Weather causes country fair cancellation in 30th anniversary year

THE 30th anniversary Dunster Country Fair, due to have taken place on July 25, has been cancelled due to the recent wet weather conditions.
The decision was taken at the weekend when it became apparent that the site on Dunster Lawns was waterlogged and vehicles could not safely access it for marquees and other pre-event facilities to be set up.
Cancellation will cause a huge financial blow to the organisers, the West Somerset Hunt and Minehead Harriers.
The one-day show, which showcases country life for urban residents, regularly attracts attendances of more than 10,000 people and raises vital funding for the hunts.
Now, the hunts will need to look to other fund-raising ventures to secure their finances for the coming year.
Financial losses, though, should be mitigated as the country fair is run by volunteers who do not charge for their services.
The bulk of the losses will be on equipment hire and entertainment bookings.
The Queens Hall, in Minehead, has stepped in to help one of this year’s entertainment acts, the Lions National Youth Brass Band.
The band will instead be playing in the Queens Hall at 2 pm on Wednesday, July 25 – and entry is free.
The band comes from South Cheshire and was formed in 1988 by local youngsters aged from 10 to 19 years all wanting to play a brass instrument.
It takes its name from a number of local Lions groups which sponsor the band.
The band is made up of three bands, the ‘beginners’, the ‘junior band’ and the ‘youth band’ totalling 98 youngsters, with all three proving successful in their own way.
It is conducted by Nigel Birch, who is now in his second stint as musical director.
Queens Hall marketing officer Ami Bowsher-Grief said: “We know everybody will really enjoy this band, so we hope people come down and show them some support and enjoy some great music from these great musicians.”
Elsewhere in West Somerset, some village events managed to beat the weather at the weekend with crowds turning out for Porlock’s first-ever country village fair, which raised money towards a £60,000 target to replace equipment for the recreation ground and local scouts.
Entertainments at the fair included a falconry display, a village market, a art exhibition, a craft tent with local craft demonstrations, ferret racing, pony rides, and Morris dancing.
In Luxborough, people braved the wettest weather at the village’s traditional annual fete for 40 years to help raise nearly £3,000 for the village hall and parish church.
Attractions included the Luxborough Challenge tug o’ war contest where the village ‘lads’ challenged other local groups for a £100 prize, a family dog show, cakes and plant stalls, a Pimms and wine tent, children’s entertainment, a Punch and Judy show, and performances by Watchet Town Band.
The lucky programme winner was number 206. Anybody with programme number 206 should telephone 01398 371 340 with their name and address to claim the £50 prize.
Photo by Mark the Photographer, ref TCP0004. Order image reprints online at www.tcpbymtp.co.uk.

Marco launches Jive Bar dance club in Minehead

FORMER national jive dance champion Marco Grove is to launch a regular Thursday evening club called The Jive Bar, based in The Hobby Horse public house, Minehead.
Marco, who moved to West Somerset two years ago, gave a demonstration of the country’s fastest-growing partner dance during the recent West Somerset Business Fair.
Together with a partner who had received just eight hours’ tuition, he presented a choreographed piece of work which fused many different dance styles into one.
The Jive Bar opens on March 15 and is designed for people who have never danced before, using all styles of music from 40s swing to the latest chart hits.
Marco, who previously taught jive in the Midlands, said: “It is easy to learn and it is a really good social evening out.
“The whole thing about the dance is about creating a really good feeling within people so they can achieve things and be inspired and build confidence.”

More information is available on 07970 718358.

• Our photograph shows Marco with partner giving a demonstration at the business fair. Photo by Mark the Photographer, ref M010114. Order image reprints online at www.tcpbymtp.co.uk.

