Police warning over Easter car crime and off-roading on Quantock Hills

POLICE are asking Easter visitors to the Quantock Hills to take simple measures to avoid becoming a victim of car crime.
They are also taking the opportunity to remind owners of all 4x4 vehicles, quad bikes, and motorcycles that all tracks across the Quantock Hills are now out of bounds to unauthorised vehicles.
Police Community Support Officer for the Quantock Hills, Eamonn Leniston, said: “As Easter approaches, the lighter nights and warmer days mean that more people are out walking on the Quantock Hills and visiting natural beauty spots, and therefore are parking their cars in the area.
“We are reminding visitors to make sure they remove property from display in vehicles, lock their car, and keep their belongings safe.
“It Is a simple message - if your property is not on display, the thief will see nothing to steal and walk on by.
“The vast majority of thefts from cars are opportunistic - the thief sees your sat nav on the dashboard, or bag on the back seat, breaks your window, and takes it.
“This is a message we have been pushing out for a long, long time but it does not get through.
“Time and time again we have thefts reported to us of property which has been left on display in your car.
“This is a crime which is so easy to prevent but this is not something the police can do on our own.
“Regular patrols on the hills are made and vehicles are checked. If we find vehicles which are vulnerable we will contact you.”
PCSO Leniston also pointed out it was an offence to use a mechanically-driven vehicle off-road anywhere on the Quantock Hills unless authorised, such as land owners and those who have the land owner’s permission.
He said: “People who tend their livestock are also entitled to use the off-road tracks.
“However, there are still individuals who persist in doing so for recreational purposes and there is a minority who cause alarm and distress to other visitors to the hills.
“Should you witness any offending vehicles, please contact us on 0845 456 7000 - always use 999 in an emergency - or via the force website at http://www.avonandsomerset.police.uk/.
“Anybody who can help should contact us through our secure Crimestoppers contact form at https://www.avonandsomerset.police.uk/crimestoppers/ContactForm.aspx.
“Alternatively, you can call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. You do not have to give your name and you could receive a reward.”
Photo submitted.

New police inspector takes charge in West Somerset

A NEW police inspector has taken charge of the 18 beats in West Somerset, which includes Exmoor and the Quantock Hills.
She is Inspector Carol Pearce, who has taken over the role from Inspector Nic Crocker, who has been in post for less than two years.
Carol, aged 46, grew up in Weston-super-Mare and has been police officer for 27 years and has been awarded the constabulary’s long service and good conduct medal and also the Queen’s Police Jubilee Award.
She started as a PC in Taunton and has worked across the force area with experience of all aspects of operational policing, including being a beat manager, working in the communications department, and on child protection issues.
Carol has worked in the force’s drugs strategy unit developing drugs initiatives and her most recent post was as a district inspector as the county’s police drugs lead, working closely with the Somerset Drugs and Alcohol Action Team.
She said: “I am really pleased to be taking on this role as the permanent new sector inspector.
“I know the area well and feel I have a good idea of what matters to local people.
“I am passionate about policing and intend to use my wealth of experience to help drive down crime and provide reassurance to all our residents.
“Two of the areas I will be focussing my attention towards are the night time economy and issues surrounding anti-social behaviour.
“I am conscious that these are two issues that can affect the quality of people’s lives whether it is due to intimidation or nuisance activity.
“I will not tolerate this sort of behaviour and will work with our partner agencies to target those who flout the law.
“I am committed to ensuring this area continues to be a safe place to live and work.”
“I have an excellent team working for me consisting of PCs, Sergeants, Police Community Support Officers, Special Constables and police staff, all of whom are committed to increasing the number of crimes detected, reducing the fear of crime, and improving community reassurance through direct police activity and partnership working.”

