mortimer · mortimer village news from our county councillor—carole gandy winter seems to have...
TRANSCRIPT
1
IN THIS ISSUE:
PARISH COUNCIL GARDENING CLUB ST JAMES VILLAGE HALL NEIGHBOURHOOD PLAN WIGMORE SHOW
Mortimer Village News
TH E N EW SL ETT ER F O R W I G MO R E , L E I N TH AL L ST AR K E S , EL TO N AN D P I P E ASTO N
Issue June ‘18 www.mortimervillages.co.uk
For over 1000 years St James has been towering over its immediate community and
providing a quiet (or lively) space for those who needed it.
Now, in 2018, St James has lost its sense of place in our community.
No longer will its doors remain open to welcome visitors from across the world, no
longer will community activities take place, and no longer will baptisms, weddings or
funerals, be held in this historic building.
Why so?
Despite support from the Lord Lieutenant of Herefordshire, the Leader of the Council
and The Arch Deacon of Hereford, the project has reached an impasse with working
groups showing little willingness to agree on some important matters of detail. These
groups include the Diocese, the PCC, the parish council, the county council, and various
other advisory groups.
And now?
The members of the CIC have now exhausted their freely given time, resources, and
funding and have unanimously elected to close the project down and withdraw from
the next stage offer of £1.25 million.
This action has the support of the Heritage Lottery Fund.
St James is now left to the mercy of the bats, swifts and the environment.
+It is our generation who carry the responsibility for its demise+
2
Your parish councillors are:
Wigmore
Bryan Casbourne—770155
Nick Davidson-771939—new
Vic Harnett—770445—Chair
Helena Leclezio– 770679
TBA
Leinthall Starkes
Alan Dowdy—770121
Graham Probert—770543
Elton
Gill Bilbrough—770654
Pipe Aston
Nigel Rowley-770523—new
County Councillor
Carol Gandy—780583
Parish Clerk
Jano Rochefort - 770282
Mortimer Village News
Snippits from your Parish Council
Summary of statement by the Wigmore
Group Parish Council Chairman at the
Hereford Planning committee on 15th
May:
“The planning application for the church
project was decided by the planning
committee of Herefordshire Council on
Tuesday morning. All the council
committee members liked the concept but
were critical of the access and parking
arrangements. I spoke for the Parish
Council and used the statement that we
submitted on the planning portal as the
basis for my delivery which was that the
access and parking was inadequate and
hence safety worries because of these
problems. I asked that the plan be
refused for that reason.”
********
The parish council have now benefitted
from the appointment of two residents to
serve as parish councillors—Nick Davidson
for Wigmore and Nigel Rowley for Pipe
Aston.
********
Two councillors have joined the NP sub
group—Nick Davidson and Nigel Rowley
The Neighbourhood Plan sub group have
now met and are producing version 5 of
our plan together with a summary of all
comments lodged with the parish council
on this matter.
Parish Council meetings
Your group parish council meets every
second Monday in the month (other than
August) in the Wigmore Village Hall at 8pm.
The agenda is published prior to the
meeting and may be seen on the village
web site, on noticeboards throughout the
parish and in the community shop.
Residents are welcome at attend the
meetings and the first 15 minutes or so are
available for residents to raise matters. The
council will then consider these matters and
residents may remain to listen but may not
participate in such discussions.
3
Traffic and parking matters
After comments recently received regarding traffic and parking problems associated with
school start and finish times, a meeting took place involving the School, Police, Hereford-
shire Council, Balfour Beatty and the Parish Council to try to review the situation at these
times. There were a couple of suggestions made that will be considered and it is hoped
that even small changes will help the conditions around the school pick up and drop off
times.
Some of the responses made to the parish council concerning both the Neighbourhood
plan and traffic concerns suggested one-way systems in the village involving Bury Lane.
This has been considered in the past but has not been progressed because of, what may
be considered as a bizarre reason, the lack of width in this narrow road. If Bury Lane
were to become one way it would, as being a new scheme, have to conform to a mini-
mum carriageway width requirement. Bury Lane is too narrow, so will have to remain
two-way. To implement any change to this route such as widening would involve a very
large cost, which the Village just cannot afford.
The Group Parish Council has heard that our request to have ‘buffer’ zones of 40 mph lim-
its installed either side of the 30 mph limit on the A4110 in Wigmore has been approved
and once the consultation period has passed we hope that this will be implemented. This
was first discussed with the highways authority six years ago, so persistence appears to
have paid off. The village of Wigmore has a medieval design and our twenty first century
way of living does not fit well with the layout. It would be well if all could remember this
when travelling around and use a greater amount of patience and care.
Chair - Wigmore Group Parish Council
Wigmore Times—the sequel…………………..!
You heard it here in the last newsletter! And no, it has nothing to do with traffic or park-
ing or road markings! – if it affects Wigmore it must be serious – and it is!
