PLANNING INQUIRY - IT'S ALL A MATTER OF WORDING

In considering alternative career choices that I might have taken advantage of, I have often thought that I would like to have been a spy, or a lawyer.

In a number of the roles and responsibilities I have held, which have been wide and varied, I have been required to gather and retain information, often of a confidential nature, and requiring a high degree of sensitivity. I have also been in the position of questioning others when considering the evidence, or lack of it, that can have a significant impact on the future lives of those I represent. This can pose something of a dilemma, particularly where a personal judgement may be required in weighing up the pros and cons of a situation

If rumours are to be believed, over the years I have gained a reputation for challenging those in authority, but in what I hope is seen as a constructive way, to gain an acceptable outcome for all concerned.   

The context in which much of my activity has been carried out has largely revolved around healthcare, education, and in my capacity as District Councillor, planning.

This month, the whole issue has really been brought home to me as I attended several sessions relating to the Shudrick Lane planning inquiry, held at South Somerset District Council offices in Yeovil. Although I represent Ilminster as a County Councillor, planning is, usually, a District issue, but given the wider implications of the outcome of this decision for local residents, I was keen to observe the proceedings.  

On the first day of the enquiry, apart from the 30 odd members of the public, and what seemed like enough paperwork to fill a small van, I counted around 20 ‘officials’, legal bods and experts who were to play an active part in the inquiry.

With top barristers earning in excess of £100k p.a., and taking an average of £30k for the rest of those present, I calculated that the 8-day inquiry alone would cost a minimum of £150k. This does not even begin to scratch the surface when one considers the months and months of background work and expert advice, independent reports and surveys sought. The proposed 220 homes must be worth at least £40 million. Clearly, obtaining planning permission is big business.

What I have found fascinating though, was not so much the opportunity to listen to both sides putting across their arguments for and against, but the extent to which canny lawyers, when cross examining those presenting their case, were able to pick through the bones, literally word by word, looking for cracks and flaws in the evidence. Language is a wonderful thing and has always held a fascination for me.

Much attention has been paid to whether or not the public benefits resulting from such a development will ‘significantly and demonstrably’ outweigh the importance attached to any harm that might be caused. This is of course a matter of interpretation, which is where the independent expertise and investigative skills of the inspector come in.  

For me this has been an interesting experience, and a sobering one. At the time of writing there is no clear indication of what the outcome of the inquiry will be but of one thing we can be sure, the inspector’s decision will be eagerly awaited by all concerned.

Winsham School Breakfast Club

Linda Vijeh, Jenny Robbins and Winsham School pupils

Ilminster County Councillor, Linda Vijeh, got off to an early start this week to meet pupils of Winsham School as they tucked into a hearty breakfast of fruit, cereal, toast, crumpets and juice at the re-instated Breakfast Club, which is currently run three days a week, attended by 10 pupils and staffed by a small band of willing volunteers, at a cost of just £1 per pupil per day.

Linda had been asked to visit by Head Teacher Sarah Stringer, who is keen to spread the word. Linda said, ‘It is well known that a good start to the day can really have an impact on the learning achievements of young children in many ways, including an increase in their attention span. Offering the Breakfast Club is a good way to support parents and families.

There is also the social aspect. One of the things we have found is that by eating together children improve their social skills and table manners. I have previously been able to support initiatives such as this by using my Health & Wellbeing money but as this is no longer available I am trying to help by supporting fund raising activities. I am planning to hold a fund-raising quiz in March to get the whole community involved. This is important, as these children are our future.’

Samaritans quiz raises £220 and Amelia turns 80

Left to right – support volunteer and cake maker Susann Parker; branch Director Liz Flower; support volunteer ad birthday girl Amelia Bruce; branch committee Chairman Jackie Steele

Taunton & Somerset Samaritans had two reasons to celebrate this month. At the beginning of the month committee members celebrated the 80th birthday of long standing support volunteer Amelia Bruce with a special cake, featuring her trademark collection bucket and tabard made by fellow committee member Susann Parker.

Amelia has been a support volunteer for the organisation for an impressive 24 years and is a staunch fund raiser, in addition to acting as the branch treasurer.

Later in the week, Samaritans and friends gathered once again at Moose Hall, to be put through their paces by fellow volunteer and quiz master, Linda Vijeh at their bi-monthly quiz, raising a total of £220 to help the branch provide this vital listening service.

The next quiz, which will have a special ‘Irish’ theme, will be held at Moose Hall, Castle Street, Taunton TA1 4AR, on Friday 17th March, St. Patrick’s Day. Start time is 7.30pm and all are welcome. There is no need to book in advance, and the £5 entry fee includes a sandwich supper freshly prepared by the Moose Ladies Circle.  

Quiz for charity CRY raises £400

The community turned out in force last Saturday as 14 tables of keen quizzers battled it out at Chaffcombe Village Hall to raise funds for the charity CRY (Cardiac Risk in the Young). The quiz, organised by local resident, Hillary Mead, an avid supporter of this life changing charity, will ensure that local children can take advantage of an upcoming mobile screening programme that is due to visit Tatworth in the near future. 

CRY has had a huge impact in raising awareness of sudden cardiac death in young people and offers support to those diagnosed with potentially life-threatening cardiac conditions as well as bereavement support to families affected by young sudden cardiac death. 

In total the quiz raised an impressive £400, and everyone agreed that the supper provided really helped to make the evening.

