St.Mary's Church in the Somerset village of West Harptree and its memorial to two RAF servicemen.

I recently had cause to travel along the A368, cutting across the Chew Valley from the A37 at Chelwood Bridge, to the A38 at Churchill.  It’s a very pleasant undulating drive through the picturesque villages of Compton Martin, West Harptree, Blagdon and Rickford with the Mendip Hills to the south and Chew Valley Lake and its smaller neighbour Blagdon Lake to the north.

At West Harptree I decided to stop and have a stroll around with my camera.  Situated in the centre of the village and flanked by yew trees, St. Mary’s Church is very photogenic; it is one of the minority of Somerset churches which have a spire.  Pevsner describes the church as standing: “. . . at a corner full of interest in all directions.”  Just west from St. Mary’s is a charming Jacobean manor house while across the road is Gournay Court, a large early seventeenth century house built of red sandstone.  The mid seventeenth century Tilly Manor Farm sits adjacent to Gournay Court.  To the north-east of the church is the Vicarage with a  façade dating from around 1700.  The village pub, The Crown, sits opposite the church to the east.

A view of West Harptree in Somerset looking east from St. Mary's Church. 

Looking inside the south porch of St. Mary’s I came upon a memorial plaque to two RAF men killed in the Second World War.  One of them, Sgt H.D. King is lying at rest in a Commonwealth War Grave near the western wall of the churchyard.  I took some photos and decided to do some research when back at home.

St. Mary's Church, with its memorial clock, in the village of West Harptree, Somerset.

I discovered that both these young RAF men were members of specialist units.  Sgt Herbert Donald King was an Air Bomber (Bomb Aimer) serving with 138 Special Duties Squadron equipped with the Halifax flying from RAF Tempsford, Bedfordshire, and was one of two Special Duties Squadrons.  The other was 161 Squadron.   The two squadrons flew in support of the Special Operations Executive (SOE) whose job it was to promote sabotage and subversive activities against the Germans.  Both squadrons flew all over Europe, from Norway in the north to Yugoslavia in the south and as far east as Poland.  Their missions were to parachute agents, arms and equipment into enemy occupied territory. 

On the night of 16/17 December 1943 Sgt King and seven others flew a mission to Carcassonne in the South of France to drop 12 containers and 5 packages to the resistance.  After a twelve hour flight they encountered severe weather conditions on their return to England and decided to land at Woodbridge in Suffolk.  Sadly their aircraft, Halifax Mk.5, LL115 NF-A, crashed into trees at Capel Green; three men survived, but Sgt King and four others of the crew were killed.  Aged 26 he was the son of Herbert Tyler King and Hilda Annie King of East Harptree.

LAC Alfred George Salvidge was serving with the RAF’s 5 Beach Unit in Italy.  Unfortunately he was killed in a road accident near Naples on 17 March 1944 and is buried in Naples War Cemetery.  Aged 24, he was the son of Alfred and Edith Salvidge of West Harptree.

I had never heard of RAF Beach Units but to quote Mike Fenton’s very informative website RAF Beach Units of the Second World War their role was: “To assist with the landing, assembly and onward despatch of RAF personnel, stores and equipment across the invasion beaches.” 

Both men are remembered.  The memorial plaque in St. Mary’s porch states:
“This memorial clock was erected in the tower of West Harptree Church by the parishioners to the glory of god and in perpetual memory of

Flt Sgt H.D. King RAFVR

LAC G.A. Salvidge RAF

who gave their lives for us in the cause of freedom during the Second World War 1939-1945 also in grateful recognition of those men and women who served from this parish in the armed and auxiliary services of the Crown.

Friend behold me here I stand, to tell the time at thy command, friend be wise and learn from me, to serve thy god as I serve thee.”*

*The CWG headstone in the churchyard is engraved with the rank of Sergeant.  In RAF records and on the CWG headstone in Naples LAC Salvidge’s initials are A.G. 

Otterhead Lakes on the Blackdown Hills in Somerset.

The Otterhead Lakes Estate is 233 acres in extent comprising a nature reserve and mixed woodland managed by the Otterhead Estate Trust and the Forestry Commission respectively.  Nestling in a valley in the centre of the Blackdown Hills in Somerset, its lakes are fed by the River Otter.

