In this issue
Ampney & District Royal British Legion Women's Section
Gloucestershire Medal for Courage 2000
"Thank you" to those of you who have responded to the item in February’s edition of ACT. This is a final reminder that the Parish Directory will be going to print in mid-April. If you are a relative newcomer to the village (i.e. last two years) and want to confirm your details (particularly if you obtained a new telephone number) or if you wish for any details to be withheld, please let me know as soon as possible (David Vessey 851438).
The directory will be available at the end of April from any Parish Councillor price £1.
This will take place on Monday 14 May and will start at 7.30 in the evening not 7.00. Some people find it difficult to get to an earlier start after work so hopefully the extra half an hour will encourage a better attendance. Remember, this is your chance to have your say about the village and to raise any matters on the running of the village with Parish Councillors.
Any representative of a village organisation wishing to make a brief presentation on the activities of their organisation should contact the Clerk (Helen Tonks on 640718) so that the agendas can be drawn up.
At the time of going to press, the foot-and-mouth restrictions are in place and look like being there for some time. This means that with two exceptions, all the footpaths in the parish are “out of bounds” and may not be used. The two exceptions are as follows:
· The Church path is entirely within the residential area of the parish and so is not covered by the restrictions.
· The old track leading down from the top end of the Village Street to the Old London Road is technically a RUPP (road used as a public path). This is not covered by the restrictions as the regulations provide for adjacent landowners to gain essential access to their premises. However, we are asking walkers and riders to respect the spirit of the regulations and to avoid this path until the restrictions are lifted.
There are a number of benches throughout the village and there has been a project in hand to repair some of the older ones. Unfortunately, some of them are beyond repair and their replacement would be expensive. The Parish Council has therefore taken the decision not to replace them unless they are memorial benches. In these cases (where practicable), benches will be moved from other parts of the village and the memorial plaques replaced on the re-sited bench.
Cotswold District Council has decided to abandon all Spring Clean activities planned for April because of the foot and mouth controls. Consequently, the village Spring Clean and Burial Ground clear-up, which was due to take place over the weekend of 8th-9th April has been postponed. It is hoped it will be rearranged for later in the year.
A representative from the CDC’s Environment Department gave a presentation to the Parish Council at their last meeting and covered two main points.
One frequent problem in a village not served by gas is oil leaks from old metal oil tanks. One of your editors had an oil tank replaced some months ago and was very surprised by the degree of corrosion suffered in fifteen years (apparently the expected lifetime of a metal tank). The costs of an oil spill can be high not only due to the loss of oil but the heavy bill you can expect from the Council for cleaning up the mess to prevent seepage into the water table. Regular inspection of old tanks is advised.
The second problem is that of fly-tipping and this might increase as land fill tax was increased in the Budget. If you see fly-tipping taking place, please inform CDC straight away and they will take action.
The village suffered a number of incidents in the first few weeks of the year and this led the Parish Council to set up a meeting of the scheme co-ordinators with the Police NHW Co-ordinator, David Bragg. A system was agreed for the more rapid movement of information about incidents in the village and this is now in place. There is now a fourth scheme in operation covering the centre of the village. Charlotte Pink (( 851654) is the co-ordinator.
This means that the whole of the main area of the village is now covered by the scheme
The Parish Council’s position is to encourage as many people as possible to belong to their local scheme. At the end of the day, each scheme is essentially a method of notifying you about known criminal activity in the area so there would seem to be little to be gained by not being a member.
Discussions are taking place between the Village Hall committee, the PCC and the Parish Council to initiate a summer fundraising event to replace the Fete. Keen and enthusiastic villagers are needed to help take this forward. Suggestions so far include a village picnic, a barn dance, an auction of promises and a concert. Comments, ideas and volunteers please to Sally Hebbs (( 850241).
P.S. Planning will also soon start for the celebrations for the Queen's Jubilee in June 2002.
Planning permission was given some time ago for Jephson Housing to build five new properties at the top of School Lane and for Fosseway Housing to build two new properties in the Pleydells. The latest information we have is that construction in School Lane will start this August; the Pleydells houses will start in April 2002.
The Parish Council has had some
encouraging talks with Ampney Crucis School governors and headmaster about the potential for working together
to provide a children's play area in the village. These are in the early stages
at present but we will continue to report on progress as it happens.
Group news and events
- seeks more members
The Ampneys Gardening Club meets usually in the Village Hall on the third Thursday of the month at 7 p.m. It has a variety of speakers, talking not just about gardening but other 'nature topics' as well. Members also visit interesting gardens in the area and there are several social events during the year. One thing is for certain - you do not have to be a gardening expert to join or enjoy the events. Annual membership is £5.50, or 50p for visitors. It is a friendly club and would welcome new members. Contact the editor to join or just come along to any of the events in the programme below:
Sat 21st April Coffee morning and plants for sale.10 a.m. - 12 noon at New House, School Lane, by kind permission of Mrs Hazel Hyde-Clarke.
