Produced by NEWSLETTERWrockwardine Wood & Trench Parish Council. Issue No.16, October 2008 Wood & Trench Parish Council Senior Citizens Christmas Party On Saturday 6th December 1pm onwards (Doors open at 12.30pm) at The Sutherland School, Gibbons Road, Trench Tickets will be available – FREE OF CHARGE - from the Parish Council Centre, Church Road, on Monday November 10th, 10am – 12 noon & 2pm – 4pm

Tuesday, November 11th, 10am – 12 noon and 2pm – 4pm Please call in to collect a ticket or telephone 616363 To qualify for the party you must reside in the Wrockwardine Wood & Trench Parish. Please provide proof of identity – this can be anything with your name and address on.

Youth Clubs Mondays 6 – 7pm at Leisure Centre in the sports hall. This club will run until 26th January 2009, catering for ages 10 – 17 years. Activities will include basketball, netball, badminton and more. Wednesdays 6.30 – 9.30pm at Minnesota Fats, Cannongate, Oakengates for 13 – 17 years. Thursdays 5 – 6.30pm at the Parish Council Centre in the school hall for 6 – 11 years. The club held at Minnesota Fats is funded by Wrockwardine Wood & Trench Parish Council, St. Georges & Priorslee Parish Council and Oakengates Town Council. Volunteers are needed to keep these clubs running. If you can help please contact the Local Police Team on one of the numbers on the back page.

Contents: Pages 2 & 3: Parish Council News Page 4: Coffee Morning Invitation, Classes at the Parish Council Centre and Council Meeting Dates Page 5: Parish Council Contacts and Useful Numbers Page 6: Trench Allotment & Leisure Gardeners Society News and News from Holy Trinity Church Page 7: Local Policing Team Message Page 8: PACT News and Ongoing PACT Survey Page 2: Parish Council News

Statement of Accounts for year ending 31st March 2008 This statement of accounts formed part of the annual return that was submitted to the external auditor in Au- gust 2008. If you would like to inspect the full annual return please telephone us on 616363 to make an ap- pointment. Year ending Year ending 31 March Notes and guidance 31 March 2008 2007 Balances Total balances & reserves at the beginning of the 63,416 62,976 Brought forward year. (+) Annual Total amount of precept received 101,180 106,682 Precept In the year (+) Total other Total receipts or income as recorded in the 14,421 14,746 receipts cashbook less the precept. Total expenditure or payments made to all council (-) Staff costs (29,872) (31,024) employees. PAYE and NI, pension contributions and related expenses. (-) Loan interest/ Total payments of capital interest made during (28,008) (26,289) capital repayments the year on councils borrowings (-) Total other Total expenditure as recorded in the cash book (58,161) (60,712) payments less staff costs and loan repayments (=) Balances carried Total balances and reserves at end of year 62,976 66,379 forward Must equal (1+2+3) – (4+5+6) Total Cash and short The sum of all current & deposit bank accounts, 58,213 79,554 term investments cash holdings & short term investments. Total fixed assets The recorded book value at 31 March of all fixed and long term 367,090 367,090 assets owned by the council & any other long assets term assets The outstanding capital balance as at 31 March Total borrowings 25,000 Nil of all loans from third parties Our precept for the current year is £106,000, which is a slight reduction on the previous years precept. Projects for the current year include the replacement of fencing at Holy Trinity Church, Wrockwardine Wood the provision of more litter bins and the provision of benches. We will keep you updated on progress via our website and in the next newsletter.

Website update: Introducing: www.wwtpc.org.uk/blog Wrockwardine Wood & Trench Parish Council Blog was started at the beginning of October. A blog is like an online diary. We will be able to give you up to date news immediately, before the monthly website update. You will also be able to leave your comments - each post on the blog has a link underneath for comments to be added. We will monitor the comments in case any undesirable messages are left. You can visit the blog at the above address or via a link from the website at www.wwtpc.org.uk Page 3: Parish Council News

Environmental Visual Audit (EVA) On the first Wednesday of each month, The Chairman, Clerk and Cllr. Anne Watkins, together with a member of the Local Police Team walk around an area of the Parish of Wrockwardine Wood & Trench to look at any environmental problems such as litter, overgrown hedges, vandalism etc – anything that causes concern. We report these problems to the relevant authority for appropriate action. If you have any environmental problems in your area that we need to address, please let us know. You can ring us on 01952 616363. If you see us out please come and talk to us.

