Author: Lesley Webb

Dunster Benefice Newsletter 29th April 2022

Timberscombe School Friday News 29.04.22

Somerset Health and Wellbeing Updates

Key Messages this week

1. Make sure you are ready to vote on 5 May

With just under one week before people in Somerset go to the polls, voters are being urged to get ready for the forthcoming local elections. Voters will already have a poll card informing them where they should go to cast their vote. Voters will be allocated to a polling station based on their home address.

Information on polling stations is also available on the Electoral Commission’s website at www.electoralcommission.org.uk/i-am-a/voter/your-election-information.  For more information about the elections, please visit: https://www.somerset.gov.uk/how-the-council-works/elections/

Polling stations will be open from 7.00am to 10.00pm. Voters who have opted to vote by post must return their postal ballot pack by 10pm; they can hand it in at their polling station if they have not got time to return it by post.

People elected to represent their community at the town and parish council elections also taking place on 5 May, will serve a five-year term. 

For your information the only contested parishes/parish ward areas are:

• Brompton Regis
• Cheddon Fitzpaine (Maidenbrook Ward)
• Cutcombe
• Old Cleeve (Old Cleeve Ward)
• Porlock
• Stogursey
• Watchet
• Wellington (East Ward)
• Wellington (Rockwell Green Ward)
• Wellington (South East Ward)
• Wellington (South Ward)
• Winsford

Polling day is on Thursday 5 May and the counting of votes and declarations of the results for the town and parish council is scheduled to take place on Saturday 7 May 2022.

Please visit the SWT Elections 2022 page on the Council website for more information.

2.Online reporting of Housing Repairs

Recently the Housing Service launched an online repair tool to allow customers to report repairs to council properties.  It can be accessed here Housing repairs (somersetwestandtaunton.gov.uk). 

Please report repairs using this online tool or via the 0300 304 8000 number.  Repairs that are reported by other methods may be delayed as the correct information has not been captured.  Please help SWT to provide the best possible service to our customers by reporting repairs using the most effective method.

3.Somerset Waste Partnership Services (SWP)

Bank holiday collection changes

Don’t forget – rubbish and recycling collections take place a day later than usual next week to accommodate the bank holiday on Monday 2 May. That includes collections scheduled for Friday 6 May taking place on Saturday 7 May. Please make sure your boxes, bags and (if needed) bins are out on the right day and before 7am.

 Remember, collection days can always be checked online using the My Collection Day feature on the Somerset Waste Partnership website somersetwaste.gov.uk

4. Exmoor National Park (ENP). What is Lyme Disease and why do we need to be tick aware?

Lyme disease is an infection caused by a type of bacteria that is carried by some species of ticks. People can get the disease if bitten by an infected tick.

Ticks are most active in the spring and summer months when the weather warms up but can be found all year round. There are estimated to be around 3000 cases of Lyme disease diagnosed in England each year.

People are most likely to be exposed to ticks when spending time outdoors in green spaces.

Ticks and the potential risk of Lyme disease shouldn’t stop you from enjoying the outdoors, but there are various things you can do to avoid being bitten and to reduce the chance of being infected.

Please click here to read the full press release.

1. We are asking people to call us if they see suspicious activity following the theft of a number of drain gully covers across Avon and Somerset. In recent weeks incidents have been reported in areas, including Dundry, Wrington, Nailsea, Southville and across the Chew Valley.   Detective Inspector Angela Burtonwood said: “We have had several calls from members of the public providing us with information and we are grateful for those details, which we’re reviewing and assessing. “With crimes of this nature, the best way of apprehending the offender or offenders responsible is by catching them in the act. So we would ask members of the public who see suspicious behaviour, including people in his-vis jackets seemingly lifting or inspecting drain covers late at night, to call us right away.” Police are also working with scrap metal merchants across the force area asking them to call if they see anyone trying to offload the covers. Det Insp Burtonwood added: “Not only will it cost taxpayers money to have these covers replaced, but there are also clear health and safety concerns with drain gully covers being removed. We are working with local authorities across the force area to help mitigate those.” If you see any drain covers being stolen, please call 999 and give reference number 5222091286. Or if you have information relating to the thefts call 101. You can contact the independent charity Crimestoppers 100 per cent anonymously on 0800 555 111or via their Anonymous Online Form. No personal details are taken, information cannot be traced or recorded and you will not go to court or have to speak to police when contacting Crimestoppers. 2. Two men have been jailed for drug offences after being stopped by patrolling police officers in Dunster on 28 April 2020. Officers carrying out targeted patrols as the result of intelligence stopped the two men in a vehicle and found drugs, a lock knife and a knuckleduster. Further enquiries led officers to find more drugs at the home of one of the men, Jared Tappin. In all officers seized cocaine with an estimated street value of more than £16,500 and cannabis worth more than £9,500.   Appearing before Taunton Crown Court on Thursday 14 April, Patrick Shelley, 26, of Pixton Way, Dulverton, was jailed for a total of 30 months after previously admitting possessing cocaine and cannabis with intent to supply, possessing an offensive weapon in public, possessing a knife in public and acquiring/possessing criminal property. On the same date Jared Tappin, 31, of High Street, Dulverton, was handed a jail term totalling 26 months after admitting possessing cocaine and cannabis with intent to supply and acquiring/possessing criminal property. The officer in the case, Neighbourhood PC Jamie Munro, said: “This targeted police stop during the midst of the first Covid lockdown was thanks to the community providing us with quality intelligence about drug crime. “The investigation has necessarily been lengthy but by working with the community we’ve ensured two drug dealers now are behind bars. “Sadly the impact of drug crime is still felt in rural communities like ours on Exmoor. We welcome information to help us target dealers who often take advantage of the most vulnerable in society.” You can talk to your neighbourhood team, report using our online form or call 101. If you don’t want to talk to us directly, ring Crimestoppers 100 per cent anonymously on 0800 555 111 or via their anonymous online form. If you or someone you care about is affected by drug use, Somerset County Council’s website has information on the support and advice available.

