Parish Council News. Autumn 2014 Issue 48. WW1 Centenary Commemorations

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1 Parish Council News Chairman Mrs. Wendy Jennings Clerk to F.P.C. Stephen Beck Office mailto: We are sorry to report the death of 91 year old Ellis Bevan MBE who served as a parish councillor for Blythe Bridge from 1955 to During this period he also served as a Stafford Borough Councillor (Fulford Ward), a Stoke-on-Trent City Councillor, Mayor of Stafford Borough and Lord Mayor of Stoke, as well as holding office in other positions in his business and community life. He will be well remembered for leading the successful campaign to save Longton Town Hall in the 1980s. The MBE awarded to him in 2010 was in recognition of his considerable service to the community and public life. WW1 Centenary Commemorations The Parish Council has been considering how the parish might become involved in the WW1 Commemoration events and up to now the following has been agreed: 20 ceramic poppies from the Blood Swept Lands and Seas of Red currently planted in the Tower of London moat this summer have been purchased and will be displayed at the memorial at Fulford Parish Church. The purchase will support the work of six charities, Combat Stress, Coming Home, Help for Heroes, the Royal British Legion, SSAFA and the Confederation of Service Charities (Cobseo). The significance of the vital work that these charities provide is especially poignant as we mark the centenary of the First World War and remember all those who lived and fought during this time. It is hoped that over the next 12 months it will be possible to take the poppies around 1

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3 the primary schools in the parish to allow schoolchildren to see them. A small poppy field is to be created beside Meir Heath & Rough Close village hall. If anyone has any other suggestions to mark this important event please contact your Parish councillor or the Clerk. Voluntary Car Scheme Voluntary Car Schemes operate in many parts of the County and across the country, however no such scheme is currently running in Fulford parish. The Parish Council recently received a presentation on the scheme from the County Council Local Transport Co-ordinator and would, in the first instance, like to hear from any parishioners who might be interested in participating in a scheme. In brief a Voluntary Car Scheme is an organised form of car sharing, which uses a pool of voluntary drivers to take eligible people under the schemes constitution on pre-arranged journeys. The drivers use their own cars and their expenses are reimbursed on a mileage basis. If anyone is interested in finding out more and/or would like to be involved please contact the Clerk. Parish Councillor Vacancy A vacancy currently exists for a Parish Councillor to represent the Blythe Bridge ward of the parish. Any individual coopted onto the Council would remain on the council until the next local government elections in May If you are interested please contact the Clerk. Finally a plea regarding hedges At this time of the year hedges grow particularly quickly and many people are trimming their own hedges back. The Parish Council have had a few complaints regarding hedges overgrowing onto the highway, therefore if you own a hedge that backs onto the highway could you please try and cut back both sides of the hedge so that footpaths are kept clear. 3

4 Richard Mycock Mrs. L. McPherson Kath Brayford VACANCY Blythe Bridge Ward News Shirley Wheat Parking We have more complaints about parking at school times than at any other time. Please park with care and consideration for other road users especially in Ridgway Drive and Sutherland Crescent. Please do not park on the grass verges, it makes such a mess when the wet weather is here, spoils the look of the area. Please use the litter bins provided to put litter in. Estate walk about Thursday 13th November 10 am, meet at Mayfield Drive car park, staff from SARH and partners (Greenfingers, police) will be available to answer any questions or problems you may have. Blythe Lodge has vacancies in the flats for the over 55 s, anyone interested please telephone You First at Stafford and Rural Homes and arrange to have a viewing. Stallington Road Speeding is an ongoing problem. Please keep your speed to a reasonable level as school children use this road to walk to school as do cyclist and walkers. A Speedwatch team is active along this route. 4 A REFUSE LORRY will next be available for the collection of household items between on Mayfield Drive, Blythe Bridge 27th Sept. Springcroft School The children were very busy right up to the end of the summer term.

