Village and Local News 2007
Lighten Up! -Be aware of distraction Burglaries! (November 24)
Unfortunatley whilst England were playing at Wembley last week one of the
residents in Charlton experienced a
two people breaking into her home, sitting silently watching the match ,two
invaders forced a front door and made entry.
The police have leads and consider this to be a random attack because the
property was dark and appeared as if
occupants were out -the description of these individuals were of Eastern
European origin.
DO NOT OPEN your door to anyone you do not know! -especially those selling door to door!
Please be extra careful as we approach the holidays, not to show anything
of value looking through windows and
the police recommend that when leaving your property leave some lights on
and even consider buying some timer
switchs that will operate random lighting -it will be less expensive to use
some electricity than to be faced with
replacing something valuable or repairs these criminals cause -or the fright
of being face to face with them!
.......................
South Northamptonshire Council responds to proposed Post Office closures 20-Nov-2007
South Northamptonshire Council is speaking out against the proposed closure
of three rural Post Offices in the district.
At a Council meeting in June, councillors voted to do what they can to support
rural Post Offices against the threat of
closure, and pledged to oppose any cuts to the Post Office network.
With the announcement today that the Post Office has proposed closing three
rural offices in South Northamptonshire,
in Chacombe, Milton Malsor and Old Stratford, Councillor Sandra Barnes, Leader
of South Northamptonshire Council
reiterated the Council's support. She said;
"We're very disappointed that these rural lifelines face closure because
we recognise that local post offices are vital parts
of the villages they serve, providing essential local services and a sense
of community. We're already looking at other
ways we can help local communities support their local facilities, so that
these important services are not lost.
"We will be looking very closely at the proposals and will be formally responding to the Post Office's plans."
Residents have a chance to have their say on the proposed closures. Visit
http://www.postoffice.co.uk/ and click on
`network change' at the bottom of the front page. The deadline for responses
is 10 January 2008.
.......................
A few words from an old "Fuddy-Duddy"
or "Old Fogie" of Charlton.....names I heard candied about regularly when
referring to older residents
prior to the Parish Council Elections. So I thought you might like
to know what these "Old Fogies"
(many still alive and involved) have done for our village and the community.
Raised major funds twice for the Church renovation and continue to support
it through donations etc., at the Fete.
Taken the village hall from an uninsurable, heartless wreck, with no amenities,
dreadful floors and windows to what
it is today. Taken the play field from a stone littered field to a
viable sports field with a pavillion, play equipment
and parking area. Campaigned to thwart the M40 coming through or close
to our village. Policed the village and
win the 'best village' award. Fund raised and campaigned to better
and retain our wondeful school. Celebrated royal
and war anniversaries with decoration, costume parties and street parties.
Held regular bonfire and firework parties,
plays, music hall and pantomimes from way back.
Many clubs have been started, covering youth club and girls brigade to the
older generation with Friendship Club.
Many have failed due to lack of support but many still survive. Fund
raising activities have been:- Horse Rides,
Gymkanas, Produce and Flower Shows, Dog Shows, Live Music Events, Midsummer
Madness, Beetle and Whist
Drives, Bingo, Halloween, Period and Victorian Evenings, Car Booting, Jumble
Sales, Table Top Sales, Open
Gardens, Carol Singing, Country and Maypole Dancing, Millenium Calendar,
Group Trips to Plays and Panto's
out of the village -We have campaigned to keep footpaths open, taken floral
and fauna surveys -even Wilf Grant
designed and made our commemorative lamp post and cemetery gates........I
am sure in my dotage I have forgotten
many other accomplishments of us village "Old Fogies"...... so do let me
know and maybe we will start an
"Old Fogies" webpage or website?..........Love and XXX's, from your Charlton
Fuddy-Duddy
Name and address supplied-Webmaster October 2007
.........................
UPDATE: OCTOBER 2007
I noticed that one of the activities listed in the Parish Plan was for an
over 60's Club - We already have one!
It is called the Friendship Club. We meet every 1st Tuesday of the
month at 2:30pm This group has been
formed for many years and is open to any one over 60 years of age, male or
female. Should you be interested
to join telephone Anne Buckingham on 01295 811320 or contact Elaine Coville.
.......................
COUNCIL SENDS MESSAGE TO BENEFIT CHEATS (Date: 25-Sep-2007)
South Northamptonshire Council is sending a message to benefit cheats –
no ifs, no buts, benefit fraud is benefit theft!
