West Somerset Post - formerly The Crier

Teenagers die in Watchet car smash

2007-08-17T08:01:00.000Z

POLICE are appealing for witnesses after a road traffic collision at Washford Cross which has left two teenagers dead.
Police were called at 9.20 pm on Thursday, August 16, to the B3190, between Washford Cross and Five Bells, to the collision which involved a Mitsubishi Shogun and a Peugeot 205 car.
It is believed the Peugeot was travelling north towards Watchet when it has collided with a roadside verge before colliding with the Shogun.
The driver and passenger from the Peugeot, both aged 18 from the Watchet and Minehead area, were both pronounced dead at the scene.
The driver of the Shogun did not suffer serious injuries.
Police collision investigators have been at the scene throughout the night and the B3190 currently remains closed, but is expected to open in the near future.
Police would like to speak to anyone who may have witnessed the collision or may have been travelling on the road at the time.
Anyone who can help is asked to call the collision investigation unit on 0845 4567000 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.
Anyone 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.

Change of name for The Crier - now it is the West Somerset Post

2007-08-06T11:33:00.000Z

THE Crier newspaper is changing with effect from the August, 2007, edition and will now be known as the West Somerset Post.
A new company has been set up to publish the paper, which has been developed during the past six years by Minehead businessman Mike Padgett.
Mr Padgett has decided for personal reasons not to continue publishing The Crier and has put the title up for sale.
In the meantime, members of the editorial team and the sales team have decided to continue the business with a title of their own.
The West Somerset Post is being published by the Post News Group Ltd and the editor of the paper will continue to be John Thorne and the advertising director will continue to be Dudley Seale.
Mr Thorne said: "From a readers' and advertisers' perspective it is business as usual and they should hardly notice any changes from the paper which they have become used to seeing over the last few years.
"Apart from using another name, and, of course, having different contact details, the changes that are being made are all behind the scenes.
"We have in effect picked up the baton from Mr Padgett and we intend to continue with the development programme for the paper which he had already put in place.
"It is only thanks to the time and resources which Mr Padgett has invested in The Crier that we continue to be able to offer the people and businesses of West Somerset and Exmoor an alternative newspaper which gives them the best value-for-money advertising combined with professional journalism and a non-partisan take on the area's news.
"We look forward to developing The Post along the lines of the vision of Mr Padgett and hope that he will be proud of the way we take the paper into the future."

Harbour jump boy drowns in front of holidaymakers

2007-08-03T07:45:00.000Z

A MASSIVE air-sea rescue search off the West Somerset coast ended tragically in the early hours of Friday, August 3, when a teenager was found dead.
The youngster, thought to be aged about 16, apparently jumped into Minehead Harbour shortly after 7 pm the previous evening and was heard to shout for help before disappearing under the water.
He was found nearly seven hours later after an exhaustive search which involved coastgaurds, lifeboats, a helicopter, police divers, fire and rescue teams with thermal imaging cameras, and local boat owners.
Some reports said the boy, thought to be local to the area, may have been tombstoning – a craze where groups of mainly young people jump from high walls or cliffs into water.
The tragedy happened in front of hundreds of holidaymakers who were enjoying an otherwise pleasant sunny evening on the harbourside.
But one witness to the drama dismissed the suggestion as the boy was fully dressed and appeared to have been on his own, while nobody had been noticed jumping into the harbour earlier.
The youth was taken to Musgrove Park Hospital, Taunton, and was pronounced dead on arrival.
A spokesman for the Coastguard Service in Swansea said: “We know he jumped into the harbour off the harbour wall.
“He swam for a short distance, then all of a sudden was crying for help and then apparently sank like a sack of potatoes.”
The West Somerset Coroner was being informed of the incident and an inquest will be held into the boy’s death.

Our library photograph above shows a group of youngsters ‘tombstoning’ in Minehead Harbour some time ago. Photo submitted.

Rescue services launch massive search for missing harbour youth

2007-08-02T20:48:00.001Z

A HUGE search was underway by rescue services on Thursday evening, August 2, for a youth who fell into the waters of Minehead Harbour.
The boy, believed to be in his early teens, was seen to fall from the harbour wall in front of shocked holidaymakers shortly after 7 pm.
He was heard to shout for help before disappearing under the water
Coastguards, lifeboats, a helicopter, police, firefighters, other emergency services personnel, and local boat owners totalling around 50 to 60 people were all involved in the search, which was continuing as darkness fell.
The town's harbourside was packed with visitors and local people enjoying a pleasant sunny evening when the tragedy occured.
It was not known if the youngster was local or a visitor to the town.
He was not thought to have been involved in any 'tombstoning', a practice which has been condemned by coastguards as dangerous - which involves jumping into deep water from harbour walls.
One local youth who witnessed the incident and who did not want to be named, said: "He was just sat there one minute and then we heard him shout 'help' and he was going into the water and went under."
Photo of Minehead Harbour submitted.

'If I die, blame hospital', says retired GP Sandy

2007-07-31T15:14:00.000Z

RETIRED GP Sandy Jordan has taken the extraordinary step of instructing lawyers to demand the West Somerset Coroner holds a full inquest in the event of his untimely death.
The move reflects the concern held by Dr Jordan over his treatment by medical staff as a patient in Musgrove Park Hospital, Taunton, going back over 18 months.
Dr Jordan, aged 78, told The Crier: “Every year, the British Medical Association say about 1,100 people die in hospital because of the wrong treatments - and I do not want to be one of them.
“It is really quite frightening.”
Dr Jordan, who retired from general practice in Minehead in 1996 after 40 years as a GP and who lives in Alcombe, Minehead, has been involved in an on-going dispute with the management of the hospital since being treated for a broken hip in December, 2005 and which has left him with anaemia.
He has demanded an apology from acting chief executive Dr Peter Cavanagh and wants amendments made to his medical records.
Dr Jordan fears a note presently included in his medical records could lead an unsuspecting doctor to cause his death by applying the wrong treatment.
The issue concerns a reaction to the blood thinning drug Heparin which he received in December, 2005, while recovering from a broken right hip.
Dr Jordan said he was kept on an intravenous infusion of Heparin for 18 days despite his protests and at a level twice as high as necessary.
He then suffered a severe skin rash which medical staff told him was shingles but he believed was an allergic reaction to the Heparin.
Dr Jordan said eventually one doctor researched the problem and agreed that he was sensitive to Heparin and made a note in his records.
Then, in July of last year, Dr Jordan fell and broke his other hip and found himself back in Musgrove Park Hospital, where he was given a synthetic form of Heparin called Fondaparinux despite his protests.
Doctors told him there was nothing in his records to indicate a problem with Heparin, despite the incident which occurred eight months earlier.
Consequently, Dr Jordan said he suffered prolonged internal bleeding, became jaundiced, his liver was damaged, and the stress also caused heart complications because his Pacemaker began to fail.
He was reduced to a state close to death and needed 11 pints of blood in transfusions in a period of eight days.
He said: “Unbeknown to me, my family were saying ‘good bye’ to me because I was so ill. My son-in-law said I looked like a corpse. I did not get back to normal until nearly Christmas.”
Dr Jordan later discovered that despite being in a confused state he argued against being given Heparin but doctors were about to use it when he was saved by a stroke of luck.
A duty pharmacist at the time had decided to seek advice and spoke on the telephone with a more senior colleague who cautioned against Heparin and advised Wolfarin instead.
Following the incident, Dr Jordan complained to Dr Cavanagh and eventually he was allowed to see his medical records – and was shocked at what he found.
He said: “There was nothing about sensitivity to Heparin and Fondaparinux, and also the medical notes had gone, there were only the nursing notes - my notes had been stripped.”
Dr Jordan said the discharge notes made no mention of how he had been seriously ill and needed blood transfusions – and he also discovered matters were even worse than he thought, as a written note said Heparin could be safely given if used with Piriton.
“I said if another houseman read that, I could be killed,” he said. “Then they asked me to write my own discharge notes.”
Dr Jordan said he prepared his own summary containing the Heparin sensitivity and the skin rash incident, but the hospital refused to accept them even after about four re-drafts.
He said: “They will not yield an inch. The hospital will not admit that I had this skin rash, even now.”
Dr Jordan said he had been advised by the hospital to go through the official complaints procedure if he remained unhappy.
But he said: “All I want is an honest answer and my notes properly written. They think if they apologise I will be in for litigation, but I am not looking to sue them, I am doing this to help my fellow man.
“My life is now precariously balanced. I am passing the papers to my solicitor, who has been instructed to request HM Coroner to have a full inquiry into the conduct of my case at Musgrove Park Hospital between December, 2005, and this moment of time, should I die.”
A statement issued to The Crier by Taunton and Somerset NHS Trust, which runs Musgrove Park Hospital, confirmed Dr Jordan first contacted the trust in relation to his latest complaint, in September, 2006.
The trust said: “He has received both formal written responses from, and has had discussions with the trust’s acting chief executive and the acting medical director.
“The trust takes all complaints very seriously and has robust complaint procedures in place, which aim to resolve the anxieties of any patients, relatives, carers, or visitors of the trust.
“The trust has advised Dr Jordan, should he wish to take his complaint further, of the second stage of the complaints procedure, which involves an independent review undertaken by the Healthcare Commission.”

Dr Sandy Jordan is pictured in the garden of his Alcombe home with his notes. Photo by Mark the Photographer, ref TCP0545. Order image reprints online at www.tcpbymtp.co.uk.

AA rewards bed and breakfast couple for friendly welcome for guests

2007-07-31T14:50:00.000Z

GUEST house owners Sandy and Steve Poingdestre are officially among the most friendly in the country.
The couple run the six-bedroom Kenella House, in Tregonwell Road, Minehead, and were judged runners-up in a nationwide contest.
More than 4,500 bed and breakfast providers were involved in the competition, which was sponsored by the AA and the Daily Telegraph.
And Sandy and Steve were placed in the top 15 in the country as they were also awarded four out of five of the AA’s coveted yellow stars.
They received an engraved decanter and certificate and a £100 Harrods gift voucher when they attended the presentation evening held in The Galleries, in South Kensington, London.
The couple moved to Minehead in 2002 after running a public house in Lymington, Hampshire for 12 years.
They bought Kenella House in a run-down state and completely renovated it before starting to trade in 2003.
Sandy, who started her career as a silver service hotel waitress 29 years ago, said the decision to move to West Somerset was taken after spending holidays in Dulverton and Lynton and falling in love with the area, and also because Steve’s health had been deteriorating.
She said: “There was a Jamiroquai song at the time with a line which goes ‘I love this corner of the earth, it smiles on me’ and that was how I felt. I only found out later that he wrote it while staying along the road between Minehead and Bridgwater where you can look across the bay and see Minehead.”
Reaching the finals of the AA award came as a complete surprise to Sandy and Steve as the annual contest is initially judged by mystery guests and telephone callers without the owners’ knowledge and 100 accommodation providers are nominated.
Sandy said: “I did not even know we were entered for it. We were very pleased, and it is good because we love what we do and this shows some appreciation for our hard work.”
A second Minehead guest house, the 11-bedroom Glendower House, also in Tregonwell Road, was also awarded four AA yellow stars.
The AA four-star award signifies attentive staff who provide a good level of service with at least half of the rooms having an en suite bath and a shower and at least one restaurant available offering a good range of hot and cold skilfully-prepared food.

Our photograph shows Steve and Sandy Poingdestre outside Kenella House with their AA certificate. Photo by Mark the Photographer, ref TCPKH0015. Order image reprints online at http://www.tcpbymtp.co.uk/.

'World debut' performance at Alcombe soloists' concert

2007-07-31T08:47:00.000Z

FOURTEEN pupils of music tutor Mrs Jeannette Owen performed in a soloists’ concert in Alcombe Methodist Church on Wednesday, July 25.
Mrs Owen stages concerts for parents and friends for all her pupils, usually at Christmas, but this was the first soloists’ concert with pupils being selected for their motivation and continued hard work throughout the year.
The evening started with a presentation of the Associated Board of Royal Music Schools examination certificates - the most senior pupil, Ellie Stone having achieved grade five theory with merit, and the most varied, Wilfred Owen, having achieved grade three bassoon with distinction, and grade two piano with merit.
Five flautists, two clarinetists, one bassoonist, one trumpeter, one saxophonist, and one violist gave solo performances, with piano accompaniment from Mrs Owen.
There were also three piano solos.
The music varied from early music - Sarabanda: Corelli, through
Allegro: C P E Bach, Les Roseaux: Couperin, Malageuna: (Trad) Spanish, to Promenade: Musorgsky and Easy Winners: Scott Joplin.
The audience was delighted to see the enthusiasm of the young soloists, and were in for a final treat to conclude the evening - the world debut of Minehead’s Alternative Quartet, dressed in black with a colour (pictured above), who played Eine Kleine Nachtmusik: Mozart, from the string quartet music, with the violins being replaced by 1st flute - Ellie Stone, 2nd flute - Jeannette Owen, viola (in its rightful place) - Abi Owen, and for the cello, bassoon - Wilf Owen.
Mrs Owen said: “It worked - these young people only having had the music for a few days have had such fun in practising the quartet.”
Further soloists’' concerts will be held each term, with the concert for all pupils being held as usual during the Christmas season.
Photo submitted.

Minehead armed robbery - man arrested in Birmingham

2007-07-28T23:36:00.000Z

A MAN has been arrested on suspicion of carrying out an armed robbery at a building society in Minehead and also a second raid at a building society in Weston-super-Mare a week earlier.
Both raids were on branches of the Nationwide Building Society and in each case the description of the robber was similar.
The Minehead incident occurred on Tuesday, July 24, when a man with what appeared to be a hand gun held up staff in the Nationwide offices, in The Parade, at about 4.45 pm.
The Weston-super-Mare robbery was in the Nationwide branch in High Street shortly before 2 pm on Monday, July 16, and was carried out by a man brandishing a black hand gun.
In both cases the robber escaped with a large sum of cash.
Despite intensive police activity in both Minehead and Weston immediately after the robberies, there was no trace of the offender.
But following extensive investigations and help from the public, police swooped on an address in Birmingham late on Thursday night, July 26.
There, they arrested a 31-year-old man in connection with both incidents and took him into custody to be transferred to Taunton for questioning.

Exmoor love song launches at Dulverton folk festival

2007-07-26T22:38:00.000Z

THE first Dulverton Folk Festival, which runs from Friday, July 27, to Sunday, July 29, sees the launch of a new song ‘Winsford Hill – A Love Song for Exmoor’.
It has been composed by Exeter-based artists Colin Rea and Juliet Field, with words by Dulverton poetess Atisha McGregor Auld, and is scored for voice accompanied by piano and guitar.
Atisha said: “The emphasis of the composition was to create melodic phrases that encapsulate the beauty and ageless mystery of Exmoor, and to evoke in the listener the feelings of dark and light, earth and air.
“It invites the listener to step out of time for a few moments and marvel at the grand and sensitive simplicity of nature. It is definitely a love song for Exmoor.”
‘Winsford Hill’ is taken from Atisha’s recently-published book of poetry called ‘Eight Rivers – A Tributary of Words’.
The score, which has been published with the cover showing an image of an ancient hawthorn tree laden with red berries sitting gracefully on a rich moorland hill, will be on sale at the festival.
Other artists featured in the folk fest include Vikki Nuttall, Stephen Snow, Maurice Condie, Liz Law, George Papavgeris, Gillian Tolfrey, Terry Conway, Steve Last, Christine Connelly, Jim Causely, Greame Maynard, Tom Oakes and Julian Sutton.
The festival, organised by local musician Dave Towers, brings the best of local and national talent to venues around the town during the weekend.
Mr Towers said: “Dulverton is a great place to hold the festival and tickets are going fast. We have a great line-up for people to enjoy.
“As well as top local talent, we have some great national and Irish singers and musicians. There are plenty of exciting events in venues around the town all through the weekend and I am sure there will be something to please everybody”
Local performers include fiddle player Stephen Snow, 19, from Devon and Dulverton singer and guitarist, Vikki Nuttall.
Vikki said: “We are delighted to perform alongside these acts – they are very well known so it is quite a privilege. We are really looking forward to it.”
Councillor Neil Parbrook, the district council’s leisure, culture and recreation portfolio holder, said: “It is great that the council can assist events like the folk festival.
“They give local people the opportunity to sample new sights and sounds as well as drawing in tourists, which is great for local businesses. It will be a fun weekend for everybody.”
The folk festival is supported with funding from Exmoor Events and ArtLife, in partnership with West Somerset Council, and tickets for concerts are available at The Tantivy in Dulverton or by telephoning 01398 323818.
Full details are on the internet at http://www.dulvertonff.co.uk/.

Our photographs show (top) Vikki Nuttall and Dave Towers; and (below) Atisha McGregor Auld outside Dulverton Town Hall with a copy of ‘Winsford Hill’. Photos submitted.

Row likely as Independents claim credit for Conservative projects

2007-07-25T23:02:00.000Z

A POLITICAL row was looming in West Somerset after Independent district councillors elected only in May tried to claim credit for a series of economic development projects – all of which were started under the former Conservative administration.
A number of the now-trumpeted projects were bitterly opposed at the time when Independents and others on the council sought to attract newspaper headlines criticising the Conservative leadership in the months leading up to the elections.
Now, district council public relations officer Stacey Beaumont has issued a press release pointing out that West Somerset had secured more funding from Objective 2 transitional European Regional Development Funding (ERDF) than any other district Westcountry despite being the smallest council.
It followed the start of work on the development of the Barle Enterprise Centre, near Dulverton, and a £203,193 funding award for Minehead’s new Visitor Information and Interpretation Centre (VIIC), bringing the total of European money for West Somerset to more than £6.7 million.
The council’s economic development and tourism portfolio holder, Councillor Michael Downes, claimed: “We have completed, or are in the process of completing, 15 projects thanks to this funding.
“It has benefited a broad range of projects from developing local workspace, ICT provision and food links support through to tourism development via the organisation of events and festivals and the provision of the new VIIC.
“In all cases, the money needed to complete the project has to be at least doubled by the council and its partners so total funding in the district is much higher.
“For example, we have helped access £1.4 million for the New Horizons project but the actual investment by the council and its partners is in the region of £50 million.
“We know that businesses and tourism in the area need our support and we are doing our best to provide sustainable economic and tourism initiatives.
“We are also ensuring that local people’s social, health, and learning needs will be met by assisting with the provision of the new hospital, health complex, and skills and learning centre through New Horizons.”
The present leader of the council, Councillor Keith Ross – considered to have been an architect of many of the previous attacks on the development projects - said: “In the past we have been criticised for not delivering, but as this list shows, our staff have worked hard to deliver a substantial number of high-quality projects to help improve social and economic conditions for people and businesses across West Somerset.
“The workspace in Williton is nearing completion and work on the Dulverton workspace is now under way.
“Our staff are also putting a major amount of work into the provision of affordable housing for local people which is another area in which we are genuinely starting to deliver.
“We intend to build on our successes and prove ourselves as community leaders who deliver meaningful projects which bring social and economic benefits to the whole district.”
The list of projects for which credit was now being claimed included:

Exmoor & Quantocks Foodlinks (£151,688) – project ongoing
Exmoor Events & Festivals (£112,500) – project completed
Rural Learning & Early Years Centre (£636,488) – project completed
Williton ICT (£51,084) – project completed
Stage 2 feasibility study into New Horizons (£25,000) – project completed
Crisis loans for small businesses that suffered as a result of foot and mouth disease (£120,850) – project completed
South West Wood Fuels (£81,450) – project completed
Williton Workspace at Roughmoor (£788,672) – project ongoing
Dulverton Workspace at the Barle Enterprise Centre (£806,711) – project ongoing
Somerset Broadband (£180,960) – project ongoing
Technical Assistance for the Broadband project (£84,349) – project ongoing
Watchet Esplanade Enhancement (£138,380) – project ongoing
Minehead Visitor Information & Interpretation Centre (£203,193) – application approved
New Horizons (£1.4m) – application approved

The VIIC on the seafront at Minehead will replace the existing Tourist Information Centre in Friday Street and will be equipped with high-tech interactive touch-screen displays and will provide a centre of excellence for the delivery of tourism information, with the aim of attracting and developing potential and existing customer markets to support the tourism industry of the whole area.
Bridgwater-based H Pollard & Sons has been selected as the preferred developer and contract details are currently being finalised with a view to work starting shortly and being completed by the summer of next year.

