Midsummer Picnic 2013

Midsummer Picnic 2013

Its getting closer

May I draw your attention to the fact that the annual Midsummer Picnic held to celebrate the planting of the Jubilee Wood will reach its 10th gathering in June 2013.

Usual format, bring your own picnic and chat. There will be an unveiling or cutting of ribbon ceremony to celebrate 10 years of tree growth and picnicking in the coldest, wettest field in the parish.

From 4pm until the goose bumps appear (4:10pm)

The date of the picnic is Sunday June 23rd

 

 

A random selection of Mid Summer Picnic photographs from previous years.

 

 

 

Thanksgiving service

Over the last few years, many things have happened in St Michael’s Church which have enhanced the beauty of this place of worship as well as improving the facilities.

On Sunday 21st April we are holding a Service of Thanksgiving to reflect our thanks to God for his goodness as well as recognising the generosity of so many people, both in terms of giving and creating. After the service there will be refreshments.

May we extend a warm welcome to you to join as at this service. St Michael’s Church is an important part of the infastructure of the village, and this is obviously recognised by the number of people who give so generously of their time, money and talents.

The service starts at 3pm.

Chilli evening a huge success – thank you!

Chilli evening a huge success - thank you!

 

A big ‘thank you’ to everyone who contributed to making the Chilli Evening with the “Auction of Promises” such a huge success. It was a really enjoyable evening, mainly as a result of the wonderful food and drink, followed by the excellent performance of our auctioneer who succeeded in persuading people to bid generously (and occasionally unwittingly!) for the many items up for auction. We were delighted to welcome friends from Winwick and to be able to “get our own back” – in the nicest possible way! The evening raised the staggering sum of over £2000 for church funds.

None of this would have happened but for the hard work of Mary Read, Sue Shepherd, Jane Edwards, Anthea Keck and all the team who organised the event. Yet this effort would have been for nothing had not the evening received the tremendous support it did from people far and wide.

Once again thank you to everyone for your time, generosity and support.

Revd Mary Jepp, Lois Jordan & John DeVal

Minutes of the Parish Council Meeting held on 13th November 2012

Present:   Cllrs Alexander (Chairman), Hayden (Vice Chairman), Hodson, Howden, Trolove, Giddens, James, clerk and 3 members of the public.

 

981.12 Apologies for absence – none

982.12 Minutes of 16th October 2012 were agreed and signed

983.12 Matters arising (information only)

984.12 Members declaration of interest for agenda items – Cllrs Giddens and Hayden 996.12

985.12 PCC request for partnership with PC on churchyard maintenance at Great Gidding – Revd Mary Jepp and Churchwarden Lois Jordan represented the PCC and following a lengthy discussion it was agreed that the clerk would forward details of the contractor used by the PC for grass cutting and that the PCC would find out the cost of servicing the church lawnmower and forward to the PC

986.12 Rural Broadband – Get Cambridgeshire connected update 58 signed up in Great Gidding and 1 in Little Gidding. It was noted that fibre optic had been provided to the school from the Winwick exchange.

987.12 Recreation Ground – Fields in Trust – QE2 dedication update

988.12 BT account review –annual payment of line rental to receive discount has to be paid by card over the phone but clerk to enquire if BACS payment would be acceptable.

989.12 Village Hall request for donation towards replenishing car park gravel – the hall committee provided a quote of £323 +VAT for a load of 18-19 tonnes spec 20 – 25mm washed gravel.   It was agreed to fund this with money from S137 (3 abstained from vote)

990.12 Mobile Post Office – reliability of visits – Cllr Hayden reported that he had received several complaints about the service being unreliable – clerk to speak to neighbouring parishes for their views and report back.

991.12 Jointly Funded Minor Highway Improvements scheme 2013/14.   Our 2012/13 application had been successful but was last on the list so subject to the budget running out before getting to our scheme.   It was therefore agreed to resubmit for 2013/14 and consider submitting a second scheme – to be discussed at the next meeting

992.12 The Potting Shed – offer from Anglian Water on Water Butts £29.99 or 2 for £45.   It was agreed not to take up this offer as there were no suitable locations/benefits

993.12 Precept – agree budget for next financial year.   This was discussed and agreed not to increase the amount of precept requested from HDC would remain at £10,835

994.12 Representative reports

Rights of Way – It was reported that some footpath signs had gone missing/ been taken down and that some brambles needed trimming back.

