Unitary protest MP sells 'Somerset County Council' for charity

WEST Somerset MP Ian Liddell-Grainger (pictured) has sold off ‘Somerset County Council’ on eBay for charity.
A three-figure sum was raised by Mr Liddell-Grainger’s internet auction of the name
The stunt was organised to highlight opposition to the Liberal Democrat-run county council’s bid to become a unitary authority and take over all local government services in Somerset.
There was fierce bidding on eBay from across Britain and even abroad, with the reserve price exceeded in just two hours.
Mr Liddell-Grainger eventually accepted a private offer from a Bridgwater area man whose identity has not been revealed but whose initials were ‘DM’.
He said: “Every single penny will go to a local charity for the benefit of the people of Somerset.
“I do not own the name Somerset County Council, but now that the county council is determined to become a huge new unitary authority, this important piece of heritage could soon become redundant.
“So, I offered it on eBay on the strict condition that all the money raised would go to charity.”
Mr Liddell-Grainger said ‘DM’ shared his belief that the idea of scrapping Somerset County Council was ‘absolutely crazy’.
He said: “What will he get for his money? Just a name. But a name with a proud history that the current rulers of the county council seem quite happy to chuck on the scrapheap.”
Photo submitted.

CLOWNS auctions London International Horse Show tickets

TWO pairs of London International Horse Show tickets are being auctioned on eBay to raise money for West Somerset children’s charity CLOWNS.
The seats are within the Members’ Enclosure at Olympia and are for the 1 pm afternoon performance on Saturday, December 16.
The tickets have been donated by Tim Pilcher, chief operation officer of Clarion Events Ltd, Earls Court Exhibition Centre, via The Crier’s photographer Mark Stothard and his wife Sarah.
Money raised from the auction will go toward a fund to replace the CLOWNS blue play bus, which tours West Somerset to take play opportunities and health education opportunities to isolated communities.
The two eBay auctions can be found using the following links: http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=330061439653 and http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=330061437077.
This year’s London International Horse Show features the Dressage Quadrille of the Hanoverian State Stud, a display by some of the most stunning Hanoverian stallions in the world.
The immaculate horses perform with amazing accuracy half-passes, flying changes, and other dressage staples, all set to beautiful music.
There is also the Metropolitan Police Activity Ride, which is a fast-moving display demonstrating high levels of skill and agility from both horses and officers.
Inch perfect timing, total commitment, professionalism, and complete trust is required for this ride, which demonstrates the abilities of a working police horse.
Visitors to the London International Horse Show can spend a whole day at Olympia, as the doors open at 9.30 am for afternoon performance and people can spend the morning browsing the shops or watching some of the morning events in the main arena before the performance starts at 1 pm.

Steam train footplate pass eBay auction for charity

A RARE opportunity to ride on the footplate of a West Somerset Railway steam train is being offered in an internet auction for charity.
The eBay auction, which will start on December 1 and run for 10 days, could be a once-in-a-lifetime experience for somebody not already connected with the railway.
Photographer Mark Stothard, of Timberscombe, is auctioning the WSR footplate pass to try to raise at least £1,000 for West Somerset charity CLOWNS.
Mr Stothard said: “My family are indebted to CLOWNS for the help they gave my daughter Kyla when she was little and I want to do all I can to support them.
“I am a steam train enthusiast and when I heard how CLOWNS was losing a lot of grant money from local councils and would struggle to continue delivering their services, I came up with this fund-raising idea.
“As I understand it, these passes hardly ever go outside the confines of the WSR and their staff and volunteer members, so this really could be somebody’s chance of a lifetime to experience riding on a steam engine footplate.”
Mr Stothard approached WSR general manager Paul Conibeare, who agreed to donate the footplate pass for the auction.
Mr Conibeare said: “I was very pleased to be able to support CLOWNS like this when Mark came up with the auction suggestion.
“We all know what terrific and valuable work CLOWNS does with needy young families in communities right across West Somerset.”
CLOWNS co-ordinator Kathy Morton said: “We are facing a real funding gap due to Government cut backs and we need all the help we can get
“Mark’s offer to organise the auction was very welcome and we will put the money it brings in towards continuing our services, which we know are welcomed and valued by the people we help.”
The eBay auction item can be found by following this link: http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=330057216930

• Our photograph taken on a WSR steam engine shows Kyla Stothard with Kathy Morton and Paul Conibeare. Photograph by Mark the Photographer, ref M1117008. Order photo reprints online at www.tcpbymtp.co.uk.