LAUNCH OF WELLINGTON POPPY APPEAL

Pupils at Rockwell Green Primary School had a special visit this week by members of Wellington Town Council to mark the launch of the town’s poppy appeal.
Town council chairman Councillor David Mitton and vice chairman Peter Critchard joined youngsters from the school for their monthly march to visit Wellington’s war graves along with poppy organiser Monica Summers, Wellington branch chairman Brian Summers, and women’s section chairman Madge Covey.
Every month a different class from the school make the trip to the cemetery to lay flowers at each of the 26 war graves located there in honour of the servicemen.
The flowers, which are paid for by the town council, are provided at a reduced price by Judith Goss.
In launching the appeal, Councillor David Mitton praised the children for all their efforts.
“It is wonderful to see the children recognise the sacrifice of the past and we hope that Wellington as usual will support the poppy appeal,” he said.
“I would like to say many thanks to the support of the British Legion, Rockwell Green Primary School, and Judith Goss.”
In recognition of the town council’s support of the Legion’s War Graves Flowers Scheme, Mrs Summers presented the chairman with a RBL Certificate of Appreciation.
A Field of Remembrance Service will be held at the Baptist Church, South Street, on Sunday November 5 at noon.
There will also be a two minute silence in the town centre on Saturday November 11 at 11am, the start and end of which would be marked by the firing of two maroon rockets.
The Remembrance Day parade on Sunday November 12 will start at Wellington School at 3pm and will finish at Wellington Park for the ceremony and laying of the wreaths at 3.15pm.
Wreaths will be on sale in the Scout Hall next to Somerfield from 9am to 1pm on Saturday November 11 except during the 2 minute silence.

Photo – Schoolchildren from Rockwell Green Primary School get ready for their trip to visit the war graves of Wellington. From back, left to right - Wellington branch chairman Brian Summers, town council chairman David Mitton, deputy head Claire Marsland, poppy organiser Monica Summers, vice chairman Peter Critchard and women’s section chairman Madge Covey.

Plaque presentation to young Everest climber

Wellington Town Council chairman Councillor Dave Mitton presented a plaque to James Hooper, from Wellington, who is the second youngest Briton to climb Mount Everest.

The plaque was presented on behalf of the town council in recognition of his great achievement on 19th May 2006 at the age of 19 years and 28 days.

Cllr Mitton told James he wished him well for his further adventures.

GRANT FOR SAMBA BAND

GRANT FOR SAMBA BAND

Samba music is set to fill the air in Wellington thanks to a generous grant from the town council.
Skintight Samba Band, based in Wellington, has won a £500 award from the town council to buy musical instruments for the group.
With the money it has received, the newly-formed band is aiming to perform at community events and also run workshops where members of the public can try their hand at samba music.
With the financial help it has received, including a grant from the Somerset Community Chest, the group is hoping to buy new musical equipment such as snare belts, tambourine beaters, Ganza shakers, and Surdo mallets.
Wellington town council chairman Dave Mitton said the council was pleased to support newly established organisations as well as older groups in the town.
He said: “Wellington Town Council thinks it is important to support the arts in Wellington particularly where we feel groups involved in the arts are going to contribute to local society.
“We are hoping Skintight Samba Band will be holding Samba workshops in schools in the town in the future.
“Skintight Samba band is banging the drum for musical diversity.”
Band fundraiser Cher Kenyon said they were thrilled to receive the money which enabled the group to develop.
She said: “The samba band is being aimed at community groups that want a musical contribution to their local events, or members of the public who want to participate in music-making as we will work with all ages and abilities.
“We already have future bookings, and have been asked to perform at a range of charity and community activities.
“We rehearse weekly at Courtfields School in Wellington and most band members live in or around the town and we welcome any new members.”
Contact Skintight Samba Band on 01884 840240 or email skintightsamba@aol.com
Ends

Pic cap 1 – (from left to right) Wellington town council chairman Dave Mitton tries his hand at Samba music with band treasurer Judith Smith and fundraiser Cher Kenyon.
Pic cap 2 - Wellington town council chairman Dave Mitton presents a £500 grant to members of the Skintight Samba Band.

WELLINGTON FOOTPATH GUIDES

WELLINGTON FOOTPATH GUIDES

RESIDENTS and visitors to Wellington are being encouraged to explore the town and surrounding countryside with the publication of new footpath guides produced the town council.
‘Wellington Walks’ covers five different footpaths in and around the town with options for shorter or longer strolls.
The route guides entitled ‘Beyond the Basins’, ‘Priory Perambulation’, ‘Rockwell Rambles’, ‘Strolls around SW Wellington’, and ‘Wellington to Nynehead’ feature some beautiful photos of local scenery.
Each guide also provides details of distance, time, a description of the area it covers, as well as offering advice on the terrain and local refreshments.
Walkers can also learn a little local history as they pass by some notable buildings and features in and around Wellington.
The guides have been published with assistance from Somerset County Council’s Community Access Fund 2006 and are part of Wellington Town Council’s policy to open up the footpaths.
Town Clerk, Tony Brown, said: “I feel the new guides will make the footpaths more accessible.
“We have replaced three old styles at Rockwell Green with three new Bristol gates to make it easier for walkers to access the footpaths.
“It is our policy to convert all styles on our footpaths and replace them which is ongoing and more will be done during the year.”
The guides are available for free from Wellington Town Council offices at 28 Fore Street, Wellington, or they can be picked up at the town’s tourist information office at 30 Fore Street.

