Frome's Amelia Dyer impresses against top British shooters at Surrey Open

December 1, 2013, 10:00 am

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Frome teenager Amelia Dyer reached the final of one of the most prestigious events in the target shooting calendar.

The 15-year-old took part in the Surrey Open, an annual air rifle and pistol competition at the National Shooting Centre, Bisley, which attracts competitors of all levels from across Great Britain.

With the Commonwealth Games less than a year away, this year's entrants included some of the top names in British shooting, who were looking to secure their selection.

Dyer took part in three matches over the weekend and achieved a match qualifying score and new personal best of 385 in the first of them to secure sixth place overall and place in the final.

She recorded another high score in her second competition, which saw her rewarded with gold and silver achievement medals.

As the Surrey Open's results are used in selecting the British team, the competition finals are run under the same conditions as Olympic shooting events.

"I was both nervous and excited that my score had qualified me to take part in the final, especially when I was in a line-up of some of this country's top women shooters, all looking for a place on the GB team for the Commonwealth Games next year," she said.

"However, my training with the GB Junior Rifle Squad paid off and helped me keep my nerve."

Dyer is now back in training in order to prepare for next year's competitions, starting with the Geoff Partridge Memorial Trophy in January.

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Vehicle flips onto roof in field between Street and Compton Dundon

December 1, 2013, 11:54 am

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A VEHICLE, possibly a car, flipped onto its roof in a field between Street and Compton Dundon this afternoon. Exactly where the incident took place along the B3151 has not been told. But two fire engines from Street and Somerton and a rescue vehicle from Glastonbury arrived after 1.10pm to find all parties had been freed from the vehicle. At least one person was being checked for injury by the ambulance service, but what caused the accident and how many people were involved has not been revealed.

Maesbury family farm wins Tesco Dairy Farmer of the Year

December 1, 2013, 10:00 pm

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A MAESBURY family farm has fought off national competition to win the Tesco Dairy Farmer of the Year award. The award was given to SJ Stevens and Sons: George Stevens, Phillip Cotterell, and his wife Anne-Marie who are based at Warren Farm, Maesbury. The farm impressed the judging panel with their high welfare and excellent attention to detail. "This is a dedicated family farm where the cows are very much treated as members of the family, and as such is highly presentable to the general public," said Graham Wilkinson, dairy manager for Tesco. Judges were impressed by the low lameness and exceptionally low mastitis rate, indicating high welfare and low antibiotic use. Also noted were the rubber mats installed in feed passages to reduce lameness risk and the adoption of feeding cows in late afternoon through winter to reduce starling visits (a potential source of disease and reduction in feed intakes). Mr Stevens said the farm has been supplying to Tesco for about ten years. He said: "We were quite surprised when we found out we'd won – we didn't nominate ourselves. "The cows are part of the family. I'm 66 now and I was a year old when we came to this farm. We've more or less built it up over the last 60 years and about ten years ago my son-in-law came with his cows and we've gone from there." Shepton Vets' Michael Head, who carries out regular health visits to the farm, said: "I am delighted that the hard work put in and high standards achieved have been recognised with this national award." Alan Creed of PH Creed and Son, East Pennard, was highly commended in the competition. The judging panel was particularly impressed with cow cleanliness and the lack of leg lesions due to the spacious sand cubicles. Mr Creed said he is planning on increasing herd vaccination to reduce sick cows and antibiotic use further.

Hinkley Point C campaign wins award

December 1, 2013, 10:00 pm

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A HINKLEY Point C campaign has won a national award. Sedgemoor District Council has won a national award for its campaign to secure community benefits for the areas surrounding Hinkley Point C. Speaking after CorpComms magazine named their campaign "Best Public Affairs Campaign" of the year at the annual awards ceremony, Leader of Sedgemoor District Council, councillor Duncan McGinty said: "I am delighted that the hard work of Sedgemoor District Council in campaigning for community benefit has been recognised as an example of best practice by leading communications professionals. After five years of hard work we were able to secure a change in Government policy worth £128m to the community. "It's great to see the efforts of hundreds of people in the council and wider community acknowledged in this way, and I look forward to the next phase of our campaign, which is to secure community benefit during the construction phase of the project." CorpComms magazine praised Sedgemoor's campaign for "classic public affairs activity done well", and "simply amazing" return on the investment achieved by positioning the council as the voice of local communities in the debate about new nuclear construction. In winning the award, Sedgemoor overcame competition from the Royal Mail and a campaign run by The Association of Residential Letting Agents (ARLA) to strength regulation in the sector. Other winners on the night included Sainsbury's, Debenhams, the British Heart Foundation and Transport for London.

