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www.pembridgeparishcouncil.gov.uk June - July 2016
Pembridge Parish News
PIPs ProgressThe ‘Clean for the Queen’ campaign got under-way early in Pembridge. In February (between storms) we collected litter into 43 bags, plus larger items, from the verges on the A44 from Pitfield Farm to the lay-by on the Leominster side of Pembridge. We also collected litter from the Shobdon road as far as the Kingspan entrance. These were taken away by arrangement with Balfour Beatty. Interesting finds were a saucepan and a pregnancy kit (result unclear) and lots of Bulmer’s Strongbow cans.
In April, Barbara Petrie and Pat Teale gave up four evenings to repeat the exercise on the A44 to Kington, stopping at the Marston turn-off. Twenty-nine bags of rubbish were collected: including several tyres, a shovel, and a pair of leather shoes for a toddler which were in perfect condition. Hopefully anyone travelling these stretches of road will notice how much nicer they look when compared with the litter-strewn roadsides of most of our once lovely countryside.
We hope that people went to look at the daffodils in the moat. Now is the time to admire the aubrietia which is obediently trailing over the wall on Bridge Street. We are currently removing weeds from the Bridge and the pathway.
Richard Johnson, whose family have lived in this ward for eighty years, started to ride at the age of four. His first win was on Rusty Bridge at Hereford on April 30th 1994 when he was eighteen years of age. He turned professional in 1995 and has had a phenomenally successful career.
In 2003 he became the eighth National Hunt jockey to ride 1000 winners in Britain. He recorded his 2000th career winner aboard Fighting Chance at Newbury on December 16th 2009. His 3000th winner came on board St Saviour at Ludlow on January 4th this year.
He rode Menorah to victory in the Oaksey Chase at Sandown in April, his 235th win of the season, and was crowned Champion Jump Jockey after being runner up to A P McCoy sixteen times. He is quoted as saying “It’s always been my dream. There’s no feeling like it.”
Congratulations
The PiPs team has been updating the publicity brochure for Pembridge with Bob Anderson providing the design expertise. We hope to get these printed and in circulation soon. We have also been involved in the complex task of applying for lottery funding to make some further improvements to the Conservation area.
We shall be losing another member of our team as David Williams and his wife Diane are moving to the Cotswolds. We wish them both every happiness in their new home and thank them for all their work for PiPs.
This is an opportune moment to ask if anyone is interested in joining us? Please contact Alan Stokes (388769) if you think you could spare a few hours a week.
Pembridge ChurchyardPembridge PCC would like to remind parishioners that the churchyard is not a public recreational area but a consecrated burial ground. As such we welcome people to enjoy the space but we ask that all dogs are kept on leads, all dog mess cleaned up before they leave and to please use only the authorised entry paths to gain access to the churchyard. We thank you for your support in this matter.
Pembridge Show - 30 JulyThe show opens at 8am for entries and the gymkhana. The show-jumping classes commence at 9.30. The dog show judging starts at 2pm as do the trotting races. There are many stalls to look at and the craft marquee has a surprise element this year. There are attractions for children too.
In the horticultural marquee there are plenty of classes to enter. Children can submit a finger-painting, design a new mini-beast, make an insect from seed-heads or submit an example of graffiti art, among many other entries. For adults there are categories of horticulture, flower-arranging challenges and baking entries including
the new category of the “Mad Hatters Tea Party” which requires six items – savoury and sweet. The handicrafts section has a new category of “Best Dressed Doll” with a Downton Abbey theme as well as more traditional
handicrafts. Please see www.pembridgeshow.org for details.
In all there will be plenty to see. Please look at the schedule. There must be something you can enter! If you can spare some time to help there are plenty of things to do - including some sitting-down tasks. If any one can spare a bottle for the bottle store please let me know: Julie – 01544 388414
£6 adults (£5 OAP) – children under 16 free
Open GardensThe garden of Victoria Place, East Street, Pembridge will be open for The National Gardens Scheme on Saturday 11th June (12-5) and Sunday June 12th (2-5).
‘A deceptively large garden developed on a burgage plot behind the medieval hall house in the centre of the village. Patio gardens lead through a wisteria screen, under a mulberry tree to lawns with herbaceous borders. Hellebore and hosta beds thrive in dappled shade and there are columns of roses and clematis.’
There will be tea and home-made cake and lots of books and plants for sale. The money raised from tea, plant and book sales will go to The Pride in Pembridge funds and the gate money (£3.50 per person) will go to the charities supported by the NGS.
Unfortunately, the nature of the garden makes it unsuitable for wheelchair users and dogs (other than guide dogs) will not be permitted.
Judy Rogers
Diary2 June - ‘Traffic in Pembridge’ Have your say.