Tree warden & Jubilee wood – Ash dieback was present in the village and had been reported – awaiting official word on how to deal with this

Highways & Police – House breakins had occurred in neighbouring villages

Finance & Charities – Finance covered in 993.12 and nothing to report on charities.

Village Hall & Recreation Ground – Replacement external doors were the next project for the hall – a request will be issued asking for volunteers to organise events in support of the hall.   The pavilion on the Recreation Ground is holding its own

Allotments – the water leak had been fixed

School Liaison – It was noted that in the School newsletter sent to all parents they had been requested to leave gaps when parking on Main Street to allow passing places especially when attending functions at the school – School Christmas Fayre Friday 23rd December

 

995.12 Reconciliation of accounts and payment of cheques

S Dalley (clerk)                                                                  £295.70

CGM grass cutting October                                               £152.56

Village Hall (History Society –annual hire charges)         £100.00 (S137)

 

996.12   Planning –application 1201708REP replacement permission 0901576FUL for proposed residential development (3 dwellings) 61 Main Street, Great Gidding – recommend approval however the condition of the existing farmhouse is now a matter for concern as there are loose roof tiles and as the property abuts the pavements and highway this may be a hazard to pedestrians and vehicles. – application 1201738FUL Erection of 1 ½ storey detached dwelling, 47 Main Street, Great Gidding – recommend approval.

997.12   Community Hub stake holder meeting 18th October inc notes from Julie Trolove – these were noted and clerk to thank Julie for attending and representing the Parish.

998.12   HMRC -Getting your business ready for PAYE Real Time Information – Clerk currently using Basic PAYE tools.

999.12   Correspondence received

.   Invitation for Councillors and Clerk to visit District Council offices and staff – Cllrs Alexander and James interested in attending – clerk to co-ordinate suitable date.

.   Magpas – request for donation – The PC consider this is up to individuals to donate.

.   HDC arrangements for dealing with standards allegations under the localism act 2011 -noted

.   HDC Ash Dieback Chalara fraxinea advice and guidance – Cllr Trolove is dealing with this

.   Local Policing update – A representative will be attending the Parish Council Meeting in Feb or Mar 2013

.   Winter Gritting service 2012/13 – noted. Councillors requested to check bins and inform clerk of any defects.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Minutes of the Parish Council Meeting held on 16th October 2012

Present:   Cllrs Alexander (Chairman), Hodson, Howden, Giddens, James, Trolove, District Cllr Tuplin, Julie Byard (School Governor) and clerk

 

963.12 Apologies for absence were received from Cllr Hayden and accepted

964.12 Minutes of 18th September 2012 were agreed and signed

965.12 Matters arising (information only)

966.12 Members declaration of interest for agenda items – none

967.12 New Standards Regime and Code of Conduct – All Cllrs present had completed their disclosure forms.   Training had been offered by the District Council on the new Code of Conduct

968.12 Rural Broadband – Get Cambridgeshire connected update – 53 had signed up from Great Gidding and 1 from Little Gidding – residents are still being urged to join in the campaign

969.12 Fields in Trust – QE2 dedication of Great Gidding Recreation Ground – paperwork was proceeding and it was hoped to receive the commemorative plaque soon

970.12 BT account review – the clerk had amended the BT contract to make a saving on the broadband payments from £19.30 down to £12 per month.   It was also agreed to pay the line rental in advance to make another saving over the year.

971.12 Recording Wildlife near you project – this will be advertised on the noticeboards for any volunteers to take up

972.12 Mobile Post Office – reliability of visits not discussed – agenda item for next month

973.12 History Group – hire of hall for meetings.   It was agreed to use the S137 already allocated to the History Group for the hire of the hall up to the sum of £100

974.12 Community Hub stake holder meeting 18th October 5 – 7pm Sawtry College – no one was available to attend this meeting

 

975.12 Representative reports

Rights of Way – Cllr Giddens – nothing to report

Tree warden & Jubilee wood – Cllr Trolove had applied to participate in the Parish Planting Scheme 2012 run by the District Council

Highways & Police – It was
noted that the road surface was being damaged by the development at the Sewage Works – clerk to inform the County Council.   Cllr James agreed to contact the County Council to hasten the clearance of leaves and branches along the Jittty

Finance & Charities (Precept planning November) Cllr Hodson suggested that some of the S137 not allocated this year could be used to top up the gravel at the hall car park. Village Hall committee to obtain price for discussion at next meeting

Village Hall & Recreation Ground – Cllr Howden reported that the hall was receiving bookings and the next stage of improvements would be the replacement of some external doors.   Recreation Ground had received a safety check and all was in order for the winter – tap needed lagging.

