Watchet, Williton and Quantock Advertiser, December 2019

+ 

THE 

WATCHET, WILLITON AND QUANTOCK 

ADVERTISER 

December 2019 Issue 128 

Stephanie Walsh 

Wishing all our Advertisers, 

Contributors and Readers 

A Merry Christmas 

and a Happy New Year

2 DECEMBER 2019 

We would like to thank all our readers, advertisers and contributors and those who 

help behind the scenes, and wish everyone an enjoyable Christmas and a peaceful 

New Year. 

If you would like to advertise in 2020 our highly competitive rates are below, we also 

welcome articles and photographs. We accept most file formats and ask for all 

content to be received by 15 th of the month prior to publication. Please send to: 

advertise@watchetadvertiser.com. We look forward to hearing from you. 

https://www.watchetadvertiser.com 

https://www.facebook.com/WatchetAdvertiser 

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10, 11, 12 

8, 13, 14, 15, 16 

Watchet, Stephanie Walsh 

Learn to love your computer, Andy Brett 

Superfast Broadband public consultation launched 

Taunton to get real ice rink 

News from Exmoor Pony Centre 

PS Medway Queen report 

Accommodation and Eating Out 

Healthcare 

Solicitors 

Funeral Services 

Provisions 

Motoring 

Homes and Gardens 

What to See and Do 

RATES 

Eighth page 4.4cm high x 6cm wide 1 month no discount £12.00 

6 months less 10% £64.80 

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Payment is requested in advance by BACS, please ask for our bank details. 

The Watchet and Williton Advertiser,13 Lee Road, Lynton, North Devon, EX35 6HW 

Email: advertise@watchetadvertiser.com or telephone 01598 752788 (answerphone) 

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Published by The Watchet and Williton Advertiser, 13 Lee Road, Lynton, Devon EX35 6HW. 

© December 2019 

advertise@watchetadvertiser.com 01598 752788

DECEMBER 2019 3 



Clever ideas for the technically minded 

Dear Readers 

As we head towards Christmas (with a shudder) I am going to take a look at some 

of the latest tech options. 

Bose Noise Cancelling 700 Headphones Costing less than £350 from major 

resellers, these are probably the best noise cancelling headphones I have ever 

sampled. They boast not only excellent sound, but also a great battery life. Pricey? 

Yes. Are they worth it? Definitely, if you are an avid music listener. 

If drones are your thing, the latest DJI Mavic Mini is available. From around £350 

this certificate free (meaning you don’t have to register with the Civil Aviation 

Authority) and with a massive battery life of around 30 minutes, is one of the best 

in its class. Easy to transport and fly, packed with features and a superb camera, 

this is a nifty piece of kit and great fun. 

Next up we have an update on my favourite item in the house. Amazon Echo. Now 

it comes with a clock so can be next to the bed and act as an alarm clock, as well 

as having all the usual features. 

Tile (you may know them for tracking keys) have released a Tile mini tracker. Up to 

150 feet range and with a whopping 3 year battery, attach this to some of your 

most precious items, take it to the beach, or attach it to the kids while shopping! 

Clever tile! For a mere £35 on Amazon, bargain! 

Finally, a funky upgrade on a diary/planner/organiser. Welcome to the Rocketbook 

Fusion. A book that’s not a book. This clever, reusable diary links to your phone. 

You scan your pages with your phone and then wipe clean with a damp cloth while 

the software converts your scan to an online diary. Around £35 and available at 

www.getrocketbook.co.uk 

That rounds it up for this year. I hope you all have a fantastic Christmas and, as 

always, if you have any questions or comments I would love to hear from you. Send 

an email to Andy at ICT@lyntonadvertiser.com 



At Exmoor Eyecare we pride ourselves in 

supplying quality glasses at great prices. 

Everything we supply comes with a 

two-year guarantee, for your peace of mind. 

Our package deals for spectacles and 

sunglasses offer excellent value. 

Pop in and see your local experts for 

friendly help and advice, or call one of 

the practices to book an appointment. 

