March 2018 ConnectWhittington and Parish Magazine Creating beautiful Mobile cutlery, silverware and gifts has been our Post Office passion since 1902. Service for Whittington

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Huge savings on high street, retail and online prices. You won’t find this anywhere else Springin the village STOP PRESS SAVE AN EXTRA Referendum results show overwhelming 10% WITH support for the Neighbourhood Plan THIS See page 15 ADVERT Present in store. Terms and Conditions Apply

FREE PARKING Proud RAFTS C MA SAVE THE DATE SH N supporters of I S IT H R I OPENING HOURS: P B MONDAY TO SATURDAY Saturday 24th March Friday 13th April Saturday 21st April Saturday 12th May Tuesday 3rd July 9AM - 5PM ARTHUR PRICE, Whittington Whittington Village Market Tempting Fairtrade BRITANNIA WAY, Please be aware that the shop is located Community WI Annual at the Bell Inn Teas Wine Tasting on the first floor via a staircase. If access WS14 9UY is an issue we have a ground floor room Litter Pick Big Quiz and car park available where products can be brought Pudding Night 01543 267324 down for viewing by our dedicated ARTHURPRICEINLICHFIELD.CO.UK customer service team. Page 17 Page 3 Page 17 Page 7 Page 7 Whittington and Fisherwick

Connect Village Market at Parish Magazine the Bell Inn

Your Parish Council Tempting Teas Martyn Bennett Wisteria Cottage, Fisherwick We would like to point out that there are articles Page 7 07973 300346 [email protected] in Connect from the Parish Council and from John Cannon 7 Main Street, Whittington representatives of some village organisations and 01543 432171 [email protected] societies. At the end of each article the author’s Fairtrade John Heeler 28 Church Street, Whittington name will appear. Articles written by members of Wine Tasting 01543 304833 [email protected] the Parish Council represent current Parish Council Page 7 Roger Leek 11 Heritage Court, Lichfield policy and are endorsed by the Parish Council as a 07866 937156 [email protected] whole. However, views expressed in articles submitted Chris Millar 95 Back Lane, Whittington to us from village organisations and societies do not 01543 433189 [email protected] necessarily represent Parish Council policy and have Jonathan Smith 2 The Coach House, Whittington not been endorsed by the Parish Council. 01543 432002 [email protected] In this issue... Julia Spencer Crossroads, Back Lane, Whittington 01543 432238 [email protected] Have your say... The WI Annual Big Quiz 3 Neighbourhood Plan: Referendum 15 Andy Owen 19 Rock Farm Road, Whittington Introducing Your New Parish Councillors 4 Beacon Lighting Ceremony 16 01543 433 072 [email protected] If you would like to respond to any of the Mobile Post Office Service 5 Sunbeams are Shining On 17 Garry Hyde 11 Neal Croft, Whittington issues in Connect or to contribute to the Eliminating Single-Use Plastics 6 Whittington Community Litter Pick 17 01543 433190 [email protected] next edition please write to or email any World Fairtrade Day 8 HS2 Update Delayed 18 Anthony Ward The Bell Inn, Main Street, Whittington Parish Councillor. Whittington Countryside Fair 10 Easter Services 19 01543 432377 [email protected] Blacksmith Lane Development 12 Blooming Whittington and Fisherwick 20 Richard Cotterill 32 Back Lane, Whittington Designed and produced by Good Neighbour Scheme 13 Blooming Flower Club 21 [email protected] Only Time Will Tell 14 Village Hall Invitation 21 Andrew Jackson Norris, Main Street, Whittington STRAIGHTFORWARD Lichfield Local Plan Land Allocation 14 News from the Parochial Church Council 22 Creative Design Agency 07753 651 458 ,[email protected]

Whittington Charity Formerly the Poor Fund Whittington WI Annual Big Quiz and Pudding Night You can obtain a copy of the Whittington Charity application form: Friday 13th April 7.30pm - Whittington Village Hall Online Tickets £7 each - Bring your own drinks. Visit staffsfoundation.org.uk/whittingtonfisherwickfund Whittington WI has been very busy this last year with outings and some super By Phone or Email speakers. By the time you read this we will have begun a new year with a Contact the Community Foundation for direct on 01785 339540 or programme of varied speakers and events. We welcome ladies of all ages, e-mail [email protected], and ask to be sent the application form come and meet us, you will be made very welcome and there is always tea and cake in the interval. Via the Whittington Charity Committee Contact John Smith tel. no.432848 or any member of the Contact: Anne Hiskins 01543 432 256 or Sheila Nicholas 01543 264 938 Whittington Charity committee for assistance 3 Public Consultation Welcome... Mobile Post Office Introducing Your New Service for Whittington Parish Councillors David Walton, Parish Clerk

