Nut Tree December 2018 (Pdf)
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Magazine of the St. Germans and Deviock Parishes & Councils December 2018 Volume 33 (9) Seasons Greetings to all Thank you to those that have been in touch about helping with editing and distribution of the Nut Tree. We sincerely appreciate the support and also note how much Nut Tree means to so many of you. As usual, please email copy to [email protected] or post to ‘Tremaye’ Downderry by the 17th of the preceding month. Any enquiries, email or ring 250629. Nature At the beginning of November the local coast line was providing productive feeding opportunities for pipits, wagtails and hundreds of gulls of several species, especially the Black-headed. The decaying deposits of seaweed have attracted invertebrates that provide easy pickings for the gulls. However, just offshore a few gulls become the object of close attention from passing predatory skuas. Looking out to sea I noticed an Arctic Skua harassing a Kittiwake, following its every move incessantly, both birds tumbling in the air until the gull disgorged its food. It is natural to feel some sympathy for the Kittiwake robbed of its meal, but this is nature in the raw. Arctic Skuas nest on tundra and moors in the north of Europe, including Scotland, and pass by our coast in the autumn on their way to waters south of the equator. I look for returning birds in late April and May. Yet, as for many seabirds, there is some cause for concern regarding the future of the Arctic Skua because its population has fallen. One reason is declining availability of food, but there is also evidence that, owing to a scarcity of fish prey such as sandeels, this skua's larger cousin, the Great Skua, is widening its source of food. Capable of tackling a Gannet, the Great Skua is turning its attention to the Arctic Skua. Alan Payne 1 From the Parishes - St Germans Parish Council Routine management continues as Autumn turns into Winter. Hedge trimming, leaves collecting and drain clearing. We are looking forward to next year and planning to hold Open Meetings in each hall to survey your opinions on traffic issues within the Parish. We have applied for funding in two areas that concerns have been expressed to us, the Old White House area at the centre of St Germans and speeding in Polbathic. We are sure that other traffic issues bother you so we want to hear about them. At the moment we are looking to be able to display possible solutions like traffic calming measures with "for" and "against" information and identification of areas that we have been made aware of. We are hoping to plan these meetings in February 2019 as the halls are busy in January. If you are aware of any issues other than the A38 and Tideford air quality please let us know at [email protected] or by telephoning 07845130596. The proposed station car park in St Germans should be reaching the planning stage for the formal consultation process. Seasons Greetings to you all. The next meeting is on 17th December at 7.00pm in Tideford British Legion Hall. Deviock Parish Date of next meeting: Parish Council Meeting: 10th January 2019, 7.30 pm at the Coastal Zone, Downderry. Planning Committee: 13th December 2018, 6.30 pm (if required), at the Coastal Zone, Downderry. Local Neighbourhood Plan meetings normally take place at the Coastal Zone, Downderry on the first Thursday of the month at 7.30pm. All are welcome to attend Recent Grants made to Local Organisations 1) Downderry Neighbourhood Watch (for new street signs): £100.00 2) S.E. Cornwall Surf Club (insurance including the Seaton & Downderry Raft Race): £200.00 3) Cruse Bereavement Care, Cornwall – Appeal: £50.00 Roadside Vegetation Reminder to all landowners with land adjacent to the highway. Overhanging branches and vegetation on the road cause highway safety issues. It is your responsibility to ensure that hedges and undergrowth are kept trimmed back from overhanging the road. With winter upon us this is a good time to carry out this work. Cornwall Council can enforce action if this work is not done. Deviock Parish Council Loan Fund The Council provides interest free loans (up to £1,000) to local organisations for specific projects (subject to terms and conditions). Please contact the Clerk or one of the councillors if your organisation thinks it could benefit from this service. Deviock Parish Office is The Vestry, St. Nicolas Church, Main Road, Downderry PL11 3LE Tel. No. 01503 250 052 [email protected] Wednesdays: 2pm – 4pm, Thursdays: 9am – 12 noon www.deviockparish.org.uk (Agendas and Minutes are available on the website) T.P News from County Hall-Richard