February 2016

Published by Thorner Parish Council

Chairman’s Forward

It was recently brought to my attention that many people in the village do not know who represents them on the Parish Council and so below you will find a brief introduction to each of your councillors.

It is our job to make sure that we represent the views of those in the village and maintain/improve the facilities we have. As such, if you have any concerns or questions about what is happening in your village, or suggestions as to what we could do to improve the village, please do not hesitate to speak to any member of the council who will then raise your concerns, ideas or suggestions at a council meeting

Victoria Goodall-Fawcus

Chairman Thorner Parish Council

Councillor Profiles

Victoria Goodall-Fawcus I returned to Thorner 7 years ago, following a 17 year ‘absence’ during which time I served as an Air

Traffic Control Officer in the RAF. I now run the family diary/ farm with my brother and I am delighted that so many of you support us by drinking our milk. I married Roger (a serving officer with the Royal Engineers) at St Peter’s church 15 years ago and while we have no children, we have plenty of pets. I enjoy exotic food, good wine and luckily, most sport and outdoor activities

Val Forster I have lived in the village since 1978 and have been involved in a number of village groups including the Thorner Village Society and the Historical Society. Before retiring in 2010 I was involved in working in education for many years. I have been a member of the Parish Council for nearly nine years and have found the experience both stimulating and interesting. I am currently involved in working with the Green Team and in the production of the Parish Council’s Newsletter.

Tom Mycock I moved to Thorner 1993 and still live at Kirkfield Lane. I have been involved with the Parish Council for 10 years or more, after a career in engineering, which started in 1962 until I retired. I believe that Thorner is a working village and developed in to what it is today because of this. Development is always the threat but can also be an asset if it benefits the village.

Diane Gibbins I have been a resident of Thorner 13 years and Parish Councillor for 10 years. I enjoy being involved with local groups and residents working on village projects, i.e. Boule Piste, Gardens, Ford, Sam Sykes. I currently work on the Quarry Project on Church Hill and the Elmet Greenway Group, which aims to promote safe cycling, walking, and horse riding routes linking local villages to Crossgates. Hobbies include cycling, walking, gardening, anything outdoors.

Published by Thorner Parish Council David Johnston I have lived in Thorner for twenty three years. My career has spanned 19 years as a teacher and 21 years as a local government education adviser. As a member of the Parish Council I attempt to ensure that the activities of the Council serve the interests of the community in maintaining the excellent village we all share.

Liz De Dombal I have lived in Thorner for over 5 years and love living here. I am a GP and currently work in Pontefract. My husband and I have 2 black Labradors and enjoy walking them around Thorner and the neighbouring countryside.

Richard Bould I am a Building Surveyor working for a large housing association across . In my work I manage projects undertaking major refurbishment schemes to our tenants homes, such as kitchen and heating upgrades through to renewables installations and energy efficiency improvements. Thorner has been my home for the past six years, although my family have roots in village for many generations dating back hundreds of years. I am interested in architecture and history, which serves me well on the Parish Council as one of the lead members for reviewing planning matters. This is currently being employed working on the Neighbourhood Plan alongside other councillors and volunteers on the steering group.

Gwen Brown I was born in and brought up in Boston Spa. I had a convent school education started in Clifford and finished at St Joseph’s College Bradford. I moved to Thorner in January1982. I have a Dip HE in History and Literature, which I worked hard for as a mature student at LMU. I have worked mainly in retail and clerical positions. I have three children and numerous grand children who I love to spend time with. My favourite pastimes are reading, walking and researching my family history. I also love cooking and hosting dinner parties. I have been on Thorner PC for over 10 years and Secretary of the Historical Society since 2000.

John Player I have lived in Thorner for 9 years and two of my grandchildren have been pupils at Thorner C of E Primary School, where I have been a governor since 2013. I retired in 2013, having been a Headteacher and a national adviser for the Department for Education. I enjoy walking and am an active member of two Yorkshire walking groups.

Councillor Contact Details Name Tel no Email Richard Bould 2893899. [email protected] Gwen Brown 2893372 [email protected] Liz De Dombal 2892159 [email protected] Val Forster 2892758 [email protected] Diane Gibbins 2893883 [email protected] Victoria Goodall – Fawcus (Chair) 2892258 [email protected] Dave Johnston 2892219 [email protected] Tom Mycock (Vice-Chair) 2892706 [email protected] John Player 2017136 [email protected] Barry Riley (Clerk) 2640865 [email protected]

Thorner Parish Council Working Groups

Finance John Player, Diane Gibbins and Victoria Goodall-Fawcus.