Thursday, 7pm, Pembridge Village Hall
8 June - WI Visit to Newport House, AlmeleyWednesday, 5.30pm, Pembridge Village Hall
11/12 June - NGS Open Garden at Victoria Place, East St.12-5 Sat, 2-5 Sun, www.ngs.org.uk
12 June - Royal Strawberry Tea (for Church Funds)*Sunday, 2.30, The Curl, Marston. Gill 01544 388441
15 June - Hardy Plant Society visit to Perrycroft, Colwall. Wednesday, www.hardy-plant.org.uk/hereford
18 June - PGNS Coffee Morning Saturday, 10.30 -12.00, Village Hall
18 June - Farm Walk (The Leen)Saturday, www.walkingfestival.com Walk 02
3 July - Wildflower Walk (Tony Norman)Sunday, 9.30-11.30 Moseley Common, www.gardensinthewild.org
9 July - St Mary’s Church Community Project Coffee Morning* Saturday, 10.30 See new plans for the Church space.
13 July - WI talk by Tony Norman on local birds Wed, 6pm Pembridge Village Hall
16 July - PGNS Coffee Morning Saturday, 10.30 - 12.00 Village Hall
30 July - Pembridge ShowSaturday, Starting 9.30,
6 August - Church Fete* See The Arrowvale Messenger for details
Pembridge History GroupWe have been active for a few years now, meet at the New Inn on the first Thursday of the month at 7.30pm and have created some fascinating exhibitions (the School, WW1 etc). We now need to elect a new chairman and secretary at our AGM in July.
If you have an interest in local history and would like to be involved please contact Bob Anderson ([email protected])
Ward Councillor’s ReportNew Waste transfer Site in KingtonThe Kington recycling centre is now open, just opposite the Kington Surgery. The site is open Fri, Sat and Sun, 8am - 6pm, and can recycle up to 2,000 tonnes each year. As with the Leominster site, no commercial vehicles are allowed.
Items accepted include Batteries, CDs, Cans, Chemicals (including oil based paints), Clothes/Textiles, Engine Oil, Fluorescent Tubes, Foil, Fridges and Freezers, Garden Waste, Low Energy Light Bulbs, Mobile Phones, Ink Jet Printer Cartridges, Scrap Metal, Soil and Rubble, Televisions, Tyres & Small Electrical Appliances. Not accepted are Asbestos, printer toner cartridges, plasterboard or cooking oil.
PlanningGovernment changes to planning on rural agricultural buildings are significant and I am now seeing applications granted on properties that would not previously have been approved. I have discussed this with our local planning team and, given the recent planning appeals that indicate the County lacks a 5 year housing supply of identified sites, there does seem to be a presumption in favour of building, including on the edge of our main village settlements. If you want to discuss a planning
matter please contact [email protected] who is our local planning officer.
Roger [email protected]
Parish Clerk’s ReportPembridge Playground UpdateThe Parish Council has been improvements to the children’s play area in the millennium meadow. A working group is looking at options and funding to extend the current layout and provide equipment for all ages. This process is still in its early stages with plans for further consultation with the public later in the year.
In the meantime, over the last few months the hedges have been cut, the woodwork cleaned by a hard working group of local men orchestrated by Mr Searles, who we thank very much. The equipment has been inspected and the toddler swing seats and shackles have been replaced to make the playground a safer place to visit.
Parish Precept for 2015-16Notification from Herefordshire Council for the Parish requirements for 2016-17 has been received: 2015/16 2016/17Gross (Including Grant) £18,000 £21,000Council Tax Support Grant £ 1,104 £ 0.00Net payable by Council tax payers £ 16,896 £21,000Equivalent no. Band D properties £ 447.49 £452.79Band D Council Tax £ 37.76 £ 46.38
Parish Council Accounts 2015-16The accounts for 2015-16 have been scrutinised by an internal parish councillor and our official internal auditor, who is an independent local parishioner with experience in accounting, in readiness for submission to the external auditor Grant Thornton in June.
NewsAt the recent Annual Meeting of the Parish Council Garfield Evans was elected as chairman and Andrew Pace as vice chairman for the coming year. The Parish council confirmed it’s eligibility for the general power of competence having more than two thirds elected councillors and a qualified clerk. The Parish Council now has the power to act just as an individual might within the legal framework. There is no longer a requirement for section 137 usage.
Judith Rogers and Bob Pierce have offered to produce the Parish newsletter going forward, please contact Judy on [email protected] if you have any news or content for future newsletters.
The 2016/17 mowing contract has been agreed with Richard Mills who will maintain our millennium meadow, village green areas and other smaller parcels of grass around the village.
Footpaths Now the growing season is upon us some landowner are ignoring their responsibility to restore footpaths after sowing or ploughing. Please ensue the path must is apparent within 24 hours of sowing/ploughing, 14 days if a new crop. Fields growing grass for pasture, silage or haymaking are exempt.
The Parish footpaths officer’s duty is by law to report any instances to the highways authority who will then make a case against the landowner. Members of the public are entitled (by law) to walk across any crop if they are following the line of the path.
Next Parish Council Meeting Dates: 15 June and 20 July
Rebecca Bissell - 01544 340747
Self-build RegisterOver 100 respondents to the Pembridge Neighbourhood Development Plan questionnaire in 2014 said they would like to build or commission their own home in the parish.
