Thursday 7th February 2008
| Published: 7th February 2008 06:25 |
The party is over (Frontpage Headline)
More political hogwash has put an end to the Childrens Christmas parties organised by Wells Action. Apparently there were complaints last year about the fact that no 'risk assesment' was carried out - what on earth is the world coming to ... it's a damn party for the children not a building project!
Flipping heck (Page 1)
Can you guess what it is? Picture of some school children from Wookey School tossing some pancakes - did they do a risk assesment about the likelihood of one of the little darlings knocking themselves out with the rather large pans they are holding?
The green way to get burried (Page 2)
It involves screening off a section of the Wells Cemetery with a hedge and only cutting the grass in the newly created section twice or thrice yearly, burial in eco friendly coffins and headstones replaced by bronze plaques. At present it isn't done in Wells, but the idea went down well, so it could be offered in the future and will be discussed further at the next meeting on Wednesday 23rd April. The cost of this form of burial is £1,000 - a tad cheaper than normal, so it has my vote!
Extreme eating house (Page 2)
Bar Italia on Broad Street, Wells is the venue as it is the unlikely host to meetings for a proposed Everest sky-dive (that's the mountain not a double glazing company's head office!). The event is being organised by Wells based outdoor adventure company High & Wild and they regularly have breakfast meetings to discuss plans for this event, which is due to take place in the Autumn this year.
Auction fulfilled its promise (Page 2)
The auction of promises mentioned last week has been held in Westbury sub Mendip, and has raised a very creditable £3,750. This brings their total for the year to £8,750 just £1,250 shy of their desired target of £10k, which they hope to make up when undertaking some stewarding at Glastonbury Festival later this year.
Newspaper leaks actor's house hunt (Page 3)
The actor - Nicholas Cage, the paper - The Times - the house - Worminster Farm, Nr Wells
Paper-making business folds (Page 3)
Do you get it - paper and fold - oooh it's just so clever! Enough with the jovialities and down to the sad and serious story about Wookey Hole caves stopping production of hand-made paper, the end to a tradition that has been going since the 17th century. It seems that despite investing £50k in the business the company has yet to any return on its money - they might have invested 50K, but did they do it wisely? ... I suspect not or it wouldn't be necessary to close down the commercial supply of paper (visitors will still be able to see it being made and participate in the process, though for me it would loose the significance if it is no longer produced there!)
Rifles receive freedom of city honour (Page 3)
Mayor David Anderson pictured with The Rifles. Freedom of the city was originally granted to the Somerset Light Infantry, who lost this honour when they merged with The Rifles. Nevermind, it's all restored now!
A taxing decision (Page 4)
How long can you spin out a story ... answer 3 weeks and counting! - The council tax in Wells is to increase by £1.99 per household, bringing the total tax payable by each household to £66.56 per annum
Low-level moat maintenance (Page 4)
It seems that eagle-eyed people have spotted that the water levels in the moat are very low, despite the vast quantity of rainfall we've seen over the last couple of weeks. Fear not, it is not a leak somewhere, but postive action taken by Bishop's Palace to undertake necessary maintenance.
Support is absolutely fabulous (Page 4)
Businesses in the area have shown generous sponsorship for the fundraising fashion event at Wells Town Hall on Tuesday March 18th, in aid of local schools. Tickets are on sale at Number Twelve in the Market Place or from the Parent Teacher Association at any school in the area and cost £12.50. For more information telephone Mr Agabani 01749 678335.
Information for tourists under threat (Page 5)
Wells Tourist Information Centre is being threatened with closure because it continually runs at an operating loss - spending thousands on re-vamping their website won't have helped their cause then?!!!
Fish killed in fountain (Page 5)
Some stupid, petty minded jerk has emptied a bottle of detergent into the fountain at Dulcote, which has killed the fish. The fountain now has to be drained before it can be cleaned and re-filled, but it is not known yet if more fish will be added.
Residents ready for their move (Page 6)
Residents of the make-shift nursing home in the old school at Wookey Hole are soon to be moved to a state-of-the-art nursing home in South Horrington, giving property developers, Pepper Best Developments of Exeter, the opportunity to make a killing on re-developing the site into 5 houses and 8 appartments.
Development causes controversy (Page 6)
Lancelot Property Management has re-submitted plans to develop land at Utopia, Upper Coxley. The plans involve demolishing an existing cottage and replacing it with 4 detatched and 2 semi-detatched houses, and if it's anything like the last submission it will attrach a lot of opposition from local residents.
Benefit fraudster's seven-year swindle (Page 7)
Sally Ann Norris of Lower Chapel Court, South Horrington, admitted to obtaining Department of Social Services benefit and Job-seekers' allowances by false representation in court at Frome. She stated that she had capital amounting to between 6-10K, but in reality it was nearer £250k! The case has been adjourned until Wednesday March 5th pending receipt of probation reports.
Top award for Fiesta director (Page 11)
Susan Tanner from East Horrington has been voted Event Organiser of The Year by fellow industry professionals as part of the Event Industry Awards, which were held at Bill Wyman's Sticky Fingers Restaurant in London. Susan organised the Bristol International Balloon Fiesta.
Grant wanted by cricket club (Page 11)
Wells Cricket Club has applied for a grant from the city council. This and other financial matters are up for discussion tonight at the Town Hall at 7pm ... members of the public are invited to attend.
