Sir Ranulph Fiennes 'gutted' after abandoning Antarctic quest due to severe frostbite

February 26, 2013, 1:00 am

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Explorer Sir Ranulph Fiennes has been forced to abandon his most dangerous adventure yet because of severe frostbite. The 68-year-old, from Exford in Somerset, was injured after a fall while skiing during training at a base camp in Antarctica. The adventurer, known as "Ran" was attempting to make the world's first Antarctic winter crossing, a 2,000-mile journey with little prospect of rescue. Sir Ranulph, who lost the fingers on his left hand during an unaided attempt to reach the North Pole in 2000, used his bare hands to fix a ski binding in temperatures around -30C. Tony Medniuk from the "Coldest Journey" expedition said Sir Ranulph had been practising his skiing in white-out conditions when he fell. "In seeking to re-attach his binding he felt that he couldn't get it on and had to take his glove off in very cold conditions and exposed his hand to snow and as a consequence he has contracted frostbite," he told the BBC. Sir Ranulph, who is awaiting an evacuation to South Africa which is being hampered by blizzard conditions, is said to be "gutted". The expedition team are attempting to raise $10 million (£6.15m) for the Seeing Is Believing blindness charity. The intrepid explorer, who at the age of 65 climbed to the summit of Mount Everest, said he was under no illusions about the daunting task when he left Cape Town last month. "The conditions we will face may be nightmarish, they may from time to time be show-stoppers," Sir Ranulph said at the time. "Steel and rubber may crack up. So may some of us." The trek across Antarctica in winter, a feat no human being has managed, will present tough conditions – near permanent darkness and temperatures dropping close to minus 90C. The expedition – from the Russian base of Novolazarevskaya to the Ross Sea – is expected to take six months. The team, who intend to continue, are attempting to evacuate Sir Ranulph by transporting him by skidoo to the Belgian Princess Elisabeth Station, about 70km away from his current position. From there he will be flown to Novo then take a connecting flight to Cape Town.

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Conservatives select candidate for gay marriage row seat

February 26, 2013, 1:00 am

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Conservatives in a Somerset constituency that came to symbolise the divisions within the party over gay marriage have selected their next parliamentary candidate. Local man David Warburton has been selected to contest the Somerton and Frome Constituency at the General Election in 2015 for the Tories. Last month the constituency party hit the headlines when its chairman Edmund Costelloe resigned, criticising Prime Minister David Cameron as he did so for alienating much of the party's grassroots support. Within days of that, high profile gay businessman Ivan Massow declared his intention to try to secure the candidacy, but Mr Warburton has now been selected. He lives in the Mendips with his wife Harriet and their two children and taught at an inner-city secondary school before going into a successful business career. He said: "I am thrilled and honoured to have the opportunity to stand up for the residents of Somerton and Frome. "As a husband and father I understand the demands and pressures that families are going through. Having been a cleaner, a van driver and a shopkeeper before going into teaching and setting up my own business, I know what it is to have struggled. These are experiences that I am keen to take to Parliament to benefit local people." The seat has been held for the Liberal Democrats by David Heath, currently the farming minister, since 1997. Meanwhile, a former BBC journalist who sits on Swindon Borough Council has been nominated as the Conservative Party's candidate for North Devon, at the next General Election. Peter Heaton-Jones, who has presented the news on BBC Radio Essex, 5 Live and BBC Swindon, will stand against current North Devon MP Nick Harvey in the election, which will take place in 2015. Mr Heaton-Jones, who was also head of marketing at Australian radio station ABC, was selected by local party members after a three-week interview process. The 49-year-old, who was born in Surrey, was one of seven candidates chosen by three local members who travelled to London to review an extensive pile of CVs from people who wished to be considered for the role.

