2017 FVRA ANNUAL NEWSLETTER www.findonvalley.org Protecting the interests of our community and the countryside around us Come along to our Annual General Meeting on Friday, 7 April, A registered charity in 7.15pm for 7.30pm at Findon Valley Free Church, England and Wales Lime Tree Avenue, Findon Valley BN14 0DT Reg. No. 267009 TO ALL FINDON VALLEY RESIDENTS 31/3/2017 difficult if not impossible. Also thanks to Helen Higgins, although no longer a committee member, who Chairman – Maggie Winter stepped in to collect subscriptions on the 9 roads we I would like to extend an invitation to all who live and currently do not have street collectors for. Lastly I work in the Valley to attend our AGM on Friday 7th would also like to thank all the members who paid April (details above). This is your opportunity to meet either at the Findon Valley Post Office or directly into and discuss with committee members the issues which the FVRA bank account. Approximately 50% of the concern you so that we can best represent your 2016 subscriptions were paid this way easing the work interests and keep the Valley the lovely area which load on our small band of street collectors. Please we all enjoy. I must thank the committee for their consider paying your 2017 subscriptions this way. For unfailing support throughout the year and especially those of you who like stats, as at 31 December 2016 offer a warm welcome to new members, Clive we had 1230 residences on our membership Sanders, Treasurer, Jeff Swann, Highways Environment database showing an increase of 95 on 2015 despite Officer and Ruth Whiddon, Vale School Liaison Officer. 62 members leaving due to ill health or moving out of It is only by volunteering their time and skills that our the Valley. Finally I would ask anyone who has a few committee can fulfil your expectations which is why I hours to spare once a year to consider volunteering appeal to those of you who have a little time to give as a street collector, if you are interested please call to step forward and join our happy band. We really 07757 703127 or email [email protected]. do need extra hands to spread the workload and to inject new blood into our future. You will all be aware Website/Publicity – Alex Clouter that there is less funding from local authorities for Last year saw an amazing growth in people using our maintenance and new innovations which puts the website, accessing info like FVRA activities, local onus on local communities to take the initiative to events and news, scams updates reported by improve their environment. Our future is in your hands. Neighbourhood Watch and the police, Vale School The building of 2 new bus shelters in the Valley is such newsletters, the photo archives and useful web links to an example and volunteers are needed to maintain key councils’ departments. 2016 was the first year to them. Finally I would like to say a big thank you to have a regular FVRA feature in the monthly ‘Sussex Rene Hardman who is stepping down from the Local’ magazine, ensuring everyone is aware of us as committee but is continuing as an FVRA volunteer. a Residents’ Association and what we do to benefit Valley residents. There were two local competitions Treasurer – Clive Sanders during 2016 to involve local residents with the intention This is my first year as Treasurer and I am indebted to of building community spirit. We had a front garden Jim Booth and his team of road collectors who have competition sponsored by Michael Jones and a ensured that we remain financially solvent. The monthly photo competition sponsored by Jacobs membership fees collected through the Post Office Steel. There was also a successful Charity Fun Dog and bank account standing orders has increased Show held in June, thanks to dog owners Pat Eves, significantly this year, which is great news as it reduces Geoff & Lynn Raynsford and some friends who the burden on the street collectors. The fee (currently organised it, with FVRA support. As a result of all these £1/£2) is the prime source of income for the initiatives, and promoting our other achievements, association and has remained the same since well we’ve had extensive publicity in the local media and before 2001, so I do hope that the membership will Street Life. We’re looking to carry on with these events support the proposal for a small increase at the AGM, for 2017 so look out for updates via our website or if to enable the committee to continue their sterling you have not registered to sign up to the regular FVRA work on behalf of the community. The 2016 Dog Show enewsletter please email [email protected]. was a great success again, which enabled the organisers and the FVRA to make a donation of Vale School – Ruth Whiddon £1,001 to PAWS Animal Sanctuary. Our final year-end In September last year I took on the post of FVRA accounts statement will be audited and presented at School Liaison Officer for Vale School. Since then I the 2017 AGM. have had meetings with the Headteacher Martin Garrett and the Business Manager Hilary Carpenter. I Membership – Jim Booth have now gained my DBS certificate so that I can I have now completed my first year as your help out within the school. Mr Russell, the School membership secretary and would like to take this Bursar, had the responsibility for assisting me and opportunity to say a big thanks to the membership helping me with the paperwork. It is early days for me subscription road collectors, without whom this job is but I feel it is important to bring Findon Valley residents 1 and the Vale School together with various initiatives A27 Working Group - Throughout the last year I have over the school year. If you have anything that you continued to represent the FVRA on the A27 Working would like me to discuss with the school please email Group. Minutes from these meetings are available to [email protected]. view either by clicking onto the link on the FVRA website or by going directly to www.timloughton.com Arts & Crafts – Maureen Denton In November 2016, our 2 MPs and Working Group We continued to support Link to Hope’s shoebox Chairman Tom Wye were due to meet with Highways appeal last year with the Crafts Group knitting and England (HE) to demand answers to the plethora of crocheting a huge amount of scarves, hats and mitts unanswered questions posed by the group since and sewing needlework cases. This continues in 2017 February 2016 and at the Open Meeting held at the alongside a new charity: Worthing Churches Homeless Pavilion in October 2016. A report back is due at the Projects so if you have any clothes or homeware March meeting. We currently await HE report on their goods to donate for WCHP please call me on 01903 feasibility study which was due for completion in Nov 872004 or email [email protected]. The same 2016 followed by public consultation in spring 2017 but applies to our need for any wool, cottons, needles, this timing now seems unlikely. In the meantime the pins or materials to help us make useful gifts to help FVRA view is that we would support a road that allows the needy. Our Arts Group is a broad mix of people through traffic to avoid Worthing, improvements of using all kinds of paint to produce some beautiful the key pinch points, press for measures to reduce artwork who love to share their skills and experiences congestion and pollution on the A24 through the to newcomers! They take part in exhibitions that valley and seek guarantees to ensure safe passage occasionally happen in the local library. Our groups for all users across and along the A27. These are the are held in FV Free Church on Mondays and key points but we need HE to declare their hand in Saturdays, 2-4pm, entry is £2 per session. I extend my order to challenge or support their recommendations. thanks to everyone who has supported us so far and I would urge you all to attend the public consultation we always like to welcome new like-minded people! exercise when it is announced. Environment – Rene Hardman Highways Environment – Jeff Swann Once again 2016 saw our efforts to improve and After last year's AGM and a subsequent discussion enhance the natural beauty of the Gallops and Bost with the committee I decided to apply for the position Hill areas continue. We have developed a good of Environmental Officer. With my transport working relationship with Worthing Council Parks and background it was decided that my responsibilities Open Spaces department and both their officers and would be for safety on and upkeep of highways, a small group of resident volunteers have sown wild pavements, byways and transport within the Valley. flower seeds and cut and raked the beginnings of a I am currently in contact with the local and county new meadow at Bost Hill. There were more trees council and our councillors and Sussex Police on a planted including our 80th Anniversary Oak which range of issues including: road safety, refreshing road seems to be flourishing. This is just beyond the Bost Hill markings/signs and inconsiderate parking as well as car park so do have a look at it. We thank Kenny vehicles offered for sale on the highway, repairs to Malley for arranging to dig the hole for the tree and footpaths, shared footpath safety and extending the carpentry department at the Camelia Botnar cycle routes to Findon Village and the Downs and Foundation for making and carving the plaque.