Our Somerset: Issue No. 23 (23/07/10)
Hordes visit the Hoard .............................................................. 2
Staff discount available on the Park and Ride ....................... 2
Our Business Plan .................................................................... 3
Volunteers needed in Wellington ............................................ 4
Changing for our future ............................................................ 4
Give a little ................................................................................. 5
Can you help? ........................................................................... 5
LEAP -
The Learners’ Choice ................................................... 6
Cash for Communities .............................................................. 6
Join a friend ............................................................................... 7
The therapeutic effects of Canticle Choir ............................... 7
Stampede across Europe ......................................................... 8
The Premier League kicks off soon… ..................................... 8
West Somerset Dance Festival - Dance 2010 ......................... 9
Support our heroes ................................................................... 9
Quantock Art ............................................................................. 9
Eleven o’clock Show ............................................................... 10
Classical Guitar Festival ......................................................... 10
Further Information ................................................................. 11
What is Our Somerset? .......................................................... 11
How do I submit a comment or question? ............................ 12
View previous editions ........................................................... 12
1

Hordes visit the Hoard
A staggering 2,000 people turned up to see the first ever public viewing of the Frome Hoard of Roman coins – with one visitor coming forward with another potentially exciting find.
Experts from the Heritage service and the British Museum were on hand at Frome Library as a huge range of people, from schoolchildren, to grannies and granddads, queued patiently for their turn to look and handle some of the rare coins.
The Hoard – thought to contain 52,000 coins dating back to around
300AD was uncovered by metal detector user, Dave Crisp, on farmland close to Frome.
An inquest yesterday morning (Thursday ) declared the find ‘Treasure’ – which means that after it is valued, Mr Crisp, and Geoff, the landowner, will split any fee which could be upwards of £100,000. The exact location of the site where the hoard was discovered is not being released and so the landowner’s full name is not being publicised.
The hoard contained rare coins dating back to the Emperor Carausius and it is thought by Museum experts to be an offering to the Gods from a community. At the time it would have been the equivalent of up to 10 times a soldier’s annual salary.
And as people queued for up to 45 minutes to take their turn at the coins display, one person walked in with a new find. Experts want to keep quiet about the details until it has been verified but Somerset County Council can reveal the find includes a coin dating back to 600AD and potentially extremely rare – again, it was found by a metal detector user in the east of Somerset.
It is hoped that further public events to display the coins will be arranged in Frome and across Somerset over the next few months.
Staff discount available on the Park and Ride
Starting in September, Somerset County Council and Southwest One staff will be able to take advantage of a 10 per cent discount on the cost of an annual Park and Ride ticket!
2

So, it’s good news if you already use the service, and if you don’t then it’s worth thinking about how much money you could save if you currently park in Taunton.
The cost of an annual ticket, with discount, will cost just £252.
This is payable in 12 monthly instalments of £21 and will be taken directly from your salary each month. The saving is even greater if you currently buy a monthly pass, as you will save an impressive 25 per cent if you switch to the annual ticket.
Taunton Flyer Park & Ride will drop you off and pick you up right outside
A-Block at County Hall, and runs between 6.40am and 7.30pm, Monday to Friday.
Buses are very frequent, running every seven minutes during peak times and every 12 minutes off peak.
The service is easy to use - just park your car at the Silk Mills or Taunton
Gateway site, board the bus and enjoy the benefits - low cost, quick journey times, less stress and reduced pollution and congestion.
So, why not sign up for your discounted pass now?
For full details, FAQs and an application form, visit http://enterprise.somerset.gov.uk/somerset/corporate/environment/service s/transportingsomerset/ .
Submitted by Emma McKee
Our Business Plan
We face some difficult challenges in the year ahead, as less money is coming in and more people need support from us. We have made some hard decisions and now have a clear plan of what we need to do and how we will support people’s needs.
Our County Plan sets out what we want to achieve in the next three years and the Business Plan puts down on paper how we will make this a reality. This is an important guide for all staff. It will help you understand the bigger picture and how your team and role contributes towards it.
The County Plan is a public document and can be found at http://www.somerset.gov.uk/countyplan . The Business Plan is an internal interactive site that can be found at http://enterprise.somerset.gov.uk/businessplan .
3

