Helping residents stay warm and well

A TOTAL of £100,000 has been invested by West Somerset Council this year to bring local homes up to high energy efficiency standards.
The council is now extending its funding of the Somerset Warm and Well scheme to allow more people in West Somerset to benefit from free or discounted energy-saving home improvements.
The council works in partnership with the Bristol and Somerset Energy Efficiency Advice Centre to help people carry out home improvements such as loft and cavity wall insulation.
Council environmental health and licensing manager Ian Timms said: “The Warm and Well scheme is now offering free insulation to people of all ages who are on low incomes or on qualifying benefits, as well as people over 70.
“Residents can phone friendly experts at the centre to see if they are eligible.
“Local people can save money on energy bills, stay warm and well in their homes, and help the environment by cutting down on energy use.”
Tenants or landlords of rented properties can also apply for free or discounted insulation.
Mr Timms said: “We would encourage anybody who thinks they may be eligible to come forward to see if they qualify for free loft and cavity wall insulation through Somerset Warm and Well.
“People who do not meet the criteria may find they can still receive a considerable discount on this sort of work.”
Residents who would like to know more about the scheme can telephone the Bristol and Somerset Energy Efficiency Advice Centre free on 0800 512 012.

Council gives £280,000 for low-interest local home improvement loans

A FURTHER £70,000 has been pledged by West Somerset Council to a partnership offering low interest home loans for local people, making a total investment of £280,000 this year.
The loans are available via council partners Wessex Home Improvement Loans to local homeowners on low incomes who need to make essential repairs or improvements to their homes, but who cannot afford to borrow at high street interest rates.
Council environmental health manager Ian Timms said: “Specialist advisers help borrowers select the scheme that is most suited to their circumstances.
“They look at people’s income and expenditure and discuss how much they can comfortably afford to borrow.
“As well as support from a specialist adviser from Wessex Home Improvement Loans, an officer from West Somerset Council will inspect the finished work to confirm the work has been completed to an acceptable standard.”
There are three possible loan products - a capital repayment scheme, an interest-only scheme, and an interest roll-up scheme.
The maximum loan available is £15,000 and the loans are offered at a fixed rate of three per cent.
People borrowing £5,000 on an interest-only basis would have a monthly repayment of only £12.50.
Melanie Allen, an adviser with the council’s partner said: “It has been a real privilege working with West Somerset Council and the clients here, especially when you see the difference the loan scheme makes to people.
“We offer support and guidance throughout the process to ensure people get the right products.
“We value our partnership with West Somerset Council, which subsidises the scheme, so that we can offer local people such low interest rates.
“There is nothing like it on the high street and we are proud to be able to offer such a unique scheme which is entirely focussed on the needs of the client.”
West Somerset residents interested in the low cost loan scheme should contact Julie Payne on 01643 703704.

• Our photograph shows the £280,000 cheque being presented by West Somerset Council Environmental Health Manager Ian Timms to Somerset Coast Home Improvement Partnership home improvement officer Judy Ernest (left) and Wessex Home Improvement Loans adviser Melanie Allen. Photo submitted.

Lottery award helps home impovements for elderly and disabled

A NATIONAL Lottery award of almost £100,000 has been given to support the work of a West Somerset agency which helps elderly and disabled people to continue living in their own homes.
The SCHIP Home Improvement Agency is receiving £98,205 over three years from the Big Lottery Fund’s Reaching Communities programme.
The grant will fund the SCHIP Fix-it Team, which carries out basic repair and maintenance work around the homes of local disabled and elderly people.
A handyman will be employed to carry out jobs such as changing light bulbs, fitting garb rails, and moving furniture.
It all helps to ensure elderly and disabled people can remain in their own homes for longer, and increases independent living.
The agency was formed as a result of a partnership between West Somerset Council and Sedgemoor District Council.
SCHIP manager Mary Ewing said: “We are delighted with the news.
“The handyperson scheme will be of enormous benefit to vulnerable clients, helping, for example, with emergency repairs and hospital discharge.
“The scheme will also provide opportunities for volunteers and for additional joint working with SCHIP’s many partners.”
Big Lottery Fund head of region for the South West, Mark Cotton, said: “This excellent scheme will put many elderly and disabled people’s minds at ease with the knowledge that there is somebody there who can carry out basic, but much needed repairs around their homes.
“Our Reaching Communities programme is all about supporting local projects like this, which provide a helping hand to some of the most disadvantaged people living in the region.”

Red beret Christmas present for veteran Paratrooper

CHRISTMAS has come early for valiant Second World War veteran Peter Clements, who now lives in Dunster.
Mr Clements served as a Paratrooper and took part in the ill-fated Operation Market Garden - since made famous by the film A Bridge Too Far.
After being wounded and taken prisoner at Arnhem in 1944, Mr Clements had his regimental red beret and badge taken by trophy-hunting German soldiers.
Now, more than 60 years later, he has received a brand new red beret and badge thanks to West Somerset Council’s SCHIP home improvement officer Judy Ernest.
Mr Clements, a retired BT engineer, said: “I lost a lot of mates at Arnhem, but getting my beret back is like bringing a member of the family home.
“It is the best Christmas present I could ever wish for.”
The happy ending came about as Judy was overseeing home improvement work at the bungalow home of Mr Clements and his wife Shirley and he told her how he had mourned the loss of his beret for more than 60 years.
Judy said: “I was so touched by Peter’s plight that I contacted the Soldiers Sailors and Air Forces Association to see if they could help.”
SSAFA contacted the Parachute Regiment which was happy to send Mr Clements a new beret.
SSAFA case worker Richard Barron said: “SSAFA Forces Help has been delighted to help Mr Clements.
“It is really heart-warming to see the pleasure his new Para beret is giving him.
“At this time of modern conflict in Iraq and Afghanistan, we would do well to remember the sacrifices that earlier generations of soldiers, sailors, and airmen like Mr Clements made for this country and to acknowledge the debt we owe, and continue to owe, to all of our Servicemen and women.
“We are always looking for volunteer caseworkers. People wishing to make a difference to somebody’s life can view the SSAFA Forces Help website at www.ssafa.org.uk or email Pauline Homeshaw at homeshaw@btopenworld.com.”
Mr Clements recounted how he lost his beret: “I parachuted from a Dakota into Arnhem in the second wave.
“I got a German bullet in the leg and, two days later, was taken prisoner of war.
“I was taken to Stalag 11B, somewhere in Holland, I think. I would like to be more accurate but I was so annoyed, I did not much care at the time.
“One German wanted my beret and another my badge, so they just took them.
“Otherwise, they did not treat me badly. I was 19 and only just over 5 ft tall, so they thought I was a boy soldier.”
Weeks later Mr Clements was marched with other prisoners to another camp further from the advancing Allies.
He said: “I stepped off the road to answer a call of nature, and that was the last the guards saw of me.”
Mr Clements walked for weeks, evading capture and depending on the kindness of local people to direct him away from German patrols, before meeting up with the American 101st Airborne Division, in Austria.
After rest and recuperation, he was repatriated but joined another regiment and so was never issued with a new Para beret and badge.
SCHIP is the Somerset Coast Home Improvement Partnership, a partnership between West Somerset Council and Sedgemoor District Council to provide assistance, principally to people aged 60 years and older, and also to disabled people, who live in private accommodation.
It organises works of maintenance, repair, and adaptation through help with funding, designing, and arranging for work to be carried out.
Judy’s post is part-funded by West Somerset Council to deliver the service in West Somerset.

• Our photograph shows Mr Clements donning his new beret in front of a Christmas tree at home in Dunster. Photo by Steve Guscott.