Tour of Britain cycle race heads for West Somerset and Exmoor

WEST Somerset is to host part of this year’s Tour of Britain blue riband cycle race for the first time, as some of the world’s top cyclists compete in a stage which takes them through the district.
The terrain of Exmoor National Park and the Quantock Hills will provide competitors with some tough challenges.
The riders will pass through Williton, Dunster, Minehead, Porlock, Lynmouth, Simonsbath, Exford, and Wheddon Cross before reaching the stage finish in Taunton.
The Tour of Britain starts on Sunday, September 9, and reaches West Somerset on Tuesday, September 11.
The South West stage is being hosted by Somerset County Council, which has secured a stage of the tour for five years from 2007.
The council is confident the race will bring substantial economic benefits and a tourism boost to the county.
The Tour of Britain is Britain’s leading professional cycle race and biggest live sporting event and is free to watch.
Tour of Britain activities are planned to take place in Somerset throughout the summer, including a triathlon for schools at Millfield School, in Street, and a cycling exhibition at the Somerset County Museum, in Taunton.
Details of the Somerset route were unveiled at a ceremony in the Fleet Air Arm Museum, Yeovilton, where guests were treated to a visual spectacle by RNAS service personnel from 864 Squadron.
After flying in by Sea King helicopter, they presented museum staff with a £2,500 bicycle given by Tri UK and Fisher Outdoor for a competition at the exhibition.
County economic development portfolio holder Councillor Paul Buchanan said: “We are determined that the South West stage of the Tour of Britain will be the best ever.
“It will be an exciting event for Somerset, and not to be missed.
“The route will showcase the county, with television coverage on the BBC, and will give us an opportunity to show the world what a perfect setting Somerset is for cycling and outdoor activity breaks.”
The Tour of Britain South West stage is supported by the Somerset Strategic Partnership, Somerset Rural Renaissance Partnership, Exmoor National Park Sustainable Development Fund, Active Exmoor, and Fleet Air Arm Museum.
Information about the route of the race, images and logos can be accessed and downloaded at www.tourofbritain.co.uk/media/downloads/index.asp

• Our photographs show (top) county heritage officer Tom Mayberry (left) with Richard Wallis of Tri UK, and (middle) RNAS service personnel from 864 Squadron delivering a competition prize bicycle by Sea King helicopter for the Somerset County Museum exhibition ‘On Yer Bike’, which is due to start on June 30. Photos submitted.

Inquest opens into holidaymaker hanging death

AN inquest has been opened into the death of a young woman holidaymaker at Butlins, Minehead, which police initially treated as murder.
Evidence of identification was given before the hearing was adjourned by the Somerset West Coroner, Michael Rose, to a date to be fixed.
The woman has been named as 19-year-old Rebekkah Geor-Bond, of Tir-y-Birth, Hengoed, near Caerphilly, South Wales.
She was staying at Butlins with her 26-year-old boyfriend, also from Hengoed, who was initially arrested on suspicion of murdering her but later released without charge when it became clear there were no suspicious circumstances.
Miss Geor-Bond is believed to have hanged herself in the couple's chalet at about 3 am on Saturday, April 21, and she died just over an hour later in Taunton's Musgrove Park Hospital.
A post mortem revealed the cause of death was asphyxiation due to strangulation.
Photo by Mark the Photographer, ref M050032. Order image reprints online at www.tcpbymtp.co.uk

Recycling made easier by revamp of household waste site

RECYCLING in Minehead has been made more efficient and safer for the public after a series of improvements to the town’s household waste recycling centre.
The centre’s layout has been redesigned to improve heath and safety standards and operating procedures at the site in Mart Road.
In particular, it ensures the site is closed for a much shorter period of time when the recycling containers are moved for emptying.
The improvements were carried out by Minehead-based contractors C J Lynch and were completed three days ahead of schedule.
The redevelopment included the removal of a ramp, which has created more space, and eliminating the tandem skip placement which caused long delays when moving the containers and sometimes causing the centre to be closed for up to 45 minutes.
The new layout will mean that the centre has to close for a far shorter time, as the containers are more easily accessible.
The changes have allowed the site to continue operating while an alternative, larger site is sought.
County Councillor for Minehead, Councillor Ian Galloway, said: “We anticipate the changes will mean that recycling will be more efficient and safer for the residents of Minehead.
“Parking spaces at the centre have been properly defined to make it much clearer where people can unload their recyclable material, so there should be less traffic congestion.
“The centre has always achieved a good level of recycling, and we now look forward to seeing even higher levels of recycling at the centre that these improvements are sure to bring.”
Rob Kidson, waste engineer for Somerset County Council, said: “In the long term we plan to relocate the centre to a larger site.
“However, these changes mean that the centre can continue to operate in a safe manner and will make recycling more efficient for the public”.
Members of the public are advised to take care on entering the centre for the first time, due to the layout changes.
For more information on waste and recycling, contact Somerset County Council on 0845 345 9188 or logon to http://www.recyclesomerset.info/.

