Autumn 2012

Website: www.beaconstreetara.org Email: [email protected]

A Great Historic Spectacle - The Sheriff’s Ride.

If you had been in Beacon Street on the morning of Saturday 8th September, you probably would have seen ’s current Sheriff, Mr. Brian Bacon, being driven slowly up the street in a bright pink Cadillac. Following behind was the splendid sight of 50 beautifully turned out horses and their riders, all taking part in the 2012 Sheriff’s Ride.

Some horses from Cannock Chase Trekking Centre We must thank and congratulate Lichfield City Council for continuing to support and organise this historic event. If you enjoy a good day’s riding, you could join next year’s ride and be part of Lichfield’s proud heritage in 2013.

Riders acknowledging Beacon Street residents This annual event started in 1553, when Queen Mary granted Lichfield County status. The Sheriff was ordered to perambulate the boundary of the County and City of Lichfield once a year. Nowadays the Ride covers a scenic 20 mile route around Lichfield before returning down Beacon Street at about six o’clock; when the Sheriff is met by the Sword and Mace Bearers at the corner of Anson Avenue. The party is then led to the Cathedral where they are welcomed by the Dean. After a short refreshment stop, the Ride makes its way to the Guildhall where it finishes and the riders disperse.

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extra work party on 21st October to hopefully clear Let’s Support Pipe Green as far as the bridge. A big thanks to everyone who came along and helped in September”. Trust th PGT half yearly meeting is on 7 November 2012 We have mentioned Pipe Green Trust (PGT) in previous newsletters. This natural conserved common land was given to the residents of Bacon Street and a trust was formed on 6th August 1793 The Local Development to ensure that the land was not overgrazed and remained fertile. Anyone who has lived on Beacon Plan. Street for more than two years is entitled to apply to join the PGT...no fees involved! For contact details The Council have now ‘published’ their proposals and more information about the work of the Trust for the development of the district up to the year www.pipegreentrust.org/home/contact-us 2028. These plans include estimates for the number of new houses needed, jobs to be created, The Common land is maintained by PGT with cattle retail opportunities and the impact on the local from a local farmer grazing it during Spring & infrastructure. Summer and is widely used by nature lovers, ramblers and dog walkers throughout the year. It The council asked residents to give their views on has however experienced the occasional campers the Plan. The Lichfield Alliance, of which BSARA. and party revellers. This is not permitted and to is a member, has serious concerns on three major make it clear, PGT is going to put up signs on the points in the Plan: three entrance / exit gates to that effect.

1) The data used to estimate the number of new homes needed is open to question as to its validity.

2) The seeming lack of consultation with neighbour- ing Local Authorities, Road and Rail operators regarding transport and commuter infrastructure.

3) Disregard by the Council of the previous Community feedback and the failure to choose to ‘consult’ on the latest plan

When it comes to planning, Councils are between a rock and a hard place. On the one side are developers and central government saying we must Stream cleaners hard at work! build more houses and on the other side are the NIMBYs (Not In My Back Yard) and BANANAAs www.pipegreentrust.org/home/monthly-diary (Build Absolutely Nothing Anywhere Near Anything Recent PGT activities “September saw two work or Anyone). BSARA. is not anti-housing, but it parties attempting. to clear some of the watercress does not want to see our beautiful historic City lose from Leomansley brook. What hard work it turned its special identity. out to be! This year, the watercress has grown much more than usual - not only in the amount in the stream, but also the stems were much thicker The next step the Council should be (and heavier) than in previous years. Consequently taking is the appointment of a planning quite a lot of effort was needed to lift the watercress inspector followed by a public inquiry. out of the stream. Unfortunately we did not clear quite as much as hoped, but we are having an - 2 -

