Time Team star's 50p launches public appeal for museum project

TV Time Team star, Professor Mick Aston, has helped to launch a public campaign to raise £250,000 towards the Museum of Somerset project.
The well-known personality, who is a passionate supporter of the Museum of Somerset project, made his own 50p donation to the fund to kick-start it.
The overall cost of the museum work in Taunton is £6.5 million, toward which the Heritage Lottery Fund has set aside £4.8 million.
The public fund-raising campaign wants to raise £250,000 of the remaining £1.7 million to complete the project, which aims to create a 21st century visitor attraction telling the story of Somerset.
Mr Aston (pictured) said: “The wonderful collections here in Somerset deserve a first-class home, so I have firmly supported the bid to create the Museum of Somerset from the beginning.
“It is amazing to consider that, if everyone in Somerset gave 50p, we would reach the fund-raising target.
“By working together we can help to secure the future of Somerset’s important heritage.
“The current museum possesses some truly world class exhibits, however, these precious artefacts need to be presented in a more user-friendly way.
“The Museum of Somerset project will achieve this and improve the whole visitor experience.
“I am pleased that the bid is progressing well and would encourage people to find a little bit of loose change to give to this worthy cause.”
County council adult and community services portfolio holder, Councillor Justin Robinson, said: “Somerset County Council is committed to conserving the history of the county and providing opportunities for people to learn about their heritage.
“We believe that this will be best achieved through the creation of the Museum of Somerset, and over 10,000 people have publicly backed our plans.
“We hope that people will now donate to the public fund-raising appeal.”
One of the ways in which donations can be made is by calling in to the County Museum, in Taunton, and putting money into a large replica castle keep which has been designed especially for the appeal.
Photo submitted.

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.

Entertainments committee folds after new councillors refuse to serve

A CHEQUE for £50 has been presented to Home-Start West Somerset as a result of fund-raising by the former entertainments committee of Minehead Town Council.
It could be the last time such a donation is made to a local charity becaue newly-elected Independent councillors who have taken control of the town council have refused to serve on the committee.
The council has therefore had to abolish its entertainments committee, which previously organised events such as tea dances and children’s activities.
Home-Start West Somerset is a voluntary organisation which helps families at home with children under five-years-old by offering support, friendship, and practical assistance.
It aims to develop parenting skills and provide activities for young children and is a particularly valuable service in rural areas where isolation adds to other social difficulties.
Volunteers are always needed and anybody who might be interested in helping can contact Home-Start by telephoning 01643 707304.
It is holding its annual meeting in Alcombe Methodist Church at 10.30 am on Wednesday, July 11, when people will be welcome to attend to hear more about the charity and what it has achieved during the past year, followed by coffee and cakes.

• Our photograph shows Councillors Norman Hercock (left) and Dave Sanders with Home-Start West Somerset organiser Ros Owen. Photo by Mark the Photographer, ref M030002. Order image reprints online at www.tcpbymtp.co.uk.

Table top sale helping to stop Chinese moon bears cruelty

MOON Bear Rescue kicks off its next 12 months of fund-raising events in West Somerset with a table top sale in Holford Village Hall on Sunday, May 27.
All proceeds from the event go directly to help the Animals Asia Foundation free Chinese Moon bears from horrendous coffin cages on bear farms and to negotiate with the Chinese government to ban the cruel trade in bear bile.
The table top sale, which includes a teddy tombola, giant raffle, and refreshments, starts at 2 pm.
AAF says 7,000 moon bears farmed in China for their bile in the most horrendous conditions are relying on animal-friendly people all over the world to raise enough to help the charity achieve its ambitious goal of closing down the bear farms forever.
Jill Robinson, who founded AAF and is its chief executive, said next year’s Beijing Olympics could herald a new life for the farmed moon bears.
She and the AAF team have been working for the past 14 years toward the day when the Chinese legislate against bear bile farms and, she hoped perhaps the Beijing Olympics next summer could be the catalyst to make it all come true.
Moon Bear Rescue organizer Lee Gibbins said: “It is vital that AAF receive enough funding to continue its work right up to the opening day of the Olympics.
“AAF will continue liaising and negotiating with Chinese officials at all levels, fund-raising globally, and telling the true story about bear bile production to the Chinese people, a majority of whom do not know of the existence of bear farms, nor that bear bile in medicine can be replaced by synthetic and herbal alternatives - at least 54 different kinds - and are appalled when they discover the pitiful lives to which the animals are condemned.”
More information about the table top sale and other fund-raising events being held by Moon Bear Rescue, including an annual Quantock sponsored walk, and to find out about Jill Robinson’s UK Roadshow, telephone Lee Gibbins on 01278 741648, or AAF UK director Dave Neale on 07764 161981, or contact Animals Asia Foundation by email at info@animalsasia.org.
Photo submitted.