parish council fulford Parish Council News newsletter Chairman s Report Issue 348

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1 Autumn Spring Chairman Cllr. Joy Bennett Parish Council News Chairman s Report The past quarter has been a busy one for the Parish. We have been busy trying to liaise on your behalf with both the Borough and the County Council on a number of issues that have been raised by the public. A meeting was held at the end of January with Staffordshire County Council and the Highways Agency to try to find a way forward with the stalemate that exists with regards to the replacement fencing on the A50 at Blythe Bridge. SCC have offered to act as an intermediary and monitor sound levels in various locations to establish what these levels are in order that further negotiations can take place with the Highways Agency over the new fence. Fulford Parish s operations are financed mainly by the Precept, which is collected as part of your council tax payment. Our income of 45,000 per annum has been fixed for the past four years, the last increase being to help to finance the extension to Meir Heath and Rough Close Village Hall which included the Parish Office. Over the past two years, we have taken over the responsibility for mowing some of the verges adjacent to our highways from Staffordshire County Council with the number of cuts per year also being increased. Whilst the Country Council pays us towards the mowing, the balance comes from the parish funds. Our annual repairs and maintenance bill exceeds 20,000 per annum which includes litter picking, civic Clerk to F.P.C. Stephen Beck Office mailto: stephen_beck@btconnect.com amenity visits, emptying of the public space bins, emptying of dog fouling bins, mowing of Grindley Park and of Fulford church yard, some street lighting, donations towards improvements and maintenance of the village halls within our parish - the figures soon add up. Our program of replacement bus shelters has cost 4,500 in the past twelve months. We have also donated money to charities which benefit residents of our local area Age UK and the Douglas Macmillan together with the Windmill Preservation Society have all benefited. This, which you receive quarterly, is also funded in the main by the parish with some income from adverts. This costs more than 2,500 per year. We have also had our concurrent money from Stafford Borough Council reduced by 1,422 as a result of government spending. As mentioned in previous s, the Parish Council has now submitted a grant application towards the cost of the play equipment to be sited on Grindley Park. We are hopeful of achieving some form of funding from our application but the outcome will not be known until Easter. We have arranged an open evening at Meir Heath and Rough Close Village Hall in order that you can come and look at our plans for the play area and provide feedback on the scheme. The event will be held on Tuesday 29th March 2011 commencing at 3.00 pm and will conclude at 7.00 pm. 1

2 Spring 2011 We have therefore, as a Parish Council, decided to apply for an increase in the Precept our costs have increased over the past four years, which we have absorbed and our outgoings have also increased by providing improved services to the parish. This increase will equate to about 4 per household (based upon a band D dwelling). We hope that you all agree that his money is well spent in maintaining our parish and enhancing it for the good of all. Our Annual Parish Meeting, which is your opportunity to see how the parish is run, is to be held on May 19th immediately before Fulford Parish Council s AGM at Fulford Village Hall. This meeting is a separate meeting and creates an opportunity for you to learn more about our parish activities over the previous 12 month. You are all invited to attend and we look forward to seeing you. The annual spring litter pick of Rough Close common has been arranged for Sunday 10th April, commencing at 10 am. We look forward to seeing as many (or more) people as last year when we collected over 25 bags of rubbish together with car tyres, bicycle frames and other assorted rubbish which had been left on our common. Finally, on behalf of the Parish Council, may we wish you all a very Happy and Peaceful Easter. W R BETTELLEY Funeral Directors A caring independent family business, est Personal 24 hr service Nationwide repatriation service Green and Eco-friendly options Pre-paid funeral planning Full advice service and home visits Floral tributes and catering arrangements Help with claims from D.S.S. Social Fund 315 Uttoxeter Rd, Longton ST3 5LQ Tel:

