Rescue mission launched for snowbound Exmoor residents

RESIDENTS on Exmoor who remained cut off by heavy snow after almost a week were hoping to be rescued this evening.
The village of Upton (pictured), near Wimbleball Lake, saw nearly two feet of snow block roads and lanes, making them impassable.
The result was that a number of families living in remoter properties were unable to move from their homes.
One couple, Peter and Julie Bowker, who live nearly a mile from the village centre, resorted to calling the BBC today to highlight their predicament.
They said their cocker spaniel, Bramble, had broken a foot and needed to be taken to a veterinary surgery.
But they were snowbound in their home, which was about 1,000 feet above sea level and six miles even from the nearest shop.
Somerset County Council responded by saying it was sending a snow plough to the village and hoped to reach Mr and Mrs Bowker and other trapped families tonight.
Mr Bowker, aged 70, told the BBC the snow was so deep that only a tractor could reach them.
He said five other local families were also trapped in their homes by the snowfall.
Mr Bowker said: “I am looking out of my window and there is still no sign of the snow plough.
“We are hoping it is on its way.
“We live on the top of a hill and the snow has turned to thick ice and shows no sign of melting.
“The main road and the public highway are clear and most of the lanes in the area are clear but we are here and unable to get out.
“It all looks very beautiful but after a day or two you just want it to be cleared.
“Some friends took pity on us. They drove as far as they could and then donned skis and brought us some emergency provisions.”

Prices slashed in Woolies sale as Dragon pulls out of rescue bid

MILLIONAIRE entrepreneur Theo Paphitis has pulled out of a possible deal which could have saved the jobs of employees of the Minehead branch of Woolworths.
The troubled retailer went into administration last week with debts of £385 million and receivers Deloitte was immediately approached with several inquiries about purchasing the chain.
Mr Paphitis, a star of the BBC Dragon’s Den television programme, was said to be interested in bidding for some of the more profitable Woolies stores and maintaining the Woolworths brand.
However, the Dragon has now pulled out and said in a statement: “Unfortunately, the constituent parts of Woolworths are more valuable than the whole.
“The administrators have a difficult job to do and I appreciate they need to get the highest cash value for the business.
“I hope that an alternative proposal succeeds in securing the future for the many Woolworths employees involved.”
Mr Paphitis has previously revived troubled brands such as La Senza and the stationary chain Rymans.
His withdrawal leaves the future of 30,000 Woolworths jobs in doubt, although Deloitte said the stores would continue throughout the Christmas period and money had been ring fenced to pay salaries.
It is now expected that most of the stores will be sold in small groups to a number of different bidders.
The deadline for bids for single or small groups of stores was 4 pm on Wednesday.
Supermarket firms Tesco, Sainsbury’s, Asda, Waitrose, the Co-op, and discount chain Poundland were all said to be interested in some of Woolworths’ prime high street locations.
The largest shareholder in Woolworths, Ardeshir Naghshineh, was also reported to be preparing a bid for the company.
Woolworths will tomorrow start its ‘biggest ever’ sale in an effort to shift large volumes of stock, slashing prices by up to 50 per cent across its product range.
Deloitte partner Neville Kahn said: “We anticipate increased footfall in the stores and have hired additional staff to cope with increased demand.
“Additional goods have been moved to all stores and further stock will be added in the coming days.”
Woolworths Group, which has a 40 per cent stake in 2Entertain, a joint publishing venture with the BBC, is also likely to be placed into administration.

Dragon's Den star Theo gives hope to Woolies staff

BBC Dragon’s Den star Theo Paphitis (pictured) may launch a buyout of Woolworths which could save the jobs of dozens of workers in the company’s Minehead store.
Woolworths went into administration last week with £385 million of debt, but administrators Deloitte said it was hopeful of finding a buyer for the chain, which has 30,000 employees and 815 stores.
Mr Paphitis is said to be one of several people showing ‘substantial interest’ in the firm.
The millionaire businessman said in a statement: “If we were successful in our negotiations, then it would be my priority to safeguard the future of as many of the employees as possible.
“I would want to keep the Woolworths name alive as it is held with such deep affection, and I would of course want to keep trading as many of the high street stores as possible.”
Mr Paphitis said a speedy resolution was ‘absolutely crucial’ to keeping Woolworths together.
“I have a great belief in the Woolworths brand and would love to see the name remain on the high street,” he said.
Deloitte’s Neville Kahn, Nick Dargan, and Dan Butters have been appointed joint administrators to Woolworths plc and Entertainment UK (E UK) Ltd, the wholesale division on Woolworths.
Mr Khan, the reorganisation services partner, said: “Woolworths has suffered a number of cash flow problems.
“Strenuous efforts over recent weeks to keep these companies going have unfortunately failed and the businesses are now looking to be rescued under the administration process.
“The company will continue to trade. Stores will remain open past Christmas and employees in stores will be paid.
“We have mobilised a large Deloitte team to stabilise the business, and have hired Hilco as our agent to assist in the management of the retail business.
“We appreciate the co-operation and support from the management and staff.
“We are glad that arrangements are in place to ensure that all wages will be paid in full this week.”
Mr Butters said: “We are working hard to ensure that any sale of the business, whole or part, will preserve jobs.”
As well as trying to find a buyer for Woolworths, Deloitte will also be seeking to retrieve something for those owed money by the company, including banks and suppliers.
Mr Butters confirmed how within 24 hours of Deloitte’s appointment as administrators, expressions of interest in Woolworths had been received from ‘a number of parties’.