Colchester United v Yeovil Town: Victory is a must for Glovers after Doncaster draw

February 26, 2013, 1:00 am

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Drawing at Doncaster Rovers makes victory at Colchester United tonight a must for Yeovil Town, according to their manager Gary Johnson. The Glovers head east on the back of a 1-1 stalemate at the Keepmoat Stadium, Billy Paynter's header cancelling out Paddy Madden's earlier opener. The result kept Yeovil a point away from npower League One's top two, whilst Colchester were thumped 5-1 by Tranmere Rovers. Johnson said: "They have had a poor result with Tranmere beating them. They will either be right up for it or completely demoralised, we will have to wait and see. "It becomes an important game to win now after we have had the draw. We need to pick up the three points. "Bournemouth were top of the table, near enough. They got beaten (by Sheffield United) and all of a sudden they're sixth which just shows you how tight it is up there. "We're looking forward to Tuesday. We have got to go there and make sure we put up a real clever, hard-working performance because we need to make sure we get the three points." The travellers are likely to be without captain Jamie McAllister and striker James Hayter after both limped off with ankle and foot injuries on Saturday. Johnson said after Saturday's final whistle that he would consider dipping into the loan market to cover the experienced duo's absences but admitted there might not be sufficient time to complete a deal before their midweek game. Despite reduced selection options, the boss said victory would still be their sole focus in Essex. "We have certainly got to go there to win but I have never gone away anywhere and not tried to win the game," he said. "They are not easy games but they are the games where we have got to pick up as many point as we possibly can." YEOVIL TOWN SQUAD Yeovil Town from: Stech, Stewart, Ayling, Hinds, Webster, Burn, Edwards, Brundle, Blizzard, Upson, Williams, Foley, Young, Dawson, Agbo, Appiah, Ralph, Madden.

Titter ye not! Frankie Howerd photos up for sale at auction

February 26, 2013, 1:10 am

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Fans of legendary Up Pompeii! star Frankie Howerd can snap up personal items from the comedian's huge collection of memorabilia including his passport – showing his terrible toupee. Camp comic Frankie became a national treasure in the early 1970s when millions tuned in to watch him play lecherous slave Lurcio, in the hit BBC sitcom set in ancient Rome. Frankie's catchphrases "Oooh Er, Missus; Titter Ye Not; and Nay, Nay and Thrice Nay," won him millions of fans. He was a regular at the Royal Variety Performance and was awarded an OBE in 1977. Now Frankie's well-thumbed passport, photos of him with Elizabeth Taylor and Elton John, old school reports and his first contract of employment are to go under the hammer today. Comedy fans will smirk at Frankie's famously bad hairpiece in the passport photo taken in 1967 – two years before he made his big TV breakthrough. The dog-eared passport reveals Frankie was an impressive globe-trotter with stamps ranging from his favourite holiday villa in Malta, to New York, Boston, Toronto, Australia, Brazil, Kenya, Fiji, Hong Kong, Singapore, Bangkok, Antigua and Budapest. Collectors can bid for an original script signed by Frankie for the second episode of Up Pompeii! which he rehearsed at the Sulgrave Boys' Club, near the BBC's Shepherd's Bush studios. Frankie, whose career took off with the West End musical A Funny Thing Happened On The Way To The Forum in 1963, died from heart failure aged 75 in 1992. The collection is being auctioned following the sale of Wavering Down, his Somerset country home, and is to be sold by auctioneers Dreweatts in Bristol today. Dreweatts' auctioneer Peter Rixon said: "Frankie Howerd was a true national treasure who was acknowledged as the master of the double entendre and risque gags. "This sale will probably be the last chance for collectors to bid for some of Frankie's remaining personal belongings which give a fascinating insight into his life from his school days right to the height of his success. "We've got some wonderful photographs of Frankie with Elizabeth Taylor and Elton John, pictures of him at the Theatre of Dionysus ruins in Athens and others with members of the Royal Family. "Frankie served as a gunner in the Royal Artillery in the Second World War and we've got a passport-style strip of three photographs of him wearing Army uniform. "We've already had a lot of interest and we are planning to sell the items in three combined lots with a conservative estimate of £700 to £800." Born Francis Alick Howard in York in 1917, the Carry On star later decided to adopt the more distinctive Frankie Howerd as his stage name. His family moved to Eltham in South East London when he was three and the school reports included in the sale reveal 17-year-old Frankie showed an early talent for the stage. At Woolwich County School in 1934, his form master Mr S Platt reported: "He has a natural gift for amateur theatrical work and has given great delight to those who have had the pleasure to see and hear him." Another item going under the hammer is Frankie's first ever contract of employment – as a junior filing clerk with Henry A Lane & Co in Tooley Street, London, in 1935 on the princely wage of £1 a week. Other lots in the sale include showbiz awards and a rare 1952 Columbia 78rpm recording of Frankie singing I'm the Man Who's Deputising for the Bull written by Eric Sykes. The collection is to be sold at auction by Dreweatts in Bristol today.

