October 31st Halloween

Grim Halloween
We saw this on Yahoo.
The apparent suicide of a woman found hanging in a tree in the US went ignored for hours because neighbours thought it was a Halloween decoration.

The 42-year-old woman's body was suspended 15 feet from the ground at the side of a busy road in Delaware from Tuesday night, police said.

Locals noticed the body early on Wednesday morning but dismissed it as a Halloween prank.

(Didn't they check their diary? Ed.)

Sweet little Children
No doubt hordes of sweet young children will come to your door demanding their treat or they play a trick on you. As these children grow up they become the spotty faced proto-thugs that demand money and run a key down your car if you don't cough up.

Sounds a lot like blackmail to me and we encourage it??



Events on Monday Night
As far as we can tell the only live music event tonight in the area is the open mic night at the Westgate in Taunton. We do know that many pubs will be running Halloween themed evenings though.

Have fun spooky evening

The Editor

Saturday stuff!

Lots of events on for you to enjoy today.

If you would like to comment on any of our posts then use the comment feature at the bottom of each post or email us at suit_boot@yahoo.co.uk


Live events on Saturday in the West Dorset & South Somerset areas
Live Music TBC @ Hardy's, Bridport
Farfisa @ Green Dragon, Combe St Nicholas
Simon Gee @ Lord Nelson, Norton-s-Hamdon
Little Dixie @ Woods Wine Bar, Yeovil
Rhythm Junkies @ Half Moon, Stoke-s-Hamdon
Memphis 56 @ Labour Club, Yeovil
Rusty Razor @ Bottle Inn, Marshwood
X-Teller @ Swan Inn, Sherborne
Real World @ Nags Head, Lyme Regis
The Riverbrew @ Quicksilver Mail, Yeovil
Live Music TBC @ Westminster
Unforgiven Kingdom @ Royal Oak, Ilminster
Roadhouse @ Ropemakers, Bridport
Seth Lakeman Trio @ David Hall Arts Centre, S.Petherton

Live events in the Taunton & Bridgwater areas
Yanagai! Yanagai! @ Brewhouse Theatre, Taunton
Loza Fitzgibbon @ Bridgwater Arts Centre
Rosie Shaw @ Flying Horse, Taunton
Farfisa @ Green Dragon Combe St Nicholas
Jim Reynolds @ Vintage, Wellington
Cold Shot @ Wellington Football Club
Live Music @ The Westgate, Taunton
Flaggon @ Pen & Quill, Taunton
Excellos @ Old Market, Bridgwater
That'll Do @ Volunteer, Honiton
Silverback @ Hutton Village Hall
Dave Gale @ Green Dragon, Wellington
Les Martin @ Princess Royal, Taunton

Have a great weekend!

The Editor

Freaky Friday, Blair & music

Print edition of magazine out now
The South Somerset & West Dorset edition of the magazine is making its way out to you right now. If you don't yet have your copy it will be with you soon!

Blair is the scariest!
A latex Halloween mask of Tony Blair is more popular than every other ghoulish design, a fancy dress company has said.



The Prime Minister's image has out-sold former gruesome favourites Dead Eye the Pirate and Charlie the Skull. A mask of US President George Bush is the sixth best-selling design, with a scary Margaret Thatcher mask trailing in ninth place, Angels Fancy Dress said.

Just over two-thirds of the 750 online orders for Tony Blair masks were placed by people living in the north of England and Scotland.

What's happening today?

