bloomingyeovil

South Somerset District Council takes first step into ownership of renewable energy with investment into one of UK’s most advanced battery energy storage facilities

Somerset will be at the cutting edge of renewable energy storage thanks to a significant investment in a major new project by South Somerset District Council.

The Council, in partnership with Somerset-based Opium Power Limited, is to build a new 25MW Battery Storage facility that will provide essential power management assistance to the National Grid. It will be one of the largest and most-advanced in the UK.

It is part of the Council’s new vision of creating more income generation opportunities, using our resources to make investments which provide a better return so we can inject more money into the services we deliver for our communities. Our strategy is to protect and improve core services, deliver public priorities and act in the best long-term interests of the district.

By investing in battery energy storage, the Council is taking its first exciting step into ownership and development of renewable energy which will provide essential support to the National Grid for balancing power demand and storing renewable energy that would otherwise be wasted.

The idea of battery energy storage is simple – batteries store excess energy production at low usage periods, that would otherwise be wasted, and resupply it to the grid when needed at peak times.

The facility being created will provide 25MW of instantly available electrical power on demand to the National Grid. This will be used to balance out fluctuating demands on the local Somerset power grid. Peaks and troughs in demand cause under and over supply if not correctly managed – this can result in power spikes or blackouts. The aim is for it to be rolled out and operational by the end of 2018.

The project will not only assist the Council’s income generation needs and contribute towards the objectives of our commercial strategy, it also meets our Council Plan objectives and commitment to promote the use of green technology. It will also aid development in the region in the future by removing some of the electricity supply constraints which can be a barrier to further investment.

South Somerset District Council Leader Ric Pallister said: “This project is just what we want our commercial strategy to deliver. Our team has worked incredibly hard to secure an exciting investment which will not only help the environment, but also provide invaluable revenue to help protect and strengthen vital services for our communities.”

Henry Hobhouse, South Somerset District Council’s portfolio holder for property and income generation, said: “Here’s a superb example of where our commercial strategy can take us – working with key partners to invest in green technology that will be of lasting national benefit.

“As well as finding significant efficiency savings, the Council is committed to protecting front line services and meeting its ambition to improve life in South Somerset. To achieve that aim we are being more commercial in our approach and making investments that will deliver valuable income. We also take our role in caring for the environment seriously. We are committed to doing all we can to promote the efficient use of energy resources.”

South Somerset District Council is the investor and co-owner of the facility, Opium Power Limited will be the project manager and co-owner, BYD Europe BV will be the battery supplier and BSR Connect is the project roll out connection contractor. Western Power Distribution will be the local distribution network operator.

All of our project partners are incredibly excited about the opportunity.

Jason Dobson of Opium Power Limited said: “Opium Power is very excited to be working in partnership with South Somerset District Council to assist in protecting the local area against power issues and also providing additional revenues that will help protect local services in the community.”

Simon Roberts, Managing Director of BSR Connect, said: “BSR Connect is really pleased to be the Independent Connections Provider (ICP) working with South Somerset District Council and Opium Power Ltd on the 33kV connection of their new Energy Storage Project.”

Jerome Qi, European Director of Sales for BYD Europe BV, said: “BYD have been supporting large scale projects in the UK for a number of years including more recently providing the electric buses in London and we look forward to working in partnership with South Somerset District Council and Opium Power.”

Over the last two days Yeovil has encouraged “Unity in our Community”, it was a year ago “Jo Cox” was murdered and this weekend, all over the country there were events for the “Great Get Together” the map below show dots which people have place on locations that are significant to them, it might be home or maybe a favourite place to visit, but it certainly shows how diverse we are.

I had the pleasure to man the Yeovil Hospital stand, as I am a governor I like to muck in and help, picture below.

It was nice to see so many happy people out and about, it was Fathers Day, the sun shone, everyone I spoke to was interested in what we were doing, a few didn’t want to know but you cannot please everyone, generally the response was very positive, I was positioned beside the trade union stand, they also had a lot of very positive feedback.

I think our attempt to encourage Unity in our Community was successful, we were set up in the Quedam Shopping Centre in Yeovil, it was organised by both Yeovil Town Council and the Quedam.

As a volunteer, I attended my first ever music festival at Home Farm, I didn’t know what to expect and I was pleasantly surprised, despite my very upset back I had a great time, and I will go again next year.

Picture curtsy of the program.

