Ampney Crucis Times
Edition number 5 October 2000
In this issue
Bonfires - where there’s smoke….
Millennium village trail answers
Village shop – an update
As was reported in an earlier edition of ACT, the Parish Council has established a small working party, under Councillor John Dear, to look into the possibility of re-establishing a shop/post office in the village. This resulted from the Village Appraisal which identified the absence of this kind of facility as a key issue for the village.
The previous shop, which closed in 1996, provided a range of groceries, newspapers and post office facilities, six days a week. The working party, which included people with business and retail trade experience, has concluded that a retail outlet offering the same level of service is unlikely to be successful. There are no suitable locations in the village and the position of the village itself, away from the main road, means that there is little if any opportunity for passing trade (earlier this year, the previous owner of the shop in Poulton reported that a substantial amount of his trade had come from passing traffic on the A417).
There has also been correspondence with Post Office Counters Ltd and they have stated that it is unlikely that they would sanction the opening of a post office in the village. They would only consider it if they were convinced that it was a serious business proposition (principally because the set-up costs would be in the region of £10,000) but, even then, they would not agree to facilities which could damage the viability of an existing nearby post office, i.e. Poulton.
The position, therefore, is that while there are clear benefits to the community in having a local shop, there seems little chance of being able to replace the facilities offered by the old shop. This does not rule out a shop completely but any further discussions would probably have to be on the basis of a part-time facility, in suitable premises, run on a voluntary basis.
There will be a public meeting to discuss the next steps in the Village Hall in the near future. Please watch the notice boards for details. +
Applications for grants
Personal grants
In the last edition of ACT, it was reported that agreement has been reached with the Charity Commissioners for winding up the John May Charity. The trustees are now looking to distribute the remaining assets of the charity by way of up to five small grants to help with a domestic need. In order to qualify, you must be a village resident and largely dependent on either a State pension or Income Support.
If you would like to apply for a grant, please write to the Trustees, c/o Mr J Ducker, Wych Elm, Ampney Crucis explaining how it could help you. All applications will, of course, be treated confidentially.
Community grants
The Ward Projects fund is looking for applications for one-off grants for small-scale community projects. 100% grants are available although evidence of other funding is welcomed as it demonstrates local support.
Each request is considered by CDC’s Ward Projects Fund Sub-Committee; if you would like to submit an application, please contact your Ward Councillor, Bruce Evans (É850339). +
Ward changes
Proposed changes to the Ward boundaries were covered In the August edition of ACT Since then, detailed proposals have been put forward and these will have a major impact on the Ampneys Ward which currently consists of Ampney Crucis, Ampney St Mary, Ampney St Peter, Driffield and Preston. The proposed new Ward (which would have two Ward councillors to represent it) would consist of the current Ampneys Ward, less Preston, plus the parishes of Down Ampney, Poulton, Meysey Hampton Barnsley, Winson, Bibury and Coln St Dennis.
The proposals now go for a final review before being submitted to the Secretary of State for approval. The new arrangements, if confirmed, will come into effect at the time of the next Council elections in May 2003. +
Just by the entrance to the Church path, at the bottom end of the Village Street, stands the old wayside cross. It has stood there since the 14th century and became a scheduled monument in 1996. There are only about 350 such crosses nationwide with the majority being located in Cornwall. Their purpose was often to reassure travellers that they were heading in the right direction; the cross in the village is located on the line of the old road leading to Barnsley
It is not in the best state of repair due, in some degree, to a neighbouring tree. However, the tree is also protected so nothing can be done to protect the cross if the action would, at the same time, damage the tree.
The Parish Council has had discussions with English Heritage and specialist stone masons to see what can be done. The ideal solution (of effectively rebuilding the cross on specially reinforced foundations) would be extremely expensive so the Parish Council is investigating the best way of making it safe and protecting the structure from further damage.
It is likely that this will involve some kind of fencing round the cross as the Council’s primary responsibility is to protect the public from accidents. +
The Cripps proposals
The background negotiations relating to the Cripps proposals have been continuing throughout the summer, though one or two aspects have taken rather longer than expected to resolve. However, it is now hoped that these have been resolved; if so, there is every likelihood that the contract will be signed and the planning application submitted sometime during the next few weeks. +
Vandalism
There have been a number of incidents of vandalism in the village, and most have involved damage to garden ornaments. The police were called to one incident where the damage caused was quite substantial.
Please be on your guard for this sort of thing and if you notice anything suspicious, please ring either the local police (É 01242 521321) or Crimestoppers (É0800 555111).
All calls will be treated confidentially. +
Can you help Joan?
Joan Stevens has produced a very nice watercolour of the Ivy Church which she is keen to reproduce – in colour - on card for use as notelets. These would then be offered for sale with the proceeds going towards Village Hall and church funds. Her problem is finding suitable inexpensive facilities for the printing – any offers from anybody? If you can help please contact Joan direct.
The Humpty Dumpty Toddlers’ Group resumes at 9.30 a.m. on Tuesday 10 October in the Village Hall. The group meets every Tuesday from 9.30 to 11.30 and provides soft toys for babies, a trampoline, playhouse and plenty of toys and books for all pre-school ages. There are songs and music and different fun activities each week for everyone – and also refreshments.
