Police appeal after woman killed in A358 head-on crash

POLICE in West Somerset are appealing for witnesses to a car crash near Crowcombe in which a woman died and four other people were injured.
The fatal accident happened on the A358 at Halsway Cross at about 6.30 pm on Sunday, June 10.
It involved a blue convertible Peugeot 206 which was being driven in the direction of Williton.
The Peugeot was involved in a head on collision with a Rover 200.
The woman driver of the Rover was killed.
The woman, aged in her 20s, was from Bournemouth.
She was taken to Musgrove Park Hospital in Taunton, but died later from the injuries she suffered in the crash.
Three passengers travelling with her in the Rover were also injured, although none of their injuries were thought to be life threatening.
The driver of the Peugeot suffered a broken leg.
Police are appealing for anyone who witnessed the collision to call the force’s collision investigation unit on 0845 4567000.
They are particularly keen to speak to anybody who saw the Peugeot before the crash occurred.

Second holiday death at Butlins in weeks

A SECOND young woman in seven weeks has died at Butlins holiday centre, in Minehead.
Neither death involved suspicious circumstances, although the first, in April, was initially treated by police as a murder inquiry.
The latest incident saw a woman collapse during a night out at Butlins on Saturday, June 9.
She was rushed by ambulance to Musgrove Park Hospital, Taunton, but later died.
The woman, aged in her early 30s and who was thought to be from the Exeter area, collapsed at about 10 pm.
A Butlins spokesperson said: “This is a sad and tragic incident. We have contacted the woman's family and are doing all we can for them.”
Police said there were no suspicious circumstances surrounding the death and the matter was now being handled by the coroner.
Photo submitted.

Crack in tower threatens church closure

AN appeal is being made to readers of The Crier to help save one of West Somerset’s least-appreciated tourist attractions from closure.
The 15th century tower of St Michael’s Church, Minehead, is suffering from a large crack which has appeared in the masonry of its parapet.
Now, the vicar, the Rev Simon Lloyd, needs to raise tens of thousands of pounds to restore the 87 feet high tower or face the possibility of a church closure.
The work has been estimated at £40,000, but scaffolding costs on top could add a further £60,000 to the project.
Mr Lloyd told The Crier: “As a parish, we have three churches, and, much as we love St Michael’s, it is a lot for not a very large, and not a very rich, congregation to maintain without help from anybody else.
“We are not a wealthy congregation and we do not have pots of money and great resources.
“We are grateful to The Crier for raising the issue as a town issue and saying if the town wants St Michael’s to continue, then it would be in the town’s interests to do something about it.
“It would be good to have the businesses of the town behind us, really. St Michael’s is a landmark and the Church Steps is probably the most photographed bit of Minehead and probably one of the most in Somerset, but without the church it is pointless.
“In terms of Minehead’s tourist status, I think the church is actually a strong asset to the town, not withstanding the spiritual ties of the people who have been married, baptised, and buried there.”
The crack was first spotted five years ago and is visible from the ground at the rear of the church.
Because it was not assessed as an immediate threat, the church at the time decided to prioritise the building of an extension for St Andrew’s Church, in Wellington Square.
Now, however, the damage has worsened considerably and, while still not posing an immediate danger of collapse, Mr Lloyd has recognised the tower has to be restored as quickly as possible.
He said: “We were told it was not going to fall down immediately and we could afford to delay things, but we cannot delay indefinitely.
“It is not a major structural fault, but there is a health and safety factor. We have not been told we cannot ring the bells at the moment, but if it is not sorted out it will go that way and we do not know how long it will take.”
Anybody who would like to support the appeal can contact Mr Lloyd by telephoning 01643 703530 or by emailing him at fathersi@dsl.pipex.com.

• Our photograph (top) shows a floodlit St Michael’s Church tower. Photo by Mark the Photographer, ref M070003. Order image reprints online at www.tcpbymtp.co.uk.
• Our photograph (middle) shows a view of St Michael’s Church, Minehead. Photo by Mark the Photographer, ref M070002. Order image reprints online at www.tcpbymtp.co.uk.

Crier publisher helps Butlins create world hug record

THE publisher of The Crier, Mike Padgett, has helped holidaymakers at Butlins to create a world record with former Big Brother housemate Aisleyne Horgan Wallace as special guest at the Minehead resort

Visitors to the Minehead centre were asked to hug Aisleyne in an effort to beat the record of 612 people hugging one person in an hour

And they smashed the record with 818 guests in one hour each giving Aisleyne a hug as Mr Padgett helped as a member of the adjudicating panel for the record attempt.

The event was part of Butlins' themed 'Record Breakers' holiday breaks which have been introduced this year.

Mr Padgett said afterwards: "It was great fun and there was certainly a lot of interest in Aisleyne coming to Minehead as the Big Brother series has made her a celebrity.

"I can see why people would like to give her a hug."

• Our photograph shows Mr Padgett and Aisleyne (centre) celebrating the new record with some of the Butlins huggers. Photo submitted.

