Deep lanes & badgers

Walking in the deep and quiet lanes near the village is a reminder of just how long these thoroughfares have been in use, joining up local hamlets, farms and houses. When meeting another person even today, it's natural to fall into conversation. This week a man walking his dog, like me, remarked on the badger setts which are to be found in the sandy sides of the hollow, and he mentioned the extraordinary strength of a badger's jaw, which can crush a man's arm. Back in John Clare's day, badger baiting with the local dogs was a cruel sport, and there was never any doubt about the strength of the grinning badger which would fight to the very end: 'When midnight comes a host of dogs and men Go out and track the badger to his den, And put a sack within the hole, and lie Till the old grunting badger passes by. He comes an hears - they let the strongest loose.... .....He turns again and drives the noisy crowd And beats the many dogs in noises loud. He drives away and beats them every one, And then they loose them all and set them on. He falls as dead and kicked by boys and men, Then starts and grins and drives the crowd again; Till kicked and torn and beaten out he lies And leaves his hold and crackles, groans, and dies.' John Clare, published 1820

Village Lights

There aren't many street lights in the village, which has its advantages when picking out Mars in the dark night sky. It's much easier to see the constellations in south Somerset, than in east Hampshire. On the main road into Crewkerne, where the traffic passes by, the roadside houses display some Christmas decorations. It's not dramatic stuff and won't compete with those in towns and cities, but it looks homely.

Mobile Library

Kenny arrived opposite our house. He drives the last remaining Somerset mobile library van, and was making his bi- monthly visit to the village. He described himself as 'a lorry driver who reads' (but no Yorkies). You can borrow up to 20 books a time, and have them on loan for 8 weeks. The service is secure for another year apparently, due to budget uncertainties in the County Council. For my takeaways, I borrowed a book on the Somerset & Dorset Railway (which has lots of enthusiasts according to the foreward), another on the Somerset Levels, and a third on the History of Somerset. I shall be able to bore someone with a stream of new information at my next social engagement, whenever that is.