Wells parking hike gets thumbs up

December 1, 2013, 10:30 pm

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RAISING parking charges in Wells has been given the thumbs up by the city council. Mendip District Council are proposing to put up the price of parking in the region by an average of ten per cent and the city council were asked for their views. It was originally proposed that they tell Mendip that they don't think the price of parking should go up. Councillor Norman Kennedy said: "We have reached a limit to what you can keep asking people to pay. We should be looking instead at introducing pay-as-you-go schemes for parking." However, Mr Kennedy did not receive much support, and faced a rebuttal from Councillor Harvey Siggs. Mr Siggs, who declared an interest as a Mendip councillor, said: "This will be four years since these charges have gone up. We at Mendip have had seen a reduction in our central Government grant by 40 per cent. We've gone through a lot of looking at this, the increase has not been taken lightly. "It needs to be put into the context of budget cuts. It's not to make profits. It is to cover costs." Mr Kennedy said that he understood what Mr Siggs was saying but felt that the charges were different. "Council tax is paid by everyone – this is a tax on motorists," he said. When it came to vote only Councillor Alison Gibson supported Mr Kennedy's motion. Mr Siggs, and councillors John North and Danny Unwin abstained due to their roles with Mendip. This was not the end of the matter. Councillor Simon Davies then proposed that the council actively support the increased charges – a motion that was carried. In other business Mr North said that progress had been made tidying up the Moat Walk. He said that a number of benches had been refurbished and that the strimming of the nearside bank of the stream had been completed. Negotiations are taking place between the Church Commissioners and Mendip for the rest of the work.

Bowlish Infant School visited by Shepton Mallet Carnival Committee

December 2, 2013, 12:45 am

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BOWLISH Infant School pupils have been treated to a visit from Shepton Mallet Carnival Committee. Members of the committee took time out of their busy carnival week schedule to visit the school to award prizes to pupils who took part in a holiday homework task. For their half term project, pupils at the school covered the topic of carnival. Model floats were made, masks decorated, pictures drawn and poems written. Janet Fulford, a member of the committee said: "The range and imagination of the children was incredible. "The carnival committee donated prizes for the best entries. I am sure the staff had a very hard time picking the winners. "A video was shown of pupil Henry Baker interviewing Chairman Don Clifford – a journalist in the making – with some very pointed questions. The video concluded with a small selection from this year's entries in the procession. "The noise the children made when viewing this showed what an impression the carnival had made on them."

Castle Cary beat Crewkerne to regain top spot in Tribute Somerset 1

December 2, 2013, 1:50 am

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MATCH REPORT: Castle Cary 1st XV 40, Crewkerne 1st XV 8 Castle Cary returned to the top of Tribute Somerset 1 with a bonus-point win after a pulsating, hard-fought game against promoted Crewkerne. The game was billed as two big packs going head to head and it was Cary who came out on top thanks to great defence, combined with clinical execution following opposition mistakes. Cary scored the first try after good handling skills under pressure in the centres saw Gareth Watts run in under the posts, with John Clay converting. This was followed by a Clay chip into the in-goal area for Watts to touch down again, with the conversion putting the hosts 14 points clear before Crewkerne narrowed the gap with a penalty – having earlier failed to convert one. This only spurred Cary into action and, after some good phases, prop Chris Wake cut a great line to go under the posts as the opposition tried in vain to stop him. Clay converted again and Cary nearly scored again in the last minute of the half with a great break by flanker Rich Johnston, only for poor communication and execution to allow Crewkerne to break away and score an unconverted try at the other end. The second half was a scrappy affair, with injuries and yellow cards on both sides. Cary scored first as hooker Jordan Smith went under the posts and Hurd converted. Cary were in the driving seat and asserted their dominance with a converted penalty try from a scrum. There were more chances for the hosts, who also held Crewkerne at bay at the other end. The final play of the game produced one more Cary try as a kick put pressure on the visiting full-back, whose clearance was collected by flanker Lawrence Cox and he somehow beat the last defender to score, despite slipping and falling over twice. On Saturday, Cary travel to Wellington before the final league match of 2013 at home to North Petherton the following weekend. The final fixture of the calendar year is at home to Longlevens in the Junior Vase on December 21.