I was very disappointed my bad back decided to flare up to spoil my fun, it was niggling all week leading up to the festival; With my limited mobility, I was given perimeter security duty, but even that was a struggle, next year I’ll be fitter and will be more helpful. I am, already, looking forward to next year.

On a more positive note, the music was great, I was very impressed with the Folkroom, I listened to Jake Downs, he had his audience singing along and cheering when he finished up, he was very very good.

The music on the Domer Stage was good, I sat and listened to Utter Chaos, their music suited me, they played all sorts and I really enjoyed them. I hope they play again next year.

I listened to Nasty Habits on the Dutch Barn stage, their music I enjoyed, their instrumentals were great, their audience was  captivated and applauded loudly when they were done.

I didn’t go on the Sunday as I was immobile, so the Sunday’s music I missed. 

Apart from the very accasional shower, the rain stayed away, it was a bit breezy but everyone appeared to be enjoying themselves, the campsite and caravan park was very well used, everyone I spoke to was very jolly and having a great time, there were costumes everywhere, from Red Indians to Top Hats and Tails, I saw Baby Spice, Minions, Princesses and fairies.

The event was very well attended by traders, with all types of food and drink, I had some of the best Fish & Chips ever, the Ham Hill Cider was very drinkable, so I had a few, it would have been rude not to. There was loads of other traders, there was everything from Henna to Curry Spices, and St Margaret’s Hospice, the children had loads to do, with everything from a bucking bronco to bouncy castles, the activity area had unicycles, drums, climbing, things for all ages, there was even a kids bouncy disco castle.

Home Farm Fest together with School in a Bag, ( Piers Simon Appeal ) was amazing, next years event will, no doubt be bigger and better, make sure you look out for this event next year. YOU WILL ENJOY IT. 

The annual bulb giveaway from Yeovil’s award-winning floral display is upon us again, giving residents of south Somerset the opportunity to claim a free bag of bulbs that were used during this year’s spring bedding displays

South Somerset District Council, who creates and maintains the floral displays on behalf of Yeovil Town Council, is inviting people to the bulb giveaway at St Johns Churchyard in Yeovil on Monday 5 June from 10:00am.

Lesley Jelleyman, Yeovil in Bloom Promotions & Marketing Officer at South Somerset District Council said, “Recycling old bulbs forms a key part of the Yeovil in Bloom strategy and helps ensure that more and more floral displays are planted throughout the Town making Yeovil an even more beautiful place in which to live, work and visit. Yeovil in Bloom is about communities coming together to create, clean, tidy and inspirational spaces, containing art and wildlife areas as well as formal planting.”

The bulb giveaway helps towards Yeovil’s entry into the Royal Horticultural Society South West in Bloom Competition. Judging for this event will take place on Tuesday 12 July 2017.

Yeovil won Gold in last year’s South West in Bloom competition for the eighth time. Yeovil in Bloom also received ‘outstanding’ It’s Your Neighbourhood awards for Kenmore Drive Residents Association, The Hub and Preston School. ‘Thriving’ It’s Your Neighbourhood awards were also received for the Vanessa Project, West Abbey Care Home and Wyndham Park.

The Yeovil in Bloom initiative has been funded by Yeovil Town Council since 1996, and delivered with the support of South Somerset District Council.

Darcey Bussell CBE to officially open Westlands

Dance legend Darcey Bussell CBE will officially open the newly refurbished Westlands Entertainment Venue on Tuesday 27th June 2017.

Darcey Bussell’s dance career has spanned over 20 years since she joined the Royal Ballet’s National School in London at 16. In 1989 she became the youngest ever British ballerina to be made a Principal dancer, and her final performance on stage, MacMillan’s ‘Song of the Earth’ in 2007, was broadcast to over 3.3 million viewers. In 2011 Darcey was appointed as Vice President of the Royal Academy of Dance and today she is a member of the Board of Directors for Sydney Dance Company.

More recently, Darcey has brought her expertise and experience to the judging panel of BBC One’s ‘Strictly Come Dancing’ as well as hosting her own series of TV documentaries about Audrey Hepburn, Margot Fonteyn and others.

An official opening ceremony for Westlands will take place on the afternoon of Tuesday 27th June for invited guests who have been involved in South Somerset District Council’s project to reopen the venue. In the evening an ‘Audience With’ event, open to the public, will take place in the Ballroom of the new venue.

