WHAT A PRIVILEGE    More memories from Derek Andrews

It was a great joy to see Ted Mason's picture of the original Recreation Club in the May edition of the Ropewalker.  We 'old uns' affectionately called it 'The Hut' and it certainly stirred up some more memories.
Unfortunately, because of the hedge in the foreground of the picture, you cannot see the building's foundations.  As it was sited on a slope, the building was supported on wood or brick stilts some 2ft 6in high to make it level.  The stilts reduced in height towards the rear of the building and I recall there were a few steps up to the small front entrance lobby and then a few steps down to the ladies toilet which is the small lean to on the right.
I also remember in the early forties when we had special fund raising weeks to help the war effort, the Club would hold dances to help boost the funds.
As a twelve/thirteen year old, I was always fascinated by the music making and the couples dancing.  The doorman would invariably be Tom Tizzard, always a perfect gentleman who would tolerate me and perhaps

a mate or two, allowing us to look in from the lobby entrance.
I'm back there now 'spellbound', some of the old local music men are performing - faces are appearing - Bert Watts from Hardington, Stan Russell from East Coker - Don Edmunds from Mudford and our own Gordon Chick on the drums; what a privilege to have enjoyed the music these gentlemen used to produce.
Little did I realise then, when watching the dancers waltzing around, that after a year or two I would be in there doing exactly the same thing thanks to those dear ladies, Mrs Gould and Mrs Dodge who started the village youth club with weekly dancing lessons.  I soon took to dancing, losing my shyness and reserve and finding real confidence and independence for the first time. I've been a bit of a show off on the dance floor ever since.
Thanks Ted, I owe you a drink for my sometimes mixed up memories, I'll advise Doreen accordingly!

Derek Andrews

Members of the Youth Club cleared gravel for Burrells House residents during the summer holidays.  The residents were very grateful and not only did they provide us with refreshments (for which we were very grateful) but also presented us with a donation towards our Club funds, many thanks from all of us.
October Meetings:
1^st Open Night with free buffet
(for young people).
8^th Halloween glass painting
(bring a jam jar).
15^th Halloween decoration making.
22^nd Halloween Disco
(7.30 - 10pm),
£1.00 for members,
£1.50 non-members.
29th Club closed.

Jenna Burrow

'When the clocks go back the Shovel Club will reconvene', so runs the ancient adage.  So from Tuesday, 30th October, be at The Royal George for the meetings.  In the meantime, tickets for the Club's weekly 'Weekend Breakfast Draw' can be bought over the bar at anytime, winning tickets are drawn every Friday night at 9.30pm - tickets cost £1.00 each and there are three prizes each week.
The proceeds from the draw go towards Shovel Club funds that are used in and around the village.  The latest project was to sponsor a kissing gate (the first on the footpath from Brookside to Odcombe/Dibbles

Lane).  Previous projects tackled by Shovel Clubbers include the provision of a seat by the bus stop in The Square and being founder members of the Jack Goodland Kidney Machine Fund.
The Club 'Shovel' is off on its travels again - it's already been to Singapore, Thailand and Malaysia with Vicki Frosdick and, as you read this, is just returning from Crete with Ted and Maureen.  In the future it will travel with John Lyons to Ireland and Vicki has promised to take it to Australia at Christmas.  If you want to know more, join the Shovel Club at The Royal George.