Thursday 10th January 2008
| Published: 10th January 2008 13:35 |
Card skimmers ‘wiped me out' (Page 1 headline)
David Flagg from Wells visited his cashpoint on Christmas Eve to do some last minute shopping, only to discover that someone had left all but £10 in his bank account.
It was obtained by use of a ‘card skimming' machine, which is attached to the hole-in-the-wall machines. Be on the lookout for anything suspicious at the cashpoint you use - if you spot something suspicious, don't try and take it, ‘cos someone is probably watching you, but report it to the bank or staff at the place of the machine.
Break with tradition as hunt has to move (Page 2)
Mendip farmers' Hunt is having to find a new home after the owners of their current site sell up, ending an 85 year tradition. The hunt have bought a new small holding in Priddy.
Gym owner regrets discount letter (Page 2)
Deborah Rees, owner of the female gym ‘Sense' at Coxley originally agreed to link up with the now defunct gym ‘Fitness Factory' at Street. Although this was a very loose association, Mrs Rees lent her name to a letter which went to all Fitness Factory members offering a discount for membership at the Sense gym, following the demise of Fitness Factory making it look as if the two gyms were very close knit. Wouldn't a better headline have been ‘Fitness factory gym members in-sensed at discount letter'?!!
Missing a Polly? (Page 2)
Nichola Stokes and her son Luke spotted a parrot flying around and are trying to find the owner ... are you missing a parrot (scarlet, blue and green)? If so, report it. If you spot the parrot you are encouraged to email the journal ... alternatively, feel free to email me or ring me on my mobile (07886 346266)!
The balloon brothers (Page 2)
Callum and Kyle Brook from Wells, sent up a helium filled balloon towards the end of the year from their home on Glastonbury Road, with their names and address on it. On the 2nd January, a boy from Powys, Wales found the balloon and sent them a letter ... ah!
Tesco denies trying to block plan for Sainsbury's store (page 3)
Well the headline says it all! There will be an exhibition from 10am to 6pm Friday 18th Jan and 10am to 4pm Saturday 19th Jan at the Swan Hotel, whereby people are invited to view the plans for the new Sainsburys at the Tincknell's site.
Speedy Santas on the road (page 3)
A couple of bikers dressed in Santa outfits were seen around Wells, Shepton and surrounding areas for the second year in a row, much to the amusement and joy of onlookers - Well done Kevin Biggs & Kevin Hodges both from Shepton Mallet.
Series of break-ins at defence firm
Thales have been targeted - copper piping has been stolen from the Underwood Quarry site.
Lucky escape from crash (Page 3)
Jaqui Strevens, from Wells escaped with only minor cuts and bruises from a horrific looking accident on the Bristol Hill, near Wells City Centre on Monday last - looking at a picture of the mangled car, it was a miracle indeed!
Bring your problems to be solved (Page 4)
Want problems of your neighbourhoods to be improved? ... Then turn up to the PACT meeting at 7pm on Thursday 17th January at the town hall.
Guest choir raises church bell cash (Page 4)
The Cardiff University choir appeared in Priddy to raise money for the Priddy church bells (sadly we are not informed how much they raised)
Cost-cutting drive could cut provision of toilets in village (Page 4)
It's in Blagdon.
Funds get a boost (Page 4)
The Holy Trinity Church in Binegar, due to Iris Caley and family who hosted a get-together at her home, which presumably was also in Binegar.
Major revamp at leisure centre (Page 4)
Story already reported and covered
Keeping cars healthy (Page 4)
Wells Tyre Service are offering people a free winter check up ... it's similar to well woman/man clincs but for cars!
Cooking up tasty new competition (Page 5)
It's a competition that is being run by the Wells Journal and the Crown Hotel for 11-16 year olds that involves cooking meat for 1 person on a budget of £5
Phones cut off as pole comes down (Page 5)
What brought the pole down remains a mystery, but the telegraph pole in New Street was felled and with it many citizens found themselves cut off on Saturday morning.
All in the name of charity (Page 5)
Andrew Buchanan from Westbury Sub Mendip took a dip in the icy waters off Paignton, Devon for Cancer Research UK. You can still donate by sending cash or cheques made payable to The Lions Club of Paignton to Andrew at Free Hill House, Freehill, Westbury Sub Mendip, BA5 1HR - don't forget to include your postal address with postcode if you want the donation to qualify for Gift Aid.