The Cockshutt, Wrockwardine Wood

On one of our EVAs (see article above) we walked over the large piece of the Cockshutt that is in our Parish. The author of a document in our keeping, entitled ‘A Short History & Profile of Wrockwardine Wood’ wrote the following article on The Cockshutt: “The name Cockshutt or Cockshoote is synonymous with woodland. It would be hard to imagine a treeless Cockshutt, yet the mining efforts of the 17th and 18th Century left parts of the Parish appearing derelict. A survey of trees in 1837 found only 252 trees remaining. The Lilleshall Company was responsible for the re-afforestation of the area in 1865.” You can find more history on the Cockshutt and Wrockwardine Wood at www.british-history.ac.uk Because we enjoyed our EVA of the Cockshutt so much we were inspired to take some photographs showing the natural beauty of the area. The photograph below is one of many that you will find on our website at www.wwtpc.org.uk or call in to the Parish Council Centre where we have copies.

The photographs on our website show the autumn colours. Page 4: Coffee Morning, Classes, Meetings Coffee Morning Invitation

Please join us at our free Coffee Morning on Friday 14th November 2008 at The Parish Council Centre, Church Road, Wrockwardine Wood at 10am.

The coffee morning is aimed at our more senior residents with a view to setting up a weekly group to look at topics of interest to members or just to meet and socialise. Telephone Yvonne on 01952 616363 for further details.

Classes at Wrockwardine Wood & Trench Parish Council Centre MONDAY Brownies (7 –11 years). 6pm – 7.15pm Telephone Mrs Lawlor: 617002

Keep fit for the over 50s 7pm – 8pm Telephone Yvonne 616363 for details.

TUESDAY Toddler Group 9.15 – 11.15am Parents, grandparents, child minders welcome Telephone Tracy: 528150 Art Class with Bob Spendlove 7pm – 9pm Telephone Bob: 412918 for details WEDNESDAY Art Class with Stuart Mann NEW CLASS 10am – 12 noon Contact the WEA: 583886 or just turn up. Slimming World 7pm Contact Donna: 251140 or just turn up. THURSDAY Art Class with Pauline Jones 9.30 – 11.30am Starting February 2009. Telephone Melanie Duncan on 642339 to book. Course code JP410C Youth Club for 6 – 11 years Run by the local Police Team 5pm – 6.30pm

Parish Council Meetings All our meetings are held at the Parish Council Centre. Full Council Meetings include a 15 minute public session near the start of the meeting. Tuesday 11th November Full Council Meeting 7pm Tuesday 9th December Full Council Meeting 7pm Tuesday 13th January 2009 Full Council Meeting 7pm Tuesday 10th February 2009 Full Council Meeting 7pm Page 5: Parish Council Contacts, Useful Numbers