Maintenance and Gardens Liz De Dombal, Gwen Brown, Tom Mycock and Val Forster.

Newsletter Liz De Dombal, Gwen Brown, Val Forster &Victoria Goodall-Fawcus

Planning Richard Bould, Gwen Brown and Dave Johnston.

Youth and Playground Gwen Brown and Tom Mycock.

Published by Thorner Parish Council LOOKING TO CROWD FUND !!

THORNER QUARRY FEASIBILITY STUDY WORKING GROUP

The Parish Plan Review in 2010 identified that there would be value in drawing attention to the importance of the neglected quarry site on Church Hill. It has significance both as part of village history, and as a site of geological interest.

Last year a topographical survey was funded, jointly, by The Mexborough Estate and Thorner Parish Council. A consultation exercise on possible ways to enhance and preserve the site raised a good number of ideas and comments as well as some concerns that are being addressed, and there was a good response from people keen to help with fund raising or with site work. These contacts have been invited to join in with some undergrowth clearance sessions.

The next step for the Group is to commission a more detailed geotechnical survey and an environmental survey that will help shape more detailed proposals on the possibilities, and then to use this to get more feedback in another consultation exercise.

We need to raise around £3000 for this, and we are aiming to attract donations using a “crowdfunding” approach. Backers are being invited to support the surveys with a donation that will help us press on with the study. See http://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/thornerquarry

A group of volunteer village residents is now formally constituted, with its own dedicated bank account. Members are Scott Marshall (Chair) Steven Wood (Secretary) John Calvert (Treasurer) Diane Gibbins, Tom Mycock, Graham Castle, Dudley Mitchell, Michael Brereton, Sue Lawrenson, John Wilson, and Robert Wilson.

Further support is welcome. There’s also more information on our website at www.thornerquarry.jimdo.com, or you’ll find Thorner Quarry on Facebook, or @thorner quarry on twitter. If you wish to offer help, or would like more information, please get in touch with either: Scott Marshall 2892973 [email protected] or John Calvert 2983035 [email protected]

CRICKET It may still feel like winter but preparations for the cricket season are already underway.

The ground takes a while to recover from the wet weather (and the rabbits). The committee has been chosen, players are being corralled and we even have a junior section that will be taking off in April. We always need players, sponsors and any help we can get. Please feel free to visit us from April or be in touch if you'd like to be involved! Len Horridge Chairman TMCC

Published by Thorner Parish Council Most people have probably been down to check out our new Deli, run by Mark Lonsdale.

The sandwiches and fresh produce are all superb.

Mark says, “even if we look quiet we are usually working behind the scenes and preparing for the next day”.

Constantly updating food ranges should continue to foster our interest.

The dreaded Health & Safety is not a problem as Mark & Co are proud to be fully compliant and have just passed their recent inspection.

Hampers are attractively presented and available on request

Theatre Trip – Thursday 17 March 2016.

Leeds Gilbert and Sullivan Society present “Orpheus in the Underworld”. Not G&S but something very similar! It’s a very funny, light opera; the most famous musical number from the show is the Can Can, a real showstopper if ever there was one. You may be interested to know that the work was not originally an immediate hit in the 1850s, until a critic condemned it as immoral, then the whole of Paris flocked to see it!

Tickets for the show are £15.50 for groups. If there are enough people going, I will arrange for a mini-bus or small coach, please let me know, if possible by 28 February, if you are interested. Thank you to everyone in Thorner for your continued support Janet Johnston 0113 2892219 [email protected]

Newsletter Document Submission Procedure For details of preferred formats and the like, please refer to the Parish Council website.

http://www.thorner-parish-council.org.uk

Published by Thorner Parish Council

Tour de Yorkshire

Stage 2 of the Tour de Yorkshire will be passing through Thorner on Saturday 30 April 2016. The route into Thorner will be down Milner Lane from East Rigton, along Church View, Main Street and Sandhills on the way to York Road and Scholes / Barwick. There will be a ladies race passing through mid morning, followed approximately 1 hour later by the main men’s race. In order that the community can enjoy and benefit from this unique event, the various commercial outlets, , restaurants and shops along with the Parish Centre and Over 60’s will be endeavouring to capture the atmosphere in what they are proposing to offer. There will be activities on Millennium Green, some focussing around a cycling theme, which will hopefully encourage everyone to stay in the village and enjoy the day. With regard to the logistics, it will be likely that all vehicles will need to be removed from the roadside on the day, particularly the Main Street, so please be prepared to seek an alternative place to park your vehicle in readiness. With the Tour De France, any vehicles not removed will be towed away “somewhere”, and it is possible the same approach may be made for the Tour de Yorkshire! As there will be extensive press and TV coverage of this event, it will be a fantastic opportunity to place Thorner even higher on the international recognition map, and it is hoped that the road sides will be lined with “cheering throngs” to welcome and encourage the riders as they pass through. The Tour De Yorkshire theme is predominantly blue with yellow, so have a look in your drawers and wardrobes to come out attired accordingly along with face paint !! Please contact David Fryer, who is chairing the event steering group on 2893067 or [email protected], 20 Main Street, with any thoughts for the event and offers of, or suggestions for funding.