Adam Burgan, Arts and Entertainment Manager for The Octagon Theatre and Westlands said, “We are delighted to welcome Darcey Bussell to officially open Westlands and for audiences to be able to find out more about her incredible career in an exclusive, one-off ‘Audience With’ event. As the UK’s most popular ‘Prima Ballerina’, and from her role on ‘Strictly’ to her work as an author and television presenter, we really are thrilled to have such an amazing artist for the official opening.”

Councillor Sylvia Seal, Portfolio Holder for Leisure & Culture at South Somerset District Council said, “To have such an incredible artist like Darcey Bussell opening the newly refurbished Westlands Entertainment Venue is such a great coup and goes to show how the team managing the venue are pulling out all the stops to attract top names to Yeovil for the enjoyment of residents across South Somerset and beyond.”

Tickets for ‘An Evening With Darcey Bussell CBE’ will go on general sale from 12 noon on Wednesday 22nd February, with Footlight Members having priority booking a few days prior.

To book tickets on Wednesday 22nd February, call the venue Box Office on 01935 422884, visit www.westlandsyeovil.co.uk or visit The Octagon Theatre.

Yesterday I went to the National Association Of Local Councils (NALC) Conference, the last time I had a 5:30am alarm I was going on holiday to the USA in 2014, I had to scrape the ice off the car before I could get underway, I managed to collect my passenger and arrived at Yeovil Junction with time to spare, thank goodness the ticket office/waiting room was open and warm as it was -3 outside. The train arrived on time and out trip to London was uneventful, we did however see a spectacular sunrise over the cold frosty countryside.

Having arrived in London we grabbed a cab to the Royal National Hotel for the conference, and we caught up with old friends and councillors we have met over the years, that was very pleasent, and the venue was, as it always has been, excellent, speakers in the morning included; Professor Jane Wills and Teresa Pearse MP. Both speakers were very interesting to listen to, but the conference subject was “Changing Places” and in the real world it was difficult to apply what they were preaching; Jane gave a history lesson and explained how Henry VIII had taken over the church and devolved power to the communities both big and small while putting in place an overseeing judicial system to keep law and order, this she said was the birth place of “Localism”, I did find the theory interesting although I doubt if Henery VIII citizens would of agreed. 

When Teresa took the podium she told us how, as Shadow Home Secretary, she was working tirelessly behind the scenes to better the Town and Parish Councils position, and to discourage government from imposing a “council tax cap” on town and parish councils, she said it would be counter productive and would not encourage local councils to accept devolved responsibility and take on services that principe authority’s can no longer provide, I’m not sure she can deliver it, but I will watch this space with interest.

The afternoon breakout sessions were disappointing for me:

The first breakout session was Diversity and Equality, This was interesting but in a rural community we has different needs to the big cities, this session was biased to the cities, there is always a need to mindful of how you treat other but often, certain community’s are very insular and do not wish to engage.

The second I attended; Devolution and working between the tiers; where Bradford Metropolitan District Council, were busy parishing their area and in turn devolving things like open spaces and what we call streetscene, the money doesn’t always follow so the pariishs are having to raise the opportunity money through their preceipt. Yeovil Town Council and SSDC already do this and have done so for years. Nothing new here and their approach was not as good as ours.

The journey home after the conference was a lot more interesting, we discovered that due to a big fire in Fleet Street that caused gridlock on the cities roads, we had to walk to Waterloo station, along the way I a took the photo you see below from Waterloo Bridge. On arriving at Waterloo we found our train had been cancelled due to a problem on the rails near Basingstoke, we had to wait until around 7pm before the problem was fixed, the line had been closed for most of the day, so the station was very congested, a real nightmare for country folk. When we finally got underway, at Tisbury we were told of another hold up as we had to wait for a train to pass on the single line, when we got to Yeovil Junction at 9:22pm I had to scrape the car for a second time in one day, after our London adventure we got to our respective homes at 9:35pm.

Yeovil in Bloom wins gold yet again at South West in Bloom competition!Yeovil in Bloom has struck gold once again in the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) South West in Bloom competition.

Representatives of the Yeovil in Bloom team were there to collect the gold award at the presentation which was held at the Somerset County Cricket Club in Taunton today.