Allotments – Cllr Howden reported that allotment holders were tidying up for the winter.   It was agreed to leave the one spare plot to receive more manure and allow bonfires. Cllr Alexander had turned off the water in preparation to repair the leak.

School Liaison – Julie Byard updated the Council on the increase in numbers at the school from 43 last year to 61 this year enabling the return to three classes..   They had received another excellent Ofsted and there had been some change in staff.   Parents were being encouraged to lift share and 2 staff had now made arrangements to park in residents drives to help alleviate the parking outside the school.   Cllr James suggested the school contact the Safer Schools scheme for possible improvement in signage.   The school asked for the Parish Councils support by writing to Sir Phillip Naylor Leyland who has agreed to repair the Bell Tower if the community are behind the work.   It was agreed that the clerk write a letter in support of this.   Cllr Giddens offered to help steward the parking when the school hosted an event and to help in the classroom/assembly.

 

976.12 Reconciliation of accounts and payment of cheques

S Dalley (clerk)                                                                  £295.70

CGM grass cutting August/September                              £343.83

 

977.12   Planning –notification of permission granted for erection of two glass reinforced plastic kiosks to house electrical and control equipment and widening of site access Great Gidding Sewage Treatment Works, Back Lane, Great Gidding

978.12   Correspondence received

.Victim Support – request for contribution towards essential work in Cambridgeshire – none allocated

. Living Sport funding advice event 25th October 7 – 9pm Willingham – noted

. Community Action issue 2/Autumn 2012 for ACRE members – noted

979.12   Trustee meeting – it was agreed to hold a Trustee meeting following the next Parish Council meeting

980.12   Date on next meeting –as the clerk was not available on the third Tuesday of November it was agreed to change the date of the next meeting to Tuesday 13thNovember

 

Ash Dieback Disease

Ash Dieback Disease

Ash trees are under serious threat from a fungal disease that has spread to the UK from Continental Europe.

Chalara  Fraxinea or Ash Die-back Disease has been noted in East Anglia and Scotland. If the disease takes hold  as expert’s predict it will then it will be particularly devastating  for our area as every third tree is an Ash.

It is important however to identify the disease accurately as many Ash trees are suffering the effect of last years drought and signs of dead branches can sometimes be attributed to natural die back or age.

Ash tree disease

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

To help you identify the disease correctly here is a direct link to the Forestry Commission 

An  interactive app called Ashtag is available free for both Android and iphone users to help you identify and report suspected Ash Dieback disease.

These are available for download at Google Play and the app store.

Update 1

Further information can be found at the Ash Tag website  which includes an interactive map to show current  geo photo reports.

Update 2

A picture of this diseased tree has been sent to the Forestry Commission via the University of East Anglia Ashtag app.

We are awaiting official confirmation that this tree has Chalara Fraxinea.

Update 3

Part of the trunk of this tree has been sent for analysis

Early December 2012 and a visit from fera (The Food and Environment  Research Agency)to gain samples of potentially infected Ash trees.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Sticky tape left on an Ash tree to show which ones might be infected or sampled

Boxing Day walk

Boxing Day walk

Avoid the Boxing day sales, do something you’ll enjoy !

A long distance walk (approx 15 miles) has been organised for Boxing Day which happens to be Thursday 26th December 2013.

Start point is the Village hall car park

Start time 9am

Allow yourselves 5  to 6 hours for the walk duration and bring drink and snack lunch.

This is a reconnaissance walk for a longer LDWA walk in March 2014. I can promise you a modest walking pace, I dont do fast.

For further details use the contact email below.

Poetry Evening at Ferrar House

The November meeting will be on Wednesday 14th November at 7.30pm at Ferrar House. The speaker will be our chairman Paul Burgess, who will look at the life and poetry of Charles Hamilton Sorley, a poet of the First World War who, Paul says, is not much known, but Robert Graves named him as one of the three best, alongside Wilfred Owen and Isaac Rosenberg.

Start Time: 19:30

Date: 2012-11-14