Anthony Ward Andrew Jackson The Post Office HQ is proposing to restore Post Office services to Whittington and Fisherwick with the introduction of a Mobile service. The Mobile Service is a travelling Post Office aboard a specifically designed I have served as a front line I moved into the village vehicle that brings Post Office services and retail products to communities. Fire Officer for 29 years. I am full-time in 2013, having spent landlord of one of our public the previous 8 years splitting my The PO have carried out a 6 week local public A wide range of services will be available. houses on Main Street, The time between Whittington and consultation asking for comments about the proposal Customers can still collect benefits in cash using Bell Inn. I have lived here in Stonnall, where I had previously This consultation period ended 8th March 2018. their everyday banking services or Post Office card Whittington for seven years. In lived since 1999. Originally from account. my time as a Fire Officer I have Walsall and still a season ticket The proposals for Whittington are; served local communities, which holder at Bescot Stadium, I am Anthony Ward There is a step into the Mobile vehicle, but an are diverse and multicultural, keen on football, mountain biking Whittington Mobile Service - electronic tailgate is available to facilitate easy access hopefully making them Stronger, and speedway. As a Princes Village Hall Car Park Whittington Lichfield for wheelchair users and those with disabilities. Safer and Healthier places to be. Trust mentor I am well versed WS14 9LR Parking will be available close to the Mobile Van. I am looking forward to serving in voluntary work which I fit in this community to the best of my alongside running my long- Proposed opening times ability. I look forward to meeting established Project Management For the results of the Consultation, please look at you all. Cllr Tony Ward business. Cllr Andrew Jackson Tuesday 13:00 – 15:00 the Parish Council’s website and Facebook pages Thursday 08:45 – 10:45 Friday 14:45 – 15:45

Richard Cotterill Andrew Jackson

I moved to the village over five years ago and was made very welcome from day one which is what makes this village so special. I have been on numerous committees over a period of time and I am still chairman of a social club in Tamworth and have been so for nearly twenty years. My other interests Richard Cotterill include gardening and football. I have watched and worked at a professional football club for almost fifty years. I have joined the council to find out what goes on, how decisions are made and to offer my assistance in any way I can. Cllr Richard Cotterill 5 Visit Whittingtonandfisherwick.org.uk for a more detailed article

Environment How to Eliminate Single-Use Overall, we Plastics From Daily Living achieved about David Murcott “80% reduction of plastic waste

My wife, Penny and I have been using Without describing every item of our weekly shop, Tesco for our weekly shop for many years. we had moderate success, but we realised that many in that first In October 2017, following increased media regular purchases were wrapped in non-recyclable coverage of the environmental impacts of plastic. We now use washing powder in a cardboard plastic waste I wondered how difficult it box rather than liquid in a plastic bottle. We bought experiment... would be to avoid plastic packaging during much more tinned produce to avoid the plastic. our weekly shop. Overall, we achieved about 80% reduction of plastic waste in that first experiment! Make a change We have since broadened our shopping habits and ” now use the farm shop at Plantation Lane, which has far less in plastic packaging. We have bought toilet We bought a pack of paper compost caddy bags, a rolls in bulk from ‘Who Gives a Crap’ on the internet, roll of greaseproof paper and a roll of baking foil. Our which uses 100% recycled paper and delivers the rolls first challenge was the fruit and veg section. Loose in a cardboard box. We now use bars of soap, in small apples, pears and bananas were weighed, placed into cardboard boxes rather than using liquid in plastic It appears that they have been Finally, a couple of years ago cardboard cups and then pours its one of the caddy bags and labelled. Unfortunately, all bottles. We have found toothpaste in a glass jar from taken by surprise by the number Penny and I bought biodegradable contents into their own container. the soft fruits were in plastic punnets and wrapped Truthpaste, also via the internet. We visit Holland and of people taking their own and reusable coffee cups to use What nonsense and I’m contacting in cellophane. In the salad section, no problem with Barrett in Birmingham every couple of months because containers into the stores across at express delivery machines at Costa! peppers, large tomatoes, spring onions and radish, they sell nuts and dried fruit loose and provide the country and are concerned that Service Stations. These replaced but we couldn’t find any cherry tomatoes, lettuce, or paper bags. We make our own yoghurt and we have these practices may be in breach the cardboard cups provided which Our journey has begun, but has celery that wasn’t in plastic bags and all the cucumbers changed our milk supply to Wilmott’s local delivery, of Health and Safety legislation. are not recyclable owing to the a long way to go and companies were vacuum sealed in plastic. Potatoes, carrots, which supplies it in glass bottles. Everything seemed Tesco’s now say that they are “fully presence of a polythene sleeve will not change their policies unless sprouts, broccoli, courgettes, onions, leeks and parsnips to be proceeding extremely well and following the committed to making all packaging inside the cup. However, this week, forced to by customer demand, so, were no problem but swede was vacuum sealed in furore about plastic waste in our oceans we felt fully recyclable or compostable I met a Costa representative, who this is a plea to all readers to have a plastic and cabbages, cauliflowers and runner beans quite smug about being ahead of the curve. We also by 2025”. Unfortunately, this is was servicing a brand new machine go yourselves, it really isn’t difficult were all in plastic bags. experienced a huge reduction in the recyclable waste not soon enough, so, we now use and was informed that only their and, if we all share examples of in our blue bin. We continued using Tesco and took Walter Smith butchers in Lichfield, own cardboard takeaway cups our successes then progress can The next challenge was meat. Having explained our our own Tupperware containers for them to put the who use waxed wrapping paper will enable coffee to be dispensed be quite rapid. WFEG will provide motives to the very understanding assistants at the fish and meats directly into until their staff showed and are happy for us to use our from the new machines. I own regular updates, information and deli counter, we chose two fresh trout, which were us a directive they had received from Head Office, own containers. Coates butchers at a stainless steel Costa Coffee support to help with the reduction wrapped in the baking foil that we provided. Bacon, prohibiting the use of customers’ own containers and are equally amenable. takeaway mug, with my name on it and, ultimately, removal of plastic sausage, chicken and lamb chops were all placed into insisting that their produce had to be pre-wrapped in but the representative told me that waste. Please see WFPC website grease-proof paper before going into the caddy bags. their plastic bags. Their Head Office has confirmed this not even this can be used unless for a more detailed article. 7 Likewise the cold meats. as a national directive. the customer first fills one of the Whittington and Fisherwick Fairtrade World Fairtrade Day Steve Barr

