Britain's Strongest Man contest returns to West Somerset

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.

Continental market brings European produce to West Somerset

WEST Somerset is going cosmopolitan in the food stakes over the weekend with the launch of a Continental market in Minehead.
Fine food from a 40-strong contingent of European producers joins the regular weekly West Somerset Farmers’ Market in the town.
Continental market specialist, Amber Markets Ltd, is working with West Somerset Council on a four-day trial period running from March 29 to April 1.
West Somerset Council economic development portfolio holder, Councillor Nick Messarra, who helped to mastermind the market initiative, said: “This is a fantastic opportunity for local people to sample the best local and foreign produce.
“We hope residents and visitors will enjoy not only the flavours, but also the atmosphere that this brings to Minehead.
“We are aiming to bring a wider range of produce to local residents and encourage visitors to stay in Minehead longer, which means they will spend more money in district.
“The local economy will also receive an extra boost because the Continental stall holders and their helpers will need accommodation in the area.”
The Continental market is open from 8.30 am to 5.30 pm.
The regular West Somerset Farmers’ Market is also open for business as usual on Friday, March 30, from 8.30 am to 2.30 pm in The Parade.
A representative of West Somerset Council will be on site or in the immediate vicinity of the market throughout the four-day trial, as will a market co-ordinator from Amber Markets.

• Our photographs show a Continental market held in a different venue. Photos submitted.

Taste of the Continent comes to Minehead market

A TASTE of the Continent is coming to West Somerset with up to 40 French and European stallholders joining the Minehead Farmers’ Market to offer a feast of fresh produce to local gourmets.
West Somerset Council has liaised with Amber Markets Ltd, a specialist organiser of markets for French and other European traders, and has arranged a four-day trial running from Thursday, March 29, to Sunday, April 1, inclusive.
The council’s economic development and business portfolio holder, Councillor Nick Messarra, said: “The local farmers market has been very successful and we hope that by offering local people a wider choice of produce, the markets will attract even more shoppers to Minehead.
“People will be able to buy superb local food and enjoy a new range of excellent Continental foods in one big market.
“If this trial is successful, we hope to run more of these joint markets on an occasional basis.
“We hope it will continue to encourage people from the surrounding villages, as well as tourists, to come into Minehead to shop.
“Extra customers will boost sales for local traders and that is great news for the local economy.”
The market will take place from 8.30 am to 5.50 pm daily in the middle section of The Avenue, which means closing the road from the Summerland Avenue car park entrance to the corners of North Road and Tregonwell Road between 6 am and 7.30 pm.
Traffic will be diverted and residents’ parking made available in the North Road and Summerland car parks, while the bus stop outside Woolworth’s will be temporarily relocated to Blenheim Road.
The council’s market towns regeneration officer, Pete Vallance, said, “We are aiming to bring a wider range of produce to local residents and encourage visitors to stay in Minehead longer, which means they will spend more money in our local shops.
“The local economy will also receive a boost because the new stall holders and their helpers will need accommodation in the area.
“We are working with highways, the police, private and public transport providers, Minehead Chamber of Commerce, and local businesses to minimise any traffic flow problems, and we hope to work with local residents to see how we can minimise any disruption to them.”
Pedestrian access to all properties in the area will remain and it is proposed to make residents’ parking available in North Road and Summerland car parks.
Deliveries for traders and businesses will be accommodated, and although there is scope to temporarily relocate the bus stop outside Woolworth’s to Blenheim Road, the Bancks Street bus stop will be unaffected.
The proposed alternative route for traffic from the eastern end of the closure would be to divert it along North Road into Blenheim Road, and back to The Parade, and vice versa.
Mr Vallance said: “Taunton has a pedestrianised area that naturally lends itself to these markets.
“We do not have that luxury in Minehead but we are sure that by working together, we can minimise disruption and provide all the benefits that these markets bring to our local residents in West Somerset.”
A representative of West Somerset Council will be on-site or in the immediate vicinity of the market throughout the four-day trial, as will a market co-ordinator from Amber Markets.

Photos of Minehead Farmers' Market submitted.

£1.75 million business units development underway

WORK has started on redeveloping the former Wrigleys factory site, on the Roughmoor Industrial Estate, in Williton, into 14 new workspace units.
Members of West Somerset Council were on hand to watch the start of the £1.75 million regeneration project, which will create opportunities for start-up businesses and those which want to expand.
The council’s economic development portfolio holder, Councillor Nick Messarra, said: “West Somerset Council has invested over a million pounds in this project, which we believe will transform opportunities for small and medium sized enterprises in the area.
“It is one of a number of workspace developments in West Somerset that will benefit local businesses, residents, and the economy.”
The new workspace has been designed to allow a high degree of flexibility in layout in order to accommodate a wide range of tenants over a prolonged period.
The premises will be serviced, meaning somebody will be on hand to deal with visitors.
There will also be meeting rooms, and all tenants will have access to the Connecting Somerset IT support grant scheme.
Units ranging in size from 495 to 2,260 square feet are being provided in the redevelopment, and estate agent Alder King is putting together a lettings package for prospective tenants.
The development is being carried out for the council by Taunton-based builders Rok, whose area director, Chris Hyde, said: “This is a significant contract for Rok and we are delighted to be bringing our refurbishment and new build expertise to the project.
“It will create much-needed high quality workspace in West Somerset and set high environmental standards by regenerating a brownfield site.”
Williton ward Councillor Eddie May said: “The site had been deteriorating over the last few years and we are delighted that, by refurbishing some parts of the site and demolishing and rebuilding others, we will be able to provide businesses and the local economy with the boost it needs.
“Our contactors, Rok, will be meeting BREEAM energy efficiency standards, which means the project will use sustainable building materials and minimise any impact on the environment.”
The balance of the Wrigleys project funding comes from the European Regeneration Development Fund South West Objective 2.