Parish Council Contacts: Les Brayne 616363 (via Council office) Charles Smith 380223 Karen Hanmer 07852 477 987 Helen Smith 605645 Michael Hanmer 07873 288 355 John Thompson 606363 – Vice Chair Derek Pearce 279181 Jhalman Singh Uppal 670127 Derek Plant 620274 Anne Watkins 271764 Yvonne Taylor 616363 – Clerk Keith Watkins 271764 – Chair Email us at [email protected] or visit our website on www.wwtpc.org.uk or our new blog at www.wwtpc.org.uk/blog Borough Councillors: Charles Smith 380223 Bob Groom 380200 Borough Councillors for St. Georges which includes Wrockwardine Wood East Ward and most of Wrockwardine Wood Parish Ward: (Briggs Way, Cappoquin Drive (part) Cockshutt Road, Hudson Close, Iris Crescent, Johnstone Close, Lincoln Crescent, Lincoln Road, Lincoln Villas, Mafeking Drive, Mafeking Terrace, Middle Road, Moss Road, New Road, Old Incline, Proctors Place, Rocfield Terrace, Stafford Road (part), Summer Crescent, The Woodlands, Union Road, Urban Road, Woodland Villas and Woodlands Drive) Richard Overton 380215 John Minor 380214 Useful Numbers: Police 08457 444 888 Princess Royal Hospital 641 222 Crimestoppers 0800 555 111 Shropdoc (24 hours) 08450 202 131 Transco (if you smell gas) 0888 111 999 NHS Direct (24 hours) 0845 4647 Electricity (loss of supply) 0800 328 1111 Age Concern 587 821 & Wrekin Council 380 000 Oakengates Leisure Centre 382 810 Council Tax/Housing Benefit 383 838 Oakengates Theatre – The Place 382 382 Stray Dogs/Abandoned Cars, Schools: Refuse Collection & large items 384 384 Wrock Wood Infants & Nursery 387 860 Street Light Repairs 616 363 Wrock Wood Juniors 387 880 Wrekin Housing Trust 217 100 St. Lukes RC Junior School 388 222 Samaritans 256 161 Wrock Wood Arts College 388 300 Domestic Violence Helpline 0800 783 1359 The Sutherland School 387 800

Wrockwardine Wood Infant School & Nursery Christmas Fayre Thursday 27th November 2008 At 6pm in the school hall There will be lots of stalls and a visit from the real Father Christmas All Welcome! Page 6: News from Allotment Society & Holy Trinity

Trench Allotment & Leisure Gardeners Society The Committee and members would like to thank all those who supported our Produce Show in September which resulted in the Auction of Produce raising £63.20 for Severn Hospice, Telford. Our congratulations go to: 1. Mr. Roy Matthews for winning the ‘best plot’, both for the society and Telford & Wrekin. 2. Mr. Gordon Own for gaining most points in Show 3. Mr. Les Brayne for gaining the best exhibit in Show You do not have to rent an allotment plot to join the Trench Allotment & Leisure Gardeners Society. Membership costs £2.50 per annum and benefits include discounted seeds, friendly advice and gardening tips, outings to places of interest throughout the year and the chance to be part of a very friendly sociable group. Full details from The Secretary, Anne Watkins, 14 Oaklands Drive, Trench, Telford 01952 271764

News from Holy Trinity Church from the Rector Thank you Church Restoration and Re-ordering The congregation of Holy Trinity wish to express English Heritage will begin repairs to the Church their sincere gratitude to the Staff of both the Co- Tower and Nave Roof in the New Year followed by Op at Trench and The White Horse, Wrockwardine the re-ordering of the church itself all being well, Wood who raised a staggering £850 at the Fun Day later in 2009. on August Bank Holiday Monday. Church Vandalism Links with our local schools Vandals have damaged two windows in the nave Charlotte Cheshire, our Youth Worker, is beginning during the past two months at a cost of £800. We are to make an impact in our local schools as we grateful to West Mercia Police for providing us with endeavour to make the Christian Faith relevant security lighting for free and wish to publicly thank to a new generation. Holy Trinity wishes to CSO Graham Strong for his conscientiousness congratulate The Sutherland School on becoming in patrolling the graveyard and bringing crime a Business and Enterprise College and are looking prevention concerns on the site to our attention. forward to the pupils designing a website for the Baptisms, Weddings and Funerals Parish Church in the New Year. Holy Trinity is privileged to play its part in 180th Anniversary of the Church of these significant Rites of Passage in the lives of School 2010 parishioners. A Parish Drop in for the purpose of The CofE School will be celebrating its 180th booking Baptisms and Weddings in particular takes Anniversary in 2010. Holy Trinity wants to mark the place at Holy Trinity, Oakengates on a Thursday occasion with a year of special events in partnership evening between 6pm – 7pm. with our local schools, North East Telford Studies Group and Blists Hill Museum. We are also hoping Reminder – Family Service takes place the to compile a history book to mark this significant first Sunday of each month at 11am and lasts achievement in the Parish. Anyone who attended for no more than 45 minutes. the Glass House School or Wrockwardine Wood CofE Junior School is welcome to contribute to the compilation of the book. A working party is to be The Revd Matthew. C. Stafford The New Rectory Church Road, Wrockwardine formed in the New Year and if anyone wishes to Wood, Telford, TF2 7AH be a part of this group, please contact the Rector Tel: 01952 613865 Email: [email protected] or Raymond Davies. Page 7: Policing Team Message

