Somerset Retreats launch new recruitment campaign

Up to a dozen new jobs are being created in Somerset as military charity Afghan Heroes expands its pioneering Retreat concept to help former services personnel make the sometimes difficult transition to Civvy Street.

Business is booming at the first Somerset Retreat  which opened in Ashcott near Street at the start of the year and new front of house, bar and waitressing staff are needed to cope with higher than anticipated customer demand.

Afghan Heroes is also looking for additional staff at the second facility – also in Somerset  – which will be unveiled next week.

The new facility has vacancies for a chef as well as front of house, bar and waitressing staff.

Afghan Heroes founder Denise Harris said: "The original Retreat has been packed out from our very first weekend back at the start of the year and we have been getting busier   ever since.  We also need additional staff for the new venture which is also in Somerset.

"We need a chef, new bar staff, waitresses and front of house staff to supplement our hard working teams who have been rushed off their feet trying to cope with the sheer number of customers."

"It's true to say the Somerset Retreat has exceeded all our expectations – we have been going six months now so it's not simple curiosity which is bringing the customers in.

Afghan Heroes took over the Ashcott premises in November last year and spent a frantic few weeks completely refurbishing the property before welcoming its first residents. Staff have barely had time to catch their breath since it opened at Christmas. 

 

Each Retreat will accommodate around half a dozen former services personnel alongside a bar and restaurant business. The Somerset Retreats are intended to become the templates for a series of regional Retreats around the UK.

Denise said: "We had always intended the Retreats to be able to stand alone as fully functioning businesses rather than rely on them being subsidised by diverting funds from the charity itself. But we have been absolutely overwhelmed by the public's generosity and enthusiasm for what we are trying to achieve here.

"The public bars have been packed and we have served up to 120 covers a day at the weekends. We are particularly pleased the locals have reacted so positively."

 For further information on Afghan Heroes go to  www.trueheroes.org.uk or  the Retreat at www.thesomersetretreat.org.uk

The Young Clinic holds open day to celebrate refurbishment

Shepton Mallet health and beauty centre The Young Clinic is celebrating the refurbishment of its practice and holding an open day to celebrate on Saturday 8th June between 9.30am and 2.30pm.  

Patients and members of the public are invited to the High Street practice to view the new interior, preview new season frame ranges from Elle, Lindberg and Silhouette and enjoy drinks and refreshments.  To mark the occasion, The Young Clinic is also offering free single vision lenses for any frame purchased on the day.  

The interior of The Young Clinic has been modernised to create a fresh new look with a more light and airy feel.   The new bright and spacious layout has brought the practice right up to date to create a relaxing and welcoming environment for patients.  Aside from aesthetic changes, The Young Clinic now also features a range of technology to offer patients a fully comprehensive eye examination including a state-of-the-art OCT (Optical Coherence Tomographer).

"We are always striving to offer our patients the best possible service and believe that the changes we have made to the practice now match our modern, high quality approach to care," said Chris Young, owner and Optometrist at The Young Clinic.  "We would like to welcome the community to see some of the changes we have made and take the opportunity to thank our current patients for their support; we look forward to seeing them on the day."

The Young Clinic is a progressive combination of optical, beauty and wellbeing disciplines that offers cutting edge care for eyes, body and soul.  If you would like more information on the refurbishment or The Young Clinic, please visit www.theyoungclinic.co.uk or call 01749 345259.

Father's Day Gifts - 16th June 2013 with MKN

http://orders.mkn.co.uk/fathersdaygifts/ - Fathers Day gifts delivered in Shepton Mallet and anywhere in the UK. From Fathers Day Hampers and drinks to muffin and cookie baskets, sport items and unusual gifts, you 'll be spoilt for choice.

Somerset Rebels must overturn six-point deficit against Workington Comets

Somerset Rebels must overturn a six-point deficit against Workington Comets at the Oaktree Arena tomorrow night if they are to reach the semi-finals of the Premier League's Knockout Cup. The Cases Rebels had to dig deep at Derwent Park last night in order to restrict Workington to a 48-42 win in the first leg, which was delayed 24 hours due to rain. Somerset's hopes of keeping things tight took an immediate hit when they were on the wrong end of a maximum 5-1 heat score in the opening race. Rebels skipper Jason Doyle was excluded, somewhat harshly, when coming to grief in trying to avoid Workington's Kyle Howarth, who had locked up in front of him on the final bend. Workington showed just why they can boast a 100 per cent home record this season as they gradually applied the pressure to establish a 10-point lead over Somerset as the match reached its halfway stage, but the Rebels fought back over the second half of the meeting to keep the Comets in check - so much so that the visitors went into the final heat with a chance of returning to the Oaktree Arena on Tuesday night with a draw to their name. But after the first attempt to run the final race was called back for an unsatisfactory start, Jason Doyle hit the front for Somerset, Nick Morris was just unable to get himself into second place. Even so, a 4-2 heat win to the Rebels would have left them heading into tomorrow night's second leg just two points in arrears, but suddenly disaster struck as Jason Doyle hit the Derwent Park deck in an alarming fall as he exited the second bend for the third time. A snapped primary chain brought his bike to an immediate halt, with only some supreme reactions on the part of the following three riders ensuring that they all somehow avoided the stricken Doyle who, after some attention by the paramedics, was able to walk back to the pits with little more than some hand abrasions to show for his troubles. As it was, with the race awarded as a 4-2 to the Comets, it gave this first leg its final 48-42 score line in favour of the Cumbrian side. However, Rebels team manager Garry May pleased with the way his side performed on the night. "I said beforehand that we were looking to come here and win, but if not, then to keep things tight ahead of the second leg," said May. "If you had offered me a six-point loss before the match got under way then I would have happily taken that, the boys fought well to keep things in check after Workington started to get up a bit of a head of steam. "This tie is far from over, however, and although some might see us as favourites to go through to the semi-finals, Workington are a strong side and we will need to be on top form on Tuesday night if we want to book our place in those semi-finals."

Cottage Chic

A beautifully executed rose painting on board.

This little tri-ang pushchair is just the right size for my rag dolls, so I shall be using it to display one at the Vintage Bazaar, Frome next month.

A lovely collection of beaded bags - Some require a little tlc, but I shall have fun repairing them.

Tiny trinkets some to repurpose and some to keep.

And a cheerful selection of postcards.

Some of you will know Debbie - Her home and garden are included in my book...

And she is also an exhibitor, once a year, at the Vintage Bazaar, Frome, with her (always!) stunning gardenalia stall...

Where she trades under the name of 'Pots & Pansies'.

The kitchen.

And the living room.

Hope you enjoyed the tour - Have a great week, Niki x