3 Spring 2011 fulford Cllr. Richard Mycock Cllr. Ken Brayford Cllr. Kath Brayford Cllr. Ellis Bevan Cllr. Shirley Wheat Blythe Bridge Ward News Grass Verges In recent issues of this Newsletter, reference has always been made to the parking and the condition of the grass verges. These are issues that people complain about the most. One of the solutions that we have talked about is the planting of trees or suitable shrubs on the verges to enhance the area and to prevent the verges being churned up by people and contractors parking irresponsibly. Creswell Parish (near Stafford) did this a few years ago and found that it has been very successful. The residents consulted with the Parish Council and the Highways Department and planted trees and shrubs that were permitted on their verge and looked after them. What are your views on this or do you have any ideas to make our verges from Creda roundabout to Uttoxeter Road look more attractive? Safety and Highways issues would need to be taken into account and any project would need approval from the Highways department; cost would also need to be considered. Please contact your local councillor with your views. Stafford and Rural Homes Stafford and Rural Homes celebrated its fifth Birthday by spending a day in the Community at Blythe Bridge. This was a brilliant day with many activates taking place in the Adamthwaite Drive, Ridgway Drive, Mayfield Avenue and the surrounding areas. All the litter was picked up and the garages at Stallington were painted and the area around them was swept. This also took place in Leadendale Lane. Estate Walkabout The dates for the estate walkabouts have not yet been finalised for the coming year. Please keep an eye on the notice boards for the date of the next one. The estate walkabouts are for all residents so that they can meet with Stafford and Rural Homes officers and partners to discuss any concerns you may have about the area in which you live. Parking Please ask your visitors to park on the road and not on the pavements or grass verges. Contractors working in the area and parking on the verges have been spoken to. Would you please consider other road users when you take your children to school by car and not block residents driveways! Litter and Dog Fouling Litter and dog fouling on Adamthwaite and Ridgway Drive appears to be getting worse; would 3

4 you please take your litter and dog mess home with you or place in the bins provided! Speed Watch If anyone is interested in becoming involved with the Speed Watch Scheme in Stallington Road or Uttoxeter Road, or anywhere else in the Parish, please contact our Parish Clerk at the Parish Office. Two new volunteers have come forward, but six are required to justify a training session. Aynsley School Aynsley School has been awarded Level one of the Unicef Rights Respecting Schools Award which recognises achievement in putting the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child at the heart of a school s planning, policies, practice and ethos. This is an Achievement for Aynsley as it is the first school in Stoke on Trent to gain this award. It has been assessed as excellent and is to be used as a role model for the rest of the schools in the country who are trying to obtain this award Spring 2011 Stallington Village In the last we reported the request for a grit bin to be replaced at the junction of Stallington road and Hoffman Drive. We can all recall the problems residents had accessing their properties because of cars parked on Stallington Road because of the weather conditions in Unfortunately this was not done and as a consequence residents of Stallington Village were forced to park on the road yet again. Vehicles were able to use Stallington Road throughout the severe winter conditions as the roads were gritted. The exception being the refuse collection vehicles, as they considered the roads too treacherous so residents had to wait for four weeks to have their refuse collected. The paper boy on his push bike never missed a day, our thanks and congratulations to him for all his work in the adverse weather conditions. 4

5 Spring 2011 fulford Cllr. Martin Oxby Cllr. Frank Colclough Vice Chairman Cllr. Tony Holmes Cllr. Grace Holmes Fulford Ward News Grit Bins Requests for additional bins for the crossroads at Long Lane/Fulford Road, Stallington, Saverley Green (Meadowside) and at the top of Tudor Hollow will have to be assessed against the County Council s criteria. No doubt the County will have many more requests! Fulford Manor Farm A revised application has been approved for the barn conversion which had been partially undertaken, but which was not in accordance with the planning permission granted in The approved application now includes a number of changes which must be made to the existing unauthorised development. The changes include alterations to openings, window and door design, roof lights, boundary walls, rainwater goods, and to remove sections of roofing to restore all three sections to their original proportions with the central section lower than the northern and southern sections of the building. Fulford Village Green A review of the grass cutting of the Village Green has been held with the Borough Council as the Parish is not satisfied with the appearance of this important feature of the village. The Borough Council has not as yet responded to the proposal that the Parish take over the grass cutting together with the areas it has taken on from the County Council. Meadow Lane The condition of the junction of Meadow Lane with Fulford Road, where the grassed corner is being eroded, has been brought to the attention of the County Highways. The work to add kerbs and to reprofile the grass verge is being costed and will then be put as an item on the highways programme. Spot Acre The burning of materials on land adjacent to the equestrian centre has been investigated by the Borough and County officers together with the Environment Agency. There are a number of issues on the site including the operation of a waste transfer area for which a planning permission would be required from Staffordshire County Council. Baulk Lane Car drivers should be aware that this is an Access Only road it has been noted that drivers are using it as a through route, and at inappropriate speeds. 5