Last year 112 people were investigated in South Northamptonshire. Seven of
these were proven to be committing
benefit fraud. Many of the others were found to be claiming too much and
had their benefits reduced.
Benefit fraud is a serious crime and the council is committed to targeting
individuals that take advantage of the
benefits that are available to those who actually need them. Councillor
Stephen Clarke, chairman of the audit
committee at the Council, said; "We are committed to making sure that those
people who are entitled to housing
or council tax benefits receive them, and we actively encourage their claims
"But there are individuals that will try to get benefits dishonestly by making
false claims or failing to tell us when
their circumstances change. This is a serious crime and we would urge our
residents to report anyone who is
falsely claiming benefits they are not entitled to."
You can report anyone who they believe is committing benefit fraud to the
Council's benefit fraud section on
01327 322177. If you have information about someone who may be cheating the
system outside of the
South Northants area call 0800 854 440 All calls will be treated in
the strictest confidence, you will not have
to give your name and all information received will be followed up.
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CHARLTON 100
Friday 7th September 2007 -will be rembered by most as one of the most enjoyable
days weatherwise this year,
but for the villagers of Charlton it will also be known for a most enjoyable
evening for the community.
Lady Juliet Townsend and her family kindly supplied for all to enjoy in Park
Field, Charlton an evening to
celebrate Lady Juliet's family living in Charlton area for 100 years!
It was one of this years warmest evenings and all those invited were welcomed
with drinks in a marquee followed
by a delicious spit roast, all to the accompaniment of the Daventry
Brass Band.
A very pleasant evening was enjoyed by all with entertainment including a
beautiful Carousel, traditional Swing
Boats for the Children, Ice Cream for everyone concluded with a magnificent
firework display.
The day will surely be etched on everybody's memory, especially the sight
of the photographer hanging out of
a tractor bucket! Our thanks go to all those who worked so hard setting
up this event and to the Townsend
family for kindly inviting us all there to enjoy it!
........................
Calling all artists for Council Christmas card competition (Date: 19-Sep-2007)
Fancy seeing your artwork in print? This year, Councillor Graham Smith, Chairman
of South Northamptonshire Council is holding
a competition inviting artistic local residents to design his Christmas card.
But the deadline is coming soon so get your entries in quick!
Images can be painted, drawn or printed and should represent or be inspired
South Northamptonshire. Shortlisted pictures will be displayed
at the Council offices and the winning picture will be reproduced as a good
quality Christmas card to be sent out to councillors and
local dignitaries. The winning artist will also receive 50 cards for their
own use.
You don't have to be a professional artist to enter but when you're deciding
what to submit, bear in mind that the card size will be no
larger than eight and a half inches by six inches (portrait or landscape).
To enter fix a label to the back of your work showing your name, address
and phone number, plus the title of the work if it has one, wrap
your work protectively and bring it to the reception at the council offices
at Springfields in Towcester.
Reception opening times are 8.45am -5.15pm (4.45pm Fridays)
The closing date is Monday 15th October and Councillor Smith will be judging the entries that week.
For more information about the competition, please contact Mhairi Mackay,
Executive Secretary, on 01327 322312
or email mhairi.mackay@southnorthants.gov.uk
........................
NORTHMPTONSHIRE NEEDS MORE FOSTER PARENTS
Could you make a child's wish come true and offer them a loving home?
Northamptonshire County Council is appealing for more people to become foster
carers and is sending more than 30,000
postcards to homes in Kettering and Corby over the next few weeks urging
people to think about fostering.
The county council wants to recruit an extra 50 foster carers who can offer
short-term and long-term foster care to ensure
it can place a child or young person in a home best suited to their needs.
The postcard features the words of one young person in our care who needs
a foster family. 11-year-old Alex (not his real
name) expresses the thoughts of many of our children and young people who
would like a family they can call their own.
His message says; Dear All, My name is Alex and I am 11. For lots of reasons
many children like me can't live with
our own families and need foster families who can look after us for as long
as we need it. We don't mind if you're single
or married, have your own children or don't have children, are working or
not working, own your house or rent. What we
would like is people who will take care of us and let us enjoy doing the
things other children do, and give us a family we
can call our own. We are just waiting for you to get in touch.
Love Alex x
Cabinet member for children and young people Councillor Joan Kirkbride said:
"We are hoping that by directly appealing
to people through these postcards they will take the time to think about
fostering. In exchange for becoming a foster carer
they will know they are making a big difference to a child or young person's
life."
