Wiveliscombe could be facing gypsy site scenario

FEARS that Wiveliscombe could be facing a "North Curry scenario" with an influx of Romany gypsies in Kingsmead Close are unfounded, according to the landowner.

Several residents contacted the Wivey 3rds website when a big black truck and a smaller caravan were put up on the site at the weekend without planning permission.

The owner of the land, who wishes to remain anon-ymous, said: "This is not a North Curry site - it's just one family.

"Everyone's saying it's a bigger gypsy site. We're not gypsies, but an ordinary family housing ourselves."

Rumour suggest that there are already 6 Romanian migrant workers, 2 asylum seekers and a Portsmouth supporter living in his garage and extension.

Women know best - apparently

There has been much talk on the touchline in recent weeks from Mrs Acock, Mrs Aplin and Miss Burston, to name a few. Apparently Women know best, but what proof do they have?

They might be able to manipulate their men but here are a few well known facts:-

*Women love to talk on the phone. A woman can visit her girlfriend for two weeks and, upon returning home, she will call the same friend and they will talk for three hours.

*Women will drive miles out of their way to avoid the possibility of getting lost using a shortcut.

*Women do not want an honest answer to the question, "How do I look?"
Only women understand the reason for "the good china."

*Women love to shop because it's the one area of the world where they feel like they're actually in control.

*Women will always ask questions that have no right answer -- it's an effort to trap you into feeling guilty.

*Women think all beer is the same.

*Whereas men seek entertainment that allows them to escape reality, women seek entertainment that reminds them of how horrible things could be.

Why Women Should Not Drive

Men are always being accused of not listening, not asking for directions, etc. New research shows that women are more likely to take advice from the Highways Agency but less likely to understand or comply with road signs.

It's not exactly a revelation to hear that members of the fairer sex are more likely to take advice from the Highways Agency and Met Office than men. However, the results of the agency's latest piece of research indicate that, as a nation, we are blasé about driving in inclement conditions in general.

The survey questioned 1,300 road users about the likelihood of them continuing their journey after a severe weather warning. Only 44% of women surveyed said they would ignore the warning, where as a massive 62% of men thought they knew better.

The division of the sexes was not the only interesting result though, as an obvious change in attitude accompanied growing up. In the same question, only 40% of respondents over the age of 65 said they'd continue, where as 65% of the group of 18 to 24-year olds admitted to ignoring such warnings.

Aplins Practical Services Win MOD Contract

In response to senior military figures calling for an urgent cash injection for Britain's Armed Forces Aplins Practical Services has won the MOD contact to refit military vehicles (See above) .

Speaking ahead of the launch, Chief of security in Kingsmead Close, Omar Rawlings said the lack of sufficient resources for the military had become

"A most pressing issue and this type of vehicle should redress the balance. Underfunding of our Armed Forces is already having consequences, both for our overall defence capability and for our forces at the sharp end, which are too thinly spread and being required to go to war with equipment which is often outdated and not fit for purpose."

Local businessman and former resident of Kingsmead Close, Alexander Keay responded " I know the Government has reduced the defence budget to fourpence ha'penny a week, but it's hard to believe that anyone was taken in by this. I used to have a car like that, but I don't remember the rocket in the list of options."

These vehicles will be put through a vigorous test by Martina and Macyla Aplin before be handed over to the MOD.

Wivey 3rds 30 North Petherton 3rds 12

Wivey 3rds arrived at this match to be greeted with the news that North Petherton 2nds had no game and that they had 27 players to contend with.

Playing up the slope in the first half Wivey had the upper hand and dominated the early stages of this game but failed to capitalise with the only score being a Ross Porter penalty. This was a mistake and when North Petherton broke away to score a Converted try to take a 7 - 3 lead, frustration grew especially on the touchline . After many vocal touchline comments, and former skipper Pete Thompson using words so long that most of the participants of this game would not understand them, the referee's patience ran out. The resulting touchline warning seems to spur Wivey on and shortly after Dave Huxtable scored our first try after some good handling. Ross Porter converted and the half time score was 10 -7.

North Petherton made wholesale changed at half time but it seemed to weaken rather than strengthen their team as the second half got underway. Wivey gained the advantage in the scrums and line out with Tommy and Benji Stevens having a outstanding game. Soon after a turnover and good passing by the three quarters Dave Huxtable went over in the corner for his second try. A Ross Porter penalty soon followed making it 18 - 7 and Wivey had a series of chances to increase their lead.Mike Phillips chased a superb kick from Ian Bristow but just failed to ground the ball after running around the North Petherton prop.This long run was too much for mike these days and he was immediately replaced by 50 year old impact substitute Keith Gosling. His introduction was immediate as he broke tackles from the half way line to find himself with no one to beat and an open tryline begging. Unfortunately though only yards from the line he tripped over his own feet reminiscent of the sniper scene in Schindler's List.

Wivey then went to sleep and North Petherton got back into this game with another try after many missed tackles. Wivey bounced back with a try from Mark Bowden putting the score at 23 - 12. Petherton finished the game strongly but after a ruck on the Wivey try line everyone seemed to want to 'exchange opinions' except Ian Bristow who picked up the ball and jogged the full length of the field to score Wivey's final try which he converted.

Great to see that Wivey comradeship there with old and new players alike. All in all an excellent result and a very satisfying afternoon.

Rocky To Return

No - Rocky the Rhino from Disney's "Jungle Book"


Disney’s The Jungle Book is ready to boogie onto DVD, and the studio has released some concept, design and photo art from the Platinum Edition, available from October 2. The images include storyboard art of the “lost character” Rocky-the-Rhino, who is featured in his own DVD bonus feature, plus further details of the release.

Storyboard concepts of the “lost character” Rocky the Rhino were recently discovered at Disney’s Animation Research Library. A key character in The Jungle Book, developed by Walt Disney himself, he never made it to the silver screen. Several possible explanations have been offered by Disney animators over the years, but it is unclear why Rocky never made it into the final film.

Originally intended to be included within Mowgli’s meeting of the four friendly vultures, Walt described Rocky as a “loveable rhinoceros who is half blind and extremely dumb.” Rocky’s personality was brought to life through the casting of veteran actor Frank Fontaine, who was selected to voice this bumbling character.

Line up:

From left to right Tommy Acock, Daryl Smith, Jimmy Beale, Ross Porter, Tony Lockyer, Martin Broome, Mike Philips, Bruce Keay, Rocky, Rob Aplin and Pete Thompson