The Mayor of Minehead Cllr Leslie Smith was invited with other dignitaries to the unveiling of the new Exmoor Flag. The Ceremony took place on Platform 1 at 11.15 am and in the photograph on the left is the Winner of the Exmoor Flag Competition Jenny Stevens with Johnny Kingdom and members of her family. 

The actual competition had 261 different designs, some of which were from the local area and some from as far as Australia and America. The judges managed to choose five finalists and the public was asked to vote for the winning design. The winner was Jenny Stevens who had 41% of all the votes cast. Jenny lives in London with her family and has a love of Exmoor going back to her childhood, the family is also passionate about flags so the competition was one she had to enter.  Jenny's design theme tells you about Exmoor's varied terrain, sea meets river, meets cliff path, meets moorland, meets forest, meets wildlife.  Jenny was presented with the first Exmoor Flag by local celebrity Johnny Kingdom, the flag was hand made by Robin Ashburner in Exford. Jenny also received prizes which had been donated by local businesses.

The four other finalists were, Martin Shoots, Kevin Sandiford, Jamie Loudon and Kathryn Roseveare who should be congratulated for their efforts, their prizes included a reproduction of their own flag design from James Guscottt of Minehead Active Signs.

Exmoor is the only area with a national park to have its own flag and it is hoped that many business's and homes will fly the flag and help promote the area. 

All Photographs used are by kind permission of Mr D Sanders.

In the photograph above is the Mayor of Minehead Cllr Leslie Smith with Jenny Stevens the winner of the Exmoor Flag Competition.  The picture was taken on the platform of the West Somerset Steam Railway Station. 

In the photograph below left to right The Mayor of South Molton Cllr Stephen Lock, The Mayor of Watchet Cllr Loretta Whetlor, Deputy Mayor of Barnstaple Julie Hunt, the Mayor of Ilfracombe Cllr George Squires  All photographs with kind permission of Mr D Sanders. The picture on the right gives a flavour of the day.

The five Mayors were each presented with flags by Johnny Kingdom who also presented a flag to the Rural Deanery of Exmoor. After the final announcements a Quantock Heritage Bus departed on a grand tour of Exmoor. For more information on the day visit www.exmoorflag.co.uk  

The two photograph are by kind permission of West Somerset Council, in the top and bottom photograph from left to right: The Mayor of Minehead Cllr Leslie Smith, Taunton Deane and West Somerset Cllr Dave Westcott, Lead Member for Community and Customers and Minehead Town Council and Somerset County Cllr Terry Venner.

Partnership working is child’s play!

GRASS roots partnership working has resulted in the provision of exciting new play equipment to keep younger ones active and enjoying a new world of play in Minehead.

The new kit at Culvercliffe play area, at the end of the harbour in Minehead has come about as a result of three local authorities, Minehead Town Council, Somerset County Council and West Somerset Council working together to pool resources and 
funding to deliver exciting new play 

experiences a nest swing, a dish roundabout, stepping pods and an orchard tangle trail.

The project has been made possible through financial support from Minehead Town Council (£1,000), Cllr Terry Venner’s funding from the Somerset County Council Health & Wellbeing Scheme (£500) and developer planning obligation contributions (£6,250).

The play area, open to all and free of charge, is maintained by Minehead Town Council on behalf of West Somerset Council. 

Cllr Les Smith, Mayor of Minehead, added: “I am delighted that the new play area has been so well received by local children and play groups.” 

Cllr David Westcott, Lead Member for Community and Customers, said: “We are grateful to Minehead Town Council for their management of the play area, the newly installed equipment will be a great asset to our local community.”

Cllr Terry Venner, Somerset County Council member for Minehead, said: “It is great to have this new equipment installed ready for the half term holidays, so that families can get out and be active in this glorious location, next to the sea.” 

The Mayor and Mayoress of Taunton Deane invited the Mayor of Minehead Cllr Leslie Smith and his wife Patricia to watch the Taunton Carnival Procession from the Mayoral viewing stand outside the Next store in Taunton.  Before the start of the procession The Mayor and Mayoress, Cllr Dave and Mrs Renee Durdan hosted an informal reception at the County Stores in Taunton. After viewing the procession, The Mayor of Minehead agreed that there were some fantastic floats. Apart from the creativity of the whole presentation he admired how some drivers managed to convey the larger floats around the street.  A very enjoyable evening.

The Mayor Cllr Leslie Smith was invited to visit the Atwest/Slinky organisation. A discussion with Mr Brian Worrall from Atwest/Slinky gave them a chance to highlight the difficulties that they are having to deal with. The service they offer to their clients offers huge benefits in overcoming mobility problems due to lack of public transport etc. Their biggest concern related to the possible reduction in the revenue that they receive from Somerset County Council and they would appreciate support from Minehead Town Council in trying to maintain the financial support currently enjoyed from Somerset County Council.

Brian Tregunna the Regional Manager of Active Plus invited the Mayor of Minehead to present certificates to unemployed 50 year old's. The Mayor was unable to attend the presentation and the Deputy Mayor Cllr Ron Bridle attended the presentation on his behalf. Unemployed 50+ people who had recently completed  courses at Active Plus were presented with their certificates at Minehead Fire Station at 12 noon by the Deputy Mayor who was very pleased to carry out this duty. Active Plus is a social enterprise that utilises the skills of wounded, injured and sick ex-military personnel to provide a range of personal development, education and well-being programmes for people in need. Active Plus have expanded to be able to work with schools to address behavioural issues with disaffected teenagers, providing fieldcraft courses and delivering team building programmes for various organisations. 

The Photograph is of the High Sheriff of Somerset Richard D A Lloyd (on the left) wearing the regalia of office and on the right The Mayor of Minehead Cllr Leslie Smith wearing his chain of office.

The Mayor Cllr Leslie Smith accompanied by his wife Patricia attended a buffet lunch at Langford Court,near Wellington given by the High Sheriff of Somerset  Richard D A Lloyd and his wife Jane. 

After the lunch three people were presented with a High Sheriffs award by The High Sheriff of Somerset.