Live events in West Dorset & South Somerset on Friday
Howard’s Alias, Sonic Boom Six, Buzz Kill & Andy Fiction. @ Flicks Bar, Yeovil
Storm @ Plume of Feathers, Sherborne
Ironic @ Poulett Arms, Lopen Head
BJ McCabe @ Quicksilver Mail, Yeovil
The Lost Boys @ Swan Hotel, Crewkerne
Tom Toomey @ Fleur de Lis, Stoke-s-Hamdon
Smith 'n' Moore @ Woods Wine Bar, Yeovil

Live events in Taunton & Bridgwater areas on Friday
Llangoed ~ Brewhouse Theatre, Taunton
Love Letters @ Bridgwater Arts Centre
Live Music @ Malt Shovel Bridgwater
Whisky Position @ The Westgate, Taunton
That'll Do @ Market House, Cullompton
Barracuda @ George Inn, Uffculme
Turnette Doone @ Pen & Quill, Taunton
Elton John Tribute @ Cross Rifles, Bridgwater
Linda Gail Lewis @ Royal British Legion Club, Taunton
Poppa J @ Beam Bridge Hotel
Heart Beats @ Bridgwater Sports & Social Club

A quick reminder that the next edition of Suited and Booted will be the combined December and January monster. To make sure you are in the magazine please send us all your gig information by 17th November!!!

You can email us at suit_boot@yahoo.co.uk

The Editor

Thursday, Games & Music

You thought that those childish games of Rock, Scissor Paper were a waste of time?
A Canadian has been crowned World Rock Paper Scissors champion.

Andrew Bergel, 29, a Toronto lawyer, thrilled his hometown crowd with a winning throw of paper to take the gold medal and the £5,000 first prize. Bergel defeated California student Stan Long, who received £1,000 for his second-place finish.

About 500 competitors took part from as far away as Australia, New Zealand, Norway, the United Kingdom, as well as 26 US states and five provinces.

Those of you who are wondering about a Spoof championship need wonder no more. The current world Champion is famed Chef Marco Pierre White.

What about the music?

Live events in West Dorset & South Somerset today
Zoe Schwarz & Rob Koral @ Jazz Café Fleur, Canford Cliffs, Poole
Krays @ Harry's Bar, Yeovil


The Krays pictured here at the Half Moon in Stoke sub Hamdon

Live Music TBC @ Porter Blacks, Yeovil
Jam Night @ Woods Wine Bar, Yeovil
Ian Kenna (the man behind Rob E Williams) @ Phoenix Hotel, Chard
Dodgy Jammers @ Choughs Hotel, Chard

Live events in Taunton & Bridgwater areas today
Lazy River @ The Cross Keys, Norton Fitzwarren
Heather Christian @ Bar 27, Bridgwater
Jive Inn @ Chesnut Tree Club
Ritz Acoustic Club @ Burnham On Sea
Louis & The Iguanas @ Royal British Legion Club, Taunton

Have a great day!

The Editor

November gigs now downloadable

You can now download the November gig list for West Dorset and South Somerset as a PDF file by pointing your browser to http://www.suit-boot.co.uk/yeovil-gig-diarynov05.pdf.

Yes it is a bit of an eye chart, but we figure that you deserve as much information as we can give. Perhaps we ought to start selling magnifying glasses!

This seems at the moment to work better with Internet Explorer than Mozilla as a browser, if you have any ideas why we would be pleased to hear them!

The Arts pages will follow soon as will the pages for the Taunton & Bridgwater areas.

The Editor

Wednesday: music, cookies & motion 'on the job'

Has the world gone mad part 437 - Toy car, cookie prompt bomb scare at S.Diego
LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - A toy car and a cookie prompted a bomb scare at San Diego airport on Tuesday when they were mistaken for possible bomb-making parts in a passenger's luggage.

Officials closed the commuter terminal at San Diego International Airport and evacuated passengers for about an hour after baggage screeners using X-ray equipment raised a red flag.
"Both of those items together on the screen gave the appearance of an ... improvised explosive device," Transport Security Administration spokeswoman Jennifer Peppin said.

Bloody dangerous those chocolate chip cookies....they put inches on your waistline.

What's happening today?