17th May: Herbaceous plants
21st June Afternoon visit to Elaine Horton's garden and nursery at Tinpenny Farm, Fiddington
19th July Summer social evening at Berkeley Cottage, by kind permission of Mr & Mrs B Evans.
16th August Some unusual gardens
20th Sept Wildlife in the garden
18th Oct Improve the look of your garden
15th Nov Vegetables and their origins
17th Jan New Year's Dinner
21st Feb Plants for winter interest
21st March AGM
Due to the increasing membership numbers, it has been decided to split the club into two groups as follows:
5.45 p.m. - 7 p.m.: 4-8 year olds
7 p.m. - 8.30 p.m. 9-12 year olds
This will make the club much safer and less crowded for the smaller children and will enable the bigger ones to create their own ideas such as theme nights, pizza evenings, etc.
As you may have already heard(!) Monday night is bell ringing practice at Holy Rood, Ampney Crucis. A small but merry, band of people gather to learn this traditional art. The bells at Ampney Crucis are of varying ages with the oldest cast in Bristol in the 15th Century. Five bells were eventually hung full circle in the 18th Century, with a second-hand bell added in 1989 to make a peal of six.
Ringing is a slightly physical pastime but if you can push a child on a swing then you are suitably qualified. It also provides a little exercise for the grey matter, although don't let this put you off as there are many different levels to which one can climb!
This all sounds quite exhausting and complicated but it comes with a little practice and enthusiasm that is helped by good company and the liquid refreshment generally obtained afterwards! So if you fancy a pull then come along any Monday night or call the Secretary.
The club has got a full fixture programme for the forthcoming season. However, there are no playing members from the village at the moment and the club would welcome new people, so dig out those whites from the back of the wardrobe and re-live the sound of willow on leather in the warmer months to come!
Contact: Dick Gearing, ( 851855
Thurs 26th April 7.30 Village Hall
Air traffic control
Sat 28th April 2.30 p.m. Village Hall
Jumble Sale
Visitors welcome, particularly newcomers to the area.
Mon 9th April, 2 p.m. Village Hall
Between two rivers: talk by Bruce Hall
Mon 30th April. Spring trip. Depart from the Pleydells at 4 p.m.
Mon 14th May 2 p.m. Village Hall.
Talk by Rowntree's representative.
This group generally meets in the Village Hall on the third Tuesday in the month, at 7.15 p.m. 17th April Popular music. Talk by Mr Nott
9th May BINGO night
15th May Conference report
29th May 7 p.m. Coffee evening at the Hope, Ampney St Peter
A reminder that Census Day is 29 April (always subject, of course, to any last minute postponement resulting from the foot and mouth restrictions). Census forms plus an explanatory leaflet will be delivered to every household in the village from 7 April onwards. Delivery will be by Census Enumerators and will generally be on weekday evenings and daytime at weekends. The Enumerators will carry identity cards and they will not be seeking entry to any home.
You are, of course, required by law to complete the form and to return it by post in the post-paid, pre-addressed envelope, which will be included in the census pack. All the information you give is strictly confidential and will not be released to any other Government agency (and is kept secure for 100 years!).
The Gloucestershire Rural Community Council promotes equality of opportunity for people living in rural areas. It is an independent charity, which provides support and practical help to local groups and organisations seeking to improve the quality of life for rural people. It can:
· Help communities assess their needs through community consultation. This includes Village Appraisals, Village Design statements and Planning for Real projects.
· Facilitate the set up of project work in response to community needs. Some examples include: redevelopment of children's play areas; transport initiatives; youth projects; village coffee mornings
· Provide information and advice on funding, housing, environment, transport, play facilities, youth and other rural issues
· Provide support, advice and information for village halls.
The fieldworker for the South Cotswolds is Caroline Edwards and she would be glad to provide advice and support for local groups. Contact her on (01452 528491
Nominations are being invited for this award, whose aim is to recognise exceptional courage shown by Gloucestershire residents. Whether they have performed a single act of bravery or shown moral courage over a long period by courageously dealing with an illness or disability, they can be eligible for the award. Contact the Secretary to the Medal for Courage Committee ((01452 425251), for a form to complete and return by 9th April.
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Contact the editors for details.
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Produced by Ampney Crucis Parish Council for the
information of residents.
No liability can be accepted by the Council or Councillors for any losses,
however caused, arising from this publication