Keeping YOU Informed

Welshampton and Lyneal Parish Council’s Local Newsletter Issue 8 - October 2010

Hello and welcome...... Council consultation documents in recent months, and the Parish Council responds to them all. Two to the newsletter from your Parish Council, which worth reporting are the winter highway service, is issued three time per year to keep the residents of where we responded by proposing that if not all the parish in touch with the activities of the council. roads can be gritted every day, at least grit the After the last issue, which coincided with the annual school bus routes before the buses do the morning report so that made space available to devote the run; and another school consultation, where once whole issue to Council’s strategic again we insisted that a clear and transparent development framework proposals, we return to a approach is adopted by when it more traditional format. reviews the future of Primary Schools, with particular There is a lot of media coverage on the “cuts” points being made regarding rural schools like associated with the state of the nation’s finances Welshampton School. We have been given an and, not surprisingly, this affects the Parish Council. assurance that Welshampton School will not close. The focus at the most recent Local Joint Committee On the planning front, there is one major issue, in (LJC) at Ellesmere was youth, and indeed those who that a planning application has been submitted for attended will know that happened, with some 18 affordable properties on what has become known enthusiastic presentations from adults about what is as the Penstemon site in Welshampton. Timescales going on, and from youth about what else should dictate that whatever is written here is likely to be happen. However, the chief executive of Shropshire overtaken by events but your Parish Council Council had also asked to attend to specifically undertakes to keep you fully informed about advise the audience of the seriousness of the progress and give all an opportunity to express their financial situation facing Shropshire Council, and views. spoke of restructuring and consultation about service On personnel matters, the Council regrets to changes. have to announce that Mrs Peggy Evans has How does this affect the Parish Council? Well, in decided to stand down as a Councillor, for personal the short term we have already been advised that reasons. Mrs Evans is well known throughout the there will be no monies available to resolve our Welshampton community and has been a dedicated speeding vehicle concerns on Balmer and on the Councillor for many years. On behalf of the A495 through Welshampton, although some money community, the Parish Council thanks Mrs Evans for has been allocated to amending the dangerous her significant contribution and wishes her well in her junctions on the A528. Thereafter, we wait and see, “retirement” from the Council. but rest assured that your Parish Council will do its I hope you find that this issue of your newsletter utmost to ensure that we do not suffer any more does keep you informed and, as always, remind you than our “share” of financial pain. that your comments about it, or any other Parish At the LJC meeting mentioned above, the Bonfire matter, are welcomed on our web site, or in person Committee was successful in obtaining a grant. The at one of our monthly meetings. next LJC meeting is in Cockshutt on 20 October. There have been a large number of Shropshire Chris Symes Parish Hall Chair with Caroline Hamilton taking Councillor Vacancy over from Bob Daniels. Grateful The Management Committee thanks go to Bob and Caroline. As Chris has mentioned above held its AGM on 13 September Thanks also goes to James, the Council is looking for a new and it was pleased to report that treasurer; Derek Morris, secretary; Councillor for Welshampton a number of improvements have and Lorraine Jones, caretaker, for Ward. Full details are on the been carried out over the year. their continued support. notice boards, the website or However, there are still areas the With fund raising in mind, there contact the Clerk. committee wish to bring up to will be a Quiz Night on Saturday 22 date so fund raising ideas will be January at 7pm. Tickets include Dates For Your Diary very welcome! supper, with wine and beer Since the last AGM, 3 new available. In addition there will be Council Meetings members have joined the a ‘Brain of Welshampton’ Wednesday 27 October 7pm committee, Glo Wright, Ruth competition. January does seem Wednesday 24 November 7pm Evans and James Cross. Also a long way ahead but note the date Thursday 16 December 7pm this year, there was a change of now! Look out for tickets soon! All meetings are in the Parish Hall Welshampton Fire Festival

It is that time of year when Welshampton hosts a spectacular The youth bus is on Bonfire and Firework display. The Welshampton Bonfire Committee Mondays at 6:00 to 7:30. We can be found on has accepted the Parish Council’s the Village hall car park……come and see us! offer of making some details available through the newsletter. This will allow owners of pets and livestock to make the necessary arrangements for the safe keeping of their animals.

