After the Summer break, the September monthly meeting will take place in the Wedmore Masonic Hall at 7.30pm. The speaker will be Trevor Prideaux and his talk will be titled ‘Turnip Prize – we know its crap, but is it art? Members free, Visitors £3, with free tea/coffee afterwards. Contact: Ian Tomes on 01934 710390.
Report of Isle of Wedmore Society Meeting – 26 September 2019
This was the first meeting of the Isle of Wedmore Society after its summer break.
The well-attended meeting started with a short presentation by Cathy Butterworth on the Wedmore Health and Wellbeing Project and she updated the members on the progress of the project.
Cathy also introduced the directory of services and organisations that she has produced and this has been circulated to residents of Wedmore.
Cathy reminded members that there will be a Health and Wellbeing day on Saturday 12 October at three different venues in Wedmore, namely the Village Hall, the Masonic Hall and St Mary’s church.
Cathy was followed by Martin Fulford who gave a short presentation on the proposal to establish a ‘Men’s Shed’ in the Axe Valley to serve the populations of Wedmore, Axbridge and Cheddar.
The main aim of the project is to provide a meeting venue and workshop facilities for the population of the area to reduce the risk of isolation
18 November 2019 and loneliness and improve the health and wellbeing of people who wish to attend.
The Men’s Shed will be represented at the Health and Wellbeing day in the Village Hall on 12 October.
The members and guests of the society were then treated to a very entertaining illustrated talk entitled ‘We know it’s crap …. but is it art?’ by Trevor Prideaux on the subject of the Turnip Prize.
Trevor told us of the history of the competition, as a tongue in cheek answer to the annual Turner Prize hosted by the Tate Gallery. Like all good ideas, the competition was first mooted in 1999 over a pint of beer, in a local pub where the competition was first held.
In its third year, the competition moved to the public toilets in Wedmore. In 2003 the competition moved to the New Inn where it has stayed ever since. Over the years the award has attracted attention from the news media across the world from as far away as Russia and the USA.
Television cameras may be seen in Wedmore in November when the winner is announced.
The entries are judged on the best puns and a considerable lack of effort! It could only happen in Wedmore and long may it continue!