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.

D-day for councillors tackling drink-fuelled crime

A DECISION is to be taken by West Somerset district councillors on Monday, February 5, on whether to introduce alcohol-free zones in Minehead and Williton.
The move has been pioneered by Councillor Nick Messarra, who is a member of the council’s cabinet and is the past Mayor of Minehead and Alcombe, with the support of The Crier.
Councillor Messarra has pressed for the measure to combat anti-social behaviour which residents and visitors alike have experienced in Minehead’s Blenheim Gardens.
However, some of his fellow town councillors stalled the process while he was the town mayor as they claimed the problems in the park had been overstated and banning drinking was unnecessary.
Now, the district cabinet is being recommended by officers to declare Blenheim Gardens as an Alcohol Designation Zone, which will allow police to take tougher action against drunks and hooligans.
The cabinet is also being asked to do the same for the Memorial Ground, in Williton, where parish councillors and local residents have faced ongoing vandalism and rowdyism over many months.
Other areas which will be considered for the designation orders include:

• The recreation area adjacent to Irnham Road, Minehead (excluding the curtilages of the football club)
• The sea front area of Minehead, including Warren Road and Quay Street and including the entire highway area and footpaths
• The King George V Recreation Ground, Minehead
• The area known as the Rose Garden, adjacent to Seaward Way, Minehead
• The area known as Bellamy’s Corner, Williton
• The area of land adjacent to Seaward Way and Bircham Road to the north west of the roundabout at Ellicombe, Minehead

District council community safety officer Pete Hughes said: “The consideration of implementing designated public place orders resulted from continuing issues of alcohol-fuelled crime and anti-social behaviour.
“Following representations from the police during the public consultation, the council will also discuss whether similar designation should be made in respect of other locations.
“The police representation was made on the basis of probable displacement of the problems to other specified locations. Within the legislation, there is a requirement for councillors to consider displacement.”
If approved, designation orders will mean that people responsible for alcohol related anti-social behaviour can be arrested if they do not comply with a request from a police officer or community support officer to stop drinking or fail to surrender containers of alcohol.
Mr Hughes said: “The orders provide police with enhanced powers to address the continuing issue of anti-social behaviour fuelled by alcohol which has detracted, for a number of years, from the enjoyment of the areas proposed for designation.
“It will also provide police with powers to address similar issues in areas which may be subject to displacement.”

• Our photograph shows Councillor Nick Messarra in Blenheim Gardens with an earlier copy of The Crier backing his campaign. Photo submitted.

McFly play surprise gigs for West Somerset students

STUDENT Amy Prole was a ‘star pupil’ when she arrived for lessons at the West Somerset Community College, Minehead, on Friday, January 26.
And to prove it, Amy, aged 15, brought pop stars McFly to college with her to perform live for her classmates.
The boy band visited Minehead to play two gigs in the school hall - they played twice because the hall can only accommodate half of the 1,200 students at once.
It was all because Amy was one of five winners of BBC Radio 1’s ‘Star Pupil’ competition run through the station’s website, which attracted more than 5,000 entries.
Students who took part were able to request a visit to their school by their favourite band.
As part of the prize, Radio 1 presenter Edith Bowman also went to the college and walked on stage during house assembly to break the news to Amy and her fellow students.
After lessons had ended, Radio 1 DJ Chris Mills also hosted one of his retro-discos especially for the students from 4 pm to 7 pm.
College newsletter editor Sue Bulpin told The Crier just before the exclusive McFly concerts began: “Students did not know about it until today. They knew something was happening, but not what. They are getting pretty excited about it.”

• Our photographs show: Top - Amy (rear, centre) with McFly and Radio 1 presenter Edith Bowman; Bottom - McFly meeting some of the pigs kept on the West Somerset Community College farm unit.

