A Batcombe Breakfast

The tiny single-track roads, that flow into the village of Batcombe can often take a traveller in many directions. It seems I’ve never reached this village the same way twice, as you glide in the steep valley of the River Alham (5 miles south-east of Shepton Mallet) through tiny hamlets, on undulating roads. Batcombe village, is at the heart of the parish, which also includes the hamlets of Westcombe, Spargrove and Eastcombe (historically Ashcombe). Batcombe is also in the east of my County Councillor Mendip South ward.

I was heading to Batcombe for breakfast. Since the Second World War, the village, with its surrounding areas provides a Christmas party for local children. Keeping with this tradition today’s Batcombe breakfast was a fundraiser to pay for this Christmas party.

The Old School House was bustling as the community, including many young families, gathered to taste local produce and look for bargains at the car boot sale, which was held outside.

One of the many interesting conversations I had was speaking with Abby and Steve, who are helping to set up a Batcombe Environmental Group, with the augural meeting being held on Wednesday, 7pm, 21st September at the Village Hall. Steve told me that he wanted to see what local people can do collectively to live more environmentally friendly.

I also enjoyed meeting a beekeeper who’s company (Black Bee Honey) supplies amongst others, The National Trust. This was not the only honey producer here today: Alham Valley honey was for sale at the car boot. This honey endeavour began when a local carpenter found an empty bee hive at one of the sites he was working at, and before he could dispose of it bees settled in. Some 14 years later the honey still flows.