Thursday 31st January 2008
| Published: 31st January 2008 09:47 |
A look at the headlines from the Wells Journal - Thursday 31st January 2008
End of the road for boy racers (Front Page Headline Story)
Police are using a dispersal order to get those very annoying groups of youths to move on from all of our car parks. No more Mr Nice guys, they've tried that and it didn't work (explaining the error of their ways, and telling them that it's not nice to rev your engines to a volume higher than the ghetto blaster noise coming from the stereos inside the cars, whilst doing hand-brake turns et al) - Hmmm, if this is the top story for the week, I fear I could be struggling to keep awake by the end of the paper!
Self-harmer died of natural causes (Page 2)
A story about Catherine Filer, who was a patient at Phoenix House, who died last May. Despite overdosing and setting fire to herself, the inquest into her death has revealed that she died of heart failure, which could have happened to her even if she wasn't hell bent on doing damage to herself.
Nave of hearts (Page2)
This story goes with the picture of the cute pussy on the front page. Visitors to the Cathedral this month will have noticed that there are no seats. The benefits of this are twofold - firstly visitors get to see the cathedral as it was centuries ago and secondly, the cathedral stonework can be cleaned.
This is not just charity - this is M&S charity (Page2)
Donate some old M&S clothes to the Oxfam charity shop in Wells and you will get a £5 M&S voucher, which can be redeemed within 1 month on all purchases £35 and over. - Hats off to the editor here for the headline - I genuinely like that one!
Totally rubbish (Page 2)
Wells Central school children have staged a show about rubbish and the ways in which it can be re-cycled.
Cookery contest (Page 2)
Well done to Andrew Rider (12) of Coxley, Beth Barker (16) of Haybridge and Oliver Hill (14) from Wells ... they are all through to the finals of Wells Young Chef 2008
Battle of the beans (Page 3)
News that we could be about to receive another big coffee chain - Costa Coffee. Great just what we need, another ruddy coffee house ... why not locate it in the centre of yet another charity shop?!!!
Money for old music (Page 3)
A Victorian Symphonion disc musical box with 13 12-inch discs in a carved rococo case will be going under the hammer next Wednesday at the auction rooms. If your thinking of putting in a bid, be prepared to have between 2-3K handy!
Stepping out for ARC (Page 4)
11am March 21st sees Butcombe Brewery arc Pub Walk beginning. You will be warmed by a glass of mulled wine at the start from the Swan Inn at Rowberrow, which will hopefully set you up nicely for the 8 ¾ mile walk to the Ring O'Bells in Compton Martin, where you'll have a good appetite for your well earned supper. Registration costs £10 and participants are asked to raise sponsorship for the arthritis research campaign (arc). Want to join the fun? Contact Suzie Ladbrooke on 01934 713906 email s.ladbrooke@arc.org.uk
Laptop stolen as café is burgled (Page 4)
Pickwicks Café, Sunday night ... no sign of a forced entry, just a footprint left by the locked doors. Laptop and £150 petty cash stolen. If anyone knows who did it then please phone Wells Police Station on 0845 4567000 or call Crimestoppers 0800 555111.
Intoxicated driver given driving ban (Page 5)
Jamie Bradbury from Brislington, Bristol was seen weaving about on his scooter along the East Somerset Way in Wells ... until he fell off it! Concerned witnesses rushing to his aid got nothing but abuse for their concerns but thankfully, Mr Bradbury got a 3 year driving ban (which he obviously won't adhere to, as he had a previous ban already!) and fined £100 with £60 costs.
Jumping joy for Sophie (Page 5)
14 year old Sophie Burr from Emborough is pictured with Tony Murray, president of the Rotary Club of Taunton with her certificate for the ‘Pride of Somerset Youth Awards' for her trampolining (my spell checker doesn't like this word!) skills.
Decision appeal by property company (Page 5)
Lancelot Property Management of Wells, are appealing against the decision by Mendip District Council not to allow 2 houses to be built on The Cedars, Tanyard Lane, North Wootton.
