Receptionist with a smile is hospital employee of the month

A RECEPTIONIST in Musgrove Park Hospital, Taunton, has won the NHS trust’s October employee of the month award.
Marcia Derrick works in the haematology and oncology day unit.
She was nominated by colleague Debbie Curtis and selected from 37 nominations made by trust staff during the month.
Debbie said: “Marcia works above and beyond the call of duty. She had to work alone for several months earlier this year and still managed to ensure an extremely high level of service to the patients, as well as supporting medical secretaries like me when we needed it.
“She is always cheerful and has a smile for all of our patients, which is so important as she is often the first face that patients see when they come into the department.
“She also knows exactly where everything is, making her a real gem of a receptionist, one of the best I have ever seen in action.”
Marcia said: “I was stunned when I heard I had won this award. I have worked at Musgrove for seven years and have always loved my work, but I was really pleased to be recognised in this way.
“I do like to try and make patients feel welcome and at ease if I can.
“Nobody wants to be in hospital, but if I can contribute to making somebody’s experience that bit better, then that is really satisfying.”

• Our photograph shows Marcia Derrick (left) receiving her award and flowers from Taunton and Somerset NHS Trust chairman Ros Wyke. Photo contributed.

BUSINESS NEWS: Samson honours Somerset’s ‘businesses of the year’

A West Somerset firm was among a trio of Somerset’s top businesses which were honoured for their achievements in the past year thanks to award-winning Samson Office Supplies.
The three firms were judged to be Somerset’s best small, medium, and large businesses of 2008 in an awards ceremony co-hosted by Somerset Chamber of Commerce and the Federation of Small Businesses.
Samson Office Supplies - which itself was ‘business of the year’ in 2006 - sponsored the awards evening and managing director Jonathan Rice also presented additional prizes to the winners.

• The small business winner was Paddocks Farm Partnership Ltd, of Huish Champflower, which is the world’s only company solely focusing on natural parasite control in animals
  
• The medium size winner was fine food producer The Bay Tree Food Company, in Evercreech, near Shepton Mallet
  
• The large business winner was Bridgwater charity The Brainwave Centre, which offers personalised therapy programmes for children with disabilities

As well as sponsoring the awards event, Samson Office Supplies also supplied prizes for the three Somerset businesses of the year category winners and presented each winner with vouchers and state-of-the-art shredding machines.
Samson Office Supplies managing director Jonathan Rice said: “Having previously won ‘business of the year’ ourselves, we know exactly what it takes and what it means for a company to win one of these awards.
“So, we were delighted to be asked by the chamber to sponsor this year’s ceremony and to come up with prizes for the main category winners, each of which has clearly proven itself to be an exceptional company in its field.
“From our base in Ilminster, we despatch office equipment and supplies from our stock of more than 16,000 products on a daily basis to companies large and small throughout Somerset and beyond - so many of the 150 business people who attended the awards ceremony were already known to us.”
More information about Samson Office Supplies, which is based in Ilminster, is available by telephoning 01460 55000 or visiting www.samsonofficesupplies.co.uk.
Samson Office Supplies also holds Beacon Status awarded by the South West Regional Development Agency, and the British Office Supplies and Services Federation Dealer Excellence Award for three successive years.

• Our photograph shows Samson Office Supplies managing director Jonathan Rice (centre) with (left to right) Brainwave Centre head of finance and administration Andrew Glass, chief executive David Davies, and trustee Anne Fraser, The Bay Tree Food Co general manager Nigel Hodgson, and Paddocks Farm Partnership marketing and liaison manager Ellie Pitts-Tucker, warehousing manager Amy Ghazala, operations manager Nic Wigley, and director Philip Ghazala. Photo submitted.

