Author: Jez Wilson

Parish Council – June 2019 Meeting

Nether_Heyford_Parish_Council_2019

The June 2019 meeting of Nether Heyford Parish Council was held on 3rd at the Youth Club, as a one off event. The July meeting will be in the Baptist Chapel Schoolroom as normal.

Public Question Time. A resident noted recent work on cleaning gutters: and hoped residents might take note and take responsibility for the gutters in front of their houses and remove vegetation and debris. Another resident complained that a Lime in the cemetery had not been pollarded. It had been inspected and was not suitable for pollarding, only crown lifting. It was agreed that a further inspection could take place.

Councillor Adam Brown reported that NCC was working towards a shadow authority, and that elections would come in May 2020. He reported that NCC had made a small profit on last year’s accounts, but would still need to find £30M worth of savings this year. He expressed concerns about social services for children, feeling it would be better if this were dealt with on a county wide basis, rather than by different councils.

Trees. During work dead wooding Robinias on the Green it became clear that 2 trees were hollow, and needed to be felled. A quote from Stowe Tree Services was accepted to fell the trees. A Silver Birch on Hillside Close would be checked for safety.

Allotments. Another plot had been allocated. Some of the New Homes Bonus money had been spent on a shed, which when secure, would house equipment.

Footpaths. No major problems. Broken stile near Wakefield Way removed.

Churchyard. Council to assume responsibility for safety checks on the gravestones in the churchyard.

Joint Burial Board. Meeting arranged. It had been arranged for emergency repairs on metalwork on the gate.

Youth Club. It was reported that the club had reached 50 members, and no more could be accepted with the volunteers available. A waiting list had been opened.

Defibrillators. Both checked and in working order. There was concern that the ambulance service had given out the wrong code in an incident recently. Fortunately, an ambulance arrived promptly, and the situation was resolved positively.

Street naming. Council to recommend the name Hillcrest for the new Affordable Housing off Hillside Crescent. Subsequently SNC informed Council that this name was unsuitable as other streets with the same name have similar post codes.

Neighbourhood Plan. The Neighbourhood Plan team reported on progress towards the next step in the process, Consultation. This process would be started shortly, after another bout of work, to follow 2 years of work done already. A draft/pre submission version of the plan was shown, highlighting the policies within the plan. The policies are the most significant part of the plan; as they will be part of what will become a legal document, that will be referred to by planning departments in the future. The policies are all evidenced by statements from residents, taken from previous questionnaires. Wellbeing is a core or overarching theme throughout the Plan, which is intended to always produce a positive impact. It was also hoped that any future development would be Community led rather than developer led. Attention was drawn to density of development, which should always reflect the character of the area. The village has less than 25 dwellings per hectare – apart from Bliss Close – and it is intended that any future development would not exceed this limit.

A Councillor expressed concern as to the definition of Affordable Housing. This
would be addressed within the plan with reference to the village. Cllr Phil Bignell asked whether disabled access to housing was being born in mind. It was replied that it was.

Play Area Inspection. The annual Play Area inspection had taken place and while no major problems were encountered, there are some low risk issues that will need addressing. Chair felt that the Play Area was showing its age and that Council should be looking at replacing and extending it.

Village Fete. Thanks to all involved in the preparations for this wonderful village event. The Green looked in excellent condition thanks to a lot of voluntary efforts in addition to the contractor’s work. Unfortunately the weather was less co-operative and threatened the day, but relented sufficiently for most of the event to take place.

Local Government Reorganisation. The situation has clarified somewhat now.

“The waiting is over, now the Government has given the go ahead for a new West Northants Council and a new North Northants Council, replacing the current County Council and seven District or Borough Councils. Subject to Parliamentary approval, it’s now full-speed ahead to the go-live date in April 2021.

“I’m pleased that the Government has listened to local voices, and included in its announcement the decision to hold elections in May 2020 for members of first the Shadow Authority (from May 2020 til March 2021), then taking over running each new Council when they go live in April 2021.

“In the meantime, I’ll be pressing ahead with my fellow councillors already elected to the current eight authorities to make all the preparations necessary ahead of those elections next year, as well as continuing to run the services we currently provide as business as usual.

“Here in South Northants, that will mean not taking our eye off the ball in delivering one of the best and most popular waste collection and recycling services in the whole country.