Family abused by motorist in Yeovil cemetery

February 26, 2013, 1:23 am

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A family visiting a cemetery in Yeovil were verbally abused by a motorist, police have said.

Officers are appealing for witnesses and information following the incident at Preston Road Cemetery on Sunday.

Police said a white man drove a silver car erratically into the cemetery car park and was verbally abusive to a family who were visiting the location.

This incident occurred between 12pm and 12.30pm.

Anyone who was in the area at the time is asked to contact police on 101 or call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
Were you affected by this? Do you know the family? Contact 01935 709739 to speak to a Western Gazette reporter.

Police probe after Castle Cary cash machine attack

February 26, 2013, 1:59 am

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Police in Castle Cary are appealing for information after a cash machine on the high street was attacked.
The incident took place between 4.30pm on Monday, February 18 and 8am on Tuesday, February 19.
The NatWest cash machine was attacked, rendering it useless. However, no money was stolen from the ATM.
PCSO Charlie Allen appealed for anyone with information to contact police at non-emergency number 101.

Easton Playing Field set to get new equipment thanks to St Cuthbert (Out) Parish Council

February 26, 2013, 2:28 am

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The children of Easton could soon be have new play equipment if plans to spend cash from developers go ahead. The plan to spend £28,000 improving Easton Playing Field was initially discussed at the last meeting of St Cuthbert (Out) Parish Council. At this meeting Councillor Roy Yates outlined the case for spending the money. He said: "Some years ago the parish council purchased some land for a playing field. All we have is a couple of football nets and a picnic table. "We consulted the children of the village and have a list of equipment that they would like." Mr Yates then presented a budget summery to the council. A portion of the money needed was stated as coming from Section 106 money. Often required as part of planning permission, Section 106 money is paid by developers to provide the infrastructure needed due to new houses. However, in this case it would only cover part of the cost to the council. This led several councillors to state that they wished to see a more detailed financial breakdown before giving the plans the green light. A meeting of the finance committee a few days later looked further into the money available and was able to give the council a pleasant surprise. Councillor James Drummond, chairman of the committee, said: "We have got £30,600 of 106 money from two agreements. One comes from the sale of legal access to Easton Green and one from the former Easton Inn site. Every penny has to be spent on children's play equipment - that is part of the 106 agreements." Mr Drummond said that the finance committee would therefore recommend the £28,042 budget for the playing field at the next full council meeting.

Quantock Hills sites 'saved for future generations'

