Tiggi takes a retrospective look at our community shop one year on. With personal loss, exhilaration & challenges at its core.

2020 saw lots of early excitement, but then lockdown hit us for the first time.

This is the story of a community who came together in a crisis and have learnt to go forward with a new understanding.

The post 032 Draycott Community Shop One Year On appeared first on Draycott Diaries Village Podcast.

Thea Oliver chats to Tiggi over coffee about her recent and massive achievement.

A resident of Draycott for many years, Thea has brought up a large family. To this day she continues to work hard for her family and as a nurse practitioner.

With a strong religious faith and values from birth, Thea has always supported her community and the clergy.  This has included acting as a lay worship assistant at churches in Cheddar, Rodney Stoke and St Peters in Draycott. More recently and after months of arduous theologian study, she has been ordained. Wearing her new clerical collar, a symbol of her devotion to God, “Putting her head above the parapet” literally!

An enlightening life story of love and courage.

The post 031 Draycott’s Deacon appeared first on Draycott Diaries Village Podcast.

Will Ewens is the new Head Teacher of both Draycott & Rodney Stoke First School and Shipham First School. Two rural places of learning for young children. Both schools with a history of excellence and their locations surrounded by Somerset’s beautiful Mendip hills. Will, a Somerset resident from birth, has already faced many challenges since he began his post only ten months ago. Soon after he started, Covid-19 struck with all the complexities of Government guidelines surrounding education.

This podcast, recorded a month before the children returned to school after a break of six months. Will tells Tiggi about his hopes and aspirations for all the children and staff under his care. Highlighting what a privilege this role will bring. Supporting families and enabling children to go forward in their life journey’s with excellent values. Will is passionate about children, community and the gift of education. Keeping an open door policy for everybody he works with, including parents, helping to form the new global citizens of our future.

The post 030 Draycott Head Teacher appeared first on Draycott Diaries Village Podcast.

Helen Dance is one of the pillars of the communities of Draycott and Rodney Stoke. An experienced volunteer with CAM (Citizens Advice Mendip), Clerk of the Card Trust, Editor of the Parish newsletter and owner of 2 raucous parrots.

She reveals a fascinating and surprising tale of John and Joseph Card.  In the early 1700’s they left an amazingly generous legacy to the village in the form of land. Then along came Reverend Cobley, who also left a substantial legacy to support children being sent to work in the local lead mines. Now combined as an established charity, this fund, to this day, supports members of the community in financial need, such as education and pensions. However, with the onset of Covid-19, the need for support has increased and the philanthropic gesture from two brothers and a vicar, who died over a hundred years ago, carry on to this day.

Also in this podcast, Helen clarifies the present role of CA Mendip, which now operates an on-line and telephone service during the pandemic. She also describes, as editor, how a simple Parish newsletter can impact so positively for the 625 households on the community. A busy woman!

The post 029 The Draycott Charity appeared first on Draycott Diaries Village Podcast.

Tiggi and Ella chat about their guide dogs Jackie and Rio. How their lives have become enriched with assistance from their canine pals. However, the road to enlightenment never runs completely smoothly!

A gentle and amusing conversation between two friends sharing in the joys and tribulations of life with sight loss and unpredictable dogs.

The post 028 Canine Companions appeared first on Draycott Diaries Village Podcast.

Lori Tomms, Landlady of The Strawberry Special, describes their recent renovations, all geared to safeguarding customers and staff alike.

Everything is directed toward the doors re-opening as soon as the Government says GO!

The post 027 Draycott Pub Confronts Covid-19 appeared first on Draycott Diaries Village Podcast.

This is a very moving life story.

Ella Caulfield is an extraordinary young lady.

Living with partial sight loss as a child growing up was a massive challenge. In 2015 fate administered another bitter blow.

Ella has encountered many extreme challenges throughout her young life. However, a new friend Rio, her guide dog, has joined her family and support group.

Ella gave me the privilege of listening to her life story.

At only 20 years old and against all the odds her future looks bright!

The post 026 Sight Loss – Courage and Endeavour appeared first on Draycott Diaries Village Podcast.

Tiggi catches Chris Seager on the move for a catch up.

Seagers are facing the limitations of Brexit, a wet February, followed by arguably the hottest months of April and May on record.

To top everything, along came Covid-19 with the massive restrictions enforced by government. How are they coping right now?

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After what was arguably the hottest May on record, Tiggi talks to local natural historian, Peter Bright. She learns about the impact of Covid-19 on flora and fauna, and the effect it has had on our wildlife.

The post 024 Covid-19 and Conservation appeared first on Draycott Diaries Village Podcast.

Mary Woodhouse a Draycott resident for over 70 years, tells Tiggi how isolation really feels.

The post 023 Mary Woodhouse – 75 Years a Draycott Resident appeared first on Draycott Diaries Village Podcast.