Thursday 17th January
| Published: 17th January 2008 06:16 |
City clean-up move to extend boze ban
A rather woolly story headlines this mornings Wells Journal about a move to extend the zone for the alchohol no-go zone. Currently limited to Market Place, Bishop's Palace, Moat Walk and Penniless Porch, there are moves afoot to extend this to Silver Street and the Recreation Ground. - That's all very well as long as it is policed ... how many times have we seen people drinking in the places already alledged to be covered by the existing 5 year ban?!!!
A week of snow and flooding (Page 1)
Has it been raining and snowing, I hadn't noticed?!!! Sensational stuff here for the front page, just going to show that for 52 weeks of the year, it's a slow news week.
Architects want to help you understand plans (Page 2)
Yep, it's the SAVE WELLS campaign and a group of architects have bunched together to show us why it would be a disaster for the proposed plans to proceed as they are. A meeting was held between them and the Wells Council recently and the group of architects were said to be pleased with the response they received. They are pressing for a further consultation process and anyone wishing to lend support to this idea is urged to email wells@carch.fs2.com
New supermarket designs to be unveiled tomorrow (Page 3)
As already advised to AMA visitors, there are plans on show at the Swan Hotel tomorrow and Saturday to see how the Tincknells site might be re-developed for Sainsbury.
Bash for Bekynton ( Page 2)
Last Sunday saw the Town Cryer and Mayor Dave Anderson take to the streets to honour Bishop Bekynton for bringing the streets of Wells fresh water along with bringing us the Bishop's Eye, the Brown Gate and Penniless porch ... hopefully they were giving us a good rendition of 'For he's a jolly good fellow'!
Man arrested after dog death (Page 2)
Some 29 year old bloke has been arrested and released on bail pending further enquiries following an incident when a dog was shot and killed in somebodys garden from Maesbury, Nr Wells.
Road is blocked off (Page 2)
Yep, rain related - A nursing home and 16 homes were stranded after Somerset Hill in Wookey Hole was closed yesterday morning. Apparently the council were to meet yesterday to decide what to do and rather than make you wait another whole week for the outcome, I'll see if I can't get the answer for you later on today!
Donate your unwanted gifts (Page 2)
Cancer Reasearch UK shop is asking for your unwanted Xmas pressies - please just call in at the shop on the High Street, Wells or telephone 01749 679554
Find the golden walnut an dyou will be king (Page 3)
Wassaling apple orchard is a local West Country tradition apparently and a wassail was held recently at Westbury-sub-Mendip which raised more than £300 for the friendly society!
Village hall's cheque boost (Page 4)
The Westbury-sub-Mendip branch of the Conservative Club held a coffee morning and raised an undisclosed sum of money, half of which was presented in cheque format to representatives of the Westbury-sub-Mendip village hall.
70K facelift closes car park for weeks (Page 4)
Oh look, it's the story that they weren't able to print last week because it inconveniently fell outside of the cut-off for news! Union street car park will be closed for a few weeks ... see our story under 'News'.
Club has summit to celebrate (Page 4)
It's Wells & Glatonbury young farmers and they are pictured with their cheque for charity for scaling Mt Snowdon last August.
First aid volunteers gain £700 from Santa visit (Page 4)
It 'twas the day that Tilly's reindeer visited the City and the Swan Hotel held a Santa's Grotto, which raised an impressive £700 and there is a picture showing some members of the Wells First Responders holding a larger than life cheque for the sum.
Family forced to close valuable village amenity (Page 5)
Wookey Hole's only food shop and Post Office has been forced to call it a day on Wednesday March 5th after 7 years of trading due to increased costs and fewer customers.
Whist players raise cash for air ambulance (Page 5)
Norman and Batty Hares (is that right, or is it a typo?) from Ash Lane, Wells continue their stirling efforts to raise cash for various good causes by their enthusiasm for the card game whist. Their last games at Easton Church Rooms raised £350 for the Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance, bringing a total raised by the couple for the service to £770 in 2007.
Lack of solution to 'car park' (Page 5)
The Liberty in Wells is apparently our best free car park! Residents are not happy and have called for an urgent solution ... police did leave yellow no parking cones along the street, but there are time restrictions for these and they have had to be lifted. According to the police they have approached the council and it would seem to be down to them to pull their fingers out to find a permanent solution.
Motorist had no insurance or licence (Page 5)
Simon Burgess of Barley Close, Wells was fined £100 and received 7 penalty points for driving along the Portway, Wells without insurance or licence.
Young chorister lands magical role on stage (Page 6)
14 year old Nick Hampson, formerly Wells Cathedral School head chorister, now singer for Eton College Chapel Choir has been chosed to perform in The Magic Flute in London at the end of this month.
Baby surprise on epic trek (Page 6)
23 year old Violet Tomlinson from Compton Martin was walking the Great Wall of China, when she discovered that she was 4 weeks pregnant! She was part of a 14 strong team who raised £50,000 for the Anthony Nolan Trust, though Violet herself is still £200 short of the necessary £3,000 individual target that each member has to raise. So if anybody out there would like to help Violet raise the remaing cash, you can do so by visiting www.justgiving.com/littlev or by popping into the Castle of Comfort, East Harptree where Violet works!