February 26, 2013, 3:07 am

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Country-lovers across the region have been celebrating this week after it was announced that important areas in what is generally recognised as one of the most beautiful parts of Britain have been handed over to a charity in perpetuity. Vociferous objections were raised nationwide one year ago when Somerset County Council declared its intention to sell-off large swathes of the Quantock Hills, which was the first place to be designated an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty in the UK. But now 400 acres of the council's holdings on the ridge – which was much loved and written about by poets such as Coleridge and Wordsworth – have been handed over to the charity which decades ago was set up to protect the hills. Friends of Quantock will hold the areas known as Over Stowey Custom Common and Thorncombe Hill as custodians in perpetuity, on behalf of the people of Somerset and visitors from further afield. Somerset's county cabinet member for resources, David Huxtable, commented: "It was always our intention to transfer our ownership to those who can invest their time and money, enabling us to concentrate our limited resources on protecting essential frontline services. "We know these lands will be in good hands now and for future generations to enjoy as they always have." The charity's chairman Alan Hughes remarked: "We are delighted to be able to take on the challenge of managing the land – but it will be a challenge as it will cost up to £5,000 a year to maintain it and we will need the support of more members. "Work will be needed to its paths, car parks and woodland, as well as to protect its rare plants, birds and ancient monuments. This is a wonderful opportunity to involve local people in their heritage." Mr Hughes said: "We have around 500 members and we've been very encouraged over the past few months by the support we have received – people have been joining up and making generous donations because they knew we were interested in taking over these areas. "We were quite outspoken about the sell-off because we felt it was right that the land should remain the property of the county council – but they insisted they'd sell it and now we've taken on the role. "We have the benefit of being able to take the long-term view and to field any political issues that might arise. This is a good outcome but this is not the final stage – we now have to make sure we continue to raise money and look after these very special areas. "If you care about this environment and would like to help, please join us as an individual or business member and you will be very welcome at our local events, talks and walks," said Mr Hughes. The Friends of Quantocks website is at www.friendsofquantock.com or you can contact the secretary by emailing info@friendsofquantock.com or calling 01984 656633.

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£187,000 set aside to help Brewhouse Theatre reopen as soon as possible

February 26, 2013, 3:10 am

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Council chiefs have set aside a £187,000 pot to help a theatre forced to close to open its doors as quickly as possible. Last week, The Brewhouse Theatre in Taunton went into administration following cuts in funding leaving a massive question mark hovering over the future of the site. Yesterday, Taunton Deane Borough Council announced it had put aside extra cash to help bring the venue back into use without delay. The money will be spent protecting and maintaining the property, on legal fees and for advice from theatre professionals on what type of arts projects could be run from there. The council's scrutiny committee agreed £35,000 can go into the pot from an under-spend – the figure comes on top of the £152,000 already allocated to the theatre in the coming year's budget. For the last seven years the council has given the theatre a yearly grant of £152,000. Council leader John Williams said it was right to set aside money to help any future project to bring The Brewhouse back into use as fast as possible. He said: "This sum of £35,000 would help to facilitate a sustainable future for the theatre as an important cultural venue." Councillor Norman Cavill, whose economic development portfolio includes the arts, said: "A huge amount of support and ideas are now coming forward and these need to be assessed properly." The decision won cross- party support. Councillor Jefferson Horsley, chairman of the corporate scrutiny committee, said it had been tragic to witness the theatre's closure. He said: "The future of The Brewhouse and the arts is vital to us all."

Somerset wind turbine warning after Bradworthy collapse

February 26, 2013, 3:21 am

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The manufacturer of a large wind turbine which toppled during gales in Devon has blamed "grout" and "the manner in which the tower was fixed" for the collapse. The findings are the first to emerge from a series of investigations launched after the fall of the 111ft (34m) turbine, which was followed by a second collapse in Cornwall. Canadian firm Endurance Wind Power, makers of the E3120 turbine, which was found crumpled on farmland in Bradworthy last month, has also dismissed speculation that sabotage may have contributed to the fall. But the investigation into its UK "fleet" has identified a further 29 turbines that might have been affected by the same problem as the East Ash Farm equipment, and some of them are thought to be in Somerset, Devon and Cornwall. In a statement, the company said: "While there was no malfunction or abnormality with the turbine or tower (contrary to early inaccurate media reports of a fire and and/or missing fasteners), there was a problem with the structural grout and the manner in which the tower was fixed to the foundation that affected the durability of the anchor rods resulting in the tower collapse. "The customer in this case has been assured that his turbine will be replaced and the foundation will be corrected." Parallel investigations by the Health and Safety Executive and installers Dulas Ltd are continuing into how the turbine crashed down less than three years after it was commissioned. In a separate incident, Glasgow-based Gaia Wind has written to more than a dozen owners after its 60ft (18m) tower was toppled at Winsdon Farm, North Petherwin – the family farm of Liberal Democrat Cornwall Councillor Adam Paynter. Experts said installation companies routinely contract out ground works to civil engineering firms. Bob Barfoot, North Devon chairman of the Campaign to Protect Rural England and a consultant on dozens of wind power schemes, said the overall safety record of UK turbines was good but predicted that the current proliferation of plants meant a serious accident was inevitable at some point. "We could see from photographs that the anchor rods had somehow failed and broken off," he added. "This is a large piece of equipment that operates with large rotating blades without any form of guard – if something goes wrong the blades can fly off and travel a considerable distance." A spokesman for Dulas said the company did not wish to respond directly to the claims by Endurance or discuss any other contractors involved in the construction. In a statement the firm, which is based in Wales, added: "Dulas is committed to working with its partners to ensure that the affected customers can resume the production of electricity as soon as possible. "Our investigations into the cause of the incident are ongoing."