5 Some of the highlights were: a very successful and enjoyable Sports Day, as well as the different year groups enjoying trips to a wide variety of places including the Churnet Valley Railway and Birmingham Symphony Hall to mention but two. saw - well focused children who delight in learning and are proud of their school. As a new academic year begins Springcroft welcomes all newcomers into the school family. The group of parents responsible for fundraising have done really well this year raising money to purchase the play equipment on the infant playground. They are now well on the way to purchasing junior playground resources. Many thanks to all concerned. On June 27th members of every local school gathered at the War Memorial in Blythe Bridge to remember the start of World War 1. Simultaneously, each school held it s own service and blew out a candle at 11am to represent the lights going out all over Europe. Art work has been on display in Blythe Bridge library to commemorate the occasion. HMI visited Springcroft in July and were duly impressed by what they 5

6 Martin Oxby Steven Evans Tony Holmes Fulford Ward News Frank Colclough Planning The proposed change of use of the ex Stallington Hospital sports fields on Fulford Lane to equestrian use and the erection of five stables and construction of hardstanding at the front of the stables was objected to by the Parish Council as it is contrary to the Borough Council s local plan as regards to the retention and protection of sports facilities. Unfortunately, Sport England had no objection as they considered that the site is surplus to the requirement of playing pitches. The application was approved for private use and not to be used for a commercial business purpose. Fulford Village Hall The Village Hall continues to be a fantastic resource for the village. Refitting of both kitchens has taken place with support from the County Councillor and Fulford Parish Council. The Fulford and District Community First Responders with help from the Rotary Club and local people have raised the funds for a defibrillator which is now installed on the outside of the VH to the left of the front door. Awareness and training sessions have been held. A busy end of the Summer Term saw all the children of Fulford Primary School perform their annual concert at the Village Hall where they also held their end of year awards celebration. Baulk Lane This lane is the worst area abused in terms of dog mess. The BKV team have posted penalty notices and stencilled the route. BUS SERVICE 4 - use it or lose it! The 249 service through Fulford was merged with the 250 in April and operates 6

7 between Longton and Stone via Rough Close and Oulton; this is now renumbered as Bennetts Service 4. The service times have again been changed from 1st September and it no longer serves Hilderstone or Moddershall. Superfast Broadband BT Openreach has upgraded the Blythe Bridge exchange with superfast fibre technology and this is now being deployed to areas of Blythe Bridge and Meir Heath. by hundreds of local residents who enjoyed performances by local artists and visiting musicians. These included local young talent and an impromptu ukulele workshop. The funding for this event came from income and donations on the day, Our Big Gig funding, local sponsors, with the Parish Council covering the shortfall. A REFUSE LORRY will next be available for the collection of household items between on Fulford Village Hall car park on 20th September. Frustrating to hear that Blackshaw Moor with 150 premises now has access to the faster fibre broadband, whilst the most optimistic date for the availability in Fulford under the Staffordshire Superfast Broadband project has a start date in 2015: BKV Fulford has again achieved Highly Commended in the Best Kept Village competition thanks to efforts all around the village, including the Primary School with the poster competition. The judges detailed comments will be available in October. Please keep your efforts up all through the year! The free FULFEST annual music festival was again held on the Village Green in July attended 7

8 Howard Monks Barry Shaw Roy Taylor Angela Noblett Mrs Carol Baskin Meir Heath Ward News State of Grass Verges - Grindley Lane [update] Proposals to prevent vehicles driving onto the verges, in the worst affected areas, are being considered. This action could be expensive, may not solve the problem entirely and could cause some traffic problems. However, we believe that a more effective solution would be for the County Council to compel those guilty of badly damaging the grass verges, contractors or residents, to repair / reinstate them. At the time of writing we are awaiting a meeting with the County Council (Highways) and our County Councillor (Ian Parry) to discuss this issue. We will report the outcome of the meeting in the next Newsletter. Grindley Park The new toddlers play area was being well used during the good summer weather, 8 and the positive feedback from parents/ grandparents is welcomed. We are in the process of providing additional seating to complement this new facility, one bench to be sited within the play area, and another outside the fenced area. Meir Heath Windmill Group You will see the (last) report of the group in this issue. We would like to thank Gill Swift and the Group members for all the sterling work they have put into this venture: persuading the previous owners to allow the work to go ahead, fund raising, and having the stamina to see the job through. We hope you will agree with us that the now splendid looking mill is justification for all their hard work. A REFUSE LORRY will next be available for the collection of household items between on Common Lane, Rough Close 4th Oct.

