Keeping YOU Informed Welshampton and Lyneal Parish Council’s Local Newsletter Issue 8 - October 2010 Hello and welcome....... Council consultation documents in recent months, and the Parish Council responds to them all. Two to the newsletter from your Parish Council, which worth reporting are the winter highway service, is issued three time per year to keep the residents of where we responded by proposing that if not all the parish in touch with the activities of the council. roads can be gritted every day, at least grit the After the last issue, which coincided with the annual school bus routes before the buses do the morning report so that made space available to devote the run; and another school consultation, where once whole issue to Shropshire Council’s strategic again we insisted that a clear and transparent development framework proposals, we return to a approach is adopted by Shropshire Council when it more traditional format. reviews the future of Primary Schools, with particular There is a lot of media coverage on the “cuts” points being made regarding rural schools like associated with the state of the nation’s finances Welshampton School. We have been given an and, not surprisingly, this affects the Parish Council. assurance that Welshampton School will not close. The focus at the most recent Local Joint Committee On the planning front, there is one major issue, in (LJC) at Ellesmere was youth, and indeed those who that a planning application has been submitted for attended will know that happened, with some 18 affordable properties on what has become known enthusiastic presentations from adults about what is as the Penstemon site in Welshampton. Timescales going on, and from youth about what else should dictate that whatever is written here is likely to be happen. However, the chief executive of Shropshire overtaken by events but your Parish Council Council had also asked to attend to specifically undertakes to keep you fully informed about advise the audience of the seriousness of the progress and give all an opportunity to express their financial situation facing Shropshire Council, and views. spoke of restructuring and consultation about service On personnel matters, the Council regrets to changes. have to announce that Mrs Peggy Evans has How does this affect the Parish Council? Well, in decided to stand down as a Councillor, for personal the short term we have already been advised that reasons. Mrs Evans is well known throughout the there will be no monies available to resolve our Welshampton community and has been a dedicated speeding vehicle concerns on Balmer and on the Councillor for many years. On behalf of the A495 through Welshampton, although some money community, the Parish Council thanks Mrs Evans for has been allocated to amending the dangerous her significant contribution and wishes her well in her junctions on the A528. Thereafter, we wait and see, “retirement” from the Council. but rest assured that your Parish Council will do its I hope you find that this issue of your newsletter utmost to ensure that we do not suffer any more does keep you informed and, as always, remind you than our “share” of financial pain. that your comments about it, or any other Parish At the LJC meeting mentioned above, the Bonfire matter, are welcomed on our web site, or in person Committee was successful in obtaining a grant. The at one of our monthly meetings. next LJC meeting is in Cockshutt on 20 October. There have been a large number of Shropshire Chris Symes Parish Hall Chair with Caroline Hamilton taking Councillor Vacancy over from Bob Daniels. Grateful The Management Committee thanks go to Bob and Caroline. As Chris has mentioned above held its AGM on 13 September Thanks also goes to James, the Council is looking for a new and it was pleased to report that treasurer; Derek Morris, secretary; Councillor for Welshampton a number of improvements have and Lorraine Jones, caretaker, for Ward. Full details are on the been carried out over the year. their continued support. notice boards, the website or However, there are still areas the With fund raising in mind, there contact the Clerk. committee wish to bring up to will be a Quiz Night on Saturday 22 date so fund raising ideas will be January at 7pm. Tickets include Dates For Your Diary very welcome! supper, with wine and beer Since the last AGM, 3 new available. In addition there will be Council Meetings members have joined the a ‘Brain of Welshampton’ Wednesday 27 October 7pm committee, Glo Wright, Ruth competition. January does seem Wednesday 24 November 7pm Evans and James Cross. Also a long way ahead but note the date Thursday 16 December 7pm this year, there was a change of now! Look out for tickets soon! All meetings are in the Parish Hall Welshampton Fire Festival It is that time of year when Welshampton hosts a spectacular The youth bus is on Bonfire and Firework display. The Welshampton Bonfire Committee Mondays at 6:00 to 7:30. We can be found on has accepted the Parish Council’s the Village hall car park……come and see us! offer of making some details available through the newsletter. This will allow owners of pets and livestock to make the necessary arrangements for the safe keeping of their animals. The Chairman of the Committee, The youth bus is for John Pittaway explains; “Our ninth ages 11 -21 year old annual bonfire event is being held its great fun and we again this year on Saturday, October 23. The gates open at The youth bus is fun do lots of activities. 5.30pm and the show starts at 7pm. and lets us do fun It’s great to see your It will last approximately one and a half to two hours. The finale will things with other mates out of feature fireworks and, of course, the young people our school. burning of the bonfire. There may Megan Roberts, 12 also be sound checks and age rehearsals on the bonfire field from Alice Morris, 13 2pm on the day of the event. As in previous years there will be a rehearsal on the previous evening from approximately 4pm. Severnlets This will not feature fireworks although the rehearsal will involve Visitors to the Community can use the cash saved for other testing the show’s public address Green Day in March will recall things! system. Disturbance to the peace seeing Severnlets. Eleanor We would love more members, and quiet of the immediate area will Evans, who helped man their so please consider joining. It is be kept to a minimum and your stand, explains: only £5 to join (a one off cash forbearance during this annual “I just wanted to let you know amount) and we have some really community event is very much about a really great group called interesting and useful things being appreciated.” SevernLets. It is a Local Exchange offered at the moment. These Trading Scheme. This means that include Swedish body massage, instead of using cash, we barter bowen technique, reiki, indian Welshampton skills and goods between head massage, graphic design, Planters members using a local currency; in book keeping, gardening, dog this group, the currency is walking, babysitting and many called 'Shrews'. Unlike a one-to- more! Anyone visiting St Michael’s one system, you can earn Shrews Church, the Parish Hall or just from one member and spend them You can phone me on: driving through Welshampton would with any other. LETS schemes 01743 353671 have noticed an added splash of are non-profitmaking groups run colour this summer! Thanks to the for the members by the The website is really easy to pupils of Welshampton Primary members. The system is managed use. Go to www.severnlets.org.uk School planters were placed around by a 'Core Group' and have a look! It is the the village. The pupils raised Shrewsbury group but anyone in around £70 from a car wash held at What are the benefits? Shropshire can join and trade with the school and chose flowers that LETS schemes offer an each other. Plus if enough people attract wildlife like bees and opportunity for people to exchange from this area joined then you can butterflies. The Parish Council was skills and goods without using have your own sub-group on the pleased to be involved in the initial money, and to meet socially. This website. Everyone has something stages of the project. helps members prosper - and you to offer so please consider joining! Shropshire Council’s Community Tree Scheme What is it all about? Volunteer to be the Parish Tree Warden! Shropshire Council's Community Tree Scheme enables parish tree wardens, schools, environmental and community groups, Parish and Tree wardens don't need to be Town Councils, farmers and landowners to apply for native trees and experts, only enthusiasts. The shrubs free of charge. Trees are usually supplied as small bare-rooted amount of time you give to the role transplants, between 40 and 90cm tall. Rabbit spirals and canes will is dependant on your enthusiasm also be included to protect the trees. and commitment. After all you are Although it is a 'tree' scheme, very short lengths of native a volunteer! countryside hedging may be supplied (for 'gapping up' or linking There are lots of opportunities hedges or other habitats), but applications must include at least one to get training and support, you hedgerow tree. may not know all the answers but Applications are invited from anywhere in the Shropshire Council you will soon learn where to find area.