Exmoor love song launches at Dulverton folk festival

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

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.

Dulverton hosts its first folk festival

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

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.

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

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.

Conservatives ousted by Independents at district elections

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.

Road repairs will help avoid Boscastle-type flood in Dulverton

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

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

Police appeal for help after Dulverton burglary

POLICE in Dulverton are appealing for witnesses and information after a man carried out a burglary at a house in the town.
The theft happened overnight on Saturday, March 24, and Sunday, March 25, at a house in Jury Road.
The offender stole a handbag and its contents before making off.
He was described as a white male, aged 20 to 30 years, of medium build, 5 ft 6 ins to 5 ft 8 ins tall, and with dark hair.
The man was wearing a white top and dark trousers.
Police believe the man may have been seen in the area trying the doors of neighbouring properties at around 2.30 am on the Sunday.
They would like to speak to anybody who may have seen him or may have any other information about the burglary.
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 number 0800 555 111, where they do not need to give their name and where they could receive a reward for their help.

Exmoor affordable homes for rent to local people only

SIX new homes being built on Exmoor by Magna West Somerset Housing Association are expected to be completed by mid-June.
The development in Pixton Way, Dulverton, is part of Magna’s commitment to providing more affordable housing to communities across West Somerset.
The six properties will be made available for rent and provide a mixture of family homes, flats, and a bungalow.
They will be let in accordance with Exmoor National Park Authority’s planning policy, which aims to help local communities with their housing needs.
To be successfully nominated as a tenant, residents will need to meet local connection criteria set by the park authority.
The criteria includes 10 years’ continuous residence in the parish or an adjoining one in the national park, or needing to live in the parish to care for somebody who has lived there for 10 years, or a need to live in the parish as an essential part of employment.
Anybody interested in finding out further details about how they could be considered for one of the Pixton Way homes should contact the park authority’s rural housing enabler, Colin Savage, by telephoning 01398 322249.

Unsung parish champions honoured by district council

SOME of the unsung heroes of West Somerset have been honoured at a ‘Parish Champions’ award ceremony organised by West Somerset Council.
Parish Champions were nominated by local people and parish councils in recognition of the significant or outstanding contribution they had made in improving the lives or environment of others.
They were presented with framed hand-written scrolls and presentation pens by district council leader, Councillor Christine Lawrence, and council chairman Councillor Pam Driver.
They will also receive individual photographs of their presentation.
Councillor Lawrence said: “I am delighted that we have been able to recognise the excellent services these people have given to their communities.
“They really are our local heroes.
“They have improved the lives and the environment around them for the benefit of others.
“I am proud of, and humbled by, their selfless dedication.”
The Parish Champions for 2007 were:
Donald Parsons, of Withycombe.
Kevin Escott and Georgina Charnock, of Minehead.
Allan Searle, of Stogoursey.
Jean Howe, Betty Penny, and David Wilkins, of Watchet.
David Lamacraft, and Judy and Robin Hewison, of Dunster.
Joe Westerdale, of Porlock.
Shirley Dee, Eddie May, and Roger, Liz, Katherine, and Megan Peeks, from Williton.
The Dulverton Co-responders, from Dulverton.
There was also a special presentation of flowers and chocolates to the directors of Westlabb Ltd, for its services to the district.
The not-for-profit organisation has provided IT training to more than 300 local residents at venues in their own parishes via the Exmoor Community Computer Centre, and provided wireless broadband to Crowcombe, Brompton Regis, and Luxborough.

• Our photograph shows Councillors Pam Driver and Christine Lawrence seated, front centre, with the Parish Champions. Photo submitted.

'Purple Alliance' poll bid to take over district council

A CO-ORDINATED bid to wrest control of West Somerset District Council from the present Conservative administration will be launched at the quadrennial elections due to take place in May.
Around 20 ‘Independent’ candidates will stand for election in a co-ordinated campaign echoing the television comedy-drama The Amazing Mrs Pritchard.
In the television series, a supermarket manageress decides to run for election as an Independent MP, then suddenly finds herself leading a Purple Alliance party, and becomes the Prime Minister.
The parallel West Somerset scenario is being led by retired Dulverton shopkeeper Keith Ross (pictured), who is a sitting district councillor, with the backing of Minehead shopkeeper Graham Sizer.
They have rallied people to put up as ‘Independents’ at the May elections, although the group is closely linked with the Liberal Democrats.
Mr Sizer was formerly chairman of the Lib Dem-created pressure group Direct, and he also nominated the Lib Dem candidate, Ian Galloway, in the controversial Somerset County Council elections of 2005 when sitting Conservative councillor Colin Hill was ousted from his Minehead seat.
Councillor Ross admitted to The Crier that the ‘Independent’ group of candidates had been called together for a first meeting which had been hosted by a Liberal Democrat.
However, Mr Sizer denied being involved in any interviewing of potential ‘Independent’ candidates or screening of them to select candidates in order that they did not stand against each other in a particular ward and split the vote.
Mr Sizer said:” It has been blown up out of all proportion. There is no politics involved.
“There is a group just like any other group of politicians. There are a lot of people out there who are fed up with how the council is being run at the moment.
“They are good people. They just need a help in getting around the protocols of things. There has never been any screening. It is a hell of a broad platform.
“There has been no agenda in anything as far as bringing the ‘Independents’ together under one umbrella.”
Mr Sizer said he did not know how The Crier columnist Dudley Seale had formed the impressed that he had been asked to go before a ‘selection panel’ when he expressed an interest in standing for the council.
Councillor Ross said the next ‘Independent’ group meeting would be on neutral ground at the Queens Hall, Minehead.
However, the premises are owned by former Labour councillor Marcus Kravis – and Labour members at County Hall have helped to keep the Lib Dem administration in power.
Councillor Ross said the meeting on March 21 was for anybody ‘with a mind of their own’, which meant ‘somebody who is not led by a political party’.
He said: “We will give them our support to get them elected, ‘we’ being the existing members of the council who are Independent.
“There is help readily available through the Independent group at the Local Government Association, which is there to help councillors and candidates to get a foot on the ladder.
“They do not become an Independent political party. There are no group meetings. All decisions are made in open debate in front of the community, not behind closed doors as political parties do, and it will include all members of the council in that initial debate.
“Many of the people I have been talking to will be quite happy not to be a controlling group. They are happy for the best person to do the job.
“If that means Roger Webber (Conservative) is the best person to run finance, then that will be his job – if he gets re-elected.
“We have about 20 candidates at the moment. It will be interesting to see if another 11 come out of the woodwork on the 21st and we can cover the whole district.
“We are also keen that people represent the community in which they live. Somebody living in Dulverton, for instance, would not do justice representing the Quantock Vale ward.”
Photo submitted.