Lottery award helps home impovements for elderly and disabled

A NATIONAL Lottery award of almost £100,000 has been given to support the work of a West Somerset agency which helps elderly and disabled people to continue living in their own homes.
The SCHIP Home Improvement Agency is receiving £98,205 over three years from the Big Lottery Fund’s Reaching Communities programme.
The grant will fund the SCHIP Fix-it Team, which carries out basic repair and maintenance work around the homes of local disabled and elderly people.
A handyman will be employed to carry out jobs such as changing light bulbs, fitting garb rails, and moving furniture.
It all helps to ensure elderly and disabled people can remain in their own homes for longer, and increases independent living.
The agency was formed as a result of a partnership between West Somerset Council and Sedgemoor District Council.
SCHIP manager Mary Ewing said: “We are delighted with the news.
“The handyperson scheme will be of enormous benefit to vulnerable clients, helping, for example, with emergency repairs and hospital discharge.
“The scheme will also provide opportunities for volunteers and for additional joint working with SCHIP’s many partners.”
Big Lottery Fund head of region for the South West, Mark Cotton, said: “This excellent scheme will put many elderly and disabled people’s minds at ease with the knowledge that there is somebody there who can carry out basic, but much needed repairs around their homes.
“Our Reaching Communities programme is all about supporting local projects like this, which provide a helping hand to some of the most disadvantaged people living in the region.”

Burglars target Exmoor woman, 83

POLICE are seeking three intruders who stole cash from the Exmoor home of an 83-year-old woman.
The woman disturbed three men who were in the sitting room of her home in Haddon View, Brompton Regis.
She found them looking through her writing desk and after a brief conversation the woman starting screaming and waving her walking stick at them.
The intruders fled, and it was then found that they had taken a quantity of cash.
The incident happened at about 3 pm on Monday, January 22.
Two of the offenders are described as aged between 30 and 40 years, clean shaven, of average height, and stocky.
They were wearing matching navy blue overalls of smart appearance.
There was also a third man, but no description is available.
Anybody who might have any information about the incident is asked to contact the Avon and Somerset Constabulary burglary team at Taunton Police Station by telephoning the lo-call number 0845 4567000.
Or, anybody who might be able to help the police can contact them through their secure Crimestoppers contact form at https://www.avonandsomerset.police.uk/crimestoppers/ContactForm.aspx.
Alternatively, they can call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. Callers do not need to give their name, and they could receive a reward.

Photo submitted.

Extra winter steam trains by request for Dunster

EXTRA steam trains are being run by the West Somerset Railway on Saturday, February 10in response to a request from the local community.
The Dunster-based organisers of the production of Hadyn’s Creation asked if the railway could operate trains as an extra attraction for the weekend.
So, the award-winning heritage railway agreed to operate steam services between Minehead and Blue Anchor.
Railway general manager Paul Conibeare said: “The winter months are a balancing act for us between our wish to run trains and the need to give our various engineering departments an opportunity to do heavy maintenance work at what is traditionally a quiet time of the year.
“However with Dunster being ‘open’ and a minibus linking Dunster Station and the village’ we are interested in seeing how much response we get for the extras.”
Steam trains will leave Minehead at 12.15 pm, 1.40 pm, and 3.15 pm, and will depart Blue Anchor at 1 pm, 2.20 pm, and 3.55 pm.
Regular advertised services for the year start with steam trains between Minehead and Williton on February 17.
An amateur production of Hadyn’s Creation is being performed in St George’s Church, Dunster, on Sunday, February 11, as part of a music workshop weekend being hosted by the village’s Yarn Market Hotel.
Photo submitted.

