Somerset Food Champions

LOVE FOOD HATE WASTE

Given my passion for food, and hating waste of any kind, it seemed logical for me to give up a free Saturday and accept the offer to attend a free training day entitled ‘Love Food Hate Waste’ run by Somerset Waste Partnership, in order to become a ‘Somerset Food Champion’.

What an eye opener it was! Living alone and eating out several times a week, my own food consumption is relatively little when compared with the average family.

As always at these kinds of events there are some astonishing facts 

that emerge. Current statistics show that in the UK we waste a whopping 7 million tonnes in household waste, of which 4.2 million tonnes is avoidable; by which I mean food that is thrown away because we have bought or prepared too much, or have not used it before it has gone off.

70,000 tonnes of breakfast cereal alone is wasted every year; the same weight as 160 Boeing 747s. Each and every day 5.8 million potatoes are thrown away, along with 24 million slices of bread; that’s an awful lot of chip butties! An average household throws away 260kg. of food and drink per year, at a cost of £470, which given the hard time many of us have juggling the family budget, could be enough for a sizeable treat for everyone at the end of the year.

When doing my own food shopping I try to avoid supermarkets as much as possible and I am an incurable nosy parker when it comes to taking a peek into other people’s shopping trolleys as I am always interested in what people eat. One of the key problems is the temptation posed by the abundance of multi-buy special offers and our inability to resist them. Such offers only save us money if we then actually eat the stuff we have bought.

During the training we considered every aspect of the way in which we lead our lives in relation to our eating and shopping habits, whether that be how much we cook, how we store our food or what we do with the leftovers.

One of the factors that I am well aware of that may surprise some people is the danger posed by cooked rice, one of the key sources of food poisoning.

As a long standing chef I like to think I know a thing or two about food but I really found the opportunity to explore food in this way with the other four delegates on the course invaluable.

One of the simple but key things to consider is the temperature of our fridges, so the free fridge thermometer will come in very handy.

Now that I have my official certificate, and am part of a select group of 11 Food Champions across the county, I am looking forward to spreading the word and through our local community groups help others put into practice some of the tips I learned, so that we can all waste less food, and into the bargain, save more money to spend life’s little luxuries. 

Fairtrade - tea-riffic!

Ilminster was declared Somerset's first Fairtrade town a couple of years ago and since then things have really progressed.

As a Fairtrade supporter I am thrilled to hear that from this month all tea served at all 200 National Trust properties will be Clipper's Fairtrade.This great news will really help to move things forward.
But it’s not just brilliant news for tea farmers and workers.

Tea plucker Mrs M Kalamani, pictured above centre, says 'Through the Fairtrade Premium, I have been able to support my son to study for a diploma in computer engineering. While I earn enough to support my family, sending my son to college would have meant getting into debt. ‘Fairtrade' have helped me give my children their education without this pressure.’

Party Politics in Local Government

As a local Conservative councillor I was interested to read of recent comments relating to the problems faced by Independent candidates when they decide to put themselves forward for election.

In broad terms I would agree that it is not an easy option to take. Within my own party I am known to be independently minded, and certainly do not always tow the party line, much to the angst of my fellow councillors at times. 

There have been occasions when I have considered standing as an Independent councillor but have decided against doing so because, for better or worse, my political leanings are firmly in the Conservative camp. The view I have taken is that if I quit the party it will never change. If I can hang in there, despite my personal views on some of our individual policies, then the change I seek is more likely to come about. It is always easier to bring about change and influence others from within.

Whilst I would agree that it is more difficult for Independent candidates to make an impact on the electorate, if for no other reason than that they do not always have the financial support or the resources so readily available to those with formal party backing, it is not impossible.

In my own case I tend to shun formal support anyway, firmly believing that it is not about turning up at someone's door uninvited once every four years asking them to vote for a nameless person who has hitherto shown no interest in them or their lives. It is about engaging with them in real terms, day in, day out.

This is where, with a bit of time and effort, an Independent candidate can often come up trumps.

Lack of spending capacity should not necessarily be a barrier to becoming elected. There are many, many ways in which to engage with the community; it is not all about the money. By and large the British public are a parochial lot and are more concerned with the minutiae of our individual daily lives, pot holes, traffic congestion, bus services (or lack of them), A&E waiting times, finding gainful employment, earning more than a pittance, keeping a roof over our heads and such like.  

