Lopen Notice Board

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Welcome to Daniel Jonathon Francis Dibble 

Congratulations to proud parents Louise and Hugh

 

New Farm Shop opens in Lopen

A Farm Shop has been opened at Bridge Farm (where the mosaic was discovered). Open from Tue to Sat selling fruit and vegetables initially.

 

Mary Rook

Mary has returned to Lopen to live with Jeremy and Pauline so that she can concentrate on her bid to take part in the 2012 Olympics. Somerset born and educated, Mary Rook has an opportunity to make a serious bid to be part of the 2012 British Olympic sailing Team.
Her early years were spent with her family on a large dairy farm. when the family left the farm her Father, Jeremy returned to his former sport of dinghy racing at Lyme Regis. Sporty Mary, by this time she was swimming and playing hockey at County level, took to sailing or rather racing like the proverbial duck!! 
Aided and abetted by her Dad she sailed a 420 dinghy competitively and was able to gain a place in the National Youth Sailing Squad. This gained her worldwide international experience and the success wetted her appetite even more to sail for her country at the highest level.

Mary was selected for and completed successfully the prestigious 'Bear of Britain' big boat training, this introduced her to sailing larger boats which she took up whilst at Exeter University reading sports Science.
This led on to her having an interest in Match Racing, held in identical boats are 'one on one tactical duels' in which she subsequently began to compete successfully, both here in the Uk and abroad. This culminated in her becoming the Womens' Match Racing Champion in October 2008.

It was with great excitement that Mary heard the news that Match racing for women was to be included in the next Olympic games. An indifferent result in Miami in January of this year made Mary realise that her ambition could not be achieved whilst holding down a full time job. Her family encouraged her to devote herself to this once in a life time opportunity.

This year will be pivotal for Mary as she seeks the success that will enable her to become a 'lottery funded sailor'. Match racing does not require the contestant to own their own boat.
They are provided by the host for the event however, costs are passed down through colossal entry fees as the club running the racing has to provide a fleet of sound boats to race and a set of umpires and boats to referee each contest. The domestic training and qualifying events of which there are 7, carry the modest fee of £150 but the open competitions here carry an entry fee of £250 and the international ones the huge entry fees of around £2000. Hence her need to find some sponsorship.

This year the competitions will variously be held in boats with 3-6 crews - the Olympic Elliott 6 boats - at present unavailable - will carry 3 people. This means that this year extra costs will be involved with travel and accomodation for a larger crew.
Eventually the squad of sailors involved in match racing will be based at Weymouth and be able to entertain sponsors at the Olympic Venue.

Click here for latest news on Mary - she is part of an all women crew making history.

Lopen in winter

Some lovely pictures of Lopen in the snow taken by our own resident photographer Pauline Rook can be seen on the Views page.

Not to be missed!

SOUTH PETHERTON HOSPITAL - PUBLIC MEETING
 
A Public Meeting was held on September 25th in the Parish Church , South Petherton attended by 150 people.
Mr Ian Tipney, Chief Executive of the Somerset Primary Care Trust chaired the meeting, the purpose of which was to launch the document for Public Consultation on the proposals for the redevelopment of  South Petherton Hospital.
Following the introduction of the members of the panel for the evening,  Jan Hull, Deputy Chief Executive expanded on the six key elements of the proposals, namely:
 
1. Inpatient beds for stroke (12) and other neurological conditions (4).
2. G.P. beds (8).
3. A long term conditions centre, incorporating a day unit and community education  
    facility.
4. Therapy services, providing integrated rehabilitation.
5. Specialist mobility services.
6. Increased outpatient services.
 
The new Community Hospital will be built on the existing hospital site and following extensive investigation of options, the preferred access route to the new hospital is via a new road access from Pitway Hill.
South Petherton Surgery is considering the possibility of relocating onto the hospital site. The practice partners recognise that this move would have advantages and disadvantages and wish to fully consider the implications. A separate consultation process with patients registered at the practice will be undertaken before a final decision is made.
Mr Tipney stressed that this was a separate issue from the Hospital and would not in any way affect the proposals for the new Hospital.
 
The Key milestones for the Hospital Consultation, which are on target, are listed below.

Establish SP Project group ............. ....................................................... April 2007

Prepare revised Business case........................................................... .Summer 2007

Public Consultation..............................................................................Autumn  2007

Present revised Business case to PCT Trust Board ......................Dec 19th 2007

Present revised Business case to Strategic HA Board..............March 31st 2008

Completion of design process and detailed planning  ..... ............Dec 31st 2008

Construction commences on site  ..............................Spring 2009

Completion of new Hospital....................................2010

 
 The Consultation period ends on December 4th 2007. Copies of the document can be obtained by contacting the Somerset Primary Care Trust on 01935 384012.
 
Mary Robertson.
Chairman
League of Friends
01460 240980

Walking Group

The village now has its own walking group, supported by the District Council and Age Concern. 

For details of the next walk contact Peggie Finlayson 240059

 

2007 Village Picnic

All agree that the village picnic held in Anderson's Field was a huge success with wonderful weather.

Click here to see some pictures (recommended for broadband users only) 

Lengthsman

You may have noticed an improvement in the condition of hedges, verges and footpaths in Lopen.

This is due to the efforts of David Muir the Lengthsman, who is working in Lopen for half a day a fortnight.

Village Plan

The Village Plan has been printed and distributed. Every household should have their own copy, if not contact Angela Naughton-Davies.

Click here to go to the Village Plan page

Just Women

If you would like information , please call :-Helen Kearney 240287

Help improve this site

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