Welcome Welcome to the re-branded The Somerset View (formally The Cheddar Valley View).
This months front cover image shows flooded farmland on the Somerset Levels.
Why the name change? Well, we have plans for further expansion this year, so it seemed to make perfect sense. We have also re-sized the publication making it the same size as it’s sister magazine The Weston & Worle View.
© Rich Collar Aerial Circus Photography
We’ve been busy building up our list of content contributors and are very pleased with the results. We would naturally like as many contributors as we can, so if you or your organisation, charity, group, team etc. would like to send us any events lists, news, articles or features, we’ll check them out and (if appropriate) print it in the mag’. We look forward to seeing them. After all, this is a community magazine.
At a glance – February 04 Strode College A+
Steve Drew Editor
The Somerset View Editor Steve Drew Advertising Nick Carter Studio/Production Dave Collingbourne Marketing & Promotions Ian Williams and a special thank you to
Dave Englefield of PULSE and Jane Allen of the RSPB Photographic contributions Rich Collar and Dave Collingbourne The Somerset View, Pony Publishing Ltd. Locking Farm Business Park, Locking Moor Road, Weston-super-Mare, North Somerset BS24 8PJ
To advertise in The Somerset View call
01934 820041
OR email: steve@ponypublishing.co.uk for a rate card and media pack. Printed by Flying Colours. www.westonandworleview.com
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Whilst every care has been taken to ensure accuracy, the publisher cannot accept responsibility for loss, damage or omission caused by error or negligence for any services provided by advertisers or for any content of this publication The views expressed in this publication may not necessarily represent those of Pony Publishing Ltd. or its associates. All material within the magazine, whether editorial or advertising, is copyright of Pony Publishing Ltd. and may not be reproduced without permission from the publisher.
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Government League Tables show fantastic ‘A’ Level results for the Street based college
05 PAUL CARRACK
Frontman Paul Carrack discusses his up-coming tour and album with PULSE presenter Dave Englefield
09 FOSTER HELP!
Council’s plea for more to come forward
11 FLOOD RELIEF
Extra river dredging funding proposed
Council Tax Freeze
Plans to freeze Council Tax for fifth year
14 Enterprise boost
New management for Enterprise Centres Welcome to
Aerial Circus Photography
Call 0791 020 7073 www.aerialcircus.webs.com rich@aerialcircus.co.uk
www.westonandworleview.co.uk
www.strode-college.ac.uk
The Government’s advanced level league tables show that A Level students progress more at Strode College than at any other school or college in Somerset. Strode is also ranked as the best performing college in Somerset for A Levels and the fourth best performing school or college in Somerset, using the measure for average points scored per A Level entry. James Staniforth, Principal of Strode College, is delighted that this year’s league tables show how well students perform and progress at the college. He said: “Our students consistently gain outstanding results and high grades; these new league tables reflect this excellent performance and the positive impact of our teaching and support on these results.“ “This is the first year that the league tables have published ‘added value’ information alongside the raw data for average points scored per exam entry. Value-added scores are really important because they tell people about the quality of teaching at a school or college, rather than whether a school or college simply recruits students who have performed well at GCSE. Value-added scores reflect the difference between what a student should have achieved based on their GCSEs and what they did achieve.“ (See examples >) “We are by far the best school or college in Somerset for adding value to advanced level students, adding twice as much value as the next best institution in the county. And, although we teach many outstanding academic students, we do not rely on those good students to get good results. We rely on excellent teaching, support and guidance; it’s fantastic that the league tables now make it easier for people to see the positive difference we make as well as the great results our students achieve.“ Strode is also the best performing college in Somerset, Devon, Dorset, North Somerset, Wiltshire, Gloucestershire and BANES, for both A Level achievement per student entry and for adding value. Nationally, Strode has the eleventh best A Level results in terms of achievement per entry, moving up to ninth best, when looking at adding value. Strode students also gained excellent results for advanced level vocational qualifications in 2013 and the league tables show a similarly positive picture. Strode is the best college in Somerset for improving student progress on vocational courses and the second best college in the South West, based on both average points per exam entry and value-added performance.