Teas and Toys (Page 11)
A new group for mothers, babies and pre-school children has been launched this week in Westbury sub Mendip. Mondays 10am to 12pm. Donation of toys and games would be welcome ... can be left at the village shop or by contacting 01749 671116 or 01749 870042
Promise auction brings in £4,600 (Page 11)
This time it was for St Cuthbert's and more donations are always welcome ... Sue Drew, St Cuthbert's Appeal secretary 01749 670672 or email sue@body-and-mind.net
Cold Store thieves make off with cables (Page 12)
Anyone see a van or truck going up Gate Lane overnight between last Thursday and Friday? Thousands of £'s worth of power cables were stolen and if you have any information, you are urged to phone Wells Police Station on 0845 456700 or Crimestoppers 0800 555111
Dlsyixec crae 'not afefcted' yb scwtih (Page 13)
No, that wasn't the headline as it appeared! Somerset County Council are pulling out of the British Dyslexia Association's Quality Mark scheme, but it won't affect pupils ... so they reckon! In reality, it seems that they may not have pulled out but rather the scheme has had a complaint about them and their hand is being forced - so the Council would say that pupils won't be affected, wouldn't they!
Level of tax rise is under attack (Page 13)
More talk of sodding tax rises! This time it's the Somerset county council tax and it's set to rise by 3.79% ... Taxes up, services down ... it's great!
Health advice leaflet out (Page 13)
Who to Contact About Your Health is a leaflet produced by South Western Ambulance Trust, funded by a group of volunteers. It aims to provide information on NHS Direct; the GP out of hours service; minor injuries units; walkin centres; accident and emergency departments; emergency dentists and the 999 service. Contact 01392 261586 or visit www.swast.nhs.uk
Farmers in flooding talks (Page 17)
Farmers flocked to Wedmore Village Hall on Thursday last week to hear proposals to flood 1,500 acres of Somerset Levels between November and May, in a bid to do more for the natural wildlife of the area - bet there were some choice comments from the farmers there!
Potato pegs to solve cow safety problem (Page 18)
A picture of Michael Eavis looking out of a tent, presumably secured by environmentally friendly potato starched pegs. The metal ones get harvested with the grass for silage, killing many cows as they ingest flakes of metal. These pegs will be handed out to visitors and wardens will patrol the site to ensure they are being used. - Hope they test them beforehand for 4 days in water, to ensure they are man-enough for the job!
Must register first to get tickets (Page 18)
Continuing with Glasto', the usual weekly reminder that people wanting to visit the festival this year, must register their interest by midnight on Friday 29th February ... the easiest way to do it is to visit this site www.glastonburyfestivals.co.uk
Church attendance on the increase (Page 19)
Figures show that attendance (at least in the Church of England) has increased by between 6 and 10 percent from last year. The scores on the doors 19,800 in 2005 to 21,200 in 2006 for Sunday Worship and for youngsters under 16 it went from 2,600 to 3,200.
Family misfortunes (Page 19)
David Heathcote-Amory pictured and David Heath calling for a Commons shake-up in the wake of the Westminster 'cash for relatives' scandal. But it seems he's scored an own goal - he employs his wife, who uses her maiden or professional name and refused to disclose how much she's paid - when will these politicians learn! Mr Heathcote-Amory doesn't employ any family member and has no intentions of doing so!
When David met Dolly (Page 19)
Still with MP David Heath, he is pictured with Dolly Parton as she comes over to discuss her Imagination Library Project.
Festival pilot fined (Page 20)
Paul Baker from Finch Close, Shepton Mallet was fined £800 and ordered to pay court costs of £750 after pleading guilty to a charge of entering the restricted air space of 3,000 feet above a two and a half mile radius of last year's Glastonbury Festival, in his helicopter.
Residents quiz police and Mendip boss (Page 20)
MDC and the police are to join forces at future PACT meetings to face the many questions from the residents about law and order issues.
Ex-Reef members to set the record straight (Page 21)
Having read the whole tedious article, it seems that they didn't set the record straight on anything! Instead, it is an article about the two founder members of Reef (apparently the best group to have come out of Somerset in decades) who have joined forces again along with 2 other lads to form a new group called 'Them is Me' ... if you want to hear the sound, visit www.myspace.com/themismeofficial
No ordinary Joe (Page 21)
Joe Shiner of Wells Cathedral school has made it through to the semi-finals of this year's Young Muscian of the Year competition. - Well done Joe and good luck!
Friends raise £1.4M for new cathedral facilities (Page 24)
The Friends of Wells Cathedral have raised £1.4M of the £1.8M necessary to provide new facilities at the south-east side of the cathedral. The improvements include state-of-the art toilets, with lights and water that come on automatically, an educational space with fully integrated audio-visual systems and a 'safe place' for use by the 8,000 school children who visit the cathedral annually
Famed film director to help with school festival (Page 25)
Sir Richard Eyre is to take time out to visit the festival on the Cathedral Green in Wells during July. A number of schools will be performing Shakespear's works throughout the period.
News editor joins team (Page 25)
The Journal welcome their latest victim employee, Laura Thorpe - you have my sincere sympathy Laura!
That's about it folks, time to go and fix yourself a very strong coffee or have a can of Redbull to bring yourself around from the coma after digesting this lot!
My thanks again to my favourite publication of Wells - The Wells Journal ... buy it today, fantastic value, still only 60p!
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