More awards for training excellence at Foxes

FOXES Academy, in Minehead, has taken two titles in this year’s National Training Awards 2008 regional ceremony, held in Bristol.
The academy, which provides job training for young adults with learning disabilities, was represented at the presentations by principal Vanessa Cleere and head of vocational studies and training Kerry McCarthy.
They returned with a regional training award for outstanding benefits and effects as a result of training and a UK National Training Award as an exemplar of excellence.
Mrs Cleere said: “This was a fantastic result and is down to all the hard work, learning and training undertaken by both learners and staff at Foxes Academy. Congratulations to everybody.”
Foxes was one of four Westcountry organisations to win in the regional section of the UK National Training Awards.
The awards are given to entries which have demonstrated outstanding and exceptional achievement through training and development.
Sports commentator and former British hurdles champion, Colin Jackson, presented each winner with a trophy.
All four will now attend a national gala ceremony in London’s Royal Lancaster Hotel on December 11 where they will be up against winners from other regions for the overall winner of the year prize in their category.
The academy was nominated in the category for ‘Hospitality and Catering Qualifications for Learners with Learning Disabilities’.
The National Training Awards celebrate businesses, organisations, and individuals which achieve outstanding success through training and development.
It is run by UK Skills on behalf of the Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills and is sponsored by City and Guilds and supported by Investors in People.
Colin Jackson said: “I am delighted to take part again in the National Training Awards ceremony in South West and present the winners with their trophies.
“This year’s recipients have set the benchmark high and have proven that in today’s competitive market, high-quality training is an integral part of both personal and business development.”
The chairman of the South West judging panel, Martin Norman, said: “The South West winners clearly represent the benefits of better skills and training.
“They have proven that training can change a company’s performance and that it is an essential ingredient for success.”
UK Skills chief executive Simon Bartley said: “It is exciting to see such a broad range of examples of both personal and organisational investment in training.
“Each winner has a wonderful story to tell of the benefits their training has brought, from increased productivity to improved customer satisfaction to changed lives.
“The winners demonstrate that training is an investment not a cost and that it can transform companies, careers, and communities.
“I congratulate them all on what they have achieved.”
Higher Education Minister David Lammy said: “The National Training Awards foster a culture of learning, celebrate skills development, and make a real difference to the performance of companies and individuals the length and breadth of the country by challenging them to invest in their own development and future.
“The winners demonstrate the dynamic range of training taking place across the UK and the benefits of achieving excellence, and I congratulate them.”
Malcolm Gillespie, regional director at the Learning and Skills Council, said: “Organisations with skilled and qualified workers can expect to be more competitive, productive, and profitable, and the increased number of entries clearly illustrates a growing recognition of the benefits that skills’ training delivers.”
More information about the National Training Awards is available by visiting http://www.nationaltrainingawards.com/ and more information about UK Skills is available by logging on to http://www.ukskills.org.uk/.

Free session for hospital trust members on preventing and controlling diabetes

A FREE one-hour meeting for Musgrove Park Hospital Foundation Trust members is being held to look at the prevention and control of diabetes.
It is part of the ‘Medicine for Members’ series and is for staff and public members of the Foundation Trust.
The session on Tuesday, November 4, will be an opportunity to hear experts from the trust give advice and information on the latest research and evidence on a key issue of health interest.
Consultant physician and endocrinologist Dr Colin Close will present on the subject of ‘managing the diabetes epidemic’.
He will look at the latest medical evidence and lifestyle advice which can benefit everybody, explaining what people need to do, and need to stop doing, to prevent and control diabetes.
Information about the latest drugs and other treatments will be available.
The meeting starts at 7 pm in Musgrove’s Academy Lecture Theatre.
There will be an opportunity for questions and the meeting will end at 8 pm with a free wine and nibbles buffet.
Only 30 places remain available and any Foundation Trust member who wants to attend should book a place as soon as possible by emailing jo.wakefield@tst.nhs.uk or calling 01823 342460 and leaving a message.
Joining the Foundation Trust is free and allows an opportunity to have a say in the future of the hospital.
Members receive regular newsletters from the hospital, invitations to exclusive meetings, consultations, and focus groups, and an opportunity to take part in elections for the members’ council.
The members’ council has a majority of publicly elected members and makes key decisions about the future of Musgrove Park.
To join, contact the membership office on 01823 342460 or fill in the online form available at www.tsft.nhs.uk.

