INCORPORATING WOLSELEY BRIDGE, COLWICH, & LITTLE HAYWOOD

NEWSLETTER Autumn 2014 No. 84 JUBILEE PLAYING FIELDS UPDATE PLAY EQUIPMENT For some time, the Parish Council has been looking to develop the facilities on the Jubilee playing Fields (JPF) for additional play equipment to cater for an older age range of young people who have grown out of the existing play equipment. Surveys and other communications have indicated a definite requirement within the Parish, so the council has actively sought to install a Multi-Use Games Area (MUGA), skateboard park and BMX racing track. The project has taken a lot longer than was originally YOUNG PEOPLE’S SURVEY anticipated, due to the input required from the ongoing Neighbourhood Plan, AWARDS problems with the initial potential supplier, Three young parishioners were determining whether or not planning rewarded for their contribution to the permission is needed (unbelievably Neighbourhood Plan at ceremonies at difficult getting a definitive answer from the Borough’s planning officials) as well the Parish Centre. Jack Rivers won the as trying to determine what grant aid £75 top award. The second prize of might be available! The good news is that £50 of vouchers went to Oliver Share and hopefully there is light at the end of the the third prize of £25 vouchers went to tunnel for this project, with a new supplier Scott Rattray. on board and construction work currently Colwich Neighbourhood Plan will set In spite of help from the Rangers and scheduled for the 1st November this year. out how the Parish will develop, including If all goes to plan, then we should see the the schools the Parish Council had found how to preserve the character of the equipment in place by the end of the year it difficult to get much response to the area, where new homes could be built, and hence ready for serious use during Neighbourhood Plan from young people. and how to protect local green spaces. 2015 as the seasons improve! This was a pity because they are the Colwich Parish Council had asked local people who will grow up in a Parish that young people to fill in a survey about UNUSED BUILDING will be shaped by the Plan. The Parish local recreation facilities. AND TOILET BLOCK As has been suggested in previous Council’s response was to distribute Jack Rivers was awarded a £75 editions of this Newsletter, the Parish a survey around the Parish and offer voucher by Council Chairman, Cllr Paul Council has also been exploring the awards to the first three contributors Gilbert. possibility of converting the existing whose names were drawn from a hat. Oliver Share received a £50 voucher unused JPF building into a more centrally Cllr. Gilbert said, ‘We are most grateful whilst Ally Rattray accepted a £25 located Parish Office and meeting room. to these enthusiastic young people for voucher on behalf of her brother Scott An architect has been employed to submit helping us to develop the activities they from Cllr Gilbert in a ceremony attended drawings for the planning application really want in the community. They have by Parish Councillors and volunteer which is now in process. Assuming also added useful information to our members of the neighbourhood Plan this is successful, then working drawings will be produced to enable quotes for Neighbourhood Plan which will be a long Committee. the work to be obtained. term benefit to the villages and hamlets Mr Blount Cllr Cooper throughout the whole parish’. Neighbourhood Plan Consultant BEST KEPT VILLAGE I should like to take this opportunity to say “Thank You Very Much” to the Committee and members of the public who have helped in this years’ Competition. Great Haywood was awarded Third Prize in the large village category. ‘Little Haywood and Colwich’ was awarded a Highly Commended in the small village category. As we go to press, BUS SERVICES we are still awaiting the results of the CHANGES Heart of in Bloom Competition. Regular bus users will now have There will be a QUIZ NIGHT at Little noticed the changes – hopefully for the Haywood Village Hall on Friday 10th October at 7.30 p.m. better - to the bus services connecting Diana Scott has kindly agreed to our Parish. The most obvious change come along again and show us her skills is the additional red buses provided in a FLOWER ARRANGING evening on BEST KEPT VILLAGE by D&G. The Parish Council were Friday 31st October at 7.30 p.m. Entitled CHILDREN’S COMPETITION able to discuss the changes with “Forever England” there will also be Chris Almond of D&G at a meeting some themed poetry from The Haywood RESULTS: in July. The impression given to the Players. Pre-School Council by Chris was of a high level of Please contact me for tickets to either 1st James - Anson commitment and customer focus from event. 2nd Eloise - Gt Haywood the new provider. Key points Chris Cllr Mrs Clendon was able to highlight included: 3rd Zach - St John’s l The revamped 841 timetable Year 1&2 was proving successful with 1st Peter - St Bede’s County Council 2nd Millie - St Bede’s supporting a new route on 3rd Joey - St Bede’s school days. l The 842 route will connect both Year 3&4 ends of the Parish with . 1st Freya - Colwich l A ‘Joint Ticket’ can be purchased 2nd Eve - St Bede’s connecting the new service 3rd Lily - Colwich with Midland Classic and Select services from September. Year 5&6 l New/improved vehicles with 1st Zara - Colwich free Wi-Fi. 2nd Grace - St John’s l More bus stops are being 3rd Eva - St Bede’s considered. l D&G are happy to promote a service in rural areas where GARDEN FIRES – A POLITE NOTICE passengers can flag a bus down Some concern has been raised about the number of garden fires in Colwich Parish. even when it is not at an official Please don’t stop your neighbours enjoying their gardens by lighting fires carelessly. stop and, providing it is safe to do This means: so, the bus will stop. n Burning damp or wet materials produces a lot of smoke Another key point is the ‘real-time’ n Burning household rubbish or tyres passenger information available n Lighting a fire when weather conditions will cause a problem (smoke hangs via an ‘app’ for a smart phone, or in the air on damp, windless days and around sunset. Wind will carry smoke by connecting to www.dgbus.co.uk. over another property or over roads) Passengers can also call the company via 01270 252970. n Leaving a fire to smoulder – remember to douse it with soil or water. Cllr Cooper Cllr Mrs Gibson CHAIRMAN’S REFLECTIONS The Seabridge Scourge is Back