3 The Parks, Minehead. 01643 702983 

55 Swain Street, Watchet. 01984 634140 

www.exmooreyecare.co.uk 







Yarn Market Hotel 

High Street, Dunster 

Exmoor National Park, TA24 6SF 

For bookings or information 

Telephone: 01643 821425 

Email: hotel@yarnmarkethotel.co.uk 

www.yarnmarkethotel.co.uk 

Guided Exmoor 

Walking Holidays 

West Coast Angling Centre 

53 Swain Street, Watchet 

Tel: Steve on 01984 634 807 

RED RUBY DEVON BEEF 

& EXMOOR LAMB 

From animals born and raised on our farm, 

Grass-fed, given a high standard of care 

and transported by us to the local abattoir. 

Beef boxes and lamb boxes can be ordered 

fresh (packed and labelled for home freezing) 

or frozen meat can be purchased from our 

farm freezer by arrangement. 

Enquiries from the catering trade are welcome. 

www.westilkerton.co.uk 

Facebook West Ilkerton Farm 

Twitter @West Ilkerton 

Chris, Tortie and Sarah Eveleigh 

West Ilkerton Farm, Barbrook 

Lynton EX35 6QA 

Tel (01598) 752310 

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Superfast broadband public consultation launched 

A public consultation has been launched by Connecting Devon 

and Somerset ahead of undertaking a fresh procurement to find 

contractors to provide superfast broadband. 

CDS, which is responsible for rolling out broadband across the 

two counties, is establishing the remaining area where there are 

no current or credible future plans to deliver Next Generation Access broadband 

infrastructure capable of download speeds of at least 30Mbps. 

To establish the existing coverage of broadband infrastructure in the programme 

area as well as that planned for the next three years, CDS carried out an Open 

Market Review earlier this year. 

This included commercial coverage by existing and prospective broadband 

providers as well as coverage procured through CDS contracts. This has helped 

CDS to establish the area where intervention is to be proposed, avoiding areas 

where commercial investment is planned as public investment in broadband can 

only take place in areas where there is no broadband infrastructure and where 

none is planned in the next three years. Comments on these proposals are now 

invited. 

Consultation responses need to be submitted by Tuesday 10 December to 

enquiries@connectingdevonandsomerset.co.uk. or in writing to OMR consultation, 

Economy Team, AB2 Lucombe House, County Hall, Exeter, EX2 4QD. 

The consultation will enable broadband providers to review the mapping to ensure 

it correctly represents the information provided by them. 

Full details on the OMR process and how to respond are available at 

https://www.connectingdevonandsomerset.co.uk/cds-2019-omr-publicconsultation/ 

Responses to the consultation will help inform the final premises CDS will seek 

solutions for when it launches a new procurement in December. 

Councillor Rufus Gilbert, Devon County Council Cabinet Member for Economy and 

Skills and CDS board member, said: “We’re keen to extend the availability of Next 

Generation Access infrastructure across the CDS area, and this public consultation 

will enable us to set out the proposed areas where we will need to focus our 

efforts. Having carried out our Open Market Review we have asked all known 

broadband infrastructure providers for their existing and potential plans for new 

network build in our area.” 

https://www.devonnewscentre.info/ 



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Woodwork, guttering, fencing, fitting kitchens & lots more. 

Call Steve today for a free no obligation quote. 

01984 639153 or 07725 699388 

6 GREENWAY, WATCHET, TA23 0BP 





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Taunton to get real ice rink 

SWT has confirmed that it will bring an ice rink to 

Taunton as part of this years’ festive offering. 

The Christmas Ice Rink, operated by iSK8, will be at 

Castle Green from 9 December until 5 January. 

The rink will be open to the public every day except 

Christmas Day with various opening hours. Please visit 

https://www.visitsomerset.co.uk/taunton/iceskating or 

follow Visit Taunton on social media for full details of 

available sessions. 

We strongly advise pre-booking online to avoid disappointment. 

The ice rink will be in a marquee with Christmas lights and music, so unpredictable 

weather won't stop people from skating. 

The Council is working with the Winterfest organisers to co-ordinate the Christmas 

offering in Taunton this year. 

Details of all the Christmas events can be found online at Visit Taunton. 

https://www.somersetwestandtaunton.gov.uk/news/ 

News from the Exmoor Pony Centre, Ashwick, Dulverton TA22 9QE 

Our ‘Wildlife at Night’ event, part of the Dark Skies Festival, was fully booked and 

everyone enjoyed being with our lovely ponies and discovering some of Exmoor’s nighttime 

wildlife before warming up with marshmallows and hot chocolate. In October we 

took pony Tom to the Farmwise event at the Westpoint Arena; an event that shows 

children where their food comes from and teaches them more about farming and the 

countryside. A good time was had by all and Tom, on his best behaviour as usual, was 

a great hit with the children. 