Our photograph taken at the start of work on the Barle Enterprise Centre shows (left to right) Councillor Keith Ross, Councillor Michael Downes, and site manager Jake Carless, of building contractors CS Williams Ltd. Photo submitted.

Minister rejects unitary local government bid for Somerset

2007-07-25T22:30:00.000Z

A LIBERAL Democrat bid to abolish West Somerset Council and seize control of all local government services throughout Somerset has been thrown out by the Government.
The emphatic rejection of Somerset County Council’s plans for a single unitary authority in the county follows a county-wide referendum which saw 82 per cent of respondents vote against the idea.
The Department for Communities and Local Government had set five criterion which it said any unitary bid would need to meet in order to be successful, one of which was that there should be a broad cross section of support for the proposal.
Another criterion was to be affordable – but an independent assessment of the plan showed it would have cost ratepayers £7 million rather than saving them money as claimed by the Lib Dems.
The unitary bid was opposed in a joint campaign by all five of Somerset’s district councils and all five MPs who represent the county in Parliament.
West Somerset Council leader, Councillor Keith Ross, warmly welcomed the Government decision.
Councillor Ross said: “I am pleased that the voices of local people have been heard, and their wishes respected.
“I appreciate that the Government wants us to improve the current two-tier system and look forward to working with our partners in the district councils and at the county council to achieve this.”
In the recent referendum on unitary status, 200,000 people voted, almost half of the county’s population and more than took part in local government elections in May. Just18 per cent of those who voted were in favour.
West Somerset and the other district councils argued the county authority’s proposals would involve the creation of a mammoth council, a giant new bureaucracy, more red tape, and the abolition of local councils, leading to less democracy and more remote councillors.
Lib Dem county councillors ignored the county-wide referendum and tried to defy the result right up to the end by refusing to withdraw their unitary bid.
The present leader of the county council, Councillor Jill Shortland, who recently took on the role after Councillor Cathy Bakewell stepped down just months after she had launched the bid, said: “The news that our bid to create one council for Somerset is not being taken forward by the DCLG is very disappointing.
“However, the business of providing excellent services to residents will continue with full pace.
“I truly hope that we can re-engage with our district council partners to look for new ways of working closer together through local area working, where many opportunities exist to empower Somerset’s communities.”

Building society cashier held at gunpoint during robbery

2007-07-25T16:11:00.000Z

POLICE have appealed for help from the public in catching an armed robber who struck in Minehead late in the afternoon on Tuesday, July 24.
The robbery happened in the Nationwide Building Society, in The Parade, where a cashier was held at gunpoint while a second member of staff was forced to fill a bag with cash.
It happened at about 4.45 pm when a man walked into the offices brandishing what appeared to be a hand gun and threatened staff.
He grabbed the cashier and began shouting as he threw a bag at a second woman and demanded she stuffed it with money.
The raider then snatched the bag away and ran to a car parked nearby, believed to be blue in colour and possibly a Peugeot make, which may have been parked around the corner in Holloway Street.
He was described as a white man about 6 ft tall, of thin build, aged between 20 to 30 years, with pointed features, and speaking with a strong Scottish accent, possibly Glaswegian.
The robber wore a white hooded top with some form of writing across the chest area and black faded jeans.
Police have appealed for anybody who was in the area at the time and may have seen anything suspicious, particularly a man running towards the parked car, to contact them.
Anybody with information can contact police at Minehead on 0845 4567000 or they can use the secure Crimestoppers contact form at https://www.avonandsomerset.police.uk/crimestoppers/ContactForm.aspx.
Alternatively they can call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. They do not have to give a name and they could receive a reward.

Fire traps three people on balconies of Minehead flats

2007-07-25T08:54:00.000Z

FIRE crews mounted a major operation in Minehead to rescue three people trapped on the upper floors of a block of flats which caught fire in the early hours of Tuesday, July 24.
The residents were unable to escape from the property in The Parks, which comprised seven flats, after the blaze broke out in the ground floor rear area of the building.
They became trapped on balconies and were eventually led to safety down a 135-feet high ladder raised by fire crews.
Others did manage to flee the building and they raised the alarm by calling the emergency services, who responded by sending firefighters from four stations in Minehead, Porlock, Williton, and Taunton, a command support unit from Wiveliscombe, and an incident support unit from Taunton, as well as a number of ambulances.
The incident started at about 2 am on Tuesday, and two firemen wearing breathing apparatus entered the building to put out the blaze using a hose reel jet.
An investigation was started later in the day to decide on the cause of the fire.
Photo submitted.

Weather causes country fair cancellation in 30th anniversary year

2007-07-25T07:12:00.000Z

THE 30th anniversary Dunster Country Fair, due to have taken place on July 25, has been cancelled due to the recent wet weather conditions.
The decision was taken at the weekend when it became apparent that the site on Dunster Lawns was waterlogged and vehicles could not safely access it for marquees and other pre-event facilities to be set up.
Cancellation will cause a huge financial blow to the organisers, the West Somerset Hunt and Minehead Harriers.
The one-day show, which showcases country life for urban residents, regularly attracts attendances of more than 10,000 people and raises vital funding for the hunts.
Now, the hunts will need to look to other fund-raising ventures to secure their finances for the coming year.
Financial losses, though, should be mitigated as the country fair is run by volunteers who do not charge for their services.
The bulk of the losses will be on equipment hire and entertainment bookings.
The Queens Hall, in Minehead, has stepped in to help one of this year’s entertainment acts, the Lions National Youth Brass Band.
The band will instead be playing in the Queens Hall at 2 pm on Wednesday, July 25 – and entry is free.
The band comes from South Cheshire and was formed in 1988 by local youngsters aged from 10 to 19 years all wanting to play a brass instrument.
It takes its name from a number of local Lions groups which sponsor the band.
The band is made up of three bands, the ‘beginners’, the ‘junior band’ and the ‘youth band’ totalling 98 youngsters, with all three proving successful in their own way.
It is conducted by Nigel Birch, who is now in his second stint as musical director.
Queens Hall marketing officer Ami Bowsher-Grief said: “We know everybody will really enjoy this band, so we hope people come down and show them some support and enjoy some great music from these great musicians.”
Elsewhere in West Somerset, some village events managed to beat the weather at the weekend with crowds turning out for Porlock’s first-ever country village fair, which raised money towards a £60,000 target to replace equipment for the recreation ground and local scouts.
Entertainments at the fair included a falconry display, a village market, a art exhibition, a craft tent with local craft demonstrations, ferret racing, pony rides, and Morris dancing.
In Luxborough, people braved the wettest weather at the village’s traditional annual fete for 40 years to help raise nearly £3,000 for the village hall and parish church.
Attractions included the Luxborough Challenge tug o’ war contest where the village ‘lads’ challenged other local groups for a £100 prize, a family dog show, cakes and plant stalls, a Pimms and wine tent, children’s entertainment, a Punch and Judy show, and performances by Watchet Town Band.
The lucky programme winner was number 206. Anybody with programme number 206 should telephone 01398 371 340 with their name and address to claim the £50 prize.
Photo by Mark the Photographer, ref TCP0004. Order image reprints online at www.tcpbymtp.co.uk.

Town council looks at housing scheme for football club

2007-07-15T21:42:00.000Z

TOWN councillors are discussing the idea of building housing on the Minehead Football Club site, almost a year since The Crier revealed an indicative scheme had been drawn up for redeveloping the area.
The talks follow the on-going issue of the club’s financial position and its inability to pay rent to the council, which owns the Irnham Road recreation ground.
Councillors recognised some residential development of the area might help to
football continued to be played.
They looked at the section of the site which presently housed garages and the clubhouse, and considered the possibility of building a new facility which could include residential units.
Councillor Simon Stokes, who is also deputy leader of West Somerset Council, said the district council might be able to find a developer for the area.
He said in return for sourcing a suitable developer, the garages and clubhouse could be given to the district council, which would enable construction of a purpose-built clubhouse managed by the district authority, which would have the resources to handle it.
Councillor Doug Ross, who is the district council’s finance portfolio holder, agreed with Councillor Stokes and said long-term plans for the site were needed to raise income to support the playing of sports.
Councillor Ross said some residential development would also provide security in the area.
He pointed out the town council had received many complaints about noise and vandalism from residents living near the football club and the council had a responsibility to them to address such problems.

Image above shows how The Crier reported on its front page on plans for developing housing on Minehead Football Club's ground in August of last year.

Good causes benefit from Cutcombe Show proceeds

2007-07-12T07:42:00.000Z

MORE than £2,500 has been distributed to local good causes following this year’s Cutcombe Horse Show and Gymkhana.
Show treasurer Nigel Dobbins said the accounts presented a rosy picture as several areas of the annual event had shown an increase in takings this year - and that was after the 2006 show was considered to have seen a good result - and the dog show and terrier shows also continued to go from strength to strength with large entries.
Show secretary Di Stevens said the resounding success was due to the help and support received from sponsors, competitors, supporters, and the many helpers, such as the work party who set up the show and the team on the day who made sure all jobs were covered, and those who cleared up afterwards.
Mrs Stevens said: “We had a dry day, entries were excellent, and there was plenty for spectators to enjoy around the rings, including the wonderful fancy dress competition which had lots of colourful entries.
“There was plenty of home made food for sale, plus a barbecue and a licensed bar, and Styles Ice Cream had a van supporting us to keep everybody cool, while the Minehead Harriers gave a superb display in the main ring.”
Mrs Stevens said the show was started for two reasons, firstly to provide children who did not have ‘show’ ponies with an opportunity to enter their little ‘hairy’ and be in with a good chance of winning a rosette, and secondly to raise funds to be shared between Cutcombe First School and other village amenities.
This year’s funds were distributed as follows: £600 each to Cutcombe School and Cutcombe Church, £100 to the pre-school nursery, £50 for the parish party fund, a £250 donation to CLOWNS, £400 for the Moorland Hall, and £500 plus £15 collected in a bucket for the Devon Air Ambulance.
Mrs Stevens said: “We would like to thank everybody who helped in any way to make this fantastic outcome possible.”

Our photograph shows Mrs Margaret Hawker (left) presenting the http://www.selfdriveyourhorse.com/ Cup for the best turned out rider, a new award, to Fay Reed, on Pollyanna. Photo by Mark the Photographer, ref CUT070040. Order image reprints online at www.tcpbymtp.co.uk.

Dulverton hosts its first folk festival

2007-07-04T08:06:00.000Z

A TRADITIONAL folk festival is being launched in Dulverton in July with three days of big-name acts from the folk scene performing before going on to the renowned Sidmouth Folk Festival.
There will also be lots of local talent in the festival, which starts on July 27.
Local musician Dave Towers is the inspiration behind the event, and he is using his contacts within the folk industry to turn dreams of hosting a festival into a reality.
Dave said: “We have a great line-up and an exciting programme of events.
“There are three concerts in the Town Hall, a series of workshops, and plenty of fringe events around the town to surprise and entertain our visitors.”
The festival starts with guitarist Maurice Condie and Irish music singer Gillian Tolfrey, who will be joined by singer-songwriter George Papavgeris.
They will be supported by local performers Stephen Snow and Vikki Nuttall.
Fiddle player Stephen, who is only 19 and from mid-Devon, has already played at an impressive list of British venues. Vikki lives in Dulverton and sings and plays guitar locally.
On the Saturday, the Town Hall will be given over to a series of daytime workshops, including guitar with Maurice Condie, Appalachian dulcimer with Liz Law, song writing with George Papavgeris, singing with Gillian Tolfrey, and melodeon with Julian Sutton.
John Lowday will also demonstrate his work in making Sugan chairs in the lower Town Hall.
Saturday evening’s concert features Julian Sutton and Tom Oakes. Julian plays the melodeon in traditional dance bands, while singer Tom is also regarded as one of the best young flute players in Britain today.
The concert will also feature Liz Law and Terry Conway with their repertoire of English and Scottish traditional ballads, Irish songs, and other traditional songs.
On the Sunday, events start at noon with the well-known duo of Steve Last and Christine Connelly, sometimes known as Moses and The Ref.
Steve is an accomplished guitarist and singer and Chris has a remarkable voice, presenting sensitive interpretations of traditional and contemporary folk songs.
They will be joined by the Devon singer/songwriter Jim Causley, who performs an exciting mixture of traditional and contemporary songs.
Graeme Maynard, from Dulverton, will also be bringing his own particular style of folk music and whistling.
Throughout the weekend, there will be plenty of opportunities for informal music playing in local pubs, and the Bridge Inn will be hosting a real ale festival.
The folk festival has been financially supported by Exmoor Events and ArtLife, in partnership with West Somerset Council.
Tickets for the concerts are available at The Tantivy, Dulverton, or by telephoning 01398 323818, and full details are on the website at http://www.dulvertonff.co.uk/.

Another heavy fine imposed for poor bus services from First

2007-07-04T06:09:00.000Z

THE company which runs most of West Somerset’s public bus services, First, has been heavily fined for poor performance.
The Traffic Commissioners imposed a fine of nearly £52,000 on the company after monitoring 476 buses in parts of Somerset, including the Minehead to Taunton link.
The investigation revealed one-in-five First bus services failed to arrive on time or did not turn up at all.
First was fined £100 for each of its 517-strong fleet of buses, but it escaped the maximum penalty of more than £280,000 in fines because of efforts it had already made to improve.
The fine was handed down at a Traffic Commissioners hearing where it was staed First had a history of poor performance and being fined.
Only in 2005 it was fined nearly £100,000 for similar problems in Bristol, and in 2002 it had to pay more than £26,000 for failing to run services in Somerset properly.
Despite this, First said it was working to improve its performance and had put monitoring and disciplinary procedures in place which were starting to produce results.
The company admitted, however, there was still room for improvement.
First spokesman Tony Anthistle issued an apology to customers and said: “We assure you that we are working closely with local authorities to continuously improve the quality of the service we provide.”
The Traffic Commissioners are part of the Department for Transport and have responsibility for registration of local bus services.
The latest fine comes only weeks after it was announced bus services in West Somerset were being extended, improved, and reinstated in a major initiative backed by Somerset County Council.
The Somerset end of the route for passengers from Dulverton to Taunton has been reinstated by the county council after First Devon and Cornwall withdrew from the contract to provide service 307 from Barnstaple and Taunton.
In a major revision of timetables, the Minehead to Taunton service 28 has been doubled from hourly to run every 30 minutes throughout the year.
And a new shuttle service linking the West Somerset Railway Station to Taunton via the Silk Mills park and ride site has been introduced.

Butlins unveils first BlueSkies timeshare apartments

2007-07-03T20:38:00.000Z

A LAUNCH event is being held at Butlins, in Minehead for the company’s £4.5 million timeshare development BlueSkies on Wednesday, July 4.
It marks the first move into the timeshare market for the holiday firm, which chose Minehead as the venue for the venture, which should attract a new type of holidaymaker to the town from all over the world.
Work on the first four-storey block of 24 luxury flats only started last September and now the company is ready to begin marketing them.
Journalists were being transported to Minehead from London for a Champagne lunch and sneak preview of the development as part of the launch event.
The project has been named BlueSkies, and, based on the cost of hiring an apartment for a family for a week in May, purchasers will be able to enter the scheme from £6,000 upwards for 30 years of ownership.
The new apartments could be open all year round, even at times when the rest of the Butlins resort was closed, which should help to extend the area’s tourism season.
Phase two of the BlueSkies development is planned for later this year and will include the a health and fitness suite.
More could follow if the scheme proves to be as popular as anticipated by Butlins.
BlueSkies has been called the most stylish accommodation ever offered at Butlins - with spacious, modern holiday apartment set slightly apart from the main resort and full of contemporary design features.
As well as access to Butlins’ renowned range of live entertainment and fun-packed facilities, BlueSkies guests will have full VIP treatment with their own concierge service and dedicated support team.
In boutique hotel fashion, there will also be free wireless internet access, free dvd rental, and even an opportunity for staff to fill owners’ fridges with all their favourite treats, thanks to three different pre-arrival ‘fridge menu’ options.
There will also be access to all of Butlins’ complimentary facilities and entertainments, including Splash Waterworld, live stage shows, extreme sports stars, performances from top pop acts, appearances from television characters such as Bob the Builder, Angellina Ballerina, and Pingu, a variety of kids clubs and sports activities, non-stop street-theatre, and the famous Butlins Redcoats to help entertain the children.
The Minehead BlueSkies is a mix of four one-bedroom apartments sleeping up to four people, and 20 two-bedroom apartments sleeping up to six people.
All four storeys of the block have uninterrupted views across the bay to North Hill and Minehead Harbour. Car parking is on the ground floor, beneath the apartments.
A website, http://www.blueskiesbybutlins.com/, has been designed for people keen to learn more about the new development.
Mike Crowther, who is leading the BlueSkies development for Butlins, said: “BlueSkies is holiday heaven for the growing number of people who enjoy the fun and convenience of a UK family break.
“Second homes and holiday apartments are an unattainable dream for many people as they can be expensive to buy, maintain, and manage.
“Butlins is one of the UK’s most popular and best-trusted holiday brands. By introducing BlueSkies in our 70th anniversary year, we are aiming to create a development that is luxurious, flexible, great value, and guarantees a first-rate family holiday.”

Our photograph shows the BlueSkies first phase nearing completion. Photo submitted.