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10 Andrew Lovatt Gareth Brunt Mrs. Wendy Jennings Rough Close Ward News The site on Windmill Hill between West View and Windmill Close has now matured very attractively. It is difficult to recall just how overgrown and shabby it was only a year ago. While the landscaping was undertaken by a contractor and the seat and stepping stones fitted by the Parish Council s handy-man, huge thanks must go to Angela Noblett for all the planting. This has made the site a far nicer welcome to our village and we are all very grateful to her for her hard work. Grass verges throughout the village have recently been trimmed back. Little Lane was missed initially but this is now completed. Grids around the village have also been a cause for concern. To our knowledge the problem ones have been attended to. However, if there are any that still require attention please let us know. Your Parish Councillors and the Parish Clerk will be happy to deal with this issue. 10 THE COMMON: The good news with regard to the common is that the heather, in recent years plentiful on the top common, is making a remarkable come back on the bottom common now thanks to the Red Poll cattle. The scent from this is particularly noticeable in the evening. Unfortunately it s not all good news. A very invasive plant can be clearly seen to have invaded the pond. Known as Water Soldier, this is problematic, not only because it spoils the visual effect of the pond but because it takes a lot of oxygen from the water; causing problems to both fish and other life forms which live in the pond. While it is unlikely that the plant was maliciously added to the pond, it is nevertheless true that its presence there can only be a direct result of it having been dumped there or added to the water in error by someone. This will have to be removed to save the pond. This work will be

11 undertaken by Stafford Borough Council s Bio-diversity officer and the Parish Council. Please DO NOT add anything to the pond, no matter how harmless you may believe it to be. The pond has its own delicate ecosystem and any damage can have massive negative effects. FORTHCOMING EVENTS: An event to reduce the gorse on the common, which must be done annually, is to take place in October. Please look on the parish noticeboards for the date of the next Gorse Grab. Volunteers of all ages are welcome. The last such event was a lot of fun and a great success. Finally, the next meeting of The Friends of the Common group will be in the Parish Office at 7pm on Thursday 16th October Please come along and help to safeguard our wonderful local nature reserve. 11

12 YOUR LOCAL SECURITY COMPANY ESTABLISHED 34 YEARS Free Service on Any Alarm System This magazine is delivered to over 2500 homes in the parish. If you would like to advertise, please contact the Parish Clerk. Rates are from 20 to 80 per issue. 12

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15 Blythe Bridge Library There are no plans to close the library. Instead the County Council is asking residents how they see the library working in the future. Over several years the number of people who use libraries has declined. As more people access information or read using new technology, traditional formats such as libraries are less popular. Never-the-less we all love libraries, even though we rarely go there. So the question is, given that they cost a lot to keep going, how can we make better use of them? Is anyone willing to help by getting involved in running them and what does the library of the future look like? Please take part in the public consultation that is currently running. I love libraries too! Grindley Lane verges The problem of damaged grass verges on Grindley Lane has been a problem for many years. It has been difficult to resolve due to a variety of reasons. I am working with the Parish Council to see if we can create a protected verge scheme that will hopefully enhance the visual and environmental aspect of the lane. Hopefully, there will be a consultation with residents later this year. More jobs and growth for Staffordshire The County Council has secured over 80M in funding to build new infrastructure that will support business growth across the county including Meaford and Uttoxeter. This is the biggest capital investment we have ever made in the County s future economy. Staffordshire continues to have the lowest unemployment rate in the region and one of the lowest in the country. Pothole Zapping I know we cannot fix every pothole and that continues to frustrate us, but as part of a fresh initiative we have invested in new technology to repair potholes more quickly and effectively. You may have seen the new Roadmaster repairing machine in action. Repair teams are now fixing defects at the rate of 400 every week as part of an additional 2.1M investment in our highways. Commemorating the Great War This area, like all communities across Staffordshire, is remembering the First World War. There are a number of events, sources of information and exhibitions organised by the County Council if you would like to know more. A dedicated Staffordshire Great 15