Mr Seabridge has resubmitted a Land behind The Ring – courtesy of planning application for the land situated Mr Seabridge. off Little Tixall Lane and lies at the rear of Land at Little Tixall Lane and at the Marlborough Close. rear of Marlborough Close – courtesy The Leader of the Borough Council Cllr. of Mr Seabridge and Mr Astle, Dobree Close. Some people can never have Heenan, after failing to file his interests Cllr. Paul Gilbert earlier this year has found time, through enough. his company Inglewood Investments, Shenley Cottage and land surrounding to conduct a consultation exercise for a it – courtesy of the Moore Family Trust, PLEASE we know that these people have been housing development on land adjoining spending thousands to develop this NOMINATE THE the A51 off Little Tixall Lane. I am still land. Jeremy Lefroy has written a letter waiting for the howls of opposition from REPRESENTATIVE of objection supporting our efforts to his fellow councillors about this proposal prevent this development. Thank you and FOR YOUR AREA - we may have to wait some time. I have well done Jeremy! no doubt that the planning committee Land adjacent to the A51 and adjoining NOW! vote it through. Little Tixall Lane – courtesy of Borough Jubilee Playing Field To add insult to injury, the Council Leader, Mike Heenan, through I am delighted with the progress we “Greenacres” developer has submitted his company Inglewood Investments. are starting to make for the installation a revised plan to include additional As we all know, from past experience, of sports facilities at the Jubilee Playing houses to the original application. With financial gain supersedes conscience Field (front page). the HS2 viaduct virtually in the back and integrity which is a true reflection of If you have seen recent TV gardens of this development the private all those above. advertisements for walking football we sales on this development could be non- I have no alternative agenda or any would be interested in exploring this existent and the area will be turned into a financial interests in these proposed facility on the JPF with the pitch providing social housing ghetto. and approved planning applications the additional facility for 5-a-side football. The developers have been assisted and I shall endeavour to safeguard your If anyone is interested in setting up these in their ambitions by Borough interests both now and in the future. teams please contact the office and we Council’s planning department and its I shall shortly be having a meeting will provide whatever support we can. councillors. Developers are allowed to with our legal advisors to discuss the way build anything and anywhere within KSVs forward on all the planning applications (Key Service Villages) regardless of the previously referred to. The council is seeking to co-opt representatives from destruction to the established village way the immediate areas affected by these of life within those communities. planning proposals in order to exchange At present we have had views and disseminate information the following developments to quickly and accurately. Representatives contend with: will also be invited to attend meetings The land adjacent to Greenacres – with our legal team. courtesy of the Deakins and the Mynors, We have co-opted one representative, Nursery Way, who will be content to bring to stand against the Seabridge about more problems by allowing the Development on the land behind The Ring, sewage from the Greenacres site to be and would invite requests/nominations pumped through the existing Nursery Way from representatives opposing the other station increasing the capacity by 150%. development areas. SPEEDING DRIVING WHILST The Parish Council is very concerned USING A PHONE about the number of cars speeding Many residents will be aware of the tragic accident when local woman in the villages. Staffordshire Police Laura Thomas was killed in a road traffic collision in July 2013 at the age of undertook two separate deployments 20. Laura’s friends called her TINK and TINKERBELL due to her tiny frame and recently in Little Haywood. Regrettably, sparkly character. Sadly, Laura was the victim of a lorry driver who has been 15 motorists were reported for speeding convicted and imprisoned as a result of driving whilst using the internet services on several mobile phones. offences, with the vast majority coming Those of us who knew her have all been saddened by the loss and the horrific from our villages. In response, the Parish waste of a life as a result of one man’s careless, thoughtless and illegal actions. Council is considering supporting those Needless to say, it is with some anger that her family regularly witnesses other residents who might like to set-up a drivers using their phones whilst driving! Next time you are tempted to answer that Community Speedwatch. Please contact text or call whilst driving – remember Laura and don’t! Better still why not turn either myself or the Clerk if you would your phone off or to silent whilst driving to remove the temptation. Don’t be part be interested in setting-up or joining this of another tragedy – don’t risk your own as well as the lives of others. group. [email protected] In Laura’s memory, her family and friends are actively raising funds for various connected charities through a range of activities and the sale of various Cllr Mrs Clendon items. You can find a whole lot more and how to support or get involved by visiting www.littlelaura.net ACCESS TO Cllr Cooper THE CANAL The Parish Council is in discussion WW1 COMMEMORATION with the National Trust, Shugborough, to There was an excellent Exhibition in improve access to the Canal along the the Great Haywood Memorial Hall on path between St Stephen’s Church and Saturday 2nd and Sunday 3rd August, Anson School. The Council has funds to to commemorate the start of World War provide the hard material and is looking One. The Exhibition was masterminded for volunteers to assist with this project. by a Committee headed by Dave Robbie. If you would like to help, please contact the Clerk. DATES FOR YOUR DIARY: Next World War One meeting: Sports and Social Club, 20th

November 2014. The Mayor and Mayoress of Stafford, Skip: 11th October; Mr and Mrs Ray Sutherland attended 8th November and the 4.00 p.m. Vigil Service at St. Stephens th C of E. Church, together with many other 29 November. local Councillors and Parishioners. Bag Collection: For further details, please visit the Wednesday 8th October. Parish Council website. Cllr Mrs Clendon

Chairman: Cllr. Paul Gilbert E: [email protected] Clerk: Michael Lennon E: [email protected] Parish Office: St Mary’s Road, Little Haywood, ST18 0NJ T: 01889 882665 fwww.facebook.com/colwich.clerk www.colwich.info