Yeovil also received nine RHS It’s Your Neighbourhood awards with Birchfield School, The Hub, Kenmore Drive, Milford Allotments, West Abbey Care Home, Preston Primary School and Westfield Community Group receiving an outstanding award. Wyndham Community Group and the Vanessa Project also received Advancing awards.

Elsewhere in the district, The CATCH (Community Action to Transform Cale Habitat) community group based in Wincanton was awarded an outstanding It’s Your Neighbourhood award and Milborne Port in Bloom was awarded gold in the in Bloom competition.

Councillor David Recardo, Chairman of the Yeovil in Bloom Steering Group said: “Once again we are extremely pleased that we have been awarded gold and the nine It’s Your Neighbourhood awards represent the passionate community based groups around the town. We Love Yeovil.

“The competition isn’t just about floral displays. We have to demonstrate a commitment to environmental issues and community participation. Thanks must go to Yeovil Country Park, Preston C of E Primary School, the Hub, Kenmore Drive and the shops in Princes Street who made up our tour. We would not win gold without showcasing these groups.

“We must thank the people of Yeovil who really get behind Yeovil in Bloom each year, endorsing what we do and supporting the floral displays on show. We receive many kind correspondences of praise through-out the year.”

Speaking about community participation, Lesley Jelleyman, Yeovil in Bloom Promotions Officer added, “Community participation makes up 25% of the overall points for the South West in Bloom competition, so it is important that we can demonstrate community involvement all-year round. There is increasing evidence to show that green spaces have a tremendous positive impact on people’s health and wellbeing, so activities such as gardening and community based projects are excellent ways for relaxation and mental stimulation.

“We know there are many community groups who could or would like to take part in some form of project to help either people or a local area, so please get in contact with me and let’s make Yeovil even more bloomin marvellous.”

If you would like to form a community group or if you are already part of a community group and you would like to get involved in projects to help towards Yeovil in Bloom, please contact Lesley Jelleyman with ideas and suggestions on how you can contribute on 01935 462837 or email:- lesley.jelleyman@southsomerset.gov.uk

The Yeovil in Bloom initiative is managed and funded by Yeovil Town Council, and delivered with the support of South Somerset District Council

Yesterday I had the good fortune to play golf at Stoneham Golf Club in the Spitfire Trophy, it was a Captains and Past Captains competition, Allan was a great team mate, getting me out of trouble many times.

There were 36 pairs playing 36 holes in the morning and 33 holes in the afternoon, the buggy I ordered wasn’t available so we had to walk around in the morning, thankfully a pair from Worthing took pity on us and let us use their buggy in the afternoon allowing us to play all the holes, but the morning walk did for me and I was totally shot coming up the 18th for the second time.

The Worthing pair went on to be in the prizes, a very well done to them.

We finished half way up the leaderboard, we didn’t win but again we didn’t do to bad either, especially as I had not played there before and we walked in the morning.

Stoneham’s hospitality was first class and the friendliness of the other golfers made the day throughly enjoyable. 

I would defiantly recommend visiting Stoneham if your a golfer, it’s a lovely golf course, but be warned its hilly and the rough defiantly needs to be avoided, it’s deep.

Thank you Stoneham Golf Club for a great day

After a wet night the weather cleared and a much improved day arrived, the RHS South West in Bloom judge arrive at the Town House where he was greeted by our Mayor, Cllr Darren Shutler, together with others from our communities. They all made their way to St John’s Church Yard for the formal greeting from our Town Cryer, Bruce.

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The floral displays were looking very good indeed, and, it was lovely to see some of our businesses getting involved as well, Yeovil College Arts Department provided some great pieces for the flower beds, the press arrived and we had our usual photo call, then it was down to business.

The judge was taken along Princess Street to participating businesses.

I had to leave them there as I had a Governors meeting at the hospital, but the tour continued got the Hub in Market Street, then on to visit some of our Allotments, after that they visited Kenmore Drive our flagship “It’s Your Neighborhood” to see their community spirit in action. After Kenmore Drive the judge was taken to Preston Primary School, to meet the children and teachers to view their green finger gardening, this is usually a highlight of the tour as the children are so much fun to be around as their enthusiasm is infectious. Following the school visit the judge was taken on a tour of our roundabouts to show off the tremendous efforts put in by our Holticultrual Team at SSDC. The tour ended at the Country Park where the judge was treated to a guided tour of the park with a ranger in a mule, the day concluded with a light lunch at the Nine Springs Cafe.