Curry lunch raises funds for local church

Annie and Julian Thompson, left and rear, and friends

New Year fund raising efforts in support of St. Peter’s Church Horton got off to a good start this month, when 35 local residents sat down to a splendid curry lunch, for just £6 per person, cooked by Annie and Julian Thompson.

With the assistance of their willing helpers a choice of chicken or vegetable curries were on offer, along with the usual accompaniments of dhaal, samosas, poppadoms and naan bread. As a special treat Nankhatai sweetmeats were served with tea and coffee, for which the recipe follows:-.

Along with a raffle, an impressive total of £285 was raised.

Said local councillor Linda Vijeh, who attended the event, ‘As obtaining external funding to support community facilities and activities becomes increasingly tougher, it is great to see the wide range of innovative ways that local people are coming up with to fill the shortfall. All of this relies of the time and effort of willing volunteers, along with the rest of us to support their efforts. This is what makes our rural villages so special.’

Nankhatai sweetmeats, with a texture similar to shortbread, are traditionally served during Diwali, the traditional Hindu festival of lights, held around the end of October each year.

INGREDIENTS – MAKES 16

80 grams icing sugar

75 grams butter

160 grams self-raising flour

½ tsp. bicarbonate of soda

a pinch of salt                               

¼ tsp. cardamom powder

¼ tsp. ground ginger

extra butter grease baking trays)

1 tbsp milk (if required)

TO DECORATE  

16 whole blanched almonds, cashew nuts or pistachios + dried cranberries to decorate

Ground nutmeg

METHOD

Preheat oven to 180’, and grease baking tray.

Cream butter and sugar either manually or with a hand beater, until light and fluffy

Add the remaining dry ingredients, sifted together, and mix until the mixture resembles breadcrumbs.

Knead into a smooth dough, adding a little milk if the dough is too dry.

Cover and allow dough to rest for 10 mins. (at this stage the raw dough can be frozen for future use).

Divide the dough into 16, shape into balls and place on the greased baking sheet evenly spaced.

Slightly flatten each ball, ensuring there are no cracks.

Top each biscuit with a cashew or almond, and a dried cranberry, and lightly dust with nutmeg.

Bake at 180°C for 15-20 mins. until a pale golden brown – be careful not to overcook.

Allow to cool before storing in an airtight container.

Will keep for 2-3 weeks, if they last that long!

Sowing random acts of kindness

One of the pleasures of being a regular church goer is the way in which many services, aside from the ecumenical focus, follow a seasonal pattern, and how relevant this can be to our daily lives.

Early in January, during the week after Epiphany, 6^th January, many churches choose to hold ‘Plough Sunday’ services. It was thus that I found myself attending the combined service held at St. Peter’s Church in Horton recently. As one might expect, the focus was on the important part that farming plays, particularly in the rural communities that make such a large contribution towards Somerset’s economy.

What struck me most about the ‘talk’ we received during the ‘Plough Sunday’ service, was a quote by an unnamed source, ‘Real treasure comes as a result of the hard work of ploughing and sowing the land’.

It follows that if we do not take care of the land that we depend on to produce the food that sustains us, then we suffer the consequences of our negligence. As more and more of us choose to shop in large supermarkets we become further removed from the route that our food takes from farm to fork.

Taken a step further, in the context of how each of us go about our daily lives, I have for some[LV1] [LV2]  years subscribed to the point of view that if I make a concerted effort to work on behalf of others then both I and the recipients will benefit from my actions. I have amassed a great deal of evidence in support of this ethos, but freely admit that on occasion it can be difficult to achieve, especially when faced with the less than well intentioned actions of others. I am certainly no angel, and on occasion I know that I have behaved disgracefully in the past, but through my faith I feel that I have learnt sufficiently to know that if I consciously work for the greater good of others, then the benefits both for myself and those on the receiving end are limitless.

We all get that ‘feel good’ feeling when we do something nice for someone else, and very often it is reciprocated, resulting in a ‘win/win’ situation for both. In making others feel better, valued and important to us, we reinforce their own sense of self-worth, giving them the tools and impetus to continue the cycle. The importance of this domino effect cannot be underestimated; attempting to influence the outcome of an event through underhand means all too often results in negative outcomes; where we seek to do harm to those who have harmed us in some way perpetuates a cycle of destruction. Our newspapers are littered with such stories.

That is not to say, however, that we must accept the destructive behaviour of others, either from individuals, groups or corporate bodies. What I have found though, is that if I can control my own behaviour and be comfortable with the reasons behind my actions, then in almost every case the right result will be achieved.

I notice that there is a National Kindness Day planned to commemorate the 20^th anniversary of Princess Diana’s death in March. She is quoted as having said, ‘Carry out a random act of kindness with no expectation of reward, safe in the knowledge that one day someone might do the same for you.’

In other words, to return to my original analogy, and well-known proverb ‘As you sow, so shall you reap’. Something as simple as a kind word can have surprising results.

BENEFITS OF ONLINE DIRECTORY ADVERTISING

Owning and running a business can be difficult in a challenging market.  

With so much at stake you will want to engage in marketing and advertising that is proven and effective to avoid wasting your time with activity that does not benefit your bottom line. This is where business directories, both online and in print can play a key role in your marketing plan.

Why business directories?

According to a recent study, when researching a product or company, 8 out of 10 people will use a directory. Of those who use directory searches, 8 out of 10 of them result in a purchase or intent to purchase.