As for the distribution of leaflets and what I consider to be ‘political propaganda’, most of us are fed up to the teeth with receiving copious quantities of unsolicited material that either ‘knocks the other side’ or extols the virtues of party policies that have little or no impact on our own lives; all of it cluttering up our re-cycling boxes.

One leaflet, with a clear, concise message setting out how you plan to improve the lives of those you wish to represent should be sufficient.

When I hear tell of political parties employing people, often at some expense, with a specific aim of gaining control of their local authority from the evil opposition my heart sinks. This is not what local politics should be about.

Our Woman in Havana

Anyone having spent any time in Havana would be forgiven for wondering what this city would have done had it not been for the revolution, or Ernest Hemingway. 

To an extent this view is understandable in relation to the revolution, and the limited access that can go hand in hand with a Communist dictatorship (I can well remember my own visit to Russia in 1985). The romance of a place like Havana can conjure up thoughts of intrigue, fuelled by the likes of Graham Greene. It did after all seem appropriate to be sitting in a roof top bar, trying desperately to avoid the hoards of tourists and the wretched renditions of ‘Cuban’ music laid on for their entertainment, by reading Our Man in Havana. How clichéd is that?

In the case of Hemingway, there can barely be a bar or hotel in Havana that does not continue to trade on his custom, if not his reputation as a raging alcoholic. Mind you, given my own consumption of rum so far, I can hardly be expected to comment with any degree of rationality.    

I landed (not me exactly, the plane) in Havana less than 24 hours ago, and what a day it’s been. Having got on board with hundreds of others some 11 hours previously, in my nightie, as I can never see the point in wearing the day clothes, I had not quite bargained for the fact that when I arrived the Cubans would want to scan us all on arrival. I tried hard to keep my coat on but was told firmly to remove it. I reckon there can be few people who have passed through their immigration control wearing just a rather unflattering, thin, but not skimpy, beige nightie, worn by a very tired rather overweight soon to be 61 year old. I had heard that Havana is considered to be the sex capital of the world for middle aged women, and were I in the mood to indulge, which in my younger days I might well have been, I feel certain that this little episode will have certainly blown my chances of attracting the attention of any one of the jineteros (hustlers rather than pimps). To be perfectly fair, of all of the places I have ever visited rarely have I felt quite so safe, or been less bothered either by beggars (there are very few and mainly in a very confined area around the key tourists sites) or touts. 

Electricity, along with much else, is in short supply here so after dark it can be a bit like being in the twilight zone. Given the complete absence of any health and safety regs., which I heartily applaud, the only real danger is found in navigating one’s way along the road amidst heaps of freshly dug up concrete. 

Awake at the crack of dawn I rather disturbed the security guard who sleeps in the hotel lobby by seeking to leave the premises for a little wander in the predawn light at about 5am. 

A calm, but not eerie stillness pervaded the atmosphere of the empty streets as workers began to make the way, with doorways revealing security guards slumped at their posts, with no need to be watchful at this hour.

On leaving the building I soon caught the attention of a policeman loitering at the corner, who was surprised as I was by the encounter, hastily concealing his cigarette in his attempt to retain an air of officialdom. A lone jogger along El Prado took his time, where the only sound was the clink of bottles retrieved from the garbage skips prevalent on each corner.

Not for me the grand hotels populated by the masses. I had booked to stay in what, if one believes the reviews, is the hotel from hell. Yes, by most people’s standards it is a shit hole, but I have been comfortable in its shabby, not chic, surroundings. Those who flock here are clearIy not as well travelled or intrepid. 

Rather unfairly I confess that I have come to despise my fellow travellers. On their package holidays, nannied through their visit, able to view the seedier side of life from the comfort and safety of their private transport, arriving en masse at all of the must-see sights, long enough to take a few pictures to prove to the world on Facebook just how daring they have been, and paying through the nose for the privilege. 

Here, I have my own bathroom, if that is not too generous a term to use, which was entirely unexpected; although as it has only a shower and there is no likelihood of any hot water for the duration, I am planning to forego ablutions for the week. Submariners’ bath it shall have to be. Basic is probably the best description for the accommodation but the sheets are clean and I am pleased that I brought my own pillow to supplement the 1 inch thick specimen provided.  