The Chairman’s Message The Friends of Peter Rear chaired BSARA very successfully for Lichfield Historic Parks many years and we owe him a great deal of gratitude, however, after he stepped down, I Bob The Friends of Lichfield Historic Parks are a group Smith a committee member since BSARA formed of local residents who have a keen interest in took on the task of Chairman and it has proved to , and Walk, the Garden be a very interesting and challenging job. BSARA is of Remembrance and Stowe Pool and Fields. We involved with the Heritage Parks, the Local Plan, believe that this green corridor through the heart of resurrecting Speedwatch and liaising with the our city distinguishes Lichfield from other various agencies regarding numerous day to day towns, and must be nurtured for issues that have emerged on our patch. future generations to enjoy. Following the HLF Grant funded improvements, we believe that Light is beginning to emerge at the end of the Beacon Park offers an excellent range of events proverbial tunnel Speedwatch is operational and activities and attendances on a sunny summer although we do need more volunteers to join us in weekend bear this out. monitoring traffic speeds. The Local Plan has been published warts and all, with more questions posed than answered and we now have a date for the Overview & Scrutiny Committees to consider the Heritage Parks Lessons Learned as part of the project review. The date of the meeting has been fixed for Wednesday 12th December 2012 at 6:00 pm . BSARA is hoping the report addresses fully the concerns that its members have raised and that its conclusion and recommendations on those issues are Fair & Reasonable, in which case BSARA will support it. However, if there are still Serious Con- cerns we would seek the opportunity to have the right to speak at the meeting. I do not think any of us would wish to criticise the end result of the Families enjoying Beacon Park facilities project, the park is looking magnificent and we are We meet with Council Parks looking to the Friends of Lichfield Historic Parks to Officers on the last Thursday evening of each take on the mantle of ensuring that the standards month. This gives them the opportunity to ‘sound remain high. out’ the Friends on their future plans for these We have deferred our AGM now to be held at the areas, and conversely the Friends have an Cathedral Lodge Hotel on the 17th January opportunity to influence these plans at an early 2013 at 7:30 pm to enable the results of the stage before they are firmly fixed. Our basic “Parks Lessons Learned” to be appraised and position is to support the Council and to help at hopefully more information will be available events, but, like all friends, we are quite prepared concerning the Lichfield Plan. We look forward to to disagree if necessary. our normal lively debates at that meeting. BSARA Many of our existing members are also members of does use Twitter to air its voice on points that other organizations such as BSARA and the directly or indirectly affect the residents of our area. Lichfield Civic Society. New members can be We would welcome you following us and joining the assured of a warm welcome; if you are interested conversations. please contact Lyn on 01543 308866 Twitter: @beaconstreetara

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Lichfield Burglary Alert Watch your speed! The BSARA Speedwatch team have been Although Burglaries across Lichfield District are at operating along Beacon Street in an attempt to a low level, there has been an increase in Lichfield make motorists aware of their speed and to remind itself. them to drive at or below the speed limit. Lichfield police would like to reassure BSARA The purpose of Speedwatch is to slow the traffic members that crime level in our area is extremely down and by carrying it out “little but often” we low. The majority of recent incidents have taken hope to achieve this aim. place in North Lichfield. Parking still continues to trouble residents, firstly Many of the burglaries have been of small items the lack of it and secondly the concerns of parking such as jewellery, cameras, laptops and wallets. adjacent and opposite to road junctions. The Thieves have often used garden tools to force open growth of traffic in Abnalls Lane and the cars a door or window. parked on the road opposite the junction is a cause We can make it more difficult for thieves by locking for concern, SCC highways engineers say that the away garden tools and, if at all possible, prevent parking is not meeting the rules of the Highway access to the rear of our properties. Code but the Police take the view that it does slow the traffic approaching the Morrison Island. Any As responsible residents, we should be alert and views of residents on this matter would be welcome observant, keeping a look out for anything to determine if BSARA should pursue the matter suspicious and reporting it to the police further with the appropriate agency. Please e mail immediately.Dial 999 for an emergency or Dial 101 [email protected] or let one for non-emergency calls of our officers know your thoughts. We would encourage BSARA. Members to register We will keep up our speedwatch and any motorist their contact details with OWL (Online Watch Link) who exceeds the speed limit will be reported to so that they can receive alerts directly about the Staffordshire Safer Roads Partnership. So please activity of the Lichfield and District Neighbourhood watch your speed! And hopefully we can make our Watch, streets a safer place to live. If you prefer to telephone: contact Robert Nunn, Neighbourhood Watch Liaison Officer at 01785 234576 BSARA Membership Acknowledgements to Lichfield Neighbourhood If you wish to renew or join BSARA as a member Watch. please complete the form below — the subscription of £3 per household will cover your membership until 1st January. 2014. Please return this Beacon Street Traffic completed form to a committee member. There can be little doubt that traffic on Beacon Name: Street is increasing although we have no definitive ……………………………………………………..... figures, to our knowledge SCC have not had any of Address: their monitoring devices on the Street for a few …………………………………………………...... years. Speculations as to the reasons for the Post Code :……………...... increase lead us to think that the continual growth of housing developments across Lichfield District Email address: and the location of a successful supermarket on the …………………………………………...... street are the primary factors. With the forecast Telephone Number. future growth of Lichfield we cannot expect to see …………………..………………...... reductions in traffic volumes, in fact the upward curve could steepen.