Local Policing Team Message Your Local Policing Team would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone that has supported them throughout the year. PC Walters said that there has been an overall increase, compared to last year, of local people and businesses using their services to deal with community issues. Their partners have also played a part in addressing concerns that the police are not able to deal with. Together we have been more effective on delivering services asked of us. We hope this will continue with your involvement and support. Apart from our usual traditional policing of responding to incidents, we are utilising preventative initiatives such as diversionary activities and events throughout the year.Currently, we have activities for young people three times a week (see youth clubs advert on the front page) with support and funding from your own parish council, Oakengates Town Council and St. Georges & Priorslee Parish Council. We are now approaching a busy period with half-term, Halloween and bonfire celebrations coming up and your team will be out in force to limit the impact of anti social behaviour and nuisance which these events can cause in some of our communities. Please remember to give more attention to home and vehicle security: Don’t leave anything on display to catch the eye of an opportunist. Put away garden tools and play equipment that is not in use. For more information contact your Local Policing Team – our details are included in this newsletter. On 27th August our Community Fun Day saw an overwhelming attendance of around 500 people at Oakengates Leisure Centre. The event gave youngsters the chance to participate in a huge number of activities including a six-a-side football tournament, a dance workshop and dance-off competition and cricket, rounders and basketball shoot outs. PC Walters said that this is the second time that this event has been held and the police and Parish Council were delighted with how well it went. We are already looking forward to next years! 127 young people aged between 11 and 17 entered the six-a-side tournament. The 30ft climbing wall, giant inflatable obstacle course, motorised junior quad bikes and the paintball range were very well used during the day with children all saying that they had a great time. The event was organised by the Local Policing Team in association with the Wrockwardine wood & Trench Community Engagement Panel (PACT). It was sponsored by Wrockwardine Wood & Trench Parish Council and Telford & Wrekin Council, in partnership with Telford & Wrekin Housing Trust and various local businesses. PC J. Walters. In order to deliver local policing, you are invited to attend a public meeting that will shape the way we police your neighbourhood in the future. Your opinions are important to us; please let us know what is important to you. Partners and Communities Together Meetings (PACT) are currently held at your Wrockwardine Wood & Trench Parish Council Centre. A surgery is also held prior to the meeting at 6:45pm. PACT dates for your calendar Time Tuesday 25th November 2008 7.15pm Surgery dates at Oakengates Leisure Centre Times Wednesday 12th November 1.30 – 2.30 & 7.30 – 8.30pm Wednesday 10th December 1.30 – 2.30 & 7.30 – 8.30pm How to contact your Local Police Team: Based at: Donnington Police Station, Wellington Road, Telford TF2 8AE Email: [email protected] Message Line: 01952 216 558 (non emergency) West Mercia Non emergency: 08457 444 888 Or visit us at: www.westmercia.police.uk

Have Your Say – Wrockwardine Wood & Trench PACT The local PACT Panel (made up of representatives from agencies such as the police, local authority, local schools and parish council) is gathering information about local issues in this neighbourhood so that we can work with you to take action to tackle them. Please help us by writing down what you feel to be the biggest local issue / concern on this form and returning it to us. How to return: 1 Complete form, without giving any personal details, and place it into a sealed envelope, addressing it to - LPT Wrockwardine Wood & Trench, Donnington Police Station, Wellington Road, Telford TF2 8AE. You will need to use a stamp. 2 Without an envelope - hand deliver to Wrockwardine Wood & Trench Parish Council Centre (during school hours). is your issue? (Please be as specific as you can)

is this happening? (E.g. street name / specific location)

is this happening? (Please provide times and days)

THANK YOU