Resurfacing work will close roads (Page 5)
Avoid Shepton Mallet for 3 days from Monday seems to sum up this article! The roads from the roundabout at the new retail park and the junction with the Old Wells Road, near the Norah Fry development are being resurfaced ... what a nightmare!
Offences down in autumn (Page 6)
Lots of very interesting statistics but basically, the crime rate has fallen slightly for the autumn period
Nutricia building demolished to make way for new homes (Page 6)
Just what we need, more and more homes and less and less places to employ the people who are to be housed there!
Controversial car park plans (Page 11)
Union Street car park was the subject of a planning meeting on Wednesday, where it was expected that the go-ahead would be given to re-vamp it. The joys of outdated newspapers being what they are, I can now confirm that the meeting was held and Mendip Council have issued this bulletin!
Photos released in hunt for distraction con men (Page 12)
Well here the Journal have the advantage ... there are a couple of pictures from the CCTV camera at Gurney Slade Post Office of the two guys who robbed the place ... if you get the paper and recognise them you are asked to ringCrimestoppers on 0800 555 111
Plans to keep cold callers out of city (Page 12)
Following the pilot scheme in Street last year, Wells is the next no-go area for cold callers and would be distraction thiefs!
Beekeeper receives national accolade (Page 12)
Megan Seymour, a Wells beekeeper was one of just 3 candidates to gain a British Beekeepers Masters Certificate last year, with top marks.
Police warn shoppers to keep hold of bags (Page 12)
... purses and wallets - there are still a lot of thefts from unguarded items in shopping trolleys etc.
New figures show how schools are performing (Page 13)
There's a table printed with the results of the various local schools and it shows how our schools performed against the general trend of North Somerset and England as a whole ... Blue school did well being better in all areas than the national average. A rather strange result for Wells Cathedral, who show 0% in the 5+ A-C category of GCSE ... anyone from Wells Cathedral care to explain?
Keeping the ladies in the lap of luxury (Page 15)
A nice little story about a farmer in Baltonsborough, who runs the Brue Valley Cheesemakers. He has installed waterbeds for his milk producing herd of cows! He also pipes over music in the milking parlour ... apparently research has shown that it makes for more efficient milk production!
Big debts at Big Green Gathering (Page 16)
No surprise here then! The much recently publicised company has pointed out that the conditions placed upon it by Mendip Council cost the company £120,000 to run its festival last year, meaning it ran at a loss for the 3 consecutive year. You can help save the event by donations or share purchase on http://www.big-green-gathering.com/
Norovirus bug shuts down hospital wards (Page 16)
The highly contagious vomiting disease has managed to bring several hospital wards in the area to their knees! Glastonbury, Paulton, Taunton, Bath and Weston-super-Mare all had wards closed at the time the article was written.
Businesses cheer up foster children (Page 16)
The lovely Helen Lacey, director/owner of the Red Berry Recruitment company in Shepton Mallet, is pictured after an appeal to donate toys or cash for Save the Children and Barnardo's - eat your heart out Catherine Zeta Jones!!!
Calling on more farmers to register the land they own (Page 17)
The government is and having read the article, I'm not sure why! Apparently it isn't compulsory for farmers to register the land but some guy thinks that it is a scandal that we only know who owns 55% of the land.
Arthritis charity seeking fundraising runners (Page 17)
The Arthritis Research Campaign (ARC) is looking for ‘ARC-angels' to help raise money for the charity by running a team in the Bath Half Marathon on Sunday March 16th. The entry fee is £25 and entrants are encouraged to raise at least £185 in sponsorship. Interested? Phone Ms Ladbrooke on 01934 713906 or email her at s.ladbrooke@arc.org.uk
We want young crowd - and no ticket touts (Page 25)
Sir Michael Eaves outlines his plans for this year's Glatonbury Festival, which will include registration in February, starting at 9am Friday 1st up until midnight on Friday 29th February either online at http://www.glastonburyfestivals.co.uk/ or by completing a registration from which can be obtained from any branch of Millets.
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