Anyone can foster - you can be single, married, divorced, in a same sex
relationship, with or without children of their own
working or unemployed, with or without formal qualifications.
Contact to find out more: Fostering and Adoption Recruitment and Training
Team
PO Box 225 John Dryden House 8-10 The Lakes Northampton
NN4 7DF 01604 236623
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OLDER PEOPLE IN NORTHAMPTONSHIRE HAVING THEIR SAY (August 21)
More than 400 people have now joined the Active Ageing network and are sharing
their ideas about how to
champion independence for older people.
The network, which is run by older people, for older people, is supported
by Northamptonshire County Council,
Age Concern, Help the Aged and Serve. It was set up last year with the aim
of supporting older people to live
healthy, independent and fulfilled lives. It pledges to provide excellent
services for older people when they are needed
through organisations providing services for older people working together.
As part of the Active Ageing activity programme, the first summer outing
is taking place this month.
Anyone over 50 can attend the event which involves a gardening demonstration
at Poddington
Garden Centre followed by buffet and dance at John White Golf club. The event
takes place on August 23
from 6pm. The cost is £6 per person, including transport, or £3
not including transport.
The 2001 census registered nearly 90,000 people aged 65 or over in the county;
one estimate suggests that there could
be 155,000 people of that age living in Northamptonshire by 2021 - nearly
one in five of the whole county population.
The idea of active ageing is that it's not just health and social care services
which promote independent living for older
people, but also services like housing, income, leisure, transport, social
networks and community safety.
Cabinet Member for Community Care, Rosemary Bromwich said: "This event will
be a great opportunity for older
people to make new friends while enjoying a great evening out. "They can
also find out more about the Active Ageing
network and become a member. By becoming a member people can have their say
at local meetings, start their own group,
get their ideas heard by those who can make things happen, meet new people,
learn new things and help take action.
"Anyone living in Northamptonshire aged over 50 who wants to enjoy life,
find out what's happening in Northamptonshire,
get information on issues relating to health and well-being can join."
To book a place on the summer outing or join the Active Ageing network people
can;
Telephone Sue Ousley on 01604 236284 or Email her on
sousley@northamptonshire.gov.uk
or Visit the Active Ageing website and fill in the online joining form at
www.northamptonshire.gov.uk/community/50plus/active_ageing.htm
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JOHN CLIFFE MEMORIAL COMMITTEE (JULY)
The first meeting was held on 26th June and attended by Sue Cliffe, several
parents, staff and Governors
and the key decisions were made: The fund and associated purchases will run
until the end of 2007.
Monies donated will be rinfgfenced in the Friends of the School account.
The main purchases that the
fund will to support depending on donations recieved are:
-
A Large gazebo/shelter to provide shade in the playground and outside education
area, to incorporate
a plaque in dedication to john. - A small shelter.
-
A Willow play area.
Sid and Linda Baker are producing an honourboard dedicated to the Heads of the School since it opened
and will have a prominent place in school.
The Year 5 and 6 children planted bulbs with Mrs Anderson and Mrs Everatt
earlier in the year.
The Year 6 children are arranging their own memorial gift for the end of
term.
The committee will meet again in September. If you would like to make a donation,
please forward to the school office
(Cheques made payable to Friends if the School).
.........................
HORTON FIGHT GOES TO HEALTH SECRETARY (12 July)
PLANS to end the 24-hour children's ward and full maternity services at Banbury's
Horton Hospital are to
be referred to the Secretary of State for Health.
Oxfordshire's health watchdog, the Joint Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee,
voted overwhelmingly
to pass the issue to the government after hearing evidence from those for
and against the downgrading proposals.
Hospital trust bosses, ambulance service chiefs, healthcare planners, councillors
and campaigners
used opposing arguments in a bid to persuade the committee of their case.
The trust said its plans - supported by proposals for emergency transfers
to Oxford - were necessary
because of strict limitations in the hours doctors may work from 2009 and
because more condensed training
meant budding consultants must be given maximum clinical experience, not
available in small units such as the Horton.
Opponents, including Cherwell District Council, Banbury Town Council and
north Oxfordshire's GPs,
said the resulting service would be unsafe and argued the growing population
of Banbury needed good local services.
