Find Parish Council Contact details
PARISH CHURCHES - WEEKLY SET SERVICES & EVENTS:
All are welcome at any of our Services.
Morning Prayer will be said at 8.30 am at St John’s Barnack on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday and on Thursday at 7.00am.
A Service of Prayer for Peace and Justice will be said in St Mary’s Bainton at 9.00am on Tuesdays, followed by coffee.
Prayer Group: Mondays 6-6.00pm Ufford Church
Children’s Church: Children’s Church meets on the 1st, 2nd and 4th Sunday of every month, during the service. Children of all ages are most welcome.
Family Services: A Family Service is held in St John’s Barnack on every 3rd Sunday. This service is specially for families and their children and is not a communion service.
AS WE WERE: Article based on
The Minutes of Ufford`s Parish Meetings 1894-1965
As a small rural parish, Ufford had no parish council until 1965. Instead, from 1894, an Annual Parish Meeting was held, within 7 days of March 25th, starting not earlier than 6pm. All residents on the electoral register had one vote.
There was no village hall so the meeting was held in the school room on the hill until 1921, despite the school having closed in 1906. For the next 19 years it was held in the billiard room at Ufford Hall before moving to Bottom Farm, home of Mr Burdall and then to the White Hart.
Chairmen: The chairman, who was elected at each meeting, was sometimes the rector or more often another village resident. The two longest serving chairmen were Mr M Wolryche Whitmore of Ufford Hall who served for 30 years and Mr G Vergette of Ufford Farm, 12 years.
Overseers of the Poor: Until 1926, sometimes the only action of the Parish Meeting was to elect the Overseers of the Poor. These were the final years of the Poor Laws which had existed since the sixteenth century. The overseer was paid a salary which started at £1 in 1894 but increased each year to 14 guineas. The poor rate was collected from all owners of property and land in the parish and from the rents from certain cottages, set aside for the old and destitute. Some of those in need were given “parish relief” and were able to stay in their own homes, but even at the beginning of the twentieth century, others ended their days in the Stamford Union Workhouse.
Other responsibilities: Ufford and neighbouring villages were part of the Soke of Peterborough County Council and under the control of Barnack District Council (BDC) which had its offices in Stamford. The main responsibility of the Annual Parish Meeting was to collect and pass on residents`concerns and requests to BDC. Progress was painfully slow!
1. Ditches, drains and the pond
The open ditch down the side of Main Street was an ongoing problem. In 1909 there was a petition “asking that the parish dykes be cleaned out as usual”. In 1910 BDC was reminded that the dyke had silted up and had still not been attended to. There were more similar requests in 1940, 1949, 1950 and 1951.
Piped water had come to the village in 1937 but mains drainage did not reach the village until 1958. Before that houses had an outside privy or a septic tank. The content of the privies, known as “night soil”, was collected once a week by a horse drawn cart. In 1940, concern was expressed at the Parish Meeting about this. “It had become a nuisance”. There was even a suggestion in 1949 that the ditch was being used as a sewer from the council houses (Newport Way), which were built during and just after the war. There was a complaint in 1961 that the sewer did not reach all the houses in Marholm Road. (It still doesn`t!)
In 1934 a special meeting was called to discuss the nuisance caused by the unclean state of the horse pond at the top of the village, It was proposed “that the pond be cleaned and a rail put at the side”. In 1950 “the old parish dip well was discussed” but no action was taken. However in 1965 BDC was asked to repair and restore the well and to preserve it as a historical feature.
2. Fire precautions: We take a universal fire service for granted but it was not always so, and the Parish Meeting dragged its heels and refused to spend any money. It decided that “it was inexpedient to pay a retaining fee to Stamford Town Council for use of the steam fire engine” in 1904. It was not until 1930 that it agreed to give £5 as a donation towards the purchase of a new motor for the use of the Stamford Fire Brigade.
In 1939, 1940 and 1941 there was concern about the lack of a hydrant at the top end of the village and it was suggested that the pond outside Newport Farm could be filled up so that when the fire engine arrived there would be a water source.
3. Requests for improved services: In 1931 there was a request to the Postmaster General for a Post and Pension Office in the village as there were about 20 old age and war pensioners within a quarter of a mile radius and in 1937 for a Money Order and Savings Bank branch and a Sunday collection of letters. The shop and post office were housed in the front room and then in a shed at Compass Cottage.