6 The County Highways authority has monitored the traffic using this lane but with an average of about 10 vehicles in each direction per day, and due to the lack of road lighting and its conservation status, Baulk Lane would not be suitable for traffic calming measures. The police should be informed of offending vehicles such that they can take action against identified vehicles. Gypsy Site The Borough Council has again been pressed to ensure conformance to the conditions set by the Planning Inspectorate which granted planning permission for the change of use for the stationing of caravans for five gypsy pitches, with utility/ day rooms, access road and areas of hard standing ancillary to that use, at Woodfield, Hilderstone Road, Spot Acre. The conditions stipulated that the occupation shall be carried on by only five specific families; there shall be no more than five pitches on the site and on each of the five pitches no more than two caravans shall be stationed at any time, of which only one caravan shall be a static caravan or mobile home; no vehicle over 3.5 tonnes shall be stationed, parked or stored on the site. The enforcement officer has noted that some building materials have been stored within the northern end of the site whilst works are being carried out within the application site. The lighting that is currently erected does not form part of the approved scheme, but should be amended once the new layout is implemented. Spring 2011 BKV This initiative is not about a competition for the pretty village; it is about a best kept village and aims to foster community spirit and bring the whole village together. The Fulford Village Group is again entering the Best Kept Village competition which will be judged in May and June with District Finals in July, and they hope to build on the judges feedback from last year: Fulford is a good village with signs of emerging community spirit and involvement. BKV awareness was very good, the surrounds of the village hall and the public house earned praise, there was no litter or dog mess, and the children s play area was excellent. The village has built on last year s efforts, responded to the judges comments and done well to achieve another Highly Commended. Please keep up your efforts to keep our village best kept throughout the year. A photographic record of some of the activities that have resulted from this initiative, and other village events, are on the website Fulford Village Hall The Annual General Meeting will be held on Wednesday 27th April at 7pm. All residents are invited and new members and ideas are welcomed. The committee has had plans approved to extend the rear of the main hall to improve the functioning of both halls and give improved access to the rear area. This project will be subject to receiving grant funding which is now being sought. 6

7 Spring 2011 fulford Vacancy Cllr. Barry Shaw Cllr. Roy Taylor Cllr. Mrs. Wendy Jennings Cllr. Denise Ellerman Meir Heath Ward News Posts on Verges in Grindley Lane Update Following a meeting with Staffs County Council [Highways] they are to carry out a survey and make recommendations as to the most appropriate means of deterring the inconsiderate parking of vehicles on the grass verges. i.e. shrubs, trees, posts, or, other means. We shall report on progress on this matter in our next. Stiles on Footpath No.1 [Grindley Lane to Stallington Road] At last, repairs have been carried out on these stiles the majority of the work requested but not all. However, it is a great improvement and, hopefully, it won t be long before the work is completed. Grindley Park Adventure Playground Update Fulford Parish Council has made an application for grant aid towards the cost of providing this facility and should know the outcome of this by April of this year. Fingers crossed, we hope that we shall be more successful than the application for the Playbuilder scheme. Parking Problem Meir Heath Primary School Because of a worsening situation in inconsiderate parking of vehicles in Golborn Avenue and Hilderstone Road, when parents drop off / pick up their children at the school, Fulford Parish Council and the School have made a joint appeal to parents / carers to act responsibly and to park safely and with consideration for others. Additionally, they have been asked to use the Windmill Inn car park, where possible, and to help to re-establish the Walking Bus from there to the school. This would help to keep Hilderstone Road free of many of the vehicles that park there at the present time. Shared travel with others and walking children to school, whenever possible, would also help to reduce the problem. Accepting that these measures would not eliminate the problem, if parents respond to this appeal, we are at least trying to alleviate the problem. The police and Stafford Borough Council are aware of the problem and have been asked to 7