More bad news for Woolworths employees as shares suspended

EMPLOYMENT fears among dozens of West Somerset shopworkers worsened today with the news that shares in troubled retailer Woolworths have been suspended.
A Woolworths statement said the firm had requested the suspension of trading of its shares on the London Stock Exchange while it continued discussions relating to a potential sale of its retail business.
Woolworths, which has a branch in The Avenue, Minehead, said it was also discussing the possible sale to the BBC of its 40 per cent interest in the 2 Entertain joint venture with BBC Worldwide.
The firm said both sales were subject, among other things, to winning approval from the group’s lending banks.
Restructuring firm Hilco was said to have offered to buy Woolworths for £1, but could not agree how much of the retailer’s £385 million debts it would take on.
Analysts have said Woolworths was likely to go into administration with the loss of 20,000 of its 30,000 jobs unless some kind of a rescue deal could be agreed.

BBC Proms song and dance for Kingsmead pupils

YOUNGSTERS from West Somerset have been invited to perform at the finale of the BBC School Proms.
The concert, which will take place at the Royal Albert Hall, London on November 12, will feature more than 500 children and young people from across Somerset, including pupils of Kingsmead School, in Wiveliscombe.
The young people will be singing, dancing, and playing as part of a joint project between Somerset County Council’s music service and the Somerset County Youth Choir.
Pupils from primary and secondary schools across Somerset will perform a specially-commissioned piece by local composer Sammy Hurden at the finale, who has composed a choral piece entitled ‘The Calling’, designed to highlight the power of the voice.
The finale will also feature local musicians as well as dancers from East Bridgwater Community School.
Singing rehearsals began in primary and secondary schools in the spring, and teachers have been teaching the music to newly-formed or developing school choirs to help them prepare for the event.
The singers will be accompanied on the night by young Somerset musicians and staff from the county music service.
A full rehearsal is due to take place in Yeovil on Saturday, which will be the first time the 550-strong choir, along with local musicians and dancers, will have come together to rehearse.
Penny Dunscombe, Somerset Music’s vocal development manager and also artistic director for the youth choir, said: “The students and their teachers are fantastic to work with, and the music sounds wonderful.
“We are all getting very excited about performing at this prestigious event, and I feel privileged indeed to be leading this project.”
County education portfolio holder Councillor Gloria Cawood said: “The council provides services for local residents at all stages of their lives, and the music service is invaluable in promoting music in primary and secondary schools.
“It is to their great credit that talented young musicians from Somerset are to perform at the Royal Albert Hall.”
The Somerset County Youth Choir is open to any student aged between 11 and 22 years.
More information is available by contacting Penny Dunscombe on 01823 356619.

• Our photograph shows some of the Somerset pupils at an earlier rehearsal. Photo submitted.

Free seafront fireworks display for November 5 festival

A FREE fireworks festival on Minehead seafront gets underway at 4.30 pm next Wednesday, November 5.
The new community initiative by Butlins holiday centre in partnership with West Somerset Council also offers free fairground rides (subject to the weather), an arts and crafts market, street entertainment, and fun for all the family.
The fireworks finale to the evening will be lighting the skies at 7 pm.
Butlins resort director Julian Highfield, said: “The people of Minehead have supported us throughout the year and the festival is our way of saying thank you.
“Family fun is high on the agenda at Butlins and we want to share this with the local community.
“We hope lots of people will come along and enjoy the entertainment.”
A variety of refreshments will be on sale including whole hog roasts, hot dogs, traditional toffee apples, and popcorn.
The market will be stationed on the Warren Road upper car park opposite the BlueSkies building, which will also be the best vantage point for the fireworks being set off from the beach.
Visitors can use the free parking at the nearby Butlins West car park.
Council’s community portfolio holder Councillor Neil Parbrook said: “Butlins has put a lot of work into organising this for the community and we are delighted that we have been able to help.
“We are hoping for good weather as fireworks night is great time for families to get together to enjoy these events.”
Collections will made for Children in Need in advance of a pillow fight record breaking attempt at Butlins on Friday, November 14, in conjunction with BBC’s Children in Need appeal, which will be broadcast live on BBC Points West.
More information is available by calling Butlins on 0845 070 4760.