The Chairman of the Committee, The youth bus is for John Pittaway explains; “Our ninth ages 11 -21 year old annual bonfire event is being held its great fun and we again this year on Saturday, October 23. The gates open at The youth bus is fun do lots of activities. 5.30pm and the show starts at 7pm. and lets us do fun It’s great to see your It will last approximately one and a half to two hours. The finale will things with other mates out of feature fireworks and, of course, the young people our school. burning of the bonfire. There may Megan Roberts, 12 also be sound checks and age rehearsals on the bonfire field from Alice Morris, 13 2pm on the day of the event.

As in previous years there will be a rehearsal on the previous evening from approximately 4pm. Severnlets This will not feature fireworks although the rehearsal will involve Visitors to the Community can use the cash saved for other testing the show’s public address Green Day in March will recall things! system. Disturbance to the peace seeing Severnlets. Eleanor We would love more members, and quiet of the immediate area will Evans, who helped man their so please consider joining. It is be kept to a minimum and your stand, explains: only £5 to join (a one off cash forbearance during this annual “I just wanted to let you know amount) and we have some really community event is very much about a really great group called interesting and useful things being appreciated.” SevernLets. It is a Local Exchange offered at the moment. These Trading Scheme. This means that include Swedish body massage, instead of using cash, we barter bowen technique, reiki, indian Welshampton skills and goods between head massage, graphic design, Planters members using a local currency; in book keeping, gardening, dog this group, the currency is walking, babysitting and many called 'Shrews'. Unlike a one-to- more! Anyone visiting St Michael’s one system, you can earn Shrews Church, the Parish Hall or just from one member and spend them You can phone me on: driving through Welshampton would with any other. LETS schemes 01743 353671 have noticed an added splash of are non-profitmaking groups run colour this summer! Thanks to the for the members by the The website is really easy to pupils of Welshampton Primary members. The system is managed use. Go to www.severnlets.org.uk School planters were placed around by a 'Core Group' and have a look! It is the the village. The pupils raised Shrewsbury group but anyone in around £70 from a car wash held at What are the benefits? Shropshire can join and trade with the school and chose flowers that LETS schemes offer an each other. Plus if enough people attract wildlife like bees and opportunity for people to exchange from this area joined then you can butterflies. The Parish Council was skills and goods without using have your own sub-group on the pleased to be involved in the initial money, and to meet socially. This website. Everyone has something stages of the project. helps members prosper - and you to offer so please consider joining! Shropshire Council’s Community Tree Scheme

What is it all about? Volunteer to be the Parish Tree Warden! Shropshire Council's Community Tree Scheme enables parish tree wardens, schools, environmental and community groups, Parish and Tree wardens don't need to be Town Councils, farmers and landowners to apply for native trees and experts, only enthusiasts. The shrubs free of charge. Trees are usually supplied as small bare-rooted amount of time you give to the role transplants, between 40 and 90cm tall. Rabbit spirals and canes will is dependant on your enthusiasm also be included to protect the trees. and commitment. After all you are Although it is a 'tree' scheme, very short lengths of native a volunteer! countryside hedging may be supplied (for 'gapping up' or linking There are lots of opportunities hedges or other habitats), but applications must include at least one to get training and support, you hedgerow tree. may not know all the answers but Applications are invited from anywhere in the Shropshire Council you will soon learn where to find area. As long as the planting will have some public benefit your scheme them. Tree wardens work closely will be considered (please see Shropshire Council’s website for full with local communities, farmers details). and landowners normally within Requests for trees must be made on the form posted on Shropshire their local parish. Council’s website. Shropshire Council will be taking applications for Among the tasks wardens have trees from 1st October 2010 to early January 2011 or sooner if all the become involved in are:- trees have been allocated before then. Successful applicants will be • gathering information about notified by the end of January, with an anticipated tree supply date of local trees and carrying out mid to late February 2011. surveys; Please be aware that this year people must be able to collect their • encouraging local projects trees from one of a number of 'depots' across the County, on a concerning trees and woods; specified collection date. Full details will be available nearer the time. • arranging a supply of trees for

local projects (often via a free tree Full details are available on the Shropshire Council’s website: scheme like the Community Tree www.shropshire.gov.uk/emvironment.nsf. or contact Scheme) Natural Environment Team • Shropshire Council local liaison, offering help and Shirehall, Abbey Foregate advice when necessary; and Shrewsbury SY2 6ND • informing the local authority of Tel: 01743 252564 threats to local trees, attending training events and conferences.