The café and refreshments World Fairtrade Day on Saturday The Walled Garden looks better area at Woodhouse Farm is 12th May, when they will once again every year, and younger (as well being transformed in a major be hosting Fairtrade Tempting Teas. as not so young) visitors will enjoy refurbishment and modernisation There will be a choice of Fairtrade watching the piglets at play, as well VOTED ONE OF THE project. Annamarie and Andy are tea or coffee and a huge range of as other livestock and birds. confident that all will be ready for cakes and biscuits, baked on the BEST IN THE UK premises with Fairtrade ingredients. Anthony John Salons is a hair salon with a difference… and we’ve just been recognised as one of the best in the UK. We invite you to experience something special and see why we win awards not just for creative hair, but for the whole client experience. We’re not crammed on the high street with the hassle (and cost) of car parking. We don’t have row after row of stylists’ chairs where you are so close to other customers, you can hear every word they say. We are a haven of luxury with a team of highly qualified and passionate stylists ready to find the perfect style for you! Our ‘Balcony’ chill out room has complimentary refreshments, the latest style magazines to peruse guaranteed and free wi-fi to browse. Based at The Heart of the Country Simon Doveston and Barry Gwilt Church, the Soccer Centre, WFEG Shopping Village Swinfen, in a SAVE THE DATE will again be providing a delicious and Woodhouse Farm are all beautiful converted barn we have both the Tempting Teas for Fairtrade-themed meal and there supporting this year’s calendar. environment and the team to make your World Fairtrade Day will be the usual wide range of Our thanks go to them all. visit to the hairdressers just perfect! Saturday 12th May Fairtrade wines to sample, all available in local shops and stores Delicious home-made goodies, We’re offering 20% off to Fairtrade Wine Tasting who support the event. Over a with Fairtrade ingredients, are all new customers until Tuesday 3rd July quarter of the limited number of always available on the church stall 31st May, 2018. tickets had already been snapped at the Village Market on Saturday up five months ahead of the day so mornings on The Bell car park, so book your places early if you want don’t miss the opportunity to pick Fairtrade Wine Tasting to be sure of a ticket. up a tasty bargain when the Market ANTHONY JOHN SALONS starts again in April. Many readers will remember In the last edition of Connect, we HEART OF THE COUNTRY SWINFEN how successful and enjoyable the flagged up the 2018 Whittington LICHFIELD WS14 9QR wine tasting always is- although Fairtrade calendar, which will by For more information, call  01543 481900 some of you who have attended in now be adorning the wall in many Steve or Megan on 01543 432605 BEST INDEPENDENT HAIR recent years might not remember homes. The Co op, Coton House email [email protected] STAY IN TOUCH & BEAUTY SALON so clearly! Stables, the Cricket Club, the or check out our website: FINALIST Flower Club, Guides and Scouts, www.whittington-fairtrade.co.uk  9 the Hospice, the School, St Giles Finance Coming Soon Parish Council Budget Whittington 2018-2019 Countryside Cllr Martyn Bennett – Chair of the Finance Committee Fair J R Smith - Fair Co-ordinator You will soon be receiving in the post from Council (LDC) your Council Tax bill and I want to explain the Parish Council’s (PC) part of that bill.