There were widespread fears about the safety of very sick children and mothers
needing transfer consultant care
at the John Radcliffe. Ambulance chiefs admitted they could not guarantee
that ambulances would be
immediately available to serve Horton patients.
YOU CAN REGISTER YOUR VOTE AGAINST THE CLOSURE ON THE PRIME MINISTERS WEBSITE
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LEWIS MANIA AT SILVERSTONE!
Silverstone confirmed on Saturday (7 July) that British Grand Prix fans have
re-written
the record books as Lewis mania officially hit the Northamptonshire circuit.
Shortly after Britain's Lewis Hamilton wowed the home crowd by qualifying
on Pole Position for Sunday's
British Grand Prix, circuit bosses announced a record Saturday crowd of 80,000,
which is incredibly 2,000
higher than the race day crowd in 2006. 78,000 fans enjoyed the Sunday of
the British Grand Prix in 2006,
but the draw of championship leader Hamilton has had a dramatic impact on
the sport's passionate fans.
..........................
SNC VOTES TO SUPPORT RURAL POST OFFICES (18 June 2007)
At a special meeting of South Northamptonshire Council on Friday 15 June,
Councillors voted to do what they
can to support rural Post Offices against the threat of closure.
The formal motion, which was unanimously agreed, stated that the Council:
· deplores the announcement by the Secretary of State for Trade and
Industry
to close thousands of Post Office branches in the next two years
· recognises the social benefits of the local Post Office, especially in rural areas
· calls on the Government to reverse its decision by considering value as well as cost
· calls on the Government to allow sub postmasters to provide a greater
range
of products and services to enhance the viability of each unit
· calls on the Secretary of State to set out a clear list of those Post
Offices
that are under threat to end the uncertainty amongst the sub postmasters
· calls on MPs, MEPs and candidates to work with the Council to preserve
the
present post office provision in South Northamptonshire
· pledges to oppose any cuts to the Post Office network in South Northamptonshire.
The motion was put forward by Councillor Ian McCord and seconded by Councillor Mike Hill.
Councillor Mary Clarke, who holds the portfolio for economic development,
asked the Chief Executive,
Jean Morgan to arrange a special meeting of the Council in order to fully
debate the issues around the
closures as soon as more information was available. She also asked that a
representative from the Post
Office be invited to attend this special meeting so that they could explain
the rationale behind any decisions made.
Councillor Clarke said; "This Council supports rural Post Offices as they
contribute a great deal
to our more remote communities by acting as a focal point for local
services. Indeed, in most
circumstances they also help sustain the viability of those village facilities
and services."
The Chief Executive of the Council, Jean Morgan, will now formally write
to the Secretary
of State for Trade and Industry to express the Council's support for rural
Post Offices.
.....................
South Northamptonshire Council are also asking residents in King's
Sutton to tell about their housing
needs, so that we can consider whether affordable housing is needed in the
village and if so, look at possible
sites for a new small scale affordable development.
The starting point to identify need is a housing needs survey, which will
be distributed to each household
in the village. The Council will also be holding an open day so residents
can ask questions and feedback
views about their need for housing locally.
The survey asks a range of questions to find out about housing need within
the village and also views from
residents about a small affordable housing development in Kings Sutton.
The survey form will be delivered to each household during the last week
of June.
Analysis of the survey will find out who:
· needs to move in the next 5 years
· wants to live in Kings Sutton
· has a strong local connection to the village
It's a chance for you to have your say. Even if you don't have a need for
housing yourself, you may know
family members or local people who want to live locally but can't afford
to do so. If the results show there
is a need for housing, the council will be able to identify how much and
what type of housing is needed
and consider where it might be suitably sited.
Councillor Mary Clarke, portfolio holder for housing, said, "It's getting
more and more difficult for local people
to be able to afford houses close to family or friends, or close to somewhere
they have a local connection with.
A housing needs survey is one of the tools used by the Council to provide
the evidence that affordable
housing is required in a particular location. In addition it helps
us to identify those people with a local
connection who want to live or work locally and it enables us to work with
them to achieve their goal."
To answer any questions or concerns in relation to the survey or any aspect
of the housing needs process,
South Northamptonshire Council will be holding an open day, on Wednesday
4 July between
3pm and 7pm at King's Sutton Millenium Memorial Hall.
For further information about the survey or the open day, residents can contact
Paul Brunige,
Strategic Housing Officer at the Council, on 01327 322373.
...................