Examples of students who joined Strode College after their GCSEs and achieved higher A Level grades than anticipated based on their GCSE results. Jessie from Glastonbury A Level grades achieved: A*, A* and A Predicted grades after GCSEs: C, C, and C Where now? Exeter University studying Applied Psychology Tom from Queen Camel A Level grades achieved: A*, A and A Predicted grades after GCSEs: B, B and C Where now? Oxford University studying Maths Amy from Wells A Level grades achieved: A, A and B Predicted grades after GCSEs: B,B and B Where now? Loughborough University studying Sports and Exercise Science George from Compton Dundon A Level grades achieved: A, A, A Predicted grades after GCSEs: B, B and C Where now? Reading University studying Business and Management Katie from Street A Level grades achieved: A*, B and B Predicted grades after GCSEs: B, C and C Where now? Exeter University studying Geography Katie from Yeovil A Level grades achieved: A, A and B Predicted grades after GCSEs: C, D and D Where now? Southampton University studying Biology Sorcha from Othery A Level grades achieved: A, A, A and B Predicted grades after GCSEs: B, B, B and B Where now? Manchester University studying History College switchboard 01458 844400 College Fax 01458 844411. Strode College, Church Road, Street, Somerset, BA16 0AB.
A
interview with
Paul Carrack
Mention the name Paul Carrack to some people and they’re be a scratching of the head or a blank expression. However, mention songs like ‘How Long’, ‘Tempted’, ‘Over My Shoulder’ and ‘The Living Years’ and you get a totally different reaction. Paul sang lead vocals on all those, and many other hits, as part of Ace, Squeeze and Mike & the Mechanics. Paul has been recording and touring under his own name for many years now, and was even the subject of a BBC documentary ‘The Man With The Golden Voice’ in 2012.
2013 was another extraordinary year for Paul Carrack, including a stint as guitarist for Eric Clapton on his world tour, as well as touring with his own band. Paul said of the Clapton tour that it was nice to not to be the focal point of attention. “I often say that compared to being the front guy it’s like being on holiday and, to be honest, in Eric’s case you’re very well taken care of and any pressure is on his shoulders because people have come to see him and they want to see him deliver and the only pressure we are under is trying to help him do that.” Paul and his band have also recorded a new album ‘Rain Or Shine’, which was released just a few weeks ago. The new album contains five new songs written by Paul including the lead single ‘That’s All That Matters To Me’, a track written about his daughter Merri, along with five cover versions of some of Pauls favourite songs such as Ray Charles’ ‘You Don’t Know For a chance to win a copy Me’. Paul says of the album “I know we always say it, but I Paul’s new album ‘Rain or genuinely believe this is my best ever album. I wasn’t even Shine’ simply answer this sure if we’d get a new one out in between tours. I finished question. touring with Eric Clapton at the end of June and knew I was One of Paul Carrack’s back on the road in October so there wasn’t an awful lot of biggest hit singles to date time to start with a blank sheet of paper and to write and is ‘The Living Years’ – but record a whole album, but once I started the ball rolling with what was the name of a couple of covers it took the pressure off having to write the the band? new stuff, and then they (the new songs) seemed to come a) Eric + The Engineers quite easily.”
COMPETITION:
2014 marks another milestone for Paul as it is the 40th anniversary of his very first hit single ‘How Long’. Never one to rest on his laurels, Paul is already on another tour to promote the new songs along with all his biggest hits from his entire career.
You can get a full list of tour dates from Pauls website at www.paulcarrack.net Imagery © Antoine Borgers
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b) Billy + The Builders
c) Mike + The Mechanics Send your answer, along with your contact details to: WIN@ponypublishing.co.uk before the 20th of February 2014.
Winners will be contacted soon after that date. T&Cs apply.