Planning appeal set (Page 5)
It must be in the air at this time of the year! Mr & Mrs Mycock are set to appeal Mendip District Council as well, this time it's because they won't allow some changes to be made at Dinder House, Dinder.
New store gets public approval (Page 6)
There's a picture of a very happy looking Philip Tincknell holding a wad of feedback forms from the exhibition at the Swan Hotel last week. And why not? It seems that the public at large have given him a big thumbs up, so now he'll be even wealthier!
Helping you kick the habit (Page 6)
It's that community bus that was mentioned a few weeks back. Lots of non-smoking NHS people showing off a display of varying ciggie packets on a board full of good intentions to stop us smoking whether we want to or not! (takes short break to do another rollie!)
Save the children (Page 6)
Ah, pictured again - Somerset's very own answer to Cathering Zeta Jones, Helen Lacey of Redberry Recruitment from Shepton Mallet - It's worth buying the paper this week just for that! Anyway, Helen is pictured receiving a certificate of thanks from representatives of Save the Children after a fund raising exercise amongst local businesses. The money is to go to Mozambique to help flood victims and the toys that were collected went to Barnardos
Plans to turn a shop into a home (Page 6)
Mendip has granted listed building consent to JH Paul to change the use of 27 Sadler Street, Wells from retail to a home and to make internal and external alterations including raising the roof of the back wing to form a bedroom. Sure don't know what Mr Paul did to get that ... I couldn't even get the council to agree to changing a flat roof to a pitched one on Silver Street, event though the roof in question was 150ft up and completely out of sight (oooh, I'm just so bitter and twisted!!!)
Residents stranded by hole in the road (Page 7)
It's School Hill again and the residents have given praise to the engineers who have fixed it for them. - there I seemed to have covered that in less than 20 words as opposed to the 300+ in the Journal!
Fairtrade Fortnight (Page 7)
It begins Feb 24th and outlets that deal in fair-trade goods include, Good Earth, Earthcraft, la Maison du Fromage, Oxfam, the Cathedral shop, Tesco and Somerfield.
Beer glass causes £70 damage (Page 7)
Shane Vant threw a beer glass at one of the windows of Spencer House after being refused entry into the establishment in the early hours of October 10th. Mr Vant, aged 19 from Sheldon Drive, Wells was ordered to pay the £70 compensation and court costs of £60.
Your bills will go up three percent (Page 11)
After frightening you last week about a possible double figure rise in the cost of local tax, the outcome of the meeting was a meagre 3% increase. And breathe, relax!
Helping Third World children (Page 11)
Well done indeed to a group of ladies from the committee for Save the Children, Wells who are pictured holding something that I can't quite make out! They have just finished a series of fundraising events (coffee mornings, market place stall etc) which raised a very creditable £6,000 plus.
Drive charge is admitted (Page 11)
Philip Laws of Canada Way, Bristol admitted to the charge of driving without due care and attention, when his car collided with another at the junction of Hunters Lodge, giving his passenger a broken leg. He received a fine of £270, £60 court costs and the usual £15 victim surcharge (whatever the hell that is!). But worse still for Philip, I reckon was the 6 points placed on his licence - ouch, don't forget to inform your insurers Phil!
City factory that vanished piece by piece (Page 12)
The story of Nutricia, which as everybody in Wells knows has now been dismantled very carefully. Wot you hadn't noticed? ... where have you been for the last few months?
Treasure revealed again (Page 12)
John Gunthorpe, who was Dean of Wells from 1472 - 1498, had the Allerton cope (it's a cape, like Batman wears) made for him, and it's rested for all these years at the bottom of a chest. Well not for much longer, as it is about to be restored to its former glory and put on show, thanks to a £1,000 contribution by the Allerton History Society. There is no indication who is footing the rest of the £6,000 bill other than the Friends of the Country Museum is to make a contribution.
Show pays tribute to blues pioneer (Page 13)
A 3 part series is being aired on Radio 2, starting tonight, where our very own Chris Jagger (you know, brother to the Mick Jagger, as I'm sure he loves to be referred to as!) celebrates the life of Alexis Korner (well, each to their own I guess!)