16 War website has been set up at staffordshiregreatwar.com to help people discover the many events, activities and exhibitions happening across the county. At the County s Records Office you can also explore thousands of records of the time, including the previously unseen letters of Private Horace Hill and over 20,000 WWI military appeal tribunal records. Staffordshire is one of very few counties where these records were kept. Stafford Borough Walkwise Free regular walks led by a volunteer walker are available on a regular basis across the Borough (leaflets available at the Parish Office and including a Meir Heath Walk that will take place on the last Friday of every month at 2.00pm, meeting on Rough Close Common Car Park (top). Contact Gareth on for further information. Blythe Bridge Library You may be aware that Staffordshire County Council is proposing to reshape the way our 16 libraries are to be run in the future. Three categories of library are being proposed, these are: 1) Library Extra 2) Library Core 3) Library Local Blythe Bridge Library is included in the Library Local category. To ensure the future of our library please read and complete the survey in the Consultation document, Let s Talk Libraries Staffordshire which outlines all the proposals being put

17 forward, copies can be obtained from any library. Further information can also be obtained online at gov.uk/connectedlibraries or alternatively telephone to ask for more information. Meir Heath Windmill Preservation Group The Group have organised over the years the fundraising activities to raise money for the Windmill Project. A new authentic boat cap, new green oak beams, new doors and windows. The loft ladder replaced by a new one, and finally the mill painted. The windmill is a Grade II Listed Building with a lot of history, and inside it is now a small museum, with boards giving information about its use as a corn mill and as a Home Guard post. The book published by the committee Behold a Giant raised enough money to pay for special guttering and down pipe protectors. Rails were fixed to help disabled visitors. Our group wish to thank all those who have supported the Windmill Project. If anyone wishes to view the museum, please first contact me on Mrs Gill Swift The Project Manager Fulford Village Hall (registered charity ) The village hall continues to be very well used, both for private hire at weekends and community activities during the week, including a pre-school during the daytime. There is currently availability on a Wednesday evening for anyone wishing to hire the premises on a weekly basis. If interested, the contact numbers are / Meir Heath & Rough Close Village Hall (registered charity ) The village hall continues to be very well used, both for private hire at weekends and activities during the week. However, due to the recent relocation of a children s dance class, the VH committee is able to offer Tuesdays, up to 7.00pm, for anyone wishing to hire the premises on a weekly basis. If interested, the contact numbers are / for Non-emergency Police Calls Communities across Staffordshire and Stokeon-Trent have access to 101, the national non-emergency telephone number for the police service in England and Wales. Calls to 101 will cost 15 pence per call, no matter how long you are on the phone - this applies to both landlines and mobile phones. In an emergency, the public should continue to call 999, such as when a crime is in progress, when there is danger to life or when violence is being used or threatened. People should call 101 to report less urgent crime and disorder or to speak to their local officers. 17

18 Blue Bin Recycling Service Stafford Borough Council is striving to reach 60% recycling this year and have an exciting programme of seven initiatives blending awareness, education, rewards and challenges. Three of the initiatives are now well underway, one of them being the bathroom initiative - Making a BIG difference by recycling from the smallest room. Nearly all of us recycle from the kitchen but there is a lot that can be recycled from the bathroom too. Items from the bathroom may be overlooked but can play a valuable part in increasing the recycling from our homes. By taking just a little extra time, the following items can all be recycled from the bathroom:- Air freshener/room Spray Cans, Bathroom Cleaner/Bleach Bottles Body Spray Cans/Bottles Cardboard Packaging/Tubes Cosmetic Jars Deodorant Cans Hair Mousse Cans Hairspray Cans Hand Wash Dispensers Medicine Bottles and Boxes Mouthwash Bottles Perfume/Aftershave Bottles Plastic Wrapping Shampoo/Conditioner Bottles Shaving Foam Cans Shower Gel and Body Wash Bottles Skin Care Bottles Sun Tan/After Sun Lotion Bottles Talcum Powder Containers Tissue Boxes Toiletry Packaging 18 In the Inner Caddy: Newspapers, magazines, brochures, catalogues, junk mail, yellow pages, shredded paper. In the Bin: Cardboard (flattened); Aerosols - e.g. shaving gel, polish, deodorant; Plastic bags - must be empty; Wrappers - food, cellophane and clingfilm; Foil - food trays and tin foil; Cans - food and drink; Glass - bottles and jars; Plastic bottles e.g. milk, soft drink, yoghurt pots, margarine tubs and household cleaning fluid bottles - shampoo, bleach etc; Waxed cartons - food and drink [Tetra Pak] e.g. juice, soup and milk cartons. All items must be clean, empty and have the tops removed. No longer must textiles be put in the blue bin as it has been found that textiles have become contaminated with broken glass etc., which means that they cannot be re-used. Townswomen s Guild Meets at Meir Heath and Rough Close Village Hall on the 3rd Thursday of each month at 2.00pm. There is a speaker each month followed by tea and biscuits. The group would welcome new members or visitors. For further information contact Finance and General Purposes Committee Cllrs. Mrs. Brayford, Colclough, Holmes, Mrs. Jennings, Lovatt, Shaw, Taylor & Mrs. Wheat, Chairman and Vice-Chairman ex-officio Planning Committee Cllrs. Mrs. Brayford, Colclough, Evans, Mrs. Jennings, Lovatt, Mrs. McPherson, Mycock, Miss Noblett, Shaw, Chairman and Vice-Chairman ex-officio