I also brought along my own travel kettle and loo roll as apparently there is a national shortage; of loo rolls, not kettles, although that may be the case also. As it was after 10pm by the time I had checked in, it seemed daft not to acquaint myself with the bar, so I partook of a large rum and then reflecting on the time in my home country, some five hours ahead, I came to the conclusion that as I had now indeed turned 61 there was nothing else to be done but to retire to my boudoir and consume the best part of a bottle of rosé Lanson, out of my enamel camping mug. I can confirm that as an inert substance it had no adverse effect on the taste, as far as I was able to discern. Having sampled Cuba’s best, I then spent a rather restless night, quite the norm for me, soothed by the hum of the of the air conditioner, akin to the sound of a plane taking off, and trying not to bash my head on the wall mounted TV (the remote control does not work) on my way to the loo. Prior to retiring I took the precaution of blocking up any orifices that would permit entry for any cockroaches lurking in the shadows; mice and spiders I can cope with but their scuttling, and the crunch of their carapaces under foot are all to reminiscent of Hong Kong days. 

Breakfast the following morning, and for the whole of the following week consisted of a glass of juice of some unidentifiable description – papaya, mango, guava, whatever they had. I quickly learnt that no matter where I went, whether to some doorway paladar where you stood at the counter, or an upscale restaurant in a top hotel, it made absolutely no difference to either the quality of what I ate or drank, or whether or not, despite the length of the menu, anything was available. But I digress, breakfast each morning consisted of what might be described as an omelette but would perhaps be better served as competition for the thinnest crepe; always accompanied by two pieces of toast, with varying degrees of crispness, a small plastic portion of runny apricot jam, and barely enough ‘butter’ to scrape across its length. I gave up on ordering tea after the first morning, and gave praise for my portable travel kettle.     

Thus began my six footsore days in Havana, exploring the culture, including my first ever puff of a cigar, and of course the rum. 

New Airport Runway for London

What ever one's view of the outcome of the proposed third runway at Heathrow, we can only hope that by the time it is built we still have a national airline worthy of our patronage. Its former slogan, 'the world's favourite airline', now trumpeted by Ryanair, is never likely to be regained under current management. 

I have nothing personal against CEO Alex Cruz, whose CV might lead one to believe that he does not have the experience to be at the helm, but recent customer experiences have earned nothing but derision and a switch to other airlines. Word is also out amongst the staff that morale is at an all time low. 

I sincerely hope that we are not witnessing the demise of yet another great British institution.

Ilminster Rotarians keep EU relations alive

Notwithstanding the result of the Brexit referendum, seven Ilminster Rotarians, along with several spouses, led by current President Harley Pope, were keen to keep their longstanding relationship with their twin club in Mamers, in Normandy, France, going; if for no other reason than to enjoy the abundance of fine food and wine and convivial hospitality that is always extended by their fellow Rotarians.

On this visit the focus was on the history of this beautiful area of the country, where historian Jean-Louis Charrier, himself a Rotarian led the group on a three day tour of local chateaux, historic sites and places of worship.

Never short of a few words to say, past President Linda Piggott-Vijeh said 'I always enjoy the opportunity for us to exchange visits with our friends across the channel. It is these bi-annual visits that help to firm up the bonds that connect Rotarians around the world. Not only are our French friends the most wonderful hosts (we are put up in their homes for the duration), but they really do pull out all the stops when it comes to showing us a good time. 

On this occasion I was thrilled that we were given special access to some of the many ancient books, maps and atlases that the town of Mamers has acquired over the centuries. Most were from the early 18th century, but best of all was the parchment that dated back to the 13th century, almost 800 years ago. To be able to handle such a document was really such a privilege.' 

Anyone for gin?

'Do you fancy doing a gin tasting in Glastonbury?' was the text message received by local wine and spirits tutor Linda Piggott-Vijeh last month, who said,

'It seemed such a random idea, and right up my street, that I could hardly fail to say yes, as one does not normally associate the WI with having a knees up in a local church.

On finding out more, I discovered the gin tasting was to be at the October meeting of the newly formed Avalon Ladies WI, which meets at St. Benedict's Church in Glastonbury on the second Thursday of each month. The group, which so far has 15 members, was the brainchild of vicar's wife, Kathy MacGeoch, the current President, who as a working mother decided to set up a second group in the town, meeting in the evenings.