From the slopes of the Quantocks to the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro

WEST Somerset publican Pam Middlemast (pictured) is in training to become fit enough for the biggest challenge of her life, travelling from the Quantock Hills to climb the world’s highest free-standing mountain, the 5,685m Mount Kilimanjaro.
Pam, who runs the Bicknoller Inn, will travel to Tanzania in June to join 30 other people taking part in the hike to raise money for Scope, the charity for people with cerebral palsy.
To ensure she is fit enough for the adventure, Pam is running three times a week, practising yoga, and has invested in a cross-trainer to help build her strength and stamina.
She said: “I look forward to the trek with some sense of trepidation, but also with much excitement. I am sure this promises to be an experience of a lifetime.”
Pam’s first challenge, however, is to raise sponsorship money, which she has been doing through a number of events at the Bicknoller Inn, including a sponsored head shave, a table top sale, and a jazz night with ‘Gentle Jazz’.
Her husband, Paul, has agreed to have his legs waxed in public, and her yoga teacher, Tria, will be running a yoga lesson in Bicknoller Village Hall and giving all the proceeds to the cause.
Pam will also be giving a talk on Friday, March 23, in the village hall, on her experience of conservation in the Seychelles, which will be accompanied by a finger buffet and drinks.
She said: “I would like to thank everybody who has given me their help and support in raising money, and welcome any new ideas as we still have some way to go, as I have pledged to raise £3,000 for Scope.”
The trek to the summit Mount Kilimanjaro will take six days, with the route taking in cultivated farmland, lush jungle, alpine meadow, and, finally, barren lunar landscape.
Pam said: “An average day’s walking will be about seven hours, with the most challenging day being the day we will reach the summit. This day will start shortly after midnight and entail 14 hours’ walking.
“I am taking this challenge very seriously and know that I will have to be very fit if I am to succeed.”
Pam would like to hear from anybody willing to make a donation or help in organising a fund-raising event.
Readers of The Crier can sponsor Pam by visiting her fund-raising website at www.justgiving.com/pamm and clicking on ‘sponsor me now’, or contact her via her email at pam@bicknollerinn.co.uk, or by telephone on 01984 656234.
More information on events run by Scope is available on 0800 019 1200 or from www.scope.org.uk/adventures/.

Photo submitted.

Local producers help launch Food Town

PRODUCERS and retailers from Exmoor and the Quantock Hills are taking part in the official launch of a Food Town project in Somerset.
Their produce will be showcased at the event in Wellington on Saturday, December 2, from 10 am to 4 pm, where visitors can enjoy free samples of foods and drinks.
Among those involved is West Somerset MP Ian Liddell-Grainger's wife Jill, who makes natural preserves at her home near Williton.

West Somerset food producers' co-operative Source will also be there, as will Tower Farms, of Lydeard St Lawrence, which makes award-winning cheeses.

Shelley Clift will be showing off her home made pies, and Brendon Hill Crafts will have jams and chutneys on display.

Mignon Johnson, of Saffron Kitchen, Lydeard St Lawrence, will be one of a number of chefs giving demonstrations at the event, and will be preparing an Indian breakfast.
The launch will kick-start a five-year initiative to brand Wellington as the ‘Food Town’ of Somerset, in the same way as Ludlow is recognised as the ‘Food Town’ of the Midlands.
The catchment area takes in much of Somerset and a large chunk of Devon, an area which boasts no fewer than eight Rick Stein Food Heroes as well as dozens of other award-winning producers.
Visitors to Wellington on December 2 will be able to enjoy free tastings of some of the best foods and drinks produced in the area and can also take the opportunity to stock up for Christmas. Parking in the town’s car parks will also be free on the day.
The free event will be held in a town centre marquee with around 40 stalls for food producers and a seated area for more than 100 people where expert demonstrations and workshops will be held by several local chefs, including sessions on how to make healthy lunchboxes for schoolchildren and interesting ideas for party food.
Wellington Food Town steering group chairman John Cottrell said: “We hope as many residents as possible from West Somerset will come along on December 2 and enjoy what promises to be a wonderful celebration of some of the finest produce the Westcountry has to offer.
“By supporting the Food Town concept, visitors will be encouraging a healthier retail and service economy for the area, which will mean more local jobs, more tourists and regular visitors, and a thriving local agricultural economy.”
Wellington Food Town is being organised by Wellington Economic Partnership and Somerset Food Links in conjunction with Taunton Deane Borough Council and Wellington Town Council, and is supported by Wellington Chamber of Commerce and Trade and the Wellington Farmers’ Market.
More information is available from Nicky Saunter at Somerset Food Links on 01458 241401 or email nickys@foodlinks.org.uk or by logging on to http://www.wellingtonfoodtown.blogspot.com/.