Business directories are a great form of targeted advertising. When someone chooses to access a business directory they already have a specific need for your service or product. All you need to do is position your listing in the appropriate directory and design your entry so that catches the attention of your target customer before the competition grabs them.

Where online directories are concerned, it helps to select those with high traffic volume in your target market. MJ for example, within the marine sector, benefits from a high Google Page Rank (an algorithm that Google uses to determine the relevance and importance of a web page), which will enable your own listing to appear higher in Google Search Results, thus increasing the likelihood of the user finding your company.

For print directories, you should consider targeted directories and/or those pertaining to your particular niche market. In addition to this, actively look for advertising opportunities within the directory section to further enhance your own brand.

Are business directories profitable?

Maintaining your online listing or directory entry can bring a great ROI. A recent analytics study found that businesses who maintained their print directory listing saw an average of 20% in growth in a twelve-month period (70% of respondents reported year-on-year gains in call volume directly related to their directory ad). Those companies offering an ‘emergency’ service tend to gain the highest average increases. The same study also found that 36% of customers who made a purchase after responding to a directory listing were new to the company, never having used that business before.

Where online listings are concerned, 97% of consumers research a product or service online, looking at an average of 7.9 difference sources, including directories, before making a purchase decision. We all know that if we want to turn a prospect into a conversion, we need to remain front-of-mind to our potential customers, so that when they are ready to buy, they think of us before our competition. This view is reinforced by evidence that shows that brand recognition significantly increases conversion rates.

Choosing your online and print directories

It is not effective to just “spam” your business into every directory you can get your hand on. You still need to ensure you are choosing ones that will give you the biggest ROI, in line with your budget and business aims.

Top consideration should go to directories in your niche markets, where your potential customers will start their search for your services. It’s important to find the right mix of directories for your business.

Can online directory listings increase my web traffic?

Listing your company and company URL on online websites not only helps your ROI, but can also help your website appear higher in search results for certain terms. The more quality web pages that you can get your site listed or mentioned in, the more authoritative Google will begin to think your website is. When Google chooses where your webpage will appear in search results, Page Rank (the authority of the webpage) is one of the factors that can significantly increase your chances or being ranked first, or at least on the first page, for a particular search term or phrase.

What does my business need to do now?

Directory listings should form part of on-going marketing plans. First, look at your directory options based on your business niche and region. Look up your competitors to see where they are advertising and consider whether or not it makes sense for your business to have a presence in these directories too. Aim to stay front-of-mind to your customers as much as possible, but without appearing “spammy.”

It may take time to find the right mix of directories to advertise your business in. Putting in place an analytics or tracking system to see which directories are giving you the best return, either in click thrus to your site, in direct revenue, or in call volume is important in tracing activity. This could include using special tracking campaign links for online directories, or a unique phone numbers or URLs for print ads. Over time, by being consistent in monitoring activity, you will be able to find the best mix of print and online directories that perform well for your business.

Finally, it’s important to keep in mind that listing your company in a directory is not just a one-off project. It needs to be maintained, and your strategies adjusted based on what your competitors are doing, and based on your changing business goals. The best way to achieve this is to maintain regular communication with your key contact person within the company listing you in their directory. If they don’t know what you and your company want to achieve how can they help you in the most effective, timely way, within your budget? 

In summary, maintaining business directory listings as part of your marketing plan is a proven profitable business strategy for your business.

Advertising Your Business

Advertising your business to a specific targeted audience has many advantages. It provides the opportunity to brand build and enhance your business to the next level. Whilst there are several ways to advertise your business locally, one of the most effective is through an online directory. This method of advertising your business effective and gives a good ROI. It is important when considering your online directory presence that your business is listed in a top directory with direct access to your key markets.

Develop Brand Image
All successful business take advantage of brand management and image making. All markets have recently faced tough competition. Your competitors will be trying hard to make their company image the ‘go to’ brand for the products and services they offer. Why lag behind? Listing your company on an online directory, with direct links to your company name, address, photos, videos and news updates will keeping you at the forefront of your customer’s minds. The association with MJ, a trusted, reliable, market leader, will also reinforce your brand image, so that you can win the trust of your potential customers.

Enhance Your Business
Staying one step ahead of your competitors is vital in such a challenging business environment. 70% of the population now prefer online search channels for a particular service or product. The benefit of being listed in a directory is that you are able to select the key search criteria to suit your business and each your target audience. If you aren’t out there, how will they know where to find you? With a directory listing, many more potential clients can be exposed to your business when you take advantage of being listed under key categories, according to your company’s speciality. This makes your directory listing more accurate and targeted. One of the key benefits of listing your company with MJ is the excellent opportunity this gives for search engine optimization via a direct link with your own website. This strengthens your presence and the possibility of increasing the number of visits to your website.

Cost Effective Advertising Publicity
There are several local advertising sources available to choose from, but among them online directory advertising has proven to be the most cost effective, especially for those with a small budget. Maintenance is minimal and long lasting support is provided whilst your entry is active. 

Shudrick Inquiry personal observations

It has been an interesting week. I have spent several hours each day at the offices of South Somerset District Council, attending the proceedings currently underway in relation to the Shudrick Lane planning inquiry. 

Observing the key players as they take 'centre stage' to give their evidence has been fascinating.

