Christine gives £5,000 of community support in Dunster ward

DUNSTER ward Somerset county Councillor Christine Lawrence has presented the final £200 of her personal community budget to support the work of Home Start in West Somerset’s rural communities.
The cheque, the final instalment of Councillor Lawrence’s £5,000 allocation, was received by Alison Sanderson.
It completed a wide range of community projects which have been supported by Councillor Lawrence, who is also leader of West Somerset Council.
Councillor Lawrence said: “Many of the deep, rural areas chose to have new village name plates erected, including Nettlecombe, Pittsford Hill, and Rooks Nest, near Brompton Ralph.”
Monksilver parish chose to support the local EMN Hall and received £400 towards new seating, and Washford requested help with a notice board for the new multi-purpose games area.
Youth projects which received grants included Minehead Boxing Club, the junior section of Minehead Barbarians RFC, West Somerset Scouts, and the Minehead division’s Guides.
In Dunster, support was given to the ‘Days Gone By’ festival, Dunster Marsh junior playing field, and Dunster School, which received waterproof leggings for outside play and gardening.
Washford Play Group financed a new laptop computer, and Carhampton villagers were delighted with a contribution towards a replacement bus shelter.

• Our photograph shows Alison Sanderson receiving the Home Styart cheque from Councillor Christine Lawrence. Photo by Mark the Photographer, ref DFF0700001. Order image reprints online at www.tcpbymtp.co.uk.

Do your bit for Red Nose Day on March 16

Lottery grant for Vikings to develop basketball for youngsters

NEWLY-formed Minehead Vikings Basketball Club has received a financial windfall from the National Lottery to help it develop the sport in West Somerset.
The club, which is also flying high in the Somerset Basketball League, has won a grant of almost £7,000 from the lottery’s Awards for All fund.
Club founder Alistair Johnson told The Crier the plan was to develop basketball for young people to enjoy, providing them with the self-confidence and skills to follow their interest.
Competitions would also run and training would be provided for members of the club to improve their skills in running the new group.
Mr Johnson said the Vikings was only formed five months ago as part of a Somerset-wide pilot to create satellite basketball clubs based around the established Taunton Tigers team.
He said: “We put in a lottery bid to try to get some funding to help because we do not have that many members, and it is very expensive to hire the hall.
“Basketball is a sport which keeps people active and is good exercise because it is a pretty fast game, not stop-start like some of the others.
“It is also quite easy to play because you really only need to be able to catch a ball and pass it.”
Some of the £6,986 lottery grant will go towards the purchase of playing strip and other equipment, while an electronic scoreboard is also on the list, and the club will also cover the cost of coaching courses for those who want to gain a qualification.
Mr Johnson said: “The more people we can get trained as coaches, the more it helps the younger members.”
Minehead Vikings presently have about 20 members aged from 14 to 51 years and the club trains on Tuesday evenings between 7 pm and 8 pm in the West Somerset Sports Hall, Minehead.
The club has an adult team and an under-16 team in the Somerset League and both have qualified for the play-offs by being in the top four positions.
There are also plans to set up under-14 and under-12 teams.
Anybody interested in joining the club should contact Alistair Johnson by telephoning 01823 365709.
Awards for All is a small grants scheme administered by the Big Lottery Fund on behalf of lottery good cause funders Arts Council England, Big Lottery Fund, Heritage Lottery Fund, and Sport England.
The scheme makes awards of between £300 and £10,000 to grass roots community groups and voluntary organisations.

New air ambulance quickly in action in West Somerset

THE new Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance helicopter went into service on Thursday, March 1, and almost immediately flew on a mission in West Somerset.
The air ambulance was called to Minehead when an elderly woman was taken ill during the afternoon.
It was only the crew’s third mission in the new Eurocopter EC 135 aircraft, which offers a quicker, quieter, and smoother flight than the Bolkow 105dbs it has replaced.
The distinctive yellow colour helicopter landed on the Minehead Town Football Club pitch off Irnham Road ready to airlift the patient.
Unfortunately, the woman was understood to have died before she could be flown to hospital.
The Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance service has been operating since 2000 and has helped to save hundreds of lives, receiving on average three to four calls a day.
It has taken the air ambulance trust two years of fund-raising to upgrade to the new generation of aircraft.
The helicopter costs more than £3,500 a day to run and is funded entirely by charitable donations.
The new aircraft was officially launched by the Princess Royal at The Fleet Air Arm Museum, RNAS Yeovilton.
It has moved from its previous base in Henstridge, between Sherborne and Shaftesbury, to a new home at AgustaWestland’s Yeovil airfield, which provides improved facilities for the aircraft and crew and should help it to more quickly reach the scene of an emergency.

• Photo by Mark the Photographer, ref M010015. 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.

