The Occasional and Sandford Parish Council Newsletter Edition 37 - March 2021

We like to hear of your concerns and of any issues that you wish to bring to our notice. You can do so by: -

 Using the Contact Us form via our website: www.winscombeandsandford-pc.gov.uk;  Sending us a message on our Facebook Page: www.facebook.com/winscombeandsandfordparishcouncil  emailing: [email protected]; or [email protected]  by telephoning the Parish Office on 01934 844257 or in writing

On-line version of The Occasional The Parish Council is trying to reduce its Carbon Footprint and has started to implement things within their Office, but you can do your bit too! If you would like to receive your copy of The Occasional via email, please contact the Clerk and let her know.

Parish Council Office Owing to the current Government Guidelines, the Parish Council Office is closed to members of the public. Therefore, all office-based staff are working from their respective homes but are still contactable by phone or email.

20mph Speed Zones The Parish Council has been approached regarding vehicles speeding through the Parish. We need to find what people think about reducing the speed limit and, if you agree, where this should take place. Please express your views by either emailing the Parish Council on [email protected] or writing to the Deputy Parish Clerk.

Citizens Advice Bureau The weekly rural outreach service continues each Tuesday morning between 9am and 1pm. Appointments can be booked by phoning the Parish Council Office or by sending an email to the Clerk or Deputy Clerk. Whilst appointments with an advisor will not be face to face, advice can be given by telephone or Zoom. Do not worry if you do not have the technology to do this yourself, we can also organise this.

A Date for Your Diary! Winscombe and Sandford Annual Parish Assembly To be held virtually on Monday 12th April 2021 at 7:30pm The Annual Parish Assembly is an opportunity for members of the public to learn what activities the various Organisations in the Parish carry out during the year. It is also an opportunity to raise any issues with the Parish Council. The following organisations have contributed during previous years: Youth Club, Village Traders, Axe & Cheddar Sea Cadets, Churchill & Langford Minibus Society, Sporting Clubs These organisations/items will hopefully be present/covered in this meeting: National Grid Works, Banwell By- pass, ‘20 is plenty scheme’.

Parish Council Resignations/Appointments

Sadly we must report the resignation of Councillor Vic Slater. His knowledge and perception will be missed particularly during the Parish Council meetings of the Planning Group, the War Memorial and Recreation Ground Group and the Employment, Finance and Policies Committee.

Following two recent resignations we are fortunate to have gained the services of two parishioners to act as councillors.

John Witcher John has now retired but used to work with data protection and freedom of information procedures for local Government Departments and Universities. His interests are music, walking, cycling and very occasionally motor biking. He looks forward to parish maintenance and the protection of its environment. He hopes that people will contact him through his Parish Council email - witcher@winscombeandsandford- pc.gov.uk

Tom Adams Tom moved to the Parish in 2020 and has joined the Parish Council in order to help with the maintenance of the parish and to get to know better his neighbours. In his spare time he enjoys walking, horse riding and sport, cricket and rugby in particular. He looks forward to getting more involved with parishioners and the workings of the parish. He can be contacted through his Parish Council email - adams@winscombeandsandford- pc.gov.uk

Banwell Bypass This long-awaited road is set to be completed by spring 2024 with work expected to start on the ground in 2023. North Council is due to appoint a contractor for the design and build process next spring with public consultation being held in the summer. Extensive survey works are currently being undertaken to collect information from land which could lie on the bypass route. The survey work includes looking at ecology, watercourses, ground investigation, topographical and archaeological investigation. If you wish to comment of make an observation, please email: [email protected]

Winscombe Community Centre Re-development – from WinSpace As this article is being written, the WCA appointed Architects are putting the final touches to a full planning application to redevelop the Community Centre. This will be the culmination of six years work looking at how to replace the 1960s’ temporary classrooms with a new multi-functional centre which, combined with re-furbishment of the old school, will give the Parish a much-needed facility. The submitted plans and the updates on the progress through planning are being displayed in the notice board outside the Winscombe Community Centre and full details are on our re-development WiNSPACE website (winspace.org.uk) We’re now working on the next phase of the project which is looking at RAISING THE FUNDS

and ensuring that the Parish is kept fully up to date on its progress via as many communication channels as possible. However, to make the facility a success and a hub of activities, we would love to hear about your ideas and visions.

The 2021 Census The census is coming. By taking part, you can help to inform decisions on services that shape your community, such as schools, doctors’ surgeries and bike lanes. It’s important you fill in your census questionnaire because the information you share affects the life of every single person living in and Wales. Because these things matter to us all, everyone needs to complete the census. Do not worry, your information is protected by law. That means government officials dealing with payments or services you receive cannot see it. Census Day is Sunday 21 March. You can fill yours in online as soon as you get your access code in the post. If your household circumstances change on Census Day, you can let The Office for National Statistics (ONS) know. If you need help, you can visit www.census.gov.uk where there’s a wide range of support services available.

Village Tubbers are urgently needed! You may have admired the colourful flower tubs that are spread throughout the village, several being outside The Woodborough Arms. The one shown here was one of two on the triangle at the end of Church Road, though they have both now been replaced by two tubs that were once cattle troughs. Each village tub is planted and watered by one or two villagers, who we call ‘tubbers’, under the auspices of the Parish Council. If you were a village tubber you would take over, usually, just one of the tubs. You would choose the plants, May and October, plant them when you think is a good time and keep an eye on the tub to be sure it is weed free and does not dry out. All costs would be paid for by the Parish Council through an account that you would be given at Banwell Garden Centre. Once a tubber, there are several parishioners who could give you advice and some practical help if required. If you need any more information and/or would like to become a ‘tubber’ contact Mark Boddy, the ‘tubber in chief, by email, on [email protected]

Winscombe Tennis Club Tennis was one of the first sports to be allowed after the previous lockdowns and we expect this to be the case again. To enable as many people as possible to benefit from this outdoor sociable sport, we are planning a range of activities to suit all ages and abilities, including current non-players These are: Open Day planned for 17th April – reduced membership available on day, all ages welcome. Cardio Tennis sessions –adult fitness and fun with a racket, no tennis skills required. Group Coaching sessions– all age groups and skill levels catered for with our new coach. Pay & Play – no membership needed, £6 per hour per court. Play with existing friends or if there is a demand, we are considering a ‘WhatsApp’ group to help bring people together for games.

Recent Litter Pick We are sure you will join us in thanking the Strawberry Line Volunteers, Award Land Volunteers and Parish Litter pickers who, following Government guidelines, have done an excellent job clearing the grass verges between Winscombe and Banwell. If you are interested in joining in, please contact us. With your help, we can make our Parish a more attractive place in which to live.

Council Meetings Due to the current Government Guidelines and until further notice, meetings, other than those held for the Cemetery & Allotment Working Group, will take place via Zoom. Details of how to join virtually will be on our Parish Council Website a few days before each meeting.

March: Planning Committee 1st Environment Working Group 8th Cemetery and Allotment Working Group 15th Ilex Lane Full Parish Council 22nd Planning Committee 29th April: Annual Parish Assembly 12th Planning Committee 19th Full Parish Council 26th May: Planning Committee 10th Employment, Finance and Policies 17th Annual Meeting of the Full Parish Council 24th

Editor – Gerald Lloyd - [email protected]