Tor pass 50 points in emphatic Tribute Somerset Premier win at Keynsham

December 2, 2013, 2:49 am

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MATCH REPORT: Keynsham 2nd XV 7, Tor 1st XV 52 Tor recorded a comfortable win against struggling Keynsham 2nd XV, who put up a spirited display against the in-form visiting side. Tor looked to run with the ball in hand as the strength of centres Matt Bisgrove and James Austwick and the speed of wings Mark Cinacola and Jorden Hunt allowed them to break through the home defence at will. Full-back Matt Coley popped up everywhere, while half-backs Toby Payne and Alfi Lee had plenty of time on the ball to direct play. Tor opened the scoring on nine minutes when Chris Goodland drove to the 22 and, although he spilled the ball, Keynsham failed to find touch and Hunt dodged his way from his own half to the tryline. The visitors continued to enjoy the majority of territory and possession, allowing Austwick to charge in at the corner for Tor's second try, with Cinacola converting both. Keynsham pushed into Tor territory from the restart but an interception allowed Cinacola to extend the lead with a try he converted himself, before Goodland recovered the ball from an Austwick tackle to send Lee in for the bonus-point try on the stroke of half-time. The hosts started the second half well and put some good phases together but Tor settled and pushed into Keynsham's 22. A quick penalty from Goodland got them within two metres of the line and Bisgrove was on hand to send Coley in under the posts, with Cinacola converting. Cinacola carved through the Keynsham defence for the next try, with Austwick feeding Hunt for his second score. From the restart, Bisgrove broke upfield and released Austwick to run in from 70 metres. Cinacola's conversion made it 45-0 on the hour mark. Goodland set up Tor's final score, with Cinacola and Ethan Trebble-Westlake taking the ball to the five-metre line before quick ball allowed Dumiso Ncube to stroll in for another converted try. Keynsham had the better of the final ten minutes and a catch and drive from a lineout saw Westlake sin-binned for entering the maul from the side. Tor continued to give away penalties and the referee awarded the hosts a penalty try. Man of the match: Jorden Hunt.

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Sunday Express blunder gets number of complaints against gravedigger Ray wrong by 15,000

December 2, 2013, 3:17 am

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THE Sunday Express came out guns blazing in support of dismissed gravedigger Ray Loxton after Trotman Funeral Directors stopped using him after a topless picture of him at work in Pilton Cemetery. But the national newspaper got things a little wrong when its editor Martin Townsend wrote: "We live in whining, politically correct times. Mr Loxton's bare chest and pose which seemed, to some, to suggest a 'salute' was enough to prompt complaints from 15,000 people including one Holger Harras, of Evercreech, Somerset." As readers who have followed Mr Loxton's saga know, it is actually just one person wrote to complain to us, the above cited Mr Harras. Error aside, Mr Townsend goes on to blame "overpaid, overpromoted council officials, in an over-inflated public sector" being copied by private business and says: "Ray Loxton should be rehired at once. His dismissal is a national tragedy: the ascendance of those who get in the way over those who get things done."More than 15,000 people from Great Britain, USA, Sweden and more have noticed Mr Loxton's plight. And more than 100 have written to support the 59-year-old. In our poll no one has yet voted that digging graves topless is wrong. And Mr Loxton's news seems to have spread from Sweden - where one witty supporter promised invasion if the gravedigger was not reinstated - to Finland. Among those who sent us comments or posted on Facebook was Tommi Hyvonen, who wrote: "Gravedigger from Finland will support Ray. RAY BACK TO WORK!!!"

Bath and West Showground wind turbine application

December 2, 2013, 3:45 am

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A WIND turbine may still be installed at Bath and West Showground following another planning application that will be decided on next Wednesday. The application to build a wind turbine with a maximum height to blade tip of 67m was submitted on October 22. A similar application was submitted in May this year and rejected in September. This application differs from the one considered previously in two respects: additional landscaping and a 22 space community car park. The application states that the additional landscaping will be adjacent to Prestleigh Inn, for a length of around 125m. Native species are proposed with their expected height after ten years to be in excess of 8m. The car park is proposed for residents of Prestleigh, to the south of Prestleigh Inn. It would be accessed by vehicles through an existing showground entrance but pedestrians would access it by the Prestleigh Inn. It would have 24-hour access, seven days a week and is proposed to be free. The wind turbine would be built within the north-eastern section of the Showground, within an area made up of a number of grassed spaces designed for outdoor exhibitions or stands. The main built form of the Showground lies about 300m to the south-east of the proposed wind turbine. The previous application was refused on grounds of visual impact. Chris Norman said at the time on the behalf of villagers of Prestleigh that the impact of the turbine would be enormous for everyone living in the village – that it would be "overpowering". Case officer for the proposal, Oliver Marigold, said the development would safeguard the amenities of occupiers of local residential properties and users of the footpath network. A decision will be made at a planning board meeting on Wednesday, December 11, at Kilver Court, Shepton Mallet.