It won’t be long now until Christmas and we have cards and calendars for sale in our 

online shop via our website. A pack of 10 cards with white envelopes costs £4 and 

features Exmoor Ponies in our care. The 2020 Calendar is £6 and features Exmoor 

Pony photographs taken at the Centre, on Exmoor and on conservation grazing sites 

throughout the UK. Prices are inclusive of P & P and every penny goes to help our 

ponies. 

The Centre is now closed for the winter and we will be busy taking in and handling the 

new young foals from the autumn gatherings. We re-open in February 2020. 

Website: www.exmoorponycentre.org.uk 

Facebook: www.facebook.com/TheExmoorPonyCentre 

Email: info@exmoorponycentre.org.uk 

Tel: 01398 323093 


` 


Medway Queen Report 

Society AGM On Saturday 19 th October the society AGM took place. A piece of bad news 

and a matter of concern is the loss of two of our Trustees. Brian Goodhew stood down after 

very many years’ service; although you'll still see him in the Visitor Centre on Saturdays, and 

David Howells decided not to stand for re-election this year. He too will continue to be 

involved in the project as a volunteer. The board was already at full stretch before the loss of 

these two Trustees and their responsibilities will have to be shared between the rest. We 

need more people at the organisation level, whether trustees or volunteers. If you can help in any way with 

organisation, planning and management of the project please get in touch. 

Progress on board The aft deck house, constructed in our own workshops by our volunteers over the last few months, 

is assuming its rightful place over the aft companionway on board. In excursion service Medway Queen had very 

primitive weather protection for the aft companionway which would be seen as inadequate now, whether sailing or on 

hire as a venue. When she performed a similar static role on the Isle of Wight a part-glazed deckhouse was installed to 

give the necessary protection and security and work is now progressing to replace our temporary structure with 

something more serviceable. Down on the main deck the aft saloon continues to make progress and work has started 

to fit out the galley. Work progresses on the aft saloon deck head and painting will follow when complete. Other areas 

in that compartment are coming along as previously reported – cases of continuing progress. Forward, in the galley, 

modern hygienic units are being installed. This has to be “non-heritage” to meet modern requirements and the old 

coke stove is unlikely to be welcome in today’s regulatory climate! The lower aft saloon will continue to be a display 

area in 2020 and with the 80 th anniversary of the Dunkirk Evacuation approaching there is only one possible topic! We 

had a Dunkirk themed display in there a couple of years ago and that will be enlarged and updated with new material 

for the 2020 season. 

Dunkirk 2020 Prince Michael of Kent mentioned the possibility of Medway Queen joining the 80 th anniversary event 

when he visited the ship and we are keen to do that. Plans are in hand, but getting MQ to Ramsgate is not easy. The 

ship is without power, the current focus being on preparation to earn revenue as a venue. As I mentioned last time, 

she is overdue for hull painting which could be undertaken in the same movement sequence from Gillingham Pier. We 

have funds allocated for the work on the hull but sponsorship would be very helpful towards the cost of the tow and 

insurance for the voyage. A planned commemorative publication and other merchandising will contribute but we 

expect to need about £10,000 in sponsorship for the exercise. Anything left over or raised at the event will support 

further restoration. Private or commercial sponsorship would be very welcome. If you can help please contact the 

Medway Queen Preservation Society at Gillingham Pier, Pier Approach Road, Gillingham, Kent. ME7 1RX. 01634 

575717. Email to: info@medwayqueen.co.uk 

Other News The “Wheels of Time” marketing scheme has reaped benefits for our visitor numbers with more families 

coming to see the ship. No less than ten of our young visitors have chosen Medway Queen as the attraction to come 

back to for the presentation of their awards for visiting sites in the scheme. They get a “Gold” badge for 30 sites and a 

“Wheels of Time 2019 Award” for all 40. A tribute to the skill and patience of our Saturday Team who manage the 

Visitor Centre and ship tours. Christmas cards: Last year in something of a last minute rush we produced a batch of 

Christmas cards for sale in support of Medway Queen. They proved popular and we have repeated the exercise this 

year with two designs available. The cards are approximately 6 inches square and printed on 350gsm card. The 

message inside is “Merry Christmas”. They sell in packs of 10 for £6 (one design per pack) and UK P&P at £1.70 per 

order. Ordering details are on our website or you can send a cheque payable to R. Halton, 2 Drury Close, Hook, Royal 

Wootton Bassett. SN4 8EL. 