Parliamentary group puts dyslexia on schools agenda

CHANGES to the school curriculum across the country could be triggered by a new all-party Parliamentary group on dyslexia which has been group started by West Somerset MP Ian Liddell-Grainger (pictured).
Around 200 members of the House of Commons and the Lords have now signed up to the Dyslexia Parliamentary Group.
The group has already won the attention of Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Schools, Lord Andrew Adonis, who wants to be kept informed of its progress.
Mr Liddell-Grainger, who is dyslexic, was told it was the first time anybody had started such a group in Parliament.
He said: “It is also one of the biggest groups in the House and, as well as MPs and peers, the various dyslexia groups in the UK are signing up to it.
“One thing that is already clear and which we have found absolutely horrifying is the attitude of so many local education authorities towards children with dyslexia.
“The way they work and operate is just not good enough.
“Taking the country as a whole, there are hundreds of cases of young people with educational problems like dyslexia that are just not being addressed.
“As chairman of the Parliamentary Dyslexia Group, I am determined to make it better.”
Mr Liddell-Grainger said Lord Adonis had been ‘immensely supportive’ and had agreed to address the group.
He said: “Not only that, but he would like us to look at the way the country is working in providing special educational needs for children.
“So, the group wants to come up with a strategy that can be adopted into the curriculum by schools throughout the UK.”
Photo submitted.

Coveted hygiene award for nursing home

A COVETED Somerset Hygiene Award for meeting and excelling in food hygiene practice and standards has been presented to Winsor Nursing Home, in Minehead.
The award is administered by West Somerset Council’s environmental health team, and the nursing home was also awarded two supplementary elements for ‘excellent food hygiene standards’ and ‘comprehensive staff training’.
Home manager Iver Klingenberg said: “We are delighted that our hard work and dedication has been recognised, and Sanctuary’s investment rewarded.
“Jenny’s leadership in the kitchen has made wonderful improvements to the quality of food and its delivery.”
The award recognises local food businesses which fully comply with current food hygiene regulations regarding food handling practices, temperature control, structural design, and cleanliness, and which work hard to maintain high standards above and beyond the legal requirements, with a commitment to doing all they can to ensure the food they produce is safe to eat.
All award recipients have to demonstrate they have a fully-documented food safety management system in place, which is being effectively implemented and regularly reviewed.
Winsor Nursing Home received its award from the council’s portfolio holder for housing, health and welfare, Councillor Peter Humber, who said: “I would like to congratulate the chef, Jenny Dilley, and the home’s owners, Sanctuary, on achieving this award.
“I commend the time and effort that staff have put into meeting and exceeding the very high standards necessary to do so.”

• Our photograph shows (left to right) home manager Iver Klingenberg with Rosemary Mcloughin, Debbie Allen, and chef Jenny Dilley being presented with the award by Councillor Peter Humber. Photo submitted.

Quaywest radio lining up awards night for favourite local businesses

VOTING closes on Friday, June 15, in the first-ever Quaywest radio ‘Business Awards’ competition.
As The Crier went to press, more than 1,000 votes had already been cast by Quaywest listeners for the 27 businesses which have entered the awards.
The awards will be announced at a celebrity presentation evening in Minehead Football Club on Friday, June 22, when local MP Ian Liddell-Grainger will also be attending.
A charity auction will be held as well, with the proceeds being shared by the Royal National Lifeboat Institution, Devon and Somerset Air Ambulance, and the Somerset Fire Service benevolent fund.
The evening will be compered by Quaywest presenter Drew Haddon.
Anybody who takes part by voting for their favourite local business could also win a murder mystery evening with the West Somerset Railway, as they will be entered into a draw.
And those who attend the presentation evening can win a meal for two in Reeves restaurant, in Watchet, by dropping their business card into a box on the night.
The business with the most votes from West Somerset will win a 30-inch plasma screen Panasonic television, a month’s free advertising with Quaywest, and a year’s advertising on the boarding around Minehead’s football pitch.
People can vote online by using a form to be found on Quaywest’s website, http://www.quaywestfm.net/ or with voting slips available in a number of retail shops in Minehead, Watchet, Williton, and Porlock.
The businesses which have entered the awards, together with their voting number, are: 1 Aquasplash Leisure Centre, 2 Webberbus, 3 The Lighting Company, 4 Minehead Computer Services, 5 Stuart Lowen quality butcher, 6 Natalie Poat travel counsellor, 7 Ekos Kitchens, 8 Dunkery Beacon Hotel, 9 Penny Pine Ltd, 10 Glenmore Café, 11 Blondies, 12 Chives delicatessen, 13 Alan Harman Car Sales, 14 Morris Carpets and Beds, 15 Minehead Glass, 16 Babys First, 17 Corner House Stores, 18 Willows Café and Gifts, 19 Friday Print, 20 West Somerset Motors, 21 Trenz, 22 The Shoe Centre, 23 Chapel Roofing and Building Services Ltd, 24 Cream, 25 Blue Anchor Bay Garage, 26 Cornerstone Projects, 27 Antlers Pet Supplies.
As well as being an awards presentation, the evening also promises to be a huge networking event for local businesses.
Quaywest sales executive Gerry Baxter told The Crier: “We are having the awards as a way of getting businesses together and everybody having a great evening as well.
“Yes, the businesses who have entered want to win, but they are also looking forward to the evening itself as a fun networking opportunity.
“As Drew Haddon puts it, it is about ‘keeping your lolly local’ and supporting the businesses we have here in the Quaywest catchment area.
“When we started the awards we had hoped to have about a dozen entries, but to get 27 involved in the first year is tremendous.
“Everywhere we go, people are talking about it, and we regularly mention it on the radio, so people can keep listening to 102.4 and 100.8 fm Quaywest Radio for more information.”