BUSINESS NEWS: New team of advisers to guide local firms through tough times

MEET the new team of full-time business advisers from Business Link (pictured, left), who are now covering West Somerset and the surrounding areas.
They are joining forces with Business Link’s existing online advisory and start-up services to provide fully-rounded support for local businesses.
Penny Bond, Al Brooking, Nicola Evans, Roger Bacon, and Peter Oldham are the new ‘local face’ of Business Link, meeting owners and managers of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to help them with all the challenges they face.
Adam Chambers, who heads up the Business Link service across Somerset, said: “These are very experienced and successful business people, who now want others to benefit from all the lessons they have learned the hard way.
“Amazingly, their help is available at no cost whatever to you or your business.
“We think it is a fabulous opportunity for anybody who is serious about business improvement.
“First, your adviser will work closely with you to understand your business.
“Then, they will help you develop an effective action plan to improve it.
“And finally, they will put you in touch with the carefully selected professionals who can deliver the changes your business needs.”
All the new business advisers are experienced, hands-on managers and operators with a wealth of wisdom to share.
Penny Bond’s career has seen her work in just about every aspect of business - finance and credit control, sales, marketing, PR, and production and distribution co-ordination - but little in it has excited her more than helping Business Link clients.
She said: “That light bulb moment is the very best buzz that I get from this job.
“Businesses have transformed their perspectives to achieve very great advances after working with our team of advisers over just two days.”
Al Brooking’s career includes a long period as a partner in a family business, and he has 12 years’ senior management experience in retail and hospitality as well as stints in a number of other industries.
He said: “I feel real empathy with the owner/manager who regularly works a 70-hour week, because I have been there myself.
“There are many really excellent businesses out there, and I see my role as getting down to the real nitty gritty to find the solutions they need to get even better.”
Nicola Evans has had a successful career in marketing, including the launch, development, and sale of her own Midlands-based consultancy prior to moving to Somerset.
But she regards working with Business Link as her dream job.
She said: “It allows me to utilise my experience, expertise, and passion for marketing and business in general to help other companies fulfil their aspirations.
“That really gives me a buzz - helping people make positive change in their businesses.”
Roger Bacon sees the most valuable assets he can bring to Somerset businesses as his extensive experience and empathy.
“I have ve been there myself,” he said. “ As MD, I have gone into businesses that had not been performing well and worked closely with their team to turn them around.
“I get huge enjoyment and satisfaction from helping people to identify the problems that could be holding their business back and working together on what needs to be done to achieve even greater performance.”
A former management consultant, Roger most recently ran a major regeneration programme in East Anglia before moving to the South West.
Peter Oldham has a proud record of helping troubled businesses turn the corner - in a recent brief period as managing director of a warehousing and distribution business, for example, he helped turn a £150,000 loss in 2006 into a profit of more than £200,000 the following year.
He said: “I am not frightened of change, and taking the actions that a business needs to succeed.
“In my experience, though, it is most often changing the attitudes of people that does the most to help an organisation improve.”
According to Adam Chambers, this series of new appointments is a major investment in the future of Somerset business, which confirms the organisation’s commitment to one-to-one business support.
He said: “This is a fantastic line-up of management talent, and itis a very exciting moment for us and for the 22,000 SMEs across the county.
“From now on, we expect to see even better growth rates among the businesses we help across Somerset, even in today’s tough economy.”
Anybody who wants to arrange a face-to-face meeting with one of Business Link’s business advisers should call 0845 600 9966 or visit www.businesslinksw.co.uk, where they will also find details of the many other services with which Business Link is involved.
They include Somerset-dedicated staff who can link businesses to a vast range of services for existing enterprises and those just thinking of starting up.
They can also put callers directly in touch with specialist services for rural businesses (via SWREG, the South West Rural Enterprise Gateway), people wishing to import or export (through UKTI, UK Trade and Investment), and anybody looking for training services (via Train to Gain).
Mr Chambers said: “It is all there just waiting to be used, and all the advice and contact services we provide are completely free.
“So there is no reason not to give it a go, and a great deal to gain.”

• Our photograph shows Business Link advisers (left to right) Nicola Evans, Peter Odham, Penny Bond, Al Brooking, and Roger Bacon. Photo submitted.

League gives hospital £70,000 scanner in 50th anniversary year

YOUNG patients of Musgrove Park Hospital, in Taunton, will benefit from a new state of the art scanner, thanks to the hospital’s league of friends.
The £70,000 Echocardiogram/Ultrasound Scan will provide the paediatric department with the facilities to perform heart scanning on children of all ages.
This includes infants and even premature babies who can also have brain scanning carried out with the new machine.
The technology can be linked to other hospitals to allow for greater communication between clinicians across the region.
Consultant paediatrician Dr Talal Farha, who has a special interest in paediatric cardiology, said: “We are extremely grateful to the league of friends for their efforts to provide us with the funds needed to purchase this technology.
“Without a doubt, this will be of benefit for all children of Somerset.
“We have already started using the new scanner and we currently scan an average of 50 to 60 children each month.”
League of friends chairman Margaret Pegge said: “We are very grateful to everybody who helps the league - the money that we collect makes a direct and powerful difference to the care offered to patients at Musgrove Park.
“It is the league’s 50th anniversary in 2009 and we hope many more people will join us in our work.”

• Our photograph shows Dr Talal Farha with Margaret Pegge and Alice Da Costa, who was the first patient to be scanned with the machine. Photo submitted.