Tell council if you want a home or place to work on Exmoor

WEST Somerset Council is appealing for people in central Exmoor, which includes Simonsbath and Exford, to let it know if they need affordable homes or business premises.
People are being invited to attend an informal drop-in information afternoon at the Exmoor Forest Hotel, Simonsbath, from 3pm to 7pm on March 13, where they can discuss the options with council officers and Rural Housing Project representatives.
The council’s ideas for the homes and workspace will also be on show, and it will be followed by a presentation by officers and a question-and-answer session from 7 pm to 9 pm.
It wants to hear from people living in and around Simonsbath, or those who have a long-standing connection with the area, who are in need of affordable housing or business premises.
The council’s housing, health and welfare portfolio holder, Councillor Mary Crowley (pictured), said: “House prices on Exmoor are over 14 times the annual average earnings in the district and we would like to help.
“We have some land in the parish which could be used to build affordable homes or ‘live/work’ premises which combine housing with small workshops for people who run businesses from home.”
Councillor Crowley said the council would also consider building small workshop units for new or existing businesses within the parish if there proved to be a demand.
She said: “So far, not many people have come forward and we are appealing for them to do so now.
“The council is currently building affordable homes and workspace in the district’s larger towns and villages, but we are equally prepared to explore these options in our smaller villages and hamlets if local people have a need for them.”
People wishing to register their interest or apply for more information on affordable housing and workspace opportunities on Exmoor should contact rural housing enabler Colin Savage on 01398 322249 or email cbsavage@exmoor-nationalpark.gov.uk.
To register an interest in business premises, they should contact Nigel Furze on 01984 635276 or email nfurze@westsomerset.gov.uk.

MP setting up dyslexia group in House of Commons

A PARLIAMENTARY dyslexia group is being formed by West Somerset’s MP, Ian Liddell-Grainger (pictured), who is himself dyslexic.
The all-Party House of Commons group will help MPs, parents, and others to work together to address the issue.
Mr Liddell-Grainger said it was high time people with the condition were given a louder voice.
He said: “There are some excellent organisations, such as the British Dyslexia Association, which is active in West Somerset.
“But I and a few other MPs thought it would be useful to set up an official, non-political group in Parliament so that we can speak out.”
Mr Liddell-Grainger is also holding a meeting in London with the local dyslexia association.
He said: “I am delighted to have this opportunity to discuss what is or is not being done in the county for people with dyslexia.
“I am very impressed with the feedback I have been given when making inquiries in Government.
“Given that, and the strength of feeling at grass roots level, I feel we are in with an excellent chance of raising the profile of dyslexia.”
Anybody who wants to contact Mr Liddell-Grainger about dyslexia or any other relevant issue can write to him at his constituency office, 16 Northgate, Bridgwater TA6 3EU.
Mr Liddell-Grainger also has a website at www.liddellgrainger.org.uk.
Photo submitted.

West Somerset going bananas for Fairtrade Fortnight

RECORD Fairtrade sales figures have been announced, just as Fairtrade Fortnight in the UK starts.
The sales of Fairtrade products reached £300 million in the past year with 2,500 retails and catering products now so-branded.
The news came as The Co-operative also celebrated the beginning of Fairtrade Fortnight with news that for the first time all 3,000 of its food stores will stock Fairtrade bananas.
As part of the celebrations,, Co-op staff in Minehead, Alcombe, Watchet, and Williton took part in the largest-ever simultaneous banana-eating bonanza in the UK.
As well as taking part in the record-breaking event, local Co-op staff were also ‘monkeying around’ with giant inflatable bananas and monkey masks and costumes, to highlight the good news to shoppers.
The Co-op, which introduced the UK’s first Fairtrade banana back in 2000, currently sells around 22 million Fairtrade bananas, and this is expected to jump to more than 43 million within a year as Fairtrade bananas go on sale in its stores nationwide.
At the same time, Sainsbury’s chief executive Justin King announced a 100 per cent switch to Fairtrade bananas.
Tesco is also extending its range of Fairtrade nuts to five items ranging from brazil nuts to a peanut, cashew, and mango mix, while Threshers is launching a range of Fairtrade wines, and Waitrose is switching its banana range to 100 per cent Fairtrade and introducing a range of Fairtrade roses.
Expanded ranges of fresh produce will be the focus of in-store promotions in Morrisons and Asda.
The Fairtrade Foundation’s message for Fairtrade Fortnight 2007 is that, while sales of Fairtrade products continue to soar, change was still not happening quickly enough for millions of the world’s poorest farmers, who remained trapped in ‘trade poverty’.
The Foundation believes 2007 will be the year when people define themselves by their attitude to fairness in society.
It expects a surge of support for real values, such as those enshrined in Fairtrade, which will create a momentum allowing significant change to become possible.
Fairtrade Foundation executive director Harriet Lamb said: “The road signs for tomorrow’s Fairtrade world are out there.
“Up and down the country, the public are knocking on doors from the town hall to the local supermarket asking for more engagement with Fairtrade, and this is driving companies, large and small, to respond.
“And all of this means more farmers are able to sell more of their produce under Fairtrade terms, strengthening their organisations, building long-term relationships, and increasing benefits to their communities.
“But the road to our destination is still long and hard.
“Fairtrade is beginning to move from being an ‘optional extra’ to a ‘must-do’.
“Way too many companies have yet to wake up to the public’s changing expectations.
“We need people to shout even louder, and we need companies to respond with genuine engagement.
“Otherwise, millions of farmers will remain consigned to poverty.
“Fairtrade must become an everyday part of the way this nation thinks and shops.
“Fairtrade has achieved a paradigm shift that has popularised the link with the farmers who grow the food on our tables that puts people - the producers and consumers - at the centre of trade, and is redefining what is acceptable behaviour for all of us, from consumers to business to governments.
“Fairtrade is a powerful idea, showing that you can and should manage markets for social and development goals.
“It is a powerful idea and it is rapidly triggering changes.
“The challenge now is to capitalise on the current momentum and take Fairtrade to the next level.”