Also on the site you will find background information on the County of
Somerset and Somerset County Council, including details of our resources and structure, and how we monitor ourselves and manage risks.
We hope you find this site useful and interesting, and that it will widen your understanding of the Council and your role within it. At the end of each section is a feedback button that allows you to comment and make suggestions.
Your ideas and thoughts will be used to shape our plans for the future and help us identify barriers to progress and possible efficiencies. We look forward to hearing from you.
Submitted by Julia Farrar
Volunteers needed in Wellington
This year’s Wellington Food Fair Festival is being held on Saturday 4
September.
Wellington High Street will be taken over by a variety of stalls, food demonstrations and music.
The event needs lots of volunteers to make it run smoothly.
If you would like to help we will be holding sessions beforehand to talk through the roles in more detail.
So, if you are interested in volunteering or have any friends or relatives who may be prepared to help, please contact Dave and Jill Mitton on
(01823) 666233 or email JillMitt@aol.com.
Submitted by Jill Mitton
Changing for our future
We are all working hard to make significant savings within Somerset
County Council.
This is going to mean that we all need to change the way we work to make sure that we put the customer at the heart of what we do and redesign services in Somerset.
4

To make sure we can do this successfully we need skilled, flexible and adaptive staff.
So to support managers in supporting their teams throughout this change a series of three half-day workshops are available to managers in the following areas:
• Building Resilience at a time of Change
• Managing Individual Performance
• Deploying Staff Flexibly
For more information or to book, visit the SAP Employee Portal and follow the the link to Career and Jobs, the information is available under the
Training and Development section.
If you do not have access to SAP, or are not sure how to book through
SAP, contact the Learning and Development Admin Team on (01823)
355365.
Submitted by Ruth Shivas
Give a little
The British Heart Foundation (BHF) have provided County Hall with a donations bin, which is located in the underground car park in the ‘D’ area
(just on the righthand side as you drive in).
They are looking for any of the following donations: good quality clothes, shoes, handbags, accessories, books, CDs, DVDs and bric-a-brac.
By donating your unwanted items we can help to save lives and reduce landfill.
Once the bin is full the local BHF shop will come to collect.
It is important that you don’t leave any items lying around the bin; keep hold of them until the bin has been emptied.
Submitted by Louise Smith
Can you help?
We are looking for volunteers to help us maintain the Public Rights of
Way network throughout Somerset.
5

So if you walk to work, like to take a stroll at lunchtime or walk your dog in the evenings and weekends, then maybe you could do some light vegetation clearance with secateurs.
This could make a huge difference to the usability of the paths in your local area.
When you use public footpaths, bridleways and restricted byways, a few minutes spent trimming back nettles, brambles and grass from stiles, gates and signs makes sure that paths are clear and easy to use for everyone.
For more information about how you can help or where the paths are in your area, contact Andy Stevenson, Volunteer Co-ordinator, Rights of
Way on (01823) 358250.
Submitted by Andy Stevenson
LEAP - The Learners’ Choice
Learners from Entry 2 Employment were recently set the challenge to come up with a new name for the programme for when it moves under the
‘Foundation Learning’ banner in August. They were tasked to create something that would reflect all aspects of the programme, including links to Foundation Learning and potential progression routes.
An abundance of suggestions came in from all over the county and six were shortlisted. They were then offered up to learners for a countywide vote. The result of the poll were conclusive as over 70 per cent voted for the name ‘LEAP’ (Life, Education & Apprenticeship Preparation).
The suggestion was put forward by Ali May, an Entry 2 Employment learner from Bridgwater, who was rewarded with a £30 Matalan voucher for her inspired idea (see picture).
Submitted by Maureen Mead
Cash for Communities
Five schools from across Somerset are currently taking part in a scheme called ‘Cash for Communities’ run by the Somerset Standard and
Somerset Guardian (Somerset Series).
The public are being asked to collect tokens from the papers and donate them to a school of their choice to support the schools project.
6