On the one hand, we have local residents putting forward passionate pleas for the continued protection of their environment. These are in the main just ordinary people who have either lived in Ilminster all of their lives, or those who have moved to the area to take advantage of a relatively tranquil spot, and feel that the way of life they have come to enjoy is being threatened. When anyone opposes a planning development there are always cries of NIMBYism, but why shouldn't they fight? In considering this in a wider context, if it were the very nature of our society as a whole that was at threat would we not all fight to protect it?

On the other hand, I have witnessed the ‘experts’, hired, often at some great expense, to prove a case, one way or another, for highways, heritage, the environment; every aspect that might cover the implications of such a development.

And bang slap in the middle, we have the very expensive legal bods whose job it is to chew over the evidence, reducing it to pulp where they can. The experience, as a mere onlooker, has been riveting.

Their cross-examination techniques have been remarkable. Some are slick, clearly having done their homework, and approach their victims with a level of confidence bordering on arrogance at times. As a result, when challenged I have seen ‘Joe Public’ squirm, go red in the face and begin to stutter when under fire. By agreeing to put their heads above the parapet, I am left wondering how many would have done so had they realised the relentless level of vocal fire they would be subjected to. Brave individuals indeed.

By contrast, it is much more interesting, and satisfying, to see some of the ‘experts’ be put through the mill. One in particular, at the beginning of their cross-examination, treated initial questions in a disdainful almost contemptuous manner. This attitude soon changed once they were on the back foot, even pleading a two-week Christmas holiday and fear of their spouse’s wrath as an excuse for the lapse in evidence.  

The inspector, thankfully, appears to be a sane individual, if at times just a little frustrated at the posturing taking place in some quarters.

It will be interesting to see the outcome of this, but I for one was taken by the phrase used by one speaker, 'God created Shudrick Valley'. Is it up to us mere humans to interfere?

NHS crisis - WE are the problem

As can often be expected, we reach mid-January, winter has hardly begun to show its mettle, and yet we are bombarded with messages of gloom and doom about the state of the NHS.

There can be no doubt that life for those working at the sharp end in the NHS has been tough for some time, and that those of us who have need of its services often find we are ‘let down’.

Whilst on the surface I am inclined to agree with Theresa May’s assertion that recent comments by the Red Cross, referring to the NHS as facing a ‘humanitarian crisis’, as being ‘irresponsible and overblown’, a closer look at the widely accepted definition of a humanitarian crisis - ‘a singular event or a series of events that are threatening in terms of health, safety or well-being of a community or large group of people’, then they are in fact spot on.

What the rest of us must do, as we try to keep our heads down to avoid the mud-slinging that inevitably occurs, is step back a little to consider the facts of the situation and move away from the hysterical hyperbole.

When the NHS was formed in 1948 our population was 47 million, it now hovers around the 65 million mark, a 38% increase. Added to this is the increase in life expectancy, which on average has risen by over 10 years. Most of us can, under normal circumstances, now expect to reach the ripe old age of 81.

On top of all this, as is well known, advances in medical technology and know-how mean that many of the illnesses that in the past would have caused premature death can now be detected earlier, and treated; at a cost.

We may agree that the NHS has been woefully underfunded in recent years and is no longer fit for purpose in its current form, but we have all been complicit in this. It is not rocket science to expect that treating many more people for longer, with more complex illnesses, requiring higher levels of expertise and costly equipment will in the end bust the budget.

The constant bleating refrain of low wages and long hours is tiresome. Staff are not press ganged into selecting the NHS as an organisation in which to work, and whilst I do have some sympathy, there are many of us in other industries also having to work our socks off in less than satisfactory working environments. As sad as it may seem, it is a common ailment of modern day life.  

There is clearly a huge gap between what we expect and what the NHS can afford to provide. To blame the government is to take too simplistic a view of the situation. Contrary to the belief of some, money does not grow on trees. If we, the general public, users of the NHS, want to a have a first-class service then we will just have to pay for it, it is as simple as that.  

My own runs ins with the NHS are well recorded, but, as unsatisfactory as it may be for people to be left on trolleys in hospital corridors, I would argue that if they can be left for hours on end, without suffering any harm, then how ill were they, and should they have been in A&E to start with?

There comes a point at which we must all take collective responsibility for the current state of the NHS, and its imperfections.

Ilminster Senior Citizens lunch

A special appearance by Ilminster's very own 'Elvis', Barry Paull, really put the icing on the cake at the annual Senior Citizens lunch held at the Shrubbery Hotel, Ilminster, this last weekend.

123 local residents sat down to enjoy a splendid Christmas lunch with service provided by Ilminster Lions, Rotary Club members and Nyanza Lodge.

The event was hosted by Edward Wells, and the raffle, with an amazing 54 prizes, raised a grand total of £227, with a little arm twisting from Rotarians Linda Vijeh and Ken Dewsbury.

Special thanks was given to Ann and Nigel Clymow, who have been the driving force behind this popular event for many years, with assistance from many local businesses.

'Trumped' up evidence?

If there was ever any doubt about the inexplicable link between the murky worlds of politics and espionage, then events over the last few days should have been sufficient to quell any uncertainty.

In a clear last-ditch attempt to dislodge President-Elect Trump from his podium prior to his inauguration next week, the guns are out and all barrels are firmly trained on him.

