Annual Gathering - Somerset

The inspiration for this year’s Gathering was the slim non-fiction book Come to Somerset. Writing in the Souvenir Programme, one of the organising team commented: '... if Society members are coming to Somerset we should try to identify the 'spirit of place' that is the key to Malcolm Saville's most successful works.'

They certainly did! 66 of us were treated to a fascinating and varied programme of events and activities that contributed to a busy weekend. First, a Friday walk to Glastonbury Tor led by Alan Stone who certainly knows his adopted county. Then on to our hotel to pick up welcome packs and enjoy a buffet supper, before an entertaining slide show entitled 'Scenes of Somerset' given by a local photographer, Peter Triggs, followed by the Book Fair and time for general socialising. Saturday began by boarding coaches for Wells, the smallest city in England, where we had some free time to admire the magnificent cathedral and moated Bishop's palace, together with a little retail therapy in the bustling Market Square. Then on to Rodney Stoke below the southern slopes of the Mendips, for an excellent pub lunch at a hostelry of the same name. The party then split. Some spent the afternoon at Cheddar, energetically climbing Jacob's Ladder perhaps, whilst the remainder enjoyed a Somerset Levels coach tour with a well-researched commentary provided by Jo and John Pentney; this truly was rural Somerset beyond the motorway. We met up again at Hecks Cider Farm in Street, for a short tour and tastings with more excellent hospitality that was hard to resist, even after a good lunch and with the prospect of the fabulous feast later. Fortunately, digestion was helped by the brisk walk back to the hotel and time set aside for book readings by Colin Harding.

After the feast, the Society Players presented a dramatization of Mystery at Witchend. This thrilling performance was based on the 1943 BBC adaptation, further adapted by Jenny Aitken. With sound effects provided by audience participation, it brought the house down and was a fitting finale to a very full day. Requests for auditions have already been received for the next production.

The 'Gang' on Glastonbury Tor

Members in Wells