Edition 17: January 2009 Message from the Mayor Dear Residents, It was wonderful to see so many family groups at the Christmas Saturday event. Shutting Fore Street in the afternoon certainly paid off and for five or six hours there was a good crowd of people coming and going. There was also good support for the Torchlight Procession and the carol singing. Flava, the dance group, were great and later, after a gap of 44 years, we had “Beatlemania” again outside My Rooms furniture store where Flava were having a photo shoot. Margaret and I talked to as many families as we could and they all thought the event was worthwhile. Thanks to all who helped, thanks to the Rotary’s Father Christmas and sledge and to the clubs and groups who helped make the day interesting. All finished now! A New Year beckons and we all have challenges to face. Ours on the Town Council is the imminent demise of District Council, which despite having its faults, had evolved into an efficient local council. “One ” otherwise known as “” otherwise known as “The Unitary” is not the same as the County Council which also disappears on April 1st. An assurance for you: your services like housing, environmental, roads etc will carry on as much as normal, certainly for the near future. We are trying to get the best deal for and District and at the moment we are attempting to secure, against much opposition, a Community Network Area (CNA) based around PL12. A CNA is a sub-division of One Cornwall and this postal code area includes the local parishes and Saltash. The fight is on to prevent us being joined with and the Rame Peninsula. We think this would be bad for PL12 because our area is already about 25,000 people and we are physically separated and distant from Torpoint. Also we do not have any significant historical, economic or social links and no public transport links at all. We will keep on fighting! A new “One Stop Shop” will open in the library to help people with queries and help such as you might have got from Caradon District Council. Information and help will continue to be available from the reception at the Guildhall of course so you can still pop in when shopping in Fore Street. Margaret and I wish you all the very best for the coming year. Derek Holley, Town Mayor

SATURDAY 21ST FEBRUARY AT THE GUILDHALL – SALTASH SHOWCASE

Following the success of the Showcase last year, another opportunity to find out what is going on in Saltash. Over 20 local organisations will be on display in the Guildhall with demonstrations throughout the day and refreshments available. 10.00am – 3.00pm in the Guildhall, Lower Fore Street

Digital Switchover – are you ready? The analogue TV signal from the Caradon Hill transmitter will be turned off on August 12th to be replaced with a new, stronger digital TV signal. You may need to convert your TV equipment if you haven’t already got digital TV. You can get more information from www.digitaluk.co.uk/westcountry or by calling 08456 50 50 50. There is also a Switchover HelpCouncillor Scheme Derek for Holley,eligible Mayorpeople of– Saltashaged 75 or over; living in a care home for more than 6 months; in receipt of certain benefits; registered blind or partially sighted. Call 0800 40 85 902 if you think you may be eligible. A representative from Digital UK will be at the next Town Council meeting on Thursday 19th February at 7.00pm if you have any questions about the switchover.

Published by Saltash Town Council Printed by Caradon District Council Results of Police - Public Consultation - PACT process.

As part of the desire of the Police to work more with their local communities the PACT process (Partners and Communities Together) has been devised to enable the Police to be more aware and more responsive to the local needs of the communities they serve. Towards the end of 2008 the Police (with the help of the local postmen and women) had delivered over 8000 PACT postcards to the residents of Saltash. These invited people to write down concerns they had which affects their local neighbourhood and impacts on their quality of life, and then return them via the post to Saltash Police.

As a result of the many replies received they have been collated by area to identify the main concerns expressed by the respondents. Overall the main areas of concern were about the speed of traffic in specific locations, parking issues were raised along with anti social behaviour and criminal damage as areas of specific concern.

The details of the results are shortly to be given to Saltash Town Council, and a consultation process will be undertaken and discussed at the PACT panel meeting in February with the Council and Partner Agencies to specifically identify our priorities. These priorities will then be publicly available on the Devon and Cornwall Constabulary web site via the Neighbourhood Links (Saltash)

Thank you to everyone who replied to the cards, the process is still ongoing though so if anyone has any concerns the wish to raise with the local Police there are still PACT postcards available at Saltash police station, it is never too late to bring your concerns to our attention.

Sergeant Andy Dunstan Saltash Neighbourhood Team Leader

Messenger Walk number 5. (Three and one third miles of very muddy going in places) From Burraton Cross Traffic Lights go along Road, past the Ploughboy Inn, Burraton Methodist Chapel and Latchbrook Roundabout: forking left, downhill, (passing the Public Footpath to Burraton Coombe), to the Public Bridleway (a lane) in front of Latchbrook Cottages.

Go along the lane, across the Latchbrook, through a Field Gate, then initially keeping to the left edge of the field (here the way can be extremely muddy) continue to an uphill track. (Look out for Blue waymark arrows showing this is a Public Bridleway). Follow the track to another Field Gate. Then keeping to the right edge go around the field to the Lane in the front of (Wadgeworthy) Farmhouse. Continue along the Lane to a Road. Turn right, go uphill along the road to a Public Bridleway (the first lane) on the left.

