Northay House, Northay, Chard. TA20 3DN. Tel: 01460 234770. Email: ruishtonpc@gmail.com Neighbourhood Plan - link to the website www.Ruishton.org.uk<http://www.Ruishton.org.uk> and to the Facebook page "Ruishton, Thornfalcon & Henlade".

News from your Village Agent By February many of us will have lost motivation for our good intentions of Dry January and New Year diet and fitness plans so here is a little bit of information to help you to keep up the good work.

A recent study conducted by University College of London show 48% of Britons will be obese by 2045 if current trends are not halted. 1 in 4 adults and 1 in 5 children aged 10-11 years are obese which leads to Type 2 diabetes, coronary heart disease, stroke, bowel, pancreatic, kidney, liver and stomach cancer.

The New Year Diet and fitness TV shows explained the way that we can reduce our current serious health problems such as type 2 diabetes through diet and exercise. Drastic changes to diet and lifestyle can often be unsustainable so remember to manage change gently and try something different if at first you don’t succeed. Evening gym and exercise classes may not fit your timetable but you may be able to join your local health walk or go for a lunch time stroll and take the stairs when shopping. Tidy up that garden or volunteer to help with open spaces in your area. One day a week without the evening glass of wine is a positive start!

A quick reminder to check the expiration date on blue badges and bus passes as they run out and then can’t be used. Bus passes are not being replaced unless you request it (to reduce wastage costs). Call 0300 123 2224 to get yours replaced.

We all know that the NHS is under great strain in the winter and it can be hard to get a Doctor’s appointment. Consider whether you could get advice from your local Pharmacy where you will not need an appointment but there are private rooms to support advice and diagnosis.

Pharmacy teams can give advice about a range of common conditions and minor injuries such as aches and pains, sore throats, coughs, colds, flu, earache and skin rashes. They also provide the morning after pill and advice on pregnancy testing. They will advise on over the counter medicines as well. www.nhs.uk/live-well/healthy-body/how-your-pharmacist-can-help .

Surviving Winter grants are available for older people living in Somerset, who are unable to adequately heat their homes. If you are struggling to afford to heat your home this winter contact your Village Agent for more information.

Village Agents work to provide those in Somerset’s rural communities with easier access to information and services. They help to bridge the gap between isolated, excluded, vulnerable and lonely individuals and statutory and/or voluntary organisations which offer specific solutions to identified needs. We can offer advice on support, local groups and activities available in your community.

Linda Burton | Village Agent | Mobile: 07931018019 | Email: linda@somersetrcc.org.uk