The PC’s spending that cannot be In addition to reductions in The net effect of the above for SAVE THE DATE New major Countryside Fair Sponsor met from fees, charges and grants, income, the PC has to fund next year is that the PC will need Whittington Countryside Fair - Jukes Funeral Services has to be met from the Council additional spending pressures. You to raise an extra £2,796 in total Saturday 1st September Tax payers within the Parish and may have noticed that the Council from council tax payers just to We are delighted to introduce Jukes Funeral Services is collected from you by LDC and has acquired a new piece of land stand still. The PC’s part of your who have agreed to take on the major sponsorship handed over to us in the form of at Swan Meadow and this will be Council Tax bill will therefore role for our Countryside Fair this year. Jukes is a a ‘precept’. Every November and maintained for future generations. increase from £40.17 to £42.18 I’m sure you all know that the Parish Council has Lichfield family business providing local services for the December the PC decides what You may also have noticed the new for next year. Looked at another agreed to run the Countryside Fair again this year. people of Lichfield and the surrounding areas. it needs to spend in the following village signs which have received a way the increase is under 5p per Fortunately new (and some younger) volunteers financial year after taking into great deal of favourable comments. week for each band ‘D’ property. have joined the team and we have set up a Fair Managing Director, Sophie Jukes grew up in Lichfield. account anticipated inflation, and We want to make further Elsewhere in this newsletter there Steering Group to manage the event. She holds qualifications with both National Association the cost of regular commitments improvements to the infrastructure are details of both the new and of Funeral Directors (NAFD) and British Institute of and new initiatives. For every £1 of the Parish especially as both established services provided by This new group is already proposing new and Funeral Directors (BIFD) and has vast experience in all you pay in Council Tax, the Parish the County Council and District the Parish Council, and when the fresh ideas and activities for this year’s and future aspects of organising funeral services. Other members Council receives only 2.8p. Council have said they will be benefits obtained from these are events. Having said that, this year’s fair, the fifteenth of the team, Ryan Dobson and Stuart Clancy, also have cutting down on non-essential compared to the small cost to you, consecutive event, will maintain a similar format to similar training backgrounds to Sophie and together LDC has been subject to cuts in work. We will also be improving we hope you consider this to be previous shows with many acts and activities remaining provide the highest standards of care for both you and funding from Central Government the BMX track at Jubilee Park, good value for money. on the agenda. For many years now I have threatened your loved one. and for next year they have and putting money aside for tree to stand down as Fair Coordinator. I am delighted to removed entirely their grant to all surgery work. It is interesting to note that of announce that Bob Wood has agreed to take over We look forward to working with Sophie and her Parish Councils in the area. This all the Councils that raise council the organisation for the 2019 event so we will work team throughout the coming months. has resulted in a further loss to the The PC recognises that the tax from you for their services, together and I will hand over the reins after this year’s PC of over £2,630 which in itself is Government wants to ensure that the Parish Council is the only show, but offer future support if and when needed. Whittington Countryside Fair 2018 Stall bookings equivalent to a 6% increase in the you, the council tax payer, don’t one where the Councillors are parish precept. pay for large increases in council completely voluntary and do not Three long serving members of team, Chris Millar, Do you want the opportunity to have a stall for your tax year on year and we have receive any remuneration. Megan and Steve Barr are also handing over their business, hobby or service at this year’s fair? Booking borne this in mind when producing responsibilities during the coming months. My sincere is now open for stalls for this year’s event on 1st our budget. thanks for their tremendous support and hard work September 2018. Village organisations can also book a over so many years. stall to fundraise or promote their group. i

Contact Sue Walton for a chat on The full budget details are included on the Parish Council’s website. Should you have STALL BOOKINGS 07515829254 or email [email protected] any questions on the budget please email me via the Parish Clerk. AND INFORMATION Booking forms can also be downloaded from the 11 Parish Council website. Community Whittington & Fisherwick Good Neighbour Scheme Terry Tricker - Chairman

Success builds on success; this is our third year - look at our achievements over this short time. Our ‘customer’ base has steadily expanded. Leaflet drops, posters, articles in ‘Connect’ and the ‘Parish News’ have all helped, but by far the most powerful marketing tool for us is word of mouth.