Prince William given Ducati superbike made by Wells firm for Prince George

December 2, 2013, 5:00 am

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PRINCE William was presented with a mini motorbike made by Westbury-sup-Mendip based company Kiddimoto at Motorcycle Live 2013 on Saturday. The Prince's visit was one of the highlights of the nine-day biking bonanza at the National Exhibition Centre in Birmingham which ended yesterday. The show received a right royal boost on its penultimate day when the Duke of Cambridge arrived and visited manufacturers' stands to size up a few of the new bikes and chat with some of the show's visitors. Motorcycle Live organiser, Dean Linehan, said the show, "was topped off by the visit on Saturday of The Duke of Cambridge, who demonstrated the same levels of enthusiasm for motorcycling that is shared by all the show's visitors. We're positive that this will give the entire UK motorcycle industry an important boost for 2014 and beyond." The Kiddimoto "Superbike", a wooden balance bike, was customised especially for the young prince. It sported the coat of arms of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and had a letter G on the front numberplate and tailpiece, created for the bike and based on the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge's official monogram. Motorcycle Live spokesman Stephen Booth said: "Prince William's private secretary said it was uncanny because they had just had a very similar "G" created." The bike was certainly fit for a prince. It was even fitted with silver crown dustcaps. Prince William's smile as he received the bike certainly seems to give Kiddimoto the royal seal of approval. Kiddimoto of Westbury-sub-Mendip, Wells was previously featured on the BBC's Dragon's Den and specialises in producing wooden balance bikes for young children. The wooden bike firm started up in Axbridge and moved to Cheddar before its current premises in Westbury-sub-Mendip.

Somerset speed cameras: locations for B&NES, Bristol, Mendip, Sedgemoor, South Somerset and Taunton Deane from December 2, 2013

