Chance to have your say on future housing strategy

RESIDENTS of West Somerset are being invited to have their say on future housing needs across the district.
West Somerset Council will hold a public consultation in Minehead Methodist Church on Wednesday, February 4, between 9.30 am and 12.30 pm.
The council’s portfolio holder for housing, Councillor Kate Kravis said: “We are developing a new housing strategy and we want to make sure that it draws on the views of a wide range of people living in West Somerset.
“Residents have valuable knowledge on the reality of the local housing market and of their own housing needs.
“We are urging as many people as possible to speak to us, so we can ensure the views of people of all ages and backgrounds are taken into account during the development of the plan.”
The council hopes to explore what types of housing are needed, how it can extend the choice of housing available, and how it can help young people buy and rent homes.
It will also review how it can help local people keep their homes in good repair, help homeowners keep their homes through the recession, and look at the needs of the district’s older population.
Councillor Kravis said: “The council supports sustainable development across the district and we would like to encourage more eco-friendly initiatives so that future housing stock is not completely dependent on fossil fuels where this is possible and practical.
“We have already examined a lot of existing information and held discussions with a number of organisations involved with housing and related services.
“However, we value local residents’ knowledge and we would like to draw on their housing experience to make sure the housing strategy meets the needs of all people, and helps us to develop healthy sustainable communities.”

Soloists delight audience with third concert

A THIRD soloists’ concert was presented by instrumental teacher Jeannette Owen at Alcombe Methodist Church.
The performers, ranging in age from nine to 17 years, were invited to the once-a-term event to reward them for their hard work, and to present certificates and give them the experience of performing before an audience.
Pupils taking part were Phoebe Baker, Stephanie Fox and Yolita Di Filippo (piano solos), Lauren Paviour (recorder solo), Felicity Midgley (clarinet solo), Holly Green, Ellie Stone and Maddie Wells (flute solos) and Abi Owen (viola solo), with a trio for flute, clarinet and saxophone played by Jeannette, Wilf and Abi Owen.
The programme included items such as Party Piece: Colin Hand, Largo: Loeilet, Pink Lady: Wedgwood, Fur Elise: Beethoven, and Meditation: Bloch.
Featuring in the concert for the first time was the Minehead Senior Flute Choir, directed by Jeannette Owen, with lively performances of Concertos 1, 2 and 3: Molter.
The choir members were Jessica Chaffey, Gemma Coles, Charlotte Dean, Rosie Gubb, Sophie Lintern, Abigail Munson, Ellie Stone, and Maddie Wells, accompanied by Wilf Owen on bassoon and Jeannette Owen on piano.
Music critic Eileen Ann Moore said: “They were all absolutely delightful, a credit to their parents and their teacher.
“It is good to see so many young people committed to their music, and it was easy to see why they were all invited to take part.”
More information about the senior flute choir is available from Jeannette Owen on 01643 702933.

• Our photograph shows the Minehead Senior Flute Choir performing at the concert. Photo submitted.

Young soloists delight audience at second concert

A SECOND soloists concert was presented in Alcombe Methodist Church by Jeannette Owen, who selected the performers for their talent and conscientiousness.
During the evening, there was an announcement of successful auditions by Abigail Munson (flute) and Wilfred Owen (clarinet), who had been accepted by the Somerset County Youth Concert Band.
Their audition pieces were performed as part of the programme.
Also included in the concert were ‘Turkey in the Straw’ (trad) by Edita Knight - piano, ‘Tanz des Burgermeisters’ by Holly Pye - clarinet, ‘Georgia on my Mind’ (Carmichael) by Dan Thompson - clarinet, ‘Allegro’ (Mozart) by Sophie Lintern - flute, and ‘The Billiard Sonata’ (Giardini) by Abi Owen - viola.
Pianists Lydia Cunningham-Thole, Tayla-Jayne Healy, and Yolita di Filippo played well, as did Wilf Owen on bassoon with ‘Teddy Bears Picnic’, which everybody foot-tapping.
Abi Owen's solemn opening on saxophone with ‘Marche des Funebre’ (Mozart) held the listeners’ attention, as did her brother Bertie’s trumpet solo ‘Pomp and Circumstance’ (Elgar).

• Our photograph shows the young musicians, including Ellie Stone, in Minehead’s Alternative Quartet, who played ‘Rondo’ (Boccherini) arranged for two flutes, viola, and bassoon, with teacher and accompanist Jeannette Owen. Photo submitted.