English Heritage withdraws support for Tropicana demolition in Weston-super-Mare

February 26, 2013, 3:30 am

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Conservation watchdog English Heritage has withdrawn its support for the demolition of the derelict Tropicana open-air pool in Weston-super-Mare. The move comes after plans by campaign group Trop (WSM) Ltd to turn the landmark into an all year attraction were approved by councillors. English Heritage, which had previously backed North Somerset Council's move to demolish the Tropicana, has now had a change of heart and supported the plans to regenerate the seafront site. It says it now sees the demolition of the building as harmful to the surrounding conservation area and that the application to develop the site has merit. In a letter in response to the planning application, English Heritage said: "We consider that there is sufficient merit in the current outline proposal to outweigh our previous view on demolition. "The positive regeneration of this lido to create a new swimming pool facility is a public benefit." The move comes at the same time as Secretary of State for communities and local government, Eric Pickles, is reviewing his decision to grant the authority conservation area consent after Trop (WSM) Ltd appealed against it, claiming it was flawed.

Stanton Wick protesters hold travellers site exhibitions

February 26, 2013, 3:40 am

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Campaigners fighting controversial plans for a gypsy and travellers site at a former colliery in Stanton Wick have organised two walk-in exhibitions.
Stanton Wick Action Group, which is opposing the application, has organised the first exhibition at Stanton Drew Village Hall on Wednesday February 27 between 5.30pm and 9.30pm and the second is at Pensford Memorial Hall on Sunday March 3 between 2pm and 6pm.
The application for 12 pitches on a 26 acre former shale waste tip has been submitted by agents, Ruston Planning, on behalf of applicant Tom Smart.
The site, in Wick Lane, Stanton Wick, had been removed from a Bath and North East Somerset Council consultation on travellers sites last year.
Now Stanton Wick Action Group, which is opposing the application, has organised an exhibition of the plans at Pensford Memorial Hall on Sunday March 3 between 2pm and 6pm.
A report from a planning consultant employed by the objectors will also be available at the exhibition and members of the group will be on hand to give their views and discuss the application in detail
Group spokesman, Clarke Osborne, said that the planning consultant would be helping them with a formal letter of objection to the plan.
He said: "The application was not entirely unexpected but it does require a united response. In the absence of the usual consultation arrangements expected from an application we have arranged for own."
The agent has declined to comment.

Crash closes two lanes of M5 motorway between Wellington and Taunton

February 26, 2013, 3:56 am

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Two lanes of the M5 motorway were closed between Wellington and Taunton this morning following a crash. The crash happened on the northbound carriageway between junction 26 (the A38 for Wellington) and junction 25 (the A358 for Taunton) at around 11am. Emergency services were called to the scene, and the two lanes were closed for around 90 minutes. Fire crews from Wellington and Taunton received reports that a casualty was trapped inside a car after it had collided with the central reservation. A Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service spokesman confirmed that, when crews arrived, the occupants were free from the vehicle and were being treated at the scene by ambulance staff. Firefighters made the vehicle safe, and the carriageway was fully reopened at around 12.30pm.