I had originally intended for us to taste just four gins, as they are quite expensive at around £30 a bottle, but as usual I got a bit carried away and we tasted 10 in all, with the Bathtub gin being voted overwhelmingly the favourite. This lively crowd has certainly blown away any image of the WI being staid.'

The evening was such a success that Linda has been invited back for a wine tasting in February.

Broadway Village Hall celebrates 30 years

Local residents gathered at Broadway Village Hall to celebrate 30 years since its opening in 1986.

At the event, organised by Nick Urch of the Village Hall committee, everyone was welcomed to the evening’s festivities by current Village Hall Chairman, Paul Trueman, who reminded everyone of all of the effort spent in fund raising, over a period of 10 years, to realise the dream of building what has become a popular meeting place and hub of the community.

As glasses of bubbly were raised in a toast, guests enjoyed a real feast of cheese and homemade pates provided caterer Paul Young, who lives in the village.

Local councillor, Linda Vijeh, who was invited to attend the event, said ‘I have always been a supporter of the valuable work carried out in our local communities. The contribution that our village halls make in ensuring cohesion and an affordable meeting place for a wide range of events and activities for local groups, cannot be underestimated.’ 

Ashill launches its outdoor adult gym

County Councillor Linda Vijeh was invited to join Ashill residents to officially ‘open’ the new Adult Outdoor Gym at Ashill Recreation Ground this week. The idea for the installation of the gym equipment was the inspiration of local resident Brenda Pyle who, along with professional advice from fellow resident, Jane Knowles of the Somerset Activity and Sports Partnership carried out much of the behind-the-scenes work to raise the £10,333 required to purchase the equipment.

Linda, who did try out all of the equipment, had this to say, ‘I was delighted to have had the opportunity to use some of my county councillor’s Health and Wellbeing money to support this excellent project; something that I think every small community should aim for. Many local people are not as young as they might be and know the importance of keeping fit to ensure that they lead healthy lives. Whilst joining a gym may be the option for some it can be costly and access it not always easy. This equipment, which is simple to use without supervision, has been welcomed enthusiastically by everyone in the community. I have even heard tell of people coming over from Ilminster to use it! I am thrilled to hear that Jane has offered to start up group sessions to get everyone moving and I cannot wait to join in.’   

95 year old Samaritan emigrates to Australia

They say that moving home is one of the most stressful things that a person can do. Any normal person that is! Clearly this is not the case for former Taunton & Somerset Samaritans Director, Betty Carter, who at the ripe old age of 95 has decided to call it a day manning the phones at the branch office in Wood Street, as she is emigrating to Brisbane, Australia at the end of this month to be with her son Nick and his family.

Loved by everyone, and known for her formidable energy and enthusiasm, Betty has been one of the driving forces at Samaritans since joining the organisation in 1980. As friends and colleagues gathered in Trull to wish her well, they took the opportunity to have a look back at some of Betty’s key milestones, including overseeing the renovation of the current premises, influencing national policy, fund raising efforts and a visit to 10 Downing Street.

In speaking of the valuable contribution that Betty has made to the work of Samaritans, current Director, Liz Flower, said, ‘Betty has been such an incredible example to so many people. Despite her advancing years she has always embraced the many changes we have undergone, constantly adapting to our modern way of life. As we approach 50 years of supporting vulnerable people in this area, as our branch historian Betty has left us with a fine record of the many things we have achieved, many of which would not have happened without her.’

Local councillor, Linda Vijeh, who is herself a Samaritan, added, ‘Betty is one of those rare people who mange to bridge the gap between the generations. I have benefited hugely from knowing her. What a lady she is, in every sense of the word.’

In summing up her own time as a Samaritan, Betty said ‘I have gained far more from being a Samaritan than I have ever given.’ 

Harvest time

I always feel that the tail end of September is a joyous time for me. This brief lull in activity, before the clocks go back and the nights draw in, and the subsequent mad sprint towards Christmas, gives us time for reflection.

The summer holidays are over, the children are all back at school, the cooler weather is more to my liking, and the countryside takes on that beautiful variegated autumnal hue as the leaves turn from green to gold and then finally, to brown. I well recall the splendid ‘fall’ colours of New England, during my years spent working in the USA.

