I popped into the church of St Andrew’s at West Hatch over the weekend and was surprised and intrigued by the wonderful Country Living display that was staged there!

The church was burgeoning with local produce for Harvest Festival but it also gave a fascinating insight into country crafts in the area both past and present and showed what a wealth of talent there is working away in the rural area.

West Hatch had once been an important area for growing teasels as illustrated by a wonderful display of old photographs and articles gathered together by Vera Williams, who had been a teasel picker herself.  The plants were vital for the process of teasing out wool during the 1930’s, 40’sa d 50’s and were bought by traders from northern England. This is a trade that has virtually disappeared now with the demise of the wool trade and the increase in man made products.  What a pity!

In addition there was a cobbling display and felt work, crafts I was pleased to discover are still practised around West Hatch by some of the talented locals.  

Coming from a country area myself it was heartening to see that there is so much enterprise in our rural areas, like West Hatch, near Taunton. Well done to all!