lgilmore | 
03 April 2009 at 11:23 | 323 views
With all the bad news on the economy, I have decided to make this week’s column a gloom free zone. Instead, I am going to focus on 5 really positive things which I encountered in our area last week.
On Tuesday, I was at the excellent St. Margaret’s Hospice in Yeovil, for the launch of the “Coast to Coast Challenge”. Two young employees of GKN in Yeovil – Chris Horsley and Ross Surey - have decided to try to raise £30,000 for the hospice. They are going to attempt in June to run a double marathon of 52.6 miles from Brean to Lyme Regis!
When I met Chris and Ross it turned out that their run will take them through a part of my constituency – around Ilminster and Chard. So, I have promised to join in for a stretch of the run – maybe for 2.6 miles, rather than for the 52.6 miles, and if I can find a nice downhill phase!
Well done to Ross and Chris for taking on this challenge, and to GKN for backing it. It is going to be a massive test of endurance – but for a great cause. If you can help in any way, then please call the challenge organizer, Neil Robinson, on 01460 77861.
On Wednesday, I visited the new Yeovil Innovation Centre, which was recently opened by South Somerset District Council. This is my number two good news story of the week. I was shown around the Centre, which is located close to the Huish Park football ground, by Manager Gerard Tucker and by Councillors Tim Carroll and Peter Seib.
The Innovation Centre is a top quality new facility which is designed to help “incubate” new businesses – giving them a home in the early days from which they can grow. The Centre is particularly targeting certain sectors of the economy, which could help provide some of our area’s jobs and wealth in the future.
It would have been easy to postpone this project given the tough economic times, but South Somerset District Council rightly decided to go ahead. There are still many new businesses being created or looking for better premises. I spoke to a few of the businesses which have already moved in, and they were very complimentary about the facilities and very excited about the future.
If you would like to find out more about what is on offer, then contact the Centre on 01935 385900.
Good news story number three emerged on Friday, when I travelled to Dillington House, near Ilminster, for the opening of a fantastic new, disabled friendly, environmentally sustainable building called The Hyde. The Hyde will provide a residential arts building, where people can take part in adult education courses – and stay on site for a number of days. The Hyde not only has Conference facilities but has 15 bedrooms of absolutely superb quality – which are fully disabled accessible.
Well done to all those involved in this exciting project – including Somerset County Council, who put up the capital for the building. These costs will be paid back from the fees which will be charged. Dillington is a superb facility for Adult Education, with over 3,500 people attending courses there each year. One keen supporter of Dillington is ex “Blue Peter” star Valerie Singleton! I am of the generation for whom the real Blue Peter presenter stars are Valerie Singleton, Peter Purvis and John Noakes! So I was very excited to meet Ms. Singleton – I still have the Blue Peter badge which I was “awarded” for sending in a picture in about 1970!
Good news story number four derives from Friday evening, when I popped over to Crewkerne to obtain a briefing from PC Jon Watson, the beat manager for the Crewkerne area. Jon is a superb police officer and a credit to the Avon and Somerset Constabulary. He has yet again been put forward as beat manager of the year – he deserves it. The police have a tough and often dangerous job to do. They deserve our thanks when they are doing such a fine job.
Finally, good news story number five is from Saturday – specifically from Yeovil Town versus Oldham. The new management team of Terry Skiverton and Nathan Jones had a confident start, drawing 2-2 against a very successful Oldham team. This is a new era at Huish Park. Good wishes to Terry, Nathan, and all the team,
Ever,
David.