8 Spring 2011 monitor this more closely. Fines will be imposed upon those parking illegally, dangerously, or, causing an obstruction. New Councillor We are pleased to welcome Ms. Denise Ellerman to serve on Fulford Parish Council as a councillor for the Meir Heath ward. Ms. Ellerman was coopted onto the Council, to fill one of the two vacancies for this ward, at the February meeting of the Council. Dog Fouling As last year, there has been an increasing number of dog owners failing to clean up after their dogs, during the winter months, and at times some areas have been a disgrace and SBC [Street Scene] needed to be called in to clean those areas. Those responsible are guilty of anti-social behaviour. Many dog owners clean up after their dogs and we thank them for that, but this is being undermined by those who, either can t be bothered, or feel that it is beneath them to do so, disregarding the effect on others in our community. If you are not prepared to act responsibly in these matters then you should not have a dog, or confine its defecation to your own property. Remember, it is an offence not to clean up after your dog when it fouls in any public place and appointed officers of Stafford Borough Council can impose on the spot fines for this offence. It is felt that fining and shaming offenders is necessary, in order to impress on them and others that it is unacceptable behaviour and should not be tolerated. D S Building Services Over 30 years experience Advanced City and Guilds Qualified All Building Work Undertaken EXTENSIONS, GARAGES, PROPERTY REPAIRS, POINTING, GARDEN WALL AND FEATURES, ROOF TILES, DRAINS, GUTTER CLEANING, SLABBING, BLOCK PAVING, MODERNISATION AND GARDEN MAINTENANCE Reliable Friendly Service All Work Guaranteed / Free Quotes Also Labour Only Quotes Available Contact Dave: Mob

9 Spring 2011 fulford Cllr. Andrew Lovatt Cllr. Joy Bennett Chairman Cllr. Mrs. L. McPherson Rough Close Ward News Barlaston and Rough Close Common is the largest of our Local Nature Reserves and the best surviving remnant of the original Meir Heath. The heathland has been present for at least 300 years, created by generations of commoners who grazed their animals and gathered wood for fuel. The management aim is to preserve the open nature of the site and this requires replicating past activities by grazing and scrub control. As part of this ongoing work, Stafford Borough Council has been busy over the winter with scrub removal and chipping. Where the ground conditions indicated that grassland and heath was still present, the trees were cut back to reclaim these areas as heathland. Works on the lower common included opening out the north-eastern corner and the woodland edge of the western side of the lower common was also cut back. Larger trees were retained but smaller self set trees and saplings were removed. The action of cows grazing in this new area should keep it open and free from re-growth and it is also hoped that the trampling of the cattle will help control bracken. Four new ponds have also been excavated on the site - three are in a series where the ground is already boggy in the centre of the common and fourth was added to the south-west, where an already existing depression suggested a pond would be suitable. All four ponds filled up very quickly showing the large amounts of groundwater flowing on site. It is hoped that a marsh community of plants will quickly colonise the ponds and provide habitat for insects and amphibians. On the top common scrub removal work continued along the southern side. Trees were removed to the south of the quarry allowing the path to be re-routed away from the eroding edge. By simply removing young trees, it is significant how much space has been created. It helps show how the encroaching trees slowly eat away at the open space of the common. The aim is to retain the mature trees that act as a screen around the perimeter but to remove smaller growth. To complement the work carried out by Stafford Borough Council, our annual spring litter pick has been arranged for Sunday 10th April 2011, commencing at 10 am when all volunteers are 9