Live events in West Dorset & South Somerset today
Tom Toomey @ Harry's Bar, Yeovil
The Talent @ Chicago Rock Café, Yeovil

Live events in Taunton & Bridgwater areas
Modern Jive @ Royal British Legion Club, Taunton

Caution: motion on the job can make you sick!
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Early nerve damage caused by repetitive motion on the job (we can't quite believe Reuters wrote that phrase!) can cause "sick worker" syndrome, a fatigue or depression that can be mistaken for poor work performance, according to a study published in this month's Journal of Neuroimmunology.

The study done on rats found that nerve injuries caused by low-force, highly repetitive movement -- common to typists, pianists and meatpackers, among other professions -- can be blamed on increased production of proteins known as cytokines.

Blimey and all this time we had assumed that Government Ministers who didn't seem to do much were just lazy bastards. It turns out that they are just avoiding on the job repetitive motion and so saving us taxpayers from having to pay sick pay!

This will soon no doubt become a slackers charter, "sorry boss, couldn't come to work today, cytokines was gettin' me down."

The Editor

Tuesday Music & video pods

Well good news! The November edition of Suited and Booted is now at the printers to have their magic weaved over it. A simple computer file is turned into around 185Kg or 406lbs weight of printed paper.

pornPod
The new Apple video iPod has already been turned into the pornPod! 'Adult' content providers are rushing to supply downloadable content suitable for the new device. But, call us old fashioned if you like but won't a 40 incg double D cup breast look something less than it best on a 2.5 inch screen?

Live music in West Dorset & South Somerset on Tuesday
Luke Daniels & Jonathan Preiss @ St Michael's Church, Axmouth
Jam Night @ Antelope, Crewkerne
Acoustic Jam Night @ Green Dragon Combe St Nicholas
Aquabats, Never Heard Of It, Sonic Boom Six & Not Your Heroe @ Flicks Bar, Yeovil

Live events in Taunton & Bridgwater areas on Tuesday
Forever in blue jeans @ Brewhouse Theatre, Taunton (till 26th)
Acoustic Jam Night @ Green Dragon Combe St Nicholas

More stuff later!

The Editor

Homer makes men of the decade list!

From Homer Simpson to Bob Geldof, 10 famous males have been named the Men of the Decade.
TV chef Jamie Oliver, England manager Sven Goran Eriksson and cyclist Lance Armstrong are included on the list, as are writer Ian McEwan and Blur singer Damon Albarn.
The Top 10 was compiled by a panel of experts for magazine Men's Health to celebrate its 10th anniversary.



Each man represents a different area of expertise, including sport, music and design.
Designer Sir Paul Smith, iPod creator Jonathan Ive and geneticist Craig Venter complete the list.

"These are people of real substance and solid achievement rather than temporary fame," said Men's Health editor Morgan Rees.

"The people on our list have used their talents to change the world around them, rather than just to draw attention to themselves.

"We were particularly pleased to see Homer Simpson on the list.
"He has taught a whole generation how to take on the challenge of modern fatherhood and win - although not always with honour."

Top 10 Men of the Decade: Philosopher: Homer Simpson; Sportsman: Lance Armstrong; Visionary: Jonathan Ive; Designer: Sir Paul Smith; Manager: Sven Goran Eriksson; Activist: Bob Geldof; Writer: Ian McEwan; Musician: Damon Albarn; Chef: Jamie Oliver; Scientist: Craig Venter.

Doh!

The Editor

Apple sued over iPOD Nano

If you have recently purchased an iPod Nano than this may be of interest.



Apparently the plastic of the case scratchs very easily and one of the one million iPod customers has launched a class action against Apple.

Follow the link in the headline above for more details.

The Editor

Excercise

New exercise routine if you're over 50. You might want to take it easy
at first, then do it faster as you become more proficient.

It may be too strenuous for some.
Always consult your doctor before starting any exercise program!

SCROLL DOWN


















NOW SCROLL UP..
That's enough for the first day. Great job.
Have a wine!!!

The Editor

Saturday

There are a fanstastic number of gigs tonight so there ought to be something for just about everyone!