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100 CLUB
The Pulse 100 club, is a group of local businesses who have kindly donated £100 to Pulse radio. If you would like to be part of the 100 club then simply contact Nick Rickards via email (nick.rickards@pulseradio.org) and he will be more than happy to explain what’s involved and the benefits it can give your company.
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Local Gig Guide - February 2014
4th February
15th February
Hawthorns Hotel 8-12 Northload Street, Glastonbury, Somerset BA6 9JJ 01458 831255 www.lemonrock.com/ hawthornshotel
The King William Inn 19 Market Place, Glastonbury, Somerset BA6 9HL 01458 831473 Contact : Caroline www.weazeldust.com
Open Mic Night
5th February Ross Kirk
The Venue Club 42 South Street, Wells, Somerset BA5 1SL 9pm - Midnight www.lemonrock.com/ venueclub
7th February Snappa
The King Alfred Inn Burrbridge, Burrowbridge, Somerset TA7 0RB www.lemonrock.com/ kingalfredinnburrowbridge
9th February
The Back Door Man Blues Jam Hawthorns Hotel 8-12 Northload Street, Glastonbury, Somerset BA6 9JJ 01458 831255 www.lemonrock.com/ hawthornshotel
14th February Soulville Express
Town Hall Magdalene Street, Glastonbury, Somerset BA6 9EL 01458 831769 www.lemonrock.com/ townhallglastonbury
Simon Gee
The Street Inn 1-3 Somerton Road, Street, Somerset BA16 0DR 01458 844010 Contact Jason or Rachel www.thestreetinn.com
Weazeldust
2 Tone Red
Quantock Lakes Neuro Foundation Charity Ball Nether Stowey, Somerset TA5 1HY Tickets: ÂŁ25 Contact : Phil Scala www.2tonered.com
19th February Rob & Ron
The Royal Clarence Hotel, 31 The Esplanade, Burnham-on-Sea, Somerset TA8 1BQ 01278 783138 Contact : Paul www.lemonrock.com/ robandron
21st February Howlin Matt
Hawthorns Hotel 8-12 Northload Street, Glastonbury, Somerset BA6 9JJ 01458 831255 www.lemonrock.com/ hawthornshotel
Grouvecat
The Cobblestones 71 Eastover, Bridgwater, Somerset TA6 5AP 01278 425955 Contact: louise www.lemonrock.com/ cobblestones
28th February Lazibyrd Hawthorns Hotel 8-12 Northload Street, Glastonbury, Somerset BA6 9JJ 01458 831255 www.lemonrock.com/ hawthornshotel
Send us a list of your upcoming gigs to dave@ponypublishing.co.uk Our thanks to www.Lemonrock.com and others for their contributions
01934 820041
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RSPB & the Avalon Marshes Centre Up-coming events throughout February for Somerset Bird Watching for Beginners – Sunday 9th February, 2.30 - 5.45pm RSPB Ham Wall. Come and learn to identify birds and other fantastic wildlife that gather on the reserve at this time of year, no previous experience required. Followed by delicious soup and home-made cookies, included in price. £7 per person, booking essential, contact Meare Manor on 01458 860449
Green Fingers Compost Day! – Sundays 16th & 23rd February, 10am - 3pm Avalon Marshes Centre. Buy peat-free soil conditioner produced from waste vegetation removed from Ham Wall reserve. Reduced price if you bring your own bags, for details ring 01458 860494
Lovenests Friday – 14th February, 3.30 - 5pm RSPB Swell Wood (A378 between Curry Rivel and Fivehead). Help us build a giant bird’s nest and make a little one to take home. Family event, £2 per child, no booking required.
Bird Watching for Everyone – Sunday 16th February 11am - 3pm RSPB Greylake (A361 between Othery and Greinton). Free family event. Pop in to do some bird watching and for a small donation, make a nest box to take home.
