My Somerset Life
Brian Snellgrove
Latest Entries
When Good Will is not Enough
Most of this was above my head. I am not a political or bureaucratic person but did my best to understand the goings-on. I have anonymised all aspects of this meeting - location and speakers - partly because the...
The Value of Talking Things Through – A Meeting of Minds
I had a private meeting this morning with someone whose identity, together with the substance of our actual conversation, will remain confidential. Suffice it to say that we share certain interests in building...
Working with Nature – The Green Mantle Story
This early afternoon event took place at the Somer Centre here in Midsomer Norton, organised by the University of the Third Age (u3a). norrad.u3asite.uk My original intention in attending was to gather information,...
Letting the Brain Do the Work
I was up until 1.30 this morning, not because I couldn't sleep, but because I experienced one of those sudden bursts of inspiration when ideas arrive in such rapid succession that it seems a pity to interrupt them by...
Remembrance Sunday 2026
This morning I attended a Remembrance Sunday service, an occasion which always gives me cause to reflect not only on the enormous sacrifices made by previous generations, but also on the rather troubled world we have...
From Games to Glowing Embers – A Saturday of Unexpected Discoveries
My goodness, what a day it has turned out to be! One of those days when you start off with no particular expectations and return home having discovered something new, achieved something useful and enjoyed one of the...
Charles III – Is He Departing from His Mother’s Legacy?
Today I found myself reflecting on King Charles III and wondering how history will judge his reign. Will he be remembered as a thoughtful moderniser, or as a monarch who, despite his good intentions, weakened the...
Breaking New Ground – Allotments, Bots, Bonfires and the British Reserve
There are days when everything seems to fall into place, and today was one of them. The weather was almost tailor-made for working on our new allotment: neither hot nor cold, no rain, and just enough of a breeze to...
The Birth of a Website – From Conception to Growing Pains
There is something rather exciting about the birth of a new website. It begins with an idea, develops through a period of gestation, and eventually arrives in the world, hopefully without too many complications. Like...
Dragonfly Leisure – Much More Than a Place to Keep Fit
Making friends, improving your health and becoming part of the community. When I entered Dragonfly Leisure in Midsomer Norton for the first time, I was immediately struck by something I had not expected. Instead of...
A Day of Tidying Up, Inside and Out
Today has been a day of tidying up, both physically and mentally, and of attempting to bring myself into better alignment with the task ahead. With my forthcoming writing project, I am increasingly realising that I...
The Great British Bake-Off – Pensioners’ Edition
From Bindweed to Baked Beans – A Day of Cultivation This morning I rose early, donned my working clothes and set off for our new allotment in Radstock Road. We have acquired a plot on more level ground, conveniently...
Welcome to My Somerset Life
A dairy by Brian Snellgrove
2,124,614 words across 2,045 articles
Inspired by Samuel Pepys’ Diary 1633-1703