Coincidentally the Government have been championing ‘self build’ and ‘custom build’ for the past few years - through changes to planning policy and planning guidance, financial exemptions for self/custom building and more recently through law - to support those wishing to build their own home.
The Government recognise that building or commissioning your own home is a way of creating a home that suits your specific needs and budget, is typically high quality, sustainable and locally sensitive. Interestingly the UK falls way behind our European neighbours with regard to the numbers of ‘self built’ homes - despite evidence showing that there is a huge demand.
As a direct result of the Self Build and Custom Home Act 2015 all Local Authorities are now obligated to operate a ‘Custom Home and Self Build Register’ - the LA must collect evidence and information about the number of people wanting to build in their area and will eventually have to show how they have provided direct opportunities through planning policy and decision making. If you are thinking of building your own home or commissioning a new home for yourselves it is very important that you register with Herefordshire Council and also let the Neighbourhood Development Plan team know so that we can aim to accommodate the demand.
The Herefordshire Custom and Self Build Register can be found at:www.herefordshire.gov.uk/planning-and-building-control/planning-policy/custom-and-self-build-register
Merry Albright
Pembridge Parish Council
Your Parish Councillors and telephone numbersCllr Garfield Evans - Chairman 388638Cllr Andrew Pace - Vice Chairman 340696Cllr Tom Bennetto 388972Cllr Kevin Duggan 388833Cllr Ms Catherine Fothergill 388279Cllr Michael Hancock 387941Cllr Mrs Julie Mifflin 388414Cllr David Owens 388422Cllr John Puslow 388060Cllr Philip Rogers 387976Cllr Alan Stokes 388769Cllr Phillip Thomas 388457Cllr Roger Phillips - Ward Councillor 340269
Clerk:Mrs Rebecca BissellFirbanks, Lyonshall, Kington HR5 3LN01544 340707 [email protected]
The Steppes Tue - Sat: 10.00am - 5.00pm
Bridge Street Cafe Mon - Thu, Sat: 8.30am - 3.00pm
Townsend Farm Shop & Butchery Mon, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat: 9.00am - 4.00pm Sunday: 9.00am - 12.30pm
Old Chapel Gallery Mon, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat: 10.00am - 5.00pm Sunday: 11.00am - 4.00pm
Mobile Post Office Monday: 2.00 - 3.00pm Tuesday: 1.30 - 2.30pm Wednesday: No service Thursday: 3.30 - 4.30pm Friday: 1.30 - 3.00pm Saturday: 9.00 - 10.00am
Editor: Judy Rogers - 01544 387976 - [email protected] Next copy deadline: 17 July 2016
Leen TimesSpring came with such a rush this year that it was hard to keep the lawns mown quickly enough. However it has given us some superb grazing and hopefully a good first cut of silage to put in the pit.
Farm prices continue to be pretty dire with milk price now dropping below cost of production - I would urge everyone to buy local and at the very least buy food that has the ‘red tractor’ logo on it. We will get through this, but it is putting huge pressure on farming families everywhere. The ‘Red Tractor’ signifies that the product is British and that the farmer has passed rigorous inspections to check that his milk/beef/sheep/cereals etc are produced to the highest possible standard. Beware cheaper imports that do not come up to these standards, as it can often mean that somewhere farmers will be cutting corners and, quite possibly, animals will be suffering.
We have twice this year had school children round the farm - they really keep us on our toes and hopefully will take away a little bit of country life. There are several more visits lined up so we continue to keep the place tidied up.
The Otters continue to be very active with several sightings by different people. Just one pair of Lapwings nesting on the farm this year. Two pairs of Pied Flycatchers nesting in our boxes - although one found dead - they really did suffer in that week of North winds. They have flown all the way from Africa. This little bird was just skin and bone and a week with very few insects is just too much.
More Brimstone butterflies than I have seen for some years. A really good sight to see these large blotches of yellow making their way along a hedgerow early in the year. One sadness - I haven’t heard a Cuckoo yet!
Nearly everyone will have heard of ‘Ash die-back’. The Forestry Commission tell us that it will eventually kill 99% of Ash trees - an awful thought - a far bigger impact than the loss of the Elm trees 50 years ago! Unfortunately I have found it in the parish and would ask that anyone who thinks they have an unhealthy Ash, to let me know. These trees may overhang wires, roads or footpaths and are the responsibility of the owners to keep them safe, so please be aware.
The Barn Owls are actively feeding their young and can often be seen in the evenings. Please let me know if you see one.
Tony [email protected]
New
New
A helping hand is just a phone call away!
We are a free service supporting people in the Parish of Pembridge. If you need someone to:
These are just a few examples of what we could help you with. Just give us a call - we look forward to hearing from you.
07779 122499
• Fetch a prescription• Do some shopping
or errands
• Walk or feed your pet• Just call in for a chat
WI newsPembridge WI meets on every second Wednesday of the month usually in the Village Hall. Activities include ten-pin bowling and a monthly reading group. Our celebration for Her Majesty the Queen’s 90th Birthday will be at our 13 July meeting at 6.00pm.
We always welcome visitors to our meetings and even new members! Contact Marguerite Fothergill 01544 388279.
