10th July, 199( THE TEESDALE MERCURY Wednesday, 10th July, 1996 Ballot was good Walkers take a first look at some of the way to assess MERCURY COMMENT public opinion dale's new parish boundary markers Don Day's letter about the Artist Richard Wentworth rectly all along - and indeed it F u ll m arks to Barningham wind farm was Those who organised the bal­ joined a party of guests on was obvious that if any of the uncharacteristically misin­ lot on behalf of the people of Wednesday to celebrate the com­ legal steps had not been com­ formed. He appears to be Barningham would like to thank pletion of the Marking of the coun cil team pleted an order forcing the j k initial meeting has been unaware that the wind farm is all who took part (indigenous or Parish Boundaries project as travellers to move on would i g to start planning how to currently the subject of not one not), whatever their views. We part of Visual Arts Year. f o r w a y i t not have been issued. j Ag Even wood more attrac- but three separate applications believe it was a worthwhile exer­ The group included councillors On the day after the case, j by putting in bulbs which and representatives from arts upon which the Parish Meeting cise in democracy which might d e a l t w i t h while some of the caravanners J Jj||produce colourful displays. has been invited to comment. organisations. They were wel­ prove profitable to other commu­ were still thinking about ! Coun Raymond Gibson is The first is an application nities faced with making major comed by Teesdale Council's arts the travellers whether or not to go without | -ynnan of a small committee from National Wind Power to decisions affecting their lives. development officer Rosie Cross. After all the attack they any more fuss, the direct and • rfuptowork on the project. Teesdale Council, asking for JON SMITH chairman She told them that since Northern Arts had shown an have come under lately due positive action began. I one of the village's top flow- planning permission to put wind DAPHNE WALKER clerk turbines on the moor. This is interest in staging Visual Arts to the trouble caused by As mounds of earth and con­ j ,powers says he is prepared Bamingham Parish Meeting Year the council had been enthu­ what Barningham voted for in travellers, it is only right crete rings were put into posi­ : Advise the team on how it its ballot by 61 votes to 48, with siastic to support it. "We wanted tion it became apparent to the i jjd be done to get the most to put on something in our that Teesdale Council's offi­ 38 abstentions, and Teesdale Other points have visitors that there were to be Rasing results. largest gallery - the dale itself," cers should be thanked for Council has accordingly been no half measures: if they did ; jjiras agreed that the chair- informed that the parish council to be considered she said. "Visual Arts Year has their excellent efforts dur­ Couns Phil Hughes and Mrs Jean Addison admire the not go they would be forced $ of the parish council was is not objecting to the proposal. given us the opportunity to ing the past week. The second application is from In response to Don Day’s let­ stage a publicly funded project boundary marker for Egglestone Abbey after the walk out, and they would never be I jftetin suggesting that the Northern Electric, asking ter about the outcome of the on a scale which would never At the public meeting in the able to get back onto the Low­ | A group should be estab- Ibesdale Council for permission Barningham Parish Meeting have been possible otherwise. Gallery to see photographs and was treated to a picnic in a mar­ With am Hall it seemed possi­ er Demesnes easily. ’ £d. It will be known as the to run overhead power lines ballot on the windfarm proposal, It's been a lot of hard work but it other exhibits explaining the quee near Egglestone Abbey. ble that the nastiness would This new physical barrier is $ Village Committee. from the wind farm past I feel this exercise in local has been immensely enjoyable. work, everyone was ferried by The project was commissioned drag on well into the autumn. by no means unsightly. Even Coun Gibson and his col- Barningham on their way to democracy needs to be put into a To have Richard working with bus to Rokeby for a look at the by Teesdale Council. It was Everyone was left with the at this stage it looks accept­ wider context. us has been a privilege from £jes think it might be best Barnard Castle. project. Following a walk along backed by Cleveland Arts, prospect of weeks or months of able, and once grass and flow­ The ballot was an imaginative start to finish." ,concentrate on the Bank The Parish Meeting has a the riverbank, passing several Northern Arts, the European negotiation, arguments about ers come through it will en­ longstanding policy of opposing and scrupulously fair way for After a visit to the Castle boundary markers, the group Commision Regional Develop­ v.srea for the biggest effect, the funding of any solution, hance this attractive riverside any new overhead power lines in the Parish Meeting to express a ment Fund, the Henry Moore grossing motorists as well as its area, dating back to its adop­ view to Teesdale Council, but Foundation, the Rural Devel­ and the chance of more cara­ area rather than spoil it. jsl residents will be able to tion of the Village Plan at a spe­ that view is only one input into opment Commission, Glaxo- vans and trucks arriving to It is a result that seemed out the blooms. cial meeting in 1981, chaired by the decision-making process of Wellcome and the National replace those leaving. of the question a week ago, so (m Gibson told the Mer- one of those people Mr Day curi­ the planning application. Lottery. It was the first public As we reported last week, it full marks should be awarded jj He have decided to real­ National advice to councils is ously refers to as "the indige­ arts project in the country to be was clear that many residents to all the staff involved. tor it and enter Even- that they must take into account nous people of our village." awarded lottery funding. were dismayed about the lack Where will the travellers jfor the Northumbria in This policy has been upheld relevant views of local residents Richard Wentworth’s task was park in Teesdale next year? on planning proposals, but that of action and fearful that they fas contest next year. The over the past 15 years and reit­ to mark all the parish bound­ They will be scouting for a erated at several annual parish they have a duty to decide them aries crossed by the Teesdale would go on suffering indigni­ ^es will be looking for gen- suitable location — and if it meetings, as those members who on planning merits. Way between Middleton and ties for many a day because of ri tidiness, neat front gar- attended will be able to confirm The fact that a majority of Gainford. the unwelcome guests. causes the problems that this its,hanging baskets and to Mr Day. those who took part in the ballot Rosie Cross was delighted The magistrates who dealt one did, the council will have jgiy of flowers." Teesdale Council has been voted in favour in no way with them. "They bring num­ with the case stated, however, to be prepared to take the j public meeting is being informed of Barningham’s oppo­ detracts from the responsibility erous gains," she said. "They that the council had acted cor­ quickest possible action again. caged for August. It will be sition to more power lines over of Teesdale Council members to offer visitors and walkers a determine the application on £ in the community centre its fields, and its belief that series of new attractions to seek iieveryone will be welcome there are less environmentally planning grounds, on the basis out with a map and guide book. PEEPS INTO THE PAST destructive ways for Northern of their officers’ advice, national For Teesdale residents they offer ipe their opinions. Notices Electric to move its power and local policy, responses to a greater sense of place by pro­ die placed around the local- consultations, and the views of jiis advance. around (not that it will make viding a new focus to ancient 5 years ago 25 years ago all the third parties, both for Be team feels it will be sat- much difference, as NE appears and special locations in the area. Derek Foster MP went away Mrs Laura Fletcher was one to have a statutory right to do and against. For art lovers they represent 24 lictory to put out flower smiling from Cockfield carni­ of the first tenants of Broum- what it likes with its poles and The situation would have been exquisite pieces of public art in •js, bat there will have to be val after having his palm read ley Court in Staindrop, a the application is seen as little exactly the same if the ballot A large exhibition of work by schools in connection with the the most delightful of settings." j$hip system to look/after had shown a majority opposed to by nine year old fortune teller group of 30 flatlets built by more than a courtesy gesture).