Huntspill Hub News Village Agent IT Support Community Gatherings Somerset & Exmoor Trail
Huntspill Hub News
Local History Group
We are an informal group of local history fanatics looking into puzzles about people, places and events to do with the Huntspill area.
Do you know anyone in this photograph from West Huntspill School, when they commemorated the Silver Jubilee of King George V and Queen Mary in 1935?
Do you have any stories or recollections about your time here or anything else to do with our village?
Please come along – we meet every Monday morning at The Hub, 10.30 – 12noon.
All welcome!
Crafty Cows Collective
10.00 – 12.00 Mondays £1 a session at The Huntspill Hub, West Huntspill Church.
This month’s story… My name is Mandy and I have lived in West Huntspill since 1981. I have been a member of the Crafty Cows Club (also known as The Herd) since it started. We are a very friendly group, with lots of different crafts. I make beaded baubles, necklaces and bracelets made of beads, Kumihemo (which is Japanese braiding), macrame and cross-stich, but will try anything that takes my interest. If there is anything you would like to know more about, do come along.
Bring your own crafts and learn new ones. Sense of humour essential, and be ready to chat. Various group outings planned throughout the year. Come and join us…….
Huntspill Hub Forum
‘By the people. For the people.’ is the essence of the Hub – and this group seeks to give a steer to activities that could happen in the Hub or could use the Hub as a base.
There is a lot happening already, and there are many ideas in the pipe line – among them the possibility of a Soup Lunch, building on the one we hosted for our Farmers last year, and a wish to establish a singing group of some kind, maybe ‘Singing for the Brain’. If you have ideas, views and/or inspirations please do join us. For more information and/or to express an interest, contact, please contact Rev Chris 01278 781147
West Huntspill Community Cinema
Great news – Graham has come forward to take a lead on this project! We now have a launch date:
Wednesday 13th May at 2pm, with a possible follow-on date of Wednesday 17th June.
The film has yet to be finalised, but there are plenty to choose from.
If you would like to get involved in this exciting new venture please do contact Rev Chris. In the meantime, add the date and time to your diary and spread the word!
Singing is good for you!
If you agree, and would like to get involved in a community singing activity of some sort, please do contact Rev Chris 01278 781147 with ideas and offers of help!
Saving the Heritage, Sustaining the Community. Celebrating a decade of progress! Thank you burnham-on-sea.com’ for the lovely photos!
On Saturday 19th July 2025 a celebration was held at The Huntspill Hub, St Peter & All Hallows Church, West Huntspill, to mark the official end of the building project that was instigated when the Church was at risk of closure due to falling masonry.
Rev Tonya Nixon, former Rector of The Huntspills & Mark initiated this decade of change, and supported by their faithful church congregation, a small but effective team consisting of Project Leader David Lemon, Grants Manager Sara Puddy and Treasurer Mel Wall carried it forward through an extended vacancy and the multiple challenges of covid!
Eventually, with the assistance of a vast professional network, all was in place for the building work to take place. Commencing with the internal refurbishment enabled the Café to be opened early in the process, and thanks to Activities Co-ordinator, Ginny Power and The Social Committee led by Margaret Roper, a variety of activities have already been embarked upon to support the local community.
The restored tower now stands safe and secure, with stonework repaired and reinforced. Inside, the removal of traditional pews at the back of the church allowed for a reordering of the space, including the installation of new flooring, a modern kitchen, and accessible toilets. The church now hosts a weekly community café every Monday morning, attracting 50–60 visitors, and with monthly village agent attendance.
There is also an Honesty Café available for visitors throughout the week (10am – 4pm), where they can make themselves drinks and explore the church’s history via new touchscreen displays and heritage booklets, part of the church’s new role as a heritage hub. Free Wi-Fi is also now available for church visitors.
Project Leader, David Lemon said: “It’s been quite a journey — we’ve faced real challenges, but what has been achieved is fantastic. The community’s wonderful support and enthusiasm have made all the difference.”