• Pictured going bananas in the Williton Co-op store during their lunch break are (top) West Somerset Free Press advertising sales executive Michelle Kemp, photo by Mark the Photographer, ref M010012; and (middle) Ben Bryant, from Lloyds Pharmacy, photo by Mark the Photographer, ref M010003. Order image reprints online at www.tcpbymtp.co.uk.

April start for £2.9 million centralised district council offices

FULL planning approval has been given for West Somerset Council’s new £2.9 million centralised offices to be built in Killick Way, Williton.
Work is set to start on site in April and should be finished early in 2008. An artist’s impression of how the offices should look, is shown here.
The scheme involves demolishing the majority of the existing collection of ageing council buildings on site, which have been declared ‘not fit for purpose’, and replacing them with a two-and-a-half storey T-shaped, modern building at the northern end of Killick Way car park.
The new offices will feature a metal ziplock roof, which gives the appearance of traditional lead, with render, glass panel, and brickwork walls.
Two floors of the building will consist of meeting rooms and open-plan offices with a part-mezzanine executive officers’ suite in the roof space above.
The floor space will total 21,800 square feet.
Council leader, Councillor Christine Lawrence, said: “We are delighted we have gained permission and look forward to centralising our workforce.
“It is a big investment for West Somerset, good news for the local economy, and a really positive step forward for Williton.”
Chief executive Tim Howes said: “We have put in considerable effort to ensure the building’s orientation, layout, and design maximise the use of natural light, climate control, and energy conservation.
“There will also be a formal garden adjoining the main meeting room for staff and members to take breaks in, and for use by anybody at functions taking place in the building.”
A design by Exeter-based contractors Mansell plc has been chosen for the new offices following public consultation last November in which more than 70 per cent of people who responded felt it was the one most suited to the site.

Wedding fayre success means another is to be held in the autumn

THE first wedding fayre to be held in Minehead for several years proved to be a resounding success for all those who took part in the event on Sunday, February 25.
So successful was the free one-day event, that plans have been put in hand to repeat the occasion during October.
The fayre was organised by The Crier, in association with bridal shop Treasured Moments, of Friday Street, Minehead, and Minehead Football Club, which hosted the event.
Around 70 visitors took advantage of the free one-day event, which featured exhibitors displaying a whole range of items which West Somerset brides and grooms might require for their special day.
There was a chauffeur-driven limousine, hand-made cards, bridal favours, flowers and decorations, cakes, music, and a selection of food and drink for the wedding breakfast.
The day even included a fashion show to display bridal gowns, dresses for bridesmaids, and outfits for the groom and page boys.
The Crier’s marketing and promotions consultant, Dudley Seale, said: “It was a great success with a really good atmosphere which made the whole place buzz.
“Although it was only a small, local show because of the geography of West Somerset, it had all the contents required for a wedding.
“The general feeling was that not only did all of the exhibitors meet potential customers during the day, but they were also able to network among themselves as well.
“I was asked straight away if we would do another one, so we are now looking forward to holding the next wedding fayre in October.
“It is good that Minehead has its own wedding fayre again, as there used to be a regular one up until a few years ago.
“When Treasured Moments approached The Crier with an inquiry about starting up another wedding fayre, it was something we were pleased to do as we like to support the community we serve and work closely with them.
“Minehead Football Club, through chairman Bryan Leaker, worked really hard to ensure the venue looked 100 per cent right for the occasion, for which we are extremely grateful.”
One exhibitor to confirm a booking, for a wedding to take place in a month’s time, was Nichola Sutcliffe, from Taste of Exmoor, who said: “The wedding fayre was a good idea, and it was well organised and very friendly.”
Co-organiser Helen Hazel, of Treasured Moments, said: “We were delighted with how successful the wedding fayre was for a first-time effort for Minehead and we are looking forward to repeating the event in the autumn and making it even bigger and better.”
Exhibitor Porche Marchant, from Finishing Touches, said: “For a first-time show, it has been worthwhile and I am looking forward to being part of the next one.”
Another exhibitor was Tracy-Anne Fraser, of The Frock Exchange, who said: “I am delighted with the way the day has gone.”

Wedding fayre images by Mark the Photographer, ref (top) M010092, and (middle) M010031, and (bottom) M010114. Order image reprints online at www.tcpbymtp.co.uk.