The tokens are available for collection in the papers between Thursday 29
July and Thursday 23 September.
If you would like to collect and donate the vouchers for any of the schools, send them to:
Linda Harris, School Improvement Service, B2 South, County Hall
Taunton.
All vouchers collected will be divided equally between all the schools.
Submitted by Linda Harris
Join a friend
Somerset Libraries, along with other members of the LibrariesWest consortium of library services (BANES, Bristol, North Somerset and South
Gloucs), recently ran a campaign called ‘Join a Friend’ to attract more users.
The aim was to increase the number of new customers joining libraries by
10 per cent, but impressively surpassed this with a fantastic 23 per cent increase.
Any library member who recruited someone new was entered into a free prize draw, along with the new member.
Submitted by Paul Smith
The therapeutic effects of Canticle Choir
It’s a proven fact that singing is good for your health and Musgrove Park
Hospital think music and song is good for the recovery of its patients.
With this in mind Somerset County Council’s Canticle Choir performed in the Duchess courtyard during the lunchtime of Thursday 15 July.
The request to sing at the hospital is part of an ongoing programme of events known as Art for Life.
The choir, led by Caroline Rigby, provided a lively performance of songs and rounds from England, South Africa and Croatia and some Irish and
French music on whistle and melodeon was thrown in for good measure.
7

The organisers and spectators confirmed that the therapeutic effects of our performance were well received in all the wards that overlooked the courtyard and were keen for a further performance in the future.
Any employees interested in joining Canticle Choir should contact Mike
Highfield or Caroline Rigby and join us for a Thursday lunchtime song.
Submitted by Mike Highfield
Stampede across Europe
Eight girls from across the UK are planning the ultimate adventure, travelling ac ross Europe next week in celebration of Girlguiding UK’s centenary year.
The trip will be run by Graduate Management Trainee, Gemma Waugh, is a leader with Rowbarton Rangers and 4th Taunton (Holway) Brownies.
The team have named themselves the ‘Iceland Muddles’, after meeting whilst on a guide camp in Iceland last summer.
During the event each team has to organise travel, accommodation, food and complete challenges, all within a £1,000 budget.
There are 17 challenges to complete in just 14 days, ranging from visiting certain landmarks to more traditional activities.
The trip will start with an opening ceremony at the Ambassadors residence in Paris, and ends with a finale party in Birmingham with the 34 other teams who are also taking part.
The adventure is being recorded on http://icelandmuddles.blogspot.com
, which also includes some pre-trip prep.
If you are interested in giving girls and young women an opportunity to develop not only in the extreme international trip setting, but more
‘casually’ in a Rainbow, Brownie or Guide unit then give Gemma a shout on (01823) 356601 or pop over and see her on B3 East.
Submitted by Gemma Waugh
The Premier League kicks off soon…
With the new football season only three weeks away, many of you might be thinking about entering a Fantasy Football team.
8

I have set up the Somerset County Council Premier League, so I am hoping to attract as many people to join up as possible.
There are cash prizes to be won, b ut really it’s all about the bragging rights!
So if you’re interested, please contact me at dssmith@somerset.gov.uk.
Submitted by Dan Smith
West Somerset Dance Festival - Dance 2010
Dance 2010 will take place this weekend (Friday 23 and Saturday 24
July) at The Regal Theatre, Minehead, when local dancers will perform all types of dance from ballet to belly dancing to showcase their classes.
The festival is part of the Government Initiative ‘Dance for Life’. Tickets cost £6.50 and are available online at http://www.regaltheatre.co.uk
or by calling (01643) 706430.
Submitted by Ann Spry
Support our heroes
Come along to Taunton Town Football Club (next to the fire station in
Lisieux Way) on Saturday 24 July for a charity fundraising day in aid of the armed forces.
There will be an array of family attractions, refreshments and a disco in the evening with Taunton Town taking on the Royal Marines at 3pm.
Gates open 10.30am so come and show your support for our troops.
It costs £4 for adults, £2 for under 16s or a family ticket is just £10.
Submitted by Jackie Cottey
Quantock Art
Come along to Fyne Court, Broomfield, home of the Quantock Hills
AONB, from Monday 19 July until Sunday 1 August and find a new and exciting art exhibition on show.
The exhibition is open daily between 11am and 4pm and entrance is free.
9

