Hi there!!!
I'm from Germany and I'm searching for people with the name Steinmetz!!!
My Grandfather's Dad lived in Shepton Mallet after the second world war and now I'm trying to find sombody with this name!!! Can somebody help??? Please....
In the first of a series of articles about 'Stand Out Shepton Mallet People' we focus on local historian, writer and cider connoisseur, Alan Stone.
Potted bio:Moved to Shepton: 1986
Contribution: Historian, writer of many books, assorted acts of public service including helping save Shepton Mallet Tourist Information Centre. Alan is the former treasurer and captain of Shepton Mallet Cricket Club and all round nice chap. He has also been involved as a Governor at Bowlish School for around 20 years, and has been Chairman twice, and until very recently was Vice Chairman. For three years he has been Vice Chairman of the towns Chamber of commerce and insitigated the Shepton in Business marquee at the Mid Somerset which provides a shop window for local businesses.Alan Stone is one of those faces you will recognize if you often attend events in the Shepton Mallet, but you may not place the name with the face. After all, if I told you of a university educated man who (in addition to four books on Shepton Mallet) had written the books the 'Somerset Cider Handbook' and 'Cider at the Bath and West Show', who is the Chairman of Mendip Tourism, savior of Shepton Mallet TIC and is Associate Director of Marketing at Old Mill Accountants, you might not immediately think of the cheery man dressed as a Christmas Pudding at the lights switch on last December!
Alan Stone is one of those people who pops up in many places; you might have seen him, for example, in the History tent at the Mid Somerset Show, manning his heritage displays. Alternatively, you may have seen him shaking with the cold while sharing his passion for Shepton Mallet's history with local school children. You may also have seen him at the Bath and West Show promoting his son's cider (pictured with Sophie Wessex).
We asked Alan about his special qualities and skills?"I think my particular skill is to be blunt and upset people, but at the same time often make them laugh. On top of that I have a drive to make things happen. I usually try to only get involved in things where I can see success and getting a good result. I have heard many people claim the credit for saving Shepton library, in fact I never thought closure would really happen but do many people realise that it was me who drafted the response from our town council which was very well received."
Tell us about your involvement with the Tourist Information Centre at the point you got involved?"It was an amature body which had run out of money and was in danger of being wound up when I first was made chairman. I rattled the councilers and got Mendip to release some funding, appointed Lorraine as Manager and thereby set up the scene for one of our most valuable town assets. "
What about the 'Task Force' and 'Shepton 21'?"I was a member of the Shepton Task Force and also Shepton 21 which succeeded it – though am pleased to say I was not involved at the time it came up with the rediculous At a Crossroads' document."
Tell us about your activity with local history and the books?"I wrote the history of the Mid Somerset Show and have been on the committee runing the heritage tent for the past decade. I founded the Shepton Mallet Local History group and have now written four books on the town. I also gave a series of four talks in 2010 each about 90 minutes long on 'Aspects of Shepton History'. They drew a crowd of about 60 people." In addition to this, he tells us "each summer I lead a series of history walks around the town to raise funds for the TIC and these have proved very popular for a number of years."
Alan is also the man who wrote the history of the market cross which we learned "was used as backgound by Mendip for getting the funding for the recent renovation."
In addition to this Alan is well known as someone who is very interested in the heritage of cider and in cider makers. "I wrote a Somerset Cider Handbook three years ago. Last year I produced a history of Cider at the bath and West show (where I am a members rep on council) and I am now in the middle of preparing a book on cider makers in the four counties of Cornwall, Dorset, Devon and Somerset."
A tough job then?!"Researching this is a great task! I am also Labourer and Marketing for my son Richard's 'Stones Bittersweet Ciders'. He started making cider three years ago and although he is not yet looking to do it on a big scale he is registered to sell with HMRC. He is looking to produce innovative quality ciders and has made an excellent start. He won a second for a keeved cider at lasy year's Bath and West and in December won the Supreme Champion Cider at the South West Winter Fair at Bridgwater.
Finally, what are your three favourite businesses in Shepton Mallet?Steve's fish and chip shop"Excellent quality and friendly service!"
Old Mill Accountancy"They not only employ me but are a really succesful exciting business offering a range and level of service that you would not expect to find in a town like Shepton"
Pilton Cider (article here)Despite its name, is in Shepton and provides a really quality niche cider product - has to be tried. Though there are a number of other good cider makers in and around the town.