Thorner Historical Society

Benjamin Franklin was one of the Founding Fathers of the United States. A renowned polymath, Franklin was a leading author, printer, political theorist, politician, freemason, postmaster, scientist, inventor, civic activist, statesman, and diplomat.

Born January 17, in Boston, the youngest son of Josiah & Abiah (Folger) Franklin. He spent many of his later years trying to negotiate with the British Government before the war of independence.

As a founding father of the United States, it is interesting to speculate which side of the argument he would come down on in the current “BREXIT” debate.

Published by Thorner Parish Council General Village News them. If you think you can help or would like to find out more please contact Bridget Thorner Victory Hall Tennis Club Tasker or Greg Webster, our WiSE Transport Coordinators by calling the WiSE office on The AGM will be held on 01937 222066. Alternatively please email Tuesday 15th March in the them at [email protected] Mexborough at 730. All are welcome. Village Tidy Up The new season will soon be The tidy up takes place on here, though the Sunday morning Club th Sessions at 1030 have continued throughout the Sat 19 March 2016: all the winter months. All welcome to come help gratefully received. down - even if you are a bit rusty! Meeting as usual at the Mexborough Arms Are there any Young Mums out there, who corner at 9am. Plastic bags, gloves and litter- would like to get together for some daytime pickers will be provided. tennis at times that suit you? Get together and contact Terri Gladman on THORNER COMMUNITY CHOIR [email protected] or 289 2400 for more details. In January we Pencil in 10th July for the Wimbledon Finals welcomed a new leader, Fun Day: games for the Juniors, BBQ and the Will Jones, who has screening of the Men`s Final on the big screen experience working in the Victory Hall. with choirs made up of After the AGM our page on the Victory Hall different age groups. website will at last be active: for Club news He is very enthusiastic and information, please see the site after 1st and has introduced us to some beautiful April. pieces already. We will be attempting music from various genres all with the aim of having Terry Smith a good time at the practices and working towards a concert for family and friends twice Latest Transport Scheme News a year. We would really like more people to come along; there would be no audition and Following our you don't have to be able to read music. We request for meet in the Parish Centre on Monday further Transport evenings, 7-8.30. The cost is £30 for 10 weeks. Scheme volunteers last month, we have Please ring 2892205 if you would like to give received several enquiries for which we are it a try. very grateful. With over 120 clients now registered to use the service however, we still Thorner Village Stores need additional volunteer drivers please…do you think you could help? For those that don’t The shop has now been sold know, the scheme provides a cost effective and although the new way for the over 60’s to get to appointments, owners have indicated they meet friends and attend the wide variety of do not want to provide a social activities that the area has postal service, the Post to offer. We would like to take the Office intends to contact the opportunity of thanking our fantastic existing new owners when they are in residence and volunteers who continue to donate their time ask that they reconsider their position but we really do need more people just like regarding the development of a post office service. Published by Thorner Parish Council

