UP CLOSE: Christo Nicolle, Shepton Mallet mind reader and owner of the Somerset Bicycle Workshop

Shepton Mallet Nub News aims to be supportive to every element of the town's community from business and shops to people and charities, clubs and sports organisations.

Everyone is finding it tough at the moment and is desperate to get back to normal.

We are profiling some of these local businesses and groups regularly over coming weeks in a feature called UP CLOSE IN SHEPTON MALLET in the hope that we can be a supportive springboard for their full return to business as usual.

Today we talk to Christo Nicolle, the owner of the Somerset Bicycle Workshop in the town and who is also known as mind reader Atticus Green, who tells us about a new Tarot reading column he will soon be starting on Shepton Mallet Nub News.

During an in-depth Q and A session he also praises the people of Shepton Mallet for the help they have given him and what it was like running for town council at the recent elections.

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Have you always lived in the Shepton Mallet area and, if not, what were the key considerations about moving here?

We came to Shepton Mallet purely by chance. My wife, Harriet, is a teacher in Bristol, and I was an archaeologist at the time, working around the country a lot.

We moved in together soon after we met, found a small flat in Shepton High Street and loved it. Four years on and I can truly say this town is the first place I've felt like this is home. It's got everything going for it, and so much potential in it's future - I'm really excited to live here!

Tell us a bit about your personal business background Christo and how you ended up as Atticus Green?

I've had four main passions in life, all starting at a fairly young age. Bicycles, photography, archaeology and mentalism - that's mind reading and psychic entertainment to those who don't know.

My biggest love has always been, and always will be, mentalism. Throughout my life I've lectured on it, consulted for some quite famous performers, read tarot at countless events, and created many psychological effects for the magic and mentalism community... but I never had the courage to become a professional performer.

The reactions I used to get at weddings and corporate events should have been a clue, but I just didn't believe in myself back then. After battling with anxiety and depression for the last few years, I've come out of it the other side with a new perspective and a lot of living to catch up on.

Atticus Green - my performing name - was born. I've begun making huge leaps and headway into turning my ultimate dream into a reality.

I'm spending this summer honing and refining my performances in every conceivable venue and getting my "performing chops" back. So if you have an event, are a venue, club or care home, etc, and would like some great entertainment over the summer, free of charge, go to www.atticusknows.com and drop me a message. I'd love to work with you.

I'm also running my Home Tarot Evenings which were always so popular, and have re-designed my Tarot Workshops for groups that I'm now able to offer too. There's lots going on!

What do you like about Shepton Mallet? How are you involved in the local community?

Shepton has really helped me. When I was suffering from depression I withdrew from the world, but as soon as I was better and started reaching out and got stuck in, I've met some incredible humans.

You would not believe the amount of amazing folks right on our doorsteps. In turn, I've tried to give wherever I possibly can, and I hope this is helping in some small way.

We're also perfectly situated as a town with some of the most beautiful countryside in the country.

The coronavirus pandemic has had an impact on many businesses and organisations - what are your plans?

I was all set to develop a bicycle workshop and my entertainment business side by side, but lockdown hit and I was forced to concentrate just on the bicycle workshop. It was probably a good thing as the workshop became popular so quickly that I just haven't had the time to think about much else.

I now have the Somerset Bicycle Workshop up and running, and am currently training someone to take over the day-to-day end.

Ultimately, I'd like to see it turn into a not-for-profit entity, available for the whole community. I've seen just what good can come from bicycles in every part of life.

But now that lockdown is easing, I can begin doing what I love the most as Atticus Green Mind Reader. There are some exciting things in the pipeline!

What other businesses do you like and use in Shepton Mallet?

It's been so busy this last year that I haven't had as much time as I would like to get out, but now that we're all opening up again, I'll be scoffing a doughnut at the Cheeky Bean, using Dredge and Male for all my odds and sods, and Vape @ No.1, because coffee and nicotine are my guilty pleasures. Shepton has so much on offer and it's really exciting to see all the up and coming plans for the town.

The lockdown has been very difficult for many people - how do you think that Shepton Mallet as a town has coped?

Shepton has done brilliantly. I think lockdown has helped people re-evaluate their locale and priorities a little, and the sense of community has been strengthened greatly.

From what I've experienced and seen anyway, it's made us more connected to our friends and neighbours. I certainly won't be taking any of those for granted again.

If there was one thing in the town you would change, what would it be?

Shepton has had a pretty rubbish image in the past, and this still lingers. Every time friends or family have visited, they are always surprised at just how much our town has to offer and how beautiful it is.

I'd love for this perception to change, but understand it'll take a while. There's still plenty to do, but over the last five years I've seen a real surge in energy and change for the better. Long may it continue!

You ran for town council in the recent election - how was that experience?

It was eye opening. Politics intrinsically bring out the good and bad in people, and it really showed me some people's true colours.

But on the positive side of things, the experience has given me greater insight into how our democracy is structured and just how hard the council as a whole works for its residents. I think the age old adage of "you can't please everyone" is especially true here.

My hat goes off to them all. As volunteers with busy lives themselves I think we sometimes need to go a bit easier on them as individuals.

You will be starting a new regular column on Shepton Mallet Nub News shortly - could you tell us about that?

As an experienced Tarot reader and psychic entertainer I thought it would be fun to write a regular weekly column - a sort of agony aunt feature. Readers can submit their questions to me here: https://www.atticusknows.com/nub/ and each week I'll pick the best ones and answer them using the Tarot, together with images of the cards.

There'll also be giveaways and competitions in the future. Think Mystic Meg, but using Tarot. Just a bit of light hearted fun for Nub readers to take part in.