TICKET SALES SOAR AS HAMILTON FEVER HITS SILVERSTONE (10 June 2007)
With less than four weeks to go until the 2007 FORMULA 1TM Santander British
Grand Prix, 6-8 July,
Lewis mania has officially hit Silverstone. The young British driver put
in a stunning performance at the
Canadian Grand Prix to claim his first ever win in Formula 1, and the reaction
from fans has had a dramatic
impact on ticket sales for this year's three day event.
The Silverstone website and British Grand Prix booking line were inundated,
so much so that circuit
bosses today announced that, while a number of grandstand tickets are still
available, general access
Fan Tickets have now SOLD OUT.
Lewis Hamilton has captured the imagination of the British public in a very
short space of time. There's a
strong feeling that he could be celebrating on the top step of the podium
at Silverstone on 8 July. It's been
a record breaking start to the 22 year old's first ever season in F1, but
there's one more record British fans will
be hoping he can break, and that's to become the first ever British driver
to win his home race in his debut season.
What's more, with Hamilton now leading the points table, a win at his home
race would be another giant step
towards becoming FIA FORMULA 1 World Champion.
While Hamilton is the man-of-the-moment, three other British drivers will
be lining up on the start grid –
Jenson Button, David Coulthard and Anthony Davidson - and they can all look
forward to a fantastic reception
from the Silverstone crowd. Button in particular has had a disappointing
start to this year's campaign, but
with a new and improved car widely expected in time for the British Grand
Prix, he should be heading to the
Northamptonshire circuit with renewed hope and confidence.
Richard Phillips, Managing Director of Silverstone Circuits Limited, is confident
that the Lewis effect, and
overall support for all four British drivers, will result in the event being
close to a sell out. Phillips commented,
"Ticket sales have been selling steadily since the start of the season, but
demand has gone through
the roof in recent weeks. Everyone's hugely excited about Lewis Hamilton
and, after his success in
Canada, there's an even stronger feeling that he could win his home race
here at Silverstone on 8 July.
"The reaction to his win in Canada has been amazing. We haven't seen this
level of interest since
Mansell-mania in the late 80's / early 90s. The Silverstone website and call
centre have been bombarded,
and we sold the last general access Fan Tickets this morning. There are still
tickets available in a number
of grandstands, plus £79 and £139 Family Tickets on the Friday
and Saturday, but if we continue at
this rate, the event will almost definitely sell out in advance.
"There's less than four weeks to go, so the message to fans is loud and clear
- book now to avoid disappointment!"
Corporate hospitality sales for the event have followed a similar pattern.
95% of race day packages are sold, while
there are a number of great value packages still available for practice on
Friday and qualifying on Saturday.
For further information, or to purchase tickets for the 2007 British Grand Prix, visit www.silverstone.co.uk, or call 08704 588 300.
Silverstone has also introduced Family Tickets for the Friday and Saturday
of the three day event. A family of
four (two adults and two children) can now enjoy Friday practice for as little
as £79, while a Family
Ticket for qualifying on Saturday offers incredible value, priced at £139.
Families are able to bring
up to two extra children for an additional cost of £10 per child on
the Friday and £20 per child on the Saturday.
......................
College Place development -Brackley update10-May-2007
The eagerly awaited College Place development in the centre of Brackley reached
an important milestone last week when
financial contributions in the form of a Section 106 agreement were finalised
with Northamptonshire County Council.
The agreement relates to monies paid by developers to local planning authorities
in order to offset the costs of the
external effects of development. The completion of this important stage of
the planning process marks the final
element of the College Place planning consent, which has now been fully granted.
Within the S106 agreement, the local community will benefit from a contribution
in the region of £51,000 into
education facilities and £30,000 to improvement works at the High Street,
Banbury Road and Bridge Street junction
in the town centre. On achieving this, Clive Wilding, Managing Director of
Raven Property Developments, commented:
"This marks the start of a very exciting time for the College Place development.
We have now appointed BMH
Construction Company, to manage the construction programme. We look forward
to working with them to ensure
that the College Place development is managed and developed to the very highest
standard, creating an exciting
new town centre space that will play a pivotal role in the regeneration of
the local area."
Based in Bedford, BMH has over 30 years experience of working in the local
community and since its
formation has completed over 5500 dwellings for many developers, housing
associations and local authorities.
In addition, the Company has broad experience in general construction such
as nursing homes, industrial
buildings, offices, and schools and undertakes many refurbishment, modernisation
and planned maintenance
projects for property owners.