Register of Electors 2011 If you would like to know more contact: Shaun Burkey Shropshire Council is carrying Householder details that require Conservation & Community Officer out its annual canvass of changing, must however be made Outdoor Recreation households during September and in writing on the form and should Swan Hill, Ellesmere November. Even if no details have be sent back without delay. SY12 0DQ changed, it is important that Tel: 01691 624448, everyone replies, to ensure that all What some people don’t [email protected], eligible electors’ names are realise is that paying Council Tax included on the next Register. and Electoral Registration are not The Council is sending out actually linked. Your local Council election is likely, there sometimes forms that have been printed with Tax Office usually only has details local by-elections, so people should the information that they currently of the main account holder, always register as soon as they have for each household. If there whereas the Electoral move house to ensure that they are are no changes to that Registration Officer needs to have able to vote. information, although you can sign the names of all people eligible to and post the form back, the vote. More information about the quickest and most efficient way of annual canvass can be obtained registering is by using the More and more people are from Shropshire Council’s freephone, text messaging or finding out that if their name does Electoral Services Team at the internet registration services not appear on the Register of Shirehall in Shrewsbury (Tel. provided by the authority. Electors, they may have problems 0345 678 9015) or can be found Instructions on how to do this are when they try to obtain credit or a on the Council’s website - shown on the front of the form. mortgage. Even if no national www.shropshire.gov.uk. Useful Contact Details

For a more comprehensive list of local contacts please look at the Council’s website www.2shrop.net/welshampton

Parish Council Emergency Contacts Welshampton Ward In most emergencies you should dial 999 Ruth Evans For non - emergencies Richard Hall West Mercia Police 08457 444 888 Caroline Hamilton (Vice Chair) Shropshire Fire & Rescue 01743 260200 Sarah Jefferies Ambulance Service Ian Yates 01743 273649 Vacancy NHS Direct 0845 46 47 Lyneal Ward Lawrence Houghton Local Policing Teams Chris Symes (Chair) Ellesmere (Welshampton) 01743 264749 Martin Withington [email protected] Ellesmere Rural (Colemere and Lyneal) Councillors can be contacted by letter, phone or 01743 264704 email through the clerk [email protected] Carole Warner (Clerk) 01948 710672 [email protected] Community Contacts www.2shrop.net/welshampton Welshampton Parish Hall General Enquiries & Bookings Shropshire Councillor 01948 710687 Brian Williams 01939 234198 Ellesmere Info-Link 01691 624488 Shropshire Council 0345 678 9000 [email protected] [email protected] www.shropshire.gov.uk Shropshire Community Directory Benefits 0345 678 9001 01743 255305 Council tax 0345 678 9002 [email protected] Business rates 0345 678 9003 www.shropshire.gov.uk/community.nsf Planning and building control 0345 678 9004 Housing and social services 0345 678 9005 Countryside Ranger for Colemere Streets, roads and transport 0345 678 9006 Harvey Morgan 01691 624448 Bins and recycling 0345 678 9007 [email protected] Children’s services 0345 678 9008 Payment line 0345 678 9009 Countryside Community Projects Corporate fax 0345 678 9011 01691 624448 Dog Warden 0845 678 9018 countryside.conservation@shropshire- emergencies only 07702 166039 cc.gov.uk Flytipping 0845 678 9009 Bulky waste collection service 0845 678 9009 RAF Shawbury 01939 250351

Contact Information The information in this newsletter can be

Keeping YOU Informed is produced by: made available in large print and audio Parish Council tape. Please call 01948 710672 for Orchard Cottage Rowe Lane further details. Welshampton SY12 0QB This newsletter is printed on recycled paper. For further information please contact the Clerk: When you have finished with it please recycle. Carole Warner on 01948 710672 Email: [email protected]