Positive ideas to tackle Dulverton anti-social behaviour

POSITIVE options are being looked into as to how the community of Dulverton and local agencies can work together to tackle a wave of vandalism and other anti-social behaviour which has hit the town.
Ideas for resolving the crime and disorder challenge came out of a packed public meeting held in Dulverton Town Hall.
Residents attending the meeting said in the first instance they wanted better communication with the agencies through regular surgeries on a three or six-monthly basis.
It was agreed by the agencies attending the meeting that such surgeries could be arranged.
The meeting was attended by representatives of West Somerset Council, Dulverton Town Council, Magna West Somerset Housing Association, Somerset County Council’s Youth Service, and the Avon and Somerset Constabulary.
They put forward options and listened to the views of local people on how anti-social behaviour in the area should be tackled.
District council community support officer Pete Hughes said: “Comparatively speaking, Dulverton is a very safe place to live.
“Anti-social behaviour has dropped since a spate of incidents last September, but we will continue to work with the community in a way that suits them as a deterrent to those whose behaviour is not acceptable to the community as a whole.”
Town Councillor Ian Fleming, who has been liaising between the community and the agencies, said: “The town council is encouraged by the number of residents who attended the meeting.
“We are looking forward to working with the community to keep up the good work that has already been achieved by the different agencies.
“There is no doubt that an increased police presence has helped bring down the number of incidents of anti-social behaviour so, as a community, we must help the police by reporting any anti-social behaviour or crimes we might witness.”
Sgt Dave Butter, who is responsible for neighbourhood policing in the Dulverton, Exmoor, and Porlock area, said crime figures for Dulverton were low.
However, he encouraged people to let the police know about crime in the area in case it was being under-reported.
He said: “We plan to continue to work with the community to ensure the quality of life enjoyed within the Dulverton area continues.
“If anybody has any information or crimes they wish to report I would encourage them to do so as this enables us to target our patrols.”
Police telephone numbers to use are 999 for emergencies or 0845 456 7000 for all other matters.
Christine Boland, of Magna, said: “The behaviour of the overwhelming majority of our tenants gives us no cause for concern whatsoever.
“However, when a minority, however small, breach their tenancy agreements by behaving anti-socially and causing problems in the community, we will work with the community and the police to end the problems by whatever means are available to us.
“We are doing this in Dulverton at the moment and I would encourage local residents to keep reporting incidents of anti-social behaviour to the police and, where Magna tenants are involved, to us as well.”

Photo of Dulverton Lawns submitted.

Dulverton community being asked to help combat anti-social behaviour

RESIDENTS of Dulverton are being invited to a community meeting on January 17 to help come up with a solution for a wave of anti-social behaviour which has struck the town.
West Somerset Council is co-ordinating the meeting, which is being held at 7 pm in Dulverton Town Hall.
The council wants to build on the positive action taken so far in response to the anti-social behaviour which was experienced last autumn.
The council’s community safety officer, Pete Hughes, said: “Although the incidents were of a relatively minor nature, the council has met with Dulverton Town Council, Avon and Somerset Police, the county youth service, and local housing providers to take positive action to help ensure incidents do not become more serious or more frequent.
“At the meeting, we will be reassuring local people and asking them if they would like to form a community group to help ensure our recent achievements turn into long-term solutions.”
A town council representative is already working with local agencies to deal with the problems.
Steps taken so far include an increased police presence, better signposting to youth activities, and action by housing providers against nuisance and anti-social behaviour.
Mr Hughes said: “By and large, this sort of behaviour is uncharacteristic of Dulverton.
“In line with all parishes in West Somerset, Dulverton is one of the safest places to live in the country.
“However, we do not expect local communities to have to put up with anti-social behaviour which is why we have acted swiftly to address issues.
“So far, the reaction to our initiatives has been very good, with a significant drop in anti-social behaviour in the area.
“However, our achievements are more likely turn into long-term benefits if the community is part of the solution.
“With this in mind, we are appealing for as many local people as possible to contribute time and energy towards achieving the shared goals for Dulverton.
“We are hoping that the community will show its commitment to the future social well-being of the town and come to the meeting next week to decide how it would like to see our recent efforts taken forward.”

• Our photographs show Dulverton Town Hall, in The Square, and also the Lorna Doone statue which stands beside the Exmoor House Lawns. Photos submitted.