There is (hopefully) going to be a follow-up book to ‘Wigmore Times – Then and Now’.
It is tentatively called ‘Wigmore Times – Wigmore Stories’ and is planned to include
many of the stories and photos we couldn’t fit in last time. We also hope to tell the story
of the St James Church Project with photos and plans and why this prestigious project
failed to materialise. And of course, the Wigmore Community shop is now in its tenth year
and has won that fantastic Queen’s Award for Voluntary Services. What a story that is!
We have applied for a grant to create the book and will let you all know when it does (or
doesn’t) come through. In the meantime have a think about those family stories, dig out
those old photos, the newer ones too and sort through nick-knacks and artefacts that
might be interesting. We’ll let you know who to contact when we have the grant.
4
Mortimer Village News
From our county councillor—Carole Gandy
Winter seems to have dragged on forever and I hope by the time you read this article that things have improved and you will have glorious weather for all your fund raising events. Once again dog fouling is a major issue in parts of Mortimer ward and Wigmore is no ex-ception. Inconsiderate dog owners who do not pick up their dog poo are risking the health of your children. Toxocariasis is an infection humans can catch from handling soil and it most likely to infect children and can cause blindness. Please pick up your dog’s poo and place it in a poo bag and then in a litter bin. If there is no litter bin then take it home. It does not need to be placed in a dog poo bin. It all goes to landfill. It has been reported by the Asphalt Industry Alliance’s Annual Report that across England and Wales one in five local roads is in a poor condition with more than 24,400 miles of road identified as needing essential maintenance. This year Herefordshire Council has a little more money to spend as a result of successfully winning a court case against Amey the previous public realm contractor. Some of this money is earmarked for Mortimer ward and I am pleased to be able to say that the C1009 Wigmore to Lingen road will be attended to during June and Barnet Lane will also have resurfacing/patching work carried out. At present I have been unable to get added to the programme the C1019 Wigmore to Ludlow road but will keep pressing. A significant number of residents have approached me regarding the proposed Forest Holiday project. As yet there is no planning application to actually object to although I have walked the site and seen an indicative plan. I am happy to speak to any resident or resident group about their concerns or general views but residents must wait until an application is submitted before formally objecting or supporting the proposal. I recently attended the First Anniversary Celebration of the Hope organisation. This or-ganisation supports young people aged 11 – 25 when a close family member is diagnosed with a life threatening illness. If a member of your family or a friend would benefit from such support please do not hesitate to contact them online at www.facebook.com/hopeyoungpeeps, email [email protected] or ring 01989 566317. You may have read about the successful lottery bid obtained by the Mortimer Cross Battle organisation who are working with the University of Huddersfield and The Battlefields Trust to try to identify the actual site of the Mortimer Cross Battle. If you are interested in being involved as a volunteer in many different aspects of the project please register with Gary Ball [email protected]. This is a really exciting project.
Herefordshire Council has relaunched its WISH website. This site offers advice on anything from local voluntary sector organisations to where to go for help on any issue you are struggling to resolve. In particular it helps residents with their health and wellbeing needs. Please take a look at the website. As always please do not hesitate to contact me if you have a problem, or just want a chat. I am also always happy to visit you if that would be easier. Just telephone 01568 780583
or email [email protected]
5
C...A...M...E...O... NEWS
CAMEO (Come And Meet Each Other) continues to meet each month. It is friendly, totally
informal, no rules, no booking, no membership needed. Simply turn up. We welcome any-
one who wishes to join us at Wigmore Village Hall for an afternoon get-together - usually
meeting at 2pm on the first Tuesday of the month. If an outing has been arranged, we
share cars, and non-drivers can always get a lift. In May we went to Pembridge Church
and afterwards at the The Steppes Tea Rooms. We recently visited Bryan's Ground garden
near Presteigne. Coming up soon:
July 3rd Our "bring your own food" Garden Party will be at Bridge
Cottage in Burrington at 3pm
August 7th Stockton Bury Gardens, Kimbolton.
Sept. 4th - Pembridge Water Garden.
Oct. 2nd - Kenchester Garden, Lower Lyde.
Nov. 6th - "Tax, Care & Toyboys" - talk at Bury Court Farmhouse or
Wigmore Village Hall
Dec. 4th - Social gathering at Bury Court Farmhouse (2pm).
Jan. 9th 2019 - Christmas/NY Lunch at The Oak (NB. Wed 12.30 for 1pm).
Margaret/Les. Barclay at Bury Court Farmhouse
01568 770618
A note from the current editor -
This is my last edition as editor of the Mortimer Newsletter—the quarterly newsletter for
the Wigmore Group Parish Council residents.
