VISITOR TASTE OF THE WEST

The summer months across the South West (for what bit of a summer we have had!) heralds the time when the culmination of the hard work of our local communities is celebrated by what seems to be a constant round of village fêtes and shows. I try to attend as many as I can, in order to enjoy the fruits of the tireless year-round labour of our bakers, jam makers, craftsmen, gardeners and flower arrangers, as they come together to show off their results in the hope of coming up trumps as champion for the day. The competition is hot amongst these amateurs.

What I am also mindful of though is the huge number of commercial food and drink producers we have across the South West, many of whom have gained an international reputation for the quality of their products. Yes, the prices are often a little higher than we pay for the bulk-buy mass-produced offerings on sale in supermarkets, but I believe we owe a debt of gratitude to these small businesses and should do all that we can to support them. After all, what price can we put on the love, passion and attention to detail required to produce a morsel or sip of something truly memorable?

This thought brings me nicely onto this year’s Taste of The West Awards, as Champion Product Finalists battle it out for supremacy. Since 1991, this membership organisation, whose ethos is quality, integrity and provenance, has set out to prove that our food and drink producers, and the places that serve and sell their products, really are the best. I could not agree more.

Close to home, amongst this year’s liquid contenders for top dog are these offerings, which will go down a treat with a hunk of Keen’s Somerset Raw Milk Traditional Cheddar for the perfect ploughman’s or Ivan Thompson’s Lean and Lite Pork and Apple Sausages from The Sausage Shed in Stembridge; with just 5% fat they also have the advantage of being gluten free.

Arkells Brewery, Kingsdown, Wilts., who have been making beer since 1843, like to celebrate sporting events with a number of special beers, including their Triple Bogey (3.8% abv), produced for the Open Golf Championship at Royal Birkdale. Their Strawberries ‘n’ Cream Ale (4.5% abv) brewed just in time for Wimbledon with barley, oats and wheat, topped up with summer fruity hops from around the world, makes for a refreshing summer pint. Also worthy of mention is their Kingsdown (5% abv), with its rich chestnut brown colour, a full bodied malty nose and bold traditional flavour.

John Gilbert has gained recognition, with a number of CAMRA awards under his belt since he started making beer over 30 years ago in 1986, culminating in the formation of Hop Back Brewery, Downton, Wilts., on the outskirts of Salisbury, in 1991. Taiphoon (4.2% abv) is a fantastic pale gold beer with hints of lemongrass and coriander. Also look out for

Summer Lightning (5% abv); brewed year round, this award winning bitter is straw coloured with a terrific fresh, hoppy aroma and a long, dry finish.

For cider lovers, Worley’s, Somerset, (just off the A361 between Shepton Mallet and Frome) has on offer a lightly sparkling medium cider, Red Hen (6.2% abv), which is a blend of early-season bittersweets and sharps. The two main characteristics of this flavourful cider fermented under natural yeast are its fruity apple and spice noted with a long finish.

Tom Putt Cider (6.5% abv), produced by Marshwood Vale, Stony Knapps, Thorncombe, Dorset is made from this West Country apple variety that has been around since the late 1700s. Unlike many others used for cider, this dual-purpose apple can also be used for cooking, where is natural sharpness takes on a sweeter character. The makers pride themselves on the individuality of their ciders, which are fermented over a long period.

For those wishing to avoid alcohol, Mary Durling Sweeter Apple Juice, made from a mixture of dessert apples, may be just the job. Based at Marshwood, Bridport, this feisty woman took on West Dorset District Council to obtain planning permission to turn her six-acre field into a smallholding.

In 2011, with Charlotte Dunham, Mary set up The Peasant Evolution Producers’ Co-Operative, a collective of small-scale producers in West Dorset, South Somerset and East Devon who have joined together to help each other make a viable living off the land. They believe that being a peasant is a way towards the future and promote organic farming, sustainable land management, fairtrade, rural crafts and handmade, healthy local food. Look out for their Allington Hill Apple Juice or for something a little sharper try Tinker’s Bubble Organic Apple Juice, made primarily of Bramleys with a hint of sweet Cox and Russet, pressed on an old fashioned screw cider press at Fivepenny Farm and aged in traditional oak barrels.

BLOOD ON OUR HANDS

There can be few people involved with vulnerable youngsters who will not have been touched, and outraged, by the tragic story this week of the suicidal teenage girl unable to get the support she needs.

In his summing up, High Court Judge Justice Munby is widely quoted as saying that authorities will have ‘blood on our hands’.

I would argue that we already have blood on our hands, and have done for some time. Sadly, when times are tough financially and budget cuts need to be made, it is often the most vulnerable in our society who are the most affected. Their circumstances make it difficult for them to find a voice, to make sure that they are heard, and taken seriously.