Group jailed for vigilante attack on Weston-super-Mare man's house

February 26, 2013, 4:28 am

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A group of friends who carried out a vigilante attack on the home of a man they suspected of a sex assault have all been locked up. Kieran Harley, William Ridler and Nathan Gumley, all 20, and 25-year-old Michael Bateman equipped themselves with hammers, metal poles and a broken snooker cue before going round to Robert Ashford's house in Locking Road, Weston-super-Mare, a court heard. With Mr Ashford out, the door was kicked in and Bateman and Harley smashed glass panes in the doors, mirrors and the glass in a washing machine on July 26 last year. Bristol Crown Court heard the attack came about after the four had been at Harley's flat in the town, drinking and taking drugs. James Ward, prosecuting, said Mr Ashford had previously been accused of sexually assaulting a woman who was known to the men but had not been charged with any offence. Mr Ward said after a discussion about the situation the group got weapons together before driving in a two-car convoy to Locking Road, where Mr Ashford lived. At about 2.20am, neighbours witnessed the break-in. Not long after they returned to Harley's home they were arrested by police. Mr Ward said repairs costing at least £405 were needed at Mr Ashford's house but he had not wanted to give police a victim impact statement. All four defendants admitted burglary with intent to cause criminal damage. Mitigating for Harley, who now lives in Birmingham, Sam Jones said: "He deeply regrets the foolish decisions he took on the night in question." Paul Grumbar, representing Ridler, of Borgie Place, Worle, said: "He was prevailed upon and he was influenced. He leads a very sober and very sensible life now." Mitigating for Bateman, Nadeem Aullybocus said his client had been taking positive steps to turn his life around while he has been in prison, to which the judge agreed. Gumley's barrister Derek Perry said his client had only come down from his home in Birmingham on the night in question to visit his brother Harley. "A few hours before he had no contemplation of this at all," he said. Judge Julian Lambert sentenced Harley and Gumley to six months in a Young Offenders' Institution; Ridler to four months and Bateman, who is already in Bristol Prison for other offences, to six months, to run at the same time as his current sentence. Described the offence as a "vigilante" attack, Judge Lambert said: "I must say, I was shocked by what you did, but not half as shocked as the victim would have been, or the residents of Weston-super-Mare."

VIDEO: The Harlem Shake craze consumes Somerset

February 26, 2013, 4:45 am

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The Harlem Shake bug has now firmly taken hold in people's imaginations across Somerset with new offerings being uploaded daily. Sports clubs, offices, youth groups and colleges are devoting their time and energy to devising the ultimate version. Have you got a favourite from those featured so far? You can view them all via the links at the bottom if you would like a recap. You can give us your critical views below and if you think yours should be added to our hall of fame, send the link along with your names & location to jaqui108@aol.com and we'll be sure to include it. Here is the latest elite selection, sit back & enjoy. Featuring Matt Smith, Liza Smith, Chloe Smith, Jasmine, Georgina Brooks, Sky Brooks, Tia Brooks and Lee Brooks we have Somerset Harlem Shake - whoopee cushion edition:

Producing these videos is thirsty work and these artists have taken the precaution of filming theirs at the Rose and Crown, Langport:

Our latest submission is from the lads at Pen Mill FC in Yeovil. Warning - not for the faint of heart... at least one mankini is on show!

Here's the one that got the ball rolling, from Jake Morgan, Jack Paterson & Bobo Ngema of Yeovil
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SOMERSET'S HARLEM SHAKE VIDEOSVIDEO: Somerset's Harlem Shake collective needs youVIDEO: Harlem Shake fever hits SomersetVIDEO: The Harlem Shake puts Somerset centre stage

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MP to speak out about Somerset Levels flood defence failings

February 27, 2013, 1:15 am

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The Environment Agency's strategy for flood defence on the Somerset Levels will be condemned in Parliament today. Bridgwater and West Somerset MP Ian Liddell-Grainger will speak in a Westminster Hall debate on the future of the Environment Agency. He has condemned the agency's flood defence strategy as "not fit for purpose and failing". He is backing calls by farmers and local businesses for pinch points of the rivers Tone and Parrett to be dredged to prevent a repeat of the catastrophic flooding which has left farmland under water for months, and left some homes and businesses waterlogged three times last year, as well as closing the A361 Glastonbury to Taunton road for weeks. "We've been fighting for more funding for a range of things which will improve the way the Levels deals with flooding and the Environment Agency says it has no money, and then it spends £31 million on a realignment project at Steart Point," he said. He has also called for pumps and pumping stations to be upgraded, and accused Environment Agency chairman Lord Smith of "insulting" those battling the floods by blaming the waters on a 'new type' of rain.

