Dear Subscriber First Name,      

This newsletter is packed with all the events happening in the village over the Christmas period. Put them in your diary not to miss out on the carols, the markets, the church, the treasure hunt, the pub and the shop. There is a year in review, updates on the bridges, Warm Space and so much more.

🎅 🍒 🌺 🍒 🎅 🍒 🌺 🍒 🎅

In this issue:

• Nunney Parish Council Round Up 2025

• New Vicar & All Saints Church Services

• The Sensory Garden Experience & Treasure Hunt News

• Spar Christmas Orders

• Nunney First School (Autumn update & School Christmas Fayre)

• Warm Space

• Christmas Carols by the Castle

• Christmas at The George

• Nunney Makes Christmas

• Nunney Castle Bridge Update

• Christmas Markets to visit

• Refer your Friends, Win a Spar Voucher

• Willow Archway workshop

• YourVoice (survey)

We really appreciate feedback. If you haven’t already taken the YourVoice survey below, then please do to Voice your prioritisation of some of the Parish Council’s ‘fix it list’.

The next Nunney Parish Council meeting is Monday, 1st December in the Village Hall at 7.00pm. We hope to see you there to discuss the business of the village.

The warmest of wishes to you and your families for a very Happy Christmas and New Year.  

The NunneyVoice Team
Nunney Parish Council

If you want to contribute to the next NunneyVoice newsletter, please reach out to nunneyvoice@nunneyparishcouncil.com

NUNNEY PARISH COUNCIL YEAR IN REVIEW 2025

The parish has seen another busy year with lots of achievements.

This event was celebrated by many at the official ribbon cutting attended by the sponsors and public and achieved great local press as well. 

Nunney gladly welcomed spring with hundreds of bulbs planted at each of its 'Welcome Signs' courtesy of the Nunney & District Flower Show. We recently planted a plethora of mixed bulbs, nearly 3000, for next spring's Welcome to Nunney experience thanks to Holcim. And, the Allotment Volunteers and Nunney First School created a beautiful Allotment Orchard. 

Easter saw the planting of the new Market Place troughs, and more recently, five sister troughs were planted with a Sensory Garden within the Old Quarry Gardens thanks to a grant from Somerset Association of Local Councils (SALC) that includes an incredibly popular Fairy Trail & Treasure Hunt. 

May saw the Annual Meeting of the Parish Council where residents asked if they could weigh in on priority fixes around the village. We have taken two polls so far via YourVoice in the online version of NunneyVoice where about 2% of villagers have responded. Some of the upcoming fixes will be to the bins near the Children's Play Area as well as replacing the grit bin in Holwell, and the Market Place will get a new Notice Board.

The Council also provides the management of all the trees, hedges and grass maintenance throughout the village. Whenever possible, left over cuttings, logs and wood chips are made available to all our residents.  

Summer was bustling with health and wellness as SALC also provided our trial outdoor fitness sessions that were in high demand from 2024's Community Survey. The Bootcamps were a glowing success and also received prominent local press. A few fitness session Flash Camps have also been run this autumn and will resume again next spring and summer.   

Autumn has welcomed Warm Space back for the colder months and runs through next March. 

There's also a lot to look forward to for 2026. We seek a leader for the Community Speed Watch programme, please volunteer if you are interested. We are also working on a Community Emergency Plan for things like electricity outages, flooding and resilience. Several new grants are being explored for Community Health & Wellness that could include tai chi classes in the OQGs as well as grants for improving local foot paths in and around the village. The Council has an ongoing collaboration with Somerset Highways to repair the Combe footbridge with a small working group making good progress on getting it fixed. The BMX pump track will undergo a revamp and we are looking into improving security at the Old Quarry Gardens. Lastly, several residents have voiced concerns over the amount of rubbish in the village, as well as bins being left out long after pick up has passed. A gentle reminder to keep your bins off the street and out of sight where possible. 

There is a lot of community news we continue to share through our social channels, the website and of course, NunneyVoice. Please ensure to sign up online as we run more frequent newsletters there nunneyparishcouncil.com/nunneyvoice. Please continue to send in your thoughts, ideas and feedback. 

