Every little helps West Somerset economy

THE latest television advertisement for supermarket giants Tesco has provided a financial fillip for the West Somerset economy.
The Crier can reveal the production was filmed on location in West Somerset in mid-March.
The advertisement, for a new range of low-cost clothing being sold by the firm, shows a woman riding on horseback through woods to attend a reception.
It was filmed on Crown Estates-owned land using secluded areas of Croydon Hill, between Dunster and Timberscombe.
A crew of more than 60 people was involved in the shoot, which took two days and also used two helicopters for aerial shots.
Most of the crew stayed in Minehead, many of them in the Gascony Hotel, in The Avenue.
However, there was no sign of actress Prunella Scales, who has become the face of Tesco’s television advertising.
Instead, the woman on horseback was thought to be a model named Amber Bird.

• Our photograph shows some of the film crew shooting the advertisement on Croydon Hill. Photo by Mark the Photographer, ref M030187. Order image reprints online at http://www.tcpbymtp.co.uk/.

Aerial photography set to uncover historic Exmoor sites

UNDISCOVERED sites of archaeological interest on Exmoor could be revealed by a new project being funded by English Heritage.
Two national park authority archaeologists will be examining Exmoor’s past from an unusual perspective by using aerial photographs to increase understanding of the moor’s historic landscape.
The major new survey forms part of English Heritage’s National Mapping Programme and the archaeologists will examine thousands of aerial photographs.
Cain Hegarty, aerial survey officer for Exmoor’s National Mapping Programme Project, said: “We expect to record hundreds of previously unknown archaeological sites as well as adding new details to known sites.”
Similar surveys elsewhere in England have recorded a diverse range of archaeological sites including prehistoric settlements and Second World War military defences.
On Exmoor, such information should provide the park authority’s conservation service with a valuable tool for the future management of the historic environment.
Park authority archaeologist Rob Wilson-North described the new project as ‘a fundamental step forward in helping us to understand Exmoor’s past, and in so doing, to better protect it.’
Anybody wishing to know more about the project should contact Cain Hegarty by emailing cain.hegarty@english-heritage.org.uk or telephoning 01392 824901.
Or, to view the project’s progress or find out more about the wider National Mapping Programme, they can visit the aerial survey web-pages at www.english-heritage.org.uk.

• Our photographs show (top) the earthworks of an Iron Age hillfort at Cow Castle, in the Barle valley, with the remains of early iron mining in the foreground, and (bottom) field banks, ridge, and furrow and an old trackway forming the remains of medieval farming at Room Hill on the slopes of the Exe valley, near Exford. Photos by Rob Wilson-North/ENPA.

Diamond anniversary exhibition for model engineers

MODEL engineers from West Somerset are helping Taunton Model Engineers to stage its diamond year exhibition in Monkton Heathfield Community School, near Taunton, on April 14.
Because the 60th anniversary makes it a special occasion, a number of guest modelling clubs from Somerset and Devon will be attending to show off some of their finest models.
On display will be a range of model traction engines, trains, boats, aircraft, historic engines, clocks, tools, scientific instrument, and much more.
Other societies attending include the Tone Vale Model Boat Club, Blackdown Hills Radio Controlled Model Aircraft Club, and societies from Yeovil, Tiverton, South Somerset, Huntspill, and Bristol.
The exhibition will be open from 10 am to 4 pm on both days.
Taunton Model Engineers was formed in June, 1946, and staged its first exhibition in the spring of 1947.
It has grown in size and diversity over the years and now has more than 100 members, who today are as likely to be building or restoring old or replica engines as building steam engines.
TME has two public running tracks in Vivary Park, Taunton, and in Creech St Michael, where the public can see and smell engines in steam and can ride on trains.

Public invited to drop in to police beat surgeries

A NUMBER of beat surgeries are being attending during April by Police Community Support Officer David Rowe, where the public can meet him to discuss local issues.
They can talk in confidence with him regarding any concerns, or even just drop in to say ‘hello’.
PCSO Rowe’s schedule is as follows: Tuesday, April 17 - Hoburne holiday site reception, Blue Anchor, 11 am to 12.30 pm; Thursday, April 19 - Elworthy, Monksilver and Nettlecombe Community Hall, 10 am to 12 noon; Wednesday, April 25 - Willow Grove Community Hall, Washford, 11 am to 12 noon; Roadwater Village Hall, Roadwater - 12.30 pm to 1.30 pm, Wednesday 25 April.
PCSO Rowe has also recently already held a beat surgery in Withycombe Memorial Hall in conjunction with Withycombe Luncheon Club.

• Our photograph shows a PCSO on duty in Minehead. Photo submitted.

Comedy Club returns to Queens Hall

THE monthly Comedy Club is back at the Queens Hall, Minehead, on Thursday, April 5, with four comedians on a bill headlined by Adam Ethan Crow (pictured).
During the past eight years, Adam has honed his stand-up comedy act to suit any room, due to the diverse venues in which he has found himself.
Be it a festival, a comedy club, or a corporate function, his act seems to work anywhere on the bill.
‘An entertaining and skilful comedian’ says Time Out, ‘cracking act’ says Dr Fox (Capital Radio), and ‘really funny’ - that, from Ricky Gervais.
As a television warm-up man, Adam has covered the spectrum while heating up studio audiences from coffin dodgers on ‘Open House’ with Gloria Hunniford, to the outlandish lager louts on Channel 5’s ‘Night Fever’.
On the other side of the camera, he has appeared in The Dream Team (Sky One), Casualty (BBC 1), Live At Jongleurs (Paramount), The Bill (ITV), Lovejoy (BBC 1) and The Real Dating Show (Channel 4) to name but a few.
At the 1997 Edinburgh Festival, Adam wrote and performed with Mitch Benn the surprise sell-out hit ‘The A-Z of Comedy’.
Also on the Queens Hall bill are Mike Tombs, David Whitney, and MC Danny Dawes.
The show starts at 9 pm and tickets are £4 on the door. Last food orders are at 8.30 pm.
Photos submitted.