Cricketer Tom Maynard 'on drugs' when struck by train

February 27, 2013, 1:22 am

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A county cricketer was struck by a train as he attempted to flee police after driving while on a cocktail of drink and drugs, an inquest heard yesterday. Former Millfield School pupil Tom Maynard, who had been widely tipped as a future England international, was found dead near Wimbledon Park station on the London Underground District line shortly after 5am on Monday, June 18, last year. The 23-year-old Surrey batsman suffered multiple injuries caused by the impact of the train and from touching a live electric railway line, Westminster Coroner's Court heard. A cause of death was given as multiple injuries. He was stopped by police less than an hour before his death when his black Mercedes was seen driving erratically but the sports star fled the vehicle. A post-mortem examination showed he was nearly four times the legal limit to drive and had also taken cocaine and ecstasy in the form of MDMA after a night out with two team-mates. Tests on hair samples indicated Mr Maynard may have been a daily user of drugs in the three and half months before his death, the inquest heard. Mr Maynard, who came through the ranks at Glamorgan, earned himself a place on the England Lions tour to Bangladesh and Sri Lanka at the start of last year. The Cardiff-born cricketer was the son of former England and Glamorgan batsman Matthew Maynard. In a statement issued through the Professional Cricketers' Association, Mr Maynard's family said: "The results of the inquest do not define our son. The fact that so very many people thought the world of him is what defines him as a person. "The only people who would judge Tom on the findings of the inquest are people who didn't know him. He made choices that night that tragically cost him his life, but his devastated family and friends will love and miss him unconditionally, always. "He was a very special person and his death leaves a huge hole in all our lives." Mr Maynard's girlfriend Carly Baker wept throughout yesterday's hearing as she listened to the evidence. She told the court Mr Maynard had called her at about 3.30am on June 18 after he had been out drinking with friends. She said she urged Mr Maynard not to drive to her home as she suspected he had been drinking. In a statement, tube driver Martin Hopping said he believed he was approaching "bags of white ballast" before realising a body was lying on the tracks. He applied the brakes and sounded the train's horn but struck the body at about 5am. England fast bowler Jade Dernbach and former Surrey captain Rory Hamilton-Brown gave evidence at the hearing after they were among the last few people to see Mr Maynard alive. Both players told the court they were unaware Mr Maynard had ever taken drugs, which would result in a two-year ban from the sport. The jury returned a verdict of accidental death. Coroner Dr Fiona Wilcox described Mr Maynard's death as absolutely tragic and called for analysis of hair samples to be considered for future drugs testing by sports clubs to help identify drug users.