Calling all computers (Page 15)
An article about the new police deal with IBM, which could see IBM handling the IT section of the police force.
Hard time for traders during car park closure (Page 15)
It's those business based on or near Union Street car park and they are not happy about the 5 week closure - think yourselves luck boys and girls, that it wasn't the anticipated 13 weeks originally speculated!!!
Staying in tune for talent show (Page 15)
The show in question is the Shane Ritchie Talent Show and it is taking place at Strode Theatre on April 26th. Applications close March 21st and auditions will be held on Sunday 6th April at the Academy, Shepton Mallet. Afraid you have to buy the paper to use the application form contained there-in ... but you can have mine if you want it!
MP's back plans of the ‘Bobby Lobby' (Page 17)
25,000 people marched across London last week in protest at the government's refusal to honour a police pay award. Amongst them were several Somerset MP's (from all parties) and many police (quel surprise!)
Campaigning to change the world (Page 17)
The Sheila McKechnie Foundation are searching for example of people from all walks of life and age, who are campaigning to change the world both locally and globally. The closing date for entries is Friday 14th March and for more information, call 0207 7707892 or visit http://www.sheilamckechnie.org.uk/
Barrage could cause floods (Page 18)
A barrage across the river Severn could flood low-lying areas of Somerset. The House of Commons has been warned about this potential disaster if the go ahead is given to build it.
Sheep-pig sells out (Page 18)
A performance of Babe by Strode College has been performed for more than 800 primary school children.
Safety valves to be fitted in wake of baby's death (Page 19)
Mendip Housing is to check and fit valves to tanks to prevent the horrible events of last year, which saw baby Rhianna Hardie of Taunton killed as hot water entered a cold water tank and then burst all over the child.
Photograph a hedge and win £100 (Page 19)
The Somerset Hedge group have launched a digital photographic competition, where people are urged to take a picture of anything they think sums up ‘the spirit of Somerset's hedgerows'. For entry forms and further information, visit http://www.somerset-hedgegroup.org.uk/ closing date is 3rd November, so you have plenty of time to get snapping!
Top grades at dance school (Page 24)
The South West School of Dance is celebrating another year of top grades of ballet exam results, with all 50 pupils entered achieving a Distinction or Merit for their Royal Academy of Dance exams
Michelin praise for restaurants (Page 25)
The Michelin 2008 guide is out and many of Mid Somerset's pubs and hotels feature. There are far too many for me to list here, but The Old Spot in Wells does get a good rating.
Narrowing the band as funding cut (Page 27)
Somerset has gone from the worst county in England for broadband connections to the best in the last 3 years, but the funding initiative which was largely responsible for this is to be axed from March, despite only reaching 50% of its targeted users.
Takeover good news for farmers (Page 28)
The firm being taken over Lloyd Maunder, based in Devon. It has 5 farms in Mid Somerset (Cheddar, Glastonbury, Street and 2 in Shepton Mallet) and it is being taken over by The 2 Sisters Food Group, who are based in the Midlands. There are plans by the new owners to expand their operations down here.
Pinstripe to play across the pond (Page 29)
Local group, Pinstripe, have been invited to attend a four day music festival in Austin, Texas. This follows their success last year where they won the competition to play at Glastonbury festival
Only four veterans left (Page 29)
Harry Patch from Wells is one of only 4 veterans to survive the First World War, following the recent death of Erich Kaestner in Cologne, Germany.
Why not use of the 'outdoor gym'? (Page 39)
National England, a government backed body that champions our natual environment, is urging visitors and inhabitants of Somerset to get out and about more - take walks. To help you find some suitable walks, visit www.naturalengland.org.uk or for specific ones in the Mendip area, try www.mendiphillsaonb.org.uk
That's it for this week folks, same time same place next week!
Toodle pip!
What do you think?
You will need to sign in to post a comment to this article. if you do not have an AboutMyArea account, you can join now for free.