The first request for street lighting in Main Street was in 1952 but no action was taken as the parish would have had to pay for them. However four years later they were discussing where the lights should go and a few were erected. The first request for a 30mph speed limit was in 1958 but the village had to wait until 1980 for this. (And 30 years later we are still trying to enforce it!). Parts of what is now the playing field were grassed in 1956 and 1958 as there was no demand for allotments. I t was agreed in 1961 that the council houses should be called Newport Estate. Two years later their roads and footpaths were put in and there was a request for a footpath as far as the shop, which by this time was in a shed in the garden of 2 Marholm Road. The protective metal railings at the bus stop and by 1 Newport Way and the bollards on the hill were erected at this time. (A footpath to the eastern end of the village has never been affordable).
4. Planning: The Parish Meeting was not consulted on planning issues as this was the concern of BDC but it did express residents` opinion in 1960 that there should be no development on church field which would obstruct the view of the church. The BDC representative from the planning committee asked for it to be put on record that they were developing the village “without spoiling its old world charm”.
5. Village Hall: It had long been felt that there was a need for a Village Hall and in 1949 money was invested from the sale of the “old poor houses” (cottages used to house poor people) and a former nursing fund were invested because it was agreed that they could help towards a Village Hall. Lord Airedale was asked if he would provide a site and he offered a barn. In 1965 it was agreed that the playing field was the most appropriate site but it would have needed extending. Then in 1968 the old school site on the hill was given to the village. (The Village Hall eventually opened in 1976).
6. Footpaths and Rights of Way
In 1908 a petition was sent to BDC about the obstruction of the footpath leading to Barnack. After that footpaths were off the agenda until 1954/5 when the Footpaths and Rights of Way Act was discussed. It was agreed the path from the churchyard to Walcot Road was definitely needed. Only one resident at the meeting said that he used the other paths such as the one to Bainton. Everyone else said that they never used the footpaths and this was the information which was sent to the Surveyor of Highways. (It is a miracle that Ufford did not lose all its footpaths!)
Ufford got a parish council in 1965
The population of the village grew dramatically as a result of the house building in the 1950s and 1960s and it was decided that it should have a parish council. It is debatable whether this is more democratic. Most of the village used to pack into the back room at the White Hart and there was a feeling of direct participation.
The character of the village in 1965 was certainly different from 1894. But it was still a farming village and sheep and cows were frequently driven along Main Street, the ducks waddled down the middle of the road to the pond, there was a shop and a frequent bus service, there were opportunities for residents to meet and get to know each other. The biggest changes have probably occurred between 1965 and 2009!
Frieda Gosling, September 2009
International students at Christmas
Are you thinking about who might come for Christmas this year? Perhaps you would like to make it a bit different. Some of the adults from overseas who are currently studying at UK universities would love to spend a couple of days in a real home, rather than on a deserted campus. It is interesting to share Christmas with people for whom it is all quite new (many international students are from China, for example). HOST has been linking students with hospitable volunteers for 22 years, at Christmas and also one-off weekends throughout the year. HOST is a registered charity backed by the Foreign Office and many universities. It is not necessary for hosts to live near a university, as students are prepared to travel far for this unique experience! See www.hostuk.org or call HOST’s voluntary regional organiser, Mandy Talbott, on 01472 851084. Thank you!
Sunday Bus Service
There is now a Sunday bus service that links Barnack and Ufford with Stamford and Peterborough. Local Link service 401 operates one return journey between Peterborough and Stamford on Sundays and Bank Holidays.
The 10.15 departure from Peterborough (bay 9) calls at Ufford 10.39, Barnack 10.45, Stamford bus station 10.55, Morrisons 10.59 and Stamford leisure pool 11.01.
The return service departs Morrisons 16.19, Stamford leisure pool 16.21, Stamford bus station 16.31, Barnack 16.41, Ufford 16.47, and arrives Peterborough at 17.11.