Work is expected to start on site this summer and when completed, will see
the site turned into a lively civic core,
comprising 9,245 sq ft of retail and restaurant space, office accommodation
and 51 high quality homes centred
around a new public square.
........................
Parish of Newbottle - Election of Parish Councillors 3 May 2007
DECLARATION OF RESULT OF POLL
BAKER Susan Carolyn (Linda) Votes 144 - ELECTED
DREWRY Adrian Chistopher Votes 94 - ELECTED
GLADDEN Andrea Margaret Votes 128 - ELECTED
LENTON Cynthia Joan Votes 102 - ELECTED
MILSOM Arthur Votes 61
SHEASBY Diana Rowena Votes 94 - ELECTED
WHITROW Robert David (Bob) Votes 120 - ELECTED
WILKS Keith Votes 146 - ELECTED
Vacant Seats: 7 Electorate: 374 Ballot
Papers Issued: 204
Turnout: 54.55%
There being no spoilt Ballot Papers.
...........................
Charlton Playgroup Re-School Learning Alliance Award -April 2007
An assembly of leading education volunteers from around Northamptonshire
saw a handful of awards handed out
for their hard work. These awards were given out by the Pre-school
Learning Alliance at a ceremory during its AGM
at the Guidhall, in Northampton, which was attended by Mayor of Northamptonshire,
Colin Lill. Several awards were
given and included the "Volunteer of the Year" award to Linda Baker
for Charlton Playgroup, for all her hard work
and help, which was presented by the Mayor. - A pleasant result for
the Playgroup now celebrating it's 40th year!
..........................
Village Website Report April 2007
The village website has been running for a couple of years now by kind
sponsorship of the Parish Council, but again I
report that I am very disappointed with most existing clubs and groups within
the village as they do not use the potential
of the twenty first century communication to their own advantage. Additionally
by doing this the website would build an
archive naturally as it could contain information of past events for all
to see and enjoy!
For the period of January to March the website has averaged some 260 unique
visitors each month which represents an
average 1970 `hits' monthly (being pages read). Friday tends to show the
day most popular, showing three times the
amount of visits than any other day. The "stats" show that over 60% of our
visitors are from the USA and the most
visited pages are the News, Letters and Contact pages.
I would urge all to participate in using the Website if you all wish it to continue!
.........................
March 2007
"MORRISONS FINED £18,000 FOR MEAT IN VEGITARIAN RAVIOLI"
At Northampton magistrates court on 16th March, Wm Morrison Supermarkets
plc based in Gain Lane,
Bradford, received fines totalling £18,000 and ordered to pay costs
of £1,981.41 after pleading guilty to
two charges of contravening the Food Safety Act 1990.
The prosecution followed an investigation by Northamptonshire County Council's
trading standards team
after a complaint was made by a local man who purchased two tins of Morrisons
own brand `Meat Free Ravioli
in Tomato Sauce - suitable for vegetarians' from a store in Northampton.
The complainant had been a
vegetarian for 23 years and was `unimpressed, disgusted and disappointed'
to find meat in the product.
The ravioli product had been manufactured and packed in Italy and during
the investigation it became clear
that Morrisons had received several other consumer complaints of the same
nature in the previous two
months and had failed to investigate them properly.
Cabinet member for community safety Councillor Liz Tavener said: "Food labels
are there so that
consumers can get the information they need to know before they buy. This
is important not just for
health reasons, but also for people who follow specific diets or have food
allergies.
"In this case, someone who was vegetarian unwittingly purchased a product
that contained meat; this
falls well below the standards that consumers can expect and would not have
happened if appropriate
action had been taken by the supermarket following earlier complaints from
other customers. Thanks
to trading standards, the product has now been withdrawn from Morrisons
supermarkets.
"Any consumers who consider that food is mis-described or mis-labelled should
inform trading
standards by calling Consumer Direct on 08454 04 05 06"
........................
South Northants take Action on High Hedges 2005 Law 14-Feb-2007
The Council has carried out its first enforcement action since the new high
hedges laws were
introduced in 2005, and has given a misbehaving hedge in Abthorpe the chop.
The action was taken on 24 January 2007 after the owner of the 10 metre high
hedge failed to
comply with a remedial notice served in March last year, requiring him to
keep the hedge at a reasonable height.