I, like most of the world, found it hard to believe the news last November, that Trump had been successful in his Presidential bid. Since then I have experienced a mixture of mild bemusement, disbelief, and at times, alarm, at what I have witnessed of his methodology when it comes to getting a nation the size of the United States to come to heel, as he prepares to take his place on the world stage. Conventional he is clearly not.

The dirt digging and mug slinging started in earnest several weeks ago, not from abroad, but from within his own secret service, although aided and abetted it would seem by agents in the UK. It looks all set to reach its peak any day now. No surprise there then.

Those involved in information gathering, for whatever dubious purposes, even if in the name of democracy, will not be keen to have their own tidy little apple cart of lies and mis-information upset by such an arrogant upstart; an outsider no less.

Surely no intelligent person would be surprised to learn that Russia was keen to play a part in influencing the outcome of the US Presidential election. I would have thought that this was a given. It seems to me that what has left the spooks so vexed is that it could be done under their very noses, now clearly put out of joint.

What really seems to rankle is that a large sector of the population cannot, and will not, accept that they lost the battle. Whether or not the battle was fairly fought is another matter.

I expect that much of what is revealed will turn out to be true, but perhaps the dirt diggers would benefit from some inward reflection as they ‘leak’ their findings to the world’s press.

What becomes clearer by the day though is the high level of hypocrisy being circulated in the name of democracy.

We, as mere members of the general public, may not, thank goodness, be exposed to the grubby workings of international intelligence services, but it would be naïve in the extreme for us to be taken in by any idea that we, or any other country that considers itself to be a key player in the international arena, would not try to influence the outcome of events to suit our own agendas.

History is littered with attempts to do so, and the failings affecting millions of lives as a result of this interference, are all too evident.

Let us also not forget that the same dubious behaviour exists, within families, in practically every large corporation, and at local government level.

The sentiment ‘All’s fair in love and war’ remains as a true a statement in the 21^st century as it did when first recorded over 400 years ago.

SHOULD SEX EDUCATION BE COMPULSORY FOR CHILDREN

Whilst the debate over compulsory sex education for children continues there is one question that continually comes to the forefront of my mind.

‘If sex-and-relationship education were to become compulsory in all schools, what difference would this make to ensuring that all children have safe, happy childhoods without fear of abuse?’

It is a sad fact of life that, whether they want it or not, far too many children are subjected to a level of ’sex’ education in their young lives that no sane, decent, person would ever wish on anyone, no matter what their age.

Such ‘education’ at the hands of their abusers, more often than not someone from their own family or known to them, can have a life-long devastating impact on their lives.

Whilst I have concerns as to how our hard-pushed education system would cope with the additional burden that some would like to thrust upon them, there is also the issue of where ‘education’ begins and parenting stops.

In the past, sex education would have been pretty much a hit and miss affair; mum talking in hushed tones about periods and the obligations of the marital role, but probably not until the time arrived. Whilst dad, trying not to feel embarrassed, would have a ‘manly’ chat about ‘being careful’ and the use of ‘protection’.

All but the most sheltered of children now have access to a wide range of channels through which to learn the facts of life; not all of them desirable by any stretch of the imagination.

It is the prevalence of ‘online’ grooming and the subsequent exploitation of our youngsters that is proving to be one of the most invidious invasions into our everyday lives.

In the past, there would have been a number of stable role models in a young person’s life, there to listen and offer guidance at crucial times in their development, but sadly modern day life has moved on from the secure environment enjoyed by many. This very lack of stability makes our children more vulnerable to the attentions of undesirable predators.

Children develop and mature at different rates and my fear is that if we attempt to formalise sex-and-relationship education we are assuming, quite wrongly, a one-size fits all approach. Yes, such knowledge is vitally important in preparing young people for life, but the desire by some to make it a compulsory part of the school curriculum may not be the answer. We all know too that exploring something in a classroom environment is a totally different ballgame to being out there on the streets, feeling vulnerable and unloved when some ‘kind person’ comes along to offer comfort, understanding, a small gift or two, in exchange for who knows what.

We can talk all we want about ‘acceptable behaviour’ and ‘setting boundaries’ but it is a brave child indeed who comes forward when they have been the unwitting victim of someone’s unwelcome attentions.

Thankfully we now live in a society where things can be discussed in the open, but what we cannot so easily guard against are those individuals, who because of their own failings, continue to prey on the most vulnerable in our society.

I do not have any answers, but the one thing I am certain of is that there is no substitute for each and every one of us to remain on the alert and vigilant if there is to be any hope of our children having the safe, secure upbringing they deserve.

Dowlish Wine Tasting Raises £500 for Phoenix Project

Dowlish Wine Tasting raises £500 for Phoenix Project. 

I am thrilled it was such a success and that I am able to make a contribution towards the re-building of the pavilion. To have almost 40 people there on such a miserable night was brilliant. 

I think that if we can all use whatever talents we have to work together anything can be achieved.

Linda.

FOR THE LOVE OF BOOKS

As an ardent book lover, in recent years I have often despaired on hearing dire warnings of the imminent demise of the printed word. The steady, unceasing march of technological advances has meant that at times it seems as if the entire human race is permanently glued to their iphone or other electronic device.

Over the Christmas period I was much heartened by the news that far from being in decline our desire for the printed word has received something of a revival.