• Our photograph (top) shows Councillor Ian Galloway (left) and Rob Kidson at the redeveloped Minehead Household Waste Recycling Centre. Photo submitted.

'Big Blue' wins Matthew a year 's free swimming in Aquasplash

SCHOOLBOY Matthew Legg, aged nine, has won a year’s free junior membership to the Aquasplash leisure pool in Minehead.
The prize was given for choosing the best name for the pool’s new inflatable attraction in a competition run during the February half-term holiday.
Matthew, who is a pupil in Minehead First School, named the challenging new fun inflatable ‘Big Blue’.
He was presented with his membership by Aquasplash operations manager Paul Morgan, and said: “It is great to win. I am going to get really fit now.”
Mr Morgan said: “There were a lot of good entries, so we listed the suggestions and kept the names secret so that the winner could be fairly selected.
“We are delighted with the name and look forward to welcoming Matthew as a regular to the pool.”
Matthew will, under the terms of his junior membership, also be able to enrol on junior X bike sessions in the gym which are planned for half-term at a reduced rate for members.
Mr Morgan said: “The gym at Aquasplash has recently undergone a fantastic £30,000 refurbishment and Matthew will have the opportunity to enjoy the pool and, if he wishes, the brand new X bikes and television screens which bring the biking experience to life.”
Big Blue is in use at the Aquasplash pool every weekend between 12 noon and 3 pm.

• Our photograph shows Paul Morgan presenting Matthew Legg with his Aquasplash membership certificate in front of Big Blue. Photo submitted.

Council looks at tackling local global warming

WEST Somerset district councillors are to consider tackling climate change, which has been identified as one of the greatest global threats.
The council’s cabinet members are meeting on Tuesday, May 1, to look at signing-up to the Nottingham Declaration, which will commit the authority to combating climate change within the district.
Environmental health manager Ian Timms said: “The Nottingham Declaration is a voluntary pledge which councils can take to address issues of climate change.
“We are already trying to tackle greenhouse gas emissions through our development of energy efficient low-carbon homes in Carhampton and the use of alternative technologies in the new office development in Williton.
“By signing up to the Nottingham Declaration, we are demonstrating to the community our ongoing commitment to tackling climate change on a local level.
“By working together to adapt to the effects of, and mitigate the causes of, climate change we can make a considerable local contribution to this global problem.”
If approved, the leader of the council, Councillor Christine Lawrence, and the council’s chief executive, Tim Howes, will sign the declaration on the district’s behalf.
The council will then work with partners such as Forum 21 and the West Somerset Strategic Partnership and others to:

• Establish baselines for the activities relating to climate change to assist in highlighting opportunities and targets for action


• Develop aims and objectives that will be subject to regular review


• Produce targets with SMART actions


• Produce a draft strategy to encompass all of these items for consideration by policy development

Mr Timms said:“We need to prepare for drier summers and wetter winters.
“West Somerset has a lengthy coastline which already has areas identified as a flood risk.
“The cabinet will contemplate all aspects of climate change, and its possible effect on our district, when considering signing up to the declaration.”Photo submitted.