Rector, Rev Christine Judson, thanked everyone who has guided and supported this venture – among them the professionals and the volunteers, church and community members, Diocesan and National Heritage Lottery staff. Reflecting on all that has been achieved, Rev Chris said: “This church has 800 years of history behind it – proclaiming the love of Christ through word and deed. Thanks to the National Heritage Lottery and all who have provided match funding, we have been able to protect this heritage. Now an equally important and exciting future lies ahead, to which we look with great hope – trusting in God and working together with our whole community.”
Please click to read all about the project West Huntspill Church Final Evaluation Report
Village Agent
Amanda Fisher, our Village Agent, will make her next visit on:
Monday 13th April 10.30am to 12noon.
Amanda is with us the first Monday of every month to support you with practical advice and guidance at our regular Monday Talking Café. Talking Cafes provide a local place you can pop into, for advice and support from your local Village Agent on anything that is worrying you, or if you just want a friendly chat. However, if you are in urgent need, and you need to contact Amanda earlier than this then please visit the Somerset Village Agents website for help and advice, and to get support please visit Village Agent or contact Amanda direct on 07958415266
IT Support
FREE IT advice and support from Dave Paul at the Huntspill Hub on 13th April between 10.30am and 12.00 noon.
Dave Paul will be offering some IT advice! He will help if you have troubles or questions about common problems with computers, tablets, phones and printers. BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) if you would like (laptops, tablets, phones) but if you are having issues with a desktop PC or printer, we should discuss the issues before bringing it along.
Examples of issues he can address: –
- Errors reported by devices/software
- Slow device performance
- Difficulties with printing
- Backup strategies (i.e. your photos from phone, or computer files)
- Security such as Anti-Virus, VPN
- Cleaning up software clutter
- How to use common software and apps (i.e. Word, Excel, Publisher, Photo editing)
- Discuss purchasing new devices (specification depending on the budget you have)
We are also keen to find out if there are any specific IT classes or courses that you would like us to run – we are open to considering different days and times. Please contact Rev Chris with any suggestions/requests via c.judson@btinternet.com
Community Gatherings
A group of cyclists from West of Bridgwater regularly drop in to the Community Café at The Huntspill Hub. They enjoy cycling within a 10-mile radius of Bridgwater, and especially like the flat ground of the Somerset Levels. As well as the friendly welcome and delicious cake, they appreciate the bicycle featured on the seat outside the church. For Carol Birkenhead, their well-earned rest is also a trip down memory lane, as she was married at the church in the 1970s. The Café is run entirely by local volunteers who bake cakes, serve, wash up etc. Tea, coffee and cake are provided for all who come, and the running costs (including heating and cleaning) are met by everyone making donations on a ‘give as you can’ basis. Attendance varies, but is regularly 50+, and ages range from youngsters to seniors. No matter how many come, there is always room for more, so if you haven’t tried it out yet – do come along!
Daily 10am-4pm, Huntspill Hub Honesty Café, West Huntspill
Open daily 10am – 4pm in St Peter & All Hallows Church, West Huntspill.
If you are on a walk to/from the coastal path or just wondering through our beautiful Churchyard, why not pop in to the Huntspill Hub Honesty Café and make yourself a coffee or tea.
All that we ask is that you wash-up your cup and leave it clean and tidy.
Any donation would be welcome.
Monday10.30-12noon Coffee Morning, West Huntspill
Why not come along Monday between 10.30-12 noon and enjoy a cuppa and homemade cake at the Huntspill Hub in St Peter & All Hallows Church, West Huntspill and meet a friend or two.
Volunteers and offers of cakes very welcome.
Let’s bring the community together!
Please note the Village Agent will be at the Café on the first Monday of each month Village Agent
Somerset & Exmoor Coast Trail Passport
We are pleased to, once again, be part of the trail which puts West Huntspill firmly on the map as a walking destination. We have welcomed many individual walkers and walking groups to the Church and we hope that more will come in future. It is fabulous that our village can be part of this amazing walk from Brean to Porlock Weir. For more information: www.nationaltrail.co.uk