Thursday 24th January 2008
| Published: 24th January 2008 12:34 |
The Future in focus (Headline page 1)
The plans for the new Sainsbury layout were revealed over the weekend at the Swan Hotel. The front page of the Journal has a picture of this and how it goes with the Princes Road development i.e. Tesco. There is major coverage of the whole thing on pages 1, 2,3,38 and 39
Tesco dropped from Centros plans (page 2)
It appears that the Journal have an exclusive ... Centros Millar have dropped Tesco from their plans to redevelop the Princes Road area, leaving poor old Tesco to do what they want to do on their own. There is a plan for a 10,000 sq mtr shop included in the revised plans, but it won't be Waitrose, sadly.
Hair-raisin ordeal for poisoned pooch (page 2)
Meg is a 1yr old Labrador from Henton, who, like all labs (mine included) greedily stole a bag of chocolate covered raisins, which are potentially lethal to our canine friends, causing acute kidney failure. The dog was given a drug to bring the raisins back up and was given a drip to flush the kidneys ... appears to be non the worse for its ordeal, but is being monitored for signs of long term affects.
From Harchester to Holby (page 3)
Duncan Pow, a former Blue School student, has made his debut on Holby City (the BBC Drama Series) on the 15th Jan
Honouring the ‘father of botany' (page 4)
No it's not David Bellamy, but rather the former Dean of Wells Cathedral, Dr William Turner, who would have been 500 this year. Work commenced 4 years ago to restore the Old Deanery garden and is due to finish shortly, just in time for his 500th anniversary celebrations. The public will be allowed to see it on 5th April, 14th June and 13th September.
Banner of support for cancer charity (page 4)
Maurice Day, who has raised thousands of pounds for the Somerset Colorectal Cancer Patient Support Group, has enlisted Tommy Banner from the Wurzels to be a patron of the group. You can see Maurice and Tommy at Musgrove Hospital on the launch of the group on February 29th.
Fine was ‘way out of line' (page 5)
LA Moore, who were recently fined £41,000 for illegally dumping controlled waste, will now only have to pay £5,000 after successfully appealing against the sentence.
Deaf-aid dog up for award (page 6)
Our second, but not last, dog story this week. Tilly is one of only 17 dogs to reach the shortlist for the Dogs Trust Honours 2008 and she's pictured with her proud owner Roy Rood, from Wells.
Ship sails on military mission (page 6)
It's HMS Somerset and she's leaving Plymouth to join NATO forces in the Mediterranean. Apparently the ship has the ‘Freedom of the City' - can't see it making full use of it though, it won't fit into many places in Wells!
‘Lovely lady' has happy 105th Birthday (page 6)
The quote comes from staff nurse Seiko Dakin from Fletcher House and it is of Maude James, who is pictured surrounded by staff from Fletcher House in her bed. She received a special card from the Queen, congratulating her on her ‘fantastic achievement' ... I do hope I never qualify for one!
Filling station may become flats (page 6)
It's that eye sore on the Bath Road, which Summerfield Developments Ltd, propose to turn into 2 flats.
Finance team talks over city's budget (page 6)
7pm tonight at Wells Town Hall sees the finance and general purposes committee having a little chin wag about raising our contributions to looking after Wells and its councillors. If it's anything like last year, we can look forward to another 15% rise, which will bring our household contributions to £60.06 (it currently stands at £56.57). The final confirmation of the budget figures will take place on Jan 31st.
Bad behaviour and fag ends to be tackled (page 7)
This was the outcome of the last meeting of PACT on Thursday 17th Jan. Guardhouse Lane and South Street were identified as problem areas.
Raising cash to buy a guide dog (page 7)
Here it is ... the 3rd dog story of the week. Helen McCann and her husband Gerry are planning to take part in a 259km trek through Spain to raise the £5,000 needed to buy and train a guide dog. Helen, from Wells, is registered blind and already has a guide dog (Izzy) but wants others who are in this unfortunate position to be able to have their own dog. A coffee morning last Saturday got them underway with £90.
Wanted talented youngsters to be theatre stars of the future (page 7)
Based at the Academy Theatre in Shepton Mallet and at Stoberry Park School, youngsters will be trained to be stars of the future.
Action group against new hunt site (page 7)
Last week it was announced that the existing hunt had to be moved because the farmer was selling up - this week an action group has been formed against the proposals to buy a plot of land in Priddy to re-house the hunt. The main objection to the move is the amount of noise pollution that 60 dogs and a number of horses will produce (not to mention the people on the horse backs with bugles and shouting ‘Tally Ho!').