Railway turntable is feature of new business development official opening

AN official opening of a controversial industrial development next to Minehead’s railway station will take place on Tuesday (October 17).
The £6 million regeneration project was led by Somerset County Council after it reneged on an earlier deal for a joint scheme with West Somerset Council.
The Mart Road development provides modern workspaces for businesses, retail opportunities, and a 110-space car park.
There will also be a café and the facility for different events to be held at the site, such as trade fairs.
The site will include a viewing area for the new West Somerset Railway turntable, which will enable visitors to see close-up the spectacle of 165-ton locomotives being moved by just two people.
It has been developed in partnership with the South West Rural Development Agency and the railway, which contributed £358,000, and it was also supported with £2 million of funding from the European Regional Development Fund.
On the day of the opening, young musicians from the nearby West Somerset Community College will entertain people on the platform of Minehead Station with jazz music.
County council Minehead ward member, Councillor Ian Galloway, will officially open the development and the railway will demonstrate the new turntable, which attracted national attention when it was craned into place earlier this year.
Councillor Galloway said: “I am very proud that we are now able to open this hugely significant development that the residents and friends of Minehead have advised on and helped to shape.
“We owe them all a huge vote of thanks. I am confident that together we will make the most of the opportunities created by the council and its partners, and that the local economy will soon see a good return.”
The RDA has invested more than £1.3 million in the project as part of its support for market and coastal towns, which often have vulnerable economies.
RDA regeneration head Carl Budden said: “This is an important project, creating a new hub of activity in Minehead for the benefit of the community, in one of the most deprived rural areas in the region.
“This new development will help create a more vibrant economy for Minehead and the wider West Somerset area by providing much-needed workspace for small businesses, including start-ups, as well as providing a welcome boost for tourism in the area.”
Railway general manager, Paul Conibeare said: “We are delighted to see completion of this outstanding project for Minehead and the railway.
“The railway witnessed over 6,000 visitors during our recent autumn steam gala, who, at some point, were either watching a steam locomotive been turned on our new turntable for the first time since 1964, or were using our new refreshment kiosk which has provided permanent catering facilities at Minehead since it was first opened in 1874.”
County economic development portfolio holder Councillor Alvin Horsfall said: “The council has invested almost £3 million in this development to provide opportunities for people and businesses in West Somerset to expand the local economy, encourage business investment, create jobs, and boost tourism.”

• Our photograph shows the some of the new business units off Mart Road. Photo submitted.

Litter and leaf picks keep youths occupied on autumn evenings

YOUNG members of the Dreamscheme project operating in the Seaward Way area of Minehead have been earning plenty of points by cleaning up litter and leaves on their estate.
They have been out and about on every Tuesday evening this month, braving the wind and rain, and have filled more 20 bags with the rubbish they have cleared.
Scheme co-ordinator Debbie Fitzpatrick said: “We now have activities planned leading up until Christmas, including hotdogs and a fireworks display, Christmas shopping, and an X Factor singing competition.”
During next week’s school half-term holiday, the youngsters will be baking their own cakes and taking them along to a senior citizens’ coffee morning and chatting with the elderly people, to earn even more points.
Dreamscheme rewards young people for helping in the community by awarding them points which can be used for treats such as trips to football matches or to go swimming.

• Our photograph shows some of the youngsters who have been giving up their evenings to collect litter and leaves at Seaward Way. Photo submitted.

BUSINESS NEWS: Speed networking and Indian food offer from Moorkhana

SMALL firms in West Somerset and Taunton Deane are being given a quick and fun opportunity to find new suppliers or win new orders from local businesses while tucking into an Indian meal at the same time.
Mignon and Andrew Johnson, who run newly-opened Indian restaurant Moorkhana, in Wiveliscombe, have teamed up for the occasion with speed networking facilitator Rachel Sweet.
They will host a two-and-a-half-hour speed networking session over lunch in Moorkhana on Friday, November 14, from 11.30 am to 2 pm.
The event offers business owners and managers a fun way to meet new people and to source potential suppliers and generate interest in their services or products.
Mignon said: “As a small business ourselves, we would like to help other firms in the Deane to be equally successful and so we offered the Moorkhana function room for Rachel to hold a networking event where people can generate business for each other.
“Moorkhana already provides job opportunities and skills training for the local economy of Wiveliscombe, while we also support the surrounding business community through hiring out our function room, plus each room in the restaurant doubles as a gallery where local artists can display and sell their paintings.”
Rachel Sweet is on the board of the Somerset Chamber of Commerce and is also a UK Female Ambassador, and helps business women thinking of starting an enterprise or who need support and encouragement.
Places at the speed networking event, which cost £25, are limited because of the size of the premises, and can be booked by emailing enquiries@thesaffronkitchen.co.uk or faxing 01823 326682, or by post to Moorkhana, 3 Silver Street, Wiveliscombe, TA4 2PA. Cheques for £25 payable to ‘The Saffron Kitchen’ should follow by post.
Moorkhana, which is the trading name of The Saffron Kitchen, is a family-friendly restaurant serving meals between 6 pm and 10 pm on Wednesdays to Saturdays and lunchtimes by prior arrangement.
Mignon said: “Many of my recipes have been handed down through generations of my family and some of them are handwritten by my mother, which means the food in Moorkhana is authentic and tastes just how it would if you were actually in India.”
More information about Moorkhana and the speed networking event is available from Mignon and Andrew Johnson by telephoning 01984 623648 or by visiting the website http://www.thesaffronkitchen.co.uk/.

