Crewkerne T.C. News The Newsletter of Crewkerne Town Council Issue 31 August 2011 ___________________________________________________ ________________ Time is running out for Recycling Centre The Somerset Waste Partnership has announced that the usage of the site in Crewkerne since charges were introduced has fallen dramatically even with it being underwritten by the Town Council to a level of £1.20, the funding alloc ated by the Town Council has now been used and this will result in the charges rising to £2.00 from 1 st August in line with those currently being charged at Coleford, Dulverton and Middlezoy. The Town Council and the 8000 plus members of the community who signed the petition are 100% against the loss of what was a well used centre which will result in increased disposal in waste bins and fly tipping and goes totally against national policy to increase recycling to avoid more expensive landfill usage, but the County Council has not accepted this and imposed the cuts on the Somerset Waste Board. Junior Town Crier competition – more information on Page 2 The future of the site is now down to you the members of our community, the performance will again b e Local Transport Plan reviewed in September at the next SWP meeting so more than ever the message is USE IT OR LOSE IT. The Town C ouncil is committed to working to improve the traffic situation in the town. We are currently working with Somerset County Council on proposals to ease The opening times are: congestion and make the area safer. The two areas that are Monday – 8am to 7pm being moved forward at the moment are looking at Tuesday – 8am to 4pm making North Street one-way (south to north), and a 20 Wednesday – 8am to 4pm mph zone in the town centre. With limited funds for the Thursday – Closed projects it has been decided that the North Street proposal Friday – Closed would be of greater benefit and this is the one that is being Saturday – 8am to 4pm prioritised. The County Council is currently working on Sunday – 8am to 1pm detailed designs for the project and looking at traffic orders, which are required for such a change . When this Fee payable on entry: £2.00 work has been done there will be another opportunity for the public to subm it comments during the Traffic Regulation Order process. Crewkerne T.C. News Page 2 August 2011 Henhayes Fete 2011 & Diamond Jubilee Bincombe Beeches Nature Reserve celebrations 2012 Some of you may not be aware that Crewkerne has its On Saturday June 11 th hundreds of local residents own local nature reserve - Bincombe Beeches. The descended on Henhayes Recreation Ground for the nature reserve lies to the north of Crewkerne and annual fete. More than 30 local groups and derives its name from the 150-200 year old beech trees organisations ran a wide variety of stalls to raise funds which crown the hill overlooking the town centre. or awareness. Visitors could choose to have a go at Acces s to the nature reserve is just a short walk from welly-throwing, plate smashing or wet-sponge stocks as the Town Hall via Bincombe Lane. There is also well as old favourites like hook-a-duck, guess the wheelchair access off Beechwood Drive but parking is weight of the cake or a treasure hu nt and much more. very limited. Entertainment during the afternoon was provided by the Babylon Morris Dancers and Merriott Majorettes. There is a large badger sett on the reserve and badgers There was also a Junior Town Crier competition, a first are most likely to be seen in the twilight hours from for Crewkerne, sponsored by The Stokes Partnership. May to August. At all other times rabbits, squirrels and This was a great success at tracting 16 entrants across foxes abound. the 3 age groups and David Craner, Crewkerne’s Town Crier, who organised the competition, said “I was From the highest point there are spectacular views amazed by the high standard. It was a very difficult across the countryside and on a clear day it is possible decision for the judges to choose winners.” to see Glastonbury Tor. From lower down the slope on the mown picnic area there is a fine view of St Next year will be the Queen’ s Diamond Jubilee and a Bartholomew’s Church and the town centre. four day bank holiday weekend has been declared from 2nd to 5 th June 2012. The Town Council has decided to A Management Committee oversees the reserve and is organise a weekend of celebrations and a committee has currently formulating a plan which will involve been set up for this purpose. resurrecting the nature trails which have fallen into disrepair ove r the years, dealing with an invasion of It is planned to hold the fete on Henh ayes Recreation nettles which is stifling the Cuckoo Flower, the food Ground during the afternoon of Saturday, 2 nd June and a source for the Orange Tip butterfly, eradicating the ‘Party/Proms in the Park’ during the evening. On rd ragwort that has started to appear in the woodland Sunday, 3 June a Bike event is to be organised by st areas, planting more trees and pursuing a programme of Chard 1 Wheelers during the morning followed by a mo wing which it is hoped will see an increase in Mini Olympics on Henhayes in th e afternoon. The numbers of Common Spotted orchid. annual Open Gardens event will be during the daytime th on Monday, 4 June and to finish the weekend Bertie’s Bincombe Beeches is a great place to play and explore Big Band will play in the Victoria Hall in the evening. so why not pick up a leaflet from the Local Information If you would like to join this committee please contact Centre and go and see what’s there. Apart from the Annette at the Town Hall. wildlife and flowers it’s a great place for a picnic or to fly a kite or to pick blackberries so come on and enjoy In 2012 there will also be the second Town Crier yourselves. Competition which will take place on Saturday 9 th June. The competition in 2010 attracted 18 entrants from a Councillor Ron Bond wide area and was considered a huge success; hopefully next year will be even better. There are also plans by Crewkerne District Rotary Club to run a Carnival Crewkerne Town Website procession though this will depend upon how much Don’t forget to visit the Town Website for up-to- interest and support there will be. If you would like to date information on everything happening in enter please register your interest now by contacting Crewkerne and the surrounding villages. Sandra Shore on 01460 78214 or e-mail [email protected] www.Crewkernetown.org Cemetery Open Day Dog Control Order Notices th This is to be held on Sunday 11 September 10.00 am South Somerset District Council have issued new to 4.00 pm at Townsend Cemetery, Mount Pleasant. orders regarding dog on leads and dog fouling which An opportunity to visit the grounds and chapel and are displayed in various public areas. look at the records. Crewkerne T.C. News Page 3 August 2011 Community Safety Event Town Council Meetings nd Like everybody else C ouncillors are busy people often Friday, 2 September in Falkland Square 11am to 2pm This is your opportunity to come along and find out holding down full time jobs - so the newly elected how to keep safe. There will b e a wide variety of stalls Town Council has been looking at ways of working providing information and the opportunity for more efficiently. discussion on such issues as personal and property safety and environmental health. Exhibitors will include Traditionally committee meetings have been held the Police, Crewkerne Action for the Disabled, every Monday, although recen tly the Amenities Yarlington Homes, Community Justice Panel and South Committee has moved to bi-monthly meetings. It has Somerset District Council Enforcement. Town now been agreed to scrap the meeting on the first Councillors will also be present should you wish to Monday of the month – this will have the benefit of raise any concerns. avoiding the frequent clash with bank holidays. This will mean that the Amenities Committee or Policy & Resources Committee will continue straight after the If you would like any further information please contact Annette Roffey in the office or e-mail Planning & Highways meeting held on the second [email protected] Monday of the month and the full Town Council meeting will continue to be held on the fourth Monday of the month. The George Reynolds Centre Committee will continue to meet on the third Monday Community Speedwatch as needed until the construction phase is over. Speeding i s a major community concern and the The effect o f this change will free up at least two Community Speedwatch initiative allows community Mondays a month which will assist C ouncillors who members to take a positive step in helping reduce this are also committed to meet with other organisations in the town - for example the Heritage Centre, West One problem by working with the Police to draw attention to and the Aqua Centre. Additio nally it will benefit the speed limits as well as reporting drivers who ignore them. Council lors and staff who are involved with a specific project when there is often the need to meet The scheme was established in South Somerset 10 informally with members of the community and years ago and there are now 30 Community officers.