At Ufford and Barnack the registered route (towards Stamford) is Marholm Rd, Main St, Walcot Rd, Stamford Rd, School Rd, Jack Haws Lane and Bainton Rd. Passengers at Ufford should therefore wait at the junction of Main Street and Walcot Road (not at the bus shelter) while in Barnack they should wait at the junction of School Road and Jack Haws Lane (not in The Square) or at the bus shelter on Bainton Road. I have asked the city council to consider amending the route to operate via Bainton and for the return from Stamford to run two hours earlier (by switching it with another journey that operates via Duddington and Wansford), and I would be happy to hear from anyone who has comments or suggestions on how to improve this service. I can be contacted by e-mail chriscooperfcca@hotmail.com or on 01733 361914 C. Cooper
Community Car Scheme Office Volunteer Wanted
Do you have 4 hours to spare one morning a week? If so, the Community Car Scheme would like to hear from you. The Scheme operates from an office in Christchurch in Green Lane, Stamford and was set up to provide a vital transport service for the frail, elderly and disabled in Stamford, Bourne and the surrounding villages.
Volunteers are vital for the office, where you would be known by the grand title of ‘Office Co-ordinator’. Tasks include answering the telephone and organising the drivers (also volunteers) to meet the needs of the members of the Scheme and if you’re ‘computer-friendly’ that would be a bonus.
If you’d like to know more please ring 01780 482380 or just drop into Christchurch if you’re passing.
A date for January 2010!
Back by popular request! Rutland Sailability will be hosting a ‘novel’ quiz at The White Hart, Ufford, on Weds 20 January 2010.Just a date for your diary - more details next month. M. Baumber.
Harvest Celebrations
May I say thank you very much to all involved in the wonderful Harvest celebrations that we have had in our villages this past few weeks. I attended the Ufford Harvest service at St Andrews which was excellent, a very gentle and informal affair but which certainly got the message across that sometimes the greatest gift we can give is time. I think we would all agree that the supper afterwards was a huge success as well - informal again - time to talk to so many people - thank you to all who gave so generously.
The children’s service in Bainton was wonderful as well. With the children running up and down the church, finding and drawing on paper plates the harvest festival gifts our parishioners had left in or decorated the church with. We finished up with a lovely song thanking God for autumn then went onto a scrummy tea in the Reading room. Although we didn’t have many in attendance it was again a very special service and time.
It’s a Bug’s Life!
“If we and the remainder of the back-boned animals were to disappear overnight, the rest of the world would get on pretty well. But if the invertebrates were to disappear, the world’s ecosystems would collapse,” says Sir David Attenborough . So you will be glad to know that the villages in the Barnack ward, i.e. Ashton, Bainton, Barnack, Helpston, Pilsgate, Southorpe, Ufford and Wothorpe are working together to support the ecosystem in the area by providing wildlife corridors - encouraging the growing of suitable plants, conserving and planting hedges and trees, caring for the protected verges. Everyone can help by ensuring that their garden is a flora and fauna haven!
On Tuesday 28 September we held a meeting in Barnack Village hall, when the speaker was Mr Alan Stubbs the chairman of the national charity Buglife. (www.buglife.org.uk) Buglife’s conservation work helps to save threatened bug populations, restore wildlife habitats and inform the public and decision-makers about why invertebrates matter. With over 40,000 species to look after it’s a huge task, but they are committed to conserving the little things that run the world!
The hall was full and the audience were rewarded with a fascinating and entertaining talk, complete with pictures of the insects and their habitat with particular relevance to our area. Different types of sites support difference species so it is important to have a good mix. The bugs which thrive in the Hills and Holes will be different from those on a brownfield site – but all have their important place in the ecosystem.
An easy to build “bug hotel” was recommended (hollow sticks like bamboo canes, grouped together and placed on a wall )– plenty of large stones and logs to provide resting/hiding places and of course the necessary food all the year round. It is crucial for us all to remember that plants need pollinators and pollinators need suitable surroundings. In Alan’s garden the dandelion has a protected species label on it! Nettles and ragwort of course provide important habitat for butterflies. Ivy is one of the most useful plants providing food and nesting places all year round for a wide range of butterflies, bees and other insects. Bumblebees find nectar easier if the species are of the single variety – double heads make it very much more difficult to get into. And a top tip which suits my garden – don’t make it too tidy!
Rachel Price from The Wildlife Trust, Chris Gardiner from Natural England and Brian Armstrong the City Council Wildlife Officer were also there and after the talk we held an interesting open forum with many and varied questions – how to create a wildflower patch and why do we have wasps to repeat just two.
