STOKE PARISH COUNCIL WWW.STOKE-PC-WORCS.GOV.UK Issue 2013.3 PARISH COUNCIL NEWSLETTER WINTER 2013 Chairman’s Message This is the first of our newsletters to be edited and produced by our new Assistant Clerk - Andy Stephens. May I take this opportunity to welcome him, and wish him a long and happy relationship with the Parish Council. I am pleased to announce that our new play area at Stoke Heath recreation ground is now completed and is being used and enjoyed by a great number of young folk in the community. Despite District Councillor Hollingworth’s recent comments regarding the ineffectiveness of parish Inside this issue: councils, this is a prime example of the District Council and the Parish Council working together Chairman’s 1 in a constructive manner for the benefit of the message local community. Dr. Michael 2 It has been suggested that further cuts will be Thompson: profile made by Worcestershire County Council which, amongst other things, will result in the grant to our Parish Council 3 local bus services being completely abolished. We meeting dates must fight to keep our local bus service as this is a lifeline to many people in our parish!! Stoke Parish 4 Play Area The District Council’s Planning Department have recently agreed to allow the development of the former Polymer Latex site into a combination of County Councillor 5 housing and business developments. Although News Update your Parish Council agrees that this highly polluted former chemical works needs to be “John Corbett 6 decontaminated before development, we are a Way” Update little disappointed that there will be a minimum number of affordable housing dwellings, far below Xmas Bin Coll’n 6 the District Councils policy of 40% social housing. Bus Timetables 7 We also have reservations that the local Contacts 8 infrastructure will cope with such a large 2 development. On a lighter note, your Parish Council has agreed to erect a Christmas tree on the Stoke Heath recreation ground, and we will be holding a carol service around the tree on Saturday, 14th December, at 5.00 pm. Everyone is invited, mince pies and hot drinks will be provided (courtesy of the Parish Council). As this is the final newsletter of the year, all that remains is for me to wish everyone a joyful Christmas and a prosperous New Year. JOHN ELLIS, Chairman, Stoke Parish Council Profile - Dr. Michael Thompson BSc PhD MInstP PGCE Michael Thompson was born in Cumbria and grew up in the High Peak. After leaving his local comprehensive school and sixth form college, Michael studied physics at the University of Manchester. He graduated in 1998 with a first-class honours degree and the university prize for academic achievement. After graduating, Michael joined the Atomic, Molecular and Laser Manipulation Group to work towards a PhD, which he attained in 2001. He subsequently became a full member of the Institute of Physics. Michael spent his early career as a research scientist, developing spectroscopic techniques for performing trace gas analysis in hazardous environments. His work on the use of microwave modulation of infrared light was the first of its kind and is widely cited. In 2003, Michael studied for a postgraduate certificate in education. During his career in education, he has been awarded prizes for innovative teaching and has held the positions of Head of Physics and Head of Science in both the state and the independent sectors. As well as raising academic attainment to record levels in his departments, Michael has worked to promote science education for students of all ages and backgrounds. He has set up and worked with organisations, 3 including the Ogden Trust, that promote science to young people and within the community. Michael is currently Director of the International Baccalaureate at Bromsgrove School and is an advocate of holistic and lifelong learning. He disagrees with the premise of specialising in a narrow range of subjects at an early age; he believes that those who pioneer change do so by accessing skills and knowledge from a base that is both deep and diverse. He also trains teachers in partnership with the University of Manchester and continues to publish in the fields of physics and education. Predictably, Michael believes passionately in education. He is convinced that much of what is indecent can be traced back to where education has been neglected. He would say that his outlook on life, as is the case for most people, evolves with age and experience, but that his values in the importance of humility, compassion and consideration for others are ever present. Michael also cares deeply about the welfare of animals and campaigns for the right of animals to be treated with respect. Beyond science and education, Michael is interested in politics, modern history