10 invited to meet at the car park opposite St Matthews School. As in previous years, all equipment will be provided and this will enable us, as a community, to join together for everyone s benefit. On January 14th a number of properties were broken into in Rough Close where entry was gained around the rear of the properties by forcing back doors. Four people have been arrested in connection with these burglaries. A number of local residents have asked whether the Spring 2011 Neighbourhood Watch initiative can be resurrected in our area if you are interested, please let us know. Whilst neighbourhood watch is not an initiative of the, we can collate opinions and approach the relevant persons on your behalf. A new website for Rough Close has been set by the community to keep the community informed of what is happening within Rough Close its url is: Report from County Councillor County Council Offers More Free Bus Travel Good news if you are eligible for a bus pass or you are under 20. Travel for 1 per journey if you are under 20 Travel free if you have a pensioner bus pass Staffordshire County Council is to make a massive commitment to public transport with new travel schemes providing free and subsidised travel to thousands of young and older people. The council will give free 24/7 bus transport to people of a pensionable age or people with a disability and a carer. In addition under-20s will get the right to travel anywhere within Staffordshire for just 1 per journey. It will make Staffordshire the national leader in discretionary travel allowances at a time when bus services elsewhere are coming under threat. Check the web site for more information - Council Tax I reported last time that Staffordshire CC was the first large council to announce no increase in the council tax. Now, all the other Staffordshire service providers are also staying with zero council tax. That includes Police, Fire and Stafford Borough Council. This is really good news at a time when everyone is trying hard to also save money. Supporting our Libraries No libraries in Staffordshire will face closure. We are committed to supporting libraries and are in fact improving them by introducing free broadband this year. It is obviously impossible to say that things won t change in the future, so we should all continue to support and use our libraries both static and mobile. 10

11 Spring 2011 Safety improvements for Blythe Bridge Over the next couple of months work at the bottom of Grindley Lane and the junction of Uttoxeter Road will start. This is intended to make the junction safer particularly for school children and other pedestrians. It is designed to keep vehicles off the footpaths. A50 Sound Barriers I recently met with officials from the Highways Agency our own highway engineers at Staffordshire CC and the Chairman and Clerk of the Parish Council to try to get to resolve the issue of the sound barriers. I also asked Mr Lowndes, a local resident to join us. As usual it is complicated and the solution is potentially expensive. Never-the less we are pursuing the matter and I have arranged for further sound measuring to take place at the affected sites and hope that this may provide further evidence to persuade the Highways Agency. fulford Please contact me if you need information or assistance. ian.parry@staffordshire.gov.uk T HOMEGUARD INTRUDER ALARMS YOUR LOCAL SECURITY COMPANY ESTABLISHED 27 YEARS MSWMAINTENANCE Domestic and Commercial Property Maintenance SPECIALISTS TO BS4737 INSTALLATION / MAINTENANCE UPGRADES / REPAIRS FIRE SYSTEMS SECURITY LIGHTING / CCTV TRAINED BY FORMER POLICE OFFICERS FREE QUOTES ON Reg. No Mark Walker Tel: Mob: Coombe Drive, Meir Heath, Stoke-on-Trent. ST3 7LB 11

12 Spring 2011 Bulletin Board Delivering Key Information Quickly Fulford Parish Council has a website which is run and updated by the Newsletter Committee of the Parish Council. Please log on to see and find the latest information! Contact via the Clerk stephen_beck@btconnect.com Dog Fouling The Fouling of Land by Dogs (Borough of Stafford) Order 2008 came into force on 11th February This Order applies to all land which is within the administrative area of the Borough of Stafford and which is open to the air and to which the public are entitled or permitted to have access. In Stafford Borough the Order applies to all land which is in the open, including, footpaths, roads and parks. Where a person in charge of a dog fails to pick up dog faeces an authorised officer of the local authority may issue a Fixed Penalty Notice and/or seek to prosecute where a fine of up to 1000 may be given upon conviction. If the Fixed Penalty Notice is paid in full within 10 days of its issue the penalty is reduced from to Statement on Police Station Closures Extract from the joint statement from Staffordshire Police Chief Constable Mike Cunningham and David Pearsall, Chairman of Staffordshire Police Authority: Staffordshire Police has not yet made any final decisions to close particular police stations in the county. We will not close any stations unless and until alternative bases are found within a particular locality. Our most valuable resource is our people and we are considering how we deploy our officers in the best possible way so that we can respond to community needs. It is also important to stress that we are committed to protecting the number of officers in neighbourhood roles and our local enquiry offices and for them to remain based at the very heart of the communities they serve. Proposals are currently being considered for response teams to be briefed at fewer locations from April 2011 but will not automatically mean that these stations will close. Current response bases affected by the proposals include: Rugeley (officers being briefed at Cannock) Stone (officers being briefed at Stafford) Kidsgrove (officers being briefed at Newcastle) Cheadle (officers being briefed at Leek) However, it is important to stress that response officers will continue to patrol the same areas as they did before and by working differently will continue to provide high quality services. Policing is delivered through our people and not through our buildings. 12