Road repairs will help avoid Boscastle-type flood in Dulverton

REPAIR works are to be carried out on a main road out of Dulverton on to Exmoor to help prevent a Boscastle-style flooding disaster.
The B3233 Dulverton to Marsh Bridge road is in danger of collapsing into the River Barle and will need to be closed for up to three months for the repairs.
Highways engineers will use the closure time to reconstruct a failing retaining wall in Northmoor Road to keep the road safe.
Work is due to start on Monday, April 30, and could last until July 20.
A public meeting is being held on Wednesday, April 25, in Dulverton Town Hall, to explain the scheme to residents.
The meeting starts at 7 pm and will be attended by Somerset highways structures manager Peter Radford and highway manager David Peake.
The retaining wall reconstruction work will prevent the possibility of a dangerous collapse of a section of the road into the river, which would cause the loss of public utilities to many homes and businesses in Dulverton as well as an enforced road closure lasting many months and the destabilising of properties on the far side of the road.
Historical records show that some riverside cottages in Dulverton were washed away during a serious flood in the 1950s.
Improvements were undertaken at the time and since, but more work is now needed to extend to a further section of the wall.
Councillor John Edwards, who represents Dulverton and Exmoor on Somerset County Council, said: “It is regrettable that there will be disruption while this essential improvement work is being carried out, but we hope that residents and road users will bear with us.
“Everybody can be assured we are fully focussed on the need to get a proper job done as safely and quickly as possible.”
Dulverton Town Council chairman, CouncillorChris Nelder, said: “Locals will all know that the beautiful River Barle does occasionally bare its teeth and our first priority must be to keep the road and residents’ property safe.”
Mr Radford said: “Concerns in these kinds of locations has increased after recent flooding events such as Boscastle.
“The old wall has lost nearly all of its stone facing and this whole section, lying on the outside bend of the river, could be eroded away very swiftly if there was a serious flood. This work is necessary to ensure safety to road users.
“Everybody can rest assured we are doing everything we can to reduce the time the job takes but I must be realistic and not be over-optimistic. If we can beat the July 20 deadline and get the road safely open to traffic earlier, we certainly will.”
Progress notices will be posted around the town, together with diversion routes.
Preparatory work for the scheme, including tree felling and utility diversions, was carried out during the winter, but because of environmental and river level constraints the main work was delayed until now.
As the work involves a road closure and is taking place during the summer months, Somerset Highways has developed a design to minimise the construction period and environmental impact.
There will be a pedestrian path past the work at all times and continued access to businesses and properties close to the site.
To add to the complexity of the scheme, the River Barle at this point is a legally protected Site of Special Scientific Interest because of the presence of river jelly lichen on the river bed.
On the engineering side, borehole investigations behind the wall revealed the presence of extremely hard but thinly-bedded siltstone extending several yards below the river bed and this has made the design more complicated.
Anybody who would like an update on the road closure is asked to telephone Somerset Direct on 0845 9155.
For any other information about the project, people should contact project team members Keith Dingle or Julian Mitchell on 01823 483035.

• Our photographs show (top) the dilapidated section of wall supporting Northmoor Road where a leaning telegraph pole - beside the white van on the right - helped alert engineers to the problem, and (middle) a close-up view of old wall showing lost stonework and areas where the road is being undermined. Photos submitted.

Lottery windfall means handy home help for needy residents

A WINDFALL of nearly £100,000 from the Big Lottery fund means the Somerset Coast Home Improvement Agency (SCHIP) Fix-it Team will soon hit the streets of West Somerset in their Handy Repair Van.
West Somerset Council environmental health manager Ian Timms said: “We are delighted with the success of the SCHIP’s bid.”
SCHIP, a home improvements partnership between West Somerset Council and Sedgemoor District Council, carries out property repairs and adaptations for people in need who are over 60 or disabled.
The lottery fund has awarded it £98,205 over three years.
Mr Timms said: “The new service will complement the existing core service of organising building works and helping to raise funding for clients.
“We are delighted to be able to extend these services.”
Now, a home repair service, known as the ‘Fix-it Team’, will be able to carry out small jobs, emergency repairs, and help with hospital discharge.
It will work closely with existing projects such as the Safe and Secure scheme, Bobbyvan service, and Social Services, which already provides valuable assistance in West Somerset and Sedgemoor.
The Handyperson scheme will be run along the same lines as the existing gardening scheme - SCHIP Green-Team.

Construction underway on district council new headquarters

WORK has started in Williton on a centralised £2.9 million headquarters for West Somerset Council.
Council chief executive Tim Howes said: “We are delighted to be centralising our workforce in these new offices.
“This is a big investment for Williton, good news for the local economy, and a positive move for West Somerset.”
The majority of the existing collection of ageing council buildings on the site will be demolished and replaced with a two-and-a-half storey T-shaped modern building at the northern end of the Killick Way car park.
Recycling banks on the site were removed on Monday, April 23, in preparation for the build, and the council is encouraging people to recycle what they can through the fortnightly kerbside black box collection service, or to use the public facilities at the household waste recycling centre on the village’s Roughmoor industrial estate.
The recycling centre is open from 8 am to 8 pm in the summer and from 8 am to 5 pm in winter.
Subject to the Somerset Waste Board’s approval, the council hopes to return some recycling banks into a smaller area in March, 2008.
Council staff are being encouraged to park off site during the build, and the council has secured sufficient car park spaces on private land nearby, to minimise any disruption to the public.
Mr Howes said: “We have put in considerable effort to ensure the building’s orientation, layout, and design maximise the use of natural light, climate control, and energy conservation.”
The new offices will feature a metal ziplock roof which gives the appearance of traditional lead, with render, glass panel, and brickwork walls.
Two floors of the building will comprise meeting rooms and open-plan offices with a part-mezzanine executive officers’ suite in the roof space above.
Floor space will total 2,025 square metres.
The council chose Exeter-based contractors Mansell plc’s design for the new offices following public consultation last November.
More than 70 per cent of those who responded to the consultation said they felt Mansell’s design was most suited to the site.
The illustration above is an artist’s impression of how the new council offices should look. Drawing submitted.