• Our photograph taken on the Wrigleys site shows (left to right) Atisreal project manager Nathan Heavens, Hugh Davies, Councillor Eddie May, council market towns regeneration officer Pete Vallance, Rok contract team leader Colin Ayres, and Councillor Nick Messarra. Photo by Steve Guscott.

D-day for councillors tackling drink-fuelled crime

A DECISION is to be taken by West Somerset district councillors on Monday, February 5, on whether to introduce alcohol-free zones in Minehead and Williton.
The move has been pioneered by Councillor Nick Messarra, who is a member of the council’s cabinet and is the past Mayor of Minehead and Alcombe, with the support of The Crier.
Councillor Messarra has pressed for the measure to combat anti-social behaviour which residents and visitors alike have experienced in Minehead’s Blenheim Gardens.
However, some of his fellow town councillors stalled the process while he was the town mayor as they claimed the problems in the park had been overstated and banning drinking was unnecessary.
Now, the district cabinet is being recommended by officers to declare Blenheim Gardens as an Alcohol Designation Zone, which will allow police to take tougher action against drunks and hooligans.
The cabinet is also being asked to do the same for the Memorial Ground, in Williton, where parish councillors and local residents have faced ongoing vandalism and rowdyism over many months.
Other areas which will be considered for the designation orders include:

• The recreation area adjacent to Irnham Road, Minehead (excluding the curtilages of the football club)
• The sea front area of Minehead, including Warren Road and Quay Street and including the entire highway area and footpaths
• The King George V Recreation Ground, Minehead
• The area known as the Rose Garden, adjacent to Seaward Way, Minehead
• The area known as Bellamy’s Corner, Williton
• The area of land adjacent to Seaward Way and Bircham Road to the north west of the roundabout at Ellicombe, Minehead

District council community safety officer Pete Hughes said: “The consideration of implementing designated public place orders resulted from continuing issues of alcohol-fuelled crime and anti-social behaviour.
“Following representations from the police during the public consultation, the council will also discuss whether similar designation should be made in respect of other locations.
“The police representation was made on the basis of probable displacement of the problems to other specified locations. Within the legislation, there is a requirement for councillors to consider displacement.”
If approved, designation orders will mean that people responsible for alcohol related anti-social behaviour can be arrested if they do not comply with a request from a police officer or community support officer to stop drinking or fail to surrender containers of alcohol.
Mr Hughes said: “The orders provide police with enhanced powers to address the continuing issue of anti-social behaviour fuelled by alcohol which has detracted, for a number of years, from the enjoyment of the areas proposed for designation.
“It will also provide police with powers to address similar issues in areas which may be subject to displacement.”

• Our photograph shows Councillor Nick Messarra in Blenheim Gardens with an earlier copy of The Crier backing his campaign. Photo submitted.

Town centre market opens in Minehead

THE first of the weekly produce markets in Minehead town centre was held on Friday, November 17, when members of the West Somerset Farmers Market set up stalls along the southern side of the Parade.
Despite the persistent rain which fell during the morning, there was a steady flow of people keen to try out the variety of stalls and the produce they were offering.
The market has been backed by West Somerset Council as part of its work to help support and regenerate the town centre economy.
Council economic development and business liaison portfolio holder Councillor Nick Messarra was instrumental in implementing the market initiative.
The council is also helping a similar weekly market to start in Watchet, where a site on The Esplanade has been reserved for it.
Councillor Messarra said: “There is a strong demand for fresh, local produce countrywide and we are delighted to be able to help move the market into the heart of Minehead to give local people the opportunity to make the most of our own fantastic local produce.
“We are hoping the market will bring people into town from the surrounding villages as well as providing a focal point for tourists and, with sales profits going straight to local producers, we are sure it will help boost West Somerset’s economy.”
The council is advising residents and road users that the topmost section of the southern side of The Parade - from Bancks Street to Friday Street - will be closed from 6.30 am – 4 pm on market days to allow traders time to set up and dismantle the market, which will be open from 8.30 am - 2.30 pm.
Council market towns regeneration officer Pete Vallance said: “We have been working with the police, highways agency, and public transport providers to ensure effective diversions are in place to minimise disruption.
“We will continually review these arrangements and the whole market trial will be reviewed next Easter.
“This market, combined with the market planned for Watchet Esplanade, will provide a great service to local people and also help ensure that our town centre regeneration projects contribute to local agricultural and rural economic sustainability targets.
“We hope people in West Somerset give the markets their full support.”

• Our photograph of the market shows (left to right) Councillor Nick Messarra, Pete Vallance, and Roger Webber, of Hindon Organic Farm, who is one of the market stallholders. Photo by Mark the Photographer, ref M1117005. Order photo reprints online at www.tcpbymtp.co.uk