Pugh The school admissions application rounds for new reception and junior school places in September 2019 are now open. The application deadline is 15th January 2019. Cornwall Council is urging families to submit application forms by this date to give children the best possible chance of being placed 2 at a preferred school. Parents who miss the application deadline reduce their chances of getting their preferred school because their forms will not be dealt with until after all the other applications have been processed. Parents with a child born between 1st September 2014 and 31st August 2015 will need to apply for a reception school place for September 2019. Parents with a child who is currently in year two at an infant only school will need to apply for a place in year three at a junior school for September 2019. For more information please email [email protected] Cornwall Council are considering making a bid to host the opening stage of the 2020 Tour of Britain cycling race. Cycling superstars Chris Froome and Geraint Thomas took part in the event this year. The majority of the costs could be covered by sponsorship while the event could be worth more than £3million for the area. The benefits are not just financial as it could help raise the profile of cycling and motivate people to lead a healthier life. Cornwall Council has again started its POP UP sites program which will hopefully encourage more users to Cornwall Councils assets and provide opportunities for new and existing businesses to trade without being tied into long term leases and to raise funds to help protect and maintain Cornwall’s open spaces The Pop up sites will be located on Seaton Beach and could vary from food and drink sales, ice cream sales, deck chair hire, fitness sessions plus others. The opportunity will be by open tender and new ventures could start on 5th April 2019. For more information please email http://www.cornwall.gov.uk/pop-up-sites If I can help with any Council related issues please contact me on 01503 220768 or [email protected] Christmas Day Dinner Its on, it's a goer. If you're wanting company on Christmas Day, come and join us, at Downderry Village Hall. Doors open at 12.30 for a 1oclock lunch. I would be helpful to have a rough idea of how many for lunch, so give us a call when you have decided, BUT NO ONE WILL BE TURNED AWAY. If you need a lift let us know. The teapot will always be full, with a plate of mince pies, cakes, nibbles and a sandwich into the afternoon and early evening. So come when you want and go when you feel like it. Its "OPEN HOUSE" all day. COST ?? Our gift to you. Ann, Sandy, Jean and Maggie. 07929930584, 01503250124, [email protected] The Zone a Fresh Expression of the Methodist Church in Downderry The Chapel by the sea The service for December is Sunday December 16th. Carol Service at 3pm with Mr Noel Morgan taking the service and Whitsand Harmony are joining us again, also our usual musical group accompanying us. There will be refreshments after the service. Do come and help us celebrate the good news of Christ's coming. Polbathic Hall Christmas Bingo on Dec.7th, 7 for 7.30. Come and have fun. Prizes for lines and houses. Raffle and free tea/coffee and biscuits. Also Dec. 16th, Carol singing at 4.00. Sing for your mince pies, mulled wine, apple juice free. All welcome. 3 St Germans School Governor Vacancy The Governors of St Germans School are looking to appoint a governor to join their Governing Board. The role, which is a voluntary position, is to contribute to their work in ensuring high standards of achievement for their pupils by: • Setting the school’s vision, ethos and strategic direction; • Holding the Headteacher to account for the educational performance of the school and its pupils and the performance management of staff; and • Overseeing the financial performance of the school and making sure its money is well spent. Governors are particularly keen to appoint someone who can strengthen existing links with the school and local community and those with skills in finance. If you would like to make a positive contribution to the education pupils receive at our community school, please complete an application form which can be obtained from the Clerk to Governors (contact details below). Further information on the role of a governor can be found at http://www.nga.org.uk/Be-a-Governor.aspx or from the Chair of Governors, Caroline Walke who can be contacted through the Clerk. The completed application form should be returned to the Clerk, Debbie Stoneman by email to [email protected] or post at ‘Flerswell’, Trehunist, Liskeard PL14 3SD by Friday 7th December 2018.