Mystery of woman found dead in the sea off Watchet coast

POLICE are appealing for help to identify a woman found dead in the sea off Watchet by the crew of a fishing boat yesterday.
The partially-clothed woman is believed to be aged between 40 to 60 years and may have been in the water for several days.
She was spotted about 550 yards from the coast area at about noon and was recovered from the water by the Coastguard and Minehead Lifeboatmen.
Police are liaising with neighbouring forces along the Bristol Channel to see if the woman’s description matches any reported missing persons.
The dead woman was described as white, about 5 ft 7 ins tall, of medium to plump build, with short collar-length brown hair.
She was wearing calf length black zip-up leather boots and a brown coloured T-Line branded fleece jacket.
Police said a post mortem examination to determine her cause of death was due to be held later this week.
A spokesman said police were keeping an open mind on the woman’s death, pending the outcome of the post mortem.
Police want to hear from anybody who recognises the description of the woman or who has had a female family member or friend go missing during the past week.
Anybody able to help is asked to contact Taunton CID by calling 0845 4567000.

• Our photograph shows the lighthouse on Watchet Harbour sea wall. Photo by Ian Chilton.

Visitor centre staff supporting charities for Christmas

STAFF in Minehead’s new Visitor Information and Interpretation Centre (VIIC) (pictured) have teamed up with local representatives of 12 charities to support good causes during the Christmas season.
West Somerset Council tourism portfolio holder Councillor Michael Downes said: “The new centre on the seafront is proving popular with visitors, and we hope that local people will also support the staff’s tradition of selling charity Christmas cards.
“Unlike some outlets, every penny raised goes back to the charity concerned.
“As a coastal town with a strong maritime history, the visitor centre is continuing to support the local RNLI to show appreciation for the fantastic service it provides all year round.”
Minehead Lifeboat Station press officer Matt Thresher said: “It is great to have the support of the VIIC staff on the seafront.
“Our volunteer crews often pass the centre on exercise or rescue launches.
“Local goodwill and support are essential because we get no central funding and depend on fund-raising activities like these.
“I am pleased that the community spirit is alive and well in Minehead.”
The Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance and St Margaret’s Hospice are among the other deserving charities being supported by VIIC staff.
The centre also offers local gifts and a wealth of information on up-and-coming seasonal activities, such as Dunster by Candlelight, along with all the latest coach and travel information.
Councillor Downes said: “Information on things to do and places to go is also available through the interactive touch-screen display units.
“Local people and visitors are welcome to use the centre to find out just how much West Somerset has to offer.”

Honours go to local people helping their local community

LOCAL people from West Somerset have been recognised by the chairman of Somerset County Council for their work in the community.
The Chairman’s Awards for service to the community recognise individuals, partners and groups who have made a significant contribution to their local community.
Four nominees from West Somerset who received framed certificates in recognition of their efforts were Sue Hayes, of Winsford, John Lees, from Bicknoller, Enid Mantin, of Cutcombe, and Kevin Escott, who lives in Minehead.
The overall district prize went to Mr Escott for his support of the Minehead Lifeboat Station, where he has served as a crew member, shore helper, and fund-raiser during the past 60 years.
Mr Escott was presented by county council chairman Councillor Alan Gloak with an engraved crystal clock at a ceremony in Glastonbury Town Hall.
Youth service officers across the county were also asked to nominate young people who had made a significant contribution to their community or other young people, or who had successfully represented the young people of Somerset.
Each youngster received a framed certificate and an engraved glass trophy.
Among those recognised was Terri-Marie Joyner, of Minehead, for her commitment to developing the Norton Fitzwarren Youth Club during the past two years.
Councillor Gloak said: “This is an ideal opportunity to thank those people who give up their time and energy for the benefit of their communities.
“It is right that we should highlight and celebrate their work so that it does not go unnoticed.”
County health and well-being portfolio holder, Councillor Justin Robinson, said: “Somerset is a wonderful place to live and work, and is built on the strong communities that exist everywhere across the county.
“It is encouraging to see so many local people making a positive difference to community life in Somerset.”