I have tried, I really have. I have heard all the arguments about the portability of such gadgets, and the ability to download practically anything, never mind its intrinsic worth, or lack of it. I have owned a Kindle for over 4 years and in an effort to get with the times, proving that I am no curmudgeon when it comes to embracing technology, I got the all-singing, all-dancing version. With my eyesight not quite what it once was I will readily admit to the usefulness of being able to alter the font size with electronic devices is useful. I find that unless it is a non-fiction reference book I need for research purposes I now select books for my personal reading pleasure by the size of the font and style of typeface!

However, after an initial fit of misplaced enthusiasm, during which I downloaded The Bible, Mein Kampf and other dubious works of literature, just because they were available free, I have yet to use it, and have long since forgotten the password to get the wretched thing started. As someone who likes to travel to out of the way places, a Kindle is not much good if there is not a regular electrical source for charging it up.

For me there is nothing like the feel of a proper book. Reading a book engages most of the senses; sight, touch, hearing the rustle of the pages as they turn, and the musty, foxy smell of something with a history.

Certainly, as a recipient of literary gifts, very often second hand finds, I delight in the quirky books that friends manage to find on my behalf. The latest tranche included a book on railway catering and one on the healing power of Champagne; both right up my street. I like to think that I have a catholic taste when it comes to my choice of reading material, which may be chic lit., travelogues, biographies or the latest award winning best-seller. When on holiday or travelling, I can usually work my way through a book a day, with the bonus that at the end of the week, as I dispose of my paperbacks leaving them for someone else to enjoy, I have extra room in my luggage for souvenirs and the odd bottle of wine.  

Locally, phone boxes in many villages have been turned into mini book exchanges, providing a great source of interesting literature, and all for free. I cannot imagine life without books, which is one of my reasons for being so passionate about Ilminster Literary Festival, now coming up to its second year; the opportunity to meet our favourite authors in the flesh and to find out more about makes them tick is not to be missed. Long may the reprieve for book lovers last.

As chef to the British Ambassador I could always tell what was afoot by who was coming to dinner. Many an international disaster was averted, or deal negotiated, not around the boardroom, but in the intimacy of the dining room. It’s much the same when business entertaining. In the current economic climate, business relationships are vitally important; everyone fighting for their share of the market.

First things first, begin with the end in mind; decide your objective. What is your purpose in entertaining? To secure a job or contract, open up negotiations,  industrial espionage, a thank you for favours done, or support in a tricky situation? In the hierarchy of your business sector where do you stand; new kid on the block or head honcho?

Once you have established your purpose you can select your venue with confidence. After ascertaining your guest’s dining preferences, ensuring everything goes smoothly, prior planning is essential for success. So, know your prospect. Do your research; ask their PA, secretary, or other colleagues. Always keeping sight of your main objective.

The ultimate compliment is of course an invitation to one’s home – it’s what the The Queen, Obama and Cameron do; but be careful of the company you keep. The style, reputation and cost of the venue will dictate whether you want to impress by being ‘seen’, prefer a discrete private room, or show off a new venture.

Firstly, unless eating at your local greasy spoon, make a reservation. Always, always check out an unfamiliar place first. In New York, your table position in a top restaurant says everything about your status. Do you really want that tiny table by the kitchen door? As an independent inspector, many a report rests on where I am seated. Unlike some guides, I feel strongly that the environment and service have almost as much impact on the experience as food quality.

It doesn’t hurt to impress upon the maitre d’ the importance of the occasion, tipping well if necessary. Remember, you are the customer, and paying their wages. Unless arriving with your guest, be there on time to welcome him or her – and prevent them ordering that expensive single malt or Hennessy Paradis, costing more than the meal!

Where possible, do not allow guests to see menu prices, but do urge them to choose first. If you’re on a budget, a good way of steering them towards cheaper options can be dealt with deftly by the maitre d’ recommending the ‘set menu’ or other less pricey items. If it’s a place you are familiar with, simply steer them towards an old favourite with ‘I have always enjoyed the……here’.

In a different context, one of the most romantic dates I ever experienced was where the menu had been pre-selected. My host achieved his aim, but to do that takes guts and insider knowledge. Remember, as the host, like all good sales people, you are in control. It is after all a sales job one way or another.

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A bit about Linda - As a former chef to the British Ambassador to the UN, in New York, I was fortunate enough to gain international attention with innovative British cuisine, often specialising in theme menus. Back on home soil I became a Senior Inspector with the AA, before setting up Service Matters. I have a reputation as a tough cookie, renowned for my objectivity; and an outspoken, slightly controversial public speaker. As the only operator of an approved WSET wine school in Somerset.

Getting up to speed with social media

Much is talked about in relation to social media, and the vast majority of us are familiar with such sites as Twitter, Facebook, Snapchat, Instagram, LinkedIn and many, many others. Keen to keep up with the times I signed up for many of these sites some years ago. Then, I opted out. The catalyst for me, was when on a rare last minute holiday, which I had not broadcast, several friends contacted me to comment on it. It turns out that the friend I had travelled with had alerted the entire world. I was furious. Apart from anything else it is well known that many households are burgled while their owners are away from home as a result of such posts. In addition to this, working my socks off most days, it became increasingly irritating when on a daily basis I started to get banal messages saying, ‘I have just had a nice cup of coffee’, or I would receive the latest batch of photos of someone’s grandchild who I neither knew or, to be honest, wanted to know. It was then I knew that it was time to beat a hasty retreat. The question at the forefront on my mind was ‘Who has the time to deal with this trivia?’.