“The publication of this ‘Prospectus for Change’ sets out in more detail how we are approaching managing this change, and I am pleased that people can see from it that we really mean business.”

Cllr Ian McCord, Leader of South Northamptonshire Council

Next Meeting
The next Parish Council meeting will be on Monday July 1st at the Baptist Chapel Schoolroom at 7.30 pm and is, like all Parish Council meetings, open to all Parishioners.

Parish Council Notes by the Clerk; Guy Ravine June 2019

For further useful information about Nether Heyford Parish Council and full contact details for the clerk and the councillors please visit our Nether Heyford Parish Council page.

Roads and Pavements.
Parishioners are reminded that anyone can report a pothole or other highways
problem online to the Fixmystreet service, and this can refer to problems outside the village too. https://fixmystreet.northamptonshire.gov.uk/
Alternatively, phone 0300 126 1000 and ask for Streetdoctor.

Tennis Club – Wimbledon Finals Day – Sunday 14th July 2019

Nether Heyford Tennis Club – Wimbledon Finals

Sunday 14th July – 10.00am – 12.30pm

Come along and join us on the morning of Wimbledon finals day.

Social play with light refreshments

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For further information on Nether Heyford Tennis Club – please find us on Facebook  or contact Jo on 01327 349094 Email: jodickson@btinternet.com

Website: clubspark.lta.org.uk/NetherHeyfordTennisClub

Full facilities and location details can be found on our Nether Heyford Tennis Club page.

 

Letters: Heyford Entry-preneurs – July 2019

Message from the Entry-preneurs

Just thought it would be nice to say a massive thank you to Knights Engineering Services on Furnace Lane for mowing around the entry sign flower plot. They have done this off their own backs because they like looking at the flowers every morning when they arrive to work. How nice are they? Thank you guys. It’s really nice to know that people are keeping an eye on them and looking after them when they can.

Jill Cullen and Chris Cullen have been our ‘waterers’ during the warmer days which gave the flowers a really good start. Not to mention dead heading. So thank you too guys.

Thank you to anyone else who looks after them because without you all, and our lovely volunteers it would be super hard. THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH.

Jill & Sue

If you are interested in joining us, please either speak to Jill Garratt or check in at our Facebook page:  Heyford Entry-preneurs  

Coffee Morning – Friday 16th August 2019

COFFEE MORNING

IN AID OF THE WORKBRIDGE CENTRE

FRIDAY 16TH AUGUST

Nether Heyford Village Hall
10 am to 12 noon

Hosted by Bugbrooke & District Flower Society

Entry Free – Tea/Coffee £1 – Drink & Cake £2.50
Tombola

For more information please follow us on Facebook or contact Dianne on 01604
830063 or Simone on 01327 342167.

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The Bugbrooke and District Flower Society meet every fourth Monday in the month in the Village Hall. Our meetings start at 7.45pm and usually take the form of a Demonstration when a qualified demonstrator will create several floral designs which are raffled at the end of the evening and lucky members take home the beautiful flowers.

Flower Society affiliated to the National Association of Flower Arrangement Societies (NAFAS) promoting Floral Art. www.nafas.org.uk

 

 

Parish Church of St. Peter & St. Paul – July 2019

Nether Heyford Parish Church of St. Peter and St. Paul

Dear Friends.

On what is another wet and overcast day, it’s hard to believe that, as I write this, Midsummer’s Day is less than a week away, especially after all the rain we’ve had in recent days! I’m pleased to say, that despite the rain, plenty of cricket matches have been played in the Cricket World Cup, providing many hours of Test Match Special cricket commentary. For me, the soothing tones of the TMS commentators are a sure sign that summer is here, and a reminder of long summer holidays past, watching and listening to the cricket. Listening to snippets of cricket commentary has recently provided moments of rest and relaxation in what has been a busy few weeks. And there is more cricketing excitement to come as the culmination of World Cup is followed by the Ashes. With summer holidays looming, there is the chance of longer periods of rest and refreshment, and more TMS commentary!