Landmarks demolished to make way for a hotel (page 11)
The swimming pool and restaurant at Wookey Hole have been demolished to be replaced by a 2 storey hotel. Work got underway this week and the finished building will have 58 bedrooms. Wookey Hole caves are one of the most important tourist attractions in the area, attracting 250,000 visitors on an annual basis and employing over 100 staff.
New mother hid items under changing bag (page 11)
Karen Baird, aged 18 from Churchill Close, Wells pleaded guilty to stealing items from Asda at Frome and was given a 12 month conditional discharge and ordered to pay £20 towards costs. No action was taken on an earlier conditional discharge that she breached - keep going Karen, it seems that crime does pay after all!
Lack of St George celebrations (page 11)
Organisers stated reasons of ill-health; lack of volunteers; difficulties in complying with health and safety regulations (though I suspect not necessarily in that order!), so there'll be no abundance of flags on the streets this April.
Road still closed after collapse (page 12)
It's School Hill, at Wookey Hole, which started collapsing shortly after the start of the recent downpours.
City pub shuts suddenly (page 12)
The story about the Sherston which I published on the day it shut!
Watch out warning to holiday hunters (page 13)
Trading Standards are warning us to be vigilant when it comes to purchasing holidays based on ads in travel shop windows or on the internet - look for the small print which can often add hundreds onto the price quoted in large figures!
MP speaks out against children's database plan (page 13)
For the 3rd successive week, here is a story about this ill-conceived idea about forming a database on pupils. This time, all the local politicians have decided to cash in on the publicity that it provides them. (oh how cynical I've become!!!)
Mid-Somerset takes priority over London (page 15)
Nurses, teachers, police officers and other workers are to be given priority over London applicants for the Government's affordable housing scheme. For more information on eligible professions, contact Westcountry Housing Association on 01803 217600, email info@home2own.org.uk or visit http://www.home2own.org.uk/
More chances to exhibit as Art Weeks go annual (page 15)
Art weeks will run from September 13th - 28th , focusing on Open Studios. It includes jewellery, stone carving and watercolours. Plans are already afoot for 2009, but if you want to be included in the 2008 event, you've got to be quick as registration closes on Monday 28th Jan. For more information, visit http://www.somersetartweek.org.uk/ or call 01460 259324
MPs push for EU referendum (page 16)
David Heathcoat-Amory and other Conservative colleagues have presented a petition to Number 10 Downing Street demanding a referendum on the Lisbon Treaty. It's all about not handing over yet more power to Eurocrats in Brussels which will allow them to govern the way we do things in the UK.
Food retailers seeking stars (page 16)
Not quite sure what's going on here ... this is the same story and picture that appeared in last weeks Journal!
Firms believe festival has a positive impact (page 17)
Glastonbury Festival generates approx £50M into the local economy by Mendip Council's opinion.
Efforts to ensure Olympic contracts (page 17)
Somerset Chamber of Commerce have welcomed efforts by the Olympic Delivery Authority (ODA) to ensure small business throughout Somerset can compete for contracts for the Olympic games in London 2012.
Hidden for centuries (page 19)
Shapwick House, Wedmore has had a chamber recently discovered by stonemasons who are working on the property. It could be that a whole staircase from the roof to the basement is hidden there as well as this chamber as there were known to be priest bolt holes in such properties.
Huge increase in road travel (page 21)
The number of cars travelling through Somerset has risen by 17% during the last decade (is that surprising, given the ever increasing numbers of people and cars?)
Competing to play at Glastonbury Festival (page 24)
A competition organised by Somerset County Council will take place at Wellsprings Leisure Centre, Taunton on 2nd February for local bands to get an opportunity to play at the next Glastonbury Festival. Amongst the favourite are our very own ‘Heroine Twins' and ‘Fletcher' both four-piece bands.
Report praises hospital (page 24)
An independent national survey states that Musgrove Park intensive care unit is providing a high-quality service.
Veterans urged to collect badge (page 25)
March 08 sees the 60th anniversary of the demobbing of the Bevan Boys and any surviving member is urged to collect their badge.
Horse rescue appeal (page 26)
Local Somerset animal welfare charity have rescued more than 100 horses from a farm in Amersham, where dozens of horses were also found dead. If you are interested in re-homing a horse, visit www.liph.org/hls
Musicians entertain to raise funds (page 26)
Dozens of pupils from Wells Cathedral school performed in a local church to raise funds for St Margarets Hospice in an event organised by the Avalon Rotary Club.
Big increase in sales of free-range chicken (page 27)
The happy smiling face of Ian Gillard from Binegar farm shop is displayed holding a couple of free range chickens (dead and plucked!). Apparently they are flying off the shelves, but just why this is a news item, I'm not entirely sure!
That, then, concludes this weeks look at what the Wells Journal has to say on events of the week gone bye ... tune in again next week for another enthrawling list of non-events!
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