For more details of the group, contact Martina Richt +
The two most common complaints to CDC’s Environmental Health office are dog fouling closely followed by bonfires. There are no controls or bye-laws over garden bonfires; the general advice in CDC’s leaflet on the subject is that householders burning garden refuse should follow some simple guidelines:
· Try to avoid lighting bonfires on a warm sunny weekend or evening.
· Consider the wind direction before lighting a bonfire and perhaps warn your neighbours first.
· A short, sharp quick burn is preferable so always use dry materials and don’t leave a bonfire to smoulder.
Burning household refuse is another matter and is frowned upon, and the burning of garden refuse on a large scale is also subject to different considerations.
The Parish Council can’t get involved in individual disputes but if you are completely unable to resolve a dispute with your neighbour over bonfires, CDC will give you advice on how to deal with the problem. +
Burial Ground matters
Reservations
The Parish Council is trying to clear up some confusion surrounding some reservations of plots in the Burial Ground. A number of plots were reserved in the 1940’s and 1950’s, but there are no names or dates in the records that would indicate who the plots were reserved by.
If the Council can find out who has reserved the plots, then the records will be updated and the plots kept free. If the reservations cannot be confirmed, then the plots will be regarded as available for use or for new reservations.
If you think that one of your family may have reserved a plot in the Burial Ground, or if you can help in any way at all about long standing reservations, please contact the Clerk, Helen Tonks,
Annual clear-up
The Burial Ground is a constant maintenance problem for the Parish Council. The grass cutting is handled by a contractor but we would like to explore the possibility of volunteer help for the annual job of clearing rubbish, raking up leaves and cutting back the overhanging shrubbery.
Clear-up Day is Sunday 15 October at 10.00 a.m. and we would like to ask for help for a couple of hours from a dozen or so people to “blitz” the area and tidy it up. Arrangements have been made to clear the rubbish away; all we need is help to cut, rake and carry. Useful tools would be grass rakes, loppers, shears and pruners.
If you are prepared to lend a hand, please contact Gerald Gaden +
Millennium village trail answers
The post boxes were George VI and Elizabeth II (there were two of these). The new vicar is Rev Annette Woolcock. Houses with tree or plant names – lots of possibilities – here’s a selection: Bramleys, Brambles, Lost Elm, Firs Farm House, Pear Tree, Wych Elm, Bracken House, Clover Cottage
The answers to the numbered questions were as follows:
(1) 98 yrs (including 2 yrs as a bench!)
(2) Cobbler’s Cottage (3) Hunter’s Lodge (4) 102 yrs (5) Pound Tree (6) Pound Tree (7) The Rectory (8) Cumberland Cottage (9) Five Bottles
(10) The Village Hall (11) The nurse (12) Cricket (13) Teal Cottage ( you had to count the houses to Pig Lane to work it out ) (14) Stone Gables or Penny Patch (15) The Brambles (16) Stone Gables (17) The Old Farm House (18) A penny (19) Teal Cottage (20) Donkey Field bench
(21) Burial Ground (22) Old School House
(23) Kate’s Cottage. +
You will be aware that Tesco from time-to-time runs a “Computer for Schools” promotion. The primary school in Ampney Crucis has been one of the beneficiaries of the latest promotion and a new computer for Class 1 was handed over at a ceremony on 29 September, attended by our local MP, Geoffrey Clifton-Brown. +
The football team are now into the 2000/2001 season. The fixtures for the remainder of the year are as follows:
21 Oct Charity Cup (tba)
28 Oct Falcons H 3.00
4 Nov Charity Cup (tba)
11 Nov Woodmancote II H 2.30
18 Nov Bourton Rovers II H 2.30
25 Nov Kings I H 2.30
2 Dec Christchurch Nomads II A 2.30
9 Dec Charity Cup (tba)
16 Dec Bourton Rovers II A 2.30
23 Dec No game
30 Dec Newton Heath I H 2.30
And finally….
…….a date for your diary
An Arabian Night !
Let the flavour of the Middle East warm your November nights! Enjoy an evening of authentic Middle Eastern cuisine and entertainment in aid of village funds and Children in Need.
Village Hall Saturday 18 November
For further details, keep an eye on the village notice boards, or on the village web site ( http://www.ampneycrucis.f9.co.uk/ ), or e-mail Sally Hebbs or Fran Huckle
Classified ads
Immaculate Scottish Highland cottage for holiday let, located amidst glorious scenery -fishing, walking, boating, etc. Please ring (01285) 850124 or 01463 224343 for details
Personal ads in this column cost £1 per ad per issue. Local businesses can place an ad (£5) or sponsor an issue (£10). Contact the editors for details. Adverts will be placed on a first come, first served basis and space is limited to no more than five ads per issue.
This edition of ACT has been sponsored by
Cordon Bleu cookery
Weddings, Finger buffets,
Business lunches, Cocktail parties
Individual frozen meals
For menus and price list:
Tel /Fax (01285) 850899
Butts Farm Courtyard Poulton GL7 5HY
Copy deadline for next issue (December):
Wednesday 15th November
Send to: Fran Huckle, 3 Dudley Farm Ampney Crucis.
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