Heavy rainfall fails to dampen Britain's Strongest Man contest

2007-06-28T21:20:00.000Z

IT was billed as the return to Minehead of Britain’s Strongest Man 2007, but torrential rainfall in West Somerset quickly saw the competition labelled ‘Britain’s Wettest Man’.
However, the rain did not put off spectators and hundreds of people turned out to watch the qualifying events which ran from Sunday, June 24, until Tuesday, June 26.
The finals of the tournament were taking place on Thursday and Friday, June 28 and 29.
The athletes were split into four groups for the qualifying rounds, and the first event was the carry and drag, where the athletes carried a 100 kg anchor 10 metres to a 200 kg chain, hooked the two together, and then dragged them another 10 metres to the finish line.
Other qualifying events included the overhead log press, safe lift, squat lift, dead lift, shield carry, fingal fingers, and Atlas stones.
Those athletes who reached the finals were taking on the farmers walk, car walk, dead lift tyre flip, overhead log lift and Atlas stones.
Unless people were there to see it for themselves, the results will remain a secret until later in the summer.
The competition, which is being sponsored by media company IMG and supported by West Somerset Council, is being filmed for Channel 5 and will not be broadcast until late in August.
Local newspapers, including The Crier, have been sworn to secrecy in the meantime in order not to spoil the surprise for viewers.
The competition has been hosted by Butlins, which was also the venue on the two previous occasions it has been held in Minehead.
Events have also taken place on the sea front near Butlins and on the beach, and also beside Minehead Harbour.
The worst effects of the rain during the week were countered when the district council stepped in with the loan of a number of small marquees to provide some shelter.
The athletes were supervised by equipment manager Jouko Ahola, who is a former two times world’s strongest man, while the referee for the events was Svend Karlsen, who was world’s strongest man in 2001.
The television exposure generated by the competition is estimated to give Minehead and West Somerset hundreds of thousands of pounds’ worth of advertising awareness free of charge, providing a boost for the district’s tourism industry.

Our photographs show (top) athlete Ross Stone demonstrating his strength in front of the crowds. Photo by Mark the Photographer, ref BSMLP0110; and (below) athlete Jimmy Marku being interviewed for the Channel 5 series by Martin Bayfield. Photo by Mark the Photographer, ref BSMLP0087. Order image reprints online at www.tcpbymtp.co.uk.

First real ale award presented to new Exmoor brewery

2007-06-28T20:25:00.000Z

DUNKERY Ales founder Jim Winzer has been presented with the brewery’s first award - for one of his first beers.
The micro-brewery only started in Exford last September and it immediately entered the Minehead Beer Festival, where it won the ‘Somerset Beer of the Festival’ award.
The award was voted on by the people who attended the festival and tried the different beers which were available.
Dunkery Ale 4% received more votes than any other, and now the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) has formally presented a certificate to Mr Winzer to commemorate the success.
The presentation took place in the Bear Inn, Wiveliscombe, where licensees Andy and Heather Harvey also received the Somerset CAMRA Pub of the Year 2007 certificate.
Both presentations were made by Somerset CAMRA chairman Alan Walker, who said of the Dunkery Ales success: “The fact that it was a new local beer makes people want to try it, but to win the award it had to be a good beer as well.”
Mr Winzer said: "I am very pleased, especially as the award was voted for by the general public. It is quite an honour.”
Dunkery Ales is the first micro-brewery to operate on Exmoor and it uses water from a spring in Downscombe Bog on the slopes of Dunkery Beacon.
It was set up with support from Exmoor National Park Authority’s sustainable development fund, provided by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA), and additional funding from West Somerset Council, Business Link, Connecting Somerset, and Foodlink.
DEFRA contributed with a Rural Enterprise Scheme grant toward the building costs of setting up the brewery in an old cow shed Edgcott Farm, Exford, owned by Mr Winzer’s friend Lindley Williams.
Among the local public houses which stock Dunkery Ale are the Culbone Stables Inn, near Porlock, the Exmoor White Horse Inn, Exford, the Crown Hotel, Exford, Ralegh’s Cross Inn, on the Brendon Hills, The George, in Brompton Regis, and the Rest and Be Thankful Inn, Wheddon Cross.
More information is available from Jim Winzer by telephoning 01643 831115 or visiting the website http://www.dunkeryales.co.uk/.

Our photograph shows (left to right) Alan Walker with Jim Winzer and Heather and Andy Harvey. Photo ref C060101. Order image reprints online at www.tcpbymtp.co.uk.

Roofing firm wins first Quaywest business awards

2007-06-27T21:54:00.000Z

THE winner of the first Quaywest Business Awards, as voted for by listeners of West Somerset’s only commercial radio station, was Chapel Roofing and Building Services Ltd, of Carhampton.
The station received nearly 2,000 valid votes for the awards, which attracted 27 entries from all over West Somerset.
The award was presented to Jason and Emma Cobbett, of Chapel Roofing, at a special presentation evening held in Minehead Football Club, when local MP Ian Liddell-Grainger was the guest of honour.
The presentation evening was also one of West Somerset’s largest networking events for local businesses.
The occasion was compered by Quaywest presenter Drew Haddon, and a charity auction was conducted by auctioneer John Addicott which raised several hundreds of pounds to be shared between the Royal National Lifeboat Institution, Devon and Somerset Air Ambulance, and the Somerset Fire Service benevolent fund.
Everybody who registered a vote for their favourite local business was entered into a draw to win a murder mystery evening with the West Somerset Railway, while guests on the night were in with a chance of winning a meal for two in Reeves Restaurant, in Dunster.
As well as the Quaywest award, Jason and Emma Cobbett also received a 30-inch plasma screen Panasonic television, a month’s free advertising on the radio station, and a year’s advertising on the boarding around Minehead’s football pitch.
Other businesses which entered the awards were Aquasplash Leisure Centre, Webberbus, The Lighting Company, Minehead Computer Services, Stuart Lowen quality butcher, Natalie Poat travel counsellor, Ekos Kitchens, Dunkery Beacon Hotel, Penny Pine Ltd, Glenmore Café, Blondies, Chives delicatessen, Alan Harman Car Sales, Morris Carpets and Beds, Minehead Glass, Babys First, Corner House Stores, Willows Café and Gifts, Friday Print, West Somerset Motors, Trenz, The Shoe Centre, Cream, Blue Anchor Bay Garage, Cornerstone Projects, and Antlers Pet Supplies.
Quaywest sales executive Gerry Baxter told The Crier: “It was a brilliant night and enjoyed by everybody, including the senior management from our parent company Laser Broadcasting who attended.
“The awards help to support the businesses we have here in the Quaywest 102.4 and 100.8 fm catchment area and they give some recognition to those which do well and are highly regarded by their customers.”

Our photograph shows (front) MP Ian Liddell-Grainger flanked by award winners Jason and Emma Cobbett, with (left to right) Stuart Linnell, of operations director of Laser Broadcasting, and Chapel House Roofing workers Karl Priddle and Chris Thorne, and (rear, left to right) Quaywest presenter Paul Green, sales staff Gerry Baxter, Berny McLoughlin, and James Taplin, and station manager Dave Englefield. Photo by Mark the Photographer, ref TCP0059. Order image reprints online at www.tcpbymtp.co.uk.

Smokers find sanctuary on board Watchet sailing boat

2007-06-27T21:36:00.000Z

WITH the ban on smoking in public places imminent, one West Somerset businessman is offering smokers an opportunity to continue to enjoy their habit.
From July 1, when the ban becomes law, Watchet sailboat skipper Charles Atkinson is offering speciality-smoking trips aboard his boat the Josefine (pictured).
Passengers will be able to board the 66-foot traditional Danish wooden sailing ship and go sailing off the Westcountry coast while enjoying the liberation of smoking with friends in a social setting.
Mr Atkinson said: “While on a public health level we understand the risks of smoking, the crew of Sailjosefine firmly believes in the right for smokers to enjoy their pastime in such a setting.
“I am sure the smoking ban will be successful and a number of smokers will give it up as a result.
“However, I would like to make sure our right to choose and make use of alternative places to enjoy smoking is upheld.
“Aboard Josefine is ideal, as people will be away from non-smokers, and, in the company of friends, can take the opportunity to smoke their pipe, cigarettes or cigars.”
The Sailjosefine enterprise has also taken measures to ensure the disposal of used cigarettes and tobacco will not pollute the waters.
Mr Atkinson, who was previously award-winning blacksmith in Garsington, Oxfordshire, said: “I started sailing Josefine for a living two years ago, and by doing so I am able to lead a greener lifestyle.
“So, I always take great care to make sure that in enjoying the sea, we have no polluting impact on it.”
To find out more about the Sailjosefine smoking trips visit http://www.sailjosefine.com/, or telephone 07971 376172, or email bookings@sailjosefine.com.
Photo submitted.

First regular Minehead to Bristol train service for 36 years is announced

2007-06-27T21:17:00.000Z

A REGULAR train service is to run again from Minehead to Bristol for the first time since the branch line was axed in the Beeching cuts of 1971.
The service, which will start on Friday, July 30, is aimed at both holidaymakers and local passengers and will operate on selected dates through the peak summer weeks.
It is the result of several months of planning by the West Somerset Railway, Butlins, Mainline Rail, and Victa Westlink Rail.
There were also complex negotiations with Network Rail and the Office of the Rail Regulator.
Victa Westlink will provide the train services, which will run on Mondays, Fridays, and Saturdays, between July 20 and August 27.
Trains will leave Minehead at 11.10 am and call at all WSR stations before reaching Taunton at 12.55 pm, from where they will run non-stop to Bristol Temple Meads, arriving at 1.46 pm.
The return will depart Temple Meads at 2.06 pm and stop at Taunton at 2.42 pm and then all WSR stations to Minehead, where arrival is scheduled for 4.25 pm.
The trains will be worked by diesel locomotives and air-conditioned coaches provided by Mainline Rail, and will offer passengers from the Wales, the Midlands, and North of England an opportunity to travel direct to West Somerset by changing at Bristol.
Passengers from London and the South East, and those from other areas of the South West, will be able to change at Taunton.
Return tickets on the trains will be available to Taunton at £16 for adults, £13.60 for seniors, and £8 for children. Holders of local residents travel cards will be able to travel at reduced rates.
No reduced rates will be available for the return fares to Bristol, which will be £21.95 for adults and seniors and £10.95 for children.
WSR general manager Paul Conibeare said he was keen to see how the trains would develop business for the heritage rail company and the communities along its line.
Mr Conibeare said: “Ever since the railway reopened in 1976, it has been asserted that there is a strong local demand for trains to and from Taunton.
“This is an opportunity to begin to assess that potential market and also to hopefully persuade visitors to the area that the journey can be made by public transport.
“Butlins have expressed an interest in the project from the off, as offering an alternative to their customers who presently travel by mainline trains to Taunton and then complete the journey by bus.
“However, this can only work if the trains are used by enough people to pay for their costs, which are considerable.
“No subsidy is being paid by central or local government, so the trains have to stand on their own financially.
“But, we are encouraged by the growth in excursion traffic to and from West Somerset since the upgrading of the junction at Norton Fitzwarren, and we hope the trains to and from Bristol will be equally successful.”
Photo submitted.

Busy month as golfers dodge the weather

2007-06-27T21:03:00.000Z

DESPITE the recent poor weather, June has been another busy month at Minehead and West Somerset Golf Club.
The Centenary Trophy and Tankard was finally completed after being abandoned on Sunday, May 13, and the major cups were fiercely contested.
The mixed pairing of Nigel Grabham and Nancy Marshall continued their winning ways by taking the Weston Cup, and Keith Babb was victorious in the Ray Boddy, the second knock-out competition to be completed this year.
Two competitions to celebrate the 125th year of the club were held in a week, with a pairs greensome medal competition played on the Wednesday evening and a member and guest day fourball better ball competition being on the Saturday.
The week was capped with an anniversary ball for 260 members and guests in a marquee on the putting green with dancing to Pete Allen’s Jazz Band.
On Saturday, June 30, the club hosts Captain’s Day with an individual bogey competition in the morning and a 14-hole team bowmaker in the afternoon.
Proceeds from the day will be donated to the captain’s charity, which this year is the Musgrove Leukaemic Group.
On Sunday, July 1, teams of three compete in the Freddie Burton bowmaker, an inaugural competition played in the memory of past member Freddie Burton.
Results from the month:
Gent’s Mixed Invite - 1st: R Chidgey & D Chidgey 34 points (19 back 9), 2nd: V Anderson & D Oatridge 34 Points (16 back 9), 3rd: J Stanlake & J Fulwell 33 points, 4th: W Barker & R Foot 32 points.
Alcombe Cup - Winner: J Murphy. Div 1:1st: J Murphy 71(7)64, 2nd: G Whalley 75(8)67, 3rd: M Vickery 73(6)67, Div 2: 1st: W J Perkins 80(12)68, 2nd: J Malarkey 80(12)68, 3rd: J Baker 83(14)69, Div 3: 1st: D Hayhoe 87(20)67, 2nd: T Phillips 90(19)71, 3rd: N Grabham 89(17)72.
Weston Cup - 1st: N Marshall & N Grabham (handicap 17) 37 points, 2nd: C Mason & G Mason (handicap 10) 36 points, 3rd:A Watts & M Gilbertson (handicap 19) 35 points.
Bushen Cup - Winner: G Yeates. Div 1: 1st: G Yeates 75(10)65, 2nd: J Fisher 73(6)67, 3rd: D Hillier 77(8)69, Div 2:1st: S Gay 76(11)65, 2nd: B Ferris 79(12)67, 3rd: G Wells 83(15)68, Div 3: 1st: J Jenkins 87(19)68, 2nd: P Beckett 86(18)68, 3rd: R Hill 88(19)69.
Ray Boddy knock-out – Winner: K Babb, Beaten Finalist: W J Perkins, Losing semi-finalists: D Bosley & K Murrell.
Roy Sparkes trophy - 1st: N Grabham & D Oatridge 46 points, 2nd: C Sidley-Adams & M Gilbertson 43 points (24 back 9), 3rd: P Clements & B Gliddon 43 points (21 back 9), 4th: W Knight & R Phillips 42 points.
Bon Cup - 1st: M Vickery, C Sidley-Adams, D Hillier 129, 2nd: A Phillips, G Hughes, C Durman 131, 3rd: J Constable, T Hardick, J Fisher 132 (66 back 6) 4th: A Ryan, R Poirrier, K Babb 132 (67 back 6).
125th anniversary greensome - 1st: A Dover & M Gilbertson 8(18.0)63.0, 2nd: N Grabham & N Marshall 84(19.0)65.0, 3rd: I Gover & D Singleton 84(18.5)65.5 (Net 19 on back 6), 4th: P Davies & R Lewis 82(16.5)65.5 (Net 21 on back 6), 5th: G Yeates & G Hampshire 71(4.5)66.5.
125th anniversary guest day - 1ST Ladies: A Watts & J Jones 39 points. Men:1st: D Hillier & C Willerton 44 points, 2nd: C Keary & M Hucker 42 points (14 back 6), 3rd: R Bernstein & D Bernstein 42 points (13 back 6), 4th: K Murrell & I Bassett 41 (11 back 6), 5th: D Compton & M Bovingdon 41 (10 back 6), 6th: B Waites & R Rogers 40 (12 back 6), 7th: M Vickery & P Vickery 40 (11 back 6).
Centenary trophy and tankard - Tankard winner (best gross score): M Vickery. Trophy winner (best nett score): A Whiting. Div 1: 1st: M Vickery 72(6)66, 2nd: D Hillier 75(8)67 (nett 30 back 9), 3rd: G Whalley 74(7)67 (nett 32 back 9). Div 2: 1st: A Whiting 77(12)65, 2nd: C Sidley-Adams 77(11)66, 3rd: B McCaffrey 82(14)68, Div 3: 1st: T Phillips 88(19)69 (nett 31 back 9), 2nd: C Peters 88(19)69 (nett 32 back 9), 3rd: T Bowden 86(16)70.

Mother and baby rescued as homes are flooded and roads blocked

2007-06-26T22:10:00.000Z

WEST Somerset may have escaped the worst of the recent horrendous weather, but the heavy rainfall still brought misery and discomfort to many local people.
In one incident, a mother and baby were rescued from a farmhouse near Coleford Water, Stogumber, by a Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service team.
The rescue happened on Monday, June 25, when Lydeard St Lawrence was one of the worst affected communities as many homes and other properties were flooded.
Up to four feet of floodwater engulfed the village and carried with it raw sewage which was thought to have been swept out of the local sewerage treatment works.
The drama unfolded in the darkness of the early hours of the morning.
Fire and rescue services were alerted at 2.40 am but were unable for the first two hours to reach families caught up in the emergency until the water began to recede.
It took a further three hours to pump out properties and make them safe.
Many local roads were impassable in an area stretching to Bishops Lydeard and Wiveliscombe, and there were also a number of minor landslides.
A number of homes in nearby Combe Florey were also flooded.
The return of the Britain’s Strongest Man contest to Minehead coincided with the start of heavy rainfall in the area and the event quickly became labelled ‘Britain’s Wettest Man’.
West Somerset Council came to the rescue with the loan of a number of small marquees to allow the competition to go ahead on a rain swept sea front.

Our photograph shows the Church of St Lawrence, in Lydeard St Lawrence. Photo submitted.

Thomas the Tank Engine and friends visit West Somerset Railway

2007-06-22T08:44:00.000Z

VOLUNTEERS and staff of the West Somerset Railway are preparing for one of the heritage line’s most unusual weekends of the year - the annual visit of the famous blue locomotive from the Island of Sodor, Thomas the Tank Engine.
Although Thomas will be the star of the show wherever he goes, Sir Topham Hatt - the Fat Controller - will also be attending to make sure the WSR lives up to the standards of his railway.
As Henry, Duck, and Gordon would only sulk if they had to stay at home in their sheds, they are also having an outing on the West Somerset line, taking passengers to meet Thomas at Minehead station on July 7 and 8.
For West Somerset Railway General Manager Paul Conibeare it will be his second year of working alongside Sir Topham.
Mr Conibeare said: “It was my first time in 2006 for spending a day on the platform at Minehead Station rather than on the footplate of a steam engine and it really brings home to you how much children love Thomas.
“Despite all of the other attractions we provide on the platform of Minehead station, such as the children’s entertainers, model railways, stalls, and the rest, it is the blue engine coming and going that draws the eyes and gets the excited shouts.
“There are no two other days in the West Somerset year quite like it in terms of numbers of small visitors and the excitement level.”
Visitors who want to travel from Bishops Lydeard in the morning behind Thomas’s larger friends need to pre-book seats for the trains.
There are still some vacancies on Daisy the diesel railcar and on the 12.40 steam train.
More information about the ‘Days Out with Thomas’ can be obtained by telephoning 01643 704996 or by visiting http://www.west-somerset-railway.co.uk/.
Photos by Alan Meade.