Positive ideas to tackle Dulverton anti-social behaviour

POSITIVE options are being looked into as to how the community of Dulverton and local agencies can work together to tackle a wave of vandalism and other anti-social behaviour which has hit the town.
Ideas for resolving the crime and disorder challenge came out of a packed public meeting held in Dulverton Town Hall.
Residents attending the meeting said in the first instance they wanted better communication with the agencies through regular surgeries on a three or six-monthly basis.
It was agreed by the agencies attending the meeting that such surgeries could be arranged.
The meeting was attended by representatives of West Somerset Council, Dulverton Town Council, Magna West Somerset Housing Association, Somerset County Council’s Youth Service, and the Avon and Somerset Constabulary.
They put forward options and listened to the views of local people on how anti-social behaviour in the area should be tackled.
District council community support officer Pete Hughes said: “Comparatively speaking, Dulverton is a very safe place to live.
“Anti-social behaviour has dropped since a spate of incidents last September, but we will continue to work with the community in a way that suits them as a deterrent to those whose behaviour is not acceptable to the community as a whole.”
Town Councillor Ian Fleming, who has been liaising between the community and the agencies, said: “The town council is encouraged by the number of residents who attended the meeting.
“We are looking forward to working with the community to keep up the good work that has already been achieved by the different agencies.
“There is no doubt that an increased police presence has helped bring down the number of incidents of anti-social behaviour so, as a community, we must help the police by reporting any anti-social behaviour or crimes we might witness.”
Sgt Dave Butter, who is responsible for neighbourhood policing in the Dulverton, Exmoor, and Porlock area, said crime figures for Dulverton were low.
However, he encouraged people to let the police know about crime in the area in case it was being under-reported.
He said: “We plan to continue to work with the community to ensure the quality of life enjoyed within the Dulverton area continues.
“If anybody has any information or crimes they wish to report I would encourage them to do so as this enables us to target our patrols.”
Police telephone numbers to use are 999 for emergencies or 0845 456 7000 for all other matters.
Christine Boland, of Magna, said: “The behaviour of the overwhelming majority of our tenants gives us no cause for concern whatsoever.
“However, when a minority, however small, breach their tenancy agreements by behaving anti-socially and causing problems in the community, we will work with the community and the police to end the problems by whatever means are available to us.
“We are doing this in Dulverton at the moment and I would encourage local residents to keep reporting incidents of anti-social behaviour to the police and, where Magna tenants are involved, to us as well.”

Photo of Dulverton Lawns submitted.

Regeneration boost for Watchet, but Williton misses out

WATCHET is celebrating after having been formally accepted into the Market and Coastal Towns Initiative (MCTI).
However, there was disappointment in neighbouring Williton as the village missed out because similar work was already being carried out.
Watchet will now receive up to £20,000 in grants, dedicated support from a community facilitator, professional assistance from consultants, and templates and toolkits to aid its regeneration.
Watchet Regeneration Partnership vice-chairman Sally De-Renzy Martin said: “We are delighted to be welcomed in as one of the initiative’s new towns.
“The harbour, which is the focal point of Watchet, will be enhanced through the regeneration of the East Wharf, The Esplanade, and the West Somerset Mineral Line proposals for the West Quay.
“This gives the community an opportunity to look at other areas of the town for enhancement in terms of landscape and employment opportunities.”
Watchet was one of more than 30 towns which applied to join the initiative, and in the Westcountry a total of 13 were accepted.
The town underwent a comprehensive two-stage application process which took place between July and December of last year.
During the assessment process, local authorities and regional agencies were consulted to ensure resources were allocated to best effect.
West Somerset Council’s market towns regeneration officer Pete Vallance, who worked with the Watchet community to put the application together, said: “This gives Watchet an immense opportunity to build on the community regeneration already underway.
“The creation of a community action plan will enable decision-makers to hear and assist in tackling issues for the residents of Watchet and its surrounding area.”
Watchet and the other towns will be formally welcomed during the Market and Coastal Towns Association annual conference, which takes place on February 2 and 3, at the Riviera International Conference Centre, Torquay, which is also being attended by Dr. Stuart Burgess, chairman of the Commission for Rural Communities and Rural Advocate.
Association chief executive James Hassett said: “I am delighted to announce that we are able to help 13 new towns from across the region plan for their future.
“Throughout this process the support of the South West of England Regional Development Agency and the region’s local authorities has been vital in helping us to make what have been difficult decisions.
“I very much believe that this programme offers the unique opportunity for a community to come together around a shared purpose and vision and for a town to develop in a way that its community would wish to see, rather than having change imposed upon them.”
Although Williton also applied for MCTI status, the association felt community work already being undertaken as part of the Williton Parish Plan had direct parallels to its own.
The association will, however, be launching a service in the middle of this year to support communities such as Williton which will, for example, assist in auditing activity and plot steps towards full MCTI accreditation.
Photo submitted.