Fun run roads to be closed (Page 6)
May 25th sees the Wells fun run (seems to be a bit of an oxymoron to me!!!). The route takes in :- Market Place, Sadler Street, High Street, Broad Street, Priory Road, St John's Street, B3139 Dulcote, Constitution Hill, Tor Street, Silver Street and Southover Park. Roads will be closed from 10am to 12.45pm. If this sounds like your idea of fun, then the Wells City Harriers site is for you, where you can find the different events and application forms ... www.wellscityharriers.org.uk
High Street's last greengrocer closes (Page 7)
Take a look down the High Street and count how many shops have closed! This is an article about the latest victim - a small greengrocers at the bottom of the High Street, which shut for business for the final time on Christmas Eve. Is it any wonder with the cost of shop space, like the housing in the area, businesses are slowly but surely being forced out by high rents and rates. The article goes on to point out that the only remaining independant food retailler is virtually opposite - Griffiths butchers.
Smokers - NHS bus aims to help you quit (Page 7)
How apt that I should be sitting here puffing away trying to bring you these headlines ahead of my 9.30 appointment with Shepton Mallet Hospital! Wells is to see the arrival of a NHS bus which will offer advice on how to give up the weed, for those who actually want to give it up, of course!
End of the road for tree (Page 7)
Last Thursday saw quite a queue of traffice by all accounts as a tree collapsed in Wookey blocking both sides of the B3139 at approximately 10.15am
Man denies drink charge (Page 7)
Daniel Kiddle of Quantock Court, Street told magistrates at Frome that the Police had treated him unfairly.
Pre-school strikes it rich with big lottery grant (Page 11)
Red Room Pre-School Annexe, Chewton Mendip, has received a lottery grant of £48,000 to build an extension to its converted scholhouse next to Chewton Mendip Primary School.
Case of the cattle grid moodunnit? (Page 11)
Oh those cleaver people at the Journal ... do you get it?!!! A cattle grid was stolen from a house in Dulcote between noon and 4pm on Wednesday 9th Jan and police are appealing for witnesses. If you saw anything that could assist, please phone crimestoppers on 0800 55111
Prehistoric secrets unearthed at new cave (Page 12)
Well it seems to have taken 2 years to bring us this story, as the cave was discovered in 2005! Ebbor Gorge, nr Wookey Hole is the seen of much excitement with scientists as they explore the cave in search of evidence of early man.
Dentist seeks help for Peru mission (Page 12)
Richard Leeworthy, a dentist from Wells, is launching an appeal for medical professionals to join him on a trip to Peru to give health care to Amazonian villagers. If you fit the bill, you are urged to contact Richard at Rock House Dental Practice on 01749 674250.
Scrap metal alert after latest raid (Page 12)
Schools and churches have been the target for thieves looking to sell scrap metal (and maybe a house in Dulcote?!!!) warn the police.
Database assurances dismissed as worthless (Page 13)
A follow on from last weeks article about placing every young persons details onto an all encompassing database.
Driver caught on thin ice (Page 18)
Przemyslaw Faber, 20 from Gurney Slade, decided to take his new Audi out for a spin on Boxing Day, unfortunately after consuming a few vodka and apple juices, Mendip magistrates heard. He was showing off to his friend when the car hit a patch of ice and ended up on its roof - vor sprung dork techniq as they say in Germany!!!
More child minders in Somerset sought (Page 18)
Fancy earning between £3.50 and £4.50 per hour and working from home? Well a call has gone out (not sure who has called mind you!) for registered childminders in the area as there is an apparent shortage.
20 month ban and £170 fine (Page 18)
Jonathan Kubiak, 33 from Orchard Cottages, Croscombe - decided to hit the bottle after being jilted by his girlfriend and then go for a drive and he was over twice the legal limit when stopped by the police. £60 costs and £15 victim surcharge.
A frenzy of spceulation over festival's top star (Page 19)
Eveyone is trying to guess the identy of the headline artist following some subtle clues that Michael Eaves has let drop on various interviews ... in the running are:-- Kanye West (who?!); Rapper Jay-Z; Beyonce Knowles
Urgent need for blood as stocks dip (Page 19)
Well according to the article, Mid Somerset blood bikes are supporting a national drive to replenish low blood stock levels ... that should of course have read blood banks !!! I have to admit I am not surprise if my last session was anything to go by - after 5 minutes of butchering, the guy failed to jab the needle in a vein leaving me with a massive bruise and a failed attempt to collect!
Much vandalised speed camera in top 10 hit parade (Page 20)
It's the one at Gurney Slade and it rakes in a fortune for the authorities each year, so it's their prized possession. So much so, that they have two surveillance cameras set to capture any people who try to vandalise it.... but it seems without much success (ah, shame!) - if they are looking for suspects they could check to see who's had a ticket from it, though I guess the list is pretty long! ... now leave that poor Gasto alone!
