Upper Beeding Parish Council News the Magazine for the Parish of Upper Beeding, Small Dole and Edburton
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January 2007 Upper Beeding Parish Council News The magazine for the Parish of Upper Beeding, Small Dole and Edburton Contact us : Chairman: John Peake Tel: 01903 815362 email: johnkate@amserve Clerk: Ingrid Caygill Tel: 01903 810316 email: [email protected] Editor: Stephanie Shorey Tel: 01903 812913 email: [email protected] Chairman’s letter I really feel that I can give an upbeat report on our efforts. We have welcomed Vic Gretton who will be an excellent team member on to the Council. I was pleased that the dedication and presentation of the Silver Birch to former member Keith Nethercote-Bryant went so well. From dreadful weather we downed umbrellas and the sun shone on time! Keith was thrilled with the ceremony and the press coverage was excellent. Our various Committee teams are making good progress with their different projects - there is David Coldwell with his band of helpers producing the Parish Plan, and Bob Harber, Chairman of Sports & Leisure, chairing the Sports Facilities project. Last but not least, Simon Birnstingl and the Amenities Committee are working on the play areas refurbishment project. I have picked out just a few of our activities. On the negative side we are still plagued by vandalism and bad behaviour. The Clerk and I have been talking to the Police as a result of which we hope to engage the help of and enter into a dialogue with the residents whose properties overlook the Sports Field. Pauline Kentell our Neighbourhood Coordinator will also advise on neighbourhood watch matters. John Peake - Chairman Upper Beeding Parish Council Useful contact numbers Neighbourhood Wardens: Paul Sweeney 07734 387 888; Gillian Carlow 07734 387 889; office 01903 813 236. Have you ever thought of becoming a Junior Neighbourhood Warden ? If you witness a crime in progress - dial 999. Crimestoppers (confidential service): 0800 555 111 Non-emergency calls to Sussex Police: 0845 60 70 999 or e-mail: [email protected] Faulty street lighting: Telephone 08457 581 622 or e-mail [email protected] or on line at www.westsussex.gov.uk and click on ‘fault reporting’ An Update from Southern Water Autumn rain has helped improve river flows slightly but unfortunately groundwater levels have not yet begun to rise. At present, the underground sources which provide 70 per cent of water supplies in the region remain seriously depleted. If the recent rain continues we could expect levels to start to turn by the end of November 2006. However, if this winter turns out to be as dry as the previous one, levels will continue to fall well into the New Year. We anticipate that five months of above average rainfall is needed this winter for levels to return to normal. We extend a very warm welcome to our new Post Office, which re-opened on 17th November, next to the Village Barbers. Our Post Office offers not only postal services but banking facilities, travel insurance, currency, business mail, packaging material, road tax on request and much more. Graham, our Sub- Postmaster, will be happy to help and advise you. Upper Beeding Parish Council website – www.westsussex.gov.uk/upperbeeding Henfield Theatre Company What’s On Henfield Theatre Company will be performing their Christmas musical show, Honk, on 4th, 5th and 6th January 2007at 7:30pm, plus matinee performances on 6th and 7th January at 2:00pm. A delightful musical comedy for all the family, based on Hans Christian Anderson's 'The Ugly Duckling'. Winner of the Best Musical Olivier Award in 2000 Peggy for You by Alan Plater and directed by Malcolm Harrington – a comic drama about the life of the famous literary agent, Peggy Ramsey, who helped transform post war British drama and who nurtured such great playwrights as David Hare and Alan Ayckbourne. Performances will be on 15th, 16th and 17th March 2007 at 7:45 pm in The Henfield Hall. Horsham Volunteer Centre Volunteer opportunities, helping to support older people living alone, including giving lifts using one’s own car, driving the community minibus, delivering meals on wheels or acting as escort, are available in all areas. Youth groups, family support and voluntary organisations providing valuable services that benefit people with special needs or short-term problems, all depend upon volunteers who do what they can, what suits them and the time they have available. There are many local community activities and organisations that work across the District or County offering interesting and rewarding activities for people who feel that they would like to be involved in some way. Contact Horsham Volunteer Centre to find out about volunteer opportunities. Phone 01403 232 100, email [email protected] or call into the Octagon, Chart