As you will all have noticed work is progressing on the Live and Let Live site which we should now refer to as Baynards [...]]]> Live and Let Live presentation

As you will all have noticed work is progressing on the Live and Let Live site which we should now refer to as Baynards Close. It is hoped that the site will be completed in late October and the properties will be advertised in September. You will appreciate that there are many people who would like to live in Baynards Close and there are criteria that residents must meet. To make sure that everyone who is interested understands the whole process Martin Carney, the Housing Manager for the South Western Housing Society, and two district councillors, Charlotte Brace (Senior Housing Development Officer) and Russell Forsbrook (Lettings Manager) will be providing information about this at a meeting on Tuesday 12th June. This meeting will be held before the Parish Council meeting on the same evening, and will start at 6.45pm. The meeting will be held at Blagdon Primary School. Martin will outline the process for allocating the properties, and Charlotte and Russell will be on hand to answer any questions from a North Somerset Council viewpoint. You are all very welcome to attend. It is anticipated that the meeting will finish at 7.30, the parish council meeting will commence at 7.45pm

Update on the new clerk

As we write this we are in the midst of the recruitment process for the new parish clerk.  We have been encouraged by the high standard of those applying for the post and we look forward to having a clerk again. We would like to thank you for your forbearance during what has been a difficult and very busy time for the councillors.

Eastcroft

Recently some residents of Eastcroft and two parish councillors met with a representative from North Somerset Council to discuss the issues around parking and driving in Eastcroft. Several times recently the waste collection lorry has had a great deal of difficulty navigating because of parked cars. The group decided to put together a plan for improving the area and this will be available soon.

Tennis court path

Some will have noticed the state of the path running down the tennis court side of The Mead. The recent very heavy rain washed some of the path away, and although this has now been repaired it is an ongoing concern. The council is looking at various solutions to try and provide a more permanent answer – although we are hoping that the rain does not fall quite as heavily in future.

Painting of the Grib Lane facilities building

The Community pay back scheme team came to Blagdon during April and, we think, did a marvellous job on painting the interior and exterior of the building. As well as thanking the team its right that we thank Cllr Richard Alexander for his organisation of the work together with Mrs Renee Bolton, whose supply of refreshments, we are told made the payback teams day. The cost to the parish was just the cost of the materials.

Allotments

A big thank you to all the current plot holders for getting their rents in more or less on time. It really does help. Just one quarter plot available now and it is worth saying that the annual rent of £11.00 for the plot is excellent value for money for the views alone. Interested? Please let Mary Taviner know – 462962

Diamond jubilee

First a word of caution – PC Ray Bradley has drawn attention to the possibility that police resources will be stretched over the Jubilee holiday and asked that people take the usual precautionary measures if away or out celebrating.

And secondly – the council wishes to record its sincere thanks for all the work the organising group is doing in preparation for the events, and we do hope you will all enjoy the weekend.

And finally – as always we welcome your comments, good and bad so please contact us via the website, by emailing parish.clerk@blagdonpc.org.uk or putting a note in the parish post box in The Stores.

The Arts Council has announced the names of 122 successful [...]]]> Music services for young people in North Somerset are set for further improvements thanks to a new Government initiative.

The Arts Council has announced the names of 122 successful bidders for the new ‘Music Education Hubs’ that will provide instrumental lessons, bands, choirs, orchestras, and other music-making opportunities in and out of school for all children across the country.

The announcement means that the council’s music service will be able to further develop musical opportunities for young people by working with a host of high caliber partner organisations that have already agreed to play their part in future developments.

North Somerset Music Service will be working with partners that include Bristol University’s Graduate School, Trinity College London, Wells Cathedral School, South West Music School, the Army, Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra and Music Space, as well as local organisations such as Weston College, Weston Youth Orchestra, Lions Brass for Youth, Bristol Choral Society and Churchill Music amongst others.

“Being selected through a competitive process, to lead forward the Government’s aspirations for music education in North Somerset is a strong endorsement of the work of the whole music service team.  I’m sure the quality and range of work we already do, from providing professional development for school teachers, teaching singing and instruments, running bands and orchestras as well us hosting events for schools provides us with a strong base upon which to build.

The relationships we have developed with other music organisations while preparing the bid have already resulted in new and enhanced opportunities for local young musicians.” said Mark Trego, Manager of North Somerset Music Service.

He added:“The support we received from local schools during the development of the bid was tremendous.  There are so many examples of outstanding music making and teaching going on in North Somerset that we really must celebrate the success of our young musicians, music teachers and those running bands, choirs and orchestras on a voluntary basis more widely.”

Over the next few months music service life will continue as normal, with teaching, concerts and events taking place.