Our clients are our sales team, neighbours to local destinations, who need us and more volunteers encouraging and reassuring their but often much further afield to the to enable us to expand further. Development neighbours that our volunteers Birmingham Hospitals for instance. Our challenge is to ensure that the are there to help them, that they Good Neighbour Scheme becomes are friendly, reliable and can’t do We have benefitted from embedded in our Community enough for you. This last year we significant financial support. We and remains operational long into Update on Blacksmith Lane provided over one thousand hours have received funding from our the future. of assistance. Parish Council, Whittington & Fisherwick Charity Fund, We Love If you need our help or are Housing Development One of the foundations of our Lichfield Fund, the Whittington considering joining our volunteer Cllr John Cannon success are our duty officers. To be Parochial Church Council, the team give us a ring on effective they need IT knowledge, 41 Club, and from numerous 01543 624410. One of our duty good organisational skills, and be anonymous donors. This enables officers can take your call from The Parish Council is pleased to report that work Regrettably the cottage frontages it was planned able to show empathy over the us to provide the service we give 10am to 12 noon on Monday, on the site of the old cottages on Blacksmith Lane to retain were found to be structurally unsound and phone. Our duty officers have and it helps us with our ambition to Wednesday and Fridays and you was finally restarted at the end of January and we construction work was halted on safety grounds. honed these abilities to a fine art. improve social cohesion and reduce can leave a message when they are have been advised that the developer plans to have This was followed by a revised planning application Now we have a fabulous set of isolation in our community. not on duty. all the work on site completed this spring. seeking permission to totally demolish them and 12 duty officers and a standby! rebuild as an exact replica, using recovered materials We also have just over 50 reliable We are always looking for We look forward to As Blacksmith Lane residents will know, the history wherever possible. volunteers undertaking a wide improvements, but to help us be hearing from you. Please see of the site is somewhat complicated. Initially it range of tasks. Our biggest area of even more effective we need help WFPC website for a more was proposed to restore and extend the derelict Responding as Statutory Consultees to this help is with transport taking our to publicise the Scheme to those detailed article. pair of cottages (which had been unoccupied application in July 2017 the Parish Council expressed for a considerable period of time and were the hope that approval would be granted promptly to deteriorating rapidly) and build three new 3 bedroom allow the scheme to proceed without further delay. houses alongside. Disappointingly this took almost 6 months to secure – hence the frustrating lack of activity during the Following objections by concerned residents, centred latter part of last year. Fortunately it appears that any particularly on parking and access arrangements, outstanding issues have now been resolved. alternative proposals – still retaining and extending the two cottages and preserving the road frontages Finally, some of you will have noticed that recent but building only one new 4 bedroom house and advertisements in the property section of the Lichfield offering substantially improved parking and garaging Mercury have shown only one property to be still arrangements – were submitted in May 2016. These available. We are assured that this is indeed the proposals duly secured planning permission a little later case. Both of the cottages are already spoken for that year. and hopefully, as work proceeds and the weather improves, a buyer will be found for the remaining 4 13 bedroom house. Only time will tell Whittington and Fisherwick Neighbourhood Plan Cllr Jonathan Smith Referendum on Adoption: At the AGM of the Whittington The time they give is significant. Volunteer Organisations (with Good Neighbour Scheme our Notable examples are the leaders apologies to any I have missed). chairman, Terry Tricker explained of the uniform groups. They find A Resounding ‘Yes’ Vote that the scheme dealt with an hours of their leisure time each The Village Hall Committee, the Garry Hyde, Chairman average of 30 ‘jobs’ a month. week to provide activities for Whittington Good Neighbour Each one took on average three children and teenagers between Scheme, the Church, the Whist hours; if that time was valued at the ages of six and eighteen. When Group, the Scouts, Cubs and the minimum wage, then over two these groups go on camp then not Beavers, Sunbeams, the Bell Ringers, On the 8th April 2014 Whittington & Fisherwick was designated by Lichfield District Council as a suitable years the scheme has provided well only do the leaders use up their Flicks in the Sticks, Mothers Union, area to formulate a Neighbourhood Plan. Following lengthy consultation with all residents, businesses over £15,000 of assistance to our own holiday allocation from their Coffee Stop, the School Parents and local groups, in January 2017 Whittington & Fisherwick Council published the draft Whittington service users. But the essence of work, they pay for their own travel Association, the Governors of & Fisherwick Neighbourhood Plan containing sustainable policies for Development, Environment, this service is not measured in cash; and accommodation. the School, the Bowling Club, the Conservation, Housing, Facilities, Business Needs and Green Belt use. it is time generously volunteered Cricket Club, the Community and good will. The word is altruism. Every volunteer will tell you all Choir, the Church fete Committee, Following this consultation, The referendum to accept or The Plan will now become such organisations need more Wednesday Club, the Guides, amendments were made and reject the Neighbourhood Plan the blueprint for the future of In this article is a list - it may help, both to manage them and Brownies, Rainbow Guides, The Final Draft Whittington & was on Thursday 22nd February Whittington and Fisherwick until not be complete - of the many assist activities. If no one comes Rangers and Trefoil, the Flower Fisherwick Neighbourhood Plan in Whittington Village Hall and 2029. It has to be taken into volunteer organisations in our forward to help them they will Club, the Trustee Advisers of the was submitted by the Parish all residents of voting age had account in all planning applications village. All of them have some die. In particular if each group Whittington and Fisherwick Charity, Council to Lichfield District Council the opportunity to register their by Lichfield District Council. kind of leader or ‘chair’ together does not have a leader then it Bridge Club, WEFG, the Craft and on 18th July 2017 for assessment support or otherwise for the Plan. with a secretary and a treasurer. will fail immediately, so who will Countryside Fair, the Ladies Lunch by an independent examiner. My thanks must go to everyone These organisations add colour join in to keep them going? You Club, the Men’s Lunch Group, The Examiner, Mr Nigel McGurk The outcome was a resounding who helped to make this possible. and vitality to our village for every decide; only time will tell. Could the Football Clubs, the Allotment concluded that, subject to minor success for the adoption of the The Residents who participated in generation of residents. They turn you give a couple of hours a week Association, Whittington Players, modifications, the Whittington & Neighbourhood Plan, as shown by our questionnaires, our Consultants, us as individuals in our village into of your spare time to help one of the WI, Fairtrade, St. Giles Hospice Fisherwick Neighbourhood Plan the detailed declaration. the Parish Council, but most of all a community. these groups? volunteers and your Parish Council. met the necessary basic conditions those members of the Steering and could proceed to referendum. Group who stuck it out to the very end of a long and complex process. Well done. Lichfield local Plan Land Allocation Cllr Garry Hyde Whittington and Fisherwick