Ex-US Deputy Sheriff searches for 'forgotten cop' of Williton

RETIRED US Deputy Sheriff, Mackenzie Allen, is searching for anybody who can tell him more about a Westcountry policeman who lived in the 19th century.
Mr Allen, who now runs an antiques/auction business in Tacoma, Washington, bought a slate mantle clock bearing a plaque dated 1885 and dedicated to ‘Mr William Uriah Self, Superintendent of Police, Williton District’.
As an ex-law officer, Mr Allen was so intrigued by the dedication that he kept the clock rather than selling it on, in the hope of solving the mystery of who was the ‘forgotten cop’ across the Atlantic.
The ‘downsizing’ elderly woman from whom he bought the clock did not know, so he contacted the Williton offices of West Somerset Council where community safety liaison officer Pete Hughes was put on the case.
Mr Hughes said: “The local police have not a clue, either, so I am rounding up your readers to do some detective work among their family records.
“As William Uriah Self rose to be a Superintendent of police, they should not be too worried about rattling any skeletons in their family cupboards.”
The council's deputy leader and staffing portfolio holder, Councillor Simon Stokes, said: “Our staff get some odd requests and, short of sending out a posse, we are happy to lend a helping hand.”
Anybody with any information which might help can contact the council’s media and PR officer Stacey Beaumont by telephoning 01643 703704 or emailing sbeaumont@westsomerset.gov.uk

• Our photograph shows Mr Allen with the inscribed clock. Photo submitted.

Pupils relaunch community Co-op store for town

PUPILS of Knights Templar School, Watchet, performed a ribbon cutting ceremony to officially launch a £220,000 new-look Co-op store in the town
The store, in Liddymore Road, was bought from the Spar group in February and has since been completely revamped.
It now features the consumer-owned retailer’s latest convenience format with modern décor and a more shopper friendly layout.
The pupils were thanked by store manager Derek Farley for taking part in the opening and presented with £200 for school funds to mark the occasion.
Mr Farley said: “As a community retailer it is appropriate that we involve the community in our special events and we are delighted our local school is playing a central role in the relaunch of our store.”
The store now has ‘Access for All’ automatic doors, new fittings and refrigeration, plus a more shopper-friendly layout.
An emphasis has been placed on chilled and fresh foods, and popular services including the lottery, PayPoint and the home delivery service have been retained.
As a leading supermarket supporter of Fairtrade, The co-operative’s popular Fairtrade products also feature and the store also carries the retailer’s own health and beauty range with products which have not been tested on animals.
Shoppers also benefit from The co-operative’s policy on ‘honest labelling’, which gives the full facts about its food and drink products, and they can carry shopping home in 100 per cent degradable bags.
Mr Farley said: “We provide a much-valued service for the local community and I am confident our shoppers will be delighted with our improved store and wider selection of goods, which will better meet all the community’s daily grocery needs.”

• Our photograph shows Mr Farley with pupils Chloe Rendell, Darcey Allen, Yasmin Turner, Tarsha Coleman, Kapric Gregory, and Sam Price. Photo by Mark the Photographer, ref M030026. Order image reprints online at www.tcpbymtp.co.uk.

Olympic roadshow to attend Exmoor Ironman contest

AROUND 1,500 international athletes will be competing on Exmoor this month in the gruelling UK Ironman 70.3-mile triathlon.
The event centres on Wimbleball Lake and takes place on Sunday, June 17.
The athletes will be aiming to be included in the 100 places available in the Florida, USA, world championships next November.
The triathlon includes a 1.2-mile swim, 56-mile bike ride, and a 13.1-mile run, and as it is now an Olympic sport, the London 2012 Roadshow double-deck bus will be attending Wimbleball as part of its summer UK tour to inspire and motivate people of all ages to participate in sport.
More information is available by logging on to www.half.ironmanuk.com or http://www.activeexmoor.com/.
Exmoor Canoe Club is looking for volunteer kayakers to support the triathlon swim in the lake for about an hour-and-a-half from 6 am. Anybody interested should email info@exmoorcanoeclub.org.uk.
The UK Ironman 70.3 Triathlon is one of several global contests, six of which also carry slots for the Ford Ironman World Championship held in Hawaii every October when the distance is doubled to140.6 miles.