WARM SPACE

The fourth season of Warm Space started on the 2nd of October. It was a full house with lots of lively conversation. Familiar faces, and some new ones who came along to try us out, were pleased to catch up, or meet anew. There was plenty of delicious hot soup, breads and desserts prepared and served by our faithful team of volunteers to whom we are grateful. We were also delighted to welcome a new member to the team!

Next dates:
4th December, 8th January, 5th February, 5th March

Village Hall 12noon til 2pm.
It’s free & everyone is welcome!

NUNNEY CHURCH UPDATES

Please say hello to our new Reverend, Keith Johnson, who now presides over the Postlebury parish.

We moved into the Rectory in Nunney on the 1st October, and have been welcomed so warmly that Somerset already feels like home. My wife, Rachel, and I are enjoying our first few weeks immensely, especially being part of such a close-knit community in Nunney, and the surrounding villages.

I cannot wait for the joy and the celebration that comes with Christmas, and to welcome many of you to All Saints Church to mark this wonderful season at our Carol service.

I am also eagerly awaiting many of the annual village events - such as the duck race about which I have heard so much!

I consider it such a privilege to have been appointed as your new Vicar, and I welcome the opportunity to get to know you all over the next few weeks and months.

God bless you,
Keith

Dates for your diary

Holy Communion
Revd. Keith Johnson
Sunday 23rd November 9.30am

Nativity Trail
Explore the Christmas story scene by scene in Nunney Church. Suitable for all ages.
Open daily 15th December – 3rd January, 9am – 4pm, free.

Carol Singing
Join us to sing carols with residents of Nunney’s care homes, ending in the Pub. Date and time TBC – check Nunney Church Facebook page or email nunneychurchwardens@gmail.com for details.

Candlelit Carol Service in Nunney Church
Traditional and modern carols led by the Pop-Up Choir, readings, prayer and drama, followed by mince pies and mulled wine. 5pm, Sunday 21st December. If you would like to join our Pop-up choir, email nunneychurchwardens@gmail.com before 30th November.

Crib Service in Nunney Church
Children, come (with parents or carers) dressed as a character from the Christmas story, or choose a costume from our big dressing-up box! A 30-minute service of story, song and prayer followed by refreshments. For all the family, especially the very young. 4pm, Tuesday 23rd December.

Christmas Day
Parish Communion for all the family. 10.00am, Thursday 25th December.

SENSORY GARDENS EXPERIENCE & TREASURE HUNT

Our modern Sensory Experience has finally launched within the grounds of the Old Quarry Gardens. It includes five sensory troughs, all of which are QR coded to an informative web page for educators and children. The Experience is expertly curated by horticulturist Ann Evans of Barters Nurseries. There is also an associated treasure adventure hunt with five sensory experiences to find within the gardens like the patch of mint at the top near the BMX track and our beautiful Metasequoia glyptostroboides Redwood tree. Experiences can be added at anytime, please let us know if you have any ideas. 

SPAR CHRISTMAS ORDERS

🦃 Christmas Orders Now Open at the SPAR! 🎄

Get ready for a stress-free Christmas at your Village Shop! We’re now taking orders for all your festive meats — succulent turkeys in a range of sizes, delicious hams, sausages, stuffing and more.

You’ll find everything you need to complete your Christmas feast with fresh vegetables and all the trimmings to make your meal truly special.

Simply pick up an order form, and we’ll make sure everything is delivered in time for Christmas Day — saving you the hassle of finding extra space in your fridge or pantry!

Make this Christmas easy, tasty, and local — with the SPAR Village Shop. 🎅✨

NUNNEY FIRST SCHOOL

Autumn Term Update from Nunney First School 

The autumn term has begun with energy and excitement at Nunney Primary School! We’ve welcomed 19 new families into our community, and it’s been wonderful to see everyone settle in so quickly. 

Thanks to the dedication of our staff, the term is already full of achievements. Highlights include a joyful Harvest Festival, Musical Theatre, Open Days, Stay and Play sessions, and even a rock concert that had everyone tapping their feet! We’ve also elected our new School Council, giving pupils a strong voice in shaping their school experience. 