What has also occurred to me, particularly with regard to corporate Facebook sites, is that they can often be used as an excuse for disgruntled people to rant and rave, posting unpleasant and often vindictive comments. This negative approach is not helpful and says as much about those who are posting such comments as it does about those they are commenting on.

There is no doubt that social media now dominates the way in which we communicate. Certainly for any business that wants to get its message out it is a must. As a marketing and PR professional what I find frustrating though is the relevance, or lack of it, of much of what is out there. It is for this reason that as a long standing trustee of Chard Museum I joined a group of others keen to promote their enterprises on a social media workshop. Never let it be said that although I am now in my sixties I have a closed mind.

The workshop was run by a social media expert from social enterprise Cosmic. What an eye opener it was. It was informative, interesting, and above all, deeply motivating. With the speed of lightening we were given an in-depth overview of the plethora of social media communication tools available. What quickly became apparent is that all of these methods are best used as a channel to build up a like-minded ‘community’, not as a sales tool, which is a mistake that many organisations make. 

Organisations such as Chard Museum have found it hard to get to grips with modern technology but we are moving forward; we even have over 300 ‘likes’ on our Facebook page.

What it all boils down to in the end though is knowing your customers, what communication methods they (not you!) prefer and what is most likely to make them respond, but above all remembering that communication is a two-way thing, not merely an excuse to blow your own trumpet. This is standard sales and marketing stuff. 

Certainly the workshop was one of the most enlightening I have ever attended. I am not easily influenced but after this I was hooked.  All I need to do now is to find the time to put it all into practice and hope that someday soon my internet access improves, or hire Suzi Ratcliffe!

Lynx2Business

Despite being invited to many events I have never been much of a networker, partly because I just don’t have the time. I do however passionately believe in supporting local businesses and in recent years our failing economy (thankfully now well into recovery stage) has resulted in many talented and skilled people, when faced with redundancy, deciding to strike out on their own.

Locally there are several groups of enterprising young business people who have made real effort to drum up some enthusiasm and are actively reaching out. It was therefore with mixed feelings that I accepted an invitation this week to a business event in Yeovil, held under the umbrella title Lynx2 Business. What an eye opener it was!

Not much impressed by my 5.30am wake up call, despite the offer of a full cooked breakfast at the end of my journey, nevertheless I came away from this early meeting feeling buoyed up and full of pride at the energy and passion shown by the 20 or so attendees. There was a real buzz and much well-meant banter, and whilst people were pro-active they were not pushy in the way that I had seen at other similar events.

Business people, young and old, had travelled from across South Somerset, not to network but to inculcate a culture of mutual benefit by referral, and it certainly seems to be working a treat. Some had been in business just a few short months, others were old hands, having served their time over many years.

As a visitor I was not excused the 60 second slot in which I had to give a short sharp account of what it is I do, which certainly focuses the mind, and at which I admit I failed miserably.

Not really looking for work myself, I came away having discovered an estate agent who really will work 24/7, conducting viewings any time, day or night, to suit his clients’ needs,in addition to providing a free ‘walk through video’ of properties on their books. I now know who to call if I need a highly qualified personal PA (yes please!), am in trouble with employment law, or want high security items printed, locks changed on my doors, or insurance on an empty property. I also learnt the importance of backing up my computer regularly to safeguard precious family photos and have someone to hand who will check my car’s air conditioning or paint, decorate and furnish my home. 

They really have got it all covered, and it is the ethos of referral that will ensure these businesses grow and prosper despite the presence of the ‘big boys’ who continue to seek to dominate our high streets and small industrial estates, keen to undercut them.

If this is the future of our local economy, then we are indeed in good hands. For me this was the perfect example of the old adage ’It is not what you know, but who you know’. Never was it more true than in today’s business world. I shall certainly plan to attend again, even if only to make a concerted attempt to be the proud recipient of the ‘silver sausage’, and in the meantime I plan to mystery shop them all, just to keep them on their toes!

The White Post Rimpton

It was not long after we had seated ourselves at the table when one of our company said “We had better finish off the bottle because we will need more space on the table.” Eager to be the perfect guest, it would of course have seemed churlish on my part not to have another glass of the Laurent Perrier rosé with which we had kicked off the evening.

One of the problems with having an overwhelming passion for food, evidenced all too clearly by my expanding waistline, is that whether or not it is a burger in a bun or a gourmet meal, I do take it all very seriously. On occasion this can naturally cause concern amongst my dining companions. On the other hand, there are those intrepid gourmets that are keen to introduce me to new experiences and are willing to put up with my cross-examination of the chef in question in exchange for my unbridled enthusiasm for their latest find. Should any one palette wield such power?!

It was therefore with a sense of anticipation that I agreed to travel for the best part of an hour to sample the delights of a ten course tasting menu at award winning pub, The White Post, Rimpton. In my book, no distance is too far when there is the promise of fine food at the end of it. Owned and run by Wessex boy Brett, now in his 50s and no spring chicken, along with a little help from capable wife Kelly, who oversees the front-of-house operation, they seem to manage the fine balance of pub versus gourmet destination; classy enough to satisfy the big spending London crowd, but sufficiently unpretentious to keep the locals coming in.

Straddling the counties of Dorset and Somerset, literally, although billed as a pub, it really is more of a gastro-pub than a place to pop down to after a hard day at work for a quiet pint with your mates, although admittedly, in tandem with epicurean delights there is the usual pub grub on offer, burgers, sausages and mash and their ilk.