• Our photograph shows Mignon Johnson in traditional Indian dress. Photo submitted.

PROPERTY NEWS: Buy all of a new Minehead home for three-quarters of the price

BARRATT has unveiled an offer for anybody who wants to buy a new home in Minehead.
House hunters could pick-up the keys to a property on the new Clanville Grange development immediately, for just 75 per cent of the price.
Barratt would then pay the other 25 per cent through a deferred loan.
Some lenders will even accept Barratt’s 25 per cent share as the purchaser’s deposit - meaning they might not need a deposit of their own.
Barratt sales manager Louise Terry said: “This is a terrific offer, which can make a dramatic difference to the move-in price of a new home.
“Paying only a 75 per cent mortgage makes buying very affordable.
“And you may not have to find a deposit either.
“This is not shared ownership - it is your home, and you own 100 per cent of it, but you only pay 75 per cent of the purchase price now.
“There is no interest or rent to pay on the other 25 per cent for up to 10 years or until you sell the property, whichever is sooner.
“We can only offer it on selected plots for a limited period.
“We will operate on a first come, first served basis so I would advise anybody who wants to move to pick up the telephone or visit our website now.”
Homes currently available to move into for 75 per cent of the price at Barratt’s Clanville Grange include one and two-bedroom apartments from £125,000 to £191,950.
For further details call Clanville Grange, which is open daily from 11 am to 6 pm, on 01643 709738, or log on to www.barratthomes.co.uk.

• Our photographs show some of the recently completed Clanville Grange homes in Minehead (TOP) and a typical living room (BELOW). Photos submitted.

Fund-raising Botham visits hospital children's unit 'where it all began'

ENGLAND and Somerset cricket legend Sir Ian Botham started his latest fund-raising walk - and visited Musgrove Park Hospital, Taunton, where it all started for him 20 years ago.
Sir Ian, who is president of national blood cancer charity Leukaemia Research, walked around the hospital with chief executive Jo Cubbon and consultants Dr Linda Whiteford and Simon Bolam.
He saw the new Beacon Centre for cancer patients, which will open in May of next year, and was cheered on outside the children’s unit, where he first met patients with leukaemia in 1985.
Sir Ian said: “It was great to be back at Musgrove Park Hospital where it all started for me over 20 years ago.
“The staff here are working hard with Leukaemia Research and many others to help beat childhood leukaemia for good.”
Dr Whiteford is a consultant paediatrician with a special interest in cancer and she joined Sir Ian on his walk round the hospital.
She said: “Leukaemia is the commonest form of childhood cancer and the work that Sir Ian and Leukaemia Research are doing to raise awareness and funds is helping us to make great progress.
“Survival rates have improved dramatically over the last 20 years and overall survival rates for children with leukaemia are now approaching 90 per cent.”
Anybody who would like to help Sir Ian Botham beat childhood leukaemia should visit www.bothamwalk.com or call 020 7405 0101.

• Our photograph shows Sir Ian Botham and chief executive Jo Cubbon outside the children’s unit at Musgrove Park Hospital. Photo submitted.

Good behaviour by youngsters is rewarded by Dreamscheme

POLICE have praised the success of a scheme in Minehead which rewards youngsters for good behaviour on a housing estate.
Teenagers who act as ‘better citizens’ on the development off Seaward Way can enjoy activities such as fishing trips and days out at the Alton Towers theme park.
The Dreamscheme initiative was launched nationally last year with Home Office funding to help cut down youth crime.
Minehead police Inspector Carol Pearce said incidents of bad behaviour in Minehead had fallen greatly since the scheme started.
She said: “About 12 months ago, we were looking at 150 to 200 reports of anti-social behaviour for that period of the year.
“In the second period of the year since we started that process, we are looking at less than 10.
“It is demonstrating that if we do work with young people and the wider community on a one-to-one basis and people get to know who their beat managers are and who the young people are, if we work together and have community cohesion, we will have a better society for all of us to benefit from.”
‘Dreamscheme - Seaward Way’ celebrates its first anniversary this month.

