White Colne
White Colne
White Colne News
May 2010
THE STATIONMASTER’S ARMS
PUB & VILLAGE DESIGN STATEMENT EVENT
About 80 villagers came along to the pub event at the Village Hall on Saturday 8th May. Plans to spill outside under the gazebo were scuppered by the weather but a really good pub atmosphere was created with everyone in the hall! A big thank you to Jane & Peter Blowers from Heating & Eating for the loan of the fireplace and the bar, which really set the scene. 50 people sat down to a fish and chip supper washed down with Crouch Vale Bitter and Suffolk Lager.
Many thanks to Mitch Adams from The Thatcher’s Arms for supplying the beer and for his help and support.
Gill & Liberty Smith from Wakes Colne were joint winners of the table top quiz and the darts competition was won by Graham Newman in a fiercely fought out final with Scott Edwards.
The draft Village Design Statement was displayed in the Lounge and many positive comments were received about it. A selection of photographs of the village were also displayed and ‘patrons’ were asked to choose which one they thought might make the best cover for the VDS. The draft document will stay on display in the hall until the next Parish Council meeting on Monday 17th May and if anyone wishes to have a final look at it they can do so prior to the meeting – the hall will be open at 7.00 pm.
Thanks to everyone who supported the event.
Rita Pearcey
Parish Council Chairman’s Report to the Annual Electors’ Meeting 2010
As Chairman of White Colne Parish Council I would like to give you a summary of some of the events and activities that have taken place in our village in the last 12 months.
Your parish council and many long-
Hopefully you have already noticed the work that has taken place in the village hall with major refurbishment of the toilets and redecoration throughout. Many thanks go to the Hall committee and the hard working volunteers who made it possible.
Volunteers from throughout the village also carried out maintenance work on the meadows during two working party days. The meadows have provided the venue for many fun and family events throughout the year including The Trafalgar day and Apple festival celebrations. The Green was also a venue for village activities during the year including a Halloween event and the Carols around the Christmas Tree.
Behind the scenes parish councillors have been working on your behalf with the district and county council on a number of areas of importance to the village. These include
- Development of the Essex county Council land to the rear of the Village Hall
- Raised curbs at the bus stops and confirmation of a bus shelter to be installed outside The Old Kings Head
- Pavement down to the footpath opposite Heating and Eating
- A community shopper bus service was launched today (April 19th) providing a weekly service from White Colne to Braintree via Earls Colne, Colne Engaine and Halstead.
- Managing Parish Council costs resulting in a cut in this year’s precept.
On a less satisfactory note there is the issue of double yellow lines around the bottom of the village green. Your Parish Council has been arguing against this course of action but Essex County Council insists that damage caused to the village green and to the wall opposite by heavy lorries carelessly cutting the corner is due to cars being parked nearby. Unfortunately despite witness evidence stating the damage has occurred when there were no parked cars in the vicinity, Essex County Council Highways are still planning to proceed with installation of the lines. The knock on effect of this will be to reduce the already very limited parking available to residents in that part of our village. We hope that our elected representative on Essex County Council may be able to offer some help regarding the parking issues.
On a lighter note since the start of the Village Design Statement project in October 2008, the White Colne Community Design Group have spent over 1000 hours working towards the production of a Design Statement for White Colne and the ‘draft’ document is nearing completion.
Questionnaires were delivered to all villagers in September 2009 and were completed
by 50% of the adult population as well as some younger residents. The data from
the Questionnaire and the conclusions from the Photo-
The ‘draft’ VDS will be on display on Saturday 8th May when the Design Group will be transforming the Village Hall into a pub named THE STATIONMASTER’S ARMS. The pub will be open from 4.00 – 11.00 PM and is in response to many comments from villagers in their Questionnaires that they would like to see a pub in White Colne again. Unfortunately it’s for one night only!
You’ll have had a poster about THE STATIONMASTER’S ARMS delivered through your door over the weekend and I hope that everyone will come along and create a good pub atmosphere. Please look at the ‘draft’ Village Design Statement, as it will be the last opportunity for input before the document goes to print. Feedback will be welcome by the Design Group.
6 issues of the White Colne News and two updates were delivered to the village.
The web site was regenerated during the year and received over 1000 hits by July.
The midsummer village wide garage sale was a great success and will be repeated this year on June 19th.
We were lucky enough to have real snow to boost the atmosphere at our Christmas carol event on the Green and due revamped electrics we were able to provide hot drinks and refreshments. This event seems to grow each year and plans are advancing already for this year’s event. One of which we will discuss a little later is the proposal to erect a Bandstand on the green which could be used not only by the orchestra at Christmas but also as a focal point for other events on the Green during the year.
