Off the Beaten Track in Somerset: March 2020

In Horner Woods in West Somerset there is a footpath called Cat's Scramble, which leads uphill in a southerly direction from the village of Horner. Under a large tree (possibly a pollarded oak) above the path, there is a large horizontal inscribed stone with the following words on it:

Judy
Beloved wife of

Robin Dunn

1919-1995

My soul is here I did not die

Judith (Judy) Allan Pilcher was born in Somerset on 14th September 1919. While she was working as a Land Girl in 1940, she met Captain Robin H.W. Dunn. He had been posted to Minehead after returning to England via the Dunkirk Evacuation in May/June 1940. Judy and Robin got married in All Saints' Church, Selworthy in August 1941. They had two daughters and a son together. Robin Dunn was appointed QC in 1962, knighted in 1969 and appointed Lord Justice of Appeal in 1980. He was also on the committee of the Devon and Somerset Staghounds. Judy died on 17th August 1995 and is buried at All Saints Church in Selworthy. I presume Horner Woods was one of her favourite places, which is why her memorial stone is located there.

In 1997 Sir Robin Dunn married Joan Stafford-King-Harman. He died on 5th March 2014, age 96. Joan Dunn died in July 2018, age 100.

Judy Dunn's memorial stone in Horner Woods

Memorial stone under the tree

Tree with memorial stone underneath

I have seen real wild bats, badgers, bunnies and hares in Somerset but I have not yet seen a beaver or a wild boar. I found these creatures in churches, churchyards, meadows, woods, lanes and adorning walls at various locations across Somerset.

The Belfry, near Priddy

This is the headquarters of the Bristol Exploration Club

Bat mural, Grange Drive, Taunton

Along with three other wildlife murals (a hedgehog, two watervoles and some bees), this bat mural was painted in August 2015 by Brazilian artist Louis Masai. The North Taunton Art Trail was part of Somerset Wildlife Trust's Routes to the River Tone Project.

Bat carved into a bench end at Crowcombe Church

Bat carved into a seat in Middlezoy Churchyard

Badgers Cross Farm, Mill Lane, south of Somerton

Badger carved in Hamstone on a footpath near Chiselborough

Badgers Holt pub, Bridgetown

Badger in the churchyard at Oake

Two badgers (and a robin and some Exmoor ponies) on a stained glass window in Winsford Church

Two rabbits (and a stag) on a stained glass window in Winsford Church