More sport and activities for disabled people planned for 2008

OPEN Daws, a group which offers disabled people in West Somerset an opportunity to enjoy sports they love, or to experience new activities, has arranged an action-packed agenda for the New Year.
Events in January include sea fishing trips, swimming, horse riding, bowling, and a visit to Paignton Zoo.
The group is also starting to put together a calendar of events for the spring and summer which includes fly fishing, carriage driving, and rock climbing, which should ensure that whatever a person’s age or ability, there will be an activity to interest them.
More sporting activities will be introduced this year, as well as trips to Tiverton Museum and other attractions.
Open Daws stands for ‘Disabled Activities in West Somerset’.
West Somerset Council leisure and recreation portfolio holder Councillor Neil Parbrook said: “We support Open Daws because it provides some great activities and helps people to make the most of their talents.
“Qualified instructors and coaches can help people of all abilities to enjoy what is on offer.
“The group is friendly and supportive and we hope that more people will come along and take up new challenges in the New Year.”
A membership scheme is available and, by joining this, people will receive reduced rates for all of the activities on offer, or they can take part as non-members.
All activities are run by qualified personnel, and transport to and from activities can be arranged.
To find out more about Open Daws, contact Liz Stewart on 07921 231369 or Gail Sloman on 01984 635208, or email to gksloman@westsomerset.gov.uk or lstewart@westsomerset.gov.uk, or log on to www.westsomersetonline.gov.uk.

Buchanan Cup victory at third time of asking for golf pair

THE final and the consolation of this year’s Buchanan Cup open competition at Minehead and West Somerset Golf Club was the culmination of knock-out rounds held over a period of eight weeks.
Brian Waites, a member of the 1983 European Ryder Cup team, and partner Gordon Whalley, a past Captain of the club, won through to the final to meet Vivary Park Golf Club professional Dave Hawker and his partner Mark Pavey, landlord of the Vivary Arms, in Taunton.
It was the third year in a row that the Minehead pairing had contested the final in this prestigious competition, and the fourth final for Whalley, with victory previously eluding him.
However, after two year’s of settling for the Greens Tankard runner-up spot, they scored a well-deserved victory to finally lift the Buchanan Cup.
It was a tough day for golf, strong easterly winds made it very cold but at least dry.
Waites and Whalley went one up at the first with a birdie from the former Ryder Cup star and then found themselves two up after the third when Whalley won the hole using his shot allowance.
The Vivary pair fought back immediately with Pavey securing a par on the tough par three fourth.
Indeed, it was like that for much of the front nine, with only two holes being halved and all players contributing to the match.
At the turn, it was the Minehead pair who still held a two-hole lead.
The back nine began with the Vivary pair taking the 10th hole with a par.
One up remained the score until the 13th, when the hole was won by Waites with a birdie three.
Two up to the Minehead pair lasted just one hole as Pavey took the 14th with a birdie two of his own.
The match was levelled again on the 16th when Hawker chipped in brilliantly from off the green to secure a birdie for the Vivary pair.
All square with two holes to play, it took nerves of steel and more magic from Waites, who played a magnificent approach shot to the 17th which stopped close to the hole.
The putt was conceded for another birdie three to leave the Minehead pair requiring only a half on the par three 18th to secure the cup for the first time.
The Minehead pair teed-off first with Whalley’s ball ending up to the left of the green and Waites on the front of it.
The Vivary pair played next with one falling way short of the green and the other well off to the right, fortunately missing the unplayable sand dune.
The first of the Vivary pair made his approach shot to the green leaving the ball well away from the hole.
Whalley was next to play onto the green and his shot ended well short leaving a not-so-certain par put.
The second Vivary player played a chip and run again leaving an uncertain par put.
It was left again to Waites, who, with his steady and assured style, rolled the ball perfectly to the edge of the hole.
With no chance of a win, the Vivary pair graciously conceded and the victory went to Waits and Whalley.
The match was played in an excellent spirit and on the day the Minehead pair had the better of the luck.
They were never down in the match and perhaps third time lucky was the order of the day for them.
Their better ball score was a four under 67.
During his acceptance speech, an emotional Gordon Whalley thanked his opponents for a great match and paid tribute to the superb condition of the course, a sentiment echoed by all the competitors on the day.
The third and fourth play-off was won by K. Cridge and M. Newman, from Vivary Park, who beat N. Grabham and D. Hill.
Twenty-two pairs competed in the Consolation and the result was: 1st: K Babb & W Brown (42 points) on the back nine from 2nd: J Fisher & A Hardick (42 points), 3rd: D Neale & R Neale (40 points). Report by Gerry Mason.

• Our photographs show TOP - Buchanan Cup winners Gordon Walley (left) and Brian Waites (right) receiving the trophy from club Captain Denis Compton; BELOW - club Captain Denis Compton (centre) with losing finalists and winners of the Greens Tankard, Dave Hawker and Mark Pavey. Photos submitted.
  
  

Sports centre offers indoor activities to beat the winter blues

A WINTER sports activities package is being promoted by West Somerset Council to encourage people of all ages and abilities to keep fit and active.
Residents can swap the seasonal chill of outdoor exercising for indoor games sessions which are currently underway in the West Somerset Sports and Leisure Centre, in Minehead.
The wide range of warm-up activities to beat the winter blues includes table tennis, football, table cricket, basketball, table hockey, goalball, badminton, polybat, boccia - a sport for the disabled similar to bowls, petanque or even French boules - and many others.
Leisure, culture and recreation portfolio holder, Councillor Neil Parbrook, said: “This is a really good opportunity for people of all ages and abilities to take part in a great range of indoor activities that will help keep them fit and enjoying themselves throughout the long winter months.
“People can play sports that are old favourites as well as having the chance to try some new ones.
“It is friendly and everybody will find the support they need to join in all the activities and enjoy them to the maximum.”
The sessions are held every Saturday from 2 pm to 4 pm and cost £1.20 per person.
As well as catering for disabled people, the sessions are fully inclusive and everybody is welcome.
There is no need to book, people can just turn up, or for further information they can telephone Liz Stewart on 07921 231369.

• Our photograph shows boccia being played. Photo submitted.