Murder inquiry woman may have 'hanged herself'

A TEENAGE holidaymaker whose death at Butlins, Minehead, was initially treated as murder may have committed suicide in the chalet where she was staying.
A post mortem has revealed the 19-year-old woman died as a result of hanging.
Earlier, her 26-year-old boyfriend had been arrested on suspicion of murder and then later released without charge.
The young woman was found suffering serious injuries in her chalet at about 3 am on Saturday, April 21, and was taken to Musgrove Park Hospital, Taunton, where she died just over an hour later.
Although police have not yet named her, she is believed to be Rebecca Gore-Bond, of Duffryn Street, Tir-y-Berth, Hengoed, which is a small town in South Wales.
The circumstances of her death will be determined when the Somerset West Coroner holds an inquest.
A police spokesman said: “We are not looking for anybody else in connection with this.”
Photo submitted.

Police release Butlins murder suspect without charge

A MURDER inquiry into the death of a young woman holidaymaker staying at Butlins, Minehead, has been dropped.
Police have released without charge a 26-year-old man whom they had arrested on suspicion of murdering his 19-year-old girlfriend in the early hours of Saturday, April 21.
The woman was found in a chalet at the holiday centre suffering from severe head injuries at about 3 am and she died little more than an hour later in Musgrove Park Hospital, Taunton.
Although some reports said the woman may also have suffered strangulation, police said they were no longer treating the death as suspicious.
The decision followed a post mortem on the woman, the details of which have not been revealed by the police.
Instead, police are preparing a file for an inquest into the death to be held by the Somerset West Coroner.
The inquest is expected to be opened shortly for formal identification purposes and is likely then to be adjourned until a later date.
Both the dead woman and her partner are believed to come from Hengoed, a small town with just under 4,000 residents, near Caerphilly, in Mid Glamorgan, South Wales.
Following the woman’s death, part of the Butlins holiday centre was sealed off to allow forensic investigators to search the area.
Police also spoke to some of the other 4,500 holidaymakers staying at the resort, although most were unaware of the incident and it did not disrupt the operation of the centre.
Photo submitted.

Murder inquiry police arrest man at Butlins

POLICE have launched a murder inquiry after an incident at Butlins holiday centre, in Minehead.
They were called to the centre at 3 am on Saturday, April 21, after reports of a 19-year-old woman being found with serious injuries.
The woman, who is believed to be from the Mid Glamorgan area of South Wales, was taken to Musgrove Park Hospital in Taunton, but died shortly after 4 am.
A 26-year-old man, also from Mid-Glamorgan, has been arrested at Butlins on suspicion of murder and was taken into custody in Taunton Police Station.
An area of the camp was sealed off for police crime scene investigators to carry out a forensic examination, and officers were also speaking to other Butlins holidaymakers.
The dead woman had not yet been formally identified and a post mortem was still to be held.
Police have appealed for any witnesses or anybody who may have seen anything suspicious at Butlins overnight to contact them.
Anybody who can help should contact the police through the secure Crimestoppers contact form at https://www.avonandsomerset.police.uk/crimestoppers/ContactForm.aspx.
Alternatively, they can call Crimestoppers on the free telephone number 0800 555 111, where they do not have to give their name and where they could receive a reward.
Photo by Mrak the Photographer, ref M050032. Order image reprints online at www.tcpbymtp.co.uk.