Idyllic way of life at risk in Exmoor National Park planning row

February 27, 2013, 1:30 am

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Simon and Nicky Gibbard's lifestyle would make many people envious. Home is a cosy, well-insulated building heated by a woodburner. The picture windows look out on an unspoiled vista of fields and trees. They are out of sight and sound of the nearest main road. They have milk from their own Jersey cow (which Simon passes through a separator to extract the cream). They grow their own vegetables. And the smallholding from where they dispatch day-old chicks to all parts of the country is the culmination of an ambition they have cherished all their married life. But at the moment precious resources which should be ploughed in to expanding the business are having to be diverted into the pockets of planning consultants. Because in the eyes of Exmoor National Park planners the Gibbards are living in entirely the wrong place. Earlier this year their bid to obtain planning permission for their converted barn home was rejected. But now the couple are pinning their hopes on being able to persuade a government inspector that they should be allowed to live on site when their appeal against the decision comes up for hearing later in the year. Smallcombe Farm lies up a vertiginous track off the main road between Timberscombe and Wheddon Cross, near Minehead. Tens of thousands of drivers pass the spot every year without even being aware of the farm's existence – unless they happen to see the sign tucked discreetly away. But even though the Gibbards have been given consent to put up barns and other buildings on the site, the national park authority says the barn where they live is an unsightly intrusion – even though it can only be seen from a nearby bridleway. Planners say the business could easily be run remotely and the couple have no need to live on the site, as they claim. But, said Nicky, that would make it impossible to maintain the frequent nightly checks that are needed on the emerging chicks and would leave the entire enterprise vulnerable to attack by the many foxes and badgers in the area. "Since we bought the place in 2005 it has been one long battle to explain to people that we need to live here," she said. "The national park authority has given us permission for other buildings and uses: if they had no intention of allowing us to live here eventually they could at least have said so. They have known from the first day we bought the place that we intended to build the farm here: they have been leading us on. "We have already lost £25,000 as a result of trying to run the place remotely. It doesn't work, even if you only live a mile away. A hatchery is not something you can leave to run itself: everything has to be checked two or three times during the night. Neither can you leave free-range chickens. We have lost so many to foxes in the past, but since we've been living here we haven't had a single one go." The latest blow to the Gibbards' ambition came at the national park planning committee's January meeting which, after objections from the Exmoor Society and other organisations, voted against giving them retrospective consent for their home. But, say the couple, the national park is very good at saying one thing while doing another. "They claim to be very pro-business, and Exmoor certainly needs new businesses," said Nicky. "But they clearly aren't very pro-farming business. We are at the stage now, seven years down the line, where we should be expanding and starting to employ people instead of having to devote so much time and money on fighting to stay here. "This is a model for sustainable farming and a fabulous business for Exmoor: we don't get a Single Farm Payment but even without that we are projected to make £50,000 a year from the business – and there aren't many Exmoor farms that can do that on 40 acres. "But it's something we can only achieve if we live on site." An Exmoor National Park Authority spokesman said it was against building new homes in open countryside and permission was normally only given in special circumstances such as the essential need for a rural worker to live permanently at or near their place of work in. She said the Gibbards had not shown the farm could not be managed in other ways without the need for a new house on the site. "Therefore it is not essential for a worker to live at this site. As such it is considered that the proposal does not meet the special circumstances for allowing a dwelling in the countryside."

Antarctica trek will go on despite Sir Ranulph Fiennes frostbite setback

February 27, 2013, 1:45 am

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The team bidding to walk across Antarctica in winter on the Coldest Journey on Earth have thanked people for their support after the withdrawal of Sir Ranulph Fiennes, with severe frostbite, but are adamant the trek will go on. The 68-year-old explorer, from Exford in Somerset, suffered the injury after using his bare hands to fix a ski binding in temperatures of about –30C. The incident happened during training at their base camp in Antarctica. Sir Ranulph – known as Ran – was said to have been "gutted" at being forced out of the 2,000-mile trek although his five team-mates are set to continue. "Thank you to all of our well-wishers on this difficult day, your continued support means a tremendous amount to the entire team both in Antarctica and in the UK," the team said. "Sir Ranulph's departure from the ice will be the first of no doubt many trials the Ice Team will have to surmount in coming months if they are to succeed in this epic challenge. "They are a strong and experienced group, and those of us not on the ice have every faith that they will persevere regardless, and will make Ran and everybody else very proud of them." Efforts to evacuate Sir Ranulph are being hampered by blizzards. He needs to be moved some 40 miles to the Princess Elisabeth Station before he can be flown to Novo and on to Cape Town. The trek is expected from Novolazareskaya in Russia to the Ross Sea is expected to take about six months. No-one has managed the feat in winter before with near permanent darkness and temperatures dropping close to –90C.

Police seek owner of alloy wheels found dumped in Crewkerne hedge

February 27, 2013, 2:03 am

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Police in Crewkerne are seeking the owner of some alloy wheels found dumped in some bushes in Happy Valley on Saturday morning. They were found covered with two coats and both smelled of diesel. Police say a member of the public had seen two males hiding the wheels in the morning morning between 7am and 7.30am. Police say at this time there have been no reports of stolen vehicles or alloys belonging to a Land Rover.