As you will realize, this is an ongoing project with plenty to do. If you are interested in taking an active part and would like to be more involved, for example in hedge surveys, please contact Frieda Gosling, tel; 01780 740343. The Wildlife Trust are hoping to hold workshops for adults and children in the future and will be letting us have information and dates to pass on.
If you are new to wildlife gardening these top tips should help set you on your way... taken from the Natural England website.
- Brighten up your garden – use flowers that provide pollen and nectar for bees, butterflies and other insects all year round. Try aubrieta and flowering currant in the spring; buddleia, lavender and thyme in the summer; and sedum, Michaelmas daisy and Hebe in the autumn.
- Encourage variety – Try a mixture of trees, shrubs and climbers, or a mixed hedge, to give food and shelter to wildlife. Good small trees for blossom and berries include rowan, crab apple and hawthorn.
- Old is awesome – Nurture mature trees in and around your garden and they’ll look after the wildlife. Old trees are more important for wildlife than any other single factor – if your garden’s too small for big trees, try to get some planted in the neighbourhood and protect any that are already there.
- Create a bird buffet – Provide food and water for birds all year round. Offer a mix of food including peanuts, seeds, kitchen scraps and fat balls, plus natural food such as berries and seed-heads.
- Don’t be too tidy – Piles of leaves and twigs at the bottom of a hedge will shelter frogs, mice and hedgehogs, while the seeds in dead flower heads provide valuable bird food. Encourage wildflowers to grow by leaving a patch of grass unmown. Your enriched lawn will provide shelter for small mammals and food for caterpillars.
- Garden in a sustainable way – avoid chemicals and don’t use peat to enrich your soil – demand for peat threatens the survival of important natural landscapes. Collect water in butts and check the origin of wood used for your garden – the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) label indicates wood from sustainable forests.
- We are so lucky in this area to have many wildlife sites of different sorts –so please do your bit to help them survive not only for us but for future generations. ZC
Village Ladies’ Group
On Tuesday the 22nd 0f September Liz Davies gave an interesting talk on the Nene Valley Railway and Wansford Station.
Tues 27th of Oct Elaine Ward will be telling us all about her “Amazing Three Weeks in Shanghai” please come along and share her fantastic experiences. We meet at 7.45pm at Ufford Village Hall.
Tuesday Nov the 24th is our Advent Evening and you are most welcome to join us, There will be refreshments with a Christmas theme and if you have any particular Xmas fare that you would like to share with us please feel free to bring a sample along, the more the merrier. We will be having Yuletide readings and poetry as well as a guest speaker, Ray Jarvis will accompany our Carol singing.
This is usually a joyful evening and we welcome you to come and share a glass of mulled wine to welcome the coming of Christmas. We shall be meeting at Ufford Village Hall at 7pm for 7.15pm
Barnack November Disco Sat 28th
In Barnack village hall. Tickets for the disco on are now on sale see page 13.
Yorkshire Tea...
I (Anne Harrison-Smith) would like to ask any of you tea drinkers, do you drink Yorkshire Tea? If so, please could I have the bar code from any packets, My Inner Wheel club has a scheme where we can exchange them for wheelchairs for the disabled. Who says they are tight with their brass in Yorkshire!
Could I also have your used stamps preferably torn from the envelope with a 1cm border.
Many thanks.., Anne at Willow Cottage, Church Lane, Bainton. Tel: 740136.
Barnack Horticultural Show supports new Cricket Club Pavilion Project
Profits from the Barnack Horticultural Show were given to support the exciting new build of a pavilion for Barnack Cricket Club. At the Annual Club Awards Night on the 3rd October the Show Committee presented the Cricket Club Committee with a cheque for £1000.
The existing Club House is shortly to be demolished and the Club are planning fundraising events to secure the funds needed to replace the old building with a purpose built pavilion. Debra Martin Barnack Show Chair Person said “The Show Committee is keen to support the plans for the pavilion as the club offers a positive focus for local sports development and as a community resource”.
The donation was received by Barnack Cricket Club Treasurer Martin Willgrass. Chairman of the Club Will Armitage said “We are extremely grateful for this generous donation from the Horticultural Show and all the hard work and effort that they have put in. We are also delighted with all the support from the Community Association and the village; and are extremely hopeful to have a pavilion which will be an amenity that we can all be proud of, that can be used and shared by the Club and village together.”