Time Team star's 50p launches public appeal for museum project

2007-06-22T08:21:00.000Z

TV Time Team star, Professor Mick Aston, has helped to launch a public campaign to raise £250,000 towards the Museum of Somerset project.
The well-known personality, who is a passionate supporter of the Museum of Somerset project, made his own 50p donation to the fund to kick-start it.
The overall cost of the museum work in Taunton is £6.5 million, toward which the Heritage Lottery Fund has set aside £4.8 million.
The public fund-raising campaign wants to raise £250,000 of the remaining £1.7 million to complete the project, which aims to create a 21st century visitor attraction telling the story of Somerset.
Mr Aston (pictured) said: “The wonderful collections here in Somerset deserve a first-class home, so I have firmly supported the bid to create the Museum of Somerset from the beginning.
“It is amazing to consider that, if everyone in Somerset gave 50p, we would reach the fund-raising target.
“By working together we can help to secure the future of Somerset’s important heritage.
“The current museum possesses some truly world class exhibits, however, these precious artefacts need to be presented in a more user-friendly way.
“The Museum of Somerset project will achieve this and improve the whole visitor experience.
“I am pleased that the bid is progressing well and would encourage people to find a little bit of loose change to give to this worthy cause.”
County council adult and community services portfolio holder, Councillor Justin Robinson, said: “Somerset County Council is committed to conserving the history of the county and providing opportunities for people to learn about their heritage.
“We believe that this will be best achieved through the creation of the Museum of Somerset, and over 10,000 people have publicly backed our plans.
“We hope that people will now donate to the public fund-raising appeal.”
One of the ways in which donations can be made is by calling in to the County Museum, in Taunton, and putting money into a large replica castle keep which has been designed especially for the appeal.
Photo submitted.

Linda receives MBE for working with young offenders

2007-06-22T07:44:00.000Z

THE head of children’s social care in West Somerset, Linda Barnett, has been awarded an MBE in the Queen’s Birthday Honour’s List.
Linda Barnett (pictured) began her career in social services in the London borough of Haringey in 1972 and has since worked briefly in education and probation, and has managed Somerset’s Youth Offending Team and since 2004.
After five years managing children’s services across Taunton and West Somerset, she set up and managed Somerset’s first multi-agency Youth Offending Team, which has a national reputation for leading the field in restorative justice in schools, parenting work, mentoring (the PROMISE Mentor Scheme) and running successful panels where local people support community-based referral orders and youth inclusion panels.
Mrs Barnett said: “It is a great honour and tribute to all the hard work that has been done through the Youth Offending Team and partner agencies working to achieve the very best outcomes for children and young people.
“The most rewarding part of all has been meeting and working with young people in Somerset themselves, and experiencing with them how they have been able to turn their lives around.“
Mrs Barnett is married with two children, Vayla, who recently graduated from Manchester University, and Dominic, who is at the University of Kent, in Canterbury.
She will officially receive her MBE in a formal ceremony to be held at Buckingham Palace later this year.
Photo submitted.

McFly in call for cool youngsters to join in Shades Day

2007-06-20T16:44:00.000Z

YOUNGSTERS in West Somerset are being encouraged by the hugely successful British band McFly to put on their sunglasses on Friday, June 29, and join them in supporting Guide Dogs’ Shades Day - the coolest fund-raising day of the year.
The band - Danny, Dougie, Tom, and Harry - recently took time out from promoting their new album ‘Motion In The Ocean – Tour Edition’, to put on their favourite sunglasses and chat about their support of Shades Day.
They also posed for a few photos with their four cute namesake guide dog puppies, whose progress they are following until they are qualified guide dogs.
McFly made an unannounced visit to Minehead in January, when they played two gigs especially for students at the West Somerset Community College after fan Amy Prole, aged 15, won a competition on BBC Radio 1.
Tom said: “One of the best things about the summer is being able to put on my shades and spend the day out in the sun having a laugh with my friends.
“Wearing sunglasses is really important as it helps to protect your eyes against harmful UV rays from the sun.
“So make sure you are looking cool on Shades Day in support Guide Dogs… we will be.”
McFly will be joining thousands of people all over the UK who will be putting on their sunglasses and helping to do two things:

Increase awareness of the need for everybody to protect their eyes when outside during the day, by wearing their sunglasses
Raise money to help Guide Dogs breed, train, and support the 4,600 guide dogs in the UK who bring vital independence and freedom to their visually impaired owners.

Research has shown that spending five or more hours outside every day in the summer during teens and early adult years increases the risk of long-term damage to the eyes.
Putting on sunglasses, a visor, or a hat helps to protect from harmful UV (ultraviolet) sunlight which can cause long-term eye damage.
Guide Dogs suggests that if people are outside during the day and the light is so bright that they have to squint or turn their head away from the sun, then they need to wear sunglasses - the best protection comes from those with yellow or amber lenses and have the CE mark.
McFly are supporting Shades Day, as well as following the training progress of their namesake puppies, as part of their role as ‘Guiding Stars’ for the charity.
As ‘Guiding Stars’, the band members will help the charity to educate young people about the important work of guide dogs.
For further information about Shades Day and how to become involved, visit www.shadesday.org.uk.
The latest news on McFly can be checked out online at http://www.mcflyofficial.com/.

Our photograph shows (left to right) Dougie, Danny, Tom, and Harry with their namesake puppies. Photo submitted.

Triathlon attracts athletes from all over country to West Somerset

2007-06-20T15:56:00.000Z

WEST Somerset’s third annual triathlon next month will again be hosted by the district council at its Aquasplash leisure centre, in Minehead.
The event will take place on Sunday, July 22, and again is already nearly full with athletes from all over the country taking part.
The council’s leisure and community service officer, Matt Stevens, said: “The event nearly reached capacity last year and there are only limited places left in this year’s event.
“Anybody who wants to compete will have to get their running shoes on and contact me as soon as possible, as places are filling up fast.”
Contestants swim 400 metres in the centre’s pool, cycle 23 kilometres to Porlock and back, and then run 7.5 kilometres to Dunster Beach and back to the finish line on the common opposite Aquasplash.
The triathlon has male and female categories at junior, senior, veteran, and super veteran levels, as well as a vintage veteran category for the over 60s.
Mr Stevens said: “We are also on the look out for marshals to help the competition run smoothly on the day, and we have a competitive range of great sponsorship deals on offer.
“If local businesses wish to back the event, they will be advertised on the athletes’ shirts and in publicity.”
Council leisure, culture, and recreation portfolio holder, Councillor Neil Parbrook, said: “This is a fantastic showcase for West Somerset as it attracts regional and national athletes.
“People of all ages compete in their own specialised categories, which also gives the event a great community feel.”
Anybody who would like to compete in, marshal, or sponsor the event should contact Matt Stevens at West Somerset Council on 01643 703704, or email mstevens@westsomerset.gov.uk.
More information is also available on the council’s website by logging on to www.westsomersetonline.gov.uk/triathlon.
Photo submitted.

Britain's Strongest Man contest returns to West Somerset

2007-06-20T13:21:00.000Z

AS revealed in this month’s The Crier, Britain’s Strongest Man 2007 competition is returning at weekend to Minehead.
The event, which is produced by media company IMG and supported by West Somerset Council, is being staged in Butlins and on the town’s harbour and seafront.
The return to Minehead of the popular event for a third time in seven years was brokered by former council economic development portfolio holder Councillor Nick Messarra.
The competition starts on Sunday, June 24, and qualifying events run until Tuesday, June 26, with the final events taking place on Thursday and Friday, June 28 and 29.
The qualifying schedule is:

Sunday, on the seafront - the anchor, chain and duck walk starts at 9 am, with the log press at 2 pm, followed by the safe lift.
Monday, at Butlins - the squat lift at 9 am is followed by the dead lift, with the shield carry at 2 pm.
Tuesday, on the seafront and beach - the fingal fingers event is at 9 am on the seafront, with Atlas stones at 2 pm on the beach.

The final events schedule is:

Thursday, on the seafront and at the harbour - the farmers walk starts on the seafront at 9 am, followed by two events at the harbour, which are the car walk at 12 noon and the dead lift at 2 pm.
Friday, on the seafront and beach - the morning’s events are on the seafront with the tyre flip at 9 am and the overhead log lift at 11 am. The final event will be the Atlas stones on the beach at 2 pm.

Councillor Messarra said: “It is great to see this high-profile and fun event coming back to Minehead again and it shows all the hard work that I put in with the support of the council officers has been worthwhile.
“I believe the competition is being filmed for a television audience across Europe which will be in the millions, so all those viewers are going to be able to see what a wonderful place West Somerset is and hopefully they will be encouraged to come and spend their holidays here.”
Council market towns regeneration officer Pete Vallance, said: “We are keen to support national competitions of this calibre in West Somerset, so we are delighted that Britain’s Strongest Man has returned to Minehead.
“The council and Butlins have worked in partnership to bring this event back to West Somerset because of the boost it provides to tourism and our local economy.
“We wish all the contenders the best of luck in this great challenge.”
Darren Sadler, one of the contenders for this year’s title who also competed in the championship when it was last held in Minehead in 2004, said: “I am really pleased to be returning to Minehead to compete in this year’s competition. It is a great venue.
“I have been training hard and I am looking forward to the competition. I am definitely up for the challenge.”
More information on the event c an be found by going to Britain’s Strongest Man website at http://www.theworldsstrongestman.com/.

Our photographs show (top) some of the competitors in the 2004 event, and (below) Darren Sandler, who is competing again this year. Photos submitted.

Weekend of mixed trains brings visitors flocking to West Somerset

2007-06-20T08:41:00.000Z

NEARLY 3,300 passengers visited the West Somerset Railway’s ‘mixed traffic weekend’ from June 15 to June 17 to enjoy a mixture of vintage diesel and some steam locomotives in action.
The theme of the weekend was ‘Western Region in 1965’, the period when steam was finally giving way to diesels in the Westcountry.
To this end, the WSR turned out a fleet of diesel locomotives appropriate to the period.
D1010 ‘Western Campaigner’, Class 14 D9526, Class 47 D1661 ‘North Star’, and Class 25 D7523 were all part of a collection by the Diesel and Electric Preservation Group, based in Williton, while guests D832 ‘Onslaught’ and Hymek D7076 were hired from the East Lancashire Railway, and Class 14 D9520 came from the Nene Valley Railway.
Two of the WSR’s resident diesel shunting locomotives worked passenger trains between Minehead and Dunster on the Saturday and steam duties were undertaken by GWR engines 4160 and 5553.
In addition, D1015 ‘Western Champion’ made a visit to the line with yet another excursion train to Minehead on the Saturday from the national network.
The West Somerset had not held a diesel themed event since 2005 and it was pleased with the number of passengers who travelled.
WSR general manager Paul Conibeare said: “Our event coincided with a diesel weekend on the Gloucestershire and Warwickshire and we did have some concerns if this would affect the number of visitors we saw, but obviously the attraction of our line-up of machines that are no longer seen on the main lines proved a hit.
“The West Somerset will remain predominantly a steam railway, but clearly there is a good market for us in special, suitably-themed, diesel special events.”

Our photograph (top) shows diesel locomotive D1010 and a steam train at Blue Anchor Station. Photo by Beverley Zehetmeier, courtesy of www.wsr.org.uk.
Our photograph (below) shows a diesel locomotive D7076 in a cutting. Photo by Dean Fisher, courtesy of www.wsr.org.uk.

Free health and fitness offer for farmers' market visitors

2007-06-19T14:07:00.000Z

VISITORS to the West Somerset Farmers’ Market are being offered an extra-healthy treat in addition to those already available on Friday, June 29.
West Somerset Sports and Leisure Centre together with West Somerset Council will be attending in a marquee nearby to provide health and fitness advice and free mini-sessions.
Leisure centre manager Jayne Lethaby said: “We will be offering everybody free mini-health assessments, fitness class taster sessions, and advice on how to improve general health and fitness.
“The council has provided a marquee in Wellington Square and we would love to see people of all ages - from six to 106.
“We are welcoming people of all levels of fitness - from couch potatoes to fitness fanatics. There will be advice on health and some fun fitness apparatus for everybody to try.”
The centre’s professional instructors will be on hand for informal chats about how people can improve their fitness levels and lead healthier lifestyles.
Under their supervision, people will be able to try out fitness ‘spinning’ bikes, as used in the popular ‘spinning’ classes, and there will be advice on the perfect class or gym programme to help people to achieve their best fitness levels.
Council economic development and tourism portfolio holder Councillor Michael Downes, said: “We hope plenty of people will take up this challenge here in the heart of Minehead.
“The aim of the market is to bring fresh, healthy local produce and eating options to local people, and we are delighted that the leisure centre’s offers complement this perfectly.”
The market takes place in The Parade, Minehead, between 8.30 am amd 2.30 pm, and
The leisure centre team will be on hand during this time with their advice in Wellington Square.

Our photograph shows the market when it was temporarily relocated in The Avenue for a continental market to be held at the same time. Photo submitted.

Campaign for Real Ale award goes to Exmoor micro-brewery's first beer

2007-06-19T12:51:00.000Z

ONE of the first brews ever made by Exmoor micro-brewery Dunkery Ales has won it an award from the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA).
The award is being presented by CAMRA officials on Saturday, June 23, at the Bear Inn, Wiveliscombe, which at the same time will receive its Somerset CAMRA Pub of the Year 2007 certificate.
The winning brew was Dunkery Ale 4%, which brewery director Jim Winzer entered in the Minehead Beer Festival last September.
It was voted by the public as ‘Somerset Beer of the Festival’.
Mr Winzer, who is responsible for the brewing, sales, and distribution of the mircrobrewery’s ales, said: “We are very proud about this award, in particular as it was one of our first brews.”
Dunkery Ales only started brewing in September, 2006, and uses water from a spring in Downscombe Bog on the slopes of Dunkery Beacon.
It is the first micro-brewery to operate on Exmoor and was set up with support from Exmoor National Park Authority’s sustainable development fund, provided by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA), and additional funding from West Somerset Council, Business Link, Connecting Somerset, and Foodlink.
DEFRA contributed with a Rural Enterprise Scheme grant toward the building costs of setting up the brewery in an old cow shed Edgcott Farm, Exford, owned by Mr Winzer’s friend Lindley Williams.
A one-hour television programme was recently broadcast on Channel 4 in the Life Begins Again series, with Gaby Roslin looking at how Dunkery Ales Ltd was set up in an attempt to breathe new life into the area.
Among the local public houses which stock Dunkery Ale are the Culbone Stables Inn, near Porlock, the Exmoor White Horse Inn, Exford, the Crown Hotel, Exford, Ralegh’s Cross Inn, on the Brendon Hills,tThe George, in Brompton Regis, and the Rest and Be Thankful Inn, Wheddon Cross.
More information is available from Jim Winzer by telephoning 01643 831115 or visiting the website http://www.dunkeryales.co.uk/.

Our photograph shows Mr Winzer brewing one of the first batches of Dunkery Ale. Photo submitted.

Lib Dem unitary power grab is massively rejected by West Somerset voters

2007-06-19T11:41:00.000Z

RESIDENTS of West Somerset and the rest of the county have overwhelmingly rejected the idea of creating a super-size council to run all local government services.
The massive rejection of the Liberal Democrat-inspired plan comes in a postal ballot of everybody in Somerset who is on the electoral register.
Across the county, almost one-half of the entire population voted, answering ‘yes’ or ‘no’ to the question ‘do you support the idea of a unitary authority for Somerset?’.
The result was a four-to-one rejection of the idea with 82 per cent of voters saying ‘no’ and just 18 per cent being in favour.
The ballot was organised and paid for by the five district councils in Somerset, which were united in their opposition to Somerset County Council’s plan to abolish them.
West Somerset Council leader, Councillor Keith Ross, said: “The tremendously high turnout is something of a surprise, but the overall result is not.
“This vindicates our decision to hold the vote in the first place. The people of Somerset have spoken loud and clear.
"The county council ran a biased campaign seeking to spin its own plans and spread disinformation about the district councils’ alternative.
“But Somerset residents saw through this, and as for the county council’s claim that nobody was interested in this issue - well, the results speak for themselves.”
Councillor Ross together with chief executives and leaders of the other Somerset districts, were travelling to London today (Tuesday, June 19) for urgent talks with Local Government Minister Phil Woolas.
Sedgemoor District Council leader, Councillor Duncan McGinty, said: “Our message to him will be very simple.
“We are not against unitary authorities as a matter of principle, but we are against them where the proposers have failed to put together any kind of case for change, and where local residents are so clearly opposed.
“We will be urging the Minister to end any remaining uncertainty or speculation by announcing swiftly that the county council’s plans are off-the-table.
“It is now absolutely impossible for the county council to proceed with its plans. They are as dead as a dodo.
“The Government has made it crystal clear that unitary authorities can only proceed if they have broad public support. The plans for a unitary authority in Somerset could hardly be less popular.”
Almost 200,000 people voted in the postal ballot, with 158.754 against the Lib Dem unitary council scheme and 34,851 in favour of it.
In West Somerset, the turnout was 53.9 per cent (15,068) with 79.7 per cent (11,933) of valid votes being against, and 20.3 per cent (3,048) against. There were 87 invalid ballot papers.

Our photograph shows some of the leaders and chief executives of the five district councils emphasising the postal ballot result at the announcement held in the Castle Hotel, Taunton, this morning (Tuesday, June 19). West Somerset's chief executive, Tim Howes, is second from right. Photo submitted.

Power Rangers giving aerial thrills at Butlins

2007-06-18T13:57:00.001Z

POWER Rangers have jetted into Butlins, Minehead, as part of the holiday resort’s exclusive summer entertainment line-up.
The children’s superheroes are performing live shows high up in the centre’s giant skyline pavilion for weekend and mid-week breaks right through to September 7, and returning for the October schools half-term..
Butlins has teamed up with children’s television channel Jetix, which has more than two million young viewers a month, to bring their most popular heroes to life in the exclusive aerial show.
Power Rangers Mystic Force, probably the ‘coolest’ children’s characters on the planet, are teaming up with teen agents Totally Spies, A.T.O.M Alpha Teens on Machines, and Galactik Football, to defeat the evil Dr Y.
The show is for adults and children alike, and youngsters will also have an unique opportunity to come face-to-face with their heroes and have their photographs taken with them in exclusive ‘meet and greet’ sessions which follows each show.
One thrilled youngster is five-year-old Thomas Taylor, who says other television characters just cannot cut it for coolness alongside the dynamic Power Rangers.
Thomas said: “Out of all of the TV superheroes, Power Rangers Mystic Force are by far my favourite and I would love to meet them.”
Mike Godolphin, head of entertainment at Butlins, said: “Butlins is famous for its live entertainment and we are very excited to welcome arguably the most famous superheroes of the moment to our Butlins Resorts.”
To book a Butlins break, call 0870 162 1810 or click on http://www.butlins.com/.
Photos submitted.