The exhibition features Quantock Hills inspired work by artists Sally Clark and Liz Gregory along with the work of local school children as part of a project called ‘The Big Draw’, supported by the Quantock Hills
Sustainable Development Fund.
Submitted by Anna Newman
Eleven o’clock Show
The Great Crane Project is re-introducing a wild population of the largest of all breeding birds in the UK - the common Crane - to The Levels and
Moors of Somerset.
This innovative project aims to secure the future of this wonderful and iconic species of bird in the UK.
Project Manager, Damon Bridge, will give an illustrated talk and show a short film to explain what, why, and how this will be achieved.
So come along to Taunton Library Meetings Room on Wednesday 28 July between 1112pm. It costs £2 on the door.
Submitted by Janet Blake
Classical Guitar Festival
Dillington House, near Ilminster, once again welcomes an international line-up of some of the best classical guitarists around today for five evening concerts of superb music.
The festival starts on Sunday 1 August and runs through until Thursday 5
August.
The programmes and presentations vary enormously but the standard of music-making will be outstandingly high and a thread running through this year’s Festival will be the music of Spain.
All concerts start at 8pm, except for Sunday 1 August, which starts at
6.30pm.
Tickets are £13 each (under 18s £6) on a buy one get one free basis for another concert in the festival. A season ticket, which covers all five concerts, cost £33.
10

For further information, full details of the concert programmes or to book tickets, contact (01460) 258648 or visit http://www.dillington.com
.
Submitted by Denise Borer
Further Information
Awards and Accolades
The County Council strives towards excellence in everything we do. See how we are achieving this here.
Go to Awards & Accolades
Corporate Diary
Forward plan your diary with details of forthcoming corporate events here.
Go to Corporate Diary
Corporate Projects
Feel you’re in the dark? Switch on the light on the major projects the
County Council is currently undertaking here.
Go to Budgeting for our Future
Go to SAP Nav
Go to Building Schools for the Future
Go to Southwest One
Job Opportunities
Want a new challenge or a new career? You can find out more with a few clicks here! Go to Job Opportunities
Partnerships
Our partnerships are fundamental to delivering excellent services.
Go to SSP
Go to Somerset Waste Partnership
Go to The Somerset Road Safety Partnership
Press Releases
Keep up to date with how the County Council is getting its ‘Good News’ into the media here. Go to Press Releases
About & Help
What is Our Somerset?
Our Somerset is a key internal communications tool for all staff and members.
11

This magazine, published weekly, contains the latest news and events for staff and members, a regularly updated collection of signposts to useful corporate information and a question and answer page.
How do I submit a news story or an event? To submit a news story or an event you will need to use the electronic form linked below.
When making a submission you should be aware of the following. The deadline for inclusion in each Friday’s issue is 12noon Wednesday.
Submissions received after this time may not be published until the following week. Submissions may be edited and it may not be possible to use all stories, events or images submitted.
Our Somerset reaches all staff and members so the content of any submission should be considered in this context.
Go to the News & Events form
How do I submit a comment or question?
To submit a comment or question you will need to use the electronic form link.
When making a comment or asking a question you should be aware of the following: all questions will receive a response.
Questions will be directed to the most appropriate member of staff.
This could be the Chief Executive, your line manager or other colleagues.
We cannot guarantee that all questions or comments will appear in Our
Somerset.
Those questions or comments that are published may not appear in the immediately subsequent issue.
Comments and questions that are published will be attributed to their authors. Comments or questions may be reproduced as shorter extracts.
Go to the Comments & Questions form
View previous editions
12

An archive of previous issues as well as text only versions, can be found at: http://www.somerset.gov.uk/oursomerset/archives.asp
13