Work on the new build will begin over the next few months and it is hoped that the pavilion will be built in time for the 2010 cricket season.
Methodist News
We raised £153.55 at the October coffee morning, so thank you very much for your support. Our next one will be on 7 November, at 10.00 11.00am, when we shall still be taking orders for Christmas puddings, mincemeat and mince pies. We look forward to seeing you there. At the same time, there will be a box in the porch for any prayer requests, we have a regular prayer meeting and it would be a help to know your special needs so we can pray for you.
ROYAL British Legion
Remembrance Sunday November 8Th
10.00AM Ecumenical Service Of Remembrance St. John the Baptist Church Barnack. 11.00AM Barnack War Memorial. Two Minutes Silence - The Last Post will be sounded. Wreaths will be laid. On both occasions a contingent of Cadets from Stamford School will be present and our own Standard will be Paraded .
Remembrance Day Wednesday November 11th.: 11am Barnack War Memorial
A Short Service will be held and 2 Minutes Silence observed. Children from Barnack Primary School will be present
Monday November 25th.: Winter Lecture: “Operation Chariot” - The Raid On St. Nazaire. Village Hall 7.30pm £5.00
Buttercross Club
Our Harvest Supper was, as ever, a great success; all tickets were sold and the Reading Room was filled with the convivial chatter of local residents who were keen to celebrate and socialise at the start of the colder weather and darker evenings. Delia’s ‘Beef in Beer’ was on the menu, followed by Apple Crumble, complemented by well-chosen wines and some coveted raffle prizes. Our thanks go to Brian Yates for his sterling efforts behind the bar!
Mike Baumber of Rutland Sailability gave us an engaging talk about this local charity which operates from Rutland Water; those of us not familiar with the charity would assume it is operated by volunteers for the sole benefit of providing sailing facilities for the disabled but this is not the case; both the disabled and the able-bodied amongst us are welcome at the facilities offered which rely entirely on charitable donations and gifts. The facility attracts both experienced and inexperienced sailors from a wide area and offers a variety of boats in which to sail. We wish them every success in the future.
Our next meeting is at 7.30pm on Wednesday, 4th November when Janice Galbraith of Sugarcraft Sensations will be demonstrating the ‘Skill of Cake Decorating’. JJ
Wikki Cafe
Charity begins at home, this became apparent when Anne & Chris Harrison-Smith made an impromptu invitation to residents of Bainton & Ashton to come round for coffee, and help to celebrate the arrival of their new Grand Daughter. In spite of very short notice, lots of people came, and they made a donation to the Wikki pot, £30 in total.. It was decided by those present to put this and any more money raised during the next 12 months towards a Shelterbox. The shelterbox appeal is organised through Rotary (have a look at shelterbox.org), so far over 54,000 boxes have been sent all over the world, to wherever disaster strikes.
Each box contains a tent, large enough for 10 people, 10 sleeping bags, basic rations, a primus type stove, water purification, rudimentary tools, colouring books for children etc. Each box costs £490 and is packed and stored in Cornwall, in readiness for the next emergency. A team of volunteers accompanies any shipment to assist locals in assembling the tents, as often the victims cannot read, and of course they are probably traumatised.
The Wikki Challenge - to pay for 1 shelterbox, can we do it? You bet we can, so if anyone else has something to celebrate, ask us round - we’ll be there! The money raised will be much appreciated, in fact 92% will actually get to those who probably have lost everything.
If you would like to help, but have an allergy to coffee, donations would be welcome, or better still, enter our Santa Fun Run in Burghley Park on December 13th. This event costs £10 per adult entry, less for children, you will receive a Santa suit to keep! A chance to join 350 (last years figure) other Santas for a run or a walk, and certainly a laugh, of up to 5K. It does not matter if you only complete 1 of the 3 circuits. Bring your dog along, push chairs, wheel chairs, your own sleigh if you like! There will be a medal at the end, and a hot toddy and a mince pie. Log on to our web site to enter. (Stamford Santa Fun Run) Any sponsorship money you raise, can go to which ever charity you choose, your school, the church, hospital or shelterbox. Last year over £15,000 was raised for local Stamford charities.