Did you hear on the news that a parrot had died of avian flu?
Not one mention of Monty Python! Not a single reference to a Norwegian Blue!
"It's not dead it's resting"

Live events in West Dorset & South Somerset today
Racey @ Old Barn Club, Yeovil
Live Music TBC @ Woods Wine Bar, Yeovil
Mark S. @ Railway Hotel, Yeovil
Design @ Labour Club, Yeovil
Tom Toomey @ Bakers Arms, Martock
Alias @ Half Moon, Stoke-s-Hamdon
Stranglers with Chapter Xiii @ Westland Leisure Complex, Yeovil
Back Street Blues @ Barrington Oak, Barrington
Clams @ Hardy's, Bridport
The Relics @ Nags Head, Lyme Regis
Gothic Chicken (Ladyboys!) @ Ropemakers, Bridport
John Renbourn @ St Michael's Church, Axmouth

Live events in Taunton & Bridgwater areas
Hood @ Brewhouse Theatre, Taunton
Jason Toft @ Flying Horse, Taunton
Ann Clancey @ Princesss Royal, Taunton
Cover Up @ Vintage, Wellington
Remedy @ The Westgate, Taunton
Snappa @ The Pen & Quill, Taunton
Brenny @ Green Dragon, Wellington
Voodoo Moon @ Rockers Live, Taunton

Voodoo Moon forget to set the flash on their new digital camera

Killing Time @ Old Market, Bridgwater
Thunder Bridge Boys @ Wellington Arts Centre

Have a fun day

The Editor

David Hall Arts Centre to close?

We had this information come in this evening about the David Hall Arts Centre in South Petherton.

SSDC GETS 400 LETTERS OF PETITION TO KEEP THE DAVID HALL

Over 380 letters of petition asking South Somerset District Council to re-think its decision to cut all funding to The David Hall Arts Centre in South Petherton are being handed over tonight (Thursday, 20th October) to a full meeting of the Council.

Supporters of The David Hall have also sent letters directly to SSDC and all will be considered at a future meeting. The District Council's annual contribution of £10,477 per annum is the Hall's only source of public funding and represents almost half of its essential running costs. The grant will be withdrawn after April 2006 and this loss of income means that the future of The David Hall's is in peril. Cliff Keating, Chairman of Petherton Arts Trust (PAT), which owns and runs the Grade II listed building in the centre of South Petherton, said that the Trustees, staff and volunteers were all delighted with the support they are receiving to encourage the SSDC to change its mind. "Our hope is that the Council will now rethink its stance and continue to fund us as before. At worst, we hope for a reduction in revenue, rather than no grant at all," he explained.

The organisation put out an appeal for help in petitioning the Council as soon as news of the cut was announced in June. This was followed by an Open Day and Public Meeting at the Hall in July, when numerous individuals came forward with offers of assistance - including fundraising ideas and practical help. Some of the Hall's best known performers - including Phil Beer of Show of Hands fame, and acoustic guitarist Gordon Giltrap - also offered support via fundraising gigs."If the SSDC withdraws all its funding we shall have to find another £10,500 each year on top of the £250,000-plus we need to find to refurbish the building. This would add a considerable burden to our abilities to raise funds - and not having the support of our District Council could be detrimental to our bids for contributions from other funding organisations," Mr Keating said. "It is our plan to become self-sufficient over the next few years but if the SSDC withdraws its full annual grant next April, it may well mean that the Hall will have to close."

PAT has also provided relevant officers at SSDC with copies of its Business Plan. This details the Trust's vision for the future of The David Hall, and its plan of action to raise the money needed to refurbish the building. Meanwhile, with the current season's events underway, PAT is busy putting together a new programme, to run from January to the end of April 2006. "Although The David Hall is particularly well known for its folk/roots/world-music events - which are the envy of many larger venues - we are scheduling a varied and extensive spring programme, offering something for everyone interested in the performing arts," said Mr Keating.

