News.
The history of a village is recorded in accounts about contemporary events. Eastertown is a pretty quiet place, but we do not live in total isolation. If you have news about anything that is happening in the locality, this is the place to write about it.
The Panspermia Theory
Check out the most recent contribution from Dr Ken Tapping which investigates the origins of life on Earth. Click the picture to link to the article.
The continuing drought conditions in 2026
Further significant rainfall is needed to return to normal water resource conditions for many water companies. Click on the image to see more.
The National Risk Register
The risks we face are ever changing, and our assessments must keep pace. Events last year underscored the importance of anticipating and understanding these risks.
Click on the image to read the full article.
Paul Sheldon - Artwork
For residents of the hamlet who remember Paul and Judith Sheldon, you may wish to know that they are both well and living in Spain.Paul has been very active as an artist in his retirement. He has given us permission to feature some of his paintings in our Arts section of the Leisure page on this website.
If you follow the picture link, you can view a selection of his most recent work.
You can see more of his artwork art on #paulsheldonart on Instagram.
Click on the image to see more.
Somerset Art Weeks Festival
The Somerset Art Weeks Festival returns from 19 September – 4 October 2026 with the theme ‘Cultural Connections’ — bringing together artists, communities and audiences to explore the cultural ties that shape Somerset, from Palaeolithic to Present, and acrossHuman and Non-Human species.
As always, Somerset Art Weeks is a celebration of creativity and community. Venues across Somerset will open their doors to showcase group exhibitions, curated shows, events, new work and special commissions from SAW Members andinvited artists, alongside a wide range of artists and makers.
Click on the image for further details
Mosquitos
As the welcome rain has followed the drought, the September mosquitos now invade our homes and gardens. The whine of these visitors may disturb our sleep and sometime bite during the night, but mosquito borne diseases are increasing. We will have more to think about in the coming years and may soon need to deter them more effectively. Click on the image to read the full article.
Ragwort
This unwelcome plant seems to have had a rather good year in our locality. Follow the picture link to find out more about it. Click the picture to read the full article..
Eclipses
If you managed to view the recent partial eclipses of the sun and moon, follow the picture link to our resident astronomer's page. Ken Tapping lives in Canada but originally was educated in England. He is now retired after long service with the Canadian National Research Council as a professional astronomer. The picture was taken on Brean beach by a projection through a small telescope. Click on the image to read the full article.
Planning for a future Drought
The long and hot summers in the last two years are focusing the minds of the national water suppliers on how to deal with climate change. Clean, potable water has in the past been something that people in Britain have come to take for granted. Check out what our local water suppliers are planning for next year. Click the picture to read the full article..
Recent Meningitis Outbreak
The recent meningitis outbreak in Kent has brought an old disease back into the limelight. For young adults who might consider themselves to be at higher risk, click on the picture to link to an article about Meningitis. Increased risk includes social interactionsand living arrangements that university students often experience, such as living in halls of residence or attending social events. Dr Peter Smith (retired)
Beware Scammers
As we start a New Year, it may be a timely moment to remind ourselves that not everyone necessarily wishes us well. Nearly everyone will have been getting email and text scams last year, and the frequency is increasing.
We need to be constantly on our guardin the coming years, as frauds are becoming more and more sophisticated. Click on the mask for a link to an article which explains how we may reduce our risks of being caught by a scam..
Eastertown's Ecohome Project - October 2025
Eastertown's ecohome project is reaching its conclusion.
As George and Sarah Tuttiett have lately reached the end of their career in farming, we all wish them the best for a long retirement in their new home. We shall miss seeing the herd of cows in the lane.
Sarah has kindly given us an update on the progress during the last few months. Click on the tractor to see how they have been getting on.
Tea & Cakes Afternoon in Eastertown - In Aid of Breast Cancer Now
A "Tea & Cakes" afternoon was held in Eastertown on July 10 2025.
The weather was perfect, and a good time was had by all.
The event raised £280 for the "Breast Cancer Now" research & support charity.
Why not organise an event yourself, have fun with friends, and make some money for a good cause?
Starter packs are available from the charity. If you do hold an event, please let us know how it went, and what you raised.
Emergency services fly into Eastertown
Accidents can befall any of us at the most unexpected times. John Nettleton suffered injuries on the 17th May, whilst clearing his garden. He needed the support of our local paramedics and the air ambulance crews. His wife Lynda would like to thankall of the well-wishers and neighbours who have offered their support. John is making slow but positive steps during his recovery in hospital.
We need to keep in mind that air ambulances are not funded by the NHS, although they receive some support from NHS ambulance services. Charitable donations from the public cover the costs of keeping services running. If you wish to find out more about aeromedicalservices and the Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance, click on the image to the right.
If you thought the word Trappist just meant something to do with Cistercian monks, check our the Astronomy article by Ken Tapping.
Cold Anticyclones
As we stutter into what we hope is Spring-like weather, the prolonged periods of cold, or dry, or even wet weather can depress our mood. We have had years when it seems to rain forever, or prolonged dry periods that are unusually warm.