Small business of the year accolade for Paddocks Farm team

A WEST Somerset/Taunton Deane firm specialising in natural parasite control is celebrating after scooping the highly prestigious Somerset small business of the year award.
Paddocks Farm Partnership, in Huish Champflower, which trades as Verm-X, was founded six years ago by Philip Ghazala.
It now employs five people in a range of tasks from sales to marketing and distribution.
The firm has become the established leader in natural parasite control and has a range of products for many different animals from horses to poultry, cows, pigs, and sheep to alpacas, cats, and dogs.
Paddocks Farm Partnership won in the category for up to five employees at the Somerset Business of the Year annual awards, run by the Somerset Chamber of Commerce and the Federation of Small Businesses.
The award was presented in front of an audience of 150 business guests in the offices of WPA, in Taunton.
Mr Ghazala said: “We were absolutely delighted to win the award.
“It is very much a team effort at Paddocks Farm Partnership and seeing the business grow and develop over the last six years has been very rewarding.
“The judges felt Paddocks Farm Partnership was an innovative farm diversification with an environmentally friendly ethos and when our name was read out it made all the hard work very worthwhile.
“We are the only company in the world that exclusively focuses on producing natural parasite control for animals and are very proud that Paddocks Farm Partnership is a 100 per cent natural formulation.”

• Our photo shows (left to right) Paddocks Farm Partnership managing director Philip Ghazala, marketing assistant Ellie Pitts Tucker, office assistant Amy Ghazala, operations manager Nicola Wigley, Lloyds TSB representative Andy Holway, and BBC presenter Sally Challenor. Photo contributed.

Pudsey Bear takes Children in Need bus to West Somerset

PUDSEY Bear took a bus ride to West Somerset to promote this year’s BBC Children in Need appeal, which takes place on Friday, November 16.
He visited children attending Stogursey Primary School on Tuesday, November 13, before climbing aboard the BBC Somerset bus to tour other schools and shopping areas around Somerset.
This year, Pudsey has been revamped with a fresh new look and is encouraging everybody to ‘do something different’ for the charity and make a real difference to the lives of disadvantaged children and young people in the UK.
BBC Somerset Sound journalist, Andrew Enever said: “It is great to be able to take Pudsey out and about to meet people in the local community.
“He is a huge hit with the kids and we are really looking forward to taking him into local schools and shops to meet everybody raising money and donating.”
Children in Need is in its 28th year and aims to positively change the lives of disadvantaged children and young people in the UK.
Organisations which have received funding from the charity all work with youngsters aged 18 and under, who may have mental, physical, or sensory disabilities, behavioural or psychological disorders, or are living in poverty or situations of deprivation, or suffering through distress, abuse, or neglect.
More information about BBC Children in Need and how people can be involved is available by visiting bbc.co.uk/pudsey.

• Our photograph shows Pudsey on the BBC Somerset roadshow bus. Photo submitted.
  

BBC saves money by axing plans for Somerset

THE BBC has dropped plans to give Somerset its own dedicated full new radio station.
The cost-cutting measure follows a review of spending plans because of a lower than expected licence fee settlement..
However, the BBC is to start broadcasting its existing Somerset Sound station on its own FM frequency, 95.5 FM, from December.
In addition to improved sound quality on FM, BBC Somerset is also set to benefit from new broadband video investments over the next few years, subject to necessary approvals.
It would mean Somerset licence fee payers being given access to an increasing range of audio, video, and text information about what was happening in their area.
BBC Somerset editor Simon Clifford said: “For years now our listeners have been asking why we do not broadcast on FM.
“So this is great news and puts us on an equal footing with other BBC local radio stations by having our own FM frequency on 95.5.
“With the new frequency and our BBC Somerset mobile studio, which allows us to broadcast from virtually anywhere in the county, I am really excited about the way the station is developing.”
The FM presence will be made possible by changing BBC Radio Bristol’s FM frequency to an enhanced 94.9 FM service.
In turn, Somerset will have 95.5 FM as its main frequency and the station’s output will reach more of the county with a higher quality signal for its existing dedicated local programming

BBC Somerset will continue to be broadcast on 1566 AM and online at www.bbc.co.uk/somerset.

The Somerset programming currently splits from BBC Bristol at breakfast, mid-morning and for the drive programmes on weekdays, breakfast on Saturdays, and ‘Pick of the Week’ on Sundays.
More details are available by visiting www.bbc.co.uk/somerset, or the BBC Reception Advice website at www.bbc.co.uk/reception or by telephoning BBC Information on 08700 100 123.