• Our photograph shows some of the youngsters from the estate who were taken to see a Football League match at Plymouth Argyle in February of this year. Photo submitted.

Rescue bid for troubled Quaywest radio stations

A BRIDGWATER company has stepped in with a rescue bid for troubled West Somerset commercial radio station Quaywest 102.4 FM and its sister station in Bridgwater, Quaywest 107.4 FM.
Dave Englefield (pictured), one of the founders of the Bridgwater station when it was previously known as BCR FM, has set up Bridgwater Broadcasting Services Ltd (BBS), of which he is a director, to take on temporary responsibility for running the two Quaywest brands.
It follows an application to the High Court by Quaywest parent company, financially-crippled Laser Broadcasting, to be placed into administration.
The Laser application, due to be heard in Leeds on October 24, pre-empted an application by a creditor to have the company wound-up.
Mr Englefield, the Quaywest station director, said: “We are thrilled and delighted to be able to bring the stations back into local hands.
“The radio stations are extremely important to the people of West Somerset and Sedgemoor, and an integral part of the community.
“We have an important role to play for our listeners and the local businesses, who have shown us a huge amount of support and loyalty, which, in turn, gives us a fantastic platform to build on.”
BBS has aligned itself with local media and marketing company Southwest Media Consulting in its bid to help save Quaywest and to ensure that the stations remained locally owned.
Mr Englefield said: “This is going to be a testing, but exciting time for us all.
“Both stations were born in Somerset and we intend to make sure they both continue to thrive and grow.
“We owe it to the public and their continued support to keep their own radio stations on air, and in local hands.
“We are looking forward to the challenge, and will be working hard with the staff to ensure we keep the stations running successfully.”
BBS is expected to keep the West Somerset and the Bridgwater Quaywest stations running while administrators deal with the winding-up of Laser’s affairs.
The Watchet station recently celebrated its 10th birthday, while the Bridgwater one has been on air since 2001.
They were originally independently owned before being sold to Watchet-based Choice Media, and then to Laser Broadcasting in 2006.
More information about the BBS rescue bid is available from Darren Horne or Lawrence Hebron at Southwest Media Consulting by calling 01278 434 231.

Future of Quaywest takes a twist in the High Court

THE fate of Quaywest 102.4 FM, West Somerset’s only commercial radio station, has taken another twist as its parent company applied to be placed into administration.
Laser Broadcasting, which owns nine stations nationwide, was facing a winding-up order in the High Court, in Leeds, yesterday.
But the company is understood to have applied for administration procedures before the court could hear the winding-up order.
Now, the application by Laser is due to be heard in the High Court on Friday, October 24.
The attempt to liquidate Laser was made by one of its creditors, Gateshead-based venture capitalist Capital North East No1 Ltd Partnership.
But Laser, based in Darlington, made a pre-emptive application of its own to be placed into administration.
Watchet-based Quaywest has continued to broadcast, although staff are understood not to have been paid since July, and its website and email facilities have been withdrawn.
Its sister station in Bridgwater, Quaywest 107.4 FM, previously known as BCR FM, has been in a similar position.
Laser Broadcasting’s other seven stations are Bath FM, Brunel FM, three Sunshine-branded stations in Ludlow, Hereford and Worcester, and Hereford/Monmouth, Fresh Radio, in the Yorkshire Dales, and 3TR, based in Warminster.
One of the founders of Laser in 2002 was Nigel Reeve, who was the launch sales and marketing director of Classic FM.
Nobody from Laser was available for comment.