I should declare at this point that I am particularly fond of multi-course menus. I have a small appetite but love lots of different flavours, so for me this type of offering, when in the hands of a competent chef, can be second to none. It is however a tricky manoeuvre to pull off with finesse. After 30 years in the kitchen I can price up a plate of food in the blink of an eye. There is no doubt that such menus can cost peanuts in terms of the ingredients used, the mark up is huge. The choice is often about whether or not one wants to stump up for a ‘lot of food’, or to see what a talented chef can do to turn ordinary ingredients into something extraordinary. It is a purely personal choice, but for me, the latter option wins out every time; my reason for eating out rather than at home is to experience this talent, which takes time and energy, and time is money.

It must be around 20 years ago that I celebrated a birthday at Gordon Ramsay’s restaurant Aubergine. To this day I can well recall being served three consecutive courses on a bed of spinach; inexcusable and something which I still hold against him, if for no other reason than that I am not a fan of spinach.

In all multi-course menus where no choice is offered there will always be some dishes that are more to one’s taste than others. In the case of The White Post, Brett rather sensibly makes note of guest preferences when deciding what to serve. A menu was available for us to peruse, but I always prefer to be surprised.

Aside from personal preference and overall competence of preparation, in a professional capacity, there are a number of considerations I take into account: repetition of ingredients, balance, presentation, temperature, textural contrast, colour and condition. I am also always on the lookout for tired looking lettuce leaves and the odd stray out of season tomato and tasteless strawberry flown in from foreign parts, which to my mind form no part of any meal prepared by any chef worth his salt.
At The White Post the cost of their ten course tasting menu is £45, if one can call coffee a ‘course’, with an additional £35 for a flight of seven wines to accompany the meal. Not being heavy drinkers, we split the wines between two of us, which turned out to be a good move, providing an interesting added element to the overall experience, although with my ‘wine’ hat on I might have tweaked the choices a bit.

If I were being really picky, which I am, then I would have liked the staff to be more knowledgeable about the dishes they were serving. In an ideal world they would have had the opportunity to sample every dish during its conception. The dining area can also be quite noisy if, as on the night of our visit, there is a large party clearly having a good time.

Celeriac velouté (soup to you and I), butterbean dip and homemade bread – velvety flavoursome soup topped with truffle oil (thoughtfully left off for me, as this is one of my pet hates). The butterbean dip was more of a spreading consistency, and although good it required a little more seasoning. I am also not convinced that it had any connection with the soup. The homemade multi-grain bread was good, but not especially memorable or moreish.

Chicken liver parfait, fig, hazelnut, sourdough bread -  beautifully smooth and all ingredients well matched, although I would have preferred not to have been served bread with two courses in a row.
Roasted scallop, caramelised cauliflower, curry, coriander, raisins – an interesting combination although I could not detect any caramelisation in the cauliflower, which was quite a hefty chunk. The addition of the cornflakes for textural contrast was an inspired addition, and the scallop, complete with its roe, was cooked to perfection.

Beetroot cured salmon, samphire, caviar, horseradish, compressed cucumber – my favourite dish of the meal. A beautifully executed dish, with light, fresh, vibrant flavours, although not enough caviar for me (there never is!)

White lake goat’s curd, freekeh, carrots, coriander seed – visually appealing, the curd was light and fresh, the carrots flavoursome, and the grains added another contrasting element. Not my favourite dish, but I put that down to personal preference.

Salt chamber beef, black garlic ketchup, onions, wild garlic – the only meat dish on the menu. I do tend to like my beef very rare so this was a little too well done for me, although still pink in the middle. The accompanying black garlic ketchup won favour with us all. The marrow bone, used for presentation purposes, disappointingly contained no marrow.

Dark chocolate, milk ice cream, baked white chocolate, sorrel – the chocolate mousse was smooth and light but lacked the density I might have hoped for. Sadly, the baked white chocolate did not appear, being replaced by a chocolate and pear cake, which was a little dry in texture. The milk ice cream did not quite do it for me.

Tropical fruit plate -  another clear winner all round, with a great combination of fruits, including slivers of pineapple, and perfect crème brulée served in passion fruit shells.

Regional cheese, spiced apple jelly – splendid selection, all in peak condition. Sometimes the skill of a good chef is in knowing when to select good ingredients and then just leave them alone.
Coffee and treats -  coconut ice, fudge and mini cakes. All well-made but I found myself asking, where were the homemade chocolate truffles?

Throughout the meal the competence of preparation and combination of ingredients was largely spot on. Visual presentation likewise was top notch, innovative and interesting, but without some of the gimmicks used in other establishments. There was good textural contrast and no repetition of ingredients, which were all seasonal. Portion sizes were just right. I have sampled many similar meals in some of the finest restaurants in the world, including French Laundry in California and Per Se in New York, all costing hundreds of pounds. In terms of value for money Brett could certainly give them a run for their money and why he has not yet fully received the recognition he deserves is beyond me.

I cannot deny that the evening was a lengthy one but when we left, although tired and glad of the lift home, I did not feel too full or bloated.

I am planning to return at the earliest opportunity, if they let me through the door again. This time I plan to take advantage of the great offer of B&B for two in one of their three bedrooms along with the tasting menu, all for the bargain price of £150 per couple. All I need to do now is to find someone to share the bed with.