ISSUE 53 SEPTEMBER 2018 Witton Gilbert Parish Council News [email protected] ONE COMMUNITY As you will see we have you please contact the Parish A NEW LOOK FOR THE taken the opportunity of re Council or a Councillor and PARISH NEWSLETTER designing the newsletter and pass on the information and we hope that you like it. this will be dealt with as a After many years tirelessly Please take time to read it priority. putting together the Parish and let us have your newsletter Brenda Gilmore comments. One area of concern is the has decided to retire. Getting continuing problem of dog around the village collecting David will be looking for fouling. Dog owners are stories whilst keeping things stories; anything about village asked to pick up their dog's fresh and current isn't the life would be most welcome. deposits and place them in easiest of tasks, but Brenda one of the many bins has quietly got on with the If you have a story please provided in various places job. On behalf of all of the contact David on throughout the village. community groups and [email protected] residents I would like say a m Failure to pick up droppings big thank you and can result in dirt being picked congratulations on a job well Fraser Reynolds up on shoes and clothing done. and, in the worst case LITTER PICKING scenario, result in Toxocariasis potentially As from May 1st the Parish causing serious illness, Council has appointed David possibly leading to blindness. Rider, as a litter picker, working 7 hours a week You can be given an on the collecting litter throughout the spot fine (Fixed Penalty village. In order to make Notice) for failing to clean up things easier the Village has after your dog of £100 with a been split into different areas trip to Court and a further fine and it is anticipated that each of £1000 for failure to pay. area will be visited at least once a fortnight, Brenda Gilmore with the worst places for litter, including up the We are delighted to hill towards Sacriston announce that David Rider and the area round the has picked up the mantle. Village Centre, visited David has had many years of at least once a week. experience producing various newsletters, pamphlets and If any reader knows of booklets including formally any area of the village editing the Esh Leaves that is in particular need newsletter. of attention and has not yet been visited, could Litter Picker D. Rider © George Hawxwell Page 1 September 2018 WITTON GILBERT don't always get it right but at representing the residents on PARISH COUNCIL least we care enough to try. Area Action Partnership Committees and we have Parish Council meetings are Please contact us via our represented the community normally held on the second email address we would love by parading on Monday of the month at the to hear from you. Remembrance Day. Community Centre at 6 pm. wittongilbertparishcouncil Members of the public @gmail.com Financially we have assisted wishing to attend may do so COUNTY COUNCILLOR football teams and community but must leave the meeting REPORT groups and we have had the during confidential parts of four bus shelters on Sacriston the agenda. The meeting Cllr Arnie Simpson and Cllr Lane refurbished. will commence after there Mike McGaun has been an opportunity for members of the public to We continue to look forward speak. This will normally be Esh and Witton Gilbert to working with the residents restricted to 15 minutes and and community of Witton is at the Chairman’s Business has been very busy Gilbert and represent you all discretion. Agenda’s and lately. We are your elected within County Hall. Minutes are regularly posted representatives within County on the notice boards at Hall and we have just If there are any questions, McColls, at the top of Newton celebrated our first year in please feel free to contact Street and at Briar Lea. They office and what a busy year one of us. are also available on the we have had representing the Parish Council website. residents of Witton Gilbert, Michael McGaun and Arnie Langley Park, Esh Village, Simpson. Your Parish Councillors are Cornsay Village, Cornsay as follows: Colliery, Quebec, Wilks Hill, Email: Fraser Reynolds (Chair) 3711198 Satley and East and West [email protected] Neil Liddle (Vice Chair) 07950440265 Butsfield. [email protected] Arnold Simpson 3712161 Paul Guy 3710455 Within Witton Gilbert we Lynne Michelle Cowen 3719461 have campaigned for the Telephone: Anthony V. Harries 3710988 re-surfacing of roads, 07715 935488 for Mike Amanda Hillary 3718239 held numerous meetings McGaun or 01913712161 for Jon Reynolds 3718691 with Council and Police Arnie Simpson regarding the potential The Parish Clerk