Pupils have star role in £400,000 supermarket reopening

PUPILS of Minehead First and St Michael’s First schools will take on star status next week when they perform the ribbon cutting ceremony to officially launch the £400,000 new look Co-op food store in The Parade, Minehead.
The children will receive £100 for each school from store manager Mark Jones as a ‘thank you’ after the opening on Thursday, October 16.
Mr Jones said: “As a community retailer, it is appropriate that we involve the community in our special events and we are delighted children from our local schools can play a central role in the relaunch of our store.”
The store will feature The Co-operative Group’s new identity, ‘The co-operative’, which aims to highlight improved service standards across its 4,500 outlets in the UK, including its travel, pharmacy, funerals, and bank branches, as well as its commitment to supporting local communities and ethical trading policies.
The refit has transformed the community store with modern décor, new fittings, and eco-friendly refrigeration, plus a more shopper-friendly layout.
It will offer a comprehensive choice, with an emphasis on fresh foods.
There will also be a wider selection of chilled beers and wines, while the Post Office, cash machine, lottery, and PayPoint services will be retained.
As the leading supermarket supporter of Fairtrade foods, The co-operative’s popular Fairtrade products will feature and the store will carry the retailer’s own health and beauty range with products that are not tested on animals.
In addition, shoppers will benefit from The co-operative’s policy on honest labelling, which gives the full facts about its food and drink products.
While all The Co-operative’s free plastic bags are fully degradable, customers will be encouraged to use a greener alternative such as The Co-operative Fairtrade cotton Bag for Life, which costs 99p or the plastic Bag for Life, priced at 10p, which the store will replace for free and then recycle.
The Co-operative Group also gives its customer members a share of its profits in cash.
Members can choose to keep the twice-yearly payouts or donate all or part of them to local worthy causes.
Mr Jones said: “We provide a much valued service and I am confident the new look store will better meet the daily food shopping needs of the local community.
“The transformed store will be a real asset. In addition, in the best traditions of The co-operative, it will make its contribution to community life.”

'Pavement Pirates' to show off their drawing skills

YOUNG artists in West Somerset are being urged to celebrate the art of the picture book later this month by showing their talents as pavement pirates.
It is part of the October Big Draw Festival, an initiative which began in 2000 and aims to encourage the whole country to start drawing.
More than 1,000 events are being planned around the country with the aim of proving that drawing is not only fun but also a great form of self-expression and a fantastic communication tool.
In Minehead, Christopher Jelley, of Toy A’hoy, is offering, would-be young illustrators a pavement canvas to show their artistic talents.
Mr Jelley said: “We will provide coloured chalks - all you need is your imagination to create a dastardly pirate scene.
“Drawing is an activity that can be done alone, or as a group and in many different mediums with a myriad of results.
“All the pictures will be photographed and featured on the Captain’s Blog page of the Toy A’hoy website.
“Two winners will be chosen, one from each age category, and awarded with a bag of swashbuckling goodies.”
The event is happening on Saturday and Sunday, October 18 and 19, from 12 noon to 4 pm, on the poop deck outside Toy A’hoy, in The Avenue.
The ‘crew’ will be suitably attired and participants are welcome to wear fancy dress if they want to enter into the spirit of the day.

Councils staging joint forum for private landlords

A FIRST joint private landlords forum is being held by West Somerset Council and Sedgemoor District Council next week.
The forum will be staged in Bridgwater in the Sedgemoor Suite of Bridgwater and Albion Rugby Club, on Tuesday, October 14.
It takes place between 6 pm and 8 pm and a buffet and refreshments will be served. The rugby club has free parking available.
The forum will be chaired by Christian Trevelyan, the partnership manager for private sector housing.
A presentation on energy performance certificates will be made by Tim Kennedy, of the National Landlords Association, while members of Sedgemoor council’s benefits team will talk on local housing allowances.
The forum also provides landlords with an opportunity to discuss any particular issues which may affect them.
Anybody who wants to attend the event or any future landlords forums should contact Esther Tomkinson on 0845 241 7243 or e-mail esther.tomkinson@sedgemoor.gov.uk.