Willows in the Woods – Tuesday 18th February 2 - 4pm Avalon Marshes Centre, weaving willow domes in a woodland picnic spot. Avalon Marshes Wildlife Group event. free (£1 for non-members) booking essential, contact 01458 860120/834326
A Murmuration of Starlings – Wednesday 19th February, 3 - 6pm Avalon Marshes Centre. Make your own starlings then go and see the real thing. Free family workshop, booking essential, for details ring 01458 860494
Bug Bungalows – Thursday 20th February, 2 - 4pm RSPB Greylake (A361 between Othery and Greinton). Give nature a home and build a bug bungalow. Family event, £2 per child, no booking required.
rspb.org.uk Let’s give nature a home The RSPB is the country’s largest nature conservation charity, inspiring everyone to give nature a home. Together with our partners, we protect threatened birds and wildlife so our towns, coast and countryside will teem with life once again. We play a leading role in Birdlife International, a worldwide partnership of nature conservation organisations. The Avalon Marshes Landscape Partnership (AMLP) The partnership is made up of English Heritage, Environment Agency, Hawk & Owl Trust, Natural England, RSPB, Somerset County Council and Somerset Wildlife Trust. The project is based at the Avalon Marshes Centre, Shapwick Road, Westhay, Somerset, BA6 9TT - email: info@avalonmarshes.org Tel: 01458 860556. The Scheme runs from 2012 to the end of 2015.
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More foster carers needed in Somerset The Fostering Network today announced that 8,600 new foster families are needed in the UK in the next 12 months. Somerset County Council currently has around 250 foster carers and will need 60 new foster care households in the next year to keep up with the rising number of children coming into care and to replace the foster carers that have retired. Robert Tapsfield, Chief Executive of the Fostering Network, said:“Children and young people come into care for a wide range of reasons, but all come needing professional, dedicated and compassionate support. Foster carers are remarkable people who open their homes to some of society’s most vulnerable and disadvantaged children and young people.” Cllr Frances Nicholson, Cabinet Member for Children and Families at Somerset County Council, said:“We need more people to become foster carers in Somerset, particularly people with the right skills and experience to look after teenagers, children with disabilities and sibling groups.” “When we haven’t enough foster carers in general, and in particular foster carers with the right specialist skills, children in care are placed with private agency foster carers or in children’s homes. This means that children sometimes end up living further away from their home, school and family than is ideal, or in a childrens’ home when a family setting where the foster carers have the right specialist skills would be better.” Cllr Nicholson continued:“We welcome people from all walks of life to apply to foster. It doesn’t matter if you are single, married or in a same sex relationship, own or rent your home, have children of your own or not. All you need is a spare room, time and care to offer a child and a willingness to learn. We provide training to all our foster carers and ongoing support and advice from professionals. And there are lots of different types of fostering, which means you can choose how much time and energy you can offer a child and what suits your circumstances best.”