It is exactly 3.3 miles from the junction of the B3170 and A303 to the Otterhead Lakes car park.  Take the B3170 through the beautiful Blackdown Hills and cross the Devonshire border into Somerset.  Pass Robin Hood's Butts, a series of Bronze Age Barrows, on your left and then keep a lookout, still on your left, for the signpost to Otterford Church.  Take this narrow lane which eventually swings right and you will find the car park on your left tucked away behind the trees.  If you reach St. Leonard's Church at Otterford you will have gone too far!

On my visit there were only 3 other cars parked with room for a dozen or so more, but although it was a dry day it looked a little muddy in places - care might be needed in wet weather.

I walked down the gently sloping track, through the trees, past the remains of a walled garden and crossed a footbridge leading to the western bank.  I made my way to the right up rising ground where I found an information board - I had come across several handily placed ones already - which told me that just ahead was the site of Otterhead House.  I could find no remains except a few paving stones and a short flight of steps.  The House, built on the side of the valley, must have had a wonderfully peaceful outlook over House Lake.  I enjoyed the view for a while and then retraced my steps; the footpath down to the Cascades and Royston Lake will be explored on my next visit.

A pair of Swans winging their way across House Lake at Otterhead Lakes in Somerset's Blackdown Hills.

The Estate and Otterhead House originated in 1817 under the ownership of William Oliver of Kingston St. Mary.  It was expanded by William Beadon of Taunton who married into the family.  Beadon built lakes and water gardens inspired by Hestercombe House.

The Estate was sold in 1864, after Beadon's death, to Sir John Mellor.  The Mellor family enlarged the two lakes and added another five.  They also extended the house and created a series of terraced walks.

The Lewis Lloyd family were the next owners, having been forced to move from Nantgwyllt House because of the building of the Elan Valley dams and reservoirs in mid-Wales, a project which took from 1893 to 1906.  Under their ownership the Otterhead Estate reached its greatest extent in 1894 following the purchase of two more farms.

Following the death in 1917 of Robert Evans Lewis Lloyd, the grandson of Robert Lewis Lloyd, the Estate was managed by the Public Trustee.  Eventually, 1n 1939, the Estate was purchased by Taunton Corporation as a water catchment and is now owned by Wessex Water plc.

Sadly, since it was in such an idyllic location, Otterhead House was eventually demolished in 1951-1952 and of the lakes only House Lake and Royston Lake remain.

The view across House Lake to the valley slopes where Otterhead House once stood. 

For information and photographs of Otterhead House here is a link to The Otterhead Lakes Estate website.
http://e-voice.org.uk/otterheadestate/
  

Autumn colours at Long Ponds near Ilminster in South Somerset.

Last month, as the trees began to change colour, I went for a stroll to Long Ponds which is a small lake beside the footpath between the villages of Whitelackington and Kingstone, near Ilminster, in South Somerset.  The lake is in a valley and surrounded by woodland so it makes a very picturesque scene when the sun is at the right angle to highlight the autumnal colours of the trees.

It is best to find somewhere to park in Ilminster and walk east out of the town beside the old London Road until you find the sign saying Whitelackington.  The footpath to Kingstone is through a gate on your right. 

Just inside the gate is a World War Two pill-box which was part of Ilminster's defences.  Ilminster was an anti-tank fortress on the Taunton Stop-Line and many of the town's defences can still be seen - by those who know where to look.

Walk down the track for about a quarter of a mile and you will come to Long Ponds.  Be aware of the signs saying "Strictly Private Fishing" and keep dogs on leads as there is a lot of wildlife around!

Long Ponds between the villages of Whitelackington and Kingstone, near Ilminster, in South Somerset.

Chard Reservoir, North East of Chard in South Somerset.

Chard Reservoir is a lake and nature reserve tucked away on the outskirts of the town from which it takes its name.   Built in 1842 to provide water for the now disused Chard Canal, it has been owned and managed by South Somerset District Council since 1990.  The reservoir, which has 48 acres of open water, takes its inflow from the River Isle.

The main car park (free) is signposted off the A30 Chard to Crewkerne road.  Covering an area of 88 acres the site contains woodlands, wildflower meadows, open water and reed beds.  Being on mostly level ground it is easy going throughout although the footpaths do have some muddy patches and gentle slopes.