December 2, 2013, 5:24 am

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THE Avon & Somerset Police Speed Enforcement Unit are scheduled to enforce at the following locations week commencing today (December 2). Please note that mobile enforcement may still take place at other locations within the Avon & Somerset area.Bath & North East Somerset: A36 Warminster Road, Bath (30mph) Sites: 3006 & 3047 A367 Wellsway, Bath (30mph) Site: 3173 A37 Pensford Hill (40mph) Site: 3150 A37 Upper Bristol Road, Temple Cloud (40mph) Site: 3155 A39 Bath Road, Farmborough (30mph) Site: 3220 A4 Batheaston Bypass (50mph) Site: 3163 A4 Newbridge Road, Bath (30mph) Site: 3168 A431 Kelston Road, Bath (30mph) Site: 3033 A46 Swainswick Bypass (50mph) Site: 3165 B3110 Midford Road, Bath (30mph) Site: 3161 B3116 Wellsway, Keynsham (30mph) Site: 3118 B3355 Silver Street, Midsomer Norton (30mph) Site: 3103 Charlton Road, Keynsham (30mph) Site: 3114 Englishcombe Lane, Bath (30mph) Site: 3046 Lansdown Road, Bath (30mph) Site: 3105Bristol: A4 Portway Nr Hung Road (40mph) Site: 0151 A4 Portway Nr Sylvan Way (40mph) Site: 0145 A4 Totterdown Bridge (30mph) Site: 3102 A4174 Callington Road, Brislington, Bristol (30mph) Site: 3193 Air Balloon Road (30mph) Site: 0121 Argyle Road, St. George (30mph) Site: 0154 B4054 Avonmouth Road, Shirehampton (30mph) Site: 0164 Broomhill Road (30mph) Site: 3086 Feeder Road, Bristol (30mph) Site: 3051 Forest Road, St. George (30mph) Site: 0165 Kings Weston Lane, Lawrence Weston (30mph) Site: 0176 Kings Weston Road, Henbury (30mph) Site: 0174 Kingsway, St. George (30mph) Site: 0122 Ladies Mile, Durdham Down (30mph) Site: 0155 Long Cross, Lawrence Weston (30mph) Site: 0178 Nags Head Hill, St. George (30mph) Site: 0177 Redcatch Road, Knowle (30mph) Site: 3108 Romney Avenue, Lockleaze (30mph) Site: 0158Mendip: A361 West Pennard (30mph) Site: 7029 A362 Vallis Road, Frome (30mph) Site: 7019 A371 Cannards Grave Road, Shepton Mallet (30mph) Site: 3087 A371 Croscombe (30mph) Site: 7015 B3090 Fromefield, Frome (30mph) Site: 3203 B3090 Marston Road, Frome (30mph) Site: 7023 B3090 Oldford, Frome (30mph) Site: 7017 B3092 Culverhill, Frome (30mph) Site: 7090 B3151 Glastonbury Rd, Meare (30mph) Site: 7095 B3151 Somerton Road, Street (30mph) Site: 7020 Brooks Road (30mph) Site: 7093 Butleigh Wooton (30mph) Site: 6109 Chelynch Road, Doulting (30mph) Site: 7091 Clink Road, Frome (30mph) Site: 7089 Kilver Street, Shepton Mallet (30mph) Site: 7016 Locks Hill, Frome (30mph) Site: 3204 Portway, Street (30mph) Site: 7094 Rode Hill, Rode (30mph) Site: 3139 Tansey, Waterlip (30mph) Site: 7051 Waterloo Road, Shepton Mallet (30mph) Site: 7096 Wookey Hole Road, Wells (30mph) Sites: 7098 & 7099North Somerset: A368 Green Hill Road, Sandford (30mph) Site: 2241 A370 Flax Bourton (30mph) Site: 2250 A38 Churchill - Langford (40mph) Site: 2242 A38 Redhill (50mph) Site: 2220 Clapton Lane, Clapton in Gordano (30mph) Site: 2265 Wansbourough Road, Worle (30mph) Site: 2254Sedgemoor: A371 Upper New Road, Cheddar (30mph) Site: 2263 A38 Dunball (50mph) Site: 6078 A39 Ashcott (30mph) Site: 7058 B3139 Watchfield (30mph) Sites: 2239 & 2247 Church Road, East Huntspill (30mph) Site: 2285 Marine Drive, Burnham (Apex Road) (30mph) Site: 2024 Marine Drive, Burnham (Lynton Road) (30mph) Site: 2025 Mark Road, Burtle (30mph) Site: 2274South Gloucestershire: A38 Gloucester Road, Patchway (40mph) Site: 0175 A4174 Avon Ring Road Nr M32 Jct 1 (50mph) Site: 0125 A420 Marshfield (50mph) Site: 0124 A420 Wick (30mph) Site: 3004 A431 Bath Road, Bitton (30mph) Site: 3143 A46 Dunkirk (40mph) Site: 0111 Abbot's Road, Hanham, Bristol (30mph) Site: 3205 Ableton Lane, Severn Beach (30mph) Site: 0166 B4058 Bristol Road, Cromhall (30mph) Sites: 0071 & 0179 B4061 Gloucester Road, Thornbury (30mph) Site: 0118 B4461 Redhill Lane/Vattingstone Lane, Elberton (40mph) Site: 0064 B4465 Mangotsfield Road, Mangotsfield (30mph) Site: 3184 Blackhorse Road, Mangotsfield (30mph) Site: 0162 Church Road, Frampton Cottrell (30mph) Site: 0137 Court Farm Road, Longwell Green (30mph) Site: 0038 Easter Compton (30mph) Site: 0142 Hallen Road, Hallen (30mph) Site: 0068 Mill Lane, Oldland (30mph) Site: 3188 Park Lane, Frampton Cotterell (30mph) Site: 3030 Station Road, Wickwar (30mph) Site: 0043South Somerset: A30 Crewkerne Road, Chard (30mph) Site: 6031 A30 Roundham (40mph) Site: 6111 A358 Donyatt (30mph) Sites: 6058 & 6059 A358 Hornsbury Mill (40mph) Site: 6028 B3168 Station Road, Ilminster (30mph) Site: 6100 Clapton Village (30mph) Site: 6102 Lopen Village (30mph) Site: 6108Taunton Deane: A3259 Monkton Heathfield (30mph) Site: 4053 A358 Henlade Nr M5 junction 25 (30mph) Sites: 4006 & 4014 A361 Durston (40mph) Site: 4030 A38 Thurloxton (60mph) Site: 4041 B3227 Hillcommon (30mph) Site: 4018 B3227 Waterrow (30mph) Site: 4017

