March 2015

Wellington Without Parish Council Spring Newsletter 2015

Inside this issue: From the Chair….. By John Greenshields Thoughts from the 1 Chair

Dear Members of the Parish Horse logging 2 Woodland Fair 2015 It was a wonderful summer last year. although unusual weather wise. Farmers had a mixed harvest, with most taking three cuts of grass. Wildlife project 3 Footpaths report Your councillors have been busy, with more planning applications than usual, Police Report 3-4 and some ongoing problems.

Although the autumn was also unseasonably warm, gearing up for the winter Traffic report 4 was under taken in good time, and there are stocks of salt at various loca-

Around the villages. 4 tions around the parish for use on our roads. With winter now underway, and AGM Date increased rainfall, may we request that you report any blocked drains that you may be aware of. Sudden flooding in Middle Green Road recently after very Who is Who - 2015. heavy rain overnight captured several drivers. The telephone number to re- Chair: John Greenshields 01823 660764 port any road or drain problems is 0843459155.

Deputy Chair:Roger Lane 01823 662717 JUBILEEOur Foot PathsSEAT .Officer, Lawrence, hasBLACKDOWN again done great HILLS work WOODLAND over the last Councillors 12 months. I would like to thank thoseFAIR who. helped and also sent reports in. The above photo is of the Parish Ian Hasell 01823 672264 Set to go ahead 6th July, at Park Farm, Bench , marked to commemo- The Parish Council receive monthlyWellington. Police reports Lots from of activities our PCSO, for which chil- Anne Hillier 01823 672932 rate the 2012 Queens Jubilee. are a great help to keep us all updateddren on and what adults. is happening Local food in the and Parish. drink, Bruce Payne 01823 672125 The bench is situated between tree felling, pole climbing, horse log- HigherFarm theft Wrangway is an increasing and Wrang- issue. The Farm Watch project is now up and Bonnie Frear 01823 665686 ging archery chainsaw carving, and way itself on the way up to the Clerk: Kerry Curtis 01984 running, If you want to sign up to thismuch scheme more. then 150please stalls, contact local Simon mu- 629579 Beacon. The local Rotarian Club Bramley . [email protected] £7-50 for adults, children have kindly contributed to the Local Police PCSO Simon Bram- under 16 free. ley 07771 7700663 cost of the memorial bench.

LOGGING EVENT DEC 2014

There was a National Trust Woodland Management Horse Logging event at the Monument 6th and 7th of December 2014 . This event was part of the Culm Woods, Blackdown and East Devon Woodlands Association Programme.

BLACKDOWN WOODLAND FAIR 4TH July 2015

Free children’s activities, Local food and drink, and lots of Forestry demonstrations are all on the programme of this year’s Fair. It is the 200th anniversary of the Battle of Waterloo and the fair is held under the Duke of Wellington’s Monument. There will be a “Napoleonic Living History display” in addition to the other attractions.

There will be a large children’s activity area where children can have a go at a range of activities including fire lighting, den building and other bushcraft skills. Adults are not left out, as there is the opportunity to try such things as archery, green wood working, tree and pole climbing. Demonstrations take place throughout the day, including horse logging, the opportunity to see steam saws and machinery at work.

Stalls offer a good range of food and drink, Beer from the Otter Brewery, Apple Juice, wood fired Pizza’s fresh meat, ice cream—and of course a good cup of tea and cakes.

The Fair is organised by the Blackdown and East Devon Woodland Association. A spokesman said “We have more stall holders this year ,as well as some new activities on offer. It is fantastic value for money, a real family day out, and offers a safe and secure environment where families can allow their children to explore and try new things”. Adults £7-50, Under 16’s Free, Seniors £6-00 Free parking.

