Weather causes country fair cancellation in 30th anniversary year

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

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.

Promises made for CLOWNS and HomeStart charity auction

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

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

Tour of Britain cycle race heads for West Somerset and Exmoor

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

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

Every little helps West Somerset economy

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

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

Lib Dem county council told to consult on power bid

A LIBERAL Democrat bid to abolish West Somerset Council has passed its first hurdle with the Government putting the plan forward for public consultation.
The scheme by Somerset County Council leader Councillor Cathy Bakewell would see all five districts in the county axed and all local government services taken on by her council.
Although the Government wants to look at plans for unitary councils which would save money, Councillor Bakewell’s ambitions have been independently calculated to cost ratepayers £7 million.
The county council has so far refused to consult the public on its plans, but now the Government has said it has to undergo 12 weeks of consultation.
The Government will then take a final decision in July on whether to allow Somerset to be ruled by one super-size council, which would be formed by April, 2009.
Somerset was one of 16 areas shortlisted by the Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG) for consideration for unitary local government.
West Somerset Council leader Councillor Christine Lawrence has campaigned against the unitary bid, although she is also a county councillor for the Dunster ward.
Councillor Bakewell said: “We will be working closely with DCLG in the forthcoming months to ensure that Somerset is one of the authorities selected for unitary status in July.
“We are confident that the wind is blowing in Government in favour of unitary status for Somerset and I hope that our colleagues in district councils will now work with us to play an equal part in helping to shape a system of government fit for the people that we all serve.”

Spring gala is huge success for heritage railway

THE West Somerset Railway’s six-day Spring Steam Gala event was another highly successful ‘launch’ to the main season for the award-winning heritage line.
Passengers flocked over two weekends to travel behind an array of steam locomotives working an intensive train service between Minehead and Bishops Lydeard.
General manager Paul Conibeare said: “We had a very pleasing first weekend with over 3,000 people travelling over the two days, and the second weekend also saw good levels of business.
“The sunshine on the second Saturday brought out both the enthusiasts and the general public and we had one of our busiest days ever.
“We were also pleased to welcome 395 visitors who travelled on an excursion train from Sheffield and had an enjoyable afternoon either on the railway or in Minehead.
“It will take us a couple of days to finally ratify the passenger figures for the gala as a whole, but we are delighted with the results.”
Apart from the line-up pf historic engines, which included seven ‘guests’ hired-in especially for the gala, there were plenty of other factors which brought the visitors to the railway and the surrounding area.
Amongs them was a Virgin Trains ‘Voyager’ which ran a shuttle service between Taunton and Bishops Lydeard, while a free vintage bus service also linked Dunster Station with the village and its castle.
Artist Alan Ward put on an exhibition of his work at Bishops Lydeard, and four new railway books were on sale for the first time, including ‘Return Ticket To Minehead’.
Taunton Model Railway Group also opened its clubroom to visitors, and there were special openings of the locosheds and workshops at Williton and Minehead.
Mr Conibeare paid tribute to the WSR workforce: “Our volunteers and staff put in a lot of hard work in the three months leading up to the gala and during the actual operating days the first workers are on duty at 4 am and the last make their way home around 10 pm.
“It is rewarding to see their efforts producing such satisfactory results for the railway.”

• Our photographs show (top) a steam train preparing to depart Bishops Lydeard and (bottom) a Virgin Voyager alongside Great Western pannier tank number 6412, the first working Great Western steam locomotive purchased by the West Somerset Railway Association. Photos submitted.

Gala weekend steams to early success for heritage railway

THE first weekend of the West Somerset Railway’s Spring Steam Gala saw 3,295 passengers riding on the trains over the 20 miles of line between Bishops Lydeard and Minehead, making it a huge success. A dozen steam locomotives were in action, ranging from the small tank engine ‘Kilmersdon’ shunting at Washford Station to mighty express locomotives, including 34007 ‘Wadebridge’ and Great Western ‘Castle’ class 5051 ‘Earl Bathurst’.
Four new books were launched at the gala, including a collection of memories of the Minehead line pre-1971 titled ‘Return Ticket To Minehead’, a volume of cartoons by railway artist Alan Ward, who had a temporary gallery at Bishops Lydeard Station, and new editions of the West Somerset Railway’s own ‘Stock Book’ and ‘Stations and Buildings Book’.
These helped to make sure that the shops along the line had a busy time and many travellers also took advantage of the buffet and catering facilities on offer, including the railway’s new buffet coach at Minehead.
Many visitors travelled to the gala by the free bus service operating to Bishops Lydeard from Taunton Railway Station and the park and ride car park at Silk Mills, while others used the Virgin Voyager train shuttle rail service.
The WSR also ran a free vintage bus service between Dunster Station and Dunster village.
West Somerset Railway general manager Paul Conibeare said: “Our 2006 Spring Gala marked the passing of the much-loved Somerset and Dorset line and set records that we thought we might struggle to match.
“So, to find ourselves with what is shaping up to be an even more successful event is very pleasing and a great reward for all the volunteers and staff who put so much effort into making the galas attractive for both enthusiasts and the public.”
The gala continues on Thursday, March 22, through to Sunday, March 25, the Thursday and Friday being ‘quieter' days without the Virgin Train or the Dunster Bus links, and operating and ‘only’ nine trains each way rather than the 14 which run on the Saturday and Sunday.
Fuller details can be obtained by telephoning 01643 704996 or visiting www.west-somerset-railway.co.uk.
Photos submitted.

