The Green Tree Inn
A selection of newspaper clips featuring the Green Tree Inn
Wells Journal - Friday 18 October 1957
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PRESENTATION TO DITCHEAT LICENSEE
Mr. and Mrs. F. G. Rayes, who retired this week from the Green Tree Inn, at Ditcheat, where Mr. Rayes has been licensee for the past nine years, were the recipients of a handsome electric standard lamp on Saturday evening. The gift, together with a large box of chocolates, was presented to them by Mr. A. Vaughan, on behalf of customers and friends, during a social evening at the Inn. Mr. Vaughan spoke in appreciative terms of the many services rendered to the parish by Mr. and Mrs. Rayes, and of their interest in the Green Tree Sports Club, which they formed for the benefit of customers some years ago. An expression of thanks for their kindness and for the support of their ' regulars over the years, was made by Mrs. Rayes, who later provided refreshments for those present.
At Shepton Mallet Licensing Sessions the licence of the Green Tree Inn was transferred from Mr. Rayes to Mr. Reginald Sidney Tucker of Lower Bagborough Farm, Pylle.
Cheddar Valley Gazette - Friday 04 December 1970
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He was Mr. E. H. (Ted) Rayes, of Swiss Cottage. Castle Cary. who had been in the licensed trade for 41 years. He began work in July 1919 for E. J. Allen and Sons of Evercreech, then well known local soft drink manufacturers. For many years he was licensee of the Green Tree Inn at Ditcheat. He joined the ILA.F., but was invalided out after serving three and a half years. Later he became licensee of the Britannia Hotel, Castle Cary, but after several years returned to Evercreech and took over the Bell Inn. assisting Messrs. Allen and Sons in between times. Owing to the ill health of his wife, who had been a tower of strength to him during the preceding years. he gave up the Bell Inn and then worked permanently as a representative for Allen and Sons. who were taken over by Messrs. Cantrill and Cochrane Ltd., one of the largest soft drinks manufacturers in the country. Knew licensees in three counties PROBABLY one of the best known sales representatives among the licensees in Somerset, Dorset and Wilts, retired, for health reasons, on Friday last, and to mark the occasion a retirement party was held for him at the Harvester Inn, Galhampton. Mr. Rayes, during his years as representative met and made a countless number of friends among the licensees of Somerset, Dorset and Wilts. During the years he had served as secretary of the Mid Somerset L.V.A. and served on the committee of South Somerset L.V.A.
Central Somerset Gazette - Friday 02 March 1956
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County chairman at Ditcheat Legion dinner
The conviviality and comradeship which invariably marks the gatherings of ex-Service men was much in evidence at the second annual dinner of the Ditcheat branch of the British Legion at the Green Tree Inn, on Saturday evening. Nearly all the 42 members of the branch attended together with guests from neighbouring branches, and Mr. E. Craven presided. The principal guest was the County Chairman, the Rev. E. E. Leonard Houlden, who paid tribute to the officers and committees of branches throughout the length and breadth of Somerset. Also present were Mr. Basil D. Byers, County Secretary ; Prebendary J. A. Lloyd Armstrong (Rector of Ditcheat) and Mr. H. Baker (Crewkerne). The arrangements for the dinner were made by Mr. John Butcher (branch secretary), and Mr. F. G. Rayes. Mr. Craven announced at the commencement of the dinner that Admiral Leir, the branch President, had unfortunately broken some ribs by falling from a ladder and was, therefore, not able to be present. The Loyal Toast, and the toasts to the British Legion and to the visitors were proposed by Mr. Leigh Clare (branch treasurer).
Mr Houlden, respondnig to the toast to the Legion, said he enjoyed the great fellowship of the Legion, which was one of the finest fellowships that had ever been formed. It was engendered out of war but it had the avowed intention of trying to bring happiness and help to those who suffered in the cause of war. The British Legion, he said, was doing as much, if not more than ever in its history to help those who had fallen by the wayside. " We talk glibly of the Welfare State, but even with its welfare schemes, there are still very many men and women who need the care, help and love of the British Legion," he declared. " There are many cases being fought for entitlement to pension. " There are many boys coming back now, although we are supposed to be at peace, from various minor salients in the world who are being advised and instructed how to obtain pensions which we are getting for them."
£500 Gift
A recent gift of £500 from the 11th Armoured Division for the amenities and furnishings of Somerset Legion House at Weston-super-Mare showed that the serving soldier realised what was being done for the ex-Service folk by the British Legion, he added.
When serving soldiers made a gift like that, it showed that the Legion's work was being appreciated and recognised, but he wished it was more so among those men who were serving as National Servicemen. He felt sometimes that branches themselves were to blame for this state of affairs. They did not " put themselves over " to the men before they join the Forces and were not quick enough to bring them into the midst of the Legion when they came home.
There was much work for the Legion to do. There were many cases, in the large and small branches, that needed care and attention and sympathy and which could only be supplied by members of the branches themselves, through their Services Committees.
Wonderful Memorial
Mr. Houlden went on to pay tribute to the officers and committee members of branches throughout the length and breadth of Somerset who were doing fine work for the Legion which was not always fully realised by ordinary members of the Legion. They were working for all ex-Service men and women. It was grand work that must be tackled swiftly and well if it was going to give the maximum and really effective help to all those who might require it. The speaker hoped that the branch was making, from time to time, full use of Somerset Legion House, which was a wonderful war memorial given by Somerset men and women to perpetuate the memory of those who gave their lives. The home was doing famous, valuable work.
He emphasised the fact that the British Legion was trying to serve everybody above self, by the service work in the branches, by Somerset Legion House and by all the very wonderful branches of service work within the orbit of the Legion. The Legion was judged locally by what its members were locally, and it was well regarded in this part of Somerset.
V.I.P at Rally.
Mr. Byers spoke of the proposed rally at Weston-super-Mare this year when it was hoped that a “Very Important Person” would be present. He said the machinery was already in motion, and the name of the person would be announced later. Mr. Baker. responding to the toast of the visitors, gave some very amusing reflections on his service in the first World War. He also said that the world needed amongst nations and people the fellowship which the produced. The people who were in the first World War seemed on the whole, to have been more eager to join the Legion than those who had been in the second. The latter, as far as he could see, seemed somewhat allergic to tie themselves to any organisation. He wished the Legion could have more and more young people coming in. Entertainment was provided after the dinner by Messrs. G. Carter, R. Jeans, W. Hutchings, Miss Sylvia Hutchings and Miss Gladys Jeans (members of the Evercreech Vagabonds) and Mr. F. J. Starkey. Mr. Craven expressed the branch's appreciation to Mr. and Mrs. Rayes and all responsible for the excellent meal and arrangements.