Event details can be obtained by phoning 01460 240 340 or by visiting www.thedavidhall.org.uk

The Editor

Thursday music & Astrologer Lives after predicting death!

Do you believe in astrology? Then check this out.

Indian astrologer lives after predicting own death

BHOPAL, India (Reuters) - Hundreds of people flocked to a village in central India on Thursday to see if an astrologer who forecast his own death would indeed die as predicted.
But the 75-year-old man survived the day.

Kunjilal Malviya, who lives south of the Madhya Pradesh state capital Bhopal, had been meditating in his house after announcing he would die on Thursday between 3 p.m. and 5 p.m (10:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. British time).

A police official confirmed the astrologer was fine and quoted his family members as saying the prediction failed because many of those gathered had prayed for him to live.

For the full story go here.
http://uk.news.yahoo.com/20102005/80/indian-astrologer-lives-predicting-own-death.html

Live music in South Somerset & West Dorset
Snakes @ Choughs Hotel, Chard
Crazy 88 @ Harry's Bar, Yeovil
Breeze @ Phoenix Hotel, Chard
Howling at the Moon @ Porter Blacks, Yeovil
Jam Night @ Woods Wine Bar, Yeovil

Live music in Taunton & Bridgwater areas
Jam Session @ George Inn, Uffculme
Jazz Jam Session @ Bar27, Bridgwater
Jive Inn @ Chesnut Tree Club
Ritz Acoustic Club @ Burnham on Sea

If there is anyone out there who has not sent in their gig information then please do it now! The magazine is being put together for November even as this is being typed!

The Editor

Pythons & music

There's a Python in my...
This piece from the Press Assosciation caught our eye. A 10ft snake thought to have been living in sewage pipes in a block of flats for three months has been caught.

The 10ft boa constrictor, named Keith, is thought to have been abandoned after its owner was evicted after owing £5,500 in rent to his landlord. The huge snake has been slithering out of toilet bowls throughout a block of flats since August and could have been left in revenge following the eviction.

The creature has been spotted on several occasions, but no-one has had the courage to try and catch it. Terrified homeowners have been forced to put bricks on toilet seats in a bid to keep the beast from popping out of the pan.

Live events in South Somerset & West Dorset
On The Nod @ Harry's Bar, Yeovil
Infantasia @ Chicago Rock Café, Yeovil

Live events in the Taunton & Bridgwater areas
Barron Knights @ Brewhouse Theatre, Taunton
Asere @ Bridgwater Arts Centre
Modern Jove @ Royal British Legion, Taunton

Look out for Pythons!

The Editor

Guitar for sale

FOR SALE:Tanglewood AJ850LE

12-string acoustic, left-hand guitar. Machine heads, 2-con pick-up. Pristine condition, unplayed, selling due to hand injury. Cost £229, absolute bargain at £90 [collected] or £100 [delivered]. Photos / further details available by email from paultomal@yahoo.co.uk '

The Editor

Tuesday; music & underwear!

Stinky underwear a thing of the past!
Stinky underwear could soon be consigned to the dustbin of history, thanks to the invention of what manufacturers claim are the first "pong-proof pants".

Tiny fragments of silver woven into the North Face briefs help stop bacteria multiplying, meaning they can be worn again and again without getting smelly.

Even the oldest trick in the book for those concerned about causing a stench - turning underwear inside outside (actually the thought is turning my stomach over Ed.) out before wearing it for a second day - is rendered unnecessary, the company says. The way the material is woven also helps resist malodorous microbes and mildew.

Live events in West Dorset & South Somerset
Open Mic / Jam Night @ Antelope, Crewkerne
The Case of the frightened Lady @ Octagon Theatre, Yeovil (unith 22nd)

Live events in Taunton & Bridgwater areas
Sakoba @ Brewhouse Theatre, Taunton
Napper & Bliss @ Racehorse, Taunton



Have fun!

The Editor

Pack Monday Fair, music & Marine Theatre meeting

Pack Monday Fair in Sherborne today
Pack Monday Fair is an annual event held on the first Monday after 10th October, old Michaelmas Day, this year to be held on 17th October (today!)