and music. He would describe himself as a hobbyist musician, playing the guitar, banjo, harmonica, mandolin, dulcimer and ukulele, in his words: “relatively OK for a scientist”. He performs live, solo and with friends, in music venues around Worcestershire. His musical tastes range from Bob Dylan to Giacomo Puccini. His favourite author is Robert Louis Stevenson. Michael lives in Bromsgrove with his wife, Carrie, and two children, Leia and Romana. Forthcoming Parish Council Meetings The Parish Council will meet on the following dates over the next few months: Monday 2nd December 2013 Monday 6th January 2014 Monday 3rd February 2014 Monday 3rd March 2014 All meetings will take place at Avoncroft Arts Centre All meetings begin at 7.30 p.m. 4 STOKE HEATH CHILDREN’S PLAY AREA The new children’s play area at Stoke Heath Recreation Ground opened during the summer. This parish and district council venture has already proved very popular. Please note that visitors travelling by car are requested to park in the Bromsgrove Pre-Preparatory and Nursery School car park (not in the lay-by in Hanbury Road). Vacancies 1. Parish Paths Warden: Interest is invited for this position, shared jointly between Stoke and Finstall Parish Councils). The basic requirement is to walk rights of way in the parish areas and report issues to the County Council two or three times per annum. The post is voluntary and appropriate expenses are reimbursed. Having a vehicle to carry a strimmer is an advantage. For more information, see the Parish Council's website: www.stoke-pc-worcs.gov.uk. 2. Stoke Parish Youth Club: Youth Club Secretary / Youth Workers required (on a voluntary basis). Please contact Cllr. George Verney for details: 01527 876044, or email [email protected]. 5 COUNTY COUNCILLOR NEWS UPDATE In May I was elected to serve as your new County Councillor to represent you on Worcestershire County Council. It was an honour to be elected by my friends and neighbours to represent the area I live in. It has been a pleasure to meet and work with Parish Councillors and I would like to thank them for this opportunity to write to you. It has been a very busy time since my election. I have started an investigation into the wide- spread problem of speeding, addressed parking concerns on Buntsford Hill and chased up road maintenance concerns. I have also visited many local residents providing advice on a variety of issues. I have visited some of the many excellent voluntary local organisations in the parish, including the excellent Stoke Parish Youth Club. Stoke Parish Youth Club meets weekly on a Wednesday evening from 6 to 8 pm (except school holidays) and puts on a variety of activities including sports clubs, cooking, computer games and board game competitions for young people within the Parish. I was delighted to be able to make a contribution through my Divisional fund to help with the expansion and running costs of the club and would urge local parents to make use of this excellent, growing club. By the time this newsletter goes out, the local newspapers will be full of the very worrying news that Worcestershire County Council is proposing dramatic cuts to local services, including adult and transport services. These challenging economic times require difficult decisions; however, as your Councillor, I will be playing an active role in protecting the services we value the most. I am committed to being an accessible and active local councillor available to residents all year round. In addition to my regular leaflets and communications, I will also be doing regular street surgeries across the Parish. In addition, I hold a weekly Saturday morning surgery for all residents at Bromsgrove Library from 9 to 10 am - no appointment necessary. You can always telephone me on 07905 612710 or email me on [email protected], or visit my website www.chrisbloore.co.uk and use the on-line contact form. Stoke Parish is a wonderful place to live and I look forward to working with many of you to keep it that way. 6 The John Corbett Trail - Return Walk Update In the last edition of the Newsletter, we gave you some information about the “John Corbett Trail.” Since then, an alternative return walk has been developed. In three sections, this new walk goes from Droitwich to Stoke Heath via Wychbold. Full details are available on a new sign just off the car park at the Avoncroft Arts Centre or on the Parish Council’s website - www.stoke-pc-worcs.gov.uk. CHRISTMAS 2013 RECYCLING AND REFUSE COLLECTION Dates Normal Collection Day Revised Collection Day Tues 24th Dec NO CHANGE Wed 25th Dec Mon 23rd Dec Thurs 26th Dec Sat 28th Dec Fri 27th Dec NO CHANGE Tues 31st Dec NO CHANGE Wed 1st Jan Sat 4th Jan Thurs 2nd Jan NO CHANGE Fri 3rd Jan NO CHANGE NORMAL SERVICE RESUMES: 7TH JAN 2014 7 .