Success for West Somerset Business Fair 2007

THE fourth annual West Somerset Business Fair was successfully held in the Queens Hall, Minehead, with more than 50 exhibitors and hundreds of visitors during the day.
The show was organised by the West Somerset Business Network (WSBN) and was opened with a performance by the West Somerset Community College Band.
The event used all three floors of the building, with a business ‘village’ in the basement area, a main exhibition arena on the ground floor, and a series of seminars presented upstairs.
It was designed to maximise opportunities for business people to network with each other and to allow exhibitors to showcase themselves and their products and services.
The star prize in the two draws which were held at the show was a free Toshiba laptop computer given by Westlabb Ltd, a not-for-profit company which has been administering a pilot project on behalf of West Somerset Council to provide broadband internet connections for rural communities.
It was won by Magna West Somerset Housing Association chief executive Graham Colls, who said: “I am flabbergasted, but I am sure we will put it to really good use.”
Westlabb director Bob Druitt said: “I am delighted the prize is going to benefit a local business.
“The West Somerset Business Network has provided an excellent forum for the business community to get together at the fair and it is great to see so many people here.”
WSBN chairman Sandra Wilson said: “We would like to congratulate Graham and thank our partners Westlabb and Connecting Somerset for sponsoring the prize.
“Entrants filled out homeworking surveys to enter the draw and the results will be analysed to find out what future needs the local business community might have, and to see if there is a demand for a high-speed broadband connection in West Somerset.”
The laptop computer was presented by the Mayor of Minehead, Councillor Ann Foxhuntley, who is also the district council’s deputy leader.
Councillor Foxhuntley said: “Westlabb has provided a great service to local communities by training over 300 people in IT skills with the help of the Exmoor Community Computer Centre.
“The fair is one of the most important dates in the commercial calendar because it provides a great opportunity for businesses to get together and network, while also attracting new customers, which is great for the local economy.”
The programme of seminars was started with Bill Wilson, of Ylem Ltd, talking about ‘Intelligent IT’, followed by Penny Ward, of Blackspot Broadband/Project Computer Ltd, speaking on ‘Internet and Wi-Fi Security’, and then Kevin Redpath, of Connecting Somerset, on behalf of WestLabb Ltd, spoke on the subject ‘Winning on the Web’.
Minehead’s JobCentre Plus manager Gillian Knight talked of ‘A New Direction’, while ‘The Smoking Ban’ was the subject for West Somerset Council environmental health manager Ian Timms, and Brenda Clare, from Wyndham House, Minehead, explained why ‘Life Begins at 80’.
Kevin Chambers, of the Shaw Trust, gave a run-down on the ‘Shaw Trust Employment Services’, and the programme concluded with Aron Cody-Boutcher, of Somerset Consulting, on ‘A Layman’s Guide to Understanding Website Promotion’.
The West Somerset Business Fair 2007 was sponsored by Connecting Somerset, NatWest Bank, Minehead Jobcentre, Ylem Ltd, DJ Miles and Co Ltd, Minehead Marquees, and Finishing Touches.

• Our photographs show: TOP - Seven-months-old Freddie Hirst with mum Julie Hirst enjoying the West Somerset Community College band’s opening performance. MIDDLE – The laptop computer prize being presented to Graham Colls (third from left) by the Mayor of Minehead, Councillor Ann Foxhuntley, watched by (left to right) business network chairman Sandra Wilson, and Westlabb directors Bob Druit and Iain Joyce. Bottom – The business fair scene inside the Queens Hall. Photos 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.

Business fair places are still available

MEMBERS of the West Somerset Community College band will be performing at the opening of the West Somerset Business Fair.
The fair will be held in the Queens Hall, Minehead, from 11 am to 6 pm on Wednesday, February 28.
It will be the district’s largest business networking event of the year.
Special offers are available to any exhibitor who wants to book one of the remaining stands, details of which are available oin application.
The West Somerset Business Network, which is organising the fair, has also arranged free parking permits for exhibitors and visitors.
Network chairman Sandra Wilson said there were still some places available for exhibitors and people who wanted to hold seminars at the event.
A free prize draw will also be held on the day.
The fair provides an opportuinity for business owners and managers to showcase themselves to each other and find out more about the range of products and services available locally.
Face-to-face marketing is recognised as the most effective method of gaining new orders and contracts.
The business fair offers a wide range of marketing opportunities for those taking part, including:

• A choice of 2m or 3m display stand spaces


• Half-an-hour seminar slots


• A rolling PowerPoint screen presentation


• The display of company pull-up banners


• A business village for exchange of business cards


• An exhibitor directory

The cost of taking part ranges from £25 to £195, and exhibitors will receive breakfast and lunch.
There will be a pre-event training session for exhibitors, and the business fair package also includes a pre-opening networking hour on the day.
All the trading businesses and networking activities will be concentrated on the ground floor..
More information and booking details are available from business fair administrator Lesley Marriner on 01398 322000 or email lesley.marriner@ylem.com.

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