This is just a taste of what has been going on in White Colne in the last 12 months and I hope you will agree with me that we are very lucky to have such a dedicated group of people in our village who regularly volunteer their time for the good of the Village. So thank you to all the Parish Councillors and volunteers who have given up their free time for us this year.
Kevin Nolan
50 Club Winners
January: £25 -
February: £25 -
March: £25 -
Planning Application 10/00583/FUL -
I have received the above planning application for the removal of condition 3 attached to planning consent 90/01116/FUL relating to the use of the unit and variation of condition 8 of 90/01116/FUL relating to vehicular movements times.
The application can be viewed on the following link:-
We are asked to send our comments by 27th May, and so will be on the agenda for the next parish council meeting on 17th May.
David Williams
Additional plans re Planning Applications 10/00458/FUL and 10/00459/LBC -
We have received additional plans re the above application, for which we have already replied no comment.
Comments re these additional plans are to be made by 20th May and so this can be considered at the PC meeting next Monday David Williams
Planning Application 10/00537/OUT -
I have received the above planning application for the erection of two storey rear extension and first floor side extension to existing dwelling and alterations including reduction in building width, rationalise existing parking area and erection of two storey dwelling house with parking and amenity areas and formation of new vehicular access.
The application can be viewed on the following link:-
We are asked to send our comments by 21st May, which is after the next parish council meeting on 19th May when the application can be considered.
David Williams
Planning Application 10/00605/OUT-
I have today received the outline planning application for residential development
(up to 5 dwellings) and creation of new access/highway alterations. The application
can be viewed on the following link:-
We have to send comments by 7th June. This is on the agenda for next Monday's meeting.
David Williams
Don't forget -
A walk around the village footpaths trying to spot some of our co-
on Sunday May 16th. Meet at the village Hall at 9.00am.
This is a weather dependent
event as although some humans may venture out in the rain the birds tend to stay
under cover!
If in doubt contact Sarah Adlem on 01787 223521 the evening before
50 Club -
Jean & Colin Armstrong have been running the 50 club for a number of years. Recent requests for other villagers to take over the organisation and running have not had any response.
Maybe its time for the village to raise funds, to contribute to the improvements and fun things that are arranged for the community, in different ways? If anyone has any suggestions we’d love to hear from you.
The next meeting of the Hall committee is 7th September when we will consider any alternatives further.
Sarah Adlem
Another chance to grow your own?
One allotment is now available in White Colne for a White Colne resident. If you would like the chance to grow your own please contact JohnWatt@whitecolne.com or telephone 223582
Perseverance pays off!
Have you noticed our lovely new bus shelter erected along Colchester Road?
Thanks are due to Chris Pearcey who has been badgering ECC relentlessy to keep them to their earlier promise to provide this shelter.
Notice I mentioned "earlier promise" ? Amazingly I have found this little gem in the PC minutes:
At the Annual Parish Meeting held on 23rd May 1989 Vice Chairman Veronica Tite stated that
" The PC were hoping to see a bus shelter erected in the village very soon"
( On my reckoning that's almost 21 years to the date. Quite soon really )
Jane Taylor
NEIGHOURHOOD WATCH -
:
Theft of Fuel/Heating Oil
Devices are available through heating oil suppliers and plumbers merchants that will alarm heating oil tanks, some work when the cap is removed whilst others detect a rapid drop in oil level. Some of these are stand alone, others link to household alarms or can even call you on your mobile phone when activated.
Theft of Catalytic Convertors
The most targeted vehicles are those that have easy access underneath ie Iveco vans or Ford Rangers. If possible keep vehicle in garage or within sight of house. If you become a victim there is a strong possibility that they will be back to steal the replacement. The catalytic convertor can be coded with the registration number of the vehicle and kits are available at approx £12 from www.retainagroup.com
Thefts from persons at Supermarkets
Asian/Eastern European offenders are targeting females who have just used cash points. Victims are distracted, often by being asked for directions whilst loading shopping into their cars, and their bank cards and cash are stolen.
Sue Norris
Planning Application 10/00644/LBC -
I have today received the above planning application for the removal and replacement of ground floor structures and finishes and replacement with new underpinned reinforced concrete raft and piled foundations. Superstructure repairs to 1989 addition to dwelling.
The application is not yet available to be viewed on the following link but may be
later on this afternoon:-
We are asked to send our comments by 11th June, and although not on the agenda for the next parish council meeting tonight perhaps you can consider it. I will bring the plans and the application tonight.
David Williams
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