The road to suicide can be a long and painful one; often dealt with alone and in secrecy, either through the shame of their feelings and actions, or because those around them are too consumed by their own problems to find the time and space to offer support and get them the help they so badly need.

There are many reason why people choose to end their own lives. In almost all cases it is not that they actually wish to die, but that they find their circumstances so unbearable they can see no other way out. Combine this with mental illness as a result of untreated symptoms and we end up with a toxic mixture.

In all local authorities, there is much talk of ‘prevention’ but little evidence of this taking place as resources are stretched to the limit. This reactive approach means than any intervention that takes place, if indeed there is any, is invariably too late.

Oganisations such as MIND and Samaritans are constantly handling calls from those in complete despair. They know that their life is hell and that in order to get through the day they need professional outside support but all too often they find that they are waiting weeks and months, and even then, the support they receive does not always meet their needs.

The lack of secure residential places for those in extreme distress is just the tip of the iceberg. What I would like to see happen is more of a concerted effort towards ensuring that intervention takes place at the earliest opportunity.

In the case of this young woman, as shocking as it may sound, she may well be better off if allowed to take her own life. The road to recovery for her may be just too late. We should hang our heads in shame at this systematic failure in a so-called civilised society.

General Data Protection Regulation - What's In a Name?

The number of activities and organisations I am involved in means that I am often privy to confidential information and although I consider myself to be relatively tech savvy, in my role as a returning County Councillor, I have started to take notice of and explore the implications of the new General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) that comes into force next spring. Always keen on self-improvement, and believing that knowledge is power, I recently took a Data Protection course. 

Clearly something needed to be done to upgrade my IT provision, which is how I came into contact with Cobweb Solutions, and began to question their choice of name as an IT provider. 

I have always been interested in the ‘why’ of things. Until just a few weeks ago the word ‘Cobweb’ meant nothing more to me than a spider’s web. Time for a little research.

The spider is the only animal that can produce different types of silk for different purposes, weaving webs of different shapes and sizes. I liken this to companies that are adaptable enough to be able to provide different services or products to meet customer demand.

Spiders also use their silk to communicate with others, leaving silk trails. Ah, so this is why the internet is known as the worldwide ‘web’. Big brother is watching and can follow our online trail; they know where we have been and what we are interested in; just as a spider can track the movements and activities of its mate.

Spider silk is thin and frail in appearance yet is the strongest fibre on earth; just as the internet has an ‘ethereal’ presence but has now become the most powerful and durable communication tool on earth.

Spider silk also has many uses, just as the internet had developed to not just provide us with an information source but also a varied range of other tools and applications, enabling us to carry out tasks that were unimaginable just a few years ago.

Specifically, a cobweb, also known as a tangled web, is a mess of silk; a great analogy for the mess we all get ourselves into when trying to navigate our way around the web.

Spiders start with spinning a single thread of silk, gradually building up its web from the centre. I can see the analogy here in relation to companies that start off small with a single product and service, and then expand their offering.

For all businesses and organisations, constantly re-inventing themselves and upping their game is the only way to survive where technology is gaining pace at a rate none of us could ever have imagines just a few decades ago.

Thankfully companies like Cobweb have all the tools and expertise needed to make sure that in an increasingly litigious environment I can stay ahead of the game when protecting personal data. The implications of not doing so do not bear thinking about.

SALARY TRANSPARENCY

So, now we know that the BBC is asserting that it is in favour of transparency, as it is dragged kicking and screaming to reveal the salaries of its highest paid employees. 

We must make of this what we will, but what it does demonstrate is the shift away from paying the salaries that a particular job warrants, to seeing who can be hired and for how much. Those with the most clout are obviously calling all the shots, and we get to pay for it.

The most effective way to curb the practice is for us to simply switch off; although I for one would miss John Humphries’ acerbic wit.

The practice of paying such disparate salaries is well established within many organisations. When advertising posts it is now common practice to ask candidates to state what salary they require rather than stating what the role in question warrants.

Whilst we all want to earn as much as possible, I find this focus on income distasteful. Many of the BBC’s listeners and viewers would just like to take home enough to feed and clothe their families and provide a roof over their heads. 

Samaritans Light Up County Hall

County Hall in Taunton will be lit up in green on the night of 24th July in support of the work done throughout Somerset by Samaritans.

The date 24/7 is a significant one for the charity which prides itself on being available to give emotional support to callers every hour of the day and night.

The scheme to light up County Hall in Samaritan colours highlights Somerset's commitment to suicide prevention and raises awareness of the support needed by so many people who are struggling to cope.

Volunteers at the Taunton branch of Samaritans, at 16Wood Street, answered over 40,000 calls last year, with volunteers putting in 580 hours of their own time to help those who are in distress or despair, including those who are suicidal.