Nostalgic return to West Somerset for famous Beatles train

2007-06-18T00:32:00.000Z

THE West Somerset Railway’s ‘mixed traffic weekend’ took place from Friday, June 15, to Sunday, June 17, taking the heritage back to the 1960s when diesel locomotives were replacing steam engines on British Railways.
Both steam and diesel engines featured at the head of trains during the event.
It was during the 1960s that what was then the Minehead branch of British Rail saw some of the most hectic scenes in its history as, in 1964, the Beatles first feature film ‘A Hard Day’s Night’, was partially filmed on the line.
The locomotive which headed the filming train is still in existence and made a return to the West Somerset line for a headlining appearance during the mixed traffic event.
It is a Class ‘Hymek’ diesel and is one of four survivors of the 101 which were built in Manchester by Beyer Peacock between 1961 and 1963 for use on the Western Region of British Rail.
The sequence in the film in which the ‘Fab Four’ can be seen running alongside the train was filmed at Crowcombe Heathfield Station, as was one of Ringo Starr riding a bicycle along the platform.
Pictures of the scenes along the railway during the making of what was described as the ‘Citizen Kane of jukebox movies’ are featured in the book ‘Ticket To Minehead’, by Richard Derry and Alan and Christine Hammond, and published by Millstream Books which is on sale at WSR book shops.
WSR general manager Paul Conibeare said: “Given that the last Hymeks came out of service in the early 1970s when the thought of preserving diesel locomotives was a novel one, it is one of those quirks of railway history that D7076 has survived while 97 of the class have long since gone for scrap.
“It is normally based on the East Lancashire Railway, at Bury, but its return to the West Somerset brings back a part of the history of the branch line.”

Our photograph shows the Beatles train D7076 back on the West Somerset Railway during the mixed traffic weekend. Photo submitted.

MBE for work to support charity and sport in West Somerset

2007-06-17T23:34:00.000Z

A WEST Somerset man has been recognised for his community service with an award in this year’s Queen’s Birthday Honours List.
An MBE goes to Ivan Jones (pictured), of Minehead, for his services to charity and sport in the district.
Mr Jones is currently the chairman of the Rotary Club of Minehead, and he is also a past-president of the rotary club, which is celebrating its 70th anniversary year.
As a Rotarian, Mr Jones helps to organise the annual Swimathon charity fund-raising event and also many other activities to support local good causes.
In sporting circles, Mr Jones is treasurer of Minehead Cricket Club, which has been enjoying great success on the playing field during recent years, and also secretary of the annual Beacon to Beach fun run which raises money for charities.
In business, he is well-known in the town for his men’s outfitters shop, Harvey Jones, in Park Street.
Orders of the British Empire were created 90 years ago by King George V during the First World War as a way to reward services to the war effort by civilians at home and servicemen in support positions.
Today, they are usually awarded to civilians and Service personnel for public service or other distinctions, and have a military and a civil division.

Photo by Mark the Photographer, ref TCPIJ0013. Order image reprints online at www.tcpbmtp.co.uk.

Bishop samples produce from West Somerset Farmers' Market

2007-06-17T23:14:00.000Z

THE Bishop of Bath and Wells, the Right Rev Peter Price, dropped in on the award-winning West Somerset Farmers’ Market to sample some of the local produce on sale.
The market, which is held every Friday in The Parade, Minehead, was packed with its usual array of fresh produce, ranging from locally-reared meats and game through to organic vegetables, fish, cheeses, herbs, pies, pickles and many others.
The Bishop showed a keen interest in the stalls and sampled some of the local produce and chatted with stallholders and customers as he made his way through the market.
Bishop Peter said: “The value of farmers’ markets is that they bring local people together and generate a real sense of community.
“They support local producers, give residents access to fresh produce, cut down food miles, which is good for the environment, and provide communities with local social events.
“As such, they are important for uniting and contributing to the social and economic well-being of our communities.”
Roger Webber, who runs Hindon Organic Farm, near Minehead, and is chairman of the market, said: “We are delighted the Bishop has taken time out of his busy schedule to visit the market to meet and talk to stallholders.
“It means a lot to us to have his support with regards to selling the district’s fresh produce to local people, and because of his recognition that markets like ours provide focal points for communities.”
The Vicar of Minehead, the Rev Simon Lloyd, said: “We are really pleased the market has been established in the centre of town.
“It is fantastic for local people and helps encourage trade and prosperity, which is great.”
West Somerset Council portfolio holder for economic development and tourism, Councillor Michael Downes, said: “We actively support the local farmers’ market because it helps sustain local businesses, which is good for the district’s economy, while also providing a popular attraction for tourists.”
The West Somerset Farmers’ Market is open from 8.30 am to 2.30 pm.

Our photographs show (top) Bishop Peter sampling some of the produce from Hindon Organic Farm with Penny Webber (left) and Roger Webber; and (below, left to right) West Somerset Council market towns regeneration officer Pete Vallance, farmers’ market chairman Roger Webber, Councillor Michael Downes, the Right Rev Peter Price, and the Rev Simon Lloyd. Photos submitted.

Runner-up award won by Minehead Farmers' Market

2007-06-17T23:01:00.000Z

A PRESTIGIOUS award has been won by the West Somerset Farmers’ Market, in Minehead.
It has been named runner-up in Natural England’s Best Farmers’ Market of the Year 2007 contest.
The award was formally presented at the Bath and West Show’s recent Food and Drinks Awards Ceremony.
Farmers’ market chairman Roger Webber, said: “The market has only been up and running for about six months, so we are delighted to receive an award.
“However, it has just whetted our appetites and we want to expand so that next year we make sure we win the top award.
“I would like to thank all the local businesses which make our market such a success, and also local people for their support and encouragement.
“We are always on the look-out for local businesses that lend themselves to farmers’ markets and would encourage anybody thinking of branching out to contact me.”
West Somerset Council’s economic development and tourism portfolio holder, Councillor Michael Downes, said: “The council helped to set up the market and continues to be actively involved with it, so we are thrilled that it is already receiving this sort of recognition.
“I would like to thank Roger and all the producers for their dedication in getting the market off the ground and for making it so successful.
“Initiatives like the market boost the local economy and help support the district’s rural food producers while providing the residents with fresh, healthy local food options - it is a win-win situation and we would like to congratulate everybody involved.”
West Somerset Farmers’ Market is open from 8.30 am to 2.30 pm every Friday in The Parade, Minehead. Roger Webber can be contacted on 01643 705244.

Our photograph shows (left to right) West Somerset Council market towns regeneration officer Pete Vallance, Councillor Michael Downes, farmers’ market chairman Roger Webber, and market treasurer Margaret Heard. Photo submitted.

Maiden voyage for new form of traditional Bristol Channel boat

2007-06-17T22:05:00.000Z

A NEW style of flatner has been launched by Watchet Boat Museum, only the second to be designed and built in a decade in what was the town’s Old Goods Shed.
The Somerset flatner was a traditional style of simple-constructed shallow draft boat which was once common in the Bristol Channel but which has since almost died out.
The new flatner boat is a brand new design using features found on various types of traditional flatners which can be seen in the museum
It was built single-handedly in the museum by curator John Nash and is designed to be inexpensive at around £250, using readily available materials, and easy for one person to construct.
Mr Nash said: “I did not do it this way to show off, just to prove that one person really can do it.
“I am most certainly not a boat designer, carpenter, or oarsman, so if I can do it - you can, too.”
He said the 12 ft 8 in boat was suitable for calm waters such as rivers, lakes, and ponds, and could take three people on board.
A successful maiden ‘voyage’ took place in Watchet’s harbour marina, where Mr Nash said the boat behaved ‘beautifully’.
The flatner was designed in consultation with the museum’s president, Commander G.I. Mayes, and was constructed from stock timber sizes with more than 90 per cent of the materials bought locally.
Mr Nash now intends to sell copies of the flatner plans and instructions for building one, to raise funds for the museum.
He said: “We cannot build the boat and sell it - EU regulations are very stringent - so, we hope to sell lots of the plans.
“If you follow the instructions, it really is simple to build and a joy to row.”
The new boat has been named after John Short, a renowed Watchet shantyman known as ‘Yankee Jack’, and the new class has been called ‘The Short Flatner’.
More details are available from John Nash by telephoning 01984 633117 or emailing jmn@wbm.org.uk, or by visiting http://www.wbm.org.uk/.
Watchet Boat Museum is run entirely by volunteers. Entry is free and it is open Easter to September, from 2 pm to 4 pm, but is closed on Mondays and Fridays.

Our photograph shows John Nash preparing to launch the new flatner (top) and rowing on its maiden ‘voyage’ around the marina (below). Photos by Bruce Scott.

Butlins death woman was on sister's hen night

2007-06-12T22:25:00.000Z

A WOMAN who died at the weekend at Butlins holiday centre, Minehead, was on a hen night for her elder sister’s wedding.
She has been named as Jayne Hulme, aged 35, of Exeter, who was with her sister Sarah, aged 39, and a group of friends when the tragedy happened.
She had two other sisters, Helen, aged 37, and Sharon, aged 38.
Sarah Hulme was due to be married in Exeter in about five weeks’ time and has not yet decided if the wedding will go ahead or be postponed.
Jayne Hulme collapsed at about 10 pm on Saturday, June 9, and was at first taken in a mini bus to Minehead Hospital for treatment, but was later transferred by ambulance to Musgrove Park Hospital, Taunton, where she died.
It was claimed Jayne had fallen to the ground and banged her head as the group of friends left one of the venues at the centre.
Butlins is a popular venue for stag and hen night weekends and themed holidays such as 70s and 80s, and ‘adult’ breaks.
Police said there were no suspicious circumstances surrounding Jayne's death and the West Somerset Coroner, Michael Rose, had been informed.
A post mortem examination was due to take place to establish the cause of her death.
Jayne, who was single, and her sisters had previously suffered the bereavement two years ago of their parents Rex and Janet Hulme, from meningitis and cancer, respectively.

Guard of honour surprise for councillor wedding

2007-06-12T22:12:00.000Z

A SURPRISE guard of honour was arranged outside St Michael’s Church, Minehead, when well-known councillor Terry Venner and married Dawn Harris on Saturday, June 9.
Councillor Venner is well-known as a former Mayor of Minehead and a former chairman of West Somerset Council.
But it was local scouts, cubs, and beavers with their leaders who lined up outside St Michael’s to provide the surprise guard of honour as the couple left the church.
The gesture was a measure of respect for his work with the young people of the district since he took over chairman of West Somerset District Scouts in 2004.
At the time, the scouting movement needed extra help and although Councillor Venner said he knew little about scouting, he was willing to respond to a cry for help.
He knew that the young people needed help in many ways and has since worked with the district organisation to provide much-needed back-up for the organisation.

Our photograph shows Councillor Venner and his bride leaving church to be greeted by the guard of honour. Photo by Graham Haw.

Police appeal after woman killed in A358 head-on crash

2007-06-11T12:19:00.000Z

POLICE in West Somerset are appealing for witnesses to a car crash near Crowcombe in which a woman died and four other people were injured.
The fatal accident happened on the A358 at Halsway Cross at about 6.30 pm on Sunday, June 10.
It involved a blue convertible Peugeot 206 which was being driven in the direction of Williton.
The Peugeot was involved in a head on collision with a Rover 200.
The woman driver of the Rover was killed.
The woman, aged in her 20s, was from Bournemouth.
She was taken to Musgrove Park Hospital in Taunton, but died later from the injuries she suffered in the crash.
Three passengers travelling with her in the Rover were also injured, although none of their injuries were thought to be life threatening.
The driver of the Peugeot suffered a broken leg.
Police are appealing for anyone who witnessed the collision to call the force’s collision investigation unit on 0845 4567000.
They are particularly keen to speak to anybody who saw the Peugeot before the crash occurred.

Second holiday death at Butlins in weeks

2007-06-11T07:23:00.000Z

A SECOND young woman in seven weeks has died at Butlins holiday centre, in Minehead.
Neither death involved suspicious circumstances, although the first, in April, was initially treated by police as a murder inquiry.
The latest incident saw a woman collapse during a night out at Butlins on Saturday, June 9.
She was rushed by ambulance to Musgrove Park Hospital, Taunton, but later died.
The woman, aged in her early 30s and who was thought to be from the Exeter area, collapsed at about 10 pm.
A Butlins spokesperson said: “This is a sad and tragic incident. We have contacted the woman's family and are doing all we can for them.”
Police said there were no suspicious circumstances surrounding the death and the matter was now being handled by the coroner.
Photo submitted.

Crack in tower threatens church closure

2007-06-10T21:36:00.000Z

AN appeal is being made to readers of The Crier to help save one of West Somerset’s least-appreciated tourist attractions from closure.
The 15th century tower of St Michael’s Church, Minehead, is suffering from a large crack which has appeared in the masonry of its parapet.
Now, the vicar, the Rev Simon Lloyd, needs to raise tens of thousands of pounds to restore the 87 feet high tower or face the possibility of a church closure.
The work has been estimated at £40,000, but scaffolding costs on top could add a further £60,000 to the project.
Mr Lloyd told The Crier: “As a parish, we have three churches, and, much as we love St Michael’s, it is a lot for not a very large, and not a very rich, congregation to maintain without help from anybody else.
“We are not a wealthy congregation and we do not have pots of money and great resources.
“We are grateful to The Crier for raising the issue as a town issue and saying if the town wants St Michael’s to continue, then it would be in the town’s interests to do something about it.
“It would be good to have the businesses of the town behind us, really. St Michael’s is a landmark and the Church Steps is probably the most photographed bit of Minehead and probably one of the most in Somerset, but without the church it is pointless.
“In terms of Minehead’s tourist status, I think the church is actually a strong asset to the town, not withstanding the spiritual ties of the people who have been married, baptised, and buried there.”
The crack was first spotted five years ago and is visible from the ground at the rear of the church.
Because it was not assessed as an immediate threat, the church at the time decided to prioritise the building of an extension for St Andrew’s Church, in Wellington Square.
Now, however, the damage has worsened considerably and, while still not posing an immediate danger of collapse, Mr Lloyd has recognised the tower has to be restored as quickly as possible.
He said: “We were told it was not going to fall down immediately and we could afford to delay things, but we cannot delay indefinitely.
“It is not a major structural fault, but there is a health and safety factor. We have not been told we cannot ring the bells at the moment, but if it is not sorted out it will go that way and we do not know how long it will take.”
Anybody who would like to support the appeal can contact Mr Lloyd by telephoning 01643 703530 or by emailing him at fathersi@dsl.pipex.com.

Our photograph (top) shows a floodlit St Michael’s Church tower. Photo by Mark the Photographer, ref M070003. Order image reprints online at www.tcpbymtp.co.uk.
Our photograph (middle) shows a view of St Michael’s Church, Minehead. Photo by Mark the Photographer, ref M070002. Order image reprints online at www.tcpbymtp.co.uk.

Crier publisher helps Butlins create world hug record

2007-06-10T21:17:00.000Z

THE publisher of The Crier, Mike Padgett, has helped holidaymakers at Butlins to create a world record with former Big Brother housemate Aisleyne Horgan Wallace as special guest at the Minehead resort

Visitors to the Minehead centre were asked to hug Aisleyne in an effort to beat the record of 612 people hugging one person in an hour

And they smashed the record with 818 guests in one hour each giving Aisleyne a hug as Mr Padgett helped as a member of the adjudicating panel for the record attempt.

The event was part of Butlins' themed 'Record Breakers' holiday breaks which have been introduced this year.

Mr Padgett said afterwards: "It was great fun and there was certainly a lot of interest in Aisleyne coming to Minehead as the Big Brother series has made her a celebrity.

"I can see why people would like to give her a hug."

Our photograph shows Mr Padgett and Aisleyne (centre) celebrating the new record with some of the Butlins huggers. Photo submitted.

Parliamentary group puts dyslexia on schools agenda

2007-06-08T08:03:00.000Z

CHANGES to the school curriculum across the country could be triggered by a new all-party Parliamentary group on dyslexia which has been group started by West Somerset MP Ian Liddell-Grainger (pictured).
Around 200 members of the House of Commons and the Lords have now signed up to the Dyslexia Parliamentary Group.
The group has already won the attention of Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Schools, Lord Andrew Adonis, who wants to be kept informed of its progress.
Mr Liddell-Grainger, who is dyslexic, was told it was the first time anybody had started such a group in Parliament.
He said: “It is also one of the biggest groups in the House and, as well as MPs and peers, the various dyslexia groups in the UK are signing up to it.
“One thing that is already clear and which we have found absolutely horrifying is the attitude of so many local education authorities towards children with dyslexia.
“The way they work and operate is just not good enough.
“Taking the country as a whole, there are hundreds of cases of young people with educational problems like dyslexia that are just not being addressed.
“As chairman of the Parliamentary Dyslexia Group, I am determined to make it better.”
Mr Liddell-Grainger said Lord Adonis had been ‘immensely supportive’ and had agreed to address the group.
He said: “Not only that, but he would like us to look at the way the country is working in providing special educational needs for children.
“So, the group wants to come up with a strategy that can be adopted into the curriculum by schools throughout the UK.”
Photo submitted.

Coveted hygiene award for nursing home

2007-06-08T07:34:00.000Z

A COVETED Somerset Hygiene Award for meeting and excelling in food hygiene practice and standards has been presented to Winsor Nursing Home, in Minehead.
The award is administered by West Somerset Council’s environmental health team, and the nursing home was also awarded two supplementary elements for ‘excellent food hygiene standards’ and ‘comprehensive staff training’.
Home manager Iver Klingenberg said: “We are delighted that our hard work and dedication has been recognised, and Sanctuary’s investment rewarded.
“Jenny’s leadership in the kitchen has made wonderful improvements to the quality of food and its delivery.”
The award recognises local food businesses which fully comply with current food hygiene regulations regarding food handling practices, temperature control, structural design, and cleanliness, and which work hard to maintain high standards above and beyond the legal requirements, with a commitment to doing all they can to ensure the food they produce is safe to eat.
All award recipients have to demonstrate they have a fully-documented food safety management system in place, which is being effectively implemented and regularly reviewed.
Winsor Nursing Home received its award from the council’s portfolio holder for housing, health and welfare, Councillor Peter Humber, who said: “I would like to congratulate the chef, Jenny Dilley, and the home’s owners, Sanctuary, on achieving this award.
“I commend the time and effort that staff have put into meeting and exceeding the very high standards necessary to do so.”

Our photograph shows (left to right) home manager Iver Klingenberg with Rosemary Mcloughin, Debbie Allen, and chef Jenny Dilley being presented with the award by Councillor Peter Humber. Photo submitted.