East Wharf consultation proves constructive

A PUBLIC information event in Watchet to unveil new enhancements to a planned multi-million pounds East Wharf regeneration project has been hailed a success.
West Somerset Council project manager, Adrian Dyer said: “The event was really constructive and we were delighted by the level of public interest in the scheme.
“People raised various points and it proved to be really useful to have the developer and architects on hand to answer questions.
“A recurring theme raised by local people is whether parking in town will become a problem as it is anticipated the East Wharf development will draw many more visitors to Watchet.
“While this is great for the local economy, we now need to consider the scheme’s impact on future parking arrangements.”
Urban Splash, the scheme’s developer, has financed enhancements on site to ensure the residential, commercial, and retail elements of the East Wharf can function independently of, but in harmony with, the day-to-day activities of a working marina.
The enhancements include:

• Provision of new, flexible boat storage and car parking arrangements in Harbour Road car park
  
• Improvement works to the current boat museum building to allow its conversion as a boat workshop
  
• Demolition and relocation of the taxi kiosk at the entrance to Harbour Road
  
• Purchasing associated installation site works for a fixed boat hoist, including a tractor and trailer/cradle
  
• Works to reconfigure and enhance Swain Street car park, including the proposed demolition of existing garages and public conveniences
  
• Provision of a new bus stop, coach parking, and a new taxi kiosk and associated taxi rank
  
• Replacement public conveniences

Mr Dyer said: “We would like to thank everybody who came to the event.
“We are collating the feedback we received and this will be used to plan ahead so that local people and visitors will all benefit from the rewards that a revitalised East Wharf will bring to Watchet.”
The multi-million pounds scheme is scheduled to start in the spring of next year and is set to transform East Wharf.
The scheme includes 86 one and two-bedroom apartments, commercial space designed to accommodate a bistro and retail units, and community space.
There will be enhanced facilities for the marina, including new offices, laundry, and changing rooms.

• The image above is an artist’s impression of the completed East Wharf development. Image submitted.

Excursions make a day to remember in heritage railway's history

ANOTHER ‘day to remember’ in the history of the West Somerset Railway occurred on Saturday, March 31, when for the first time the heritage line welcomed two mainline excursions to the branch line on the same day.
Kingfisher Railtours was the first to arrive with an excursion train from Eastleigh which arrived behind diesel locomotive 67020 and departed behind the 1926 built Southern Railway express locomotive number 850, ‘Lord Nelson’.
Departing in the early afternoon, the train passed at Blue Anchor a Nenta Tours special from Norwich, which was worked to and from Minehead by a Class 47 diesel locomotive.
Between them, the two excursions brought 526 passengers to Minehead, where they were able to enjoy time in and around the town on a sunny day.
WSR general manager Paul Conibeare said: “The two specials rounded off a hugely successful month for us which has also seen two other main line charters on and off the branch on March 10 and 24 and our most successful spring steam gala to date.
“Over the six days of the gala we carried over 10,000 passengers, and Saturday, March 24, was the busiest single day in our history with over 3,000 travelling.
“Nor should it be overlooked that many of the visitors to the galas stay in the area and that both gala visitors and excursionists visit local shops, pubs, and cafes and bring early season revenue into the area along the route of the West Somerset.
“We next welcome an excursion from Preston on April 14, while on April 28 another special train will leave Minehead for an excursion to York.
“Meanwhile we continue to operate our own services between Bishops Lydeard and Minehead and our evening programme of catering specials starts with a cancer charity fund-raising fish and chip special on May 5.”

• Our photograph (top) is by Alan Meade, showing steam locomotive 850 ‘Lord Nelson’ entering Bishops Lydeard Station on a Kingfisher Railtours journey to Eastleigh from Minehead.
• Our photograph (bottom) is by Brian Garrett and shows the Class 47 diesel locomotive at the junction at Norton Fitzwarren on a Nenta Train Tours trip from North Walsingham.

Golf club A team make winning start in league debut

ON Saturday, March 31, Minehead and West Somerset Golf Club’s A team entertained Cheddington in division seven of the Avalon League.
With a maximum of 12 points available to the home side and 17 points available to the away side, it was imperative for the team to make a good start in their first season playing league golf.
The team played well, led by Paul Fullbrook, winning fourof the five fourball better ball games to score eight points.
With two extra points for winning the match, Minehead finished their first game with 10 points and Cheddington took away 3 points for their single away game victory.
Minehead’s winning pairs were P Fullbrook and D Bosley (3&2), K Murrell and W Knight (6&5), I Freeman and D Hillier (2&1), D Oatridge and C Knight (4&3), with G Whalley and J Fisher narrowly losing their game by one hole.
In a reserves game which did not contribute to the final points scored, club captain Denis Compton and partner Matt Vickery beat their Cheddington counterparts three and two.
Minehead’s next league match is at home against Wheathill on May 5.

Photo submitted.

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.”