I like driving in my motorhome (Page 20)
Thousands turned up to see the show for Outdoor Leisure at the Bath & West Show Ground, despite the bad weather.
Fun evening of fashion with circus performers (Page 21)
Number 12 shop owner, Louaye Agabani is to hold a fashion show next month in the Town Hall. Funds are being raised for local schools.
Bishops go on Tour (Page 21)
It's a 3 year tour and it's the Right Rev Peter Price (bishop of Bath & Wells) and his collegue from Taunton Rt Rev Peter Maurice. They propose to take in the whole of the UK clergy at their homes on a one-to-one basis to listen to what they have to say.
Flows above average (Page 21)
Rather un-surprisingly with all this rainfall in December (and subsequently in January!!!) water resources are in a healthy position.
Deep clean to cost £230,000 (Page 21)
It's Musgrove Park Hospital and that's the bill for cleaning all the clinical areas of the hospital - somebody give me a few gallons of bleach and some strong rubber gloves and I'll do it for a bargain £200K!
Like the Sweeney, but with powdered wigs (Page 25)
Henry Fielding was born in mid Somerset over 300 years ago and has become a star of TV! - City of Vice is a series of 5 one hour dramas to be aired on Channel 4 Monday evenings.
Design of the times (Page 25)
Kevin McCloud, from Leigh on Mendip is also on TV talking about building a dream home. Mr McCloud is apparently a design guru.
Crash results in driving ban (Page 25)
Richard Morris from Maiden Bradley in Wilts, crashed his car whilst on his way to Shepton Mallet - he was over the limit and he hadn't passed his test ... now he won't be driving for 12 months, have a fine of £240 ... plenty of time to reflect what a prat he was!
Man drove over the limit and without insurance (Page 25)
There sure seems to be a lot of these idiots about, doesn't there?! This one is Kevin Date and he is from Willow Drive, Shepton Mallet aged 31. His jaunt cost him his license for 3 years, £160 fine and £60 costs.
Fuel price rises leave OAP's cold (Page 26)
Price rises have completely wiped out the one-off payment that OAP's receive
Push for a bus alternative (Page 26)
Help the aged is pushing for bus transportation for the 40 percent of the older population who do not live within walking distance from family and friends, banks or even health and social services.
Eco-friendly bulb users urged to recycle old ones (Page 26)
They may be eco friendly, but they are also the source of migranes and many other complaints. We are being urged to recycle rather than dispose in landfill sites, but I personally haven't seen where I should submit them for recycling ... have you?
More than ever need debt help (Page 27)
Debt councellors across the region are bracing themselves for a flood of people with money problems after a costly Christmas - well I didn't spend a thing extra for Christmas and they could still be getting a visit from me!
Suspended prison sentence for drug cocktail at festival (Page 27)
32 yr old Shey Bates of Lewisham admitted 2 charges of possession of class A drugs at Bristol Crown Court last Friday. He was given a 6 month prison sentence suspended for 2 years and ordered to do 100 hours of un-paid community service. Oouch!
Driving ban and a £140 fine (Page 27)
21 yr old, Daniel Lye, from Glastonbury was fined £140 and banned for 12 months after borrowing his brothers motorcycle and driving without insurance or a license.
Coffee company that has survived two world wars (Page 28)
Martin Carwadine and Co has passed from father to son over the last 200 years and is still going strong in the Mendips.
Cycle path worries aired (Page 29)
A story about a whole load of councellors who have expressed concerns about acquiring land for use as cycle paths ... and the maintenance thereof.
Vanishing vicars vacate vicarages (Page 29)
It seems that a whole load of vicars are retiring - Cheddar; Draycott; Rodney Stoke; Mark, leaving the flock vicarless! In an unprecidented move, the dean of Shepton Mallet, Rev Tony Birbeck was asked to come out of retirement for a period of 2 years by the the Bishop of Bath and Wells
Sheep are set to be tagged (Page 29)
Hopefully that isn't a typo! It was all supposed to be done and dusted by 1st Jan, as ruled by those lovely European officials, but we've been given another 2 years in which to comply.
What do you want to pay more for? (Page 28)
Somerset Council are asking us what we consider to be most important and how much we want to pay for them ... answers on a postcard please! Seriously, if you want to have your say, then visit this website www.consultationfinder.com/somerset (ha!! you cant do that in a newspaper, can you!)
Pupils unscathed (Page 28)
It seems that most of our little darlings are relatively un-affected by the Novo Virus that has plagued so many others. Schools are on the lookout, but so far hardly any cases.
Are you starting to tyre of needless fly-tipping? (Page 36)
Once again, those cunning linguists at Mid Somerset news have a headline to thrill you with! The picture is of some old tyres that have been abandoned on Ridge Road, near Shepton Mallet and the subject a familiar one about tipping.
Help to keep National Trust properties open (Page 36)
National Trust is apealing for volunteers to help maintain their properties. Open days are to be held and information on them can be found on this website - www.nationaltrust.org.uk
And that concludes this weeks look at the paper that likes to promote competitive businesses so long as they don't compete with them!
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