Way, Horsham, Monday to Thursday 10:00am to 4:00pm, or arrange to be seen in Steyning or Henfield. The Young Drivers’ Skills Course After a short break, the Young Drivers’ Skills Course re-started in August and is due to continue until March 2009. This innovative one-day course, held at Goodwood Motor Circuit near Chichester, is aimed at 17 to 25 year olds who hold a full driving licence and either live or drive regularly on the roads in West Sussex. The course teaches some very important and potentially life-saving skills, including a practical on-road driving element with an Advanced Driving Instructor and practical training in skid-control on the Skid Pan at Goodwood. This particular age-group account for over 20% of all road traffic crashes; resulting in over 1,000 deaths every year in the UK. WSCC are aiming to help reduce this shocking statistic as part of the Public Service Agreement – if we can save just one life it will all have been completely worthwhile. The course, which is greatly subsidised by WSCC costs just £60. We also offer the incentive of a drive in a Ferrari (to be taken on a separate day); this is available at an additional charge of only £60. Gift vouchers are available as this makes a fantastic present! To obtain further details of the course or to make a booking, please call our hotline number on 08452 600 650. Tennis Court, Sports Hall and Equipment Hire Booking the tennis court (with flood lighting) – please contact the Booking Clerk on 01903 816 790. Rates of hire – adults: £4:00 per hour for up to four adults; juniors (under 16s) £2:00 per hour for up to four juniors. Booking of Sports Hall for badminton, volleyball and other activities – contact the Booking Clerk on 01903 816 790. Rates of hire: Monday to Friday 9:00 am to 6:00 pm £5:00 per hour; 6:00 pm to 10:00 pm £7:00 per hour; Saturday- Sunday £8:00 per hour. Available for hire: tables & chairs – contact Booking Clerk on 01903 816 790 West Sussex Fire & Rescue Service / Community Fire Service: home fire safety checks and Free Smoke Alarm! For this service from your local fire fighters, ring freephone 0800 32 86 487 Upper Beeding Parish Council website – www.westsussex.gov.uk/upperbeeding Launch Of Local Lifesaving Scheme Supported By Parish Council Responder schemes have been successfully established in a number of locations in Sussex. These are groups of local residents who support the South East Coast Ambulance Service (SECAMB) NHS Trust by responding immediately to serious medical and other life-threatening conditions. A scheme to cover Steyning, Bramber and Upper Beeding was officially launched at Springwells Hotel, Steyning on Friday 1st September. The first group of volunteers has already signed up and passed assessments made by SECAMB to become approved Community Responders. Joe Marshall from SECAMB said, ‘we are, of course, still recruiting and there are very few people who cannot be trained’. Martin Leigh-Pollitt, from Steyning & Henfield Rotary Club, sponsors of the scheme, reports that there has been a tremendous response to the publicity for funding required emergency kits used by the Responders. Money raised to date has enabled the Trust to buy six emergency packs, costing £2000 each, for the scheme. The main contributors have been:- Steyning, Bramber and Upper Beeding Parish Councils; Steyning & Henfield Rotary Club; St Andrews Primary School; the Wilson Memorial Trust and the Georgemill Trust. From enquiries, Martin has received he emphasises that the scheme is designed to support and not replace any of the emergency services offered by SECAMB. A call is made to 999 in the usual way and Responders can at the ambulance service’s request attend the emergency, ensuring that treatment is available in the crucial minutes before the ambulance arrives, in some circumstances saving lives. Although the scheme has got off to an excellent start, it needs more Responders as well as donations or pledges of financial support, either from individuals or from the business community. If you are interested contact Martin Leigh-Pollitt 01903 812 007 or Joe Marshall 01273 489 444 from South East Coast Ambulance Service. Unfortunately you never know – one day, it could be you or loved ones relying on the Responders. Fundraising For Hart A date for your diary! Henfield Lacemakers are holding a Coffee Morning followed by a Jacket Potato Lunch on Saturday, 21st April at 11 Orchard Close (off Tottington Drive) in Small Dole 10:30am – 2:00pm. There will be a raffle, our beaded bracelets etc. for sale, greeting cards and some surprises! Do come along and help us boost our fundraising for HART. You will be made very welcome. For more information, contact Iris Banfield on 01273 494 361. Amenities News In my last report I mentioned Horsechestnut Bleeding Canker in a number of trees in Upper Beeding.