The WGPC has been seeking a replacement editor for some months now but
unfortunately no-one has stepped forward to take on the role. Its not arduous and takes
a few days of time every quarter. So if you would like to have a go please contact Jano
Rochefort our parish clerk for more details—see page 2.
Community Field—Bury Lane The parish council has received one idea from a resident for developing this valuable and essential asset. If there are others who may be interested in joining this potential group then please contact our parish clerk Jano Rochefort—details on page 2 and we can put you in touch. Remember that any group formed will be given assistance in establishing funding for the project together with help in putting the necessary plans together. It requires some effort but will be certainly worthwhile.
6
Campaign launches to save publicly-owned forest land from holiday park
development A campaign group has launched to save the publicly-owned area of Mortimer Forest from a major holiday park development. Save Mortimer Forest is made up of committed locals from both sides of the Shropshire/Herefordshire border, from conservationists to third-generation farmers, from runners and cyclists to wildlife lovers and walkers. Forest Holidays is planning to build a holiday park with 68 large-scale holiday houses, some with hot tubs, with an on-site shop, restaurant, bar and cycle-hire facility, near the peaceful beauty spot of High Vinnalls in Herefordshire, close to the border with Shrop-shire. Colin Richards, formerly head of conservation for Shropshire Council, and a spokesperson for Save Mortimer Forest said: “What at first sight appeared to be a development that could have some benefit to the Ludlow area, is likely in reality to be hugely destructive to the very environment which makes Ludlow, south Shropshire and north Herefordshire unique. We strongly oppose this huge development, and believe it’s a bad deal for local people, wildlife and for the Forestry Commission. Wildlife habitat on publicly-owned land will be destroyed in favour of a busy private holiday park. This is privatisation of our pub-lic forest by the back door.” Colin added: “Mortimer Forest – and this site in particular - is home to a lot of unusual and rare wildlife and protected species on the site, including hazel dormice, great crested newts and 12 different species of bats, alongside declining bird species including the red-listed marsh tit, song thrush, tree pipit, willow tit and wood warbler, all classed by the RSPB as globally threatened. Few economic benefits for locals The holiday park will provide some jobs but these are likely to be part-time and low-paid cleaning and maintenance jobs in the main. The holiday houses arrive on site as flat packs, so any construction jobs will be short-term. The on-site bar/restaurant/café (known as a Forest Retreat or Forest Hub) will be open from breakfast to dinner. The longer term benefit to the local economy looks set to be minimal as holiday goers are encouraged to stay on site for food and drink, or order from the Retreat/Hub for delivery direct to their holiday house. This means local shops, businesses and restaurants are unlikely to genuinely benefit from the proposed development. We urge all those who are concerned about the proposed destruction of habitat, and the effective selling off of our public forests, to join our campaign online, on Twitter and on Facebook at “Save Mortimer Forest”.
Website - www.save-mortimer-forest.co.uk
Facebook/Twitter/Instagram - @SaveMortimerForest
7
The Neighbourhood Development Plan steering group
The group met to review the comments made by parishioners after the consultation
process recently carried out. The draft plan will be reviewed and changed in light of some
of the responses made. Once the document is prepared it is hoped that we can proceed
to the next stage of the process and then to an eventual ballot. The whole process is
driven by the 2011 Locality Bill that received assent in September of that year. The act of
parliament intended to give local people some say in where development would take
place, but not how many houses for the area involved. The Parish Council has been given
a minimum target that it must reach. If a neighbourhood plan is not made then it will fall
to the County to make decisions regarding approval of any applications for development
in the current manner. The concept of the Neighbourhood plan would confine developers
to use the designated locations for any dwellings.
The Parish Council wishes to thank all those who made returns to the request for com-
ments regarding the Draft Development plan. It was pleasing that so many took the
trouble to reply even though this has involved quite a considerable amount of work to
assess and review these responses.
Chair—Wigmore Group Parish Council
Wigmore Village Hall Hopefully you will have seen some of the improvements your Village Hall committee is making to this venerable 1950’s building. In addition to the earlier work we have now improved the lighting within the hall, put in PIR controlled lighting in the entrances and toilets, replaced the main entrance doors and the rear door into the building. The next phase will take place very soon and will involve new internal doors, improved access between the main hall and the rear offices, improved external door from the kitchen and a new access into a rear storage room. We have been fortunate in gaining lottery and other trust grant money to undertake this work. Future work will be to improve the rear patio area by including paved, and grassed areas with some permanent seating. Facing south this area is an excellent sun trap and hopefully these improvements will encourage greater use of this somewhat neglected area. We welcome ideas from residents on possible new facilities in the hall—just drop Jenny a note and we will see what we can do. E: [email protected]
8
The St James project
thewigmorecentre.org
You will have heard by now that we have closed and withdrawn from the project to
reorder St James’ church. As a consequence St James will close around the end of 2018,
its doors will be locked, and it will be left, empty, to withstand the ravishes of time and
the environment.