Independent election ‘scam’ is probed

NEXT month’s elections for West Somerset District Council could be declared invalid and ‘Independent’ candidates and their supporters investigated for ‘electoral fraud’, The Crier can reveal.
It follows the backing of ‘Independent’ candidates by the Liberal Democrat-sponsored residents’ organisation Direct.
The chairman of Direct, Arthur Philips, has published posters and other literature urging local residents to vote for the ‘Independent’ candidates.
But Mr Philips is not an ‘election agent’ for any of the candidates and spending money on such campaigns could therefore be in breach of the Representation of the People Act 1983, which states only the candidate, election agent, and those authorised in writing by the election agent can incur election expenses, while anybody who ‘incurs, or aids, abets, counsels, or procures any other person to incur any expenses in contravention of this section ... shall be guilty of a corrupt practice ...’.
The issue has already been raised with the Electoral Commission and with the West Somerset Returning Officer Tim Howes.
The correspondence, which The Crier has seen, expresses concern that “there is an ‘electoral deceit’ being perpetrated on local voters by those Independents who are a part of this, as they are not Independent but are actually part of a collective political movement and are hiding this fact from the electorate.”
The move follows recent revelations by The Crier that ‘Independent’ candidates could be seen to be a party in themselves as they were being coached and guided centrally and were inherently linked with the Liberal Democrat movement.
This view was reinforced when the candidates were announced and it was seen that the Liberal Democrats were apparently not fielding any candidates except their two most well-known characters in Carhampton and Watchet.
The ‘Independents’ had “by coincidence” all declared themselves in such a way that none were fighting each other for seats.
In single seat wards, there was only one ‘Independent’, in two seat wards there were two ‘Independents’, and so on.
It has prompted claims by opponents that an electoral ‘scam’ was being tried out on voters by any ‘Independent’ involved in the collective decision-making and campaign.

County council axes seafront market

THE long-running Minehead seafront outdoor market has been axed by Somerset County Council.
The authority has decided not to grant the market operators a licence this year.
County council spokeswoman Jan Hookings said it was ‘because of the planned redevelopment of the station site’.
The Liberal Democrat-run county council is due to press ahead with an industrial and leisure development of the site beside Minehead’s railway station which will use the land on which the twice-weekly outdoor market has been held.
There was controversy previously when West Somerset District Council proposed a similar scheme for the site and local residents demanded the market should be kept.
The controversy partly gave rise to the creation by the Liberal Democrats of the residents’ group Direct, which organised a protest march against the scheme.
Direct, which is now actively supporting ‘Independent’ candidates in next month’s local council elections, has not similarly fought the county council’s plans.
A Continental market held in Minehead recently proved a big success with shoppers flooding into the town centre.
Photo submitted.

Dublin boy Rob moves from Elvis to poetry

A DUBLIN-born former Elvis impersonator now living in Minehead is hoping to make a new life for himself as a poet and novelist.
And already, Rob Brennan (pictured with framed letter from Tony Blair) has seen a poem published and has been officially acknowledged by Prime Minister Tony Blair and Liverpool Football Club.
Rob, aged 43, who lives in Glenmore Road, was forced to give up his life as an entertainer after 20 years because he suffered from a muscle-wasting disorder.
He then took up writing as a hobby and is currently studying English at Bridgwater College’s Minehead centre.
Rob, who also writes song lyrics, told The Crier: “When one door closes, another door opens, and I have had to redirect my life.
“I love writing now and I am beginning to get somewhere with it and people are starting to take notice.
“With my disability and the pain I suffer at the moment I sometimes wake up at two or three o-clock in the morning and so I started writing a novel as well.
“But I need to attract some sponsors to help because living on my disability money does not leave enough to pay for things like legal copyright services.”
Rob’s published poem, entitled ‘Questioning Faith’ came fourth in a national magazine competition which attracted 60,000 entries and has been included in a book called ‘Home Thoughts’.
He wrote a poem about the MBE being awarded to Steven Gerrard, who is captain of his favourite football club, Liverpool, and sent a copy to the club and received a letter of thanks.
More recently, Rob also sent Tony Blair a poem written about the Marines and Royal Navy personnel who were being held captive in Iran, and he has received an official letter from the Prime Minister which he has framed.
Having moved to live in Minehead, Rob said his life changed for the better when he met a woman from Porlock who helps care for him in his illness.
He said: “I am an original kid from the back streets of Dublin who has fallen in love with a beautiful woman and a beautiful area in which to live.”
In the summer, Rob hopes to take part in the Regal Theatre’s annual talent competition with a song he has written called ‘All the Time’ and with the help of musicians Karel, Linden, and Emily, who represent the Beach Bar.
Anybody who is interested in sponsoring Rob can write to him at 4 Glenmore Road, Minehead.

Photo submitted.

Every little helps West Somerset economy

THE latest television advertisement for supermarket giants Tesco has provided a financial fillip for the West Somerset economy.
The Crier can reveal the production was filmed on location in West Somerset in mid-March.
The advertisement, for a new range of low-cost clothing being sold by the firm, shows a woman riding on horseback through woods to attend a reception.
It was filmed on Crown Estates-owned land using secluded areas of Croydon Hill, between Dunster and Timberscombe.
A crew of more than 60 people was involved in the shoot, which took two days and also used two helicopters for aerial shots.
Most of the crew stayed in Minehead, many of them in the Gascony Hotel, in The Avenue.
However, there was no sign of actress Prunella Scales, who has become the face of Tesco’s television advertising.
Instead, the woman on horseback was thought to be a model named Amber Bird.