Lichfield District Council recently from 8 January to 19 February Common Land for development Neighbourhood Plan Vote Declaration produced a revised Land Allocation 2018. As part of this there were in the short term, ostensibly until Document for consultation. This unmanned exhibitions in Lichfield 2022 and in all probability until Local Plan Allocation document is and libraries and the the end of the life of the Land the second part of the Local Plan documents were available to Allocation Document, which is for Lichfield District and follows view on request from reception 2029. Extensive consultation within Total Votes the Local Plan Strategy which was at District Council offices in Frog the Parish has shown a strong adopted in February 2015. Lichfield Lane, Lichfield. desire to maintain the Green Belt 436 No Yes District Council was seeking views and preserve the rural nature of Turnout (19%) 43 (10%) 392 (90%) on the Local Plan Allocation - The major change to the original the Parish. Focused Changes document. This Land Allocation Document is a document covers a range of issues, removal of any Green Belt use in We will provide more from housing and land allocations Whittington, and a revised total information when the results of the through to reviewing planning of 38 new houses, down from Consultation are made public. + 1 Spoiled Paper policies used to determine planning 110. The plan has removed Green 15 applications. The consultation ran Belt sites in Huddlesford Lane and Get Involved Sunbeams are shining on Megan Barr

We recently had a visit from a JOIN US well-feathered local neighbour, and discovered the connection We meet in term times in between chickens and eggs. March on the 7th and 21st, then Henrietta (named on the spot) April 18th and May 2nd. If you made the acquaintance of many want to know more, contact children, not to mention Jeeves the Megan at [email protected] sheepdog, and seemed to survive 432605 or Sue 319613 quite happily.

Sunbeams is a whole lot of fun for both children and grown-ups Sunbeams (formerly known as Pram alike. We welcome anyone, usually Service) continues to thrive every accompanied by a baby or child other Wednesday in the church under school age, to come and and church hall. Some of you might join us in the church at 10.30 for have been at the Fairtrade Coffee songs, instruments and all sorts of Remembering morning in February, where you fun, followed by drinks and crafts will have seen just a tiny part of our and play in the church hall till 12.00. stock of play activities and perhaps All free, though a donation for Beacon Lighting Ceremony some of the players too. refreshments is welcome. David Walton, Parish Clerk