To find out more about becoming a foster carer and the different types of foster care, visit: www.fosteringinsomerset.org.uk or phone 0800 587 9900 for an information pack. 01934 820041
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Flood Fund Boost
A further flood funding boost of £500,000 has been proposed for river dredging by Somerset County Council. It brings the total proposed by the council to £1m and follows a mini flood summit which was held in the county in January. The Council is planning to up its offer of £300,000 for dredging, and £200,000 for local flood prevention schemes, to a total of £1m – with a rallying call for Government and the Environment Agency to dig into their own pockets and find the further £3m needed to enable a comprehensive dredging operation for the Rivers Parrett and Tone. The offer came as leading councillors and officers held a crisis meeting with Dan Rogerson – Minister for Water and Rural Affairs. Also invited were MPs, the Environment Agency and representatives of other councils and voluntary groups. “This extra funding, at a time of extremely challenging finances for the Council, is a clear indication of how determined we are to stand up for residents and small businesses who have been devastated by flooding, not once, but twice in just over a year,” said Council Leader John Osman. “The Minister listened to our case – which I feel is very strong – and saw for himself the extent of the flooding. He has promised to take up our case and we have agreed to a further meeting in Whitehall to continue to fight for significant investment. He agrees that Somerset has had two years of severe flooding which puts it ahead of any other claims for help and support.” The county council has taken a lead in campaigning for significant investment in flood prevention and has written to all Somerset’s MPs as well as other councils and agencies asking for backing for its ‘Fair Funding for Somerset’ campaign. “It is important we are all on the same side to have the best chance of success,” said Cllr Osman.“This is about working together to help people pick up their lives once the flood waters recede. At the moment we have a community at Muchelney completely cut off, we have a main road impassable through the middle of the county, we have a damaged road bridge, we have thousands of acres of farmland under water – all this means we have many, many people and businesses whose lives are being ruined. We must get the government to act and to act quickly.” People are asked to register their support for the campaign by “liking” it at www.facebook.com/ fairerfundingforsomerset or using the hashtag #fairerfundingforsomerset on Twitter. For up-to-date news on the flooding and the response, check out the website www.somerset.gov.uk/irj/public
Council Tax freeze for fifth year
A fifth year of a council tax freeze has been proposed by Somerset County Council, as hard-pressed households face rocketing bills. The Council is preparing its budget for the coming financial year and this includes proposals to freeze its proportion of council tax for the fifth year in a row. Since 2009, average gas and electricity bills have increased by 52% and 33% respectively*. In contrast, the SCC portion of council tax for an average Band D Property Tax was £1,027 in 2009 and remains exactly the same in 2014. “We understand how tight it is for households across Somerset and it is important that we support people wherever we can.” said Council Leader John Osman. “Our income from government is down, but we face increasing calls on our services from people who need our help. It means we have to take tough decisions to live within our means – it’s the same as any household. When earnings go down, but bills go up, you have to cut-back in some areas.” “But we remain determined to keep our share of council tax as low as we can for as long as we can. 01934 820041
Five years in a row is a real testament to the rigorous way we manage our finances, and to the efficiencies and savings we have made over the past five years.” Over the past six months the Council has carried out an extensive consultation – called the ‘Balancing Act’ into budgets and services. In that consultation, a survey of 1000 people across Somerset showed that close to two thirds of those asked did not want to see council tax increased to protect council run services. “We have consulted widely and listened to our residents who are clear that council tax levels should remain frozen as far as possible. People understand the tough financial position we are in and I am sure they will welcome this stand to help them out in these tough financial times.” The final budget will be voted on by councillors at their formal meeting on 19th Feb. * Research by uSwitch 2013. www.westonandworleview.co.uk
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Mendip Gliders Mendip Gliding Club, Halesland Airfield, New Road, Draycott, Cheddar, N Somerset, BA5 3BX
t: 01761 232080
w: www.mendipgliding.co.uk
Radio’s Valentines ‘Did You Know?’