Our photographs show Councillor Gloak presenting certificates to (from the top) Sue Hayes, John Lees, and Terri-Marie Joyner, and (BOTTOM) Enid Mantin with her certificate being congratulated by West Somerset district and Cutcombe parish Councillor Roger Webber (right) and other locals. Kevin Escott was unable to attend the awards ceremony. Photos submitted.

Lifeboat crew save deer from drowning

LIFEBOATMEN in Minehead were called to one of their more unusual rescue operations - to save a deer from drowning.
Coastguards alerted the lifeboat crew after receiving a call to say a deer had been seen entering the water off Culvercliffe on Thursday morning, January 31.
The station’s new Atlantic 85 Lifeboat was launched with helmsman Adam Bonar in command.
The crew arrived quickly spotted the young deer about 330 yards offshore and they could see the animal was extremely tired and distressed.
A decision was made to ‘coax’ it back to shore, where a team from Porlock Coastguards was waiting to retrieve it.
However, as soon as the deer reached land, it immediately returned to the water where the lifeboat crew again tried to encourage it to go ashore.
On the second attempt the startled animal made for some bushes just off the beach where it stayed for a time.
After the lifeboatmen again tried to catch the animal, it made a third attempt to swim away and this time the lifeboat managed to come alongside it and recover the deer and secure it to be carried back to the lifeboat station.
The deer stayed on board until the lifeboat was recovered and it was then checked over by a local vet.
Once the crew were confident the deer was in good health, although wet and tired, they took it to North Hill, Minehead, and released it.
Mr Bonar said: “We get called to a wide range of incidents but this was one of the more unusual.
“The deer proved quite tricky to recover and did not seem overly appreciative of its trip in a lifeboat.”

• Our photograph shows Adam Bonar with Paul Marsh and Richard Gay holding the deer. The fourth crewmember who was present throughout the rescue but is not pictured was Phil Sanderson. Photo submitted.

Family of drowned harbour teenager threaten to sue council

THE family of a teenager who drowned after jumping into Minehead Harbour are considering suing West Somerset Council for not providing a lifeguard who might have saved him.
Sixteen-year-old Sam Boyd, of Minehead, died on August 2 last year after leaping 10 feet into the sea from the harbour steps as the area around the harbour was packed with holidaymakers and local residents enjoying a summer’s evening.
He and a young friend ignored warning signs about the danger, and Sam also disregarded advice his mother had previously given him not to swim in the harbour.
The family moved to Minehead from Tottenham, in North London, only four months before the tragedy.
An inquest yesterday, Tuesday, January 29, heard evidence of how Sam ’doggy paddled’ to a post 50 feet out to sea and then found himself in difficulties in the heavy tide as he returned.
Sam was heard three times to shout ‘help me’ before he disappeared under the water.
He was found during the early hours of the following day after an intensive search and rescue operation which involved Minehead’s lifeboat crew, local boat owners, police, and a deep-sea diving team.
Sam’s mother, Louise Boyd, told the West Somerset Coroner Michael Rose how Sam could swim well at school but did not have a lot of experience of swimming in the sea.
She had told Sam not to swim or jump into the harbour because he said he had previously struggled there.
Mr Rose recorded a verdict of accidental death and spoke of the dangers of swimming in the sea.
Mr Rose said: “Minehead has the second-fastest tide in the world and as the lifeboatmen have told us, not even a strong swimmer could beat the currents.
“It would have been almost impossible. I would strongly advise people not to do this and I will be writing to authorities to demand clearer signs.”
Afterwards, the family spoke of their anger at the council for not making sure the harbour had a lifeguard on duty and said they were looking at taking legal action.
Sam’s stepfather, Martin Darrell, said: “It goes to prove that Minehead needs better safety provisions in the harbour. A lifeguard might have made a difference.”

• Our photograph shows how the web version of the The Post reported the tragedy on the morning after it happened.