26th October 2009
Firstly, my congratulations to Yeovil Town FC on beating Bristol Rovers in the local derby on Saturday. The Glovers have had a much better run of games of late. There is still, however, a very small points gap between the play-off places and the bottom of the league, so there is literally all to play for. I am looking forward to visiting Huish Park on 14th November for the game against Southend.
On Friday last week, I attended the University Centre Yeovil Graduation Ceremony at the Octagon Theatre in Yeovil. Most people in our area know about Yeovil College, but there are still a lot of people who are not aware of the University Centre, based at premises off Preston Road in Yeovil.
The University Centre is in partnership with Bournemouth University, the University of the West of England and the University of Gloucestershire.
The University Centre allows people in our area to study for a work-related university qualification, while continuing to live in our area. Many students will also take these courses and exams while continuing in paid work. This not only helps to reduce the level of student debts, but also means that study and employment are able to go hand in hand.
The Awards Ceremony is very well supported by the partner universities, and by the local community – the Mayor of Yeovil, Chair of South Somerset District Council, and Chair of Somerset County Council were all present.
There are these days so many students who are receiving their awards each year that there have to be two sessions – one in the morning, and one in the afternoon. I attended the afternoon session this year, in part because one of my own staff members, Jeremy Gale, was receiving his Professional Certificate in Management Studies (well done Jeremy!). There were also awards in Business and Management, Internet Technology, Teaching and Marketing.
Congratulations to all those who received their awards on this day. There are far too many to name them all in this column, but I will particularly mention those who received Special Awards in the afternoon session – Graham Cheetham, Gareth Preston and James Guest.
Our thanks, also, to the Principal of Yeovil College, James Hampton, and to all those at the College and University Centre who have made this development such a success.
On Saturday morning, I held Advice Centres in Ilminster (very quiet) and Crewkerne (very busy). I then travelled to Yeovil to attend the local launch of the Poppy Appeal, with the Mayor of Yeovil - Wes Read, his Deputy – Phil Chandler, and with South Somerset District Council Chairman, Ian Martin.
Peter Brock and the British Legion had arranged an excellent launch event, with military vehicles from the World War Two era on site to remind people of some of the many wars in which lives have been lost.
Last year a record amount was raised from the Poppy Appeal, and this year the Legion wants to set a new record. In theory, this should be very tough with a recession still limiting people’s disposable income. But I have no doubt that people will give very generously – not least to support our servicemen and women who are risking their lives out in Afghanistan at the present time.
I would like to thank in particular all those who help to collect the money – often by standing outside with collection boxes in rather miserable Autumn weather.
Saturday continued for me with a military theme, as in the evening I attended the Trafalgar Night Dinner with the local Sea Cadets – at the Masonic Hall in Yeovil. These dinners are held to commemorate the anniversary of Nelson’s great victory in the battle of Trafalgar, on 21st October 1805. This crucial battle undermined Napoleon’s chances of establishing control of the English Channel, and prevented him from sending his invasion force of 200,000 troops across the sea to England.
We were particularly honoured to have at the dinner Ron Walsh, who served in the Royal Navy in World War Two, and who was present when HMS Foylebank was attacked by Stuka bombers in 1940 in Weymouth. During this action a fellow sailor, Jack Mantle, was awarded a posthumous Victoria Cross. His name is still remembered today, through our local Sea Scouts.
David.