Thank you all.....Let’s make a difference.....Chris Harrison-Smith
Marie Curie Cancer Care
My grateful thanks to all of the people in Little Northfields who put money in the envelopes for Marie Curie Cancer Care. The amount raised was £ 75. Rose Porter
Ufford Art Society
The Art Society is holding their Autumn Exhibition at the Ufford Village Hall on Saturday 7th & Sunday 8th November from 10am - 4pm
There will be craft stalls including Cards, jewellery, decorated eggs, The Embroiderers Guild, woodcraft, books, Christmas items, preserves, plants etc
Barnack Baptist Church
The church operates 5 separate small groups through the week for study, fellowship and prayer – for details contact Graham Dunn or Julie Stanton – 749123. Youth Club meets in the village hall from 7.30-9.00pm on Friday 13th and Friday 27th November. Key Stage 1 Party will be held on Tuesday 24th November in the school hall.
Little Lambs -meet in the village hall on Tuesday mornings (term time only) from 10.00-11.45am. Little Lambs is described as a toddler group but it is also for babies and their carers. If you have not been before please come along, it is a good way to meet people and to have a chat while the children enjoy craft activities, play with toys and enjoy a snack and time of singing and story telling.
TNT! - Barnack Village Hall
Thursday Mornings 10.30am to 12noon
Come along to Barnack Village Hall on Thursday mornings from 10.30am to 12noon. There’s a lot to do if you are feeling active: table tennis, pool table, Wii (computer) games, crafts and board games or just sit and enjoy a friendly chat and cakes with freshly brewed coffee or tea. We’ll also have occasional local walks and some short talks and demonstrations, all depending on what the people who come along feel they would enjoy.
So as the winter months approach why not come and try out the new thing in Barnack. Open to men and women of any age, a warm welcome for everyone. £1 a week.
TNT! is run by Barnack Baptist Church. Contact Julie Stanton 749123 for more information.
Barnack Pre-School
It has been a busy start to the Pre-school year. Following Mrs Fenn’s retirement at the end of last term, Catharine Wright has made the seamless transition to Senior Supervisor, whilst the new additions to Pre-School have settled in well.
Helped by the fine weather, the children have spent a lot of time in the garden, cycling, playing games, and digging up many of the vegetables they planted in the spring. There has been a plentiful supply of potatoes, beans and tomatoes, which they have enjoyed eating during snack time (with certain children eating a lot more vegetables there than they ever do at home!). This term they have also been learning about the five senses, with the sense of touch – especially anything remotely messy – proving particularly popular! And the children have been in excellent voice during rehearsals for their part in the main school Harvest Festival Assembly, which they have been very excited about.
We have had some great news in our quest to raise the £140,000 desperately needed for the replacement of the Pre-School building. Thanks to the hard work of the Pre-School trustees, Peterborough City Council have committed £70,000 towards the project, with the Burghley Family Trust also making a very generous donation. We are still a long way from our target, however, with the help of the local community, we are hopeful it will soon be reached.
Darby & Joan Club
In the summer of 1969 the W.R.V.S. wanted to start a Darby & Joan Club. A
meeting was arranged and interested ladies from Barnack and surrounding villages were invited to attend. On the 24th September the first meeting of Barnack and District Darby & Joan Club was held in the Village Hall. Mrs. Betty Warters was the Club’s first Leader. The Rural District Council provided a bus to collect from Wittering, Barnack Road Stamford and all the surrounding villages (this continued until the re-organisation of the Council). To celebrate their 40th Birthday, a Party was held at the Acres when members were joined by guests including Mrs. Betty Warters and many ladies who had helped the Club over the past 40 years.
Everyone enjoyed a Buffet Tea when Mrs. Warters proposed a Toast to the Club, Mrs. Olive Coull and Mrs. Elaine Ward cut the Birthday Cake.
Entertainment during the afternoon was provided by Mr. Jim Buchanan. Gifts were presented to Margaret Coft and Val Dawson who have served on the Committee for the last 28 years, Rose Porter 7 years and Elaine Ward 40 years.
This was a wonderful occasion and thoroughly enjoyed by all.
Parish Council Notices
Ufford Parish Council Meeting September 8th 2009
Environmental improvements for the benefit of residents and visitors, as well as wildlife, have been UPC`s top priority in recent years, notably:
1. Bulb planting on the hill, funded by the Barnack Ward Community Fund. Three more sacks of bulbs have been bought to continue with this project.