• Our photograph shows some of the film crew shooting the advertisement on Croydon Hill. Photo by Mark the Photographer, ref M030187. Order image reprints online at http://www.tcpbymtp.co.uk/.

Aerial photography set to uncover historic Exmoor sites

UNDISCOVERED sites of archaeological interest on Exmoor could be revealed by a new project being funded by English Heritage.
Two national park authority archaeologists will be examining Exmoor’s past from an unusual perspective by using aerial photographs to increase understanding of the moor’s historic landscape.
The major new survey forms part of English Heritage’s National Mapping Programme and the archaeologists will examine thousands of aerial photographs.
Cain Hegarty, aerial survey officer for Exmoor’s National Mapping Programme Project, said: “We expect to record hundreds of previously unknown archaeological sites as well as adding new details to known sites.”
Similar surveys elsewhere in England have recorded a diverse range of archaeological sites including prehistoric settlements and Second World War military defences.
On Exmoor, such information should provide the park authority’s conservation service with a valuable tool for the future management of the historic environment.
Park authority archaeologist Rob Wilson-North described the new project as ‘a fundamental step forward in helping us to understand Exmoor’s past, and in so doing, to better protect it.’
Anybody wishing to know more about the project should contact Cain Hegarty by emailing cain.hegarty@english-heritage.org.uk or telephoning 01392 824901.
Or, to view the project’s progress or find out more about the wider National Mapping Programme, they can visit the aerial survey web-pages at www.english-heritage.org.uk.

• Our photographs show (top) the earthworks of an Iron Age hillfort at Cow Castle, in the Barle valley, with the remains of early iron mining in the foreground, and (bottom) field banks, ridge, and furrow and an old trackway forming the remains of medieval farming at Room Hill on the slopes of the Exe valley, near Exford. Photos by Rob Wilson-North/ENPA.

Diamond anniversary exhibition for model engineers

MODEL engineers from West Somerset are helping Taunton Model Engineers to stage its diamond year exhibition in Monkton Heathfield Community School, near Taunton, on April 14.
Because the 60th anniversary makes it a special occasion, a number of guest modelling clubs from Somerset and Devon will be attending to show off some of their finest models.
On display will be a range of model traction engines, trains, boats, aircraft, historic engines, clocks, tools, scientific instrument, and much more.
Other societies attending include the Tone Vale Model Boat Club, Blackdown Hills Radio Controlled Model Aircraft Club, and societies from Yeovil, Tiverton, South Somerset, Huntspill, and Bristol.
The exhibition will be open from 10 am to 4 pm on both days.
Taunton Model Engineers was formed in June, 1946, and staged its first exhibition in the spring of 1947.
It has grown in size and diversity over the years and now has more than 100 members, who today are as likely to be building or restoring old or replica engines as building steam engines.
TME has two public running tracks in Vivary Park, Taunton, and in Creech St Michael, where the public can see and smell engines in steam and can ride on trains.

Public invited to drop in to police beat surgeries

A NUMBER of beat surgeries are being attending during April by Police Community Support Officer David Rowe, where the public can meet him to discuss local issues.
They can talk in confidence with him regarding any concerns, or even just drop in to say ‘hello’.
PCSO Rowe’s schedule is as follows: Tuesday, April 17 - Hoburne holiday site reception, Blue Anchor, 11 am to 12.30 pm; Thursday, April 19 - Elworthy, Monksilver and Nettlecombe Community Hall, 10 am to 12 noon; Wednesday, April 25 - Willow Grove Community Hall, Washford, 11 am to 12 noon; Roadwater Village Hall, Roadwater - 12.30 pm to 1.30 pm, Wednesday 25 April.
PCSO Rowe has also recently already held a beat surgery in Withycombe Memorial Hall in conjunction with Withycombe Luncheon Club.

• Our photograph shows a PCSO on duty in Minehead. Photo submitted.

Comedy Club returns to Queens Hall

THE monthly Comedy Club is back at the Queens Hall, Minehead, on Thursday, April 5, with four comedians on a bill headlined by Adam Ethan Crow (pictured).
During the past eight years, Adam has honed his stand-up comedy act to suit any room, due to the diverse venues in which he has found himself.
Be it a festival, a comedy club, or a corporate function, his act seems to work anywhere on the bill.
‘An entertaining and skilful comedian’ says Time Out, ‘cracking act’ says Dr Fox (Capital Radio), and ‘really funny’ - that, from Ricky Gervais.
As a television warm-up man, Adam has covered the spectrum while heating up studio audiences from coffin dodgers on ‘Open House’ with Gloria Hunniford, to the outlandish lager louts on Channel 5’s ‘Night Fever’.
On the other side of the camera, he has appeared in The Dream Team (Sky One), Casualty (BBC 1), Live At Jongleurs (Paramount), The Bill (ITV), Lovejoy (BBC 1) and The Real Dating Show (Channel 4) to name but a few.
At the 1997 Edinburgh Festival, Adam wrote and performed with Mitch Benn the surprise sell-out hit ‘The A-Z of Comedy’.
Also on the Queens Hall bill are Mike Tombs, David Whitney, and MC Danny Dawes.
The show starts at 9 pm and tickets are £4 on the door. Last food orders are at 8.30 pm.
Photos submitted.