GRANT FOR WELLINGTON CARNIVAL COMMITTEE

GRANT FOR WELLINGTON CARNIVAL COMMITTEE

Carnival goers will be enjoying a safe and colourful fun event in Wellington this year thanks to a grant from the town council.
A grant for £700 has been handed over to Wellington Carnival Committee to cover the mounting costs of health and safety provision for the event.
Vice chairman Councillor Peter Critchard said: "Wellington Carnival is the biggest event in Wellington and gives pleasure to thousands of people both local and visitors.
“All carnivals are facing increasing costs often to do with red tape so the council is more than pleased to provide this grant to cover the cost of putting up barriers and signs to make it safer for both spectators and floats.
"Wellington has a long tradition of carnival and we hope it will continue for many years."
The cheque was presented by Councillor Critchard to carnival committee treasurer Geoff Harwood who said he was extremely grateful for the generous donation.
Wellington Carnival takes place on Saturday September 30 and the procession moves off from Rockwell Green at 7.30pm.
Ends

Pic cap – (from left to right) Wellington town council vice chairman Peter Critchard hands over the cheque to Wellington Carnival Committee treasurer Geoff Harwood.

GRANT AWARDED TO TAUNTON AND DISTRICT CAB

GRANT AWARDED TO TAUNTON AND DISTRICT CAB

Residents in Wellington will continue to benefit from an important service in the town thanks to the money given by Wellington Town Council.
Taunton and District Citizens Advice Bureau which provides a service at 28 Fore Street, Wellington, has been awarded £1,200 by the town council.
The cheque was presented by town council chairman Councillor Dave Mitton to bureau manager Liz Fothergill.
Councillor Mitton said: “The Citizens Advice Bureau provides an excellent service to hundreds of people on their doorstep here in Wellington rather than having to travel into Taunton.
“We are pleased to once again support the service in any way and believe it is worthwhile way of spending taxpayers’ money.”
Last year the CAB Wellington outreach centre saw 221 clients, who generated 240 enquiries, and with repeat appointments it resulted in 325 contacts with, or on behalf of, the clients.
Mrs Fothergill said to run the Wellington outreach for a year costs nearly £1,850 even when staffed by volunteers.
She said: “We have continued to offer a service on two mornings a week on Mondays and Wednesdays where we serve the population of Wellington and areas, by giving advice and support to the community.
“We provide advice on all issues but debt and benefit topics cover nearly 50 per cent of our work.
“We therefore believe that we have a positive impact on poverty and social exclusion not only for the benefit of the client, but also on the economy of Wellington.”

Pic cap – Taunton and district CAB manager Liz Fothergill receives a cheque for £1,200 from Wellington town council chairman Councillor Dave Mitton.

WELLINGTON SPORTS CENTRE PLAQUE UNVEILLED

WELLINGTON SPORTS CENTRE PLAQUE UNVEILLED

A plaque marking the role a late councillor played in the building of Wellington Sports Centre more than 30 years ago has been unveiled.
The plaque is dedicated to Maurice Jennings who was a member of both Wellington Town Council and Taunton Deane Borough Council and served as a councillor for more than 40 years.
He was chairman of Wellington Urban District Council’s sports centre committee which to decided to go ahead with the construction of the centre despite opposition and controversy surrounding the project.
The sports centre was officially opened in 1973 by Dr Roger Bannister who was the first man to run a mile in less than four minutes.
The unveiling was performed by Maurice Jennings’ widow Margaret who said she was sure he would have been pleased that his role had been recognised because he fought hard for the centre.
Chairman of the town council, Councillor Dave Mitton, said Councillor Jennings was not only remembered for his hard work for the town but also for his affection.
Councillor Ross Henley, a member of the county, borough and town council, said Councillor Jennings had been an inspiration to him as a young councillor.
Among those also attending the unveiling ceremony were Councillor Jennings’ son Michael and grandchildren Fin and Ruth, local MP Jeremy Browne, Taunton Deane Borough Council leader Councillor John Williams, TDBC leisure portfolio holder, Councillor John Clark, Councillor Nicola Wilson, a member of the borough and town Council and vice chairman of the town council, Councillor Peter Critchard.
Thanks were expressed to Wellington Town Council, Taunton Deane Borough Council and Tone Leisure for their help in organising the ceremony.
The plaque, which is sited on the wall on the right-hand side of the sports centre entrance hall, reads ‘Dedicated to Maurice C. Jennings a councillor for Wellington from 1961 to 2003, who as chairman of Wellington UDC Sports Centre Committee, was the driving force behind the building of the centre in 1973’.

Wellington Town Council News and Developments

GRANT AWARDED TO TAUNTON AND DISTRICT CAB

Residents in Wellington will continue to benefit from an important service in the town thanks to the money given by Wellington Town Council.
Taunton and District Citizens Advice Bureau which provides a service at 28 Fore Street, Wellington, has been awarded £1,200 by the town council.
The cheque was presented by town council chairman Councillor Dave Mitton to bureau manager Liz Fothergill.
Councillor Mitton said: “The Citizens Advice Bureau provides an excellent service to hundreds of people on their doorstep here in Wellington rather than having to travel into Taunton.
“We are pleased to once again support the service in any way and believe it is worthwhile way of spending taxpayers’ money.”
Last year the CAB Wellington outreach centre saw 221 clients, who generated 240 enquiries, and with repeat appointments it resulted in 325 contacts with, or on behalf of, the clients.
Mrs Fothergill said to run the Wellington outreach for a year costs nearly £1,850 even when staffed by volunteers.
She said: “We have continued to offer a service on two mornings a week on Mondays and Wednesdays where we serve the population of Wellington and areas, by giving advice and support to the community.
“We provide advice on all issues but debt and benefit topics cover nearly 50 per cent of our work.
“We therefore believe that we have a positive impact on poverty and social exclusion not only for the benefit of the client, but also on the economy of Wellington.”

Pic cap – Taunton and district CAB manager Liz Fothergill receives a cheque for £1,200 from Wellington town council chairman Councillor Dave Mitton.