Darren Maynard hat-trick helps Wells City Reserves beat Staplegrove

December 2, 2013, 5:31 am

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MATCH REPORT: Wells City Reserves 5, Staplegrove 2 Wells City Reserves produced a dramatic improvement after defeat to Portishead the previous weekend with a spectacular win over Staplegrove. The visitors had conceded just two goals in seven matches but Wells were out of the blocks quickly and opened the scoring on ten minutes when Darren Maynard was put through on goal and rounded the keeper to slot home from an acute angle. Wells continued to pile pressure on the Grove goal and Charlie Crook poked home from close range after a goalmouth scramble three minutes later. Staplegrove seemed stunned by the intensity of the Wells side and Maynard made it 3-0 on 21 minutes when he picked the ball up wide on the left and cut inside before unleashing an unstoppable shot from 25 yards into the top corner. The visitors changed their formation and started to get hold of the ball a bit more but struggled to create clear-cut chances as the Wells defence of Martyn Sheppard, Pete Vowles and Liam Chant looked comfortable, while Olly Bryant and Steve Emery worked tirelessly on the flanks. Olly Edwards got on the scoresheet after 38 minutes when a short ball was played into him with his back to goal and, in one movement, he flicked the ball up over the advancing defender and hit a volley from 40 yards which sailed over the keeper and into the net. The second half was a different story as Staplegrove took the game to Wells and got a goal back within five minutes as Chant got caught in no man's land on the halfway line and the Grove striker broke through to finish past keeper Mike Roper. This spurred the visitors on and they added a second six minutes later after punishing another defensive mistake. Staplegrove created chances at will and Roper had to make several double saves to keep them out but the introduction of Fabio Ramos and Ryan Morris stemmed the flow, with Olly Bryant also coming on ten minutes later. Wells then added a fifth ten minutes from time when a perfectly floated cross from Edwards found the head of man of the match Maynard, who finished superbly to complete his hat-trick. Assistant manager Barry Maynard said: "It was from the sublime to the ridiculous. In the first half we were unstoppable and could quite easily have gone in at half-time 7-0 or 8-0 up. "Then in the second half we were our own worst enemies with too many individual mistakes and some very naïve defending at times. "Credit to Staplegrove for coming out in the second half the way they did, on the back of our first-half performance, I think they were just shell shocked. They are a good organised side and will be a top-six side without a doubt." On Saturday, Division 2 West outfit Wells Reserves travel to Somerset County League Premier Division high-flyers Clutton in the quarter-finals of the Somerset Senior Cup (1.45pm).Click here for the latest Somerset County League tables.

Frome's Barnardo's wins national praise

December 2, 2013, 5:52 am

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A FROME charity shop has been hailed for its importance to the community in a national report. Giving Something Back has been published by the Demos thinktank and supported by the Charity Retail Association. The Barnardo's store in Kingsway Precinct is featured in the section on the "social value" of volunteering. It quotes long-serving supporter Kath Leach who has volunteered there for more than 15 years. Kath, 83, said: "I've always enjoyed volunteering because you get to meet so many people, and we've got a great team of all ages. "Volunteering gives me a reason to get up and out of the house. It keeps me happy and it's great to know that we're helping vulnerable children at the same time." Barnardo's shop manager, Judith Loughlin, said: "We are thrilled to be associated with such an important report which highlights the immense value of charity shops. "It recognises how we all help to encourage recycling and then sell to people at affordable prices, while raising much-needed income for good causes. "The report also states how charity shops have moved away from the old image of being 'dusty and disorganised' and are now much more professional." Judith believes that charity shops provide more than just second-hand goods for the community. She said: "We're providing lots of work experience opportunities for people looking to take their first step into employment, as well as those wanting to return to work. "In addition, we're also helping to maintain footfall in our town centres by attracting shoppers who are keen to browse for a bargain." The Barnardo's shop in Frome always welcomes offers of help from potential volunteers as well as good-quality donations.