It is thought that the name is a corruption of the word "pact" as this was the time of the year that new agreements were made between farmers and labourers taken on for casual employment.

St John's Almhouse in Sherborne

It is no longer an agricultural fair, but the main streets still fill up with traders and food stalls, from 9am until late in the evening. A funfair is also held on the edge of town.

Live music in South Somerset & West Dorset
Lewis 'Sound of the Suburbs' @ Swan Inn, Sherborne

Live music in Taunton & Bridgwater areas
Open Mic Night @ The Westgate, Taunton

Marine Theatre Lyme Regis public meeting
A public meeting to discuss the future of the Marine Theatre as part of the cultural quarter development is being held tonight. The theatre, which has had a variety of uses throughout its life, is in need of refurbishment and keeping the building in a good state of repair is an ongoing battle.


It is a fantastic arts and music venue, in an area that has few other local performance arts resources. Its importance to the community at large would be difficult to overstate as it also hosts a huge variety of functions throughout the year; from collecters fairs all the way to wedding receptions.

Event Date: 17/10/2005
Venue: Marine Theatre
Address details: Church Street LYME REGIS DT 7 3BS
Opening times: 7.00pm


We made a short video about the Marine Theatre a while ago and you can download it from here. The file is about 2 Megabytes in size.

Have a great Monday!

The Editor

Music, Flu & Eric Clapton

A quick reminder of the November deadlines.
The South Somerset & West Dorset edition deadline is the 19th October whilst for the Taunton & Bridgwater edition it is midday on the 21st October.

Thank you to every one who has already sent in their information.
You can do the same by emailing:
suit_boot@yahoo.co.uk for South Somerset & West Dorset

or

member@scoop100.fsnet.co.uk For the Taunton & Bridgwater areas


Live music this evening in South Somerset & West Dorset
Crack @ Porter Blacks, Yeovil
Vinyl Monkeys @ Three Compasses, Charminster
The Wildcards @ Bell Inn, Ash

Live music in Taunton & Bridgwater areas
Flatland Boogie Band @ Old Market Bridgwater

Bollocks from the Government
Every now and again a Government or quasi Government spokesperson does their best to whip up some mass hysteria. Today it concerns Bird Flu; see below.

Birdflu could kill 50,000 Britons - gov't adviser LONDON (Reuters)
Britain is braced for a pandemic of birdflu which could result in at least 50,000 deaths throughout the country, the government's chief medical officer Liam Donaldson said on Sunday.

His comments followed laboratory test results on Saturday which showed the same deadly H5N1 strain of bird flu as that found in Turkey and Asia had infected ducks in Romania, confirming the virus had reached mainland Europe.

Woh Neddy; let's just stop there for a moment shall we?
In one of the worlds most populated countries with a population of approximately 1.3Billion people; China this strain of Flu killed...60 people.

Now, any death is of course a personal tragedy for those concerned and the UK has more than its fair share of Flu related deaths each year but this sounds like scare mongering. What's more, there is no vaccine for this avian Flu strain, all the Doctors can do is treat you with anti-virals if you get the infection.

Call us cynical if you like but we wonder who has something to gain by making lots of noise about the number of people who may die from this Flu strain.

Eric Clapton tell his life story
NEW YORK (Reuters) - Eric Clapton will follow musicians Bob Dylan and Sting with a book about his life, telling of his 40 years as the top rock and blues guitarist of his age in which he went "to hell and back", publisher Doubleday said on Thursday.


Doubleday in the United States, and Century in Britain, both owned by Bertelsmann AG said they would jointly publish the book in spring 2007 and paid Clapton a "substantial advance."
ADVERTISEMENT Trade industry sources said the advance was between $4 million (2.3 million pounds) and $6 million.

Clapton will talk openly about his life, including the death of his child in a tragic fall from a New York apartment and his raucous years in the rock world, said Doubleday spokesman David Drake.