East Wharf consultation proves constructive

A PUBLIC information event in Watchet to unveil new enhancements to a planned multi-million pounds East Wharf regeneration project has been hailed a success.
West Somerset Council project manager, Adrian Dyer said: “The event was really constructive and we were delighted by the level of public interest in the scheme.
“People raised various points and it proved to be really useful to have the developer and architects on hand to answer questions.
“A recurring theme raised by local people is whether parking in town will become a problem as it is anticipated the East Wharf development will draw many more visitors to Watchet.
“While this is great for the local economy, we now need to consider the scheme’s impact on future parking arrangements.”
Urban Splash, the scheme’s developer, has financed enhancements on site to ensure the residential, commercial, and retail elements of the East Wharf can function independently of, but in harmony with, the day-to-day activities of a working marina.
The enhancements include:

• Provision of new, flexible boat storage and car parking arrangements in Harbour Road car park
  
• Improvement works to the current boat museum building to allow its conversion as a boat workshop
  
• Demolition and relocation of the taxi kiosk at the entrance to Harbour Road
  
• Purchasing associated installation site works for a fixed boat hoist, including a tractor and trailer/cradle
  
• Works to reconfigure and enhance Swain Street car park, including the proposed demolition of existing garages and public conveniences
  
• Provision of a new bus stop, coach parking, and a new taxi kiosk and associated taxi rank
  
• Replacement public conveniences

Mr Dyer said: “We would like to thank everybody who came to the event.
“We are collating the feedback we received and this will be used to plan ahead so that local people and visitors will all benefit from the rewards that a revitalised East Wharf will bring to Watchet.”
The multi-million pounds scheme is scheduled to start in the spring of next year and is set to transform East Wharf.
The scheme includes 86 one and two-bedroom apartments, commercial space designed to accommodate a bistro and retail units, and community space.
There will be enhanced facilities for the marina, including new offices, laundry, and changing rooms.

• The image above is an artist’s impression of the completed East Wharf development. Image submitted.

Excursions make a day to remember in heritage railway's history

ANOTHER ‘day to remember’ in the history of the West Somerset Railway occurred on Saturday, March 31, when for the first time the heritage line welcomed two mainline excursions to the branch line on the same day.
Kingfisher Railtours was the first to arrive with an excursion train from Eastleigh which arrived behind diesel locomotive 67020 and departed behind the 1926 built Southern Railway express locomotive number 850, ‘Lord Nelson’.
Departing in the early afternoon, the train passed at Blue Anchor a Nenta Tours special from Norwich, which was worked to and from Minehead by a Class 47 diesel locomotive.
Between them, the two excursions brought 526 passengers to Minehead, where they were able to enjoy time in and around the town on a sunny day.
WSR general manager Paul Conibeare said: “The two specials rounded off a hugely successful month for us which has also seen two other main line charters on and off the branch on March 10 and 24 and our most successful spring steam gala to date.
“Over the six days of the gala we carried over 10,000 passengers, and Saturday, March 24, was the busiest single day in our history with over 3,000 travelling.
“Nor should it be overlooked that many of the visitors to the galas stay in the area and that both gala visitors and excursionists visit local shops, pubs, and cafes and bring early season revenue into the area along the route of the West Somerset.
“We next welcome an excursion from Preston on April 14, while on April 28 another special train will leave Minehead for an excursion to York.
“Meanwhile we continue to operate our own services between Bishops Lydeard and Minehead and our evening programme of catering specials starts with a cancer charity fund-raising fish and chip special on May 5.”

• Our photograph (top) is by Alan Meade, showing steam locomotive 850 ‘Lord Nelson’ entering Bishops Lydeard Station on a Kingfisher Railtours journey to Eastleigh from Minehead.
• Our photograph (bottom) is by Brian Garrett and shows the Class 47 diesel locomotive at the junction at Norton Fitzwarren on a Nenta Train Tours trip from North Walsingham.