Police in early morning harbour rescue

December 2, 2013, 7:06 am

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Police officers, about to stand down after their shift have helped to save a man who got into difficulty in the harbour in Bristol. While two officers entered the freezing cold water to put a lifebelt on the man and help support him, two colleagues secured ropes to keep him safe until the fire service rescue boat was launched. The dramatic early morning rescue occurred at about 3am on Saturday when the officers, who were about to finish their shift, heard cries for help. They ran to Bristol Bridge,opposite the Mercure Hotel, in the Welsh Back area and discovered a man in the water, trapped between the harbour wall and a boat. Efforts to lift the heavily built man out of the water which was 10ft lower than the officers, was unsuccessful, so PCs Matt McQuaid and Luke Taylor threw a lifebelt to the man before entering the water themselves to support him and keep his head above water. Colleagues PCs Amy Power and Kye Hendy used ropes to further secure the victim until the rescue boat from the fire service arrived to take all three out of the cold water. The victim and two officers – who had spent more than 20 minutes in the cold water - were then taken to the BRI, where they were all treated for hypothermia. Patrol inspector David Hunt commended the actions of the four officers. He said: "This was a very impressive team effort by all four officers and I have no doubt if it was not for their rapid and brave response then we might have been dealing with a fatality. "The efforts sapped the strength of and energy of all officers who were committed to helping a person in distress. "Matt McQuaid and Luke Taylor made the very brave decision to enter the water in very dangerous circumstances, however because of the determination and teamwork of all four officers, this was a success in saving the trapped man's life," said Insp Hunt.

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Mark school storms to victory in Cross Country Festival

December 2, 2013, 7:12 am

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Mark Church of England First School athletes stormed to victory at the Hugh Sexey Middle School Cross Country Festival. The team dominated the event winning all four races, as well as achieving a clean sweep of the podium positions in the Year 3 boys and girls races. The team were very pleased to have retained the trophy for the second consecutive year. The races included runners from across the Cheddar Valley First Schools. The runners battled through very muddy conditions to complete the 1km course around the middle school's fields. A spokesman for the schools said: "Yet again it proved a fantastic opportunity to meet and compete against schools in the local area."

Fined for Frome takeaway abuse

December 2, 2013, 7:50 am

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DEMANDING to be served at a Frome takeaway, a drunken man became abusive and terrified a 14-year-old girl who was inside. Declan Jake Jackson was aggressive towards the staff at UK Kebabs and asked them outside for a fight. When the teenage girl looked on he turned swore at her. When police were called to the scene they searched the defendant and found him in possession of cannabis, Somerset Magistrates were told. Jackson, 22, of Nunney Barton, Frome, pleaded guilty to using threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour likely to cause harassment, alarm or distress during the incident on October 24. He also admitted being in possession of a quantity of cannabis when he appeared before the court at Yeovil. Emma Chetland, prosecuting, said that the 14 year old girl was with two friends at the takeaway shop in Bath Street when the defendant walked in at 7.30pm. "He became abusive and aggressive towards the staff, started throwing food on the floor and then asked them outside for a fight," she said. "He then looked towards the young girl and swore at her and continued to bang on the tables leaving her feeling scared, so the police were called." Jackson then followed a member of staff outside and banged on the windows of several vehicles parked nearby and when the police arrived at the scene he was arrested. Mrs Chetland added that during a search of Jackson the officers found a small amount of green vegetable matter in his wallet which was found to be cannabis. Jeffrey Bannister, defending, said that Jackson co-operated with the police and admitted what he had done and said he had been drinking excessively for some time. "He had a few days where he had drunk very little, but on this night he drank excessively and while out somebody gave him the cannabis which he uses occasionally," he said. "Once inside the kebab shop he became angry as he wanted to be served quickly and he then used this abusive language." He added that Jackson was currently receiving help with his alcohol problem from Turning Point and was due to be assessed for the possibility of attending a detox programme. For the public order offence the magistrates fined the defendant £73 and ordered him to pay £40 towards costs and a £20 victim surcharge. They also ordered the cannabis to be destroyed. No separate penalty was imposed for the drug offence.