Our geographical situationin the Atlantic has traditionally made us a nation of weather watchers, as our meteorological conditions have been so changeable. Climate warming is affecting our weather patterns and part of this is due to alterations in the jet stream. To find out about Cold Anticyclones, Click here
Eco Homes and an Eastertown Build
We are in a climate emergency. Buildings are a significant culprit for carbon emissions – accountable for 35% of total global energy consumption. Building an eco-house has never been easier; what was once a niche within the homebuilding sector has now become the focus of many new builds, especially for self-builders.
Click on the image to read the full article, and follow a build in Eastertown.
The University of the Third Age
Are you having "senior moments" or concerned that your brain may be fading? There is new evidence from two studies by investigators at Rush University in Chicago that cognitive and physical activities can make a real difference in the development of Alzheimer's disease — the most common cause of dementia.
One study showed that increased physical activity was associated with a slower rate of cognitive decline. The other demonstrated that cognitively stimulating activities (reading, visiting a library, reading newspapers, reading magazines, reading books, writing letters, and playing games) in old age may boost cognitive reserve, delaying the onset of clinical Alzheimer's disease by up to five years. Why not consider joining the University of the Third Age?
Follow this link to the full article.
About Pesticides..
Although pesticides are developed to prevent, remove, or control harmful pests, concerns about the hazards of pesticides towards the environment and human health have been raised by many studies.
Read more about this in our Health and Wellbeing Section.
Rain, Rain and More Rain!
There is no doubt in most people's minds that the last 18 months have been more than a little "soggy". The cumulative rainfall lately has been making conditions for agriculture very difficult.
Take a look at the new article in our farming section on the effects of excessive rainfall...
Unusual Plant or Creature?
If you have ever thought about taking a photograph of an unusual plant or creature that you have come across, why not share it with inaturalists across the UK? Follow this link to see their global report.
You can become an inaturalist by simply joining the organisation online. Check out the article in our wildlife section.
Lympsham Gets a Second Defibrillator
As of November 4 2024, Lympsham will have a second defibrillator. Click (here) for more information and a location map.
Ever thought about putting a modern woodcut print on your wall?
Woodcut is a relief printing technique in printmaking.An artist carves an image into the surface of a block of wood—typically with gouges—leaving the printing parts level with the surface while removing the non-printing parts.
Areas that the artist cuts away carry no ink, while characters or images at surface level carry the ink to produce the print.
The block is cut along the wood grain (unlike wood engraving, where the block is cut in the end-grain).
The surface is covered with ink by rolling over the surface with an ink-covered roller (brayer), leaving ink upon the flat surface but not in the non-printing areas.
Follow this link to see how a local artist produces wood engravings, cut on the end grain as opposed to Woodcuts.
Isaac's story
Could you give an abandoned dog a second chance at life? Read Isaac's story by following... this link
Blue Lights - Don't panic!!
You're driving along, thinking of the shopping list, your day's plan or singing to the radio, when suddenly you're aware of sirens and blue lights. What will you do? ...... See full article
Mountain Biking
Well done Tom Pidock in the Mountain Bike race at the Paris Olympics. Mountain Biking is getting ever more popular and we are featuring it in our leisure section.
Mobile Phones
Do our mobile phones harm our minds and is there other life out there in the universe? Check out the new articles in our Health and Wellbeing and Night Sky pages
Climate Change and Gardening
"Gardens can come in many forms, from a single container to a large domestic garden. They can be school, hospital or community gardens, or managed areas open to the public. A guide called "Gardening in a Changing Climate" has been freely available from The Royal Horticultural Society since 2017. It is becoming increasingly relevant as the years go by. A link to it can be found in the Environment section of our Leisure page in this website. If you are a keen gardener, we would be pleased to hear from you.
It has been a slow start for growth of plants this year. How are you managing?"
Older items
Christmas Trees
Are you a traditionalist who loves the pine smell of a natural tree in your living room?Click on the picture for an article on the history of the Xmas tree.
If you have not yet purchased your own indoor traditional Christmas Tree, check out your local Lympsham supplier:
Oliver Eade Greenery – on Bridgwater Road near Copse Corner
Tel: 07803 242583
Web: www.edengreenery.co.uk
Dr Michael MosleyThe tragic death of the popular TV doctor Michael Mosley has once more reminded us of his work to promote radical changes in our eating habits to improve our health. He was particularly interested in the effects of fasting, to reduce the onset and progress of Type 2 Diabetes.
Click (here) for information about his 5.2 diet
No Mow May (OK - we know it's June!)
"It's finally warming up and the grass is growing but how is insect life getting on? Consider giving them a helping hand by taking a look at what the "No Mow May" movement is saying:
https://www.plantlife.org.uk/campaigns/nomowmay/
Aurora!
Were you fortunate enough to have been somewhere in the UK in May to have been able to witness this spectacular natural event?Was this a Carrington Event? If you want to know more about sunspots and solar flares, check out our Night Sky page.
We are already in June, and if you haven't already, why not bone up on the butterflies you might see locally over summer? Just click on the image for more info.
Olive, the Abandoned, Badly Injured Spaniel - Read Her Story
A beautiful spaniel was found wandering down the main A39 near Cossington..... (click here to read more)