Together with branches in Bath, Weston Super Mare and Yeovil, they provide round the clock services – listening to calls, answering emails and texts and talking to anyone who comes into the branch.

Every six seconds, someone in the UK and Republic of Ireland contacts Samaritans and, on average, 17 people per day take their own life.

Samaritans believes that listening is crucial to helping people find their way through their problems, and the charity encourages people to seek help early, rather than wait until they reach a crisis.
Director of Taunton Samaritans, Bob Cornes, said:

 “Lighting up County Hall in Samaritans colours is a visual reminder of our commitment to helping those in need of emotional support.  We hope they will call us.  It is also a reminder for anyone out there who wants to make a real difference to people’s lives to think about joining Samaritans as a volunteer.   It is an incredibly rewarding experience.”

Volunteers from Taunton Samaritans will be available at Taunton Station on 24/7 to talk to travellers and to collect money for the charity, which relies entirely on donations to run the branch.

Further information:

Samaritans 24 hour Helpline:     116 123 (free from any phone)
To volunteer for Taunton Samaritans: director@tauntonsamaritans.org.uk
To volunteer for Samaritans elsewhere: online at www.samaritans.org
Notes for Editors and Media Guidelines are available at www.samaritans.org

CONTROLLING INFORMATION LEAKS

As Parliament stands for its summer recess news headlines have focused on Cabinet divisions and the subsequent leaks.

Such leaks have long been the thorn in the side of both local and national governments worldwide, but we should remember that businesses, particularly large corporations, suffer in much the same way.

What leaders need to consider, in attempting to stifle opposing views and supress potentially damaging information, is why it is felt right to leak what is intended to be confidential information.
In the majority of cases, far from being seen to be in the public interest, it is for political or personal gain.

Nervousness generated by the increased focus on data protection, and the introduction of new legislation next year, means that increasingly matters are kept confidential which should be in the public domain.

Those who participate in public life and hold positions of responsibility are expected to adhere to the Nolan principles, which includes openness. Information involving decisions and actions taken should only be restricted when the wider public interest demands it. I believe it is this lack of openness that is at the heart of many leaks. When we feel we are not kept in the picture, we gain the impression that something underhand is afoot.

What we should all be aware of, is the extent to which, in order to stifle open debate, leaders will often resort to effectively paying for votes, by enlisting the support of their allies, creating roles that will ensure their support. I distinctly recall noting the comments of one leader, who in an unguarded moment said, ‘the job I created for him.’

For me it sums up all that is rotten in the echelons of our society. As long as this situation exists the leaking of information will continue.

Where unpopular decisions need to be taken most reasonable people will accept the outcome if they feel fully informed, able to play a part in the decision, and understand the reasons behind it.

Effective and inclusive communication is the key to this. Sadly, behind closed doors too much discussion is focused on point scoring against opponents, instead of concentrating on the core purpose. We should all aim to do the right thing, in the right way, at the right time, for the right reasons. This is a personal mantra I repeat to myself several times a day when required to make decisions or take action on behalf of those I represent. It is after all the tax payers’ money that pays our wages. As a result, I often find myself in hot water, but as least I go to bed at night with a clear conscience.

The fact that I have a reputation for openness is one I am proud of but if I do want to keep anything confidential, I tell no-one anything. I can at least rely on keeping my own trap very firmly shut.

PUBLIC SECTOR PAY

At a recent council meeting, and in line with recent press reports relating to the issue of public-sector pay levels, a debate was held following a proposal for pay to be reviewed. There was unanimous approval for a review to be undertaken in the autumn.

During the debate, two thoughts occurred to me. The first was in connection with a comment made about the disparity between public-sector pay and that of the private sector. I believe that to compare the two is disingenuous. Those employed in the private sector know all too well the impact of business ‘transformation’ which has resulted in redundancies and pay cuts across the economy; with job roles often redefined to justify this stance.

The second statement that caused me to take note was that public-sector staff are now ‘working harder for less’.

If indeed this is the case, then this is largely as a result of funding cuts at a time when public demand for services is on the increase. Playing devil’s advocate, there is of course the argument that there are only so many hours in a day and we can only work so hard; if staff are working harder now, does this mean that perhaps they weren’t working as hard as they could in the first place?

In an average week, I work around 70 hours, but in my own case this is because I choose to do so, not because I am required to do the bidding of a demanding boss with unrealistic expectations.

Where staff are working beyond their contracted hours to get the job done, the fault lies in the allocation and management of their work load. This is down to senior management and brings into play the very real issue of staff frequently working extremely long hours to satisfy unreasonable demands on them. 

Those who work like Trojans do so feel because they feel obliged to do so, in order to keep their jobs. This is where the real problem lies, and it is clearly unacceptable. No wonder sickness levels are high; it is the only way that many can cope with the pressure.