3. A motorcyclist sadly died in an incident on the B3223 in West Somerset yesterday (Sunday 24 April). Emergency services were called to the Simonsbath area at about 2.15pm following reports of a motorbike striking a grass bank. The motorbike rider, who was a man in his 70s, was sadly pronounced dead at the scene. His next of kin have been informed of the tragic news and specially trained officers will be providing them with support at this difficult time. Our sympathies and thoughts are with them. The road was closed for several hours while collision investigation work was carried out. It reopened at approximately 9.30pm. We want to hear from any witnesses or other motorists driving in that area yesterday who may have dashcam that could be relevant to our enquiries. If you can help, please call 101 and give the call handler the reference number 5222096762.

There will be a platinum Jubilee Fete & Street Party meeting this Friday in the Village hall at 2 pm! Everyone welcome to come along in support of the village celebrations. If you have any questions please come along.  All kinds of help needed, even if its baking a cake or donating a raffle prize! Many thanks

Sophie Melrose

Do you have one or two broken household items or clothing needing repair or gardening tools to sharpen? Bring them along to the next Repair Café on Saturday, April 30th at Porlock Village Hall from 10am-12pm and see what can be done. Enjoy a cuppa while you wait. Give it a go.
There are 13 experienced repair volunteers offering to repair electrical, mechanical and wooden items, computers, mobile phones, bikes, sewing of hems, buttons or clothing tears and tool and knife sharpening. All electrical items are PAT tested for safety before being handed back.
There is no charge, we just ask for a donation to help us with village hall hire and insurance.

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Yoga Classes Start April 25th – Here’s a Free Recorded Class For You!

I could wax lyrical for hours about the benefits of yoga, and why you might want to try it….Strength, flexibility, peace of mind, better sleep, stress relief….I’ll stop there for now!

But how do you know if you’re going to like it?

Well, you could try it at home with no-one looking, to see if you enjoy it!

I’m sending a free recording for you to do just that.  

Copy and paste this address into your browser, sign up, and I’ll send your Grounded and Gorgeous, 40 minute, gentle yoga class, straight over to you.

You’ll get a couple more yoga and relaxation freebies over the next few days, and then I’ll let you know about classes, retreats and exciting yoga things that are happening as soon as I plan them!

https://mailchi.mp/bfaebae6a620/sign-up-to-mailing-list

The classes I currently teach are:

Stretch and Strengthen – Slowly!

Wootton Courtenay Village Hall Mondays 10-11am

This is a gentle class – that still offers some challenge! 

Yoga on the Hill! 

Wheddon Cross Moorland Hall Mondays 7-8:30pm

This class is slow, but dynamic, with some more challenging poses and sequences.

My classes are small, friendly groups with a wide range of experience!  Beginners are welcome to both classes – and some people there have been practicing yoga for longer than me!

I aim to teach in a way that makes as much space as possible for each person’s differing needs.  We all get injuries, have our own physical limits, and have our own reasons for coming to a yoga class.

I sometimes hear ‘I’m not flexible enough to go to a yoga class.’  I get it, but this makes me really sad.  You don’t need to be flexible to do yoga!  And the chances are, that if you do try a class, you might be a bit more flexible by the end of it!

If you want to know more about the classes, or have any questions, feel free to email or phone me.

Terry Bruce 07961 892526

terry@shiatsuyoga.co.uk

If you’d like to book yourself a space in one of next week’s classes – here’s the link:

https://shiatsuyoga.co.uk/inpersonyoga/