THORNER SCHOOL assisted to strip off the lights from the trees, all very much appreciated. In the last newsletter we were delighted Many people come along to say “ to report that Thorner School had I will help you put the trees up” been featured in the national press, as well and indeed to take them down, as ITVs Good Morning Britain visiting us, but they seem to disappear into the woodwork when it comes to on the launch of our "Daily Mile". it! Since then, you may have seen that we The putting up and taking down is in fact the shortest were successful, via our PTA, in gaining job, the longest and most tedious is the dressing of the funding from the Thorner tree trunk so they will fit into the brackets and Community Fund to build a thereafter the dressing of the trees with the light strings. purpose-made running Most people will know what it is like to put the lights track. Work on this starts on their Christmas tree each year, try doing 49 on your in the February half term own! Thanking again all those people who contributed holiday, with a completion to this annual endeavour for the greater good, date (weather permitting) of week something you all should be proud of. D Fryer commencing 14 March, in time for Sport Relief. We hope to have an official launch Neighbourhood Plan event for the whole community in April and look forward to sharing the benefits of The Steering Group is meeting regularly and regular exercise, using our new track. volunteers are putting together what we hope will be the basis for the document in the next With best wishes couple of months. After an agreed Mr I. Holmes draft is formulated Head Teacher the document will be sent out to the Village to consult Thorner Christmas Lights on the contents. Once again, and thanks to some very generous people, After revision it we had another excellent show of Christmas tree lights will be sent to The along Church View and Main Street. There were an Local Planning additional four properties this year making it now a Authority who will appoint an Independent total of 49 trees. Examiner. We then have a Public Referendum As many people will know, there was an enquiry sent for your final approval. out to many members of the community asking if they would be interested to make a contribution towards the overall cost of putting on this annual display, and The main point of converting the VDS to a amazingly 33 people made contributions ranging from Neighbourhood Plan is to give it legal weight £5.00 to £25.00. under the Localism Bill This meant that the cost to the property owners who . host a tree, and in the past always paid the full cost, did not have to do so again this year thanks to these Council Agenda Deadline other contributions, each paying only £10.00 – and of course footing the cost of running the lights which is st actually a small amount. Many thanks to Alan Haigh Parish Council meetings take place on the 1 who always comes along to assist with the putting up Tuesday of the month .A deadline of Friday of the tree brackets, and thereafter the placing of the 4.30pm (10 days prior to the meeting), is set trees, Dave Ramsey and Paul Thackray who helped to take the trees and brackets to the Boules Shed when for correspondence for consideration at the they were taken down, and Steve McNiven who following Parish Council.

Published by Thorner Parish Council East Leeds Orbital Ring Road (ELOR)

Red Hall Works

It looks as if Red Hall is already moving forward. The Council Garden Centre and playing fields will move, most likely in its entirety, to the new cemetery site off Thorner Lane. We previously opposed this and TPC formulated a submission document with matters of concern. Plans have been submitted for the cemetery site although nothing has been seen so far. Recently, however you may have noticed that some preparatory work has started. On the light green area on the diagram between Skeltons Lane and York Road some sheds are approved for clearance. We await further proposed layout options. The Red Hall development is now going forward sooner than initially intended because monies are now available from a Funding Initiative which will pay for the new ring road to be installed in the next 3yrs, rather than wait for developers to fund it as building takes place. now appears to be engaged with the whole ELOR development more rigorously than appeared to be the case previously

ELOR Works

Roads and infrastructure should normally be installed in front of housing and associated development but as neither LCC nor Developers had the money to fund the road there was at one time going to be a 10yr wait for the road to be completed. The signs are that we may get beneficial use of the road in three years while the housing development proceeds. Building the new road at an early stage will help mitigate construction traffic during the building of the new houses although it is inevitable that there will be some traffic issues. Despite local protests when people have found out or have been reminded of the ELOR works the scheme will go ahead as set out in the Unitary Development Plan (UDP) for many years.

Designers, Planners & Developers are all mindful of the need to mitigate traffic, noise, flooding and enhance the environment. In today’s climate it would be foolish to build a development, which does not address these concerns. If you remember, the Developers for the Northern Quadrant, which most closely affects Thorner, used our village as the vernacular template for the design of the new houses in this quadrant. So in that sense our input has been noticed and effective. The last main issue preventing the start of the NE Quadrant was the position of the new roundabout proposed on Wetherby road. The Developers wanted to offset the roundabout so they could get on without affecting Wetherby Road directly. At a recent Scholes Developer Display meeting a planning officer stated that the roundabout would be on the existing road for a better traffic flow. Either way, existing traffic can be accommodated by phased diversion while building the roundabout.

Published by Thorner Parish Council Additional ELOR Notes January 2016

Plans were submitted last year but nor approved due to insufficient social housing, at least 15% being required. Legislation regarding Section 106 & the CIL tax (where a proportion of the increase in value on land as a result of planning permission is used to finance the supporting infrastructure, such as schools) has changed so causing some delay. Formalising the coalition of landowners, builders and developers has been difficult to formalise legally. Plans will be back to Panel probably this spring for the first development. Separate plans are being submitted for the A58 later this year. The new A64 roundabout will be quite large with traffic lights and accesses into the new housing estates. LCC are now taking overall control, at last, for strategic planning of the road. Now they have the money allocated they are catching up on developers’ plans. This is a big boost to progress.

Technical issues Drainage: Balancing reservoirs, swales & permeable paving are all in the design mix.

Landscaping: Trees, berms, mounds will be incorporated Possibly three bridges over the road will be planted with trees and foliage Noise: Road design will be in cut where possible with fencing and mounding Traffic flows Traffic calculations have been forecast for the greater region and worked down to the ELOR project level to ensure local junction solutions will be adequate.