Late Winscombe try earns victory at Bristol Barbarians in Tribute Somerset Premier

December 2, 2013, 8:25 am

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MATCH REPORT: Bristol Barbarians 10, Winscombe 13 For the third game in a row, Winscombe put their opponents' line under intense early pressure but did not manage to score the try that would have given them a useful early buffer. However, instead they struck late on to snatch victory at Bristol Barbarians and hold on to fifth place in Tribute Somerset Premier. After kicking off down the slight slope, Barbarians soon found themselves back inside their 22. They tried driving out through their forwards but the Winscombe defence was good and they were so shut down in midfield that their outside-half was limited to kicking. This was not effective, though, as the Combe back three of James Flower, Callum Stewart and Steve Pugh carried play back into the 22 three times, while another attempted clearance was charged down by Chris Aske. The final counter-attack resulted in a penalty at the breakdown but they could not cross the line from the resulting lineout and scrums, instead settling for a Pugh penalty on 12 minutes. Winscombe had two more failed attempts to score from five-metre scrums and two penalties in quick succession then saw Barbarians move upfield. They drove a lineout maul to within five metres and, despite some desperate tackles, forced their way over for a converted try on 25 minutes. Winscombe had little possession for the rest of the first half as they gave away five penalties. They tried a few counter-attacks after receiving kicks but there was no way through. The home side extended their lead with a penalty on 36 minutes to earn a 10-3 half-time lead, despite having played very little rugby and lost the territorial battle. The pattern of the game altered in the second half as the penalty count changed in the favour of Winscombe, who gradually began to win some second-phase ball through the forwards as Barbarians began to tire. Injuries to two home players meant scrums became uncontested so Winscombe had to try to make headway in midfield, while the back three continued to counter-attack. Winscombe brought on the fresh legs of Aaron Ford and Andy Ball into the back row but Barbarians defended with great determination and, even with a man extra for ten minutes, the visitors did not add to their tally until Pugh converted an easy penalty after 65 minutes. Although Winscombe were the dominant force, there was little quality possession on offer. However, they finally managed to cross the line with two minutes of normal time remaining when, from a driving maul after Ball took the catch, Jim Merryfield and Owen Howell gave Aaron Ford time to put Stewart over out wide. Pugh's excellent conversion made it 13-10 as the match moved into injury time. A Howell interception then looked to have sent Flower in for a simple try but the ball slipped from his grasp as he approached the line.

PICTURE: Rally crash at Worthy Farm

December 2, 2013, 9:17 am

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A RALLY car crashed on Worthy Farm, home of Glastonbury Festival, on Sunday. The car was racing as part of the Great Bustard Rally.

Norton St Philip in a modern-day rebellion over new homes plans

December 5, 2013, 1:00 am

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THE villagers of Norton St Philip feel under siege.

Families living in the historic village, the site of a battle during the Monmouth Rebellion in 1685, are rising up in protest against what they believe is an onslaught from developers.

In November 2012 there were 309 homes in Norton St Philip. Today there are new permissions or applications for a further 206 houses in the village, a possible 67 per cent increase.

The issues has been brought up in Parliament by Frome MP David Heath and the community has organised itself into an action group called The Pitchfork Rebels.

Already plans have been approved for 57 homes on the former chicken factory site now known as Fortescue Fields, with an application to build a further 49 on the west side next to Church Mead.

There are proposals to build a further 49 homes on land known locally as the Great Orchard at Bell Hill and houses on the Mackley Lane triangle. Appeals are underway for houses at Longmead Close/Shepherds Mead and on a site known as Foma, with further planning approval on a site opposite Laverton Lane.

Now protestors fear their cherished historic village is disappearing before their eyes.

David Millett has lived in the village for 70 years and believes this sudden rise in plans to build new houses is too much too soon.

He said: "The new houses on the old chicken factory site are barely sustainable now and not all the homes have yet been built. There is now another application to build even more houses in an area where there is already a problem of surface water drainage.

"More and more houses are only going to make the situation worse."

Traffic congestion through the narrow high street is another major concern among villagers who say new families moving in will be forced to commute because there is very little employment within Norton St Philip.

The Pitchfork Rebels are girding themselves for a battle. They lay the blame for an influx of developers wanting to build on the green fields that surround them at the door of Mendip District Council, which had overestimated the expected number of homes that would be built in the next five years against national government policy and has had to go back to the drawing board and revise its Local Plan.

As a result villages such as Norton St Philip, Beckington, Rode and Faulkland have seen a rush of applications. Last month permission was given for 75 new homes in Beckington despite strong opposition form locals.

Villager Mike Kann has lived in the village for ten years and he believes residents owe a duty of care to rural villages such as Norton St Philip.

He said: "We appreciate the need for more housing and welcome development, but it must come with a proven requirement in our area and with a plan which demonstrates a carefully considered approach rather than the frenzied siege which we find ourselves the target of.

"If these many applications are successful due to the government's callous and ill-thought polices, the damage which will be done will remain forever, doubling the size of the village in a matter of years with some extra 300-odd houses being applied for."