Vector Graphics by VectorOpenStock.com
1. ‘The High Court of Love’ was established in Paris, France, in 1400 and is the first known official celebration of Saint Valentine’s Day. Composed of 30 women, it dealt with love contracts, violence against women, and betrayals. 2. In 1969, St.Valentine’s Day was removed from the Roman Calendar of Saints by Pope Paul VI, though its religious observance is still allowed 3. Over 100 years ago, the Chicago post office refused to deliver about 25,000 Valentine postcards because their messages were not nice.The caustic cards were called “Vinegar Valentines” 4. Saint Valentine is the patron saint of lovers and engaged couples. He is also the patron saint of epilepsy (which he is said to have suffered), plague, greetings, travellers, young people, and bee keepers 5. In Germany, girls would plant onions in a pot on Valentine’s Day, and next to the onions, they placed the name of a boy.They believed they would marry the boy whose name was nearest the first onion to grow. 6. Each year 300,000 letters go through Loveland, Colorado, to get a special heart postmark for Valentine’s Day 7. The first European post boxes appeared in Paris in the late eighteenth century, which revolutionized the way Valentine cards were produced and delivered 8. Traditionally, young girls in the US and the U.K. believed they could tell what type of man they would marry depending on the type of bird they saw first on Valentine’s Day. If they saw a blackbird, they would marry a clergyman, a robin redbreast indicated a sailor, and a goldfinch indicated a rich man. A sparrow meant they would marry a farmer, a blue bird indicated a happy man, and a crossbill meant an argumentative man. If they saw a dove, they would marry a good man, but seeing a woodpecker meant they would not marry at all. 9. The first recorded Valentine was sent February 1415 by the Duke of Orleans. He sent a love letter to his wife from his jail cell in the Tower of London after the Battle of Agincourt. It is currently on display in the British Museum. 10. Commercially, Valentine cards didn’t appear in England until almost the 1800s, though handmade cards had been popular for some time 11. In 1653, Oliver Cromwell became Lord Protector of the Realm and, subsequently banned St. Valentine’s Day customs. Valentine’s Day wasn’t observed again until Stuart King Charles II was restored to the English throne in 1660 12. In 2010, 25% of adults bought flowers or plants as a Valentine’s gift. Of these, 60% were men and 40% were women. Men mainly bought flowers for romantic reasons, while women bought flowers for their mothers and friends as well as their sweethearts 13. During the 1700s, a girl would pin four bay leaves to her pillow and eat a hard-boiled egg, including the shell, on the eve of St. Valentine’s Day. Supposedly, if she dreamed of a boy that night, she would soon marry him. Girls would also write boys’ names on small pieces of paper, cover them with clay, and drop them into the water. When the clay broke, the papers floated to the top.The first name the girls could read would predict whom they would marry. 14. British children in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries would celebrate Valentine’s Day by going door-to-door singing songs and sometimes begging for cake or money. 15. The most popular flower on Valentine’s Day is a single red rose surrounded with baby’s breath.The red rose was the flower of Venus, the Roman goddess of love. 16. The saying “wearing your heart on your sleeve” is from the Middle Ages. Boys at this time would draw names of girls to see who would be their “Valentine” and then wear the name pinned on their sleeve for a week. 17. A kiss on Valentine’s Day is considered to bring good luck all year. 01934 820041
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13
Enterprise centres under new management A new company has been appointed to manage and develop Somerset County Council’s network of Enterprise Centres with the aim of helping tenants grow their business, creating jobs and generating inward investment into the County.
Alison’s Buffets 54 Redcliffe Street Cheddar, Somerset BS27 3PF
Buffets for ALL occasions Weddings, Birthday Parties, Funerals, Corporate Events t: 01934 742958 email: Ali2Der@aol.com
YOUR AD HERE from £25 a Month! (for a 12 month booking) 16th Page Advert in the Cheddar Valley View Contact details, lineage and logo/image space t: 01234 567890 e:me@smycompany.co.uk w: www.mycompany.co.uk
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Leading economic development agency, ‘TDA’, was awarded the contract to maximise economic benefits from the centres, forge lasting relationships with tenants and business communities, and develop areas of Somerset into ‘economic engine rooms’. The Enterprise Centres are based at sites in Dulverton, Frome, Minehead and Wheddon Cross with 41 separate business units offering a combined total of over 45,000 sq ft of light industrial unit, and office space. Cabinet Member with responsibility for Economic Development, Cllr David Hall, said: “Our Enterprise Centres play a very important role in accommodating, supporting and advising small to medium size businesses in the County and this appointment is great news for them.” ‘TDA’ will have responsibility for the financial and facilities management of the Centres, as well as building lasting relationships with the tenants and business communities that surround the centres. They will also use their expertise by developing ‘business incubators’ for new business start-ups. Cllr Hall added: “It is essential that we encourage and support businesses to establish themselves here in Somerset for the economic prosperity of the County”. For more information contact Jonathan Williams PR & Communications on 01823 358175 or email: jxwilliams@somerset.gov.uk 14
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