13 Spring 2011 fulford As a result of the review, it was identified that some of our buildings are no longer ideally suitable they are either too expensive to maintain or are in the wrong location to provide the best service to our communities. Again, although no decision has yet been made, this could see us sharing buildings with partner agencies and may see us in schools, church halls, libraries and shops. Rotary The Rotary Club of Blythe Bridge and District are asking for people to come and join them. Rotary is a worldwide association of local clubs for men and women who provide a humanitarian service to the local, national and international communities. Blythe Bridge Rotary was formed in 1987 and has currently got 31 members but would like to appeal for more to help them with their work in the community. You may not be aware, but they fund The Life Caravan project for our local schools. They sponsored our local schools on educational visits to The Apedale Mining and Heritage Centre with over 300 children from different schools taking part. Rotary have helped to support Blythe Bridge High School Band and will continue to do so when needed. A tree was also planted at Blythe Bridge Railway Station. 100 local senior citizens were provided with tea and entertainment at Trentham Gardens with the Lord Mayor and Lady Mayoress. Rotary also works worldwide - it continues to help eradicate polio in the third world countries. It also worked recently in Haiti and Pakistan. These are just a few examples of the work Rotary does - to find out more please ring Sam or Vin BLYTHE BRIDGE RUNNING CLUB The Blythe Bridge Running Club started in September 1983 and we are based at the old Creda site on Grindley Lane roundabout. We have club colours of blue and white and meet on Tuesdays for weekly training sessions for all types of runners including joggers, cross country runners and long distance runners. We have raised funds for the Rheumatoid Arthritis council and have raised in excess of for local hospitals, charities and individuals. We also hold social events throughout the year. Before joining the Club I couldn t run very far and had to keep stopping to walk and it was difficult to find the motivation to get out there. So, I joined the Blythe Bridge running club who gave me the advice and encouragement I needed. With their help I can now run 4.5 miles and have entered my first race which is the Cheadle 5 mile race and I have made many new friends in the process. J Bowers We would love to see some new members - so why not come and join us - We meet every Tuesday at 6pm Whether it's your intention to keep fit, lose weight or compete as a runner we welcome all members male and female of any adult age. For more information please contact us. To the club secretary - alan.stevenson12@tiscali.co.uk 13

14 Spring 2011 To contact Bill - We are based in Blythe Bridge - Just off Creda roundabout on Grindley Lane (Porta-cabin on the car park by the golf course). Blue Bin Recycling Service Stafford Borough Council announced that from 13 September 2010 they have expanded the amount of recyclables that can be recycled in your blue bin. The enhanced recycling service enables residents to recycle more items - waxed cartons (e.g. Tetrapak), foil, aerosols, empty plastic bags and cellophane. In order to enable them to collect these additional items, alternative arrangements have been made for the separate collection of textiles which can no longer be put in the blue bin. They have introduced a Dial a Bag service for the collection of textiles which is detailed in the new information booklet which has been sent to you. No longer must textiles be put in the blue bin as it has been found that textiles have become contaminated with broken glass etc., in the blue bin which means that they cannot be re-used. and has been given assurance that we can continue with the Windmill project as long as the group has all necessary permissions and insurances, and builders who are used to working on listed buildings. Meir Heath Windmill Preservation Group Meir Heath Windmill (circa 1775) is a Grade II listed building. Mitchells & Butlers Company sold the Windmill Inn and tower to the Stonegate Pub Company in November Anthony Swift (Chairman of MHWPG) has written to the Stonegate chairman 14

