Britain's Strongest Man contest returns to West Somerset

AS revealed in this month’s The Crier, Britain’s Strongest Man 2007 competition is returning at weekend to Minehead.
The event, which is produced by media company IMG and supported by West Somerset Council, is being staged in Butlins and on the town’s harbour and seafront.
The return to Minehead of the popular event for a third time in seven years was brokered by former council economic development portfolio holder Councillor Nick Messarra.
The competition starts on Sunday, June 24, and qualifying events run until Tuesday, June 26, with the final events taking place on Thursday and Friday, June 28 and 29.
The qualifying schedule is:

• Sunday, on the seafront - the anchor, chain and duck walk starts at 9 am, with the log press at 2 pm, followed by the safe lift.
• Monday, at Butlins - the squat lift at 9 am is followed by the dead lift, with the shield carry at 2 pm.
• Tuesday, on the seafront and beach - the fingal fingers event is at 9 am on the seafront, with Atlas stones at 2 pm on the beach.

The final events schedule is:

• Thursday, on the seafront and at the harbour - the farmers walk starts on the seafront at 9 am, followed by two events at the harbour, which are the car walk at 12 noon and the dead lift at 2 pm.
• Friday, on the seafront and beach - the morning’s events are on the seafront with the tyre flip at 9 am and the overhead log lift at 11 am. The final event will be the Atlas stones on the beach at 2 pm.

Councillor Messarra said: “It is great to see this high-profile and fun event coming back to Minehead again and it shows all the hard work that I put in with the support of the council officers has been worthwhile.
“I believe the competition is being filmed for a television audience across Europe which will be in the millions, so all those viewers are going to be able to see what a wonderful place West Somerset is and hopefully they will be encouraged to come and spend their holidays here.”
Council market towns regeneration officer Pete Vallance, said: “We are keen to support national competitions of this calibre in West Somerset, so we are delighted that Britain’s Strongest Man has returned to Minehead.
“The council and Butlins have worked in partnership to bring this event back to West Somerset because of the boost it provides to tourism and our local economy.
“We wish all the contenders the best of luck in this great challenge.”
Darren Sadler, one of the contenders for this year’s title who also competed in the championship when it was last held in Minehead in 2004, said: “I am really pleased to be returning to Minehead to compete in this year’s competition. It is a great venue.
“I have been training hard and I am looking forward to the competition. I am definitely up for the challenge.”
More information on the event c an be found by going to Britain’s Strongest Man website at http://www.theworldsstrongestman.com/.

• Our photographs show (top) some of the competitors in the 2004 event, and (below) Darren Sandler, who is competing again this year. Photos submitted.

Bishop samples produce from West Somerset Farmers' Market

THE Bishop of Bath and Wells, the Right Rev Peter Price, dropped in on the award-winning West Somerset Farmers’ Market to sample some of the local produce on sale.
The market, which is held every Friday in The Parade, Minehead, was packed with its usual array of fresh produce, ranging from locally-reared meats and game through to organic vegetables, fish, cheeses, herbs, pies, pickles and many others.
The Bishop showed a keen interest in the stalls and sampled some of the local produce and chatted with stallholders and customers as he made his way through the market.
Bishop Peter said: “The value of farmers’ markets is that they bring local people together and generate a real sense of community.
“They support local producers, give residents access to fresh produce, cut down food miles, which is good for the environment, and provide communities with local social events.
“As such, they are important for uniting and contributing to the social and economic well-being of our communities.”
Roger Webber, who runs Hindon Organic Farm, near Minehead, and is chairman of the market, said: “We are delighted the Bishop has taken time out of his busy schedule to visit the market to meet and talk to stallholders.
“It means a lot to us to have his support with regards to selling the district’s fresh produce to local people, and because of his recognition that markets like ours provide focal points for communities.”
The Vicar of Minehead, the Rev Simon Lloyd, said: “We are really pleased the market has been established in the centre of town.
“It is fantastic for local people and helps encourage trade and prosperity, which is great.”
West Somerset Council portfolio holder for economic development and tourism, Councillor Michael Downes, said: “We actively support the local farmers’ market because it helps sustain local businesses, which is good for the district’s economy, while also providing a popular attraction for tourists.”
The West Somerset Farmers’ Market is open from 8.30 am to 2.30 pm.

• Our photographs show (top) Bishop Peter sampling some of the produce from Hindon Organic Farm with Penny Webber (left) and Roger Webber; and (below, left to right) West Somerset Council market towns regeneration officer Pete Vallance, farmers’ market chairman Roger Webber, Councillor Michael Downes, the Right Rev Peter Price, and the Rev Simon Lloyd. Photos submitted.

Runner-up award won by Minehead Farmers' Market

A PRESTIGIOUS award has been won by the West Somerset Farmers’ Market, in Minehead.
It has been named runner-up in Natural England’s Best Farmers’ Market of the Year 2007 contest.
The award was formally presented at the Bath and West Show’s recent Food and Drinks Awards Ceremony.
Farmers’ market chairman Roger Webber, said: “The market has only been up and running for about six months, so we are delighted to receive an award.
“However, it has just whetted our appetites and we want to expand so that next year we make sure we win the top award.
“I would like to thank all the local businesses which make our market such a success, and also local people for their support and encouragement.
“We are always on the look-out for local businesses that lend themselves to farmers’ markets and would encourage anybody thinking of branching out to contact me.”
West Somerset Council’s economic development and tourism portfolio holder, Councillor Michael Downes, said: “The council helped to set up the market and continues to be actively involved with it, so we are thrilled that it is already receiving this sort of recognition.
“I would like to thank Roger and all the producers for their dedication in getting the market off the ground and for making it so successful.
“Initiatives like the market boost the local economy and help support the district’s rural food producers while providing the residents with fresh, healthy local food options - it is a win-win situation and we would like to congratulate everybody involved.”
West Somerset Farmers’ Market is open from 8.30 am to 2.30 pm every Friday in The Parade, Minehead. Roger Webber can be contacted on 01643 705244.

• Our photograph shows (left to right) West Somerset Council market towns regeneration officer Pete Vallance, Councillor Michael Downes, farmers’ market chairman Roger Webber, and market treasurer Margaret Heard. Photo submitted.