Teenagers die in Watchet car smash

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.

Harbour jump boy drowns in front of holidaymakers

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

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

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

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/.

Minehead armed robbery - man arrested in Birmingham

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.

Row likely as Independents claim credit for Conservative projects

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.

Building society cashier held at gunpoint during robbery

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

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.

Town council looks at housing scheme for football club

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.

Another heavy fine imposed for poor bus services from First

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

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

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.

Busy month as golfers dodge the weather

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

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

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.

McFly in call for cool youngsters to join in Shades Day

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

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

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.

Free health and fitness offer for farmers' market visitors

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.