Residents benefiting from council's low cost loans scheme

LOW cost loans are on offer to West Somerset homeowners who are on a low income, thanks to a scheme run by the district council and Wessex Home Improvement Loans.
Homeowners who qualify can borrow up to £15,000 for essential repairs or home improvements at a fixed repayment rate of three per cent.
One resident who has taken advantage of the scheme is Stephanie Witherick, of Wootton Courtenay, who borrowed £5,000 to fit a downstairs shower room.
Mrs Witherick said: “I was really struggling to use the bath upstairs. It was getting beyond me and to the point where it was quite terrifying.
“High street lenders were not interested and I was also worried about rises in interest rates.
“West Somerset Council’s home improvement adviser said I was eligible for a loan, and Wessex Home Improvement Loans sorted out the financial side for me.
“It is an excellent service because the council monitored the contractor’s work every step of the way and made sure everything was done properly.”
Eligible work includes leaking roofs, rotten or draughty windows, central heating installation, and damp treatment.
However, the low cost loans are not available for non-essential improvements.
There is no charge for setting up the loan, although some homeowners may incur a small charge for taking security on their property and legal expenses.
Mrs Witherick said: “It has taken the worry out of having contractors in, and it is good that the interest rate will never go up.
“I was delighted that the shower was fitted in time for my daughter’s wedding and it has really improved our lives.”
The council’s housing, health, and welfare portfolio holder, Councillor Mary Crowley, said: “This is a fantastic scheme for people who cannot afford to get the work done or cannot afford high street borrowing rates.
“Borrowers can rest assured that there are no hidden charges and that the rate will remain fixed for the duration of the whole loan.
“We would encourage more people on low incomes to come forward to see if they are eligible.”
Three loan funds are available for borrowers, including a capital repayment scheme, an interest-only scheme, and an interest roll-up scheme.
Specialist advisers will help borrowers select the scheme that is most suited to their circumstances.
Wessex Home Improvement Loans adviser Melanie Allen said: “It has been a real privilege working with West Somerset Council and the clients here, especially when you see the difference the loan scheme makes to people like Mrs Witherick.
“We offer support and guidance throughout the process to ensure people get the right products.
“We value our partnership with West Somerset Council, which subsidises the scheme so that we can offer local people such low interest rates.
“There’s nothing like it on the high street and we are proud to be able to offer such a unique scheme which is entirely focussed on the needs of the client.”
West Somerset residents interested in the low cost loan scheme should contact Julie Payne on 01643 703704.

• Our photograph shows Stephanie Witherick (left) in her new bathroom with loans adviser Melanie Allen. Photo submitted.

£30K refurbishment for Aquasplash despite closure plans

THE doomed Aquasplash leisure pool, in Minehead, is to undergo a £30,000 refurbishment of its gymnasium facilities.
West Somerset Council plans to close the loss-making pool and replace it with a new facility as part of a £32 million New Horizons health, leisure, business, and housing development nearby.
But first, it is spending £30,000 on sprucing up the centre and modernising some of its equipment.
The gym at Aquasplash is closing for two weeks to allow the work to be completed, from Friday, February 23, to Friday, March 9.
The council’s leisure services manager, Janice Malarkey, said: “As well as replacing all the carpets and redecorating, Aquasplash users will find all the television screens replaced and brand new X bikes installed.
“We are delighted we will be able to offer local fitness fans new and refurbished facilities.”
While the walls and woodwork will receive a new coat of paint, AG Flooring will be laying new carpets throughout the gyms and function rooms.
The gym machines are being re-upholstered and the health suite showers will be re-grouted.
Aquasplash supervisor Chris Gibbs said: “X bikes are similar to exercise bikes, but much better.
“Whereas exercise bikes are ‘fixed’ and only give a lower body workout, the handlebars on X bikes move from side to side so clients also get an upper body workout.
“Television screens will be installed in front of the bikes, so X bikers can watch DVDs which appear to take them on cycle rides or tracks, so it is as close as you can get to the real thing.
“Bikers can change the resistance on the bikes as the DVDs take them ‘uphill’. X bikes are great for full body workouts and the DVDs make it a lot more fun.”
Photo submitted.