Hello
greetings from Glasgow,
- regarding 'Village News', Clandown.
Of my family, I am the only remaing one bearing the family name (except for my son), and now far distant from Somerset, Clandown in particular. It is sad to record that my Clandown link has now come to an end. My aunt,Helena Denning nee Parsons, the sole survivor of my father's brothers and sisters passed away on December 31st 2005. Helena was born in February 1910, (in I believe 7 Chapel Row), the youngest of nine brothers and sisters. During her long life she moved house twice, first to a new house next to the Fosseway overlooking the village, and later, (retracing her steps), to a bungalow at the entrance to Chapel Row. She married Alb Denning there, the local butcher, attended the chapel regularly, teaching Sunday School while Alb was the organist for over 40 years. My mother and father were married in the Chapel in 1929 and she also preached there as a Methodist Lay preacher. Clandown has always been a favourite spot for myself and all relations. It may have been a traditional mining village, but to all of us it was 'magic'. It disturbs me (and others) to see the mess some unsympathetic businesses have created in more recent years. (The Gug was always a most pleasant walk. Surely it became a public right of way through it's continuous usage). Alas, no more the friendly greeting and "welcome home" to our favourite village. Although now widespread, we can trace the family, living in the proximity of Clandown, back over 300 years. An old saying, but, 'an era has definately passed'.
To the current Clandonians I beg you to look after it as something unique, remember your visible history can be traced back to the Romans.

With happy memories,

Paul R Parsons