Golf club A team make winning start in league debut

ON Saturday, March 31, Minehead and West Somerset Golf Club’s A team entertained Cheddington in division seven of the Avalon League.
With a maximum of 12 points available to the home side and 17 points available to the away side, it was imperative for the team to make a good start in their first season playing league golf.
The team played well, led by Paul Fullbrook, winning fourof the five fourball better ball games to score eight points.
With two extra points for winning the match, Minehead finished their first game with 10 points and Cheddington took away 3 points for their single away game victory.
Minehead’s winning pairs were P Fullbrook and D Bosley (3&2), K Murrell and W Knight (6&5), I Freeman and D Hillier (2&1), D Oatridge and C Knight (4&3), with G Whalley and J Fisher narrowly losing their game by one hole.
In a reserves game which did not contribute to the final points scored, club captain Denis Compton and partner Matt Vickery beat their Cheddington counterparts three and two.
Minehead’s next league match is at home against Wheathill on May 5.

Photo submitted.

Police warning over Easter car crime and off-roading on Quantock Hills

POLICE are asking Easter visitors to the Quantock Hills to take simple measures to avoid becoming a victim of car crime.
They are also taking the opportunity to remind owners of all 4x4 vehicles, quad bikes, and motorcycles that all tracks across the Quantock Hills are now out of bounds to unauthorised vehicles.
Police Community Support Officer for the Quantock Hills, Eamonn Leniston, said: “As Easter approaches, the lighter nights and warmer days mean that more people are out walking on the Quantock Hills and visiting natural beauty spots, and therefore are parking their cars in the area.
“We are reminding visitors to make sure they remove property from display in vehicles, lock their car, and keep their belongings safe.
“It Is a simple message - if your property is not on display, the thief will see nothing to steal and walk on by.
“The vast majority of thefts from cars are opportunistic - the thief sees your sat nav on the dashboard, or bag on the back seat, breaks your window, and takes it.
“This is a message we have been pushing out for a long, long time but it does not get through.
“Time and time again we have thefts reported to us of property which has been left on display in your car.
“This is a crime which is so easy to prevent but this is not something the police can do on our own.
“Regular patrols on the hills are made and vehicles are checked. If we find vehicles which are vulnerable we will contact you.”
PCSO Leniston also pointed out it was an offence to use a mechanically-driven vehicle off-road anywhere on the Quantock Hills unless authorised, such as land owners and those who have the land owner’s permission.
He said: “People who tend their livestock are also entitled to use the off-road tracks.
“However, there are still individuals who persist in doing so for recreational purposes and there is a minority who cause alarm and distress to other visitors to the hills.
“Should you witness any offending vehicles, please contact us on 0845 456 7000 - always use 999 in an emergency - or via the force website at http://www.avonandsomerset.police.uk/.
“Anybody who can help should contact us through our secure Crimestoppers contact form at https://www.avonandsomerset.police.uk/crimestoppers/ContactForm.aspx.
“Alternatively, you can call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. You do not have to give your name and you could receive a reward.”
Photo submitted.

New police inspector takes charge in West Somerset

A NEW police inspector has taken charge of the 18 beats in West Somerset, which includes Exmoor and the Quantock Hills.
She is Inspector Carol Pearce, who has taken over the role from Inspector Nic Crocker, who has been in post for less than two years.
Carol, aged 46, grew up in Weston-super-Mare and has been police officer for 27 years and has been awarded the constabulary’s long service and good conduct medal and also the Queen’s Police Jubilee Award.
She started as a PC in Taunton and has worked across the force area with experience of all aspects of operational policing, including being a beat manager, working in the communications department, and on child protection issues.
Carol has worked in the force’s drugs strategy unit developing drugs initiatives and her most recent post was as a district inspector as the county’s police drugs lead, working closely with the Somerset Drugs and Alcohol Action Team.
She said: “I am really pleased to be taking on this role as the permanent new sector inspector.
“I know the area well and feel I have a good idea of what matters to local people.
“I am passionate about policing and intend to use my wealth of experience to help drive down crime and provide reassurance to all our residents.
“Two of the areas I will be focussing my attention towards are the night time economy and issues surrounding anti-social behaviour.
“I am conscious that these are two issues that can affect the quality of people’s lives whether it is due to intimidation or nuisance activity.
“I will not tolerate this sort of behaviour and will work with our partner agencies to target those who flout the law.
“I am committed to ensuring this area continues to be a safe place to live and work.”
“I have an excellent team working for me consisting of PCs, Sergeants, Police Community Support Officers, Special Constables and police staff, all of whom are committed to increasing the number of crimes detected, reducing the fear of crime, and improving community reassurance through direct police activity and partnership working.”