Our 2004 Community Plan -2009 Chalk downland near Mere © Countryside Agency/Nick Smith Mere & District Covering the parishes of East Knoyle, Kilmington, Maiden Bradley & Yarnfield, Mere, Stourton with Gasper, Sedgehill & Semley, West Knoyle and Zeals Our Community, Our Vision The South Wiltshire Strategic Alliance is a The following strategic priorities have been partnership of the public, private, voluntary and adopted for 2004 – 2009: community sectors in Salisbury and South G Access to services (including rural transport) Wiltshire. G Affordable housing Its mission is to work together to create ‘a safe G and caring place, where it is easy to get about Crime and anti-social behaviour and where value for money services contribute G Alliance partners as exemplary employers to a high quality of life and environment, with (healthy workforce, green organisations, basic equality of opportunity for all’. skills for all employees). South Wiltshire Strategic Alliance partners G Churches Together G South Wiltshire Economic Partnership G Council for Voluntary Service G South Wiltshire Primary Care Trust G Environment Agency G The Army G Government Office for the South West G Wiltshire Association of Local Councils G Learning and Skills Council (Wiltshire G Wiltshire Constabulary & Swindon) G Wiltshire County Council G Salisbury College G Wiltshire Fire Brigade G G Salisbury District Council Wiltshire Racial Equality Council G G Salisbury Health Care NHS Trust Wiltshire Wildlife Trust G South Wiltshire Action against Poverty www.southwilts.com/site/swsa Printed on recycled paper. December 2004 2 How this plan was put together people want to see, but also, more importantly, During the summer of 2003, the South the plan will influence partner organisations of Wiltshire Strategic Alliance distributed a the Alliance to address priorities in your area. Community Questionnaire to 49,000 The plan will directly impact policy making and households. 37% were returned, of which 1,025 strategic planning. It will also help community were from Mere and District. The results from groups by showing what is being achieved and the questionnaire showed your priorities across how the partner organisations can support this. the area were: We recognise that in every parish there are 1. Looking after the roads many volunteers working on projects, giving up 2. Protecting local facilities their time to make a difference in their 3. Housing that local people can afford community. Some of the projects in this plan will need to be taken forward by you, the 4. Local schools community. This plan is not the end of the 5. Reducing crime consultation process. Work will continue 6. Activities & facilities for teenagers. around specific target groups, topics and geographical areas as necessary. In particular, 7. Looking after the environment we recognise that we have probably not Many people also took the time to write addressed the needs of less accessible groups. comments about the specific issues under those Work to remedy this is ongoing. headings that were causing concern. We also In addition to the work that has been carried have information from a panel of local out at Community Area level, Local Parish Plans residents known as ‘People’s Voice’ and from a are currently being developed in a number of panel of young people known as ‘Tomorrow’s areas. These will influence the future Voice’. This information has been brought development of local strategies and policies. together to form your Community Plan. They will help us understand ‘real’ local You will also see that various community community needs. By the time this plan is groups and organisations have been asked for reviewed in five years time, we hope that many their views and opinions. The purpose of this parishes will have a Local Parish Plan which will plan is to publish the results of what local feed into the Community Area Plan. 3 Progress report improvement in crime detection and people’s The first Community Plan for Mere and perception of crime, safety and policing – thanks District was produced in 2000 after wide local in part to the efforts of the Mere and District consultation. Community Safety Partnership, It was a well-researched and comprehensive The Mere and District Link Scheme and the document reflecting not only local, but also Community Village Shop in Maiden Bradley are national priorities and targets. further examples of successful community initiatives. Service providers have worked towards achieving these targets and in many cases have “made a You may view progress on the Alliance Web site: difference”. There has been a marked www.southwilts.com/site/swsa Mere Strip Lynchets 4 This is our community Mere & District The district has a population of a little over 5,000 spread over eight parishes, each with its own character yet reliant on each other for community and on the services delivered by the Alliance. At its centre is the town of Mere close to the County boundary. 