At home, particularly in rural communities, this time of year is celebrated with harvest festivals, and I try to attend as many as I can. Local ladies, for it is usually the ladies, put their talents to good use by ensuring that their village church looks its dazzling best, with magnificent floral displays enhanced by produce nurtured and gathered in by the keen gardeners amongst us. Not being a gardener myself, I am especially impressed by their skills and buy up as much as I can in the auctions that take place afterwards. I gain the benefit of fresh fruit, vegetables and flowers that have never darkened the doors of a supermarket, whilst also basking in the feel good factor from making a contribution to a good cause. A win/win situation for all concerned. This year I had the opportunity to use the produce I had acquired to prepare a harvest meal for our local Memory Café, held in the Minster Rooms, Ilminster. With the help of my fellow Rotarians we were able to serve up quite a feast.

Harvest festivals date back to pagan times, and are a combination of thanks for a successful harvest, combined with hopes and aspirations for a good one to follow. Our active participation in taking our various offerings to the altar allows us to share the experience collectively.

The common theme of the services I went to was not just being thankful for

the harvest, but also to consider those things that we as individuals have to be thankful for. In his first sermon at St. Peter’s Church, Horton, newly appointed Rector, Phil Denison, encouraged us to think outwardly, beyond our own needs. To consider what we produce in others’ lives and how our words and actions can have a positive influence on them, or otherwise.

In our increasingly busy lives we can sometimes fail to nurture our loved ones, which can have a devastating impact on our most important relationships.

In this context the analogy of ‘feeding the soil’ and allowing it time to rest in order to gain better results seems an appropriate one to ponder on as we go about our daily toil.

Ilminster Rotarians Linda Piggott-Vijeh; Ken Dewsbury; Danice Jackson

NIMBYS

When one hears the term NIMBY (acronym for ‘not in my backyard’), it is usually mentioned in a derogatory manner; said in a rather superior, scornful tone of voice by someone who feels that whoever it is they are referring to has no right to want to protect their own tiny patch of little England.

As a local councillor it is something I come across frequently, particularly where planning matters are concerned. Someone who is fortunate enough to have land holdings will of course want to make the best use of them and maximise their assets. This is perfectly understandable and will invariably mean attempting to obtain planning permission for one kind of development or another. It is fairly common at the moment for mobile phone networks to offer significant sums of money to landowners in order to gain permission for the installation of phone masts to boost service in the area.

This approach in itself is not to be disdained, but in many cases it is seen by residents of local communities to encroach unreasonably on the peace, tranquillity and open views they had long since felt entitled to enjoy in perpetuity; which of course they have no legal right to expect.

Whilst the applicant may gain substantial financial benefit, their neighbours often feel short changed by the detrimental impact of any development that gains permission. On occasion this can be offset by the offer of some contribution that will enhance the community; this may be a small parcel of land relinquished to provide recreation space, for example,

In my experience most problems occur where there is a poor relationship between the applicant and their neighbours, whether situated right next door, or in an adjacent community. I have always found that an open approach, and early consultation, can save both sides a good deal of unnecessary angst, and expense, especially when legal teams become involved.

On the one hand, we have someone who feels entitled to do as they wish with their own land, a view I can appreciate. On the other hand though there are those who feel that their views and opinions are not being taken into account; that they are being ride roughshod over by greedy landowners, and where there is no consideration for the wider impact of the proposed plans.

It is a difficult situation for all concerned and can often lead to long term divisions, tearing apart a once harmonious community, but we must accept that gone are the days when greedy landowners can take a feudal ‘do what I want and be damned’ approach.

Our small island is becoming increasingly crowded, which in itself can cause a number of social issues. We must always be aware of how our own actions have wider consequences. It is understandable for us to want to protect our own bit of 'England’s green and pleasant land', as that much revered national institution, the WI, remind themselves at every meeting.

BA sandwiches - the mile high dining club

I was interested to read recent reports about BA’s decision to downgrade its economy catering offering. Given my own rather sorry experience with the airline in the last 24 hours I am not in the least surprised.

