In 1806 Tom Poole started the Nether Stowey Ladies Friendly Society . This is still commemorated today with the Womens' walk on the Saturday closest to Midsummers Day. The ladies all meet on the cross, together with flower girls and the banner holder, they then walk along to the church following a brass band. At St Mary's the vicar preaches a short sermon in thanks to Tom Poole. After the service the ladies parade around the village and sit down to tea at the village hall (in earlier days the Rose and Crown provided the venue which was then followed by the annual general meeting of the society.)
