In this issue
Village school-end of term report
Ampney & District Royal British Legion Women's Section
Friends of Ampney Crucis School
Work is well advanced on planning a series of events in the village over the extended weekend break at the beginning of June 2002. The events will involve all the main organisations in the village and the time is soon approaching where each event will need detailed planning.
Volunteers are now needed to join these individual teams; if you would like to play a part in helping to make the weekend a success, please contact Sally Hebbs (É850241)
The annual general meeting of the Association was held on 27 June under the chairmanship of John Ducker. Much of the meeting was spent discussing aspects of the Cripps proposals. As covered in the previous edition of ACT, much of the delay has been due to the necessity of involving a third party in a small but important aspect of the overall proposals. These negotiations have dragged on for over a year so the project is well behind the target dates envisaged in the original proposal put to the village. However, it is hoped that the planning application will be submitted in late summer/early autumn.
If you have moved to the village since the end of 1999, you may not be familiar with the Cripps proposals. The Referendum Document (which was sent out to all residents in October 1999) contains full details together with a map of the village showing the areas affected by the proposals. If you would like to have a copy, please contact John Ducker, Wych Elm, Ampney Crucis (É851524).
A public meeting will be held at 7.30pm on Thursday, 6 September in the Village Hall at which members of the committee of the Association will be present to answer any questions new residents may have about the proposals.
The Council has been asked its views on highway maintenance and has made some comments on the poor maintenance of drains and footpaths (i.e. road side paths).
More heavy showers have been falling on the village recently and some minor flooding problems have re-emerged. One of the reasons is blocked road drains and the Parish Council has asked the Highways Department to clear these as soon as possible to reduce the problem of flooding should we have more heavy rain this winter. However, everybody can help to keep the drains clear as part of the cause is leaves. Please do your bit – if your property has a road drain close to it, keep an eye on it and try to keep it clear of leaves as autumn approaches.
In addition, the Parish Council would like to hear of any particular problems so, if you have either a blocked road drain or a footpath in need of repair close to your property, please inform the Parish Clerk, Helen Tonks (É640718) so that the Council can build up a total picture of maintenance problems for discussion with the county Highways Department. Your feedback is vital, so please make the call.
The Parish Council has authorised some maintenance work around the parish:
· The corner edging in Church Lane has become quite badly damaged and it has been decided to repair this with granite setts. The District Council has agreed to meet just under half of the total cost.
· Some of the gravestones in the Burial Ground were beginning to lean and one has already toppled. One of the Cirencester stonemasons was asked to inspect all the stones and to advise the Parish Council if any needed remedial work. They have reported that some of the crosses are unstable and so work will be undertaken to restore them to an upright position
Due to the foot-and-mouth restrictions it was not possible to proceed with the Burial Ground spring clean-up. However, the autumn clear up can go ahead and it will take place between 10.a.m. and 12 noon on Sunday 14 October. The work done reduces the annual bills of the parish so please lend a couple of hours of your time. More details in the next edition of ACT.
One result from the village appraisal was that people wanted more information about planning applications. One of the difficulties is that responses to applications are normally required within 28 days. For this reason, ACT was never going to be a suitable vehicle for informing the village about them.
The position is now even less encouraging as CDC have decided to fall in line with the majority of planning authorities and will be moving to a 21 day response period. Details of planning applications will, of course, continue to be displayed on parish notice boards.
In the April edition of ACT, the starting date for the small housing development at the top of School Lane was given as August. Since then there have been a couple of procedural difficulties involving both the adoption of the service road and the provision of electricity and drainage. Active negotiations are currently taking place and it is hoped that preparatory work will start in the late summer with actual building work commencing in mid autumn.
As you will no doubt know, all footpath restrictions were lifted on 16 June so all footpaths in the village are now open. There are, however, some constraints on paths which cross fields which may be used for the grazing of livestock and walkers are asked to follow these. The paths affected are:
· The path crossing the field on the eastern side of School Lane (opposite the entrance to Ford Farm House)
· The path crossing the field on the western side of School Lane (behind Ampney House).
· The path crossing the field on the western side of Butcher’s Arms Lane (about 100 yards north of High Field).
The constraints are posted at the entrance to the paths and principally affect walkers with dogs (for whom the basic request is – please do not enter any field where livestock are present)
Recently, members of the Village Appraisal team met with Malcolm Moseley, from Cheltenham & Gloucester College of Higher Education and Anne Powell and Caroline Edwards from the Gloucestershire Rural Community Council. The meeting was to review our appraisal as part of research being carried out by the two organisations into the value of village appraisals as a means for local communities to participate in decisions about their future development. It was also an opportunity for the team to look back at the work which was done nearly two years ago now and consider what has been achieved (or otherwise) since.
Two other issues emerged:
· There are now many new arrivals in the village, who are perhaps unaware of the appraisal and its recommendations;
· It would be useful to carry out a more general review in about a year's time to consider what has changed and whether the recommendations are still valid.
The research is still in its draft form but will be made available to anyone interested when it is published.
Robert Pleydell, the last male heir of the Pleydell family, was born in 1687. He was well educated and his understanding of the value of education was reflected in his will when he died at the tragically early age of 32.
Under his will, a trust was set up for the education of “poor boys and girls” from Ampney Crucis, to pay for a “Master or Mistress” and to provide for the children’s “instruction in reading, writing and the principles of the Christian religion as taught in the Church of England”. Further funds were made available “to house the said boys and girls and the Master or Mistress” and to help place the same boys and girls “as apprentices as fit and proper to some trade or calling”..
Times have changed but the income from the charity’s assets today goes to meet three needs, all of which carry an echo of Robert Pleydell’s wishes of providing a place for education, the means of education and support for further education:
· First, the charity pays the village school’s share of a composite insurance and maintenance fund applicable to all C of E schools in the diocese.