The hedge unfairly shaded the garden and house of neighbours Mr and Mrs
Cunningham, and the two
parties had failed to come to an amicable agreement about its maintenance.
The laws concerning high hedges changed in 2005 under the Anti-Social Behaviour
Act 2003.
This gave councils new powers to deal with problem high hedges, providing
the people involved
had already tried and failed to come to an amicable agreement.
Councillor John Townsend, portfolio holder for safeguarding rural communities
said: "Any
enforcement action such as this is always a last resort for us but in this
case it was clear that
cutting it back was the only way to prevent the hedge causing any more distress
to the people
who lived next door to it. "The Council's powers to enforce the high hedges
laws are
discretionary and we would always encourage neighbours to try to come to
an
amicable solution before involving us."
Since the new laws were introduced, the Council has dealt with 5 complaints,
although this case
is the first to require us to take enforcement action. Where they have to
take action, they will
recover the costs of the work from the hedge owner.
.......................
Subject: Rural Post Offices -01 Feb 2007 - From: "CPRE Northants"
Many of our members are concerned about the Government's plans for rural
Post Offices.
If you are one such, you may wish to know about an event at 1 - 4pm on February
13th
at ACRE, Hunsbury Hill Centre, Harksome Hill, Northampton NN4 9QX.
The event is a workshop organised by the East Midlands network for the rural
3rd sector, R3N
(not CPRE) to respond to the DTI consolation on the future of the Post Office
network.
You will need to book a place with the contact Lynn Hage (lhage@nottsrcc.org.uk or 01623727600).
Similar workshops are being held in neighbouring counties on adjacent dates.
More details are in the
attached flyer, (PDF format) including
an email address for those wishing to provide a response
without attending the workshop.
The CPRE's view on this issue will be found at http://www.cpre.org.uk/news/view/349.
.......................
The Funeral of John Cliffe took place on Tuesday 16th January at St. James'
Church, Newbottle. there was an
estimated attendance of over 300 people including those who could not fit
into the Church, in anticipation the
service was broadcasted via speakers outside the church. Many
old pupils attended as well as John's past
work colleagues. Over 200 people attended the School after the service many
wearing football shirts and bright
colours as requested by the family.
The Memorial Service on Sunday 21st January also caused a full attendance
with many families having to stand
in any space they could find. Many old Pupils attended with "memories
of John" shared with the community.
The attendances at both Services was a just Tribute
and shows how John will be sadly missed by us all -webmaster
Announcement from the Chair and Vice-Chair
of the Governors
Newbottle & Charlton C of E (Voluntary Aided) Primary
School
It is with deep regret that we announce the sudden death of
our Headteacher,
Mr John Cliffe, who died at his home in Charlton on Friday,
5th January, aged 56.
John had been Headteacher at our school for 24 years. During
those years the
numbers of pupils has doubled and it has achieved excellent
results in
OFSTED Inspections.The school is also a fine example of
a Christian community.
There is a wonderful ethos, good relationships between staff,
governors, volunteers,
parents and children. John has been central to
this and the school's success is
largely due to his inspired leadership.
John believed that the school was an important part of the village and wider
community, and he was very much involved
in village life. His death is an immense loss to our school and to
the village. We mourn a gentle and caring man, and
offer our heart-felt sympathy to his wife, Sue and their children, Joanna
and Thomas, and his son-in-law, Gareth.
School will be re-open on Tuesday, 9th January when Fr Roger Bellamy, the
priest-in-charge,
will lead Collective Worship that morning.
Deborah Hagger and Fr Roger Bellamy.
We hope the Family can be comforted by knowing that
he will be sadly missed by all his
pupils, fellow teachers and
all the villagers for his dedication, this was confirmed by the number of
tributes left outside the School gates since the
announcement of his death. We all will
miss John as a First Class Teacher and Headteacher, as well as a close
friend, colleague, and Pillar of our community -The
Webmaster.
Current up to date information can be found in The Charton Link (the Village monthly newsletter)
ensure that you use this Website and visit on a regular basis -AND- we look
to you to participate in
sending any interesting information to share with the local community and
we hope you will ensure
your relatives, especially those abroad know of our site. All
articles and photos will be published
subject to the Webmasters descretion and we all have to thank the Charlton
Parish Council for
financing this website...This Village website is here... so make use of it!
We would like to see an Archive built up of Residents and especially past residents memories of the village.....
so please email in any of your memories......
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