- 4 - What’s On October to December 2012

October Event details November Event details Sun 7 Oct Seed Gathering Sunday Tues 6 Nov Neaten and Natter 10am ‐ 12pm Children are invited to find seeds 11am ‐ 1pm & We need volunteers to help us look & 1pm ‐ 3pm and leaves, decorate their plant pot, 1.30pm ‐ 3pm after the park. This could include Community and then plant their seeds. Suitable Beacon Park litter picking, weeding paths, and Garden for ages 5+. £2 per child. Booking administration. We’ll provide the essential ‐ call 01543 308869. equipment. Call 01543 308869. 16 Oct Community Drop‐in Tues 6 Nov & Community Drop‐in 9.30am ‐ Your chance to talk with members 20 Nov 9.30am For more info see 16 Oct event 10.30am of the parks team to discuss how ‐ 10.30am t Lakeside Bistro local parks could be improved. We

want to hear your thoughts, concerns and suggestions. December Event details Sat 27 Oct Feed the Birds Day Sat 1 & Sun 2 Christmas Crafts 11am ‐ 3pm Make a birdfeeder and put it up in Dec 10.30am ‐ Make your own gift boxes, cards and Discovery Hub your garden to help local birds to 12.30pm or decorations. For adults and children survive the winter. It costs £1 per 1pm ‐ 3pm age 5+. £5 adult, £3 child, free for feeder. This is a drop‐in event. Discovery Hub accompanying adults. Booking Sat 27 Oct to Halloween Trail essential ‐ call 01543 308869. Sun 4 Nov Follow a Halloween trail and solve Tues 4 Dec Community Drop‐in 10am ‐ 3pm the clues to help Witch Wizz create 9.30am ‐ For more info see 16 Oct event Buy your trail a spell to make her nose more 10.30am from the warty! It costs £1 per child and once Ranger Station you’ve finished the trail you will get Tues 4 Dec Neaten and Natter a small prize. No need to book. 11am ‐ 1pm & For more info see 6 Nov event 1.30pm ‐ 3pm Mon 29 Oct to Half Term Rapid Round of Golf Fri 2 Nov Perfect for children and beginners ‐ Weds 5 Dec CPCG Festive Build a Bird Box 9am ‐ 2.30pm play a 9‐hole round with prices 10.30am ‐ 3pm Help our conservation group to build Golf Course starting from just £2 for children (£4 Discovery Hub bird boxes for the spring. To book for adults). Pay for your game and your free space, please call 01543 golf club hire at the Ranger Station. 308183. Over 18s only. Weds 31 Oct Halloween Fun for Children Sat 8 Dec Carols in the Park Two sessions ‐ Crafts and games in Beacon Park’s Time TBC Come to Beacon Park to sing some times tbc woodland. Fancy dress encouraged! Museum of your favourite Christmas carols Outdoor Find out more nearer the time at: Gardens and songs. Free entry! The time will classroom www.lichfielddc.gov.uk/countryside be confirmed nearer the event. Look out for posters around Beacon Park. Tues 18 Dec Community Drop‐in 9.30am ‐ For more info see 16 Oct event 10.30am

Remember >> Children must be accompanied by an adult to all events.

For more information Tel: 01543 308869 Email: [email protected] Visit: www.lichfielddc.gov.uk/beaconpark Our conservation group needs you! We organise monthly conservation days at beauty spots across the district, but need more people to get involved.

Our Countryside & Parks Conservation Group is a friendly bunch of volunteers who roll up their sleeves on the first Wednesday of every month to take part in important conservation work.

From digging a pond at Beacon Park, to clearing scrub at Gentleshaw Common, it’s a great way to give something back to the landscapes you love and to learn some useful skills. For the programme of conservation days, please visit www.lichfielddc.gov.uk/cpcg or if you’re interested in coming along to an event, call Denice Deverall on 01543 308183 or email [email protected]

Friends of Lichfield Historic Parks More volunteering The friends group was set up as part of Lichfield opportunities Historic Parks Project to help make sure park users and local residents are involved in There are lots of ways you can discussions about Lichfield’s heritage parks. get involved as a volunteer at our historic parks. For example: At meetings, that take place every other month, the group suggest ideas for how the parks could Education/visitor experience be improved. They are also kept informed about volunteer upcoming events and conservation projects Event volunteer which they might like to get involved in as Wildlife volunteer volunteers. Schools education volunteer Life‐long learning volunteer The Friends of Lichfield Historic Parks meet Health and wellbeing volunteer on the last Thursday of alternate months from 6.30pm to 8.30pm. If you’re interested For more information and to in coming along, please call Ruth on 01543 register your interest, please 308869 or email [email protected] email [email protected]

For more information Tel: 01543 308869 Email: [email protected] Visit: www.lichfielddc.gov.uk/beaconpark