Published by Thorner Parish Council St Peter's Church As of 1st January 2016, Thorner, Barwick & Scholes parishes became the Elmete Trinity Benefice. At the same time Andy Nicholson ceased to be Priest-in-charge of the parishes and became the incumbent, with the title of Rector. A service of celebration was held on the 31st January at All Saints Church Barwick. I set out below a series of future dates for the Diary: Sunday 20th March Palm Sunday 9.15am service Thursday 24th March Maundy Thursday 8pm service Friday 25th March Good Friday - 10am Children's Stories, songs and activities - 2pm final hour service at Thorner Methodist Church Sunday 27th March Easter Sunday 9.15am service Future Events at St Peter's Sunday 8th May afternoon concert vocal soloist & piano (tea & cake tickets £5) Sunday 12th June Queens 90th Birthday celebrations at St Peter's Sunday 26th June St Peter's Patronal festival lunch & Sung Evensong

Her Majesty the Queen’s 90th Birthday

This remarkable event date will fall on 21 April 2016, nine days before the Tour de Yorkshire. The community has been asked via the Palace office to recognise the event in whatever ways it sees appropriate, and in particular to have a beacon similar to that used at the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee in 2012. In addition, it is proposed to have bunting and flags across Main Street as in 2012, and which due to the closeness of the two events may be a mixture of Tour de Yorkshire and Union Jack themed ones. Both events will require an amount of expenditure and it would be very much appreciated if anyone can offer a contribution or a suggestion as to how to raise some funds. Rob Staines has kindly offered to hold a fund raising Race Night in the coming weeks, so please support this endeavour when announced. A more detailed “Programme of Events” will be issued towards the end of March / early April when further ideas have been received, considered and firmed up. Please contact David Fryer, who is chairing the event steering group on 2893067 or [email protected], 20 Main Street, with any thoughts for the event and offers of, or suggestions for funding

Dates for your Diary

Date Event Contact

01.03.16 Parish Council Meeting [email protected] 15.03.16 Tennis Club AGM` Terry Smith on 2892205

17.03.16 Theatre Trip Janet Johnson on 2892219

03.04.16 Folk Music at the Victory Hall thornervictoryhall.com 19.03.16 Village Tidy Meet at the Mexborough Arms

05.04.16 Parish Council Meeting [email protected]

23.04.16 Beer Festival at the Victory Hall From 12 Noon

Thorner Village Hall (Reg. Charity No 1021891)

KATHRYN ROBERTS & SEAN LAKEMAN SUNDAY 3rd APRIL 2016

Pillars of modern British folk music, Kathryn & Sean are touring with material from their acclaimed new album “Tomorrow will follow today” - a mix of traditional songs and their own compositions.

Music 8-00pm Tickets £12-50 Call: 07988 496567 Buy online at :- thornervictoryhall.com/buy-tickets/ ets/

Published by Thorner Parish Council

Thorner Community Fund (TCF).

Allocation of Thorner Community Fund Grants 2015

Donations received for Leeds Festival resident tickets allowed us to yet again make the allocation of these funds to benefit the community of Thorner. All village groups, clubs and societies were invited to apply for an allocation from this fund. Twenty eight groups were contacted. Fourteen applications were made which were considered on 9 November 2015. The committee uses the following broad criteria to help make decisions on the allocation of grants: v Viability of the group v How active/successful the group is in their own fundraising efforts v Actual worth or visible/tangible benefit of the award to the village v Past support from the Thorner Community Fund v Other income streams explored The executive committee members would like to express their sincere thanks to Melvin Benn, Mary Fox, Rachel Lane-Fox and Alister Turnbull who joined the group for the 2015 discussion and assessment of submissions. The following is a summary of the decisions and the seven awards made. v Thorner Bowling Club: £1,350 v Scouts Group (Scouts, Cubs and Beavers): £999 v Thorner Mexborough Cricket Club: £323 v The Victory Hall & Institute: £5,000 v Friends of Thorner School PTA: £15,000 v Thorner Junior Youth Club: £300 v 1st Thorner Rainbows: £196

Seven bids were not successful. Full details can be found on the village website http://www.thornervillage.org.uk

Thorner Community Fund Executive Committee: Mark Darley (Chair), Annette Carr, Gillian Riley, Nick Tucker and Wayne Young. [email protected]

Bids not successful this year: Apple Pressing; Art Group; Christmas Tree Lights (an alternative funding offer made by TCF was not taken up by the bidder); Church Hill Quarry Group; Methodist Church; Over 60s Association & the Village Show Society.

Published by Thorner Parish Council