2. Hedge planting on Marholm Road, funded last year by the Biodiversity Partnership, will continue in 2010 with funding from the Tree Council, Barnack Ward, PCC Natural Environment Fund and UPC. Planting will also extend up King Street and Langley Bush Road.
3. Smaller projects in recent years have included installation of bat and barn owl boxes in Southey Woods and hedging and a wild flower garden in our playing field.
4. Roadside verges in the parish were surveyed this summer and, following concerns about the frequency of cutting, a revised strategy has been agreed and they will be monitored next year. Please let Frieda know if you would like to see her report.
5. Speeding traffic concerns many residents and UPC is currently liaising with the police about this. A recent police 7 day survey at 2 points in the village showed average speeds of 33 and 32mph, but we were not told the maximum speeds and no action was proposed.
Would anyone like to learn how to use the portable camera system, newly acquired by the Barnack Ward group of parishes? Please let one of the UPC councillors know if you are interested in Speedwatch training to be an operator.
Councillors would be interested to hear residents` opinions about the need for new housing in the village and possible village expansion.
Southorpe Parish Council
A meeting of the Parish council was held on 29 September 2009.
Chris Leuchers attended from King’s Cliffe Wastewatchers to give a short presentation on the planning application submitted to Northampton Council by Augean Plc for the storage of low-level radioactive waste at the King’s Cliffe landfill site. The Parish Council have not been consulted by Augean Plc or by Northampton Planning Department. Parish Councillors’ concerns with the application include the proposal to transport such waste into the area in contravention of the Proximity Principle (the EU preference for storage of waste at the original site) and the proposed method of storage in a landfill site covered by soil; it has been decided to oppose the planning application.
Village Matters
The issue of traffic speed in the village is still ongoing; a further traffic survey will be undertaken by Cambs Constabulary in October. Three residents have been trained to use the Speedwatch equipment and have begun monitoring traffic in Main Street. More volunteers would be very welcome and should contact PC McCallum for training.
Eon will be pruning trees in the parish playing field adjacent to the road to prevent interference with the overhead electricity cables.
Councillor David Over has approved an application for a grant of £500 for environmental project; the possibility of establishing a pond within the Parish is to be researched, and the likely cost of tidying/interplanting the hedge to the south of the playing field is to be obtained before the next meeting for further discussion.
Planning
Preserved Tree Application 09/00365/CTR – pruning on Lime Tree Avenue. Granted.
Preserved Tree Application 09/0094/CTR – remove/prune ash and elm trees at south end of Main Street. No objections.
Listed Building Application 09/00828/LBC – new window at Bridle Cottage. No objections.
The next meeting will take place on Monday 30th November 2009 at 7.30pm at 1 Middle Farm Cottage.
Bainton & Ashton Parish Council Bainton & Ashton Allotment Association: Allotment Latest
The debate about siting for the new allotments has gone on for some time now, and the Parish Council decided to have an open meeting to receive comments from members of the public before coming to a decision. Over 40 villagers attended and after everyone had had their say, councillors voted that we should pursue the option of customising the land owned by Mr. Bratley for the use of the proposed allotment site. The land in question is to the south of Helpston Road, Bainton behind the pumping station and access can be gained direct to Ashton using the public footpath. The main problem in using this land was the quality and depth of soil, but a suitable supply has been found and an anonymous doner has very kindly covered the cost of it. By the time you read this, the soil will have been delivered and spread, drains put in, water supply connected and a good supply of allotments ready and waiting to form a meaningful relationship with their new owners. This will mean that nothing should now prevent those on the list from having a successful 2010 harvest.
Bainton And Ashton Parish Council
JOB VACANCY
The person who cuts the village grass verges on a regular basis has had to retire and we are looking for a replacement. The job entails cutting all publicly owned verges throughout Bainton and Ashton which takes around 5 to 6 hours each time. The grass usually needs trimming about once a fortnight throughout the summer, depending of course on the weather and around 12/13 cuts are needed per year. A council owned lawnmower is provided and there is a site locally to deposit cuttings. Rates of pay are £85 each cut. More information and applications please contact Tony Gowers, Parish Clerk, Tel. 740097