Quaywest radio lining up awards night for favourite local businesses

2007-06-07T23:16:00.000Z

VOTING closes on Friday, June 15, in the first-ever Quaywest radio ‘Business Awards’ competition.
As The Crier went to press, more than 1,000 votes had already been cast by Quaywest listeners for the 27 businesses which have entered the awards.
The awards will be announced at a celebrity presentation evening in Minehead Football Club on Friday, June 22, when local MP Ian Liddell-Grainger will also be attending.
A charity auction will be held as well, with the proceeds being shared by the Royal National Lifeboat Institution, Devon and Somerset Air Ambulance, and the Somerset Fire Service benevolent fund.
The evening will be compered by Quaywest presenter Drew Haddon.
Anybody who takes part by voting for their favourite local business could also win a murder mystery evening with the West Somerset Railway, as they will be entered into a draw.
And those who attend the presentation evening can win a meal for two in Reeves restaurant, in Watchet, by dropping their business card into a box on the night.
The business with the most votes from West Somerset will win a 30-inch plasma screen Panasonic television, a month’s free advertising with Quaywest, and a year’s advertising on the boarding around Minehead’s football pitch.
People can vote online by using a form to be found on Quaywest’s website, http://www.quaywestfm.net/ or with voting slips available in a number of retail shops in Minehead, Watchet, Williton, and Porlock.
The businesses which have entered the awards, together with their voting number, are: 1 Aquasplash Leisure Centre, 2 Webberbus, 3 The Lighting Company, 4 Minehead Computer Services, 5 Stuart Lowen quality butcher, 6 Natalie Poat travel counsellor, 7 Ekos Kitchens, 8 Dunkery Beacon Hotel, 9 Penny Pine Ltd, 10 Glenmore Café, 11 Blondies, 12 Chives delicatessen, 13 Alan Harman Car Sales, 14 Morris Carpets and Beds, 15 Minehead Glass, 16 Babys First, 17 Corner House Stores, 18 Willows Café and Gifts, 19 Friday Print, 20 West Somerset Motors, 21 Trenz, 22 The Shoe Centre, 23 Chapel Roofing and Building Services Ltd, 24 Cream, 25 Blue Anchor Bay Garage, 26 Cornerstone Projects, 27 Antlers Pet Supplies.
As well as being an awards presentation, the evening also promises to be a huge networking event for local businesses.
Quaywest sales executive Gerry Baxter told The Crier: “We are having the awards as a way of getting businesses together and everybody having a great evening as well.
“Yes, the businesses who have entered want to win, but they are also looking forward to the evening itself as a fun networking opportunity.
“As Drew Haddon puts it, it is about ‘keeping your lolly local’ and supporting the businesses we have here in the Quaywest catchment area.
“When we started the awards we had hoped to have about a dozen entries, but to get 27 involved in the first year is tremendous.
“Everywhere we go, people are talking about it, and we regularly mention it on the radio, so people can keep listening to 102.4 and 100.8 fm Quaywest Radio for more information.”

Ex-US Deputy Sheriff searches for 'forgotten cop' of Williton

2007-06-07T20:48:00.000Z

RETIRED US Deputy Sheriff, Mackenzie Allen, is searching for anybody who can tell him more about a Westcountry policeman who lived in the 19th century.
Mr Allen, who now runs an antiques/auction business in Tacoma, Washington, bought a slate mantle clock bearing a plaque dated 1885 and dedicated to ‘Mr William Uriah Self, Superintendent of Police, Williton District’.
As an ex-law officer, Mr Allen was so intrigued by the dedication that he kept the clock rather than selling it on, in the hope of solving the mystery of who was the ‘forgotten cop’ across the Atlantic.
The ‘downsizing’ elderly woman from whom he bought the clock did not know, so he contacted the Williton offices of West Somerset Council where community safety liaison officer Pete Hughes was put on the case.
Mr Hughes said: “The local police have not a clue, either, so I am rounding up your readers to do some detective work among their family records.
“As William Uriah Self rose to be a Superintendent of police, they should not be too worried about rattling any skeletons in their family cupboards.”
The council's deputy leader and staffing portfolio holder, Councillor Simon Stokes, said: “Our staff get some odd requests and, short of sending out a posse, we are happy to lend a helping hand.”
Anybody with any information which might help can contact the council’s media and PR officer Stacey Beaumont by telephoning 01643 703704 or emailing sbeaumont@westsomerset.gov.uk

Our photograph shows Mr Allen with the inscribed clock. Photo submitted.

Pupils relaunch community Co-op store for town

2007-06-07T20:45:00.001Z

PUPILS of Knights Templar School, Watchet, performed a ribbon cutting ceremony to officially launch a £220,000 new-look Co-op store in the town
The store, in Liddymore Road, was bought from the Spar group in February and has since been completely revamped.
It now features the consumer-owned retailer’s latest convenience format with modern décor and a more shopper friendly layout.
The pupils were thanked by store manager Derek Farley for taking part in the opening and presented with £200 for school funds to mark the occasion.
Mr Farley said: “As a community retailer it is appropriate that we involve the community in our special events and we are delighted our local school is playing a central role in the relaunch of our store.”
The store now has ‘Access for All’ automatic doors, new fittings and refrigeration, plus a more shopper-friendly layout.
An emphasis has been placed on chilled and fresh foods, and popular services including the lottery, PayPoint and the home delivery service have been retained.
As a leading supermarket supporter of Fairtrade, The co-operative’s popular Fairtrade products also feature and the store also carries the retailer’s own health and beauty range with products which have not been tested on animals.
Shoppers also benefit from The co-operative’s policy on ‘honest labelling’, which gives the full facts about its food and drink products, and they can carry shopping home in 100 per cent degradable bags.
Mr Farley said: “We provide a much-valued service for the local community and I am confident our shoppers will be delighted with our improved store and wider selection of goods, which will better meet all the community’s daily grocery needs.”

Our photograph shows Mr Farley with pupils Chloe Rendell, Darcey Allen, Yasmin Turner, Tarsha Coleman, Kapric Gregory, and Sam Price. Photo by Mark the Photographer, ref M030026. Order image reprints online at www.tcpbymtp.co.uk.

Olympic roadshow to attend Exmoor Ironman contest

2007-06-07T13:31:00.000Z

AROUND 1,500 international athletes will be competing on Exmoor this month in the gruelling UK Ironman 70.3-mile triathlon.
The event centres on Wimbleball Lake and takes place on Sunday, June 17.
The athletes will be aiming to be included in the 100 places available in the Florida, USA, world championships next November.
The triathlon includes a 1.2-mile swim, 56-mile bike ride, and a 13.1-mile run, and as it is now an Olympic sport, the London 2012 Roadshow double-deck bus will be attending Wimbleball as part of its summer UK tour to inspire and motivate people of all ages to participate in sport.
More information is available by logging on to www.half.ironmanuk.com or http://www.activeexmoor.com/.
Exmoor Canoe Club is looking for volunteer kayakers to support the triathlon swim in the lake for about an hour-and-a-half from 6 am. Anybody interested should email info@exmoorcanoeclub.org.uk.
The UK Ironman 70.3 Triathlon is one of several global contests, six of which also carry slots for the Ford Ironman World Championship held in Hawaii every October when the distance is doubled to140.6 miles.

MEP bemoans Europe's barmy ban on barometers

2007-06-07T12:11:00.000Z

WEST Somerset Euro MP Neil Parish has bemoaned a European Union ban on the traditional British barometer.
Mr Parish said it was believed the battle had been won last November when a majority of MEPs supported a Conservative amendment to exclude the 400-year old tradition of barometer-making from a ban on using mercury in measuring devices.
However, since then EU countries – including Britain – have separately considered the issue and Governments have voted for the ban.
Mr Parish argued that appropriate safety warnings and careful controls would allow the continuation of barometer manufacturer and repair, thereby safeguarding many jobs and small businesses in the UK and the rest of Europe.
Now, however, the issue has come back to the European Parliament for a Second Reading, and with the support of Labour MEPs the amendment was overturned.
Mr Parish said the full Parliament would now need a so-called ‘qualified majority’ to reverse the decision by national governments, which seemed impossible.
The ban was proposed because as a heavy metal mercury can be toxic to humans, ecosystems, and wildlife.
Mr Parish said: “Today is a sad day for our traditions. Mercury does need to be controlled, but banning the barometer is the wrong way to go about it.
“With appropriate product safety warnings and carefully controlled usage barometers would be perfectly safe.
“We have used them for centuries without a major threat to the environment or to public health.
“The British Government has sold an ancient maritime practice down the river.
“Everybody with a barometer in their house should ask them why they supported such a ludicrous decision. It is this kind of nonsense that gives the EU a bad name.”

Our photograph shows MEP Neil Parish (right) with internationally-renowned barometer specialist Philip Collins and a hand-built barometer during a visit to Devon company Barometer World, which is a major manufacturer, restorer, and exhibitor of the instrument. Photo submitted.

Grant kick-starts new football era for girls

2007-06-07T11:19:00.000Z

A NEW era of girls football has kicked off in West Somerset thanks to a £300 grant from the district council.
Minehead Football Club now has a new under-13s girls team, as well as the existing under-nines mixed side, and has new equipment to help them reach match-fitness in time for next season.
Hayley Green, who manages the under-13s girls, said: “The girls have been keen on forming a side for some time.
“Thanks to West Somerset Council, they, and our other youth sides, will benefit from new speed ladders, hurdles, footballs, cones, and other training equipment funded by the grant.”
The council’s portfolio holder for leisure, culture and recreation, Councillor Neil Parbrook, said: “It is great that we have been able to help.
“These young people have tremendous enthusiasm for the game and it is a good start to fitness and healthy living.
“I will be following their progress and I hope they make it to the top of the league tables next year.”
Minehead Football Club wants to hear from other young people in the area who would like to go along to training sessions or who wants to join in playing football.
Anybody who is interested should visit the website www.mineheadfc.co.uk or contact youth team trainer Dale Diplock on 07810 353773 or 01643 821619.

Our photograph shows (left to right) back row - young footballers Milan Hill, Gemma Bradbury, Carmen Willicombe, Chloe Ahmet, Toby Rogers, Poppy Hurley, Katie Beecham, and Jade De Ste Croix: Front – under-13s manager Hayley Green, youth team trainer Dale Diplock, and Councillor Neil Parbrook. Photo submitted.

Laptop computer win starts Beryl on the internet

2007-06-07T07:54:00.000Z

A WEST Somerset woman has won a laptop computer after reading a free publication explaining to people in rural areas why and how to go online.
The booklet was published by Connecting Somerset, which has hailed it a huge success as nine out of 10 readers said they were now ‘much more likely to use the internet than they were before’.
The guide was distributed to individuals and communities in rural areas of the county, including West Somerset, the Blackdown Hills, and the Mendips.
Titled ‘Internet and Me’, the booklet was written in plain English to help anybody who felt they were being left behind by computers and the internet to catch up.
Three readers won computers to help start them off with the internet as part of a special prize draw which featured in the publication.
The top prize of a new Dell laptop computer was presented to Beryl Priddle, of Minehead, at a special winners’ presentation.
And high-specification refurbished desktop computers, donated by Community Computers UK, were presented to the two runners-up, Martin Smith, of Wells, and Pauline Gillard, of Glastonbury.
Connecting Somerset project leader Dave Cornish said: “We are absolutely delighted with the impact made by ‘Internet and Me’, as many people in more rural areas were starting to feel excluded and intimidated by the internet revolution.
“It is great to see so many new internet users getting on-line in rural communities right across the county - particularly our lucky prizes winners, thanks to the generous support of Community Computers UK.”
Community Computers UK is based in West Monkton, near Taunton, and refurbishes computer equipment donated by businesses and individuals, for subsequent use by youth clubs, schools, playgroups, charities, students, and anybody who receives State benefits.
Connecting Somerset is funded by Somerset County Council, the South West of England Regional Development Agency, the European Social Fund, and Business Link Somerset.

Our photograph shows Beryl Priddle receiving her new laptop computer from Connecting Somerset’s Matt Ballard. Photo submitted.

Council putting £1.85m into low-cost homes for local people

2007-06-07T07:45:00.000Z

UP to £1.85 million is being made available by West Somerset Council in its corporate plan this year to help provide low-cost affordable homes for local people to rent and buy.
The council is currently working on five schemes across the district to fulfil the need for affordable homes, including Clanville Grange, in Minehead, where 11 affordable homes will be sold to local people if the Secretary of State approves the council’s discounted purchase scheme.
Outline planning permission has also been granted for 20 to 25 homes off Marshfield Road, in Alcombe.
A development of homes and small workshops to rent or buy on a former field study site owned by the council in Simonsbath is also being worked on.
And an eco-friendly development in Carhampton will deliver affordable homes which are also as near carbon-neutral as possible.
The council is also continuing to support its housing association partners’ provision of additional affordable homes to rent and buy.
Support may take the form of direct subsidy, and also giving backing to bids for Government funding through the Housing Corporation.
In contrast to the last financial year, when there were no supported bids from the Housing Corporation, this year 17 potential bids have been made which could provide more than 140 affordable homes throughout the district.
A report on the subject is being considered by the council’s cabinet on June 12 to update members on progress.
The register for people wanting affordable homes at Clanville Grange has now closed, but local people who want to register for future affordable rented housing should contact the council on 01643 703704.
Anybody who wants to register for future low-cost home ownership initiatives can do so via Home2own by telephoning 01803 217600 or logging on to the website http://www.home2own.org.uk/.

Our photograph shows Roxanne Sargent (second from right) and her baby Jaydon moving into a Caractacus Homes property in Dulverton last year in a partnership with the council. Photo submitted.

Water inspires wave of green energy projects on Exmoor

2007-06-06T23:47:00.000Z

FIVE waterside locations on Exmoor are poised to become power stations producing green energy.
The micro-hydropower projects, including two historic watermills, will be awarded a share of £50,000 from EDF Energy’s Green Fund to help tap into stream power.
Together they will generate up to 230,000kWh per year, enough to power 50 local homes and reduce carbon dioxide emissions by approximately 100 tonnes annually.
The money will go to Exmoor Renewable Energy Group (EREG), which was founded last year by a group of micro-hydropower site owners on Exmoor whose aim is to help inspire and install renewable energy using the power of water.
The group was formed with the support of Exmoor National Park Authority’s Sustainable Development Fund.
More than 90 other sites on Exmoor have been identified as having the potential to generate micro-hydropower, and more than a dozen other stream owners have expressed an interest in installing the equipment.
The five sites to win funding are part of a first wave of hydro-electric stations costing £160,000 in total.
The work will be funded by the EDF Energy grant, £50,000 each from EREG and the Low Carbon Buildings Programme, and £9,000 from Exmoor National Park Authority.
The first five micro hydro-electric turbines will be installed at:

Cowbridge Sawmill, Minehead – where a water wheel will be restored to power a woodworking museum in the 18th century mill

Parracombe Mill, in Parracombe – a restored historic mill dating from 1543 with its own working water wheel

Lee Abbey, in Lynton – a conference, retreat, and outdoor centre set on the Exmoor coast

Holwell Farm, in Parracombe – steeped in history and home to Holwell Castle, a Norman motte and bailey castle

Deercombe, near Lynmouth – this project will provide a model for power generation from a small moorland stream on Exmoor

The first EREG members plan to support a second wave of projects by providing guidance and project support to the next group.
The first five schemes will also be turned into a hydropower trail to stimulate wider interest in green energy.
Students from local schools will be encouraged to follow the projects from design to delivery.
EDF Energy sustainable future director Peter Hofman, said: “In the UK there are thousands of historic mills and natural streams which could be suitable for micro-hydropower schemes.
“There is plenty of potential for micro-hydropower projects on Exmoor and we are delighted that EREG members plan to support a second group of renewable energy projects.
“Considered as a group, these projects cannot be underestimated and will make a significant contribution to the efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.”
One of the first mills to go live will be Parracombe Mill, which could be generating electricity as early as this autumn.
Nick White, secretary of EREG, purchased the mill in 2002 with his partner Beatriz Castro.
Mr White said: “We are absolutely delighted with EDF Energy’s support. It has been a big boost for us and a big boost for the projects and we are thrilled to be moving forward with our plans.
“There is the potential for Exmoor to generate a considerable amount of electricity and, provided we are successful, a second wave of micro-hydropower schemes will come on line.
“This could be the small stone that starts the ball rolling and this is very much down to EDF Energy for the contribution it has made.
“We are very excited about the prospect of generating our own electricity.
“Although our project is on a small scale, we hope it will act as an incentive and encouragement for others who are a stage or two behind us.”
Exmoor has a strong tradition of hydropower, proven by the 300kW prototype marine current generator situated off Lynmouth and a 300kW hydropower scheme in Glen Lyn Gorge, Lynmouth. Pictured is a typical watermill. Photo submitted.

MP demands debate on threat to close West Somerset sub-Post Offices

2007-06-06T14:42:00.000Z

A PARLIAMENTARY debate to try to save some of West Somerset’s sub-Post Offices from being closed by the Government is being demanded by the district’s MP, Ian Liddell-Grainger.
Mr Liddell-Grainger is leading cross-Party calls for the debate after failing to obtain a list from the Government of local sub-Post Offices which could be doomed under plans to close 2,500 in the next 18 months.
He said: “I do not know whether the Government does not have a list, because the Post Office is drawing it up, or if it does have one but will not release it.
“Either way, MPs across the political divide are saying it is scandalous – we want to know where the losses will be.
“Any loss of rural Post Offices is absolutely unacceptable, so I have asked for a debate.”
Mr Liddell-Grainger said the issue had been debated in the Chamber but not in the Westminster Hall ‘where we have a better chance of bending the Minister’s ear’.
He said: “It is an unfolding disaster that started when the Government refused to allow Post Office to sell its facilities as first choice – they come after banks and building societies.
“Margaret Beckett promised there would be ongoing funding for rural Post Offices until after 2010. That promise been broken.”
Mr Liddell-Grainger is now writing to postmasters and postmistresses in the constituency ‘to keep them up to speed’ with the issue.
Our photograph above is for illustration purposes only and does not imply any direct threat of closure to the sub-Post Office concerned. Photo submitted.

Entertainments committee folds after new councillors refuse to serve

2007-06-05T17:35:00.000Z

A CHEQUE for £50 has been presented to Home-Start West Somerset as a result of fund-raising by the former entertainments committee of Minehead Town Council.
It could be the last time such a donation is made to a local charity becaue newly-elected Independent councillors who have taken control of the town council have refused to serve on the committee.
The council has therefore had to abolish its entertainments committee, which previously organised events such as tea dances and children’s activities.
Home-Start West Somerset is a voluntary organisation which helps families at home with children under five-years-old by offering support, friendship, and practical assistance.
It aims to develop parenting skills and provide activities for young children and is a particularly valuable service in rural areas where isolation adds to other social difficulties.
Volunteers are always needed and anybody who might be interested in helping can contact Home-Start by telephoning 01643 707304.
It is holding its annual meeting in Alcombe Methodist Church at 10.30 am on Wednesday, July 11, when people will be welcome to attend to hear more about the charity and what it has achieved during the past year, followed by coffee and cakes.

Our photograph shows Councillors Norman Hercock (left) and Dave Sanders with Home-Start West Somerset organiser Ros Owen. Photo by Mark the Photographer, ref M030002. Order image reprints online at www.tcpbymtp.co.uk.