On 11th November 2018, the and St Macartin’s Cathedral, Enniskillen, the most and its friends overseas will mark the day 100 years westerly location in the United Kingdom. ago when the guns fell silent at the end of the First World War. As beacons blaze around the country, bells in 1,000 churches and cathedrals will ring out in celebration of 24.03.18 The Council has agreed to play its part in the end of the First World War. Many people in Britain WHITTINGTON remembering the sacrifice of millions of men and live within hearing of church bells, and the sound of women by joining in ‘Battle’s Over’, a unique series mighty bells, some of which are hundreds of years old, of events involving organisations and communities provides a stirring soundtrack to these historic events. COMMUNITY LITTER PICK throughout the country and in many countries abroad. Among the communities and other organisations that The full details of what is involved will be given to us have already confirmed their involvement are the nearer the time but we know that before the lighting AS SPRING IS HERE WE NEED TO SPRING CLEAN THE PARISH. Tan Hill Inn, Yorkshire Dales, the highest pub in Great of our Beacon at 7pm we may consider reading out TH Britain; Unst, the most northerly inhabited island in the names of those from our Parish who were killed in JOIN US SATURDAY 24 MARCH 2018 10.00AM AT THE VILLAGE HALL Scotland; St David’s, the most westerly city in Wales; action, during WWI, in remembrance of the sacrifices Lowestoft, Suffolk, the most easterly town in , made. WE PROVIDE NECESSARY EQUIPMENT JUST BRING YOUR OWN GLOVES AND SAVE THE DATE APPROPRIATE CLOTHING AND FOOTWEAR. Beacon Lighting Ceremony Sunday 11th November 17 Update HS2 Update Delayed John Cannon InEaster Whittington and Fisherwick

th st We had hoped to be able to report on current As a Parish Council we will be seeking further Sunday 25 March - Sunday 1 April 2018 project delivery plans for HS2 in our locality. information on: Unfortunately the meeting in which HS2 Ltd’s representatives planned to present their proposals • Contractual arrangements to be put in place Palm Sunday 25th March Your Easter Week had to be postponed due to the recent spell of bad following Carillion’s collapse Receive your palm cross and weather and will not now take place until after the Monday 26th set your eyes upon the Easter journey ahead print deadline for this issue of the newsletter. • Anticipated start date and duration of the 19.00: Contemporary Praise and Worship 8.00: Palm Sunday Said Eucharist works with particular reference to planned Holy Week Service @ St Giles Whittington road diversions and closures, canal realignment @ St Giles Whittington proposals and bridge construction aspects 9.30: Palm Sunday Parish Eucharist 21:00: Compline @ St Giles Whittington @ St Giles • Developing landscape restoration and Tuesday 27th environmental mitigation proposals 11.30: Palm Sunday Parish Eucharist @ St Mary’s 19.00: Stations of the Cross Devotion As soon as we have more detail to hand we will let 18.30: Palm Sunday celebration of readings @ St Mary’s Weeford you know via the web site, Facebook and of course and music for Palm Sunday 21.00: Compline later editions of Connect. @ St Giles Whittington @St Giles Wednesday 28th 21.00: Thirty-minute reflective and ancient prayer 9.30: Holy Week said Eucharist service of compline @ St Giles @ St Giles 21:00: Compline st Easter Sunday 1 April @St Giles Advertise Here th The principal festival of the Christian year Thursday 29 take advantage of this opportunity praising The Risen Lord Am: Chrism Mass at the Cathedral with the whilst supporting the community! Bishops- see the Lichfield Cathedral website 8.00 and 9.30: Parish Eucharist for Easter Day 19.00: Eucharist for Maundy Thursday, stripping of Connect is circulated 3 times a year (March, @ St Giles Whittington the altars liturgy, the ancient service of Tenebrae and July and November) 11.30: Parish Eucharist for Easter Day altar of repose for silent meditation @ St Mary’s Weeford (available 1hr after services) It’s hand delivered by Parish Councillors 18.30: Songs of Praise for Easter Day and volunteers to every household in @ St Giles Whittington @ St Bartholomew’s Hints th the Whittington & Fisherwick Parish… Friday 30 approximately 1400 homes…that’s a reach of 18:30: Festival of Nine Lessons and Songs for Easter 8.15: Pilgrim Walk to Lichfield Central Hall starting over 3000 people. @ St Giles Whittington @Whittington Post Office 19:00: Veneration of the cross… It’s also distributed via local shops and an ancient and profound devotion with published online at the Parish Council website. Everyone is warmly invited reserved sacrament to these special services @ St Mary’s, Weeford For just £100 per A5 Full page or £60 per 21:00: Compline Half Page, per edition you can advertise your @St Giles business to a clearly defined local market. Make your Easter special Holy Saturday 31st this year! 19:30: Easter Vigil Service