Follow the Signposted and blue arrow waymarked Public Bridleway to Forder. Take care passing Meadow Sweet Quarry. At the road in Forder turn right, then at the road junction at the Old Mill take the Public Footpath (yellow arrows) to the right along a well defined route that goes uphill behind the Castle, over a stile into a field with mill pond, up over the brow of the hill ahead to another stile leading onto the road at Castle Farm.

Turn right and go along the road through Trehan past a Public Footpath to the left and straight on through the crossroads at Longlands and past another Public Footpath to the right. Continue on to another Public Footpath on the right, over a stile into a field. Then keeping to the right of the field continue through a gateway into another field to four gates. Go through the first and second gates. Keeping to the right of the fields continue on over stiles to a gate in the corner of a field that leads into a lane. Turn right over a footbridge then left to a stile and follow a sunken lane to another stile into a field and onto another stile. Soon after that stile turn right into a sunken lane going up to a gate into a field: keep to the left of that field to a stile into another field. Go diagonally across that field to a stile in the left hand corner then along the left-hand edge of the next field to another stile. Initially keep to the left of that field then go across the field, going increasingly downhill, to a stile leading to steps at the rear of Latchbrook Cottages.

Merry Christmas, Welcome to Saltash! Did you see the new sign at the bottom of Fore Street? The sign was made for the Festive Lights Committee by apprentices from Babcock Marine and will be used as part of the assessment for their National Vocational Qualification (NVQ). The Festive Lights Committee would like to thank Babcock Marine, the apprentices and in particular David Wilde for making the sign. They would also like to thank all who supported the raffle which raised over £600 and the collection at Waitrose which raised over £400.

Published by Saltash Town Council Printed by Caradon District Council Royal Albert Bridge - Celebration plans move on apace Since the last edition of the Messenger, Lynn Marsh and her Ashtorre team have been working tirelessly towards the celebrations. Awards for All, funded by the National Lottery have recently joined Saltash Town Council as funders for the whole celebrations. Saltash Town Council unanimously agreed to support this event, seen as one of the most important for our town. The opening of the bridge in 1859 brought prosperity and world renown for Saltash, and still gives Saltash a strong and unique identity today. We hope you will all find something to enjoy and that the town can benefit from increased visitors and publicity. While the list of events still grows there are some really important dates many will not want to miss. The celebrations have already kicked off with A Victorian Christmas celebration with Brunel School. To see the latest list of events then please visit the bridge and event website www.royalalbertbridge.co.uk or call Lynn Marsh on 844255. The main weekend of celebrations coincide with the Saltash May Fair on the 2nd, 3rd and 4th of May. The two will complement each other well, with an evening of celebrations on the Waterside following on at 1700, from the May Fair activities in and around Fore Street on the Saturday. A lantern parade with a possible steam train will open the proceedings, which include a fun packed evening of entertainment culminating in what we hope will be the Grandest of Firework displays Saltash has ever witnessed. On the Sunday, there will be a unique opportunity to walk the bridge itself. Network Rail has agreed to this walk which will be by ticket only, and will be quite early to avoid any alterations to the mainline rail timetable. There will be a charge with all proceeds helping to fund the celebrations. We are still finalising the details, please keep an eye on the website for further news. The walk will start from Saltash Station, with the return route being via the Tamar Road Bridge. The rest of the Sunday will be occupied by a Victorian style fun day on the Waterside, with Steam Engines, music, rides and stalls. Lots of FREE family entertainment, if you have any traditional clothes then please wear them to add to the atmosphere. On Bank Holiday Monday the activity will move up the hill to the Railway Station. At 1330 a re-enactment of the original opening of the bridge will take place on the platform, with a delegation present from the Town Council. This day will be celebrated throughout Cornwall as it is generally regarded as the 150th birthday of the mainline itself. See the website for a full list of events.

Elwell Woods Project Together with the new land at St Stephens intended for the cemetery, Elwell Woods is the major Town project for 2009. To remind everyone from previous issues, this is the area of nearly two acres of scrub woodland by the Drill Hall and the Tamar Road Bridge, adjoining Sand Quay Lane on one side, and the quarry above Daws Court on the other. It had remained neglected and fenced off for over 40 years. Saltash Town Council has acquired the land from Caradon on a peppercorn lease with the intention of undertaking major works to transform the area into a wildlife parkland for the use of residents and visitors alike – it will be the closest open space to the town centre. The town has precepted £38,000 towards the project, with a further grant of £18,000 from Caradon, to be used as match funding towards the project costs, which could be over £300,000. A professional landscape plan has been prepared by Groundwork, as a necessary first step to securing major external grants, from the Lottery Community Spaces and the Forestry Commission Woodland Improvement for instance. The plan intends to restore Public Footpath 24, renovate remnants of sunken lanes and buildings (including a cider pound house), lay hard footpaths and install picnic benches and seats. We also want to reveal stupendous views over the Tamar and Tavy, and plant specimen trees, including Cornish apple varieties, to reflect the orchard heritage of the site. We are open to public suggestions for features to be included in Elwell Woods – look out for our displays in Fore Street later on Saturday mornings.

