Month: November 2025

My new book 'Secrets of Village life in Somerset' was delivered to me today. I'm impressed by the speed that Amazon can operate when you submit a book for printing so here is a tip for all budding authors. Self-publishing is not difficult to achieve,  you just have to tick the boxes such as to check your text integrity and your cover before ever sending it off. If you don't do this it will be...

I've learnt over many years to trust my gut when it comes to what to do . Yesterday I received the December edition of the Mendip Times and chanced to spot the calendar note about a Wells Repair Cafe meeting. We were planning to go to the Timsbury Festive Village Market the same morning so how could we fit both in. When I don't know why I need to go somewhere but get an urge I always follow the...

This was a conversation I had this morning with someone and I thought I would let CHATGPT loose on it to see if it could draw out the academic implications of what we talked about. I reckon they have done a good job. This 'meeting summary' technology has been around for years and it seems to be a fine art Understanding Today’s Big Concerns: Health, Technology, Money, Farming, Spirituality and...

Secrets of Village Life in Somerset grew out of my curiosity about what truly holds a community together. Over ten weeks, I visited residents across Priddy, Westbury-sub-Mendip and Easton, listening to their experiences and inviting them to speak in their own words. Every interviewee had the chance to review their contribution (twice) before publication, so what appears in the book is exactly...

THE STATE OF THE COUNTRY — THEMED SUMMARY - by Carl Ben*jam*in Full talk with headings is here. 1. National Decline & Public Frustration Speaker argues the UK is visibly deteriorating: no improvement in living standards, failing infrastructure, rising taxes and stagnant wages. Public patience has worn thin after decades of political promises not delivered. Economic growth is near zero while...

We took my visitor along to hear a very detailed and thorough talk about factors to consider when planning a garden from the wild life point of view. So for all gardeners (roll of drums) here is a summary of last nights talk The Ten Principles of Wildlife Garden Design  - Given by Giggy at the Mendips Garden Club 19th November 2025 Higgy’s “10 S-Principles” offer a comprehensive and practical...