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.

Christine gives £5,000 of community support in Dunster ward

DUNSTER ward Somerset county Councillor Christine Lawrence has presented the final £200 of her personal community budget to support the work of Home Start in West Somerset’s rural communities.
The cheque, the final instalment of Councillor Lawrence’s £5,000 allocation, was received by Alison Sanderson.
It completed a wide range of community projects which have been supported by Councillor Lawrence, who is also leader of West Somerset Council.
Councillor Lawrence said: “Many of the deep, rural areas chose to have new village name plates erected, including Nettlecombe, Pittsford Hill, and Rooks Nest, near Brompton Ralph.”
Monksilver parish chose to support the local EMN Hall and received £400 towards new seating, and Washford requested help with a notice board for the new multi-purpose games area.
Youth projects which received grants included Minehead Boxing Club, the junior section of Minehead Barbarians RFC, West Somerset Scouts, and the Minehead division’s Guides.
In Dunster, support was given to the ‘Days Gone By’ festival, Dunster Marsh junior playing field, and Dunster School, which received waterproof leggings for outside play and gardening.
Washford Play Group financed a new laptop computer, and Carhampton villagers were delighted with a contribution towards a replacement bus shelter.

• Our photograph shows Alison Sanderson receiving the Home Styart cheque from Councillor Christine Lawrence. Photo by Mark the Photographer, ref DFF0700001. Order image reprints online at www.tcpbymtp.co.uk.

Pledge to tackle global warming in Somerset

THE 'Nottingham Declaration', a voluntary pledge which commits to actively tackling climate change and reducing carbon emissions, is being signed on behalf of Somerset County Council today, Wednesday, February 21.
The leader of the council, Councillor Cathy Bakewell, is syumbolically signing the document at a meeting of the full council, an act which she says puts Somerset at the forefront of efforts to tackle the causes and consequences of climate change in the county.
At the same time, the council is revealing predictions of the significant impacts of global warming and sea level rises in Somerset.
Applying data from climate and flooding experts, it is predicted that:

• The chances of a severe tidal flooding event, large enough to overwhelm current defences and threaten the M5 and railway links through Somerset, could increase from 200/1 in any given year to 17/1 by 2060
  
• The threat posed to 32,500 properties across 2,394 square miles of the county currently vulnerable to flooding from a combination of coastal and river events could rise markedly
  
• Average July temperatures will have risen by four degrees Celsius in Somerset by 2080 if emissions remain high, with more damaging extremes of temperature and prolonged drought
  
• By 2080, there could be a net sea level rise of 3.1 inches per year in the South West if emissions remain high

The authority is also announcing a stakeholder and public consultation for a ‘Climate Change Adaptation Strategy’ (SCCAS) which is now in preparation, and which sets targets for the council to further reduce greenhouse gas emissions from its service areas and encourage and help partners to do the same.
Together, they will form a countywide approach to protecting infrastructure and services from climate change and reducing emissions, co-ordinated by the council.
The authority already has a range of award-winning projects and initiatives to reduce emissions and promote renewable energy, including the Somerset biofuels project, a ‘Watts On’ energy efficiency campaign within County Hall, and biomass heating schemes.
There are more to come this year, including the landmark ‘Rising to the Challenge’ climate change communications project and the rolling out of the pioneering Somerset Wind Energy Initiative.
As well as supporting the Environment Agency in its prioritising of flood defence works, the council will develop a countywide response through a water management partnership.
This will involve all stakeholders, regional and national agencies in developing a co-ordinated approach to combat future rising flood risk challenge.
Councillor Bakewell said: “Global warming will seriously affect Somerset. Our announcements today put into place initiatives to tackle the causes and consequences of climate change in Somerset. We must lead the way and help others to follow.”

• Our illustration above shows areas of Somerset, highlighted in mauve, at risk of tidal flooding, which include Minehead, Dunster Marsh, and areas near Blue Anchor and Watchet. Image submitted.

Extra winter steam trains by request for Dunster

EXTRA steam trains are being run by the West Somerset Railway on Saturday, February 10in response to a request from the local community.
The Dunster-based organisers of the production of Hadyn’s Creation asked if the railway could operate trains as an extra attraction for the weekend.
So, the award-winning heritage railway agreed to operate steam services between Minehead and Blue Anchor.
Railway general manager Paul Conibeare said: “The winter months are a balancing act for us between our wish to run trains and the need to give our various engineering departments an opportunity to do heavy maintenance work at what is traditionally a quiet time of the year.
“However with Dunster being ‘open’ and a minibus linking Dunster Station and the village’ we are interested in seeing how much response we get for the extras.”
Steam trains will leave Minehead at 12.15 pm, 1.40 pm, and 3.15 pm, and will depart Blue Anchor at 1 pm, 2.20 pm, and 3.55 pm.
Regular advertised services for the year start with steam trains between Minehead and Williton on February 17.
An amateur production of Hadyn’s Creation is being performed in St George’s Church, Dunster, on Sunday, February 11, as part of a music workshop weekend being hosted by the village’s Yarn Market Hotel.
Photo submitted.