I found it a pleasant place for a stroll with opportunities for bird watching and photography.  It seems popular with anglers and walkers but people walking dogs have restricted access.



Anglers on the banks of Chard Reservoir in South Somerset on a bright January afternoon.

Clatworthy Reservoir in the Brendon Hills, West Somerset.

One weekday last August I decided to pay a first visit to Clatworthy Reservoir, the smaller of the two reservoirs in the Brendon Hills.

Clatworthy is reasonably well signposted from Wiveliscombe so I followed the country lanes via Langley Marsh, Maundown and the prettily named Huish Champflower: Huish is a Saxon word meaning lands or household while Champflower is the name of the family which owned the lands in the 12th century.  It was a slow but enjoyable drive, twisting up and down hills through, in places, very narrow lanes.  When I arrived just after midday at the spacious free car park, which is on a hill overlooking the dam, it was very peaceful with only a handful of cars dotted around.

The reservoir, run by Wessex Water, takes its inflow from the River Tone and is 130 acres in area with a capacity of 5,364 million litres.  It was inaugurated by H.R.H. Princess Alexandra of Kent on the 6th July 1961.  The settlement of Syndercombe, mentioned in the Domesday Book, was flooded on the creation of the reservoir.

Clatworthy Reservoir viewed from the car park. 

For walkers - no dogs allowed - there is a footpath around the 5 mile perimeter of the reservoir.  I decided to walk down the hill and cross the dam to the wooded hill on the far side.  Unfortunately, as an asthmatic, this was a bad choice as by the time I had negotiated the zigzag path up the hill I was too worn out to go further.  Next time I visit I will try the clockwise route as it appears to follow more level ground although I don't envisage walking the whole circuit: the hills seem to be a bit too demanding.

The fish farm with its trout ponds below the dam.

Swans, Black-headed gulls and Cormorants at Chew Valley Lake, North Somerset.

Young Swan just after take-off.

Cormorant lecturing Black-headed gulls on fishing techniques.

The  largest artificial lake in Southwest England, Chew Valley Lake is just north of the Mendip Hills and was created by the Bristol Waterworks Company to supply water for South Bristol.  Planned before the Second World war, construction was authorised in 1949, the lake was inaugurated by Queen Elizabeth ll in 1956.

I can recommend the excellent restaurant, Woodford Lodge, on the western shore of the lake which is accessed from the B3114.  There is also a café and car park on the northern tip of the lake.

If you are just driving by there is a spacious lay-by on the B3114, south of Chew Stoke, from which you can view the scenery and do some bird-watching. This is where the above photos were taken.  There is another lay-by on the A368, north-east of West Harptree, which also overlooks the lake. 

As well as enjoying the wonderful views of the North Somerset countryside and the foothills of the Mendips keep an eye open for some of the 260 species of birds recorded at Chew.

Blagdon Lake in North Somerset.

Blagdon Lake lies in a valley bordering the northern edge of the Mendip Hills.  It was created by the Bristol Waterworks Company between 1898 and 1905 when the River Yeo, which rises in the village of Compton Martin one and a half miles to the southeast, was dammed.  Originally named the Yeo Reservoir, the lake is overlooked by the village of Blagdon from which it now takes its name.

To enjoy a peaceful walk on the public footpath along the lakeshore it is best to park on the road over the dam.  There is a car park near the fire station in the village of Blagdon but, as the village is on foothills of the Mendips, it is a very testing walk back up the steep road from the lake.  The footpath on the lakeshore is level going and there are benches on which to take a rest or just sit and enjoy the view.

Blagdon Lake in the autumn, viewed from the south.

St Andrew's Church overlooks the lake.  The tower is one of the tallest in Somerset and dates from the 15th century.  The remainder of the church was rebuilt between 1907 and 1909 by Lord Winterstoke, of the Wills tobacco family, who lived nearby at Coombe Lodge on the western outskirts of Blagdon.


St. Andrew's Church, Blagdon overlooking the lake.                  
 

For a view which takes in Blagdon Lake, Village and Church turn off the A368 up the hill next to the Seymour Arms.  Proceed up the hill, the road is steep, narrow and twisting so take care, and keep a lookout for the small car park and picnic area on the left.  Once you have spent time enjoying the scenery drive on up the hill and join the B3134 for a spin on the Mendip Hills.