is Lynne SNIPPETS FROM introduction of Speed Rowland who can be SACRISTON SURGERY Reduction Measures on the contacted on 01388249178 or local roads, have had the Hello to you all. I hope this [email protected] steps at the War Memorial re- finds you all well and enjoying instated, have addressed the summer sun. Remember If you have any suggestions illegal parking, have assisted to use sun screen and keep or ideas which would help to residents with Anti-Social topped up with fluids (a cool improve life in Witton Gilbert behaviour issues. We have glass of water or a refreshing please get in touch. Your had bins cleared from cuppa are my favourites). Parish Councillors are all pathways which were There are two points I’d like volunteers and residents of stopping pedestrians passing to share with you this time: the village like yourselves. and we have assisted We have pride in our numerous community groups Flu vaccines community and strive to make with various issues. We have things better. Although we attended Parish and Village We are already planning would be first to admit we meetings as well as for the 2018-2019 flu Page 2 September 2018 season. The NHS has I.T. at the Community split the flu vaccines into WITTON GILBERT Centre two this year: one for COMMUNITY CENTRE under 65s with a long- Witton Gilbert Community For the past year the Witton term condition, and one Centre has many activities Gilbert Community Centre for the over 65s. The going on throughout the week has been offering I.T. classes vaccine for the under 65s with something to suit all of at the Centre on a Monday arrives towards the end of the family. Weekly activities afternoon between 2 and 4 September, and the one include:- pm. Computers had been for the over 65s towards available for many years in the end of October. Monday Play Group, Pilates, the Community Centre but Art Class, Ladies Bowls the equipment was by then Sacriston Surgery does (more on this and the I.T. obsolete and had been not ask anyone else to class further on), Tai Chi, standing idle for quite a while. deliver the flu vaccine to Woman’s Institute meetings, our patients: if you get I.T. Class, Parish Council Last year a new volunteer your flu vaccine meetings (every second tutor came into the picture somewhere else, then 1) Monday of the month at 6 and the committee there is less money pm). authorized the purchase of coming into the practice new replacement equipment, for us to use for the good Tuesday Play Group, Weight with the result that the of patients and 2) we may Watchers, Coffee Morning, computer centre has taken on not be informed that Walking Group, Card & Craft, a new lease of life. you’ve had the flu vaccine. Bridge Club, Sugar Craft, Zumba, Sewing Group. The resident tutor can offer So, please keep an eye I.T. tuition from a basic to an out for further information, Wednesday Play Group, advanced level depending on and please support the Card & Craft, Zumba, Sewing how far you wish to go and at practice by getting your flu Group, Morris Dancers. a rate of progress you feel vaccine from us. comfortable with. Why not Thursday Play Group, come along and see for Friday afternoon drop-in Flower Arrangers, Active yourself and join a friendly sessions Theatre, Dog Craft, and now well established R.S.P.C.A. class. Free parking is Would you like to pop in available should it be required for a tea or coffee, and Friday Play Group, Sewing and there is a bus stop meet other members of Group, Dancing Classes. nearby for those who wish to our community? use public transport. Saturday and Sunday Yoga, We are trying to develop a Ladies Chanting, Gong Bath The Centre uses the Learn programme that looks at and on Sunday Zumba. My Way course from the health related issues in Good Things Foundation the community. Also on a weekend we take Online Centres Network to bookings for such as provide an online learning If so please come along to Children’s parties, system designed to help our weekly drop in Celebrations, Conferences people take the first steps into session, here in the and other similar activities the world of computers and surgery, each Friday when there is a room the internet. This starts from afternoon between 1.00 available. the very basic for new pm and 2.30 pm. learners progressing to a For further information call more advanced level and Regards, Martin Arnie on 01913712161 or certificates are provided as 07982862127. each stage of the course is Page 3 September 2018 The original club diminished decided to purchase a to only a few members, until Victorian style seat which will 2008 when more of us joined be sited adjacent to the war to form the current group.