Links to other sites of interest

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Local Community Services

Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance.  The Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance is based at a purpose-built airbase at Henstridge airfield.   The air ambulance is deployed on average 3-4 times a day and can reach anywhere in the two counties within 19 minutes of the emergency call.   Their website contains some great photos, details of events, a shop and arrangements for joining their lottery.

Henstridge Parish Council.  The parish council's site, with agendas and minutes of council meetings, and other useful local information.

St Nicholas, CofE Primary School.  The school's own informative website.

The Anne Harris Children's Fund.  Locally based registered charity set up to improve the education and relieve financial hardship of children and young people suffering from any form of poverty, illness or disability.

Local Businesses

Aircraft Coverings Ltd.  Based at the airfield, this family run business started in 1989 and is the European distributor for Poly-Fiber aircraft coatings.

Celeste Nourse Photography.  Celeste is a qualified local photographer and member of the British Institute of Professional Photography. She specialises in child portraiture, weddings and social documentary photography.

Crimson Guitars.  Website for Ben Crowe, our very talented local luthier, maker of stringed instruments. Check out Ben's workshop diary!

David Plimmer Relationship Coaching.  Local practitioner in relationship coaching/counselling, anger management and anger management training, NLP training and training for CPD aimed at health care professionals and anyone who is interested in self improvement and self development and/or wanting to gain a greater understanding of why, for example, someone would self harm and more.

Gartell Light Railway.  Operates on a short narrow gauge section of the old Somerset and Dorset Joint Railway track between Henstridge and Templecombe. Has regular open days where you can travel behind diesel and steam hauled trains. They also host other events including an annual model railway exhibition and the Dorset Vintage & Classic Auctions.

Guggleton Gallery.  Gallery based in Stalbridge which houses regular exhibitions from a variety of artists.

Henstridge Airfield.  Website for our local airfield, with a noticeboard for users and details of events.

Henstridge Golf Club.  This nine-hole course was opened in Spring 2010. It is part of a new sports and leisure development at Henstridge, and has a fully licensed clubhouse, buggy hire and driving range.

March House Books.  Based in Henstridge, March House Books has been established for over 14 years and carries a large stock of children's and illustrated books plus a small general stock.   Check the website for used, out of print, rare, children's and illustrated books, as well as ephemera and vintage toys and games.

Millie’s Bags.  Millie Burr lives in the village and she designs and makes hand knitted bags, scarves and accessories and takes commissions for other types of knitware.  Check Millie’s website for more details, including events and local courses.

Miniature Paintings by Mary McLean.  Website for talented local artist Mary McLean, including a gallery of Mary's work.   If you'd like to make a gift to someone special, Mary can undertake commissions starting from as little as £150.

Oasis Overland.  Situated in a Marsh Lane office, we can personally assure you that these are a friendly bunch of people. According to their website, if you dream of travelling through Africa, South America or the Middle East, but without the routine and expense that accompanies some package holidays, they're the ones to talk to. Worth a try!

Terry Fisher Photography.  A local professional photographer specialising in weddings, children, sport, portraits, pets, wildlife and events.  Check out his website for some great photography.

Unicorn Motors.  Based in nearby Stalbridge, Unicorn Motors undertakes high quality body repairs to all types of vehicles. Brian Chant, who established the firm, also founded Dorset Vintage & Classic Auctions (DVCA). Brian is highly experienced in this field, and you can read about his background on his informative website.

Wessex Moles.  A local molecatcher based in Yeovil and covering south Somerset and west Dorset.

General Henstridge Interest

Barrie Pictures.  Commercial site with interesting historic scenes of Henstridge available to purchase.

British History Online.  An informative history of Henstridge provided by the University of London & History of Parliament Trust.   Comprises an extract from 'A History of the County of Somerset: Volume 7' by C R J Currie, R W Dunning (Editors), A P Baggs and M C Siraut.

Dove's Guide for Church Bell Ringers.  This is the St Nicholas Church page of the online version of Dove's Guide for Church Bell Ringers, the definitive source for information about rings of bells.

Henstridge and the First World War.  Local historian Caroline Rowland has written a fascinating and informative history of Henstridge, "Lest We Forget: Henstridge, a Somerset Village and the First World War".   Focussing on World War I, the book describes changes in the village in the context of the overall War campaign and the resulting social changes in rural England.   It is sobering to read that when enlistment became law, very nearly all of the entire male population of the parish over 18 and under 50 were fighting overseas - by 1916 more than 220 men from the parish had gone to war.   As a keen local historian, Caroline is eager to hear about your memories of this time, and can be contacted via her website.   Read her book and you may also be able to provide missing information, such as the location of the Dirty Duck, and the unknown delivery boy pictured by one of Percy Dewfall's Bull nose Morris vans.   You'll read of the Henstridge men who failed to return, and lighter anecdotes such as why 6 tons of desparately needed seed potatoes were dumped at Henstridge station, and arguments over the siting of the war memorial and the captured German gun that faced it.

Henstridge Station.  Some interesting pictures here of Henstridge Station, from Chris Nevard's site on the Somerset and Dorset Joint Railway.

Regional Interest

Somerset Art Works (SAW).  A non-profit making organisation promoting the Visual Arts. Their website provides details of the annual Somerset Art Weeks events.

Somerset Tourist Guide.  An independent guide to hotels and other accommodation, activities and attractions in Somerset, Bath and Exmoor.

Visit Somerset.  The official tourism website for Somerset. Includes details of accommodation, attractions, events and conference venues

Other Personal Favourites

Kiva - loans that change lives.  Kiva is a great site for those who like to make chartiable donations, but would like to know, and decide, how their money is used.   You browse the site to find out who is asking for a loan, what they require it for and how they'll repay it.   You can then lend from a minimum of 25 US dollars to the full amount they need, using paypal.   You can lend to as many people as you'd like, and also use repaid loans to finance other individuals.   You won't receive any interest, and there is a risk of default (although the default rates appear very low) and you'd just need to write these off as a donation.   However as an alternative to the large charities it is a refreshing change to see how your well earned money can be used to improve the lot of others around the world.