Volunteers wanted. To help at the Annual Woodland Fair. In exchange for a couple of hours work, you will be fed and watered and have the rest of the day to look around the show. If you are interested, please contact Jon Fraser at [email protected]

( A ONB ) team, can go which you think may be valuable

New wildlife pro- ahead and will run for the for wildlife and you would like a ject offers great next three years. free survey carried out, the team opportunities for wants to hear from you. Please landowners, vol- New members of staff will also get in touch if you have an unteers and help 15 local communities idea for a project in your village, turn their ideas for wildlife for example a community orchard, graduates projects into reality. The pro- wildlife walk or nature area. If you

ject will also support nine know a recently qualified person Blackdown Hills Natural Fu- recent ecology or land man- wanting to starting a career in tures, a major new community agement graduates to gain ecology or similar field, please wildlife project, has been essential field skills and sur- also encourage them to let the awarded £246,000 by the Heri- vey dozens of important team know. Email blackdown- tage Lottery Fund. The an- wildlife sites across the [email protected] or call 01823 nouncement means that the AONB. 680681 to register your interest, or project, which is managed by to find out more about Blackdown the Blackdown Hills Area of Hills Natural Futures. Outstanding Natural Beauty If you have an area of land

Footpaths..... Update from Laurence Webber During the summer and autumn months, I have treated the seats and benches with linseed oil. Repairs to one of the benches have been done. Cutting back overgrowth on some of the footpaths has been necessary, especially the footpath running from Chitterwell to Millenium Woods. There are ongoing issues with some stiles in the Wellisford area, which at present is in the care of the Chief Warden of the footpaths in County Council. If you have anything to report, I can be contacted on 01984 624215 after 7pm.

Police Matters and Crime Report

.Leyland M5 Motorway bridge. dent reported regarding fireworks.

A silver coloured vehicle was reported Attempted theft of a Landrover was reported at as parked on the bridge in early Novem- Thorne St Margaret. ber. There was evidence of illegal drug There are to be new methods or working being use taking place. The matter was re- introduced now the Bridgwater Police Station is ported to the Police and the area is being open. Wellington Police Station will still be patrolled. manned 10-2pm every day. Further details to At the same location, there was an inci- follow. Out and About Ford St. Incidents of vandalism have been re- Around the Villages ported. Anyone with information please pass this on to the Police. Holywell Lake. After a recent meeting with Somerset Highways, we Speed control. are pleased to report that Ford Street has been granted a 30 mph speed limit. This was supported by Monitoring of traffic volume and the police, following 11 reported road traffic acci- dents, when, although there were no serious inju- speed has been taking place. ries, two vehicles landed on their side and roof and Discussions regarding possible were written off. This made Ford Street the worst ru- traffic calming are ongoing. ral accident black spot in the district. The limit will extend from the Ford Street sign, south of the mo- Fund raising Event for New Village torway underpass,to the sign above The Haven, Notice Board will be taking place at which will be moved a few yards. We have been the Holywell Inn. Date to be campaigning since 2007, when residents traffic sur- veys were carried out,. We were able to rekindle the confirmed scheme when James Hunt became our new County Councillor last year and we would like to thank him Ford Street. for making this possible. .

Condolences to the family of Mrs Additionally, the Parish Council have been successful Molly Lane, widow of Louis Lane and in persuading the Deane Borough Council to a former Mayoress of put HGV restrictions and Hill Gradient warning signs who passed away recently. Molly on Ford Street and Wellington Hill. There have been lived at Middle Ford Farm Ford St for some potentially dangerous incidents where HGV’S over 50 years. have been stuck . We hope this will alleviate the problem.

Ford St report contd. work with our newsletter. The very active Resi- She feels that her other Useful telephone numbers. dents Association report commitments don’t allow her to spend the time she a busy year and a very feels she should allocate to Taunton Deane Planning Dept successful Summer Bar- the Council. She will be very 01823 356464 b-que which is now in- much missed. From the tended to be an annual other Councillors and my- Fly tipping 0845 356356 self, thank you for all the event generous time you have Roads and drains given to the Council. From the Chair contd.. 0843459155 We would like to welcome It is with great regret Wellington Without Parish Bonnie Frear to the Council. that I have to accept Council AGM. 7.00pm (to fol- A local lady with strong Sue Marshall’s resigna- low Parish Council Meeting @ community links, I am sure tion as a Parish Council- 6.30pm) Visitors welcome. she will be a valuable asset lor. She has been a key to the team. AGM will take place on May 11 figure on the Council, Beam Bridge Hotel, Sampford not least for her sterling John Greenshields. Arundel.

Chairman.