15 Spring 2011 The group is still working to raise the money needed for the waterproof render to be done to the outside of the tower. Once the mill is dry inside, artifacts could be put in and visitors able to see the collection. Cost of that phase of the project is approx 49,000. Any donations would be gratefully received by the Project Manager Gill Swift A programme of fundraising events has been planned for this year. Primary Schools Springcroft, Fulford and Meir Heath schools have been working on a project about discrimination with the New Vic Borderlines Company called One Week in Our Street funded by the area s Community and Learning Partnership. The children are expressing their thoughts through acting out how they feel. The theme is 1 - Welcoming new people, 2 - Showing respect for our area and how we look after it, 3 - Friendship. The children will be part of 200 children performing at The New Vic in March. Your Parish Council and You Your council is a corporate body with a legal existence of its own, separate from its members. The council has powers granted by Parliament, including raising money by taxation. The money raised by the in this way is called the Parish Precept. Parish councils represent the interests of their communities; improve the quality of the local environment. Your can influence planning, highways, traffic, safety, housing, and street lighting by liaising with the borough and county councils. We deliver services such as parks, playing fields, litter picking, controlling dog fouling, and keeping open rights of way, as well as providing shelters and seats where needed. fulford Your Councillors Your consists of local people who get no financial reward whatsoever for being councillors, neither salary nor expenses. They want to make a positive contribution to their community, and hope to help make their area a better place in which to live. Your is only as good as its councillors, and the quality of councillors is largely in your hands as residents of Fulford Parish, either by volunteering your services at election time, or voting (where appropriate) from the list of candidates. The local elections are to be held on 5th May All seats on the Parish Council will be up for election on that date. If you are interested in offering your services as a Parish Councillor, and would like to know what it entails, please contact the Parish Clerk, or one of your councillors. This is your chance to make a difference! The Garden in Spring At last the soil is warming up, daffodils and other Spring flowering plants are showing their faces, and those of us who are enthusiasts are raring to go! Don t forget the birds at this time of year. Many people think that birds can fend for themselves, but those whom we have been feeding all winter have come to depend on their ready source of food and water. Ponds can also benefit from a spring clean. We can start up our pond pumps if we have put them away for the winter, and clearing any old leaves and blanket weed away will help other plants to get a good start. Lawns: bare patches can now be reseeded, and it can be a good idea to lay some netting over these patches to deter the birds from eating the seed. As the weather warms we can apply lawn seed, and moss killer where necessary. I try to keep use of weed and moss killers to a minimum, as they 15

16 can kill off the worms, which I regard as gardeners friends, though I do understand why some folk don t like to see worm casts on their lawns. There is still time to cut back some of the shrubby herbs, like lavender, sage, etc., but don t cut into the old wood as this can kill your plants. Other herbs, like chives for instance, can be divided to encourage new, more vigorous growth. Spring 2011 haven for spiders, beetles, (including stag beetles, which are an endangered species), lizards and birds. Leave a full watering can in the greenhouse, so that the water will be at a temperature that won t give your plants a shock. After all that work let s hope it becomes warm enough to get the lounger out and enjoy your garden with a refreshing drink, and a good book by your side! Garden fleece is handy to have around in early spring. It can cover new growth which may be frost-tender, such as herbs, and on new leaves and buds of the likes of maple, hydrangea, or pieris. Now is a good time to finish off any pruning jobs. After flowering, shrubs like winter jasmine can be pruned. Where the branches are overcrowded, thin out some of them to just above ground level. Unruly growth can be tied in to train them to grow in the direction you want them to. Hardy annuals can be sown now, such as marigold and nasturtium, and in the kitchen garden we can plant out broad beans which we started off indoors earlier. March is probably the last month you can plant out garlic bulbs. These plants need a long time in the ground for best results, so try planting them in October or November next time. Ideas: Wildlife enthusiasts might like to leave a small pile of logs and branches in a quiet corner of the garden. They will become a 16