Im sure you'll agree Alan Stone is, indeed, a Stand Out Shepton Mallet person!
For more information and online book sales, including Alan's new book (due out in May) visit Somerset History. Also check out the Bittersweet Cider website.
There are disabled parking spaces scattered all around Shepton Mallet and you do not have to look hard or too often to see these being misused. People who misuse them are not all 'heartless scumbags' however. It can be difficult to see the point of those spaces if you are not disabled or have had limited or no contact with people who are. Seeing other people misuse them, while also having difficulty finding any other space to park in might make this offense seem acceptable (it isn't).
One matter which has also arisen on many occasions is whether or not blue badge holders should be able to park for free, so we ask the question: What are blue disabled parking badges actually for?
What is 'disabled'?Disabled can mean many things. You are said to have a disability if you are dyslexic, but clearly this is no cause for special parking arrangements. The symbol for disabled parking is one of someone in a wheel chair, and this is clearly one of the most visual indications of mobility issues, but especially with a motorized chair, does this necessitate parking spaces which are closer to the shops?
People make judgements when they see someone using a disabled parking space based on many things, including the model of vehicle (of all things), and if someone doesn't limp or walk with a stick, they are assumed to be misusing the space.
So back to the question; what are blue disabled parking badges actually for?Parking in disabled parking spaces, which are limited in numbers, enables people who may be just about able to get around the shops etc., to do so. The additional walk from what might be the far end of a car park might just be the difference between independence and being more or less house (or car) bound.
People with other disabilities such as mental health problems might find that being nearer to the shops tips the balance between making the trip bearable or not. Needing a disabled space at one time in life in this instance, might not mean needing one for ever, but it might be a small step as part of a larger recovery.
Disabled spaces, outside supermarkets for example, often offer more space surrounding the vehicle. Much like the "parent and child spaces" which provide enough space for a pushchair to be assembled, this additional space might be required to enable someone to put together a wheel chair or to get a walking frame into the right position to enable the user to get mobile.
Disabled spaces are sometimes misused by people with relatives who have legitimately been provided with a badge, but who are not in the vehicle at the time. Perhaps they are doing some shopping for that relative, or are popping in the bank for them; this does not affect their own ability to get about or their eligibility for a blue disabled parking badge. The only person to judge whether the condition or difficulty warrants eligibility for a blue parking badge are those charged with that responsibility.
Should disabled people pay for parking?Anyone who does not have a blue badge has to pay for their parking in most places. Indeed, in many nearby places (Yeovil, for example) which come under different District Councils, disabled people already have to pay to park, but benefit from the other afore mentioned 'features' of a disabled space, i.e. extra space and proximity to the shops or facilities. However, it can be argued that we have the option to walk or use public transport instead, and free parking for qualifying badge-holders could be seen to be eliminating another small barrier to a normal life. One must ask therefore whether the gains to the taxpayer's coffers outweigh the advantages to mobility and independence for those who need it.
The blue badges remain the property of the issuing council and may be taken away if misused. There is also a hefty maximum £1000 fine for the offense, in addition to any other penalty for parking illegally. The provision of 'off-street' disabled parking bays in places such as Tesco's is made by the business owner though, and the blue badge is simply a way of proving eligibility, having no official purpose off of the council's highways and car parks.
Conclusion:Speaking to several disabled people locally, the misuse of disabled parking spaces at Tesco's and in Shepton Mallet Town Centre at night is a source of great frustration. The reasons for needing a disabled space are clear but places like Tesco's are considered 'off road' and are not subject to the same rules as far as the council is concerned. That said, their own private parking contractor can do whatever they are lawfully able to do, which can include clamping and financial penalties.
Ultimately, if you do not possess a blue badge, or the badge holder is not with you, it should be your conscience which prevents you from misusing what to you is just a parking spot, but to someone who really needs it, could be an essential aid to their independence.
If you think that a Blue Badge is being misused you should:
- get as many details as possible from the badge on display
- report the matter to your local authority
REAL cider made the old way!
n.b. Shepton Life neither endorses nor takes responsibility for the content of external sites to which it links.
What you do is noticed, Alan. Thank you.
This is a website for the people of Shepton Mallet and the local area to help us explore, celebrate and publish the wonderful community we are.
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