THE VILLAGER PUBLISHED BY NORMANDY PARISH COUNCIL NORMANDY FLOOD FORUM

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1 NORMANDY FLOOD FORUM The Parish Council recently organised a very successful first meeting of the Normandy Flood Forum. The Forum s aim is to find solutions to the ongoing Flood problems in various parts of Normandy. The meeting, which was very well attended by a large number of villagers, was jointly chaired by our local MP Jonathan Lord and the Chairman of the Parish Council, Peta Malthouse. The Parish Council was successful in getting representatives from the outside agencies to attend that have an interest and responsibility for flooding issues, namely: the Environment Agency, Surrey County Council, Guildford Borough Council, Thames Water and South East Water plus our County Councillor and Parish Councillors. The Parish Council is indebted to Emmanuel Church for making their church hall available for the meeting. Villagers highlighted the flooding problems related to them which have now been formally recorded and will be the subject of more formal scrutiny by all the agencies concerned. It was announced by the Guildford Borough Council representative THE VILLAGER PUBLISHED BY NORMANDY PARISH COUNCIL ISSUE 44 MARCH 2013 that a bid for a 15,000 grant is being prepared for submission to Central Government to prepare a Normandy Flood Management Plan to enable the problem to be properly managed, investigated and resolutions found. In the meantime the outside agencies are meeting with the Parish Clerk to ensure that all flooding incidents are properly recorded to ensure their resolution. The Parish Council cannot, of course, work to resolve the issue of flooding unless villagers provide the Parish Council with up to date information on their particular flood problems. Many residents have given the Parish Clerk information but it is felt that there are more incidents, many ongoing that have not been notified to the Parish Clerk. If you suffer from flooding and have not notified the Parish Clerk please do so as soon as possible. Please provide not only dates and times but if at all possible dated photographs of the incident. Everything you provide will help in building up the true picture of the flooding problems in Normandy and improve the prospects of finding a solution to your personal problem. Information should be passed to the Parish Parish Clerk Lt Col Leslie G A Clarke H: M: or normandyparishcouncil@btconnect.com Website:

2 Clerk on: t.com. The Parish Council has formed a Working Party, comprising the Parish Council Chairman, Councillor Peta Malthouse, and Councillors Alan Cheesman and Pat Tugwell, to drive the project forward. The next meeting will be on 26 Apr 2013 which will include a tour of the affected areas. When you need confidence in the tree services you engage, trust Norris and Gardiner to provide a friendly, professional and fully insured service. We can carry out all your domestic and commercial tree work. Phone: office@norg.co.uk NORMANDY PLANNING ISSUES The Parish Council has recently dealt with, and strongly objected to, two controversial applications both connected with the recycling facilities at or near Chapel Farm with various degrees of success. The first application, and they are both SCC Planning Applications, was in respect of the repairable vehicles at Chapel Farm which sought the retention of the night watchman s caravan. Sadly, despite very strong objections from the Parish Council the application was approved by the SCC Planning Committee. However the Parish Council was more successful with the outcome of the second SCC application that related to an application by 2020 Recycling Ltd to increase activities at their site. This application, again following very strong objections by the Council, was rejected by the SCC Planners. The Parish Council also achieved success with their strong objections to the barn on land north of Green Lane East which was rejected by the GBC Planning Committee. It must, however be remembered, that in both cases where the application has been rejected the applicant has the right to appeal to the Planning Inspector.

3 PARISH PLAN QUESTIONNAIRE RESULTS The results of the recent Parish Plan questionnaire are now on the current Normandy Parish Council website. Thank you to all Villagers who took the time to fill them in and return them. NORMANDY PARISH COUNCIL - ANNUAL ASSEMBLY Please note that the Parish Council Annual Assembly will take place on Monday 27 th May 2013 at at the Normandy Cricket Pavilion, Hunts Hill Road. All residents are invited to attend, in particular all Normandy s Clubs, Societies and Associations to give a report on their year's activities and their plans for the forthcoming year. Last year s Assembly was well attended and we look forward to seeing you again this year. A NEW WEBSITE IS COMING! We are currently creating a new Parish Council website, which will have a fresh, updated look as well as a new format, keeping Villagers informed of all the important meetings, minutes and other relevant information of the Parish Council. We hope to have it up and running in April For the time being, please continue to visit the current website for up to date information:- ormandypc. We will release website address details on the current website in due course. Child Law Partnership family law specialists We offer support and advice for our clients in all areas of family law including: divorce and separation, financial settlement, relationship breakdown, children, adoption, abduction and social services cases Contact: Rita Veitch rita@childlawpartnership.co.uk Telephone: TRADITIONAL FLORA & FAUNA ORCHARD Bill Stanworth has been undertaking an ecological survey of the Traditional Orchard on Normandy Common to help with preparing a management plan. Starting in 2012, he has been recording the plants and animals there. The plant list is almost complete and the number of species is impressive. Amongst the many heath/acid grassland species recorded are Sheeps Sorrel, Heath Bedstraw, Trailing St John s-wort,