Enjoy the rest of your weekend!
The Editor

Video iPods, music & knickers

This week saw Apple launch their new video iPod player. You will be able to download video clips from the itunes store for $1.99 each to view on your new toy.


That sounds great; on the other hand the screen is only about 3 inches across so there is going to be a bit of sqinting involved if you want to watch sports games!

Steve Jobs CEO of Apple

Live music for Friday night!

Live music in South Somerset & West Dorset areas
Diamondogz @ Grove Nightclub, Seaton

Those Glam Rockers Diamondogz ready for another night of party action in Seaton!

Rock 'n' Roll Charity Night for Air Ambulance @ Labour Club, Yeovil
Little Dixie @ Woods Wine Bar, Yeovil
Da Blues @ Hope & Anchor, Bridport
Aiden, Captain Everything, Farcue, Dead Glamour Girl & 'Mystery Act' @ Flicks Bar, Yeovil
Dave Green Poulett Arms, Lopen Head
Mojo @ Plume of Feathers, Sherborne
Mr Darcy @ Quicksilver Mail, Yeovil
Looper @ Swan Hotel, Crewkerne
Karma Train @ Green Dragon, Combe St Nicholas
Crawfish support from Circle Blues Band @ Square & Compass, Windmill Hill, Ashill
Skinful @ Fleur de Lis, Stoke-s-Hamdon

Live music in Taunton & Bridgwater areas
Linda Marlow @ Brewhouse Theatre, Taunton
Julie Felix @ Bridgwater Arts Centre
Dodgy Jammers @ Malt Shovel, Bridgwater
Karma Train @ Green Dragon, Combe St Nicholas
Snakes @ The Westgate, Taunton
Thick As Thieves @ Pen & Quill, Taunton
Wyvern Club Beer Festival, Taunton (until 23rd)
That'll Do @ Cross Rifles, Bridgwater
The Blues Band @ SCAT Atrium
Jive/Rock 'n' Roll @ Taunton R 'n' R Club

Women say knickers to g-strings
LONDON (Reuters) - Women are deserting g-strings in favour of more substantial undergarments, while bra sales are busting all expectations as ladies grow larger.

Consumer research group Mintel said on Wednesday that spending on thongs has fallen 14 percent since 2003, meaning that the minimalist undies on show above waistbands everywhere now account for fewer than one in four of women's undergarments sold on the 388 million-pound UK knickers market.

Instead, women are opting for boy shorts, maxi pants or French knickers, Mintel suggested, adding that the "control bottom" sector was also in good shape.

We blame Bridgit Jones and her extremely large knickers!

The Editor

Chard hosts Trafalgar 200 celebrations

CHARD TOWN COUNCIL HOLDS TRAFALGAR CELEBRATIONS

An invitation to celebrate the 200th anniversary of the Battle of Trafalgar and everyone is welcome!

On Sunday 23rd October 2005 the Beacon at Crowshute Chard will be ceremoniously lit at 6.30 pm to mark this momentous occasion whilst London celebrates in Trafalgar Square.

With the Beacon ablaze and after a short address the festivities will continue in the Guildhall Chard from 7.30 pm.

The Guildhall will be host to a free community event, a reverie of entertainment with a nautical theme of songs, playlets, readings and music. Chard Concert Brass will lead the Finale with traditional music, singing and flag waving.

Refreshments will be available and there will be a bar on board too! Entrance is free however donations will be accepted and all proceeds go to the RNLI.

So, as Councillor Martin Wale, the Chairman of the Guildhall and Tourism Committee, so aptly quotes "Don't miss the boat" and everyone is invited to what we hope will be a most enjoyable and edifying evening

For more details please contact:
Chard Town Council
Holyrood Lace Mill,
Holyrood Street
Chard, TA20 2YA
Contact: Sally Bing
Telephone: 01460 260378
FAX: 01460260372

The Editor