I encountered some real customer service issues in connection with a cancelled flight from Mumbai to Heathrow, which were only resolved by the direct intervention of chief executive Alex Cruz, who I eventually contacted in a fit of frustration and anger. To be fair, once I had done so my original concerns were dealt with promptly and efficiently. The problem is that it had taken me 8 hours of my own time and money, when one quick phone call should have been sufficient.

Once on board I felt that the catering on both the outbound and inbound flights left much to be desired; there is clearly something seriously wrong.

In Traveller Plus, where I was seated, there was none of the usual offering of nuts etc. with drinks, and for the main meal there was a 50% shortage of the chicken meal offered; instead of the chicken with dauphinoise potatoes, roasted veg. and mushroom sauce indicated on the menus provided, we were given chicken with mashed potatoes, carrots and peas from economy. No big deal you might think, but who in their right mind would provide potato salad as a starter (potatoes, followed by potatoes?!) and then to top it all serve a second meal later in the flight of…. chicken, again!

The quality of all of the food offered was extremely poor. Why there is felt to be the need for a hot meal, which always tastes like the worst kind of cheap ready meal, is beyond me.

Going down the sandwich route, even on long haul flights, may well be a better option for all concerned, and I can appreciate the need for a handling charge.  

The current constraints imposed by security, many of them out of all proportion to the risks involved, make it practically impossible for passengers to take on board their own food.

Catering, even on a tight budget, is not rocket science. A more sensible option for all travellers would be to allow people to do this, or to order in advance and pick up a doggy bag on boarding. Far better that than the mass catered option which in its current state makes school dinners look good.

In recent years I have taken to buying ‘Gordon Ramsay Plane Food’ picnics to eat on board. For £14 the choice of 3 gourmet courses from which to make a selection is excellent, the presentation is super, and it all comes beautifully packed in a smart coolbag.

In the case of BA, I cannot help but notice that nowhere does there appear to be any consideration for what the customer might actually want. Having worked in the service industry for over 30 years I know that this is really the only thing that counts.

I am passionate about supporting our national businesses, but I also want to feel proud in doing so.

LITTER, LITTER EVERYWHERE

I am often contacted by local residents expressing their concerns over the amount of litter that continues to mar our streets, highways and recreation areas. These residents expect me, in my capacity as their county councillor, to ‘do something’ about getting it collected.

Most people take a certain amount of pride in their environment and there is a strong feeling that our litter strewn highways present a poor image for those visiting the area and I am inclined to agree.

I must confess here that I have a personal obsession with litter; the reason I have rarely ventured anywhere near a public beach in over 30 years. I only have to see one discarded cigarette end, crisp packet or drink can and I’m off. Contrary to popular belief this is not a class issue. I often find it difficult to hold my tongue, sometimes failing to do so and receiving verbal abuse for my pains, each time I pass an office building, pub or bar and see smokers throwing their cigarettes on the ground. Who do they think is going to clean it up?

I can well recall inspecting a five-star hotel on one occasion when awoken in the middle of the night by noise coming from a nearby pub. On looking out of the window I happened to see the night porter having a quick smoke, then dropping the discarded end on the ground in front of the entrance; a clear indication of a complete lack of regard, and not someone I would wish to employ.

Littering is entirely anti-social, and the less responsible members of our society should be held to account for such behaviour; especially those who fly tip.

Much as I might try my best to persuade the powers that be to collect the litter, it seems absurd that we should have to employ people, paid for by our tax payers’ money, to pick up the rubbish discarded by others with such gay abandon. No matter how frequently litter collection is carried out, in just a few days there will always be more. Surely in times of austerity and government funding cuts there must be better things to spend our money on; education, transport and heath spring most readily to mind.

There is the argument that the solution to the problem lies in education but I believe that this is a cop out. Everyone knows that it is wrong to litter. The problem is that people just do not care and there are few consequences.

I am no fan of the ‘big brother’ society but perhaps the answer is dashboard cameras to capture evidence of items being flung out of car windows, and a willingness to prosecute. Better still, community service for the offenders – picking up litter.

I have just returned from a visit to India, where litter remains an enormous problem. In an effort to address this there is now a 2% levy on all bills to fund their ‘clean India’ campaign. Perhaps if our government were to consider doing the same, the public outcry alone may be enough to change behaviour. I live in hope. As frustrating as it may be to see litter, any anger should be directed to the culprits, not hard working local authority employees who have enough to cope with.