Tesco introduces 'localchoice' milk to benefit local dairy farming families

2007-06-05T17:19:00.000Z

FARMERS across West Somerset and Exmoor are set to benefit from a new milk product being sold by Tesco supermarkets.
The company has launched ‘localchoice’ milk in its stores in England and Wales, including its Minehead supermarket.
In partnership with Dairy Farmers of Britain, it is offering shoppers milk which is sourced from local farms.
Somerset is one of 14 country or regional variants of the milk which are available in what is a first for any national supermarket firm in Britain.
The ‘localchoice’ milk is available alongside standard milk, but at a slightly higher price - which means smaller, local producers can make returns more in line with the proportionately higher cost of running their business.
Tesco will also pay a premium to these farmers over and above the rate it pays to farmers who supply their standard milk, meaning ‘localchoice’ suppliers receive up to 23p per litre, one of the highest prices paid to producers anywhere in Britain.
Tesco chilled food director Kari Daniels said: “Many of our customers have told us they want us to make it easier for them to be able to buy food which is genuinely local to their area.
“Localchoice will not only reduce food miles but will also provide confidence to shoppers that if they buy a local product, they are helping their local economy and local suppliers, particularly small, independent family farmers.
“This milk does cost a bit more than our standard milk but shoppers will know that small and family farmers local to them are directly benefiting from this extra income.
“In this way, we are giving our customers the choice to be able to support, through their own buying decisions, the type of farming they want to sustain into the future.”
Dairy Farmers of Britain group commercial director David Potts said: “Consumers can support small and family owned farms from their region through purchasing ‘localchoice’ milk.
“The product will be sold at a relatively small premium to standard milk and will initially be available in the four-pint size carton priced at £1.23.
“This new initiative is right in line with what consumers tell us they want – which is to support quality local foods.”
Localchoice is part of a £25m annual investment by Tesco to support the British dairy industry.
As well as bringing a higher price to local producers, ‘localchoice’ also means Tesco can enjoy closer relations with its dairy farmers.
Localchoice farmers should be closer to the Tesco dairy team to share knowledge and understand consumer trends.
They will also be able to take part in Tesco local marketing initiatives, such as sampling in stores.
Photo submitted.

New councillors order eleventh-hour East Wharf rethink

2007-06-05T15:35:00.000Z

NEWLY-elected Independent councillors on West Somerset Council look set to do a U-turn on aspects of plans to develop Watchet’s East Wharf.
Despite one of the council’s most extensive-ever public consultation exercises, it has now ordered a rethink following an eleventh-hour protest campaign by some town residents.
Together with developers Urban Splash, the council is giving ‘further consideration’ to design aspects of the £12 million scheme.
Objectors were about to force a parish poll to be held on the subject, which would have cost Watchet council taxpayers around £2,000.
However, they have now agreed to postpone the move while the council looks again at the proposals for development.
The development is due to start next spring and at the moment includes 86 one and two-bedroom apartments, commercial space designed to accommodate a bistro and retail units, and community space which could be used to accommodate a museum/cultural area, meeting rooms, and town council and tourist information offices.
There will also be some retail space and enhanced facilities for the marina, including offices, a laundry, and changing rooms.
Council corporate director Adrian Dyer said: “As we have said, consultation with the public and stakeholders is an ongoing process.
“We have had some constructive meetings in recent weeks and we are going to take some time out to consider new information that has come forward.
“The planning application will not be put to the planning committee for determination before the end of June at the earliest, which will give us time to reappraise certain elements if it proves to be in the best interests of the public, marina users, and the development itself.”
Watchet ward Councillor Tony Knight said: “There has already been extensive consultation regarding the development, and we feel it should be recognised that even at this late stage, the council and developers are still willing to listen to ideas that may further improve the viability of the scheme.
“We have been disappointed because it appears that misleading information regarding the development has been circulated.
“However, recent discussions have been able to allay some of the misconceptions.
“It is positive for the project that the council and Urban Splash are continuing to consult with us and other stakeholders over the various issues raised.”
Artist’s impression of the East Wharf development submitted.

Residents urged 'Vote No' to unitary council plans

2007-06-05T15:20:00.000Z

LOCAL residents are being urged to take part in a postal ballot to tell the Government what they think of plans by Somerset County Council to seize control of all local government services in the county.
Liberal Democrat county councillors want to abolish West Somerset and the other four district councils in Somerset and run everything from County Hall, a move which it has been independently calculated would cost ratepayers £7 million a year.
Now, West Somerset and the other councils fighting the ‘unitary bid’ by the county authority have together commissioned a ballot to give every voter a say in the issue.
But the county’s new leader, Councillor Jill Shortland, has already refused to recognise the result of the ballot, claiming it was a ‘waste of money’ to allow a democratic vote by the public.
The postal ballot is being run by the Electoral Reform Services, and votes, which are free to send by post, should be returned by Friday, June 15.
The leader of West Somerset Council, Cllr Keith Ross, said, "We urge all voters to grab this chance to vote no to Somerset County Council’s proposed new mammoth unitary authority.
“A unitary authority would see West Somerset’s local representation slashed by over 75 per cent from its current total of 35 councillors, made up of 31 district and four county councillors, to eight ‘all-purpose’ councillors.
“This will hit local people hard because they are used to having an adequate number of local councillors to represent their views on local issues.”
Councillor Ross said West Somerset Council was also concerned because it had not received any assurances that local amenities such as parks and open spaces would be maintained, nor whether the county had the same commitment to economic regeneration schemes such as the provision of workspace in Williton, nor leisure and community projects such as ArtLife.
He said: “The county council has criticised the district councils for organising this poll, but we feel that their proposed reorganisation of local government will cost an awful lot more than the £13,500 we have spent on giving our local people the vote.
“It is a small price to pay for democracy. This is the only chance people are going to get. We hope local people make their voices heard by voting ‘no’.”

Cult band Portishead to make Christmas comeback at Butlins

2007-05-25T21:39:00.000Z

BUTLINS has pulled off an entertainments coup at its Minehead resort with the announcement that cult band Portishead will be playing their first full live concert for nearly 10 years.
The British band will be the next curators and will be performing exclusively at ‘All Tomorrow's Parties, Nightmare Before Christmas’, which takes place on December 7, 8, and 9.
‘All Tomorrow's Parties’ was started in 1999 as an alternative to festivals such as Glastonbury and Reading, and previous curators have included indie bands Mogwai and Sonic Youth in the UK, and Simpsons creator Matt Groening, in the US.
Portishead said in a statement on their Myspace page: “We have always loved the All Tomorrow's Parties set up and we're happy our first shows will be there.
“It is great to have the opportunity to introduce bands we love or have influenced us.
“We have chosen a diverse collection of artists to play with us and we are really looking forward to it.”
The band said details of the All Tomorrow's Parties line up would be announced on its Myspace page and also on the website http://www.atpfestival.com/.
Portishead were pioneers of tri-hop music and their debut album Dummy won the Mercury Prize in 1995.
A follow-up album, Portishead, came out in 1997, after which little happened until an unannounced acoustic performance in Bristol in February of this hear, when they said they were close to finishing a third album on which they had been working for some years.
Details of tickets and available accommodation can be obtained via http://www.atpfestival.com/.
Photos submitted.

New look to leadership of West Somerset Council

2007-05-20T15:19:00.000Z

WATCHET Councillor Jenny Hill has been elected chairman of West Somerset Council, succeeding Councillor Pam Driver, who lost her seat in this month’s elections.
Councillor John Walker, who represents Minehead South, was elected vice-chairman.
Councillor Hill said: “I would like to thank Pam for the work she has done for the council as chairman over the last year.
“I am delighted to be taking on the role and look forward to working with all councillors.
“Over half of the council is newly elected and we are looking forward to training so that we are up to speed with the systems, and ready to move issues forward.”
Dulverton and Brushford Councillor Keith Ross (pictured) was elected as leader of the council, and Councillor Simon Stokes, who represents Alcombe East, was appointed deputy leader.
Councillor Ross said: “I am looking forward to serving the communities of West Somerset, and will take heed of their wishes.
“We will continue with the capital programme although there will be a review of projects and some elements of the corporate plan to ensure that the projects we deliver are of high quality and meet the needs of local people and businesses.
“I am looking forward to working with the other 30 members of the council, and value the contribution that all councillors can make to achieving the best for West Somerset.
“We aim to bring improvements that will benefit the social and economic well-being of local people, and increase business opportunities for prosperity and growth wherever possible.”
Cabinet Portfolio Holders appointed were:

Housing, Health and Welfare - Peter Humber
Finance - Doug Ross
Economic Development and Tourism - Mike Downes
Leisure, Culture, and Recreation - Neil Parbrook
Environment - Jon Freeman
Youth and Community - Eddie May
Internal Resources - Simon Stokes

Photo submitted.

£5.4 million vocational education centre to open in autumn of 2008

2007-05-20T15:01:00.000Z

A HUGE increase in learning opportunities is on the way for West Somerset with the final go-ahead being given for a new £5.4 million skills and enterprise centre based in the West Somerset Community College, Minehead.
The final element of funding required to create the new centre has been confirmed, which means the first students can expect to enrol for courses as soon as September of next year.
The skills and enterprise centre will give young people and adults in West Somerset an opportunity to access high quality vocational education and training, leading to qualifications and skills which will help them succeed in the future.
The new facilities will be used to provide training in subjects including automotive engineering, construction, health and beauty, hospitality and catering, health and social care, and land-based skills.
The centre has been funded by the Learning and Skills Council and the European Regional Development Fund.
It is the first part of a New Horizons Project which newly-elected Independent councillors on West Somerset Council were campaigning against during the run-up to this month’s elections.
However, the new leader of West Somerset Council, Councillor Keith Ross, said: “Children and adults will benefit from the learning and training opportunities that the new centre will provide, and local businesses will benefit from being able to recruit qualified local people.
“Better career opportunities lead to higher wages which will improve social and economic standards in West Somerset, so we welcome the confirmation of funding for the new centre.”
The project is a partnership between the district council, Somerset County Council, Somerset Primary Care Trust, and the community college.
It aims to create opportunities for people to lead healthy lifestyles and raise their skills levels, which in turn will contribute significantly to the economic development of West Somerset.
College principal Nick Swann said: “This national flagship project represents another major breakthrough for the college.
“For several years, staff have been working with other training partners and potential funding bodies to develop more innovative approaches to the delivery of specialist vocational courses.
“This state-of-the-art centre, with the excellent facilities it will provide, will enable us to extend our curriculum to meet the individual needs of many more students, as well as the wider community.
“The outcome will be a much broader range of career opportunities for learners in West Somerset.”
Minehead’s Somerset county Councillor Ian Galloway said: “The skills and enterprise centre will provide an important and much-needed resource. I am proud that it is set to be built in Minehead.”
County council education portfolio holder, Councillor Gloria Cawood, said: “Currently, students from this area hoping to study subjects such as construction have to travel to Bridgwater or Taunton.
“That is a challenge to their learning and the extra miles travelled increase pollution. I am very pleased that we have secured significant new educational opportunities in West Somerset.”
Photo submitted.

Table top sale helping to stop Chinese moon bears cruelty

2007-05-20T14:33:00.000Z

MOON Bear Rescue kicks off its next 12 months of fund-raising events in West Somerset with a table top sale in Holford Village Hall on Sunday, May 27.
All proceeds from the event go directly to help the Animals Asia Foundation free Chinese Moon bears from horrendous coffin cages on bear farms and to negotiate with the Chinese government to ban the cruel trade in bear bile.
The table top sale, which includes a teddy tombola, giant raffle, and refreshments, starts at 2 pm.
AAF says 7,000 moon bears farmed in China for their bile in the most horrendous conditions are relying on animal-friendly people all over the world to raise enough to help the charity achieve its ambitious goal of closing down the bear farms forever.
Jill Robinson, who founded AAF and is its chief executive, said next year’s Beijing Olympics could herald a new life for the farmed moon bears.
She and the AAF team have been working for the past 14 years toward the day when the Chinese legislate against bear bile farms and, she hoped perhaps the Beijing Olympics next summer could be the catalyst to make it all come true.
Moon Bear Rescue organizer Lee Gibbins said: “It is vital that AAF receive enough funding to continue its work right up to the opening day of the Olympics.
“AAF will continue liaising and negotiating with Chinese officials at all levels, fund-raising globally, and telling the true story about bear bile production to the Chinese people, a majority of whom do not know of the existence of bear farms, nor that bear bile in medicine can be replaced by synthetic and herbal alternatives - at least 54 different kinds - and are appalled when they discover the pitiful lives to which the animals are condemned.”
More information about the table top sale and other fund-raising events being held by Moon Bear Rescue, including an annual Quantock sponsored walk, and to find out about Jill Robinson’s UK Roadshow, telephone Lee Gibbins on 01278 741648, or AAF UK director Dave Neale on 07764 161981, or contact Animals Asia Foundation by email at info@animalsasia.org.
Photo submitted.

Supporting action to reduce noise in West Somerset and Exmoor

2007-05-20T13:32:00.000Z

WEST Somerset Council's environmental health team is working to keep the peace across the district and on Exmoor by supporting Noise Action Week, which runs from May 21 to 25.
The week aims to promote practical solutions to everyday noise problems.
Council environmental health manager Ian Timms said: "We do not want to be kill-joys, especially now summer is on its way and people like to entertain outdoors, but we would encourage people to take simple steps to make sure that nearby residents are not disturbed.
“Most people do not mind occasional parties, especially if they are informed beforehand. Even better - why not invite the neighbours to join you.
"Keep noisy DIY projects within reasonable working hours, as nobody can relax in the evening with loud hammering on a regular basis.
“Again, if you have a special project to complete in a short space of time, explain to your neighbours what is happening."
The council has published a range of fact sheets on its website to advise people and businesses on how to respect their neighbours' right to a peaceful life.
Mr Timms said: "Our website has tips for people who may need to complete noisy projects, and perhaps have not thought about how much this might distress neighbours.
“There are simple courtesies which, if followed, promote neighbourly understanding.
“There is also a section for business-related noise situations.
"Noise nuisance in West Somerset is low compared to other areas.
“However, if you are suffering from continual problems, there is guidance on how best to deal with it.
“Our officers are also here to help people whose lives are being disrupted by noise, and we would urge people to seek their advice if the situation cannot be sorted out amicably.
“In the first instance, we work with other agencies to access excellent mediation services that really can help."
For more information log on to www.westsomersetonline.gov.uk and type 'noise' or go to 'N', in the council's A - Z of services.
Alternatively, telephone customer services for a fact sheet, or to seek further guidance from one of the council's environmental health officers on 01643 703704.

Diesel and steam mix bringing back memories for Father's Day

2007-05-18T17:30:00.000Z

MEMORIES should come flooding back in West Somerset this year for fathers and grandfathers who took an interest in the railways of the Westcountry during the 1960s.
For the West Somerset Railway is turning back the clock on its 20-mile line to 1965 for Father’s Day, June 17.
The heritage railway is holding a ‘Mixed Traffic Weekend’ from Friday, June 15, to Sunday, June 17, and will be reliving the period when British Railways was converting from steam to diesel power.
With this in mind, the majority of the trains will be hauled by vintage diesel locomotives, although there will also be two steam engines in action.
The diesel locomotives in service will be drawn from those in the collection of the Diesel and Electric Preservation Group, at Williton, and some guests hired in from other lines.
The ‘guests’ will include a ‘Warship’ Class D832 ‘Onslaught’, ‘Hymek’ D7076, and a Class 14 locomotive number D9520.
In addition, on the Saturday only, ‘Western’ Class D1015 ‘Western Champion’ will work an excursion train from Paddington on a tour by Past-time Rail and, before it returns home, will run a WSR service train between Minehead and Bishops Lydeard.
The home fleet will include ‘Western’ D1010 ‘Western Campaigner’, Class 14 D9526, Class 25 D7523, and the Class 47 locomotive D1661 ‘North Star’.
Shunting locomotives will also operate some shuttle services.
Among the museums which will be open along the line, the Diesel Heritage Centre, in Williton, will give an insight into the history of the development of diesel locomotives.
WSR general manager Paul Conibeare said: “We will have seven diesel hauled trains and four headed steam locomotives travelling over the line on Father’s Day and there is plenty of opportunity to alight at one of our stations and take in a walk and a lunch in a pub or restaurant along the way as well as riding the trains.
“And, for anybody who really remembers the 60s, there is the chance to alight at Crowcombe Heathfield for the site where Ringo rode the bicycle along the station platform in the Film ‘A Hard Day’s Night’.”
Full details of the Mixed Traffic Weekend can be obtained by telephoning 01643 704996 or visiting www.west-somerset-railway.co.uk/mixedtraffic.html.

Our photos show (top) a diesel engine and (below) a steam train which will be working on Father's Day. Photos submitted.

Woman in custody for alleged arson in Watchet house

2007-05-18T16:37:00.000Z

A WATCHET woman has been arrested on suspicion of arson following a fire at a house in the town on the night of Wednesday, May 16.
Firemen wearing breathing apparatus had to rescue a woman trapped by the blaze in the terraced house in South Road after being alerted at about 10.20 pm.
They were called to the property after neighbours were alerted by the sound of a smoke alarm.
The kitchen of the house was ablaze and smoke was billowing from the first floor of the property, where a woman was found to be still inside one of the bedrooms.
She was rescued but not found to have suffered any injuries.
The firefighters used four sets of breathing apparatus and two hose reel jets to put out the fire and ventilate the property. The incident was brought under control within about half-an-hour.
Later, police took a 28-year-old woman into custody at Taunton Police Station to be held on suspicion of arson with intent to endanger life.
Three fire engines attended the incident, two from Williton and one from Minehead, plus a command support vehicle from Wiveliscombe.
Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service said there was fire damage to the kitchen and the dining room floor, with 20 per cent smoke damage to the remainder of the building.

Promises made for CLOWNS and HomeStart charity auction

2007-05-16T07:02:00.000Z

AN auction of promises is to be held at Minehead Barbarians Rugby Club on Friday, May 18, to raise funds for West Somerset charities CLOWNS and HomeStart.
CLOWNS needs the funds to replace its aging blue playbus.
The auctioneer for the evening will be John Addicott, of Chanin and Thomas.
Some of the promises which have been donated include bull semen, a car wash, a day with an Exmoor Ranger, 12 months of advertising in The Crier, and an offer to sell a house without charging any commission.
CLOWNS provides a service for parents and/or carers and also children in rural isolation and areas of need within West Somerset.
A double deck bus has been converted for play and is used to offer recreational and educational facilities as it travels around the district.
There is also a smaller vehicle which takes equipment for Tumbling Toddler sessions to village halls and is used during the school summer holidays to run play schemes in villages and to take toys from the charity’s toy library to isolated communities.
It also collects clean, safe, salvaged materials from businesses for use in the CLOWNS Scrapstore.
The Playbus also carries information on a range of related services, and helps to maximise the impact of visits by working with other agencies which require rural community access.

Pictured above at the Dunster Castle launch of the CLOWNS promises auction are (left to right) Kathy Morton, local MP Ian Liddell-Grainger, auctioneer John Addicott, and The Crier’s sales and marketing consultant Dudley Seale. Photo by Mark the Photographer, ref M030030. Order image reprints online at www.tcpbymtp.co.uk.