St Stephens Cemetery – Running out of space The cemetery is owned by the Diocese, but it is the Town Council that looks after it via the “Burial Board” which is chaired by the incumbent Vicar and comprises Councillors and representatives of the Parochial Church Council. The problem of limited space in the current cemetery was highlighted to the Town Council by the Burial Board. The Policy & Resources Committee of the Town Council, who is responsible for all the finances of the Town Council, recommended to them that we should provide an extension. It was also agreed that we would try and buy the field west of the current cemetery. Negotiations have been going on between the Town Council and the owner of the land and we have now settled on a price and the transaction is going through the solicitors. Plans have been drawn up on behalf of the Town Council by Caradon District Council and planning permission is being sought. Published by Saltash Town Council Printed by Caradon District Council Waterside “Boardwalk” Promenade Currently a local architect is drawing Don’t forget if you have any concerns about up design plans for a wooden boardwalk, cantilevered out over the beach the Town, you can contact your opposite the Union Inn between the steps by Ashtorre slip and the stone local Councillors Town Pier. The boardwalk could incorporate seating areas, broken up by (Caradon District Councillors shown in bold) planted areas with container trees, and could help discourage the swans from coming on to the green. At present, this is just an idea of Gateway CIC Burraton Ward supported by Saltash Waterfront Residents Association, and there is no Neil Challen Tel: 242931 funding as yet to implement it. The sketch plans will be on display for public Peter Clements Tel: 842425 comment and consultation at Ashtorre in February. Sue Hooper Tel: 843073 Colin Riches Tel: 846843 Public Bridleway Sign Essa Ward Does anyone know why there is a Public Bridleway sign pointing into shop Adam Killeya Tel: 848691 premises in the paving slabs in the passageway on the left about halfway Merryn Killeya Tel: 848691 down Fore Street? The sign is on the floor of the passageway, near the Colin Oakes Tel: 845207 third pillar, pointing across, not along, the passageway – into a shop Bruce Reid Tel: 308387 window. The Definitive Public Right of Way Map does not show a Public Bridleway there. If you can shed any light on the purpose of the sign please Pill Ward let Councillor Peter Clements know. Joe Ellison Tel: 849340 Martin Gee Tel: 513306 Derek Holley Tel: 845418 Fran Knight Tel: 847970 SALTASH We are running from strength to strength looking after Saltash senior citizens. To continue this work we are looking for some St. Stephens Ward people to help on a voluntary basis:- Bob Austin Tel: 844666 Transport Manager Drivers Richard Bickford Tel: 841119 Secretary Lottery collectors Peter Stephens Tel: 846597 If you have the time these are very satisfying positions and a chance for David Yates Tel: 843260 you to put something back into the community. Please contact: Arthur Allen 01752 312813 Phil Beamont is a District Councillor only for the Burraton Ward Quiz Tel: 845802 (a) Saltash was a desperate and dangerous place in the Civil War Glenn Renshaw is a District and its population fell to 387. How many times was it taken and Councillor only for the Essa Ward retaken by either the Royalists or the Parliamentarians? Tel: 01579 351857 (b) Where is the Civil War gun battery, now a scheduled “Ancient Monument”? Cornwall County Councillors Joyce Mepsted Tel: 845802 Answers to the last quiz – are you a green Saltash citizen? Bryan Preston Tel: 848240 1. It is greener to buy Spanish tomatoes. Although more ‘food miles’ Barbara McTaggart Tel: 01579 320909 are used getting them here, more fuel is used in heating the Dutch glass houses. Town Clerk 2. Primary schools collect Yellow Pages annually. Mrs. Marilyn Small 3. 19 tons were collected altogether last year. E-mail [email protected] 4. Remove the tops from plastic bottles before recycling. Tel: 844846 Fax : 840914 5. Plymouth has the best recycling record – c.60%. Their scheme is Town Council Office Opening Hours: non-selective though where as Cornwall’s has kerb-side sorting 9.30am – 4.30pm Monday - Friday and is more labour efficient. 6. Recycling collections do happen every week – one week is household and the alternate is garden. Are you descended from the Tucker family who 7. It is greener to travel to Plymouth on a full bus – remarkably it is are buried in a mausoleum at St Stephen’s more fuel efficient than a full train. church? Please contact the Town Clerk or the 8. It is greener to wash a car using a hose pipe at home. A car wash Reverend Alan Butler. has a more efficient use of water but uses a lot of electricity so your elbow power makes you greener. Date for your diary 9. Using a shopping list is greener than bargain hunting. The Christmas event will be held on Saturday 28th 10. Slugs are an important green element in garden recycling. November. Further details to follow. Published by Saltash Town Council Printed by Caradon District Council