The Wigmore Centre has produced a summary of the processes, organisations and people
who have influenced, one way or other, this worthwhile and inspiring project.
Copies are available to anyone who may be interested.
For the time being, a short resume:
The board of the CIC and its volunteer groups
have undertaken over
9000 hours of voluntary work since 2015
and invested some £173,000 of HLF competitive
funding on architects, quantity surveyors,
archaeologists, ecologists, and many other
professionals in order to produce an overall
sustainable plan for the project. This plan has
been accepted by HLF as meeting all
their development requirements.
We now have a costed design for the re-ordering that has attracted significant
approval and evoked praise from potential users.
If any group wishes to pick up this project then we can arrange access to all documents,
the advisory groups, and contact with the Heritage Lottery Fund. What we cannot do is
“flick the switch” and change any mindsets - that will be your contribution!
Jill, Fran, Bridget, and Bryan (the CIC) sincerely thank all
their many supporters and volunteers who freely gave of their time
to this project.
And the moral to this saga is………..?
(Oh dear - the advisory group couldn’t agree on this, but we are sure you can work that one out!)
9
Extracts from emails received by the
Wigmore Centre on announcing its
withdrawal from the St James project
10
Wigmore and District Gardening Club On March 15th , Duncan Coombs, a lecturer from Pershore and Warwick Colleges, came to speak to us on the subject of “Pandas and Bamboos: Plant-hunting in Yunnan and Sichuan”. Duncan vis-its China most years, often leading visits of other intrepid explorers. He has discovered several new species and gave us a most interesting illustrated talk. Then in April, we were visited by Dr Steve Reynolds, who leads ‘What’s Up Doc?’ sessions at many of the big plant shows around the country. He talked on ‘Fascinating Fungi in the Garden and Greenhouse’, showed how to identify problems and suggested how to tackle them. We have had two trips out: a rather chilly car trip to visit the gardens of Stokesay Court and in May a coach trip to Spetchley Park. Somehow, someone forgot to order good weather for Spetchley and we arrived in a torrential downpour. Fortified by coffee and cake, we set off with the Head Gardener who gave us a super, fascinating tour of the gardens. This is a man who clearly loves his job and his passion for Spetchley is clear. His knowledge of both the history of the place and of trees and plants is detailed and was conveyed with enthusiasm. At the time of our visit, the peonies and the irises were at their beautiful peak, as were some very fine wisteria. So interesting and beautiful was our visit that we forgot/ignored the drumming rain and all agreed on having had a super day. Our biggest item at this time of year is our annual plant sale. This was held on Sunday 20th May and the hall was, as usual, filled with super plants all grown by our members. A long queue formed and when the doors were opened at 2.00, buyers poured in. We have become known over a wide area for the quality and very reasonable pricing of our plants, and people come from quite a distance to attend. We even had people coming into the village shop this year to ask for the date! Once again we made a large profit, which means we will be able to continue supporting the club and give an increased amount to local charities. Especial thanks go to our members for the wonderful plants (and cakes!) they supplied and for those who came to help on the day. Quality plants are still available to buy at Bury Court farmhouse – do go and have a look.
Our next meeting is on Thurs 21st June, when June Poole of Crescent Plants will be coming to talk about auriculas. We have a coach trip to Usk Open Gardens on 23rd June (do contact Ian Barlow if you are interested on 01568 770327) and a shared car trip to Ashley farm on Tuesday 10th July. We normally meet on the third Thursday of the month at 7.30 in Wigmore Village Hall and our car-share trips usually leave the village hall at 1.30, but please check the programme as this year some leave at 1.00pm. We are a very friendly bunch of locals, of all stages of expertise, from the utter beginner to those who open their gardens for charity! Just come along and join in. The pro-gramme is on display in the window of the village shop.
11
Mobile Post Office @ Wigmore
Monday 11.00 to 12.30
Tuesday no attendance
Wednesday no attendance
Thursday 13.30 to 15.00
Friday 10.30 to 12.00
Saturday no attendance
Mortimer Village News is published by Wigmore Group Parish Council.
Editor: Bryan Casbourne
Email: [email protected]
Any opinions expressed in this publication are those of the authors concerned and not necessarily those
of the Wigmore Group Parish Council
Funding for the parish
Quiet’ish month for funding—just been
awarded £6000 towards the Village Hall
modernisation and now waiting one for the
shop.
Revised Post Office
Attendance Days
Enclosed with this newsletter is an entry form for the Wigmore Village Show—do have a look and see how you can enter and join in this enjoyable event. You may leave entry forms in the boxes in the Wigmore community shop and the Leintwardine shop—please do this by the 15th August. Your entry fees are payable on the day at Wigmore Village Hall. On Sunday 24th June at 8pm there is a Quiz at the Oak in aid of the Village Show.
12