Winding-up order for Quaywest parent could see radio station close

THE company behind West Somerset commercial radio station Quaywest 102.4 FM could be wound up in the High Court next week.
Parent company Laser Broadcasting Group has been suffering financial difficulties, despite operations director Stuart Linnell issuing a strong denial to The Post just five months ago.
As well as Watchet-based Quaywest, Laser runs nine stations nationwide, including a sister Quaywest station in Bridgwater.
Laser faces winding up proceedings after an application by a creditor, understood to be Capital North East No 1 Ltd Partnership, a venture capitalist firm based in Gateshead.
Quaywest continues broadcasting from its Watchet and Bridgwater studios, but may have to close unless an offer is made to take over the licences.
A spokesman for NEL Fundmanagers Ltd said: “As fund managers of the Capital North East investment fund, from which an investment was made in Laser Broadcasting in 2004, we have been working with Laser for many months in an attempt to find a way forward which would allow the company to trade within the terms of our investment agreement.
“However, these efforts have failed to result in a satisfactory outcome and we have therefore reluctantly had to seek a winding-up order against Laser Broadcasting, which will be heard in Leeds on October 14.”
Broadcasting regulator Ofcom said the petition to wind up Laser Broadcasting would be heard by a High Court judge sitting in Leeds on Tuesday, October 14.
A spokesman for Ofcom said: “We are monitoring developments closely.
“The company is keeping us fully informed, and is seeking to ensure the radio stations are able to continue broadcasting in the best interests of their staff and listeners.
“In these circumstances, until the winding-up order is heard by the court next week we are aware that the stations may not be able to fully comply with their format requirements.
“We do not propose to take any formal action against the licensees during this period.”
Darlington-based Laser was formed in 2002, and included among its founders Nigel Reeve, who was launch sales and marketing director of Classic FM.
Three of Laser’s other stations -Bath FM, Brunel FM, in Swindon, and Warminster-based 3TR - were only acquired from The Local Radio Co less than six months ago.
Laser also owns three Sunshine-branded stations in Ludlow, Hereford and Worcester, and Hereford and Monmouth, as well as Fresh Radio, in the Yorkshire Dales.
Nobody from Laser Broadcasting was available to comment.

A tale of two Bishops for community station 10Radio

COMMUNITY Radio station 10Radio, which broadcasts from Wiveliscombe to the surrounding parishes and beyond, hosted not one, but two Bishops during a Deanery visit last Thursday.
The Bishop of Bath and Wells, the Rt Rev Peter Price, visited the Wiveliscombe studio together with the Bishop of Taunton, the Rt Rev Peter Maurice.
The two bishops spent a total of 48 hours in the Tone Deanery, taking part in events across the area, including visits to Milverton Community Centre, Pulsford Lodge Care Home, Tower Cheesemakers, Aardvaark Climate Change, and Environmental Solutions.
Bishop Peter led a confirmation service in Wellington where he also commissioned Andy Levett as Deanery youth worker.
He spent nearly an hour with 10Radio accompanied by the Rev Graham Owen, who is the Rector of Wiveliscombe, and Rachel Renfree, the lay chairman of the Deanery Synod (part of the Church Parliament).
He took part in an interview on-air with two 10Radio presenters, Nigel Parkin and Philip Knighton, and then spent time touring the studios.
The Bishop spoke about the need for the church to concentrate on involvement with the community and, quoting the 1930s Archbishop William Temple, said the church existed for those who were not members.
Speaking about the 'Changing Lives' initiative, which he has championed in the diocese, Bishop Peter spoke about vision and hope and related a story about how a former alcoholic called Baz had recently telephoned to tell him how his life had been turned around after he had been supported by a church-based community project.
The 10Radio team also followed the Bishop as he re-dedicated the recently restored bells in Nynehead, and afterwards joined in a game of skittles with the SNAZ (Sunday Night Action Zone) youth group in the crypt of St Andrew’s Church, in Wiveliscombe.
The live programme ‘Meet the Bishop’ is due to be repeated on 105.3fm at 8 am on Sunday, October 12, for those who missed it the first time round.

• Our photograph shows (left to right) Wiveliscombe rector the Rev Graham Owen, Bishop of Taunton, the Rt Rev Peter Maurice, and 10Radio presenter Nigel Parkin. Photo submitted.

Magna wins court injunction against anti-social tenant

ANTI-social behaviour by a housing association tenant in Williton has ended with a court injunction granted to his landlords, Magna West Somerset Housing Association.
The injunction against Paul Stevens, of 30 Northcroft, comes on the back of a catalogue of complaints made by Williton residents to Magna and to local police.
It will remain in place until February 19 next year and carries a power of arrest if Mr Stevens enters certain parts of Williton.
Magna tenant services manager Christine Boland said: “This was another big win for us.
“We take any form of anti-social behaviour extremely seriously, we work closely with the police to tackle these issues.
“Anti-social behaviour will not be tolerated.”
She said in a majority of cases Magna used other tools to resolve problems of anti-social behaviour, including mediation and acceptable behaviour contracts, as well as working closely with the local police.
However, Mrs Boland said: “In this case we had received complaints against Paul Stevens over a number of months concerning noise nuisance, nuisance relating to drug and alcohol abuse, shouting, fighting, and even threats to kill.
“Our residents have a right to live peacefully and securely in their own homes and so we had no other option than to apply for an injunction.”
The injunction means that any assault, threat to assault, intimidation, abuse, nuisance, or annoyance to any person who resides at Egremont Court, Northcroft, or Brook Road, in Williton, would result in Mr Stevens being arrested.