Hopefully, the quieter days of the summer holidays also offer opportunities to experience more of God; in the brightness of blue skies and sunshine, in the warmth of the sun, and even in the refreshing summer rain. In praising our Creator God, the psalmist writes: ‘God is my King from the very start; he works salvation in the womb of the earth… With your finger you opened up springs and creeks, and dried up the wild floodwaters. You own the day, you own the night; you put stars and sun in place. You laid out the four corners of earth, shaped the seasons of summer and winter’ (Psalm 74:12, 15-17 – The Message). We know God through his works, through the things he has made, and here are a few suggestions of ways we might know God through the summer.

The summer is, for many of us, a time of holidays and exploration; visiting new
places, taking the scenic route, finding time to turn aside and satisfy our curiosities. And as Moses discovered at the burning bush, God is often encountered as we turn aside, as we explore the hidden nooks and crannies, and enjoy the open spaces of hills, forests and beaches. Summer is also a time to set aside our busy schedules, a time when the momentum of life slows, and we can find God in relaxation. We can set aside the pressure and busy-ness of work and school and find time to reflect and think. And as the Book of Genesis reminds us, God is the God of the Sabbath. Just as God rested on the seventh day, so he encourages us to rest. The summer holidays are great opportunities to stop and recharge our batteries.

I pray that this summer, you will indeed meet God; in curiosity and exploration, and in reflection, relaxation and rest.

Yours in Christ,

Stephen – 01327 344436

 

Parish Church of St. Peter & St. Paul – Services – July & August 2019

netherheyford_parishchurch_julyaugust2019

August Services – During the summer we shall be holding just one service each Sunday morning and moving around the benefice. I do hope that everyone who is not on holiday will also move around with us. The services will all be at 10am.

Midweek Communions are held weekly on Wednesdays, 9.30am at Heyford (not 14th or 21st August) and Thursdays, 10am at Flore – all welcome

During July we shall be praying for people living in Upper Heyford; Capell Rise, Collins Hill, Sears Close, Muscott Close and John Campbell Close in Flore; Francis Row in Upper Stowe and the Stables and Coach House in Brockhall.

And during August, Rolfe Crescent, Western Avenue and South View in Heyford; Chapel Lane and The Green in Flore; The Manor in Church Stowe and The Gate House and The Old Dairy in Brockhall.

Rev Stephen Burrow (Tel. 01327 344436)

In memoriam: Carol Baker – July 2019

On behalf of myself, Matthew and Jade, Kate and Mark and my beautiful granddaughters, I wanted to pass on our gratitude for the support and friendship we have received during Carol’s illness, and on her death.

Carol loved her family and friends selflessly. Her focus was always on the happiness of those she cared about. The last weeks have demonstrated how many of you had also been touched by her friendship. She loved Heyford, and especially Heyford Singers where she had so much fun.

Thank you to everyone who managed to join us to say goodbye. I think it was the send off Carol would have wanted.

Many thanks too for those who have made donations to Cynthia Spencer Hospice in memory of Carol. I am particularly indebted to the contribution from Heyford Cricket Club members who have raised more than a staggering £1000.

Graham Baker

Defibrillators – July 2019

I have now changed the defibrillator cabinet codes. THEY ARE NOW BOTH THE SAME. The reason for doing this is so that even if you go to the wrong one with the code the ambulance service have issued you with, you will still be able to unlock it and gain access to the defibrillator.

If you have been sent to fetch a defibrillator, the call handler will issue you with a code to access the cabinet that is showing as nearest to you and they will always advise the address of that defibrillator.

In Nether Heyford there are two locations.

1 – on the side wall of the One Stop shop
2 – at the playing fields, in the bowls club car park.

I would strongly advise everyone to familiarise yourself with these locations.

I understand that it is sometimes easier to go to the shop instead of the playing fields, especially if the gates are locked but it is important that you let either myself or someone on the Parish Council know ASAP that you have done this, especially if you were advised to go to the other location.

When you are given a code to access the cabinet, that defibrillator is taken off the system. If you were asked to go to the playing fields but decided the shop would be quicker and easier, whilst that is OK now, you will potentially have the wrong one removed from the system and the next person to call 999 might be sent to an empty cabinet.

If you are unfortunate enough to need to use the defibrillators, please inform either me or the Parish Council ASAP so we can get the defibrillator back in service straight away. The pads will need changing and the battery checked before it can go live again.

Mark Taylor