· Second, the charity complements the work done by the Governors and by the Friends of the School in providing for visits, other extra-mural activities and facilities which add so much to the life of the school.
· Finally, (if funds permit), the charity provides support to those going on to further education or apprenticeships with help in purchasing the tools and books they need to pursue their studies.
If you are a student at college (or planning to go) or an apprentice, and in need of financial assistance to help you in your studies, you may apply for a grant from the charity provided you are under the age of 25 and either you or your parents are residents of the parish. All applications will be considered by the trustees and grants awarded, if funds permit, in the fourth quarter of 2001.
Application forms can be obtained from the secretary (John Franklin, Waterton Farm House, Ampney Crucis) and must be returned to him by 1 September.
Another busy year has ended for Ampney Crucis School, with excellent results again in this year's SATS (Statutory Assessment Tests) for Key Stage 1 and 2 pupils. At a special end of term service, dictionaries and bibles (awarded by the Robert Pleydell Trust) were presented to ten Year 6 pupils, seven of whom will be going on to Kingshill School and three to Farmors in Fairford. There were sad goodbyes to two long-standing members of staff in April - Jane Williams, class 3 teacher, and Liz Scarlett, Special Educational Needs teacher. A new full-time teacher, Mrs Evans, is to replace Mrs Williams.
The school has been busy this term with its production of 'The Giant Slayer', the annual Schools Country Dancing performance and various after-school clubs. One of these, the Cricket Club, practises weekly on the village pitch, (thanks to Dick Gearing who prepares the wicket) and is making impressive progress. Pupils representing the school in the District and Area Sports also did exceptionally well.
The very successful School Fete in June, organised by the Friends, raised £1,200 towards refurbishing the adventure playground and equipment for the reception class. The Friends have continued to work hard this year and the school is grateful to both them and the Robert Pleydell Trust for their support, without which many activities, would not be possible.
The school always welcomes people who can spare a little time to assist with all kinds of tasks in and out of the classroom. If you would like to help, contact the headteacher, Mr Newton, ((851440) when term starts in September.
Would anyone be interested in starting up and running a Film Club in the Village Hall? Cotswold District Council has been granted some money to buy some DVD equipment and a large screen, which could move from village to village in the area. The choice of films is wide including ‘arty’ films as well as recent releases. Another possibility is for an existing group to hold an occasional film session as part of their
club activities. It is possible that CDC will give support to a group for the first year, until it is established.
If you are interested, more information can be obtained from Fran Huckle (851498, or Caroline Edwards, Glos RCC, (01452 528491
This walk has become a well established fund raising event for the Meningitis Trust. The walk takes in the valleys of Nailsworth, Golden, Toadsmoor, Slad and Painswick and although 21 miles in all, it is divided into sections of not more than 2½ miles; one is suitable for wheelchairs and pushchairs.
The walk is open from 9.0 a.m. and there is a free bus service round the route from 11 until 5.30. Refreshments are available at checkpoints. There is a registration fee of £3 per person (under 5s free) or £8 per family. There is no charge for school parties.
More details for walkers or checkpoint helpers from Rosie Jarvis (É01453 769038)
Thurs 16 August 7 p.m. Village Hall
Unusual gardens - a talk by Mr R W Watkins who has 35 years of managing public gardens
Thurs 20 September 7 p.m. Village Hall - Wildlife in the garden - Mr P Jones – wildlife expert and member of RSPB
Contact Joyce Cutts, ( 851540
Mon 13 August - Visit to garden centre plus mystery tour. 11.00 at the Pleydells
Mon 3 September Village Hall 2.00 – Comedy and sing-along with Mervyn Penney
Mon 17 September Village Hall 2.00 – music and songs from Stan and Peggy Byers
Tues 21 August Summer walk
Tues 18 September 7.30 Village Hall - A talk on the Fire and Rescue Service by Mr G Trott
Contact: Secretary, Janet Gibbs, ( 851227
Barn Dance in Bibury on Saturday 22 September from 6.00 -11pm.
Tickets from Rosanna Armitage (850005.
Thurs 27 September 7.30 Village Hall
A talk on William Morris from Mrs D Wise
Contact: Secretary, Mrs Payne, (850267
Fairford Leisure Centre and Gloucestershire Rural Community Council are organising two skateboarding sessions during the school holidays in Hatherop on 20 August and in Lechlade on 21 August. They will run from 9 a.m. -11 a.m. for 12 years and under and from 11.30 a.m. - 1.30 p.m. for 13 years and over. All abilities welcome, boards and pads can be provided. Contact Fairford Leisure Centre ((01285 713786) for more information.
Wessex Actors Company is visiting Ampney Crucis for the first time this autumn with two productions in the Village Hall from its Community Chest programme.
The Snow Queen, will be shown in the evening of Wednesday 10 October, following an afternoon workshop for children at the school.
On Monday 10 December, the company will perform "Dickens at Christmas", a good opportunity for a seasonal get-together.
More details about these two events nearer the time. For further information, contact Fran Huckle, (851498.
This edition of ACT is sponsored by
AK SERVICES
Complete Heating & Plumbing Services
Heating/Boiler/Aga & Rayburn Cooker Servicing
CORGI & OFTEC Regd
Tel/fax 01285 850592
Mobile 07860 661707
Copy deadline for next issue (October):Saturday 15 September 2001
Send to: Fran Huckle, 3 Dudley Farm Ampney Crucis. É 851498
Editors: David Vessey, Fran Huckle and Elisabeth Gerver
Produced by Ampney Crucis Parish Council for the information of residents. No liability can be accepted by the Council or Councillors or the editors for any losses, however caused, arising from this publication.