5 Mere and its surrounding district 6 The services of nearby towns are used Both sectors require transport, but in different for shopping, leisure and secondary schooling. ways; both need health services, but in different Wiltshire County administrative and ways. Some need leisure, some the basic needs infrastructure links are in Salisbury, Trowbridge of bringing up a family. and Warminster. The Cranborne Chase and Other issues are: West Wiltshire Downs Area of Outstanding I The impact and training for new Natural Beauty is to the east, north and west of technology the area. I Response-based public transport to link The area is rural, with a traditional dependence the community on agriculture. In recent years there has been a I Regenerating the local economy through steady change to retirement living and second tourism and the environment home acquisition, which has an effect on I Health and community safety patterns of trade, transport and education. I Affordable housing in perpetuity for local An important part of our Community Plan is to people. secure a voice for this community with our These are the concerns you have been telling us partners in the South Wiltshire Strategic about that we have tried to address in Alliance. compiling this Community Plan. People demand services that reflect the needs A detailed socio-economic profile of the area not only of the established population for has been prepared by Wiltshire County Council employment, transport, housing and schooling, and is available on: but also those of retired people. www.intelligencenetwork.org.uk 7 East Knoyle East Knoyle is a parish made up of the main village and smaller hamlets at Holloway, The Green, Underhill, Upton and Milton with an interesting history boasting Christopher Wren and Jane Seymour among its ancestors. The parish is bordered by the A303 and A350 roads which bypass it. There is a high level of retired residents. Primary schooling is based at Hindon whilst Gillingham and Shaftesbury provide secondary education. There is a strong sense of community with St Mary the Virgin Church, a village hall, garage, two pub/restaurants and several small businesses, often working from home. The children have a small play area. A monthly church magazine and bi-monthly parish newsletter are published. Doctors from Hindon and Shaftesbury hold half-day surgeries at the village hall. A village fete is held each summer together with community events in the village hall. There are a number of successful clubs and associations including a youth club. Minor roads are in a poor state of repair with inadequate public transport facilities. There is a village taxi service and the proposed “Wigglybus” service is being The old windmill at East Knoyle targeted at “The Knoyles”. 8 Service Area on the A303 trunk road. West Knoyle Accidents and diversions on this road divert heavy traffic through the village. West Knoyle is a rural community of farmers Maintenance of the rural roads and lanes is and country people close to Mere, which inadequate. provides many services. Special interest clubs meet regularly, Barn It is led by a Parish Council and a committed Buddies Youth Club and After Eight Youth local group of volunteers. There are no shops Group meet weekly. but there is a successful Village Club. Schooling is based in Mere, Hindon and The Parish is a peaceful place with most of any Gillingham. The Parish of St Mary the Virgin is a crime occurring at The Willoughby Hedge multi-benefice with Mere. Rural community: West Knoyle Photograph by Rose Cox, Mere 9 The clock tower in Mere town centre 10 Mere Mere is the largest centre of population in the planning procedure. Community Area with over 2,000 people. A young families peer support worker took up It has an Information Point covering an award- office in September 2004 for a 5 year period to winning Museum, Library and Mere Information help with family issues and social inclusion. The Office. The Parish Council, a Chamber of Trade, post is funded by the Wessex Synod of the Churches Together and cultural, sporting and United Reformed Church and managed by leisure clubs look after the community. Churches Together in Mere and District The town has a changing industrial scene with a (CTM&D)*. historic and interesting past now adapting to Sustainable affordable housing for local people is modern needs. There is a move to second home a community priority. occupation and retirement living alongside a The establishment of a tourism-led website and vibrant small shopping and business centre. town-wide visitor initiative is being discussed by A Youth Development Centre as well as Scouts, traders and accommodation providers. This is Guides, Cub Scouts, Beavers, Brownies and seen as a way of regenerating the town and Rainbows cater for youth and younger people.