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.
  

Free laptop computer to be given to home-based business

A BRAND new laptop computer is available to be won for free in a draw being held at 12 noon at the West Somerset Business Fair on Wednesday, February 28.
The fair is being organised in the Queens Hall, Minehead, by the West Somerset Business Network, from 11 am to 6 pm.
The business network has already sent out a questionnaire to all known businesses which operate from home, and anybody who completes and returns the form will be entered into the draw for the laptop.
The form needs to be returned by February 15, and for anybody who has not received a copy, it is available from the business network’s website at www.westsomersetbusinessnetwork.org.
The aim of the questionnaire is to determine the future needs of local businesses and to gauge whether there is demand for a high-speed broadband service in West Somerset.
The business network is working in partnership with the prize sponsor, Westlabb Ltd, and questionnaire sponsor, Connecting Somerset, which is also one of the business fair sponsors.
District council cabinet member, Councillor Roger Webber, who is a director of Westlabb, said: “Westlabb, via the Exmoor Community Computer Centre who deliver the IT training, has done a fantastic job in enabling residents in rural parishes to form worldwide links via the internet.
“If people want more training, they can contact Jo Hoare at the computer centre on 01643 851594.”
Westlabb Ltd has successfully achieved its main objectives since its formation in 2004 by facilitating internet and IT training for 14 parishes within West Somerset.
It also commissioned the West Somerset Internet Community Interest Company to provide a high-speed broadband service to Crowcombe, Brompton Regis, and Luxborough, and is now considering whether to extend this service.
Anybody who would like to learn more about broadband for their business is welcome to have an informal discussion with Connecting Somerset at the business fair on February 28.

• Our photograph shows the laptop computer prize with (left to right) district council rural facilitator Angela Lamplough, Westlabb director Bob Druitt, Neil Saunders and Dave Cornish, both of Connecting Somerset, Councillor Roger Webber, and Westlabb directors Phil Brown, Iain Joyce, and Jon Summers. Photo submitted.

New kitchen is finishing touch for village hall

THE final stage of the refurbishment of Timberscombe Village Hall has been completed with the installation of a fully-equipped kitchen.
It includes two ovens and a commercial dishwasher, meaning the hall is now able to cater for a wide variety of public and private functions, including weddings and parties.
Timberscombe Village Hall Committee thanked West Somerset Council’s Rural Initiative Fund for a grant of £7,749 which made the project possible, and H.D.Lynch, of Minehead, for designing and fitting the kitchen to a high standard.
District council ward member, Councillor Roger Webber said: “The council is delighted to help community projects like these.
“As well as providing modern facilities so that halls can build on their successes, it also gives local people a social centre at the heart of their rural villages.”

• Our photograph shows village hall committee chairman Tony Webb (left) and former chairman Mrs Wendy Hellewell receiving a cheque for £7,749 from Councillor Roger Webber. Photo submitted.