A recent visit from an English Hub supervisor was a proud moment—they were impressed by the children’s phonics progress and enthusiasm. Mrs Baker’s phonics workshop for parents was also a great success, helping build strong foundations for our youngest learners. 

Attendance remains above the national average, ensuring children have the best opportunities to learn and grow. 

We’re excited to announce the completion of our pond area, which will be formally opened in the spring. This new space will offer fantastic opportunities for outdoor learning and exploration. 

Looking ahead, we’re seeking a School Sponsor to support new initiatives that will further enrich our children’s education. If you know of a company or organisation that might be interested, please contact the School Office. 

Thank you to everyone who continues to support Nunney Primary School. We look forward to sharing more successes as the year unfolds. 

Warm wishes, 

Caroline Ford, Headteacher 

The Friends of Nunney School are busy spreading cheer and planning ways to support our wonderful pupils and school community over the holiday season. The children are at the heart of everything we do. Every event, raffle and fundraiser helps to make their school experience special by funding those extras that make a big difference.

Our next big event is the Christmas Fayre on Friday 5th December at 2:45pm - we can’t wait to see you there! Expect festive fun, tasty treats, games and plenty of Christmas sparkle.

One of the highlights will be our Christmas Raffle, packed with brilliant prizes. We are still looking for donations, so if you, your business, or someone you know could contribute a prize, we’d be grateful. Raffle tickets are already on sale and can be bought from the school office. 

Beyond the Fayre, we’re always bubbling with ideas - from bake sales to bingo to quiz nights, and we’d love your help! Whether you can spare a little time, donate a prize, or simply come along to support, every contribution makes a huge difference.

If you’d like to get involved, please chat to any member of the Friends of Nunney School team. Contact us via the school office, or email friendsofnunneyschool@gmail.com

✨Together, we can make great things happen…and a little magic, too! ✨

CHRISTMAS CAROLS BY THE CASTLE

Get ready to fill the air with music and Christmas cheer as Nunney comes together for our much-loved Carols by the Castle!

Join us on Castle Street for an evening of traditional Christmas songs with the wonderful Midsomer Norton & Radstock Silver Band. Warm up with a cup of hot chocolate or a glass of mulled wine and sing along to your favourite carols with the castle as the backdrop (due to the castle bridge closure, we are not currently able to host events in the castle). Free entry – everyone welcome! Come be part of this magical community tradition.

More information can be found on the NCA website or our Facebook page.

The NCA

There’ll be no end of festive cheer at the pub this Christmas and New Year! Alongside our ever-popular Monday night quizzes, we’ll have plenty of great food and a welcoming atmosphere to keep the celebrations going all season long.

We’re open every day throughout the holiday period, opening times are:

Christmas Eve
Bar 11am to 10pm; Restaurant 12noon to 5pm

Christmas Day
Bar 12noon to 4pm. Closed evening; Restaurant
Pre booked only

Boxing Day
Bar 12noon to 4pm.
Closed evening; Restaurant. 12noon to 2.30pm

New Year’s Eve
Bar 12noon to 6pm closed evening; Restaurant 12noon to 3.30pm

New Year’s Day
Bar 12noon to 4pm. Closed evening; Restaurant 12noon to 2.30pm

So whether you’re meeting friends, enjoying a family meal, or just soaking up the festive spirit, The George is the place to be!

The Christmas party menu is on our website. Call 01373 836458 to book.

NUNNEY CASTLE UPDATE

A brief update from the Walkers about replacing the moat bridge to Nunney Castle. 

We are heartened to know there is so much interest and concern about the Castle bridge. As we continue to work with English Heritage (EH) it is noticeable they have to run their organisation differently following the recent restructuring with fewer staff having to cover more heritage sites. They have recently sent us new costings and possible bridge designs which has helped clarify our position that being a non-earning attraction in the EH portfolio means it is much harder to get on their priority fix list. Our regular communications with them remain positive and in an effort to speed things up, we will endeavor to set up a fundraising scheme to include a series of events which will give everyone in the village the opportunity to be involved and feel a part of this important project for Nunney.  

If you have any ideas, or particular experience in fundraising, we would be glad to hear from you. Meantime, we continue to devise a plan which we hope to communicate in the coming months.