4 Gorse and Broom. Although no particularly unusual species have been recorded this survey will provide a useful baseline to monitor how the orchard changes in the future. The Faunal survey has produced a notable list of animals, although it is by no means complete. A reptile tin has been employed during the survey and has already paid off with a number of species seen including Slow-worms and Grass Snake, as well as Wood Mice and Common Shrew. The dead wood habitat, which includes the old cherry tree, is also paying off with the Stag Beetle having been recorded for two years running and the exciting find of the Blackheaded Cardinal Beetle, categorised as Nationally Notable in the Red Data Book. Another Nationally Notable species is Volucella zonaria (see picture) which is one of the largest British hoverflies. This was spotted along with several other species of hoverfly and Red Admiral butterflies on Ivy flowers last October. Despite the poor summer in 2012, eleven species of Butterfly have been recorded. A full report and pictures are on the Parish Council website. FLY TIPPING Fly Tipping spoils our lovely Village and of course if it is not removed quickly encourages others to follow suit and dump even more rubbish. If you come across fly tipping anywhere in the Village which is not on private land, please report it direct to Guildford Borough Council on If it is not removed within 48 hours or the fly tipping is on Parish Council or private land please contact the Parish Clerk, Leslie Clarke on or normandyparishcouncil@btconnect.com. NEW PLAY AREA You might have noticed recently a new play area for older children being erected on Normandy Common, near the Normandy tennis courts on Hunts Hill Road. It is now up and running, with lots for children (approximately 5+ years) to enjoy, such as a zip-wire, table tennis, aerial runway, a four metre space net, trampoline and a climbing wall and much more. It just needs to have the ground laid with tarmac for the street snooker and it will be completely ready. Hopefully with Spring just around the corner and with drier weather, it will be the perfect time to come down and let the children have fun. For now, please do take your

5 wellies, visit the play area and have lots of fun. Please do not let your dogs foul the area. magnificent display of daffodils around the Village which makes it look so nice. Would you like to continue in bringing colour, beauty and joy to our Village? How about volunteering to spend a little of your time planting? The bulbs have been ordered and the Parish Council is seeking new volunteers to carry on with the planting. If you are willing to help, then please contact the Parish Clerk on or normandyparishcouncil@btconnect.com. Alternatively if there is a patch of land near where you live which could benefit from brightening up with pretty flowers (not your own garden) and you are willing to plant some bulbs, again contact the Parish Clerk and the bulbs will be provided. SCHOOL BUS A HOST OF GOLDEN DAFFODILS Spring is almost here and we are looking forward to seeing the A school minibus is being considered to take school children to St Peter s Catholic Secondary School in Merrow as it is believed that a few children attend this school from Normandy. Bus stop details are still to be finalised, however, it is assumed that pick up would be at 7.45am. Due to after school commitments, a return service is not being considered at

6 the moment. Coach minibus services have been contacted to obtain quotes and costs for a daily minibus service from Normandy to St Peters School. If your child attends St Peters and you would be interested in using this bus service or would like further information, please contact Jane Sampson on motion_music@btinternet.com or mobile RICHARD PURCELL (Ex-Inland Revenue) Accountant and Tax Specialist, living in Normandy He can complete your self assessment tax return (from 145) and small business accounts (by quotation). Not Limited Companies please. He offers a prompt personal service at low cost with no added VAT and can provide references from local clients. Contact him on: rp@purcellstuart.co.uk or if you would like some help. THE THERAPY GARDEN 10 facts you might not know about the Therapy Garden: 1. We sell our home grown produce from our Centre and the Doctors Surgery on Glaziers Lane; 2. we have lots of our own cultivated plants on offer; 3. our next and enticing event is a Willow Weaving day on Saturday 27 th April; 4. our lovely centre and gardens can be hired out at very competitive rates!; 5. we have a wonderful new Timber Range on offer which includes bird tables, bird boxes and lady bird ladders, bags of logs for 3.50 and bundles of kindling for 75p; 6. you can support us by becoming a Friend of the TG for just 10.00/year; 7. you can join us on Facebook to keep up to date with our news; 8. Normandy Gardens Open day will be on Sunday 23 rd June 2013 starting from The TG; 9. we have recently been awarded a donation from the Surrey Community Foundation to help develop our conservation programme for our students; and 10. above all, the charity continues to thrive and blossom bringing some of the more vulnerable people in our society a life enhancing experience they may never otherwise have. For further information on any of the above call Penny Capps on or admin@thetherapygarden.org.

7 AUGUST BANK MONDAY HOLIDAY FETE 26 August Manor Fruit Farm The 2013 Village Fete is going to be bigger and better than ever. We need more volunteers to run the Fete and more stall holders. Please call Pat Tugwell on to offer your services to help or have a stall. This year the Fete will hopefully include: Tug of War Competition, (why not make up a team); Tea and Cakes; Ice Cream; Licensed Bar; Photographic Competition; Model Railway Display; Farnham Brass Band; Fun Fair for the Children; Craft Stalls; Baking Competition; Hot Dog Stall and BBQ; Dog Show; Vintage Bus Display; Fun Run; May Pole Dancing; Horse Display; Local Produce. Something for everyone please come along, support the fete and help if you can. MGE BUILDING SOLUTIONS LTD EXTENSION & REFURBISHMENT SPECIALISTS All aspects of construction covered. Design service. Members of the Federation of Master Builders (Membership Number 54444). Recommended, Vetted and Monitored members of Checkatrade.com (Membership Number ). Please contact us to discuss your requirements: or mike@mgebuildingsolutions.co.uk

8 WOULD YOU LIKE TO ADVERTISE IN NORMANDY S THE VILLAGER? If you are a local Normandy business and would like to advertise in The Villager, please contact Leslie Clarke on or normandyparishcouncil@btconnect.co m. THE VILLAGER GOES OUT IN MARCH, JUNE, SEPTEMBER & DECEMBER AND COSTS TO ADVERTISE PER YEAR ARE 25. Please note, these rates are likely to be going up in the Autumn! AND YOUR BUSINESS WILL BE ADVERTISED ON OUR WEBSITE TOO!!! Editor: Anna Beuden or anna.beuden@akonsulting.co.uk Website: Printed by: St Marks Church, Wyke