The Mayor of Minehead Cllr. Val Welch was invited to attend the Annual Civic Service and Reception at Yeovil Town Council at 5.15pm at the Council Chamber at the Town House in Yeovil on Sunday 30th June 2013 followed by a procession to St John Church where the Civic Service took place. Following the service the invited guests returned to the Town House and then made their way to The Manor Hotel for the reception. 

The first photograph was taken outside the Manor Hotel in Yeovil shortly before sitting down to dinner wwith the Mayor of Yeovil and other dignitaries with the second photograph showing the Mayor of Yeovil about to lead the procession to the Church.

On the 28th June, The Mayor of Minehead was invited by Military Charity Afghan Heroes to the launch of its second Retreat post services facility at the former Smugglers Inn at Blue Anchor near Minehead.  Afghan Heroes was set up in 2009 by Somerset mum Denise Harris who's son was killed in Afghanistan. The objective of the charity was to establish a post services facility where troops returning from the front line could readjust to normal life, retrain for a new career and life outside the military.

Volunteers have been working hard over the past couple of weeks updating facilities and giving them a full makeover. Dr Liam Fox MP patron of the charity was also at the launch as well as present Somerset Retreat residents, local veterans associations and townspeople.

The Mayor Cllr Val Welch was invited to the West Somerset Community College by the Principal Gaynor Comber for the Post-16 Presentation Evening which was held on the 27th June and was a great success.

 In the photograph below left to right, Gaynor Comber Principal of West Somerset Community College and Cllr. Val Welch Mayor of Minehead. Photograph with kind permission of  Mr Tom Welch

The photograph below was taken on Thursday 13th June, The Mayor Cllr Val Welch can be seen with The High Sheriff of Somerset and the Deputy High Sheriff and his wife at a Garden Party at the High Sheriffs home in Butcombe which is near Bristol. The Mayor enjoyed the day as it was a chance to meet other dignitaries and to find out what is happening in other areas, unfortunately the weather was not as good as it could have been.

The Mayor of Minehead Cllr. Val Welch was invited to the Awards Ceremony for the West Somerset Volunteer of the Year 2013, which was held on Friday 7th June in brilliant sunshine on the forecourt of the former Minehead Hospital in The Avenue, Minehead. Stalls were set up from 10.30 to 1.00pm with the Awards Ceremony starting at 11.30. The judging panel consisted of Evelyn Stacey, Gareth Purcell and Cllr Dave Westcott

Group Volunteer of the Year category - The Mini & Junior Committee of Minehead Barbarians Rugby Football Club were announced as the winner for this group.

Individual Volunteer of the Year category - Mr Martin Nurton was announced as the winner for his voluntary work in Stogursey.

Mr Martin Nurton was also chosen as the West Somerset Overall Volunteer of the Year for 2013 and can be seen in the photograph below.Certificates were presented to all of the voluntary groups who had been nominated. Gillian Payne was awarded a Special Commendation for her activities with South West Fishing for Life.

Engage also thanked individuals and agencies who supported the event.