The new music education hub structure will be launched when the new school year begins in September.

A North Somerset Council press release

Advanced tickets only. Entry includes a souvenir glass.

£5

M: 07521 702 552 M: 0779 234 2210 E: chewvalleywinefestival@gmail.com

All Scout Groups have been asked to make a difference [...]]]> Do 1 Thing – Scout Community Week
A week of fundraising and supporting your local community 14-20 May 2012

All Scout Groups have been asked to make a difference to their environment. We have already cleared the undergrowth around Timswell and during Community Week, to help prepare for the Jubilee celebrations, both Scouts and Cubs will be tidying the village by collecting litter.

There will be up to 28 Scouts and 24 Cubs going collecting, and we are seeking your sponsorship. Please support us, and if you are a taxpayer and complete a Gift Aid form then we will be able to claim tax relief on your donation – effectively increasing it by 25%. There will be sponsorship tubs in local shops and pubs.

A quarter of the money raised will be sent to Scouting HQ to support new Scout units: the remainder will help us to replace out hike tents, which are now eight years old and are starting to show signs of wear after extensive yse – including the annual Ten Tors expeditions on Dartmoor.

Thank you – Pip Riley (462 723) and Dave Salmon (221 374)

The ever-popular Rowberrow Fete is being held in the beautiful surroundings of  Rowberrow Manor in aid of St Michael & All [...]]]> Saturday 23 June, 2.15pm
Rowberrow Manor, Near Shipham

The ever-popular Rowberrow Fete is being held in the beautiful surroundings of  Rowberrow Manor in aid of St Michael & All Angels Church and other charities.

The Fete this year has many wonderful attractions – something for all the family, from cream teas, ice-cream and soft drinks to Morris Dancing, live music and a wonderful display of some 100 vintage motor-cycles and cars.

Additional attractions include a children’s fancy dress parade for the best Queen and Duke, commencing at 3.00 pm and judged by the Rev. Tim Hawkings; face-painting, children’s sports and games, tombola, art exhibition by local artists, and ‘village green’ shopping. There is also a magnificent Grand Draw with fantastic prizes including a holiday in a Cornish cottage, a weekend in London, a Helicopter trip and many, many more. . . !

Bring the family for a great time in Rowberrow, and during the afternoon, perhaps visit the greatly loved church, and start your fun day with lunch at The Swan Inn.

Care home [...]]]> Older and frail people who need a bit of extra help after a stay in hospital can now get specialist after care with a new recovery service.

Care home enablement is a new scheme which gives people help and support in a safe environment so they can re-learn old skills, return to their homes and continue living independently for as long as possible.

This new service is being run in partnership with ourselves, NHS North Somerset and the North Somerset Community Partnership and care homes across the area have signed up to the scheme.

When a person is due to leave hospital they will meet health and social care workers to establish a support plan.

An assessment is carried out to confirm if the enablement service is right for them and a choice of care homes will be offered so they can choose the best setting for their needs. Placement in a care home will last between one and six weeks and the person will be required to pay a fixed charge to the care home during their stay.

Fred Pyke from Portishead used the new enablement service when he was hospitalised for three weeks last October. Fred was admitted to Neva Manor Care Home in Weston-super-Mare where he was able to regain his confidence and recover from his injuries fully, before returning home.

Fred said: “The care home was my lifesaver. I was in a very bad way but they looked after me and were absolutely fantastic.”

Council Leader Cllr Nigel Ashton said this was a good example of what can be achieved by different agencies working together.

“The ability to live in your own home for as long as possible can be really important and this scheme means that we can help people to re-learn skills in a safe environment meaning that they can get back to the comfort of their own homes as quickly as possible.”

Jane Towler from NHS North Somerset recognises that hospitals are not the ideal place for people to make long term decisions about where to live.

She said: “We are really pleased that this scheme is giving these people the opportunity to reach their maximum potential following a hospital admission before making decisions about their long term care arrangements.”

For more information and to speak to someone about the enablement service call 01934 888 801.

A North Somerset Council press release.

Participants are asked to raise sponsorship to be split equally between the Lions appeal and your own charity.

£5 [...]]]> Sunday 27 May, 9am-5pm
Starting from Yatton Station

Participants are asked to raise sponsorship to be split equally between the Lions appeal and your own charity.


Entry fee

£5 per adult

An enjoyable afternoon with music and a quiz potentially.

£3.50 per person.

T: 01934 844 235 [...]]]> Friday 25 May, 3.30-5.30pm
Winscombe Community Centre, Sandford Road

An enjoyable afternoon with music and a quiz potentially.


Tickets:

£3.50 per person.

For more details:

T: 01934 844 235 or 843 776
W: www.winscombeca.org.uk