17 Spring 2011 fulford DAVE WHEAT Paving & Gardening Maintenance Driveways & Patios Mowing & Painting Telephone or

18 Spring 2011 Professional Driving Tuition With Martin Williams BSc. (Hons) A.D.I. (Associate Franchise to B.S.M) Highfield Natural Health suppliers of natural health products for people and their pets. Stockists of Arden Grange Super Premium Dog and Cat Food. Free samples available. Telephone Visit our online shop Offering Simulator Lessons Theory Support Pass Plus Courses Mock Practical Tests Track Record of Progress Motorway Tuition Hazard Perception Training Plus Much More Grade 5 Assessed Instructor For further information call: or Enjoy all the convenience and benefits of having a local instructor with national backing PROMOTING SAFE DRIVING FOR LIFE. Agents for Lotus, Grenson, Loake, Van Dal, Gabor, Hotter, Rieker, Padders, Josef Seibel and Richard Draper Sheepskin Slippers & Boots Also Main Stockist for Radley and Tula Leathergoods APB PLUMBING & TILING Professionally trained in: Domestic Plumbing WRAS Water Regulations BPEC Part P Electrical Wall & Floor Tiling From dripping taps to full Bathroom refits Call Paul Twigg on or for free estimates, no hidden charges and competitive rates. 18

19 Spring 2011 Members of the Council Finance and General Purposes Committee Barry Shaw, Ellis Bevan, Tony Holmes, Frank Colclough, Roy Taylor, Andrew Lovatt, Kath Brayford & Chairman and Vice-Chairman ex officio Grindley Park Management Group Martin Oxby, Kath Brayford & all members of Meir Heath & Rough Close Wards Parish Newsletter Working Party Richard Mycock, Martin Oxby, Barry Shaw, Roy Taylor, Andrew Lovatt, Kath Brayford, Joy Bennett. Planning Committee Cllrs. Colclough, Holmes, Mrs. McPherson, Mycock, Taylor, Kath Brayford & Chairman & Vice Chairman as ex-officio Highway Maintenance Liaison Group Cllrs. Holmes, Oxby, Shaw, Taylor, Kath Brayford & Chairman & Vice Chairman as ex-officio Representatives to outside bodies Fulford Primary LEA Governor: Frank Colclough Meir Heath Primary School: Cllr. Barry Shaw Meir Heath/Rough Close Village Hall: Cllr. Joy Bennett Fulford Village Hall: Cllr. Tony Holmes Springcroft Primary School LEA Governor: Cllr. Kath Brayford, Cllr. Richard Mycock Cllr. Linda McPherson Staffordshire Parish Councils Association: Cllrs. Mrs. Brayford, Holmes and Mrs. McPherson Sustainable Committee: Cllr. Frank Colclough, Cllr. Martin Oxby Staffordshire County Council - Stone Rural Councillor: Ian Parry fulford Stafford Borough Council - Fulford Ward Councillors: Andrew Harp Richard Oldfield Peter Roycroft Dates for 2011 Parish Council Meetings Thursday 14th April Location: Meir Heath & Rough Close Village Hall Thursday 19th May (post election) Location: Fulford Village Hall (Parish Meeting) Thursday 16th June (date change) Location: Meir Heath & Rough Close Village Hall Note: All meetings start at 7.15pm 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 usually invited to join the debate. Alternatively, write to the Clerk such that the matter can be raised. SHELLTECH SERVICES The complete support team Electrical, Plumbing, Joinery, Landscaping, Drains, Roof work, General Maintenance. Kitchen, Bedroom & Bathroom installations. ti Alarm Systems Appliance Repairs. Domestic, Commercial & industrial Maintenance See for more details or call Tel: Mobile: Big jobs, Small jobs, Odd jobs We do them all. 19

20 Civic Amenity Visits: A REFUSE LORRY will be available for the collection of household items in the spring of Household Recycling Centre 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 - The centre is on New Haden Road, Cheadle, off the road to Draycott, and is closed on Wednesdays and Thursdays. 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 Based at Stone Police Station are the Community Beat Officers and Police Community Support Officers for our area, PC 3866 John Eccles, PC 4884 Gareth Hilditch, PCSO 8849 Becky Powell and PCSO 6643 Emma Kempson. Call Crimestoppers - Telephone The CRIMESTOPPERS telephone number can be used to pass specific information about crime or criminals without fear or 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 Planning queries planning@staffordbc.gov.uk Spring 2011 Staffordshire County Council General Enquiries Tel: This is a new number replacing the former switchboard number of The new phone number is charged at local rate. Highways Hotline (formerly CLARENCE) Safety Defects, such as potholes, ice, flooding and broken street lighs should be reported directly to the Highways Hotline on to highways@staffordshire.gov.uk or on-line via Report Faults Online 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 20