@ St Mary’s, Weeford Costs are based upon you supplying [email protected] finished artwork via email to: or call Chris on 07752 976388 19 Whittington and Fisherwick Environment Group The Village in Bloom Whittington Flower Club Bloomin’ Whittington Rosemary Smith and Fisherwick Mike Kinghan This is an old established village club with about demonstrator arrange flowers, talk about the plant 100 members. We meet in the Village Hall on the material, gardening and their own lives; the designs 4th Wednesday of the month at 7.30 pm. If you are raffled at the end. Refreshments are available and are interested in plants and flowers you may like to a Sales Table for all the bits and pieces you may need come along and give us a try. We generally watch a for your own designs at home. River of Flowers (RoF) is a project to enrich the beauty of our parish and encourage bees, birds and other wildlife to flourish. It is led by Whittington and Fisherwick Environment Group (WFEG) and actively supported by many village organisations including the Parish Council, St Giles Church, our Youth Groups and the Village Hall. OUR CALENDAR In the last few months work has happening without funding from from Cameron Homes - for their raced ahead on transforming the the South Staffs Water ‘PEBBLE’ support and encouragement at space by Swan Road, now called fund, from Green Energy Networks all stages. 28th March 27th June ‘Swan Meadow’, which will provide who developed the Huddlesford Diane Fair, a national demonstrator Jackie Cooper with a pollen and nectar feast for bees solar farms and from Tesco’s Bags The RoF troughs along Main from Cheshire, will be doing "Design "Serendipity" and other pollinators as well as a of Help scheme, as well as monies Street – funded by Tesco Bags of Connections" beautiful sight for residents. River raised via the Open Gardens Help - are now being looked after 25th July of Flowers and WFEG volunteers weekend in July. Nor would it be by local households (many of them 23rd May Practical Workshop laid 120m2 of meadow turf along happening without the dedication the Open Garden participants) Ann Gater with "I can see a Rainbow" the Swan Road frontage which of the team of brilliant volunteers, with plants funded by WFEG: Terry 1st September should provide a bold display in aged from 5 to 75, who have done & Jane Tricker have planted the 9th June The Club will be organising the Floral late spring and summer. They also the bulk of the work. Thanks are new trough at the Chemists; Lynn The Club will have a stall at the Church Competitions for children and adults at the spread 40 tons of compost across also due to local farmers, Andy Beal at the Co-op; Ruth & Mark Fete selling arrangements Whittington Countryside and Craft Fair the site, and then sowed several and Tom Cope and Paul Lowe of Clevely at the Bell; Mary & Nigel kilos of meadow flower seed into it. Huddlesford Holsteins and Barry Lawson the bus stop; and David For more information about the Club please contact That too will provide a wonderful Horton of Trelawn Services for and Rowena Sharpe have planted Pamela 304990 or Rosemary 432848 display of flowers but will take help and support. Final mention the two at the Dog. A big thanks to longer to mature. This fantastic to our Parish Council - to whom all of them. meadow project could not be the land has now been transferred Cake and Coffee

Meanwhile up at the Community completely replacing the soil for the Whittington and Fisherwick as Village Hall Invitation Orchard we’ve been concerned 10 trees which are worst affected, an entrant in the 2018 Heart of Rosemary Smith for a while about very poor growth using a compost mixture from Mill England in Bloom competition. We of some fruit trees in the orchard. Farm near Stafford. In addition we feel we can make a great showing. The soil is extremely sandy and are going to provide the missing Even if we don’t win anything this stony, with pitifully low ability to nutrients to the remaining trees year we will get helpful feedback The Village Hall invites you to pop in for a retain water and nutrients. Luckily and lay a deep mulch of compost from the judges (who will visit in FREE coffee and piece of cake on Saturday 21st April, fruit trees are pretty resilient, and around them. the summer). We hope that will between 10.00 am and noon. This is to coincide with the most are doing OK. However some encourage others to join in to make first Village Market of 2018, so why not combine the two? are really struggling. We’ve looked So much great stuff has been our village environment even more at this in detail, consulted experts, happening under the RoF banner beautiful and rich in wildlife. had soil tests carried out and that WFEG and the Parish Council 21 developed a plan which involves have decided to put forward Your Views News from the Parochial Church Council Pamela Palmer

Many villagers come and spend time both in our can be a useful and worthwhile addition to our Church Church and Churchyard. We now have a piece of and village. It may be that someone or even a small land at the side of the Church Hall which we would group could help co-ordinate or organise plans so that like to use for something that our community would this land can become an integral part of our life. also value. Some suggestions have already been made – a lawned area with trees or shrubs where So – here is the challenge, can YOU come up with people could sit peacefully, whilst thinking of family ideas – not too expensive to either create or care for! members past or present, a small extension to the If you can, please let us know by leaving a note at the car park or an outdoor area for younger users of the parish office (via Church Hall post box) or by email to Church Hall to use. our churchwardens ([email protected]). Please let us have your views by Friday 23rd March 2018. St Giles Parochial Church Council (PCC) would be delighted if you, the villagers, can let us know what We are very keen to hear your views, although we you would like us to consider doing with it, perhaps reserve the right to make the final decision. coming up with other ideas so that this extended area

Whittington and Fisherwick Whittington School Nursery has a couple of spaces available for ADVERTISE September 2018 admission. Please contact the office on 01543 432487 Are you interested in advertising in the Connect next edition of Connect? Parish Magazine or email [email protected] to find out more! see page 19 for more details 23 Will return in July