Market at risk if farmers break rules

THE West’s biggest agricultural market has urged farmers and livestock buyers to comply with coronavirus regulations or it risks being closed down.

Inspectors from Sedgemoor District Council were dismayed by some of the behaviour they saw when they attended the sales ring at Sedgemoor Auction Centre last week.

The livestock market, which is based at Junction 24 of the M5 near Bridgwater in Somerset, has several sales days per week and attracts farmers from across the region.

Despite the necessary procedures being put in place by the market, inspectors said not all attendees were following the regulations.

And this week the district council informed the market – which is operated by Greenslade Taylor Hunt (GTH) – that it would consider issuing a ‘prohibition notice’ that could temporarily close the market if compliance with mask wearing and social distancing regulations was not improved.

On its website, GTH said Sedgemoor District Council had written to it on Tuesday, February 9 advising that if compliance with correct mask wearing is not undertaken it would consider the issue of a Prohibition Notice.

It added: “This is a very serious situation. It has been identified that ‘a significant number of attendees do not wear a face covering pulled up over their nose and mouth and some not at all’.”

GTH has urged all attendees at the market to comply with the regulations on mask wearing, distancing and regularly sanitising.

It said: “Please, if you want this market to remain open it is essential attendees follow our Covid rules.” It reminded vendors to ‘drop and go’ by unloading stock, passing over paperwork and to then go home without watching the auction..

FOUR schools in Devon and Cornwall are to become Teaching School Hubs delivering expert teacher training and development to other teachers across the two counties.

Kingsbridge Academy in Kingsbridge, Colyton Grammar School in Colyford, Trenance Learning Academy in Newquay and the Roseland Academy in Tregony are among 11 schools across the South West granted the new status as part of a government initiative.

Nationally 87 hubs have been created as part of a £65 million investment designed to provide professional development to teachers at all stages of their careers, as well as giving extra support to trainee teachers as they start in the classroom.

The Teaching Hubs will begin operation from the new school year in September.

School Standards Minister Nick Gibb said: “We know teachers are already providing the best education possible for pupils, and this is especially true while schools are closed to most pupils.

“These new Teaching School Hubs will further support the profession by providing the best possible training and development opportunities.

“It is important that teachers and school leaders feel supported in their career.

“The hubs will make this substantially easier, with expert practitioners able to give experienced advice to those schools able to benefit from it.”

The initiative is part of the Government’s levelling up agenda to improve outcomes for school pupils all across the UK and prevent some regions from falling behind.

In a statement the Conservative Party said: “This will further level up the quality of teaching, allowing every child to receive a world-class start in life no matter where they are born.”

Each hub will have its own defined geographical patch, serving around 250 schools on average. Once the hubs operational it will mean there will be nationwide coverage in support for the development of teachers with every school in England having access to a centre of excellence.

Richard Gill, Teaching School Council chair, said: “The work of the TSC has been instrumental in supporting this programme to date and we are proud to be the sector body that will continue to be a key partner in these reforms.” Ministers said they were committed to support teachers are every stage of their careers and helping them expand their knowledge and skills.