19 Representatives to Outside Bodies Portland School & Specialist College (formerly Aynsley Special School) Governor: Mrs. Brayford Meir Heath & Rough Close Village Hall: Mrs. Jennings Fulford Village Hall: Tony Holmes Meir Heath Primary School Governor: Mrs. Jennings Staffordshire Parish Councils Association: Cllrs. Mrs. Brayford, Holmes and Mrs. McPherson Staffordshire County Council - Stone Rural Councillor: Ian Parry Fulford Ward Councillors: Michael Dodson Tony Holmes Peter Roycroft Dates for 2014 Parish Council Meetings Thursday 9th October Meir Heath & Rough Close Village Hall Thursday 13th November Fulford Village Hall Thursday 11th December Meir Heath & Rough Close Village Hall Note: All meetings start at 7.15 pm with an opportunity for any local government elector from the parish to ask questions of the Parish Council relating to any parish issue. At the formal meeting, which follows at 7.30 pm, these matters will then be considered; the public may also attend but are not allowed to join the debate. Alternatively, write to the Clerk such that the matter can be raised. Civic Amenity Visits: A REFUSE LORRY will next be available for the collection of household items: Fulford Village Hall car park 20th Sept. Mayfield Drive, Blythe Bridge 27th Sept. Common Lane, Rough Close 4th Oct. Household Recycling Centres At recycling centres in Staffordshire there are facilities to recycle paper, magazines, telephone directories, cardboard, glass bottles and jars, cans, plastic bottles, waxed cartons cooking oil, fridges, freezers, scrap metal, car batteries and oil. Stone - The recycling centre is on Beacon Road, Stone Business Park, off the A34 Stafford Road at the roundabout with the A51 Butterhill Bank Road - about 1 mile from Stone Town Centre. This centre is closed on Mondays and Tuesdays. Cheadle - This centre is on New Haden Road, Cheadle, off the road to Draycott, and is closed on Wednesdays and Thursdays. 19

20 Police Contact numbers In an emergency, where life is in danger or a crime is in progress, call 999. For non-emergency calls and general enquiries contact us on the new 101 number service (replaces the ). Based at Stone Police Station are the Community Beat Officers and Police Community Support Officers for our area, PC 5506 David Perry and PCSO 8849 Becky Powell. You can speak to your local officer by calling them direct on Follow the simple instructions and enter the officer s personal collar number. Or call 101 and speak to the operator. Call Crimestoppers - Telephone This telephone number can be used to pass specific information about crime or criminals without fear of reprisals or direct contact with the police. Calls are FREE from land lines and most mobile phones. The service is anonymous and rewards of up to 1,000 are available for information which leads to an arrest and charge. Stafford Borough Council Customer Contact Centre Open 8.30 am pm Monday - Friday Tel: (01785) or Staffordshire County Council General Enquiries Tel: This phone number is charged at local rate. Highways Hotline Safety Defects, such as potholes, ice, flooding and broken street lights should be reported directly to the Highways Hotline on to highways@staffordshire.gov.uk or on-line via reportfault/ STREETscene ONE phone call, one solution The special hotline means that a wide range of environmental issues, such as littering, graffiti, dog mess, sharps, fly tipping and problems with children s play areas, can all be reported with just one phone call. You can contact the Streetscene team in the following ways: Phone the contact centre on Text in with your problem on contactcentre@staffordbc.gov.uk Planning queries planning@staffordbc.gov.uk 20