That’s it for this issue – and this year. A very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you all. 

Richard Halton 

www.medwayqueen.co.uk 

The New Medway Steam Packet Co. Ltd. 

UK registered charity; 296236 



HOME TUITION 

CHEMISTRY BIOLOGY 

PHYSICS MATHS 

PRIMARY/GCSE/A LEVEL/UNI 

OXFORD GRADUATE TUTOR 

28 YEARS - DBS CHECKED 

07766 286 001 

Dame Margaret Drabble to 

speak at Minehead Literary 

Festival 2020 

Novelist, biographer and critic 

Dame Margaret Drabble is to 

join the speakers at 

Minehead Literary Festival 

taking place next year on 

Saturday 25 and Sunday 26 

April at the Methodist Hall, 

Minehead. 

The festival will also feature presentations 

by popular children’s author Sam Angus 

and local Exmoor writer and harpist Hazel 

Prior. 

A short story competition, with separate 

classes for adults and children, will be 

organised in the run-up to the festival. 

Tessa Hadley, one of the country’s foremost 

writers of novels and short stories, will 

judge the adults’ competition and Sam 

Angus will judge the children’s categories, 

and they will both present the prizes to the 

winners. 

For more information and details about the 

short story competition and how to book 

tickets for the festival visit the website at 

www.mineheadliteraryfestival.org 

Or email 

mineheadliteraryfestival@gmail.com 

or telephone Monica Hartwell on 01643 

703921 

LEE ROAD, LYNTON EX35 6HW 

Booking/Enquiries: 01598 753397 

www.lyntoncinema.org.uk 

Adults £5.00 Senior Citizens £4.50 Children £3.00 

Please note films are subject to change 

Fri 29 Nov for 7 days at 8pm, Mat Mon 2 Dec at 2.30pm 

MICHELLE WILLIAMS, JULIANNE MOORE 

AFTER THE WEDDING (2019) A manager of an 

orphanage in Kolkata travels to New York to meet a 

benefactor. 12A 112 minutes 

Fri 6 Dec for 7 days at 8pm, Mat Mon 9 Dec at 2.30pm 

DANIEL CRAIG, CHRIS EVANS 

KNIVES OUT (2019) A detective investigates the 

death of a patriarch of an eccentric, combatative family. 

12A 120 minutes 

Fri 13 Dec for 7 days at 8pm, Mat Mon 9 Dec at 2.30pm 

MADISON INGOLDSBY, EMMA THOMPSON 

LAST CHRISTMAS 2019) Kate is a young woman 

subscribed to bad decisions. 12A 103 minutes 

Tues 17 Dec at 2.30pm 

FREE SEASONAL FILM 

All welcome. Mince pies etc. 

Fri 20 Dec for 6 days at 2.30pm and 6pm 

CLOSED CHRISTMAS DAY 

DWAYNE JOHNSON, JACK BLACK 

JUMANJI: THE NEXT LEVEL (2019) The gang 

is back but the game has changed. 12A 114 minutes 

A Very Happy Christmas to all our Patrons 

Fri 27 Dec for 7 days at 2.30pm 

KRISTEN BELL, IDINA MENZEL 

WALT DISNEY’S FROZEN 2 (2019) Olaf and 

Sven set out to find the origin of Elsa’s powers in order to 

save their kingdom. U 103 minutes 

Fri 27 Dec for 7 days at 8pm 

KRISTEN STEWART, NAOMI SCOTT 

CHARLIE’S ANGELS (2019) When a young 

systems engineer blows the whistle on a dangerous 

technology, Charlie’s Angels are called into action, 

putting their lives on the line to protect us. 

12A 118 minutes 


December 2019

Watchet, Williton and Quantock Advertiser, December 2019

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