Robbie & Penny Walker 

CHRISTMAS MARKETS

Bath Christmas Market
Bath City Centre, Bath, BA1 1LZ  
Thursday 27th November to Sunday 14th December

Bruton Festive Spirit
High Street, Bruton, Somerset, BA10 0AH
Thursday 4th December
5pm to 8.30pm

Chew Valley Animal Park Christmas Market
Chew Valley Animal Park, Chew Hill, Chew Magna, Somerset, BS40 8SB
Saturday 29th & Sunday 30th November

Christmas Artisan Market at The Bishop's Palace, Wells
The Bishop’s Palace and Gardens, Wells, Somerset, BA5 2PD
Saturday 8th and Sunday 9th November

Christmas Craft Fair at Sheppy's Cider Farm, Somerset
Three Bridges, Bradford-on-tone, Taunton, Somerset, TA4 1ER
Saturday 22nd – Sunday 23rd November

Christmas Gift Market, Frome Somerset
Cheese and Grain, Market Yard, Frome, BA11 1BE
Sunday 14th December

Clarks Village Artisan Christmas Market, Somerset
Clarks Village, Outlet Shopping Village, Farm Road, Street, Somerset,  BA16 0BB
From Friday 28th November

Ferne Animal Sanctuary Christmas Festival, Chard Somerset
Ferne Animal Sanctuary, Wambrook, Chard, TA20 3DH
Sunday 30th November

Frome Christmas Makers Market
Cheese and Grain, Market Yard, Frome, BA11 1BE
Saturday 29th November 0900 – 1400

Frost Fayre, Glastonbury Somerset
Glastonbury High Street
Saturday 29th November

Glastonbury Abbey Christmas Market
Glastonbury Abbey, Magdalene Street, Glastonbury, Somerset, BA6 9EL
Saturday 29th – Sunday 30th November

Lytes Cary Christmas Market, South Somerset
Somerton, Somerset, TA11 7HU
Saturday 22nd and Sunday 23rd November

Taunton's Winter Fest Christmas Market
Taunton Town Centre
Sunday 23rd November

The Rural Living Show, Taunton
Kings College Prep School, Kingston Road, Taunton TA2 8AA
Saturday 22nd November 10am – 5pm

Wells Christmas Market 2025
The Bishop’s Palace Green and Market Place, Wells, Somerset, BA5 2PD
Saturday 6th December

Wincanton Christmas Fair
Wincanton Racecourse
Tuesday 25th November

Wincanton Christmas Market & Light Switch-On
Wincanton High Street and Market Place
Friday 28th November 

WIN A SPAR VOUCHER £30 FOR SIGN-UPS TO NUNNEYVOICE

The NunneyVoice is receiving some great feedback and lots of contribution. But, under privacy legislation, we cannot sign up subscribers to the online newsletter without their consent, or opt-in, that is initiated by the subscriber themselves.

We are looking for help to increase our subscriber base of Nunney Villagers!

We are offering a £30 voucher to spend in the Spar to any current subscriber of the NunneyVoice newsletter who can generate the most sign-ups from their local friends. In order to be valid, all new sign-ups need to reside in Nunney.

Competition Terms & Conditions:

• New subscribers must include your first and last name as the Referrer

• Existing NunneyVoice subscribers from your referral email or post will not count to your final total

• The Referrer with the highest number of email address opt-ins subscribed to the NunneyVoice newsletter will win a Spar voucher for £30

• The Competition will close on 20/12/25

• The winner will be informed by email on 22/12/25

• The voucher can be redeemed from the Spar from 23/12/25

Share the link below (copy and paste into your email or social network posting)

https://nunneyparishcouncil.com/nunneyvoice-referral

Thank you and good luck!

At the annual Parish Council meeting, you asked if we could occasionally send around a list of items that need consideration or repair for the community to be consulted and to help us prioritise our focus.

Please spend a few minutes completing this updated survey to help us deliver what you want from the Nunney Parish Council.

We hope you enjoy the fifth issue of the NunneyVoice. Please encourage friends and neighbours in the Village to sign up to receive the NunneyVoice online.

Feedback or suggestions? Visit NunneyVoice.

Want to contribute? Email nunneyvoice@nunneyparishcouncil.com.