Free lessons planned for junior golfers

2007-05-16T06:43:00.000Z

MINEHEAD and West Somerset Golf Club side entertained Enmore Park in the first of this season’s competitive encounters.
The match between these two well-established clubs is always tense, but always played with the camaraderie expected of two ‘old friends’.
Minehead won the tie eight games to two, but the real winner on the day was the spirit of friendship enjoyed between two fine and well-established clubs.
The ‘A’ team entertained Wheathill in division seven of the Avalon League and enjoyed another strong victory with only the pairing of D. Oatridge and M. Vickery not being victorious.
The victorious pairs were club captain D. Compton and P. Clements, R. Poirrier and S. Plenty, D. Hillier and K. Murrell, G. Whalley and J. Fisher.
The victory gained Minehead another 10 points to place them at the top of the table.
The Somerset Golf Union County Foursomes competition was held at the Club with 80 golfers from all over Somerset competing.
Minehead was represented by the pairings of D. Oatridge and D. Hillier, and P. Fullbook and D. Bosley, the latter winning with the best net score over the 36 holes.
The foursomes champions with the best gross score over 36 holes were J. Palmer and P. White, from Wells, who scored a gross one over par playing off a scratch handicap allowance.
Teams of three players entered a Dawn Chorus Shotgun Bowmaker competition. With all 22 teams starting at 7.30 am from different parts of the course, they all finished within minutes of each other in time to walk in and enjoy a breakfast served in the clubhouse.
Winners on the day with one score to count on each hole were: 1 - D. Compton, D. Oatridge and M. Swallow (nett 57); 2 - P. Davies, R. Lewis and N. Grabham (nett 59); 3 – G. Yeates, C. Sidley-Adams and G. Wells (nett 60).
Minehead’s ‘A’ team also entertained Farrington in division seven of the Avalon league and again won the tie by four games to one.
Another 10 points were welcome in the club’s efforts to progress to division six after only one season in the league.
There were wins for K. Babb and G. Yeates (5&4), D. Hillier and M. Vickery (2&1), K. Murrell and C. Knight (2&1), P. Fullbrook and D. Oatridge (4&3) and the only defeat by pairing D. Compton and P. Clements (2&1).
It was pleasing to see two junior members - Knight and Yeates - being blooded in the league side, and the fact they were not out of their depth boded well for their future.
On the same day, the Elizabethan Cup took place. Played as a foursomes pairs competition, the pairs took alternate drives and alternate shots to record a net medal score played off one-half of their combined handicaps.
Winners on the day were M. Rutley and P. Salter with a net score of 69.5, playing off a handicap of 10.5, closely followed by G. Yeates and D. Oatridge 79 (9) nett 70.0, and T. John and D. Shambrook 86 (15) nett 71.0.
Atrocious weather on Sunday, May 13, put paid to the running of the Centenary Trophy and Tankard competitions and although some hardy players ventured out, the competition was abandoned. It has been rearranged for Sunday, June 24.
Saturday, May 19, sees the club take on the seniors in their annual confrontation. On Sunday, the club has a match at Saunton, while back home in Minehead players compete in the Simplicity Box, a competition played with a maximum of seven clubs.
After the school half-term, the junior section receive quite a lot of attention with a junior club night starting on Tuesday, June 19, with free coaching and a round of golf.
On Thursday, June 21, free lessons for junior non-members begin. A series of six free lessons are planned to introduce youngsters to the game. More information can be received from the club.

Our photograph shows some of the Minehead team who entertained Enmore Park (left to right) back row - S Clarke, R Philips, G Troman, J Fisher, D Oatridge, G Wells, D Stevens, M Vickery, M Thresher. Front - B Gliddon, M Gilbertson, D Singleton, G Whalley, D Compton (club captain), W J Perkins, R Thresher, G Pugh, R Stevens. Photo submitted.

Helping residents stay warm and well

2007-05-09T11:55:00.000Z

A TOTAL of £100,000 has been invested by West Somerset Council this year to bring local homes up to high energy efficiency standards.
The council is now extending its funding of the Somerset Warm and Well scheme to allow more people in West Somerset to benefit from free or discounted energy-saving home improvements.
The council works in partnership with the Bristol and Somerset Energy Efficiency Advice Centre to help people carry out home improvements such as loft and cavity wall insulation.
Council environmental health and licensing manager Ian Timms said: “The Warm and Well scheme is now offering free insulation to people of all ages who are on low incomes or on qualifying benefits, as well as people over 70.
“Residents can phone friendly experts at the centre to see if they are eligible.
“Local people can save money on energy bills, stay warm and well in their homes, and help the environment by cutting down on energy use.”
Tenants or landlords of rented properties can also apply for free or discounted insulation.
Mr Timms said: “We would encourage anybody who thinks they may be eligible to come forward to see if they qualify for free loft and cavity wall insulation through Somerset Warm and Well.
“People who do not meet the criteria may find they can still receive a considerable discount on this sort of work.”
Residents who would like to know more about the scheme can telephone the Bristol and Somerset Energy Efficiency Advice Centre free on 0800 512 012.

MP presses Minister for better school transport and special needs education

2007-05-09T10:33:00.000Z

WEST Somerset mp Ian Liddell-Grainger is pressing the Schools Minister, Lord Andrew Adonis, to improve school transport in the district and also the provision of special needs education.
Mr Liddell-Grainger was meeting the Minister for face-to-face talks on the issues on Wednesday, May 9.
It was Mr Liddell-Grainger’s second meeting with the Minister (pictured, top) to discuss education issues in the constituency.
Mr Liddell-Grainger said the meeting was a follow-up to a recent visit to the Bridgwater and West Somerset constituency by Lord Adonis.
He said: “We will be looking at the proposals for four brand new secondary schools (in Bridgwater) and the provision for children with special needs.”
Mr Liddell-Grainger said he would discuss education provision in the West Somerset area of the constituency ‘where things are less rosy’.
“I am very concerned about special needs provision in West Somerset, where the very tough measures brought in by the county council are failing the children,” said Mr Liddell-Grainger.
“I also intend to bring up the subject of transportation.
“I know it is a big area, but the way children are being transported around the district cannot be right.”
M Liddell-Grainger is also pushing for a debate with Communities Minister Ruth Kelly (pictured, below).
He wants a better deal from the Government for the county, as he says the present level of funding is ‘awful’.
“Somerset is still the poor relation, and that is so unfair,” said Mr Liddell-Grainger.
“I am asking for a meeting with the Minister - who, by the way, went to school in Somerset, so she knows the county and its needs - and I am pushing for a debate with her in the House of Commons.”
Photos submitted.

Conservatives ousted by Independents at district elections

2007-05-07T19:57:00.000Z

THE Conservative administration on West Somerset Council has been spectacularly dumped by voters who went to the polls on Thursday, May 3.
The elections saw a grouping of candidates under an Independent banner emphatically sweep to overall power on the district council.
Independents took 16 of the 31 seats, against 13 for the Conservatives, one Labour, and one Liberal Democrat.
It was a similar story on Minehead Town Council, where the Tories were reduced to just five of the 15 seats.
Dulverton Councillor Keith Ross, who, alongside Minehead shopkeeper Graham Sizer, coached and organised the Independent candidates in the run-up to the district elections, said: “I am very pleased with how it has gone tonight, because this has broken the party stranglehold, which is what I have looked for over seven-and-a-half years since we went political, which was probably the worst night in West Somerset politics.
“What I want is 31 councillors to work together for the benefit of West Somerset because it has not happened, and it has not happened because of party politics.
“It does not matter wherever you go in the country, where there are adversarial politics it does not work.”
Councillor Ross said he did not yet know who would become leader of the council nor who would receive portfolios.
“I do not know how it will work out,” he said. “We will have to have a meeting of those in the leading group to select a leader.
“The council will be looking seriously at the way forward.
“Of course, we have a big struggle on our hands for the people of West Somerset with the unitary council bid by the county council over which we have little control.”
The declaration of election results started badly for the Conservatives with former council chairman Barbara Child losing her seat in Quantock Vale to Independent Councillor Mitch Wicking, who has previously campaigned to have the council’s chief executive sacked.
It was followed by defeat in Alcombe East for Tory Jamie Anderson, who lost out to Independent Councillor Ian Melhuish, who is a close friend of Mr Sizer.
Disgraced Independent Councillor Hugh Davies - who was previously suspended by the Standards Board after a vendetta against the council’s chief executive - then topped the poll in Williton.
Former deputy council leader Councillor Bryan Leaker held his seat in Dunster for the Conservatives, and there was a brief turnaround in fortunes when popular Watchet Town Council chairman, Councillor Dave Westcott, topped the poll in Watchet to gain a seat for the Conservatives.
But it was short-lived as housing, health, and welfare portfolio holder Mary Crowley lost her Conservative seat in Quantock Vale ward, and then current council chairman Pam Driver was defeated in Old Cleeve by Queens Hall, Minehead, owner Councillor Kate Kravis for the Independents.
In the key battleground of Minehead and Alcombe, Independent candidates took five of the 10 available seats, to the Conservative’s four, and one for Labour.
Other Conservative setbacks included the loss of Mike Padgett in Porlock, where a conversation secretly recorded in News of the World-style by opponent Jon Freeman and Watchet councillor David Banks for publication in the West Somerset Free Press appeared to have swayed voters.
Meanwhile, first-time candidates Dudley Seale and Tony Berry (Minehead South), Jeremy White (Minehead North), Brian Jenkinson (Carhampton and Withycombe), Loretta Whetlor (Quantock Vale), and Paul Chamberlain (Dulverton) all failed to win.
Council leader Councillor Christine Lawrence held her Minehead North seat for the Conservatives and increased her vote, but fell from first to second place behind the Labour Party’s Doug Ross standing under the Independent flag.
Economic development portfolio holder Councillor Nick Messarra (Alcombe East), deputy leader and finance portfolio holder Councillor Roger Webber (Aville Vale), and internal resources portfolio holder Councillor Angela Palmer (Porlock) also held their seats for the Conservatives.
It could have been even worse for the Tories, as Councillor Norman Hercock gained a seat for them in Alcombe West by just seven votes and only after a recount.
The Independents lost David Gliddon, in Brompton Ralph and Haddon, where parish council chairman Councillor Keith Turner made another rare Conservative gain.
And in Watchet, long-serving councillor David Banks, who turned Independent after quitting Labour some years ago, also lost when he trailed fourth in the three-seat ward.
They also failed to win the vacant Crowcombe and Stogumber seat, where newcomer Councillor Tim Taylor retained the Conservative’s hold.
In Quarme ward, the Conservative’s Councillor Christopher White, another newcomer, also beat off an Independent challenge.
Councillor Leaker, who is the West Somerset constituency Conservative Association chairman, said: “If you do not get your voters out, you do not get elected.
“I think there are some stark lessons to be learned for the Conservatives in West Somerset tonight.
“It is a night they should not forget - and I will not forget it - in a hurry.
“It tells the town and district councils that we need to work together to get success, and, quite frankly, I do not think we have worked together and we have quite plainly not got the success.”
Councillor Lawrence said she was disappointed and slightly surprised at the scale of the electoral defeat.
She said: We had some very good candidates, and while I am very grateful to everybody who voted for me, I am disappointed for the other candidates and grateful for all the hard work they put in.”
Councillor Lawrence feared the council could find it difficult to achieve anything in the short-term because so many new and inexperienced councillors had been elected.
Mrs Driver said she had enjoyed her eight years on the council and was philosophical about her defeat.
She said: “I am sad in as much as we are not able to finish what we have started, and we are being superseded by a group who have no experience, but I hope all goes well for them for the sake of the people of West Somerset.”
Councillor Westcott attributed his success to the people of Watchet recognising his positive ‘can-do’ attitude over many years of service to the town.
He said: “I think over the years people have recognised that I always do my best for them, and I will continue to do that. Watchet comes first for me every time.
“I always believe in being positive and not negative and I think that has come through.”
Councillor Westcott said he was slightly disappointed that Mr Banks had lost his seat as he had been a good councillor for the town.
He said: “I was surprised. I do not think it was an East Quay issue, it was just unfortunate for him that I came in and made that difference to the vote.”
Councillor Freeman said: “I am gobsmacked. Porlock is a strange place, a small place where everybody knows everybody – and there is me, 12 miles away.
“The party machine was working so well with little Conservative ladies scurrying around everywhere, I thought there was no way I was going to do this.”
Councillor Walker said he was delighted to be back on the council at the age of 82 and after an eight-year absence.
He said: “Things have changed since I was in there, so I will have to play myself in gently.”
West Somerset Council Election Results as they were declared by Ward:
West Quantoxhead – Barbara Child (Con) 216, Mitch Wicking (Ind) 301 elected.
Alcombe East – Jamie Anderson (Con) 157, Ian Melhuish (Ind) 323 elected, Nick Messarra (Con) 201 elected.
Williton – Ian Aldridge (Ind) 269, Hugh Davies (Ind) 616 elected, William Gulliford (Ind) 31, John Holden (Ind) 214, Eddie May (Ind) 298 elected, Rose Woods (Con) 246.
Carhampton and Withycombe – Peter Humber (lib Dem) 417 elected, Brian Jenkinson (Con) 164.
Dunster – Julie Harvey Smith (Ind) 125, Bryan Leaker (Con) 186 elected.
Watchet – David Banks (Ind) 425, Tony Bowden (Lib Dem) 359, Jenni Hill (Ind) 441 elected, Tony Knight 505 elected, Peter Murphy (Lab) 323, Ann Snelling (Con) 300, Dave Westcott (Con) 768 elected.
Alcombe West – Norman Hercock (Con) 255 elected, Marcus Kravis (Lab) 248, Simon Stokes (Lab) 479 elected.
Quantock Vale – Mary Crowley (Ind) 335, Chris Morgan (Ind) 424 elected, Paul Tipney (Ind) 420 elected, Loretta Whetlor (Con) 243.
Quarme – John Bray (Ind) 142, Christopher White (Con) 347 elected.
Old Cleeve – Pam Driver (Con) 302, Kate Kravis (Ind) 532 elected, Neil Parbrook (Ind) 479 elected.
Crowcombe and Stogumber – Roy Harbour (Ind) 228, Tim Taylor (Con) 315 elected.
Aville Vale – Aaron Cody-Boutcher (Ind) 252, Roger Webber (Con) 313 elected.
Porlock and Oare – Jon Freeman (Ind) 427 elected, Mike Padgett (Con) 273, Angela Palmer (Con) 656 elected.
Dulverton – Paul Chamberlain (Con) 341, Mike Gammon (Ind) 451 elected, Keith Ross (Ind) 684 elected.
Brompton Ralph and Haddon – David Gliddon (Ind) 149, Keith Turner (Con) 255 elected.
Minehead North – Christine Lawrence (Con) 580 elected, Doug Ross (Ind) 822 elected, David Sanders (Con) 453 elected, Jeremy White (Con) 415.
Minehead South – Tony Berry (Con) 571, Michael Downes (Ind) 706 elected, Dudley Seale (Con) 442, Stan Taylor (Con) 331, Terry Venner (Ind) 822 elected, John Walker (Ind) 631 elected.
Exmoor – Steven Pugsley (Con) returned unopposed.

Vintage buses take to the roads for Bank Holiday weekend services

2007-05-02T15:09:00.000Z

AN historic bus and coach extravaganza is being hosted in West Somerset during the Bank Holiday weekend courtesy of Steve Morris, a director of Quantock Motor Services.
A fleet of 20 vintage vehicles will make regular pick-ups at the main-line train station at Taunton to drive passengers through the lovely local scenery to Watchet, Minehead, and over Exmoor to Lynmouth on Saturday, Sunday, and Bank Holiday Monday, May 5, 6, and 7
Mr Morris said: “I am delighted to commemorate my 30 years in bus and coach restoration by holding a three-day celebration of vintage travel that stretches from Taunton to Lynmouth with a special focus on the historic port of Watchet and the West Somerset Railway station at Minehead.”
Most of the buses and coaches date to the 1930s, 1940s, and 1950s, bringing the elegance of a bygone age to local roads.
West Somerset Council has also allowed 15 buses and coaches to be parked on its land at East Quay, in Watchet, from 9 am to 5.30 pm on Sunday, May 6, for the public to view a variety of vintage vehicles at close quarters, and chat to the owners.
Mr Morris said: “Visitors will be able to catch a train to Taunton and then reach destinations across West Somerset and North Devon without bringing their own cars.
“This is good for the environment and will also help boost local tourism.
“We have kept ticket prices to a minimum so that as many people as possible can experience the buses and keep up the enthusiasm for this working history.”
A day ticket for a family - two adults accompanied by two children - is £14, while an adult day ticket is £8.
Services will run regularly from the main train station at Taunton, Watchet’s East Wharf, the West Somerset Railway station in Minehead, and Lynmouth.
Tickets are available at bus stops on the day.
For more information on the event including timetables, go to www.quantockmotorservices.co.uk and click on the 'bus rally' tab, or telephone 01823 251140.
Photo submitted.

Free offer to use Aquasplash facilities this weekend

2007-05-02T15:04:00.000Z

AN opportunity to sample the Aquasplash, Minehead, leisure pool’s newly refurbished facilities free of charge is being offered to residents and visitors at the weekend.
People can try out the facilities between 11 am and 3pm on Saturday, May 5, without having to pay.
The centre’s health complex has recently undergone a £30,000 refurbishment, while the pool area will be hosting live music from 'Strawberry Jam', a bouncy castle, and Quaywest fm will broadcast live from the event.
Aquasplash operations manager Paul Morgan said: “Sports enthusiasts and amateurs are welcome to sample some of the new equipment, such as X bikes which, unlike usual ‘'fixed’ exercise bikes, offer a full body workout while cyclists watch the ‘route’ they take on a television screen.”
The swimming pool with its new inflatable, 'Big Blue', will also be open, and there will be gym workouts, demonstrations, and competitions, while the health suite will be open to people aged 16 years and older.
More information is available by telephoning Aquasplash on 01643 708000.
Photo submitted.

Appeal for information after rare riding carriage is stolen

2007-05-01T09:34:00.000Z

A RARE horse cart valued at £2,000 has been stolen from a yard in Shurton, where it was parked on grass.
The four-wheel riding carriage was taken during the night of Sunday-Monday, April 22-23.
However, details of the theft have only just been published by the police, who are appealing for information about the crime.
The 18-month-old carriage was built in Poland and is bright purple and cream in colour with black seats and tyres and has lights on the undercarriage.
The maker's name, 'Julian Talbot', is written on the side of the carriage.
Police would like to speak to anybody who may have witnessed the theft, or who may have been offered the carriage for sale, or who might know the offenders involved. 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 the freephone Crimestoppers line on 0800 555 111, where they do not have to give a name but could receive a reward.
Photo submitted.

Tour of Britain cycle race heads for West Somerset and Exmoor

2007-04-27T07:25:00.000Z

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

2007-04-26T14:24:00.000Z

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

2007-04-25T21:39:00.000Z

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

2007-04-25T21:10:00.000Z

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

2007-04-25T20:56:00.000Z

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

2007-04-24T19:48:00.000Z

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

2007-04-24T12:14:00.000Z

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

2007-04-24T00:27:00.000Z

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'

2007-04-23T13:00:00.000Z

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

2007-04-22T21:59:00.000Z

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

2007-04-21T10:11:00.000Z

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

2007-04-21T10:05:00.000Z

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

2007-04-21T09:35:00.000Z

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

2007-04-21T09:27:00.000Z

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.