Newsletter October 2009Mayor's Introduction Fairford has made the news recently with the announcement of the restructuring of RAF Fairford. To clarify, the Base is not closing completely and remains a Forward Operating Base. The facilities will be maintained ready for reactivation within 48 hours. The base will operate on a 12 hour/5 day week basis and gates will be unmanned and shut outside these times. The driving factor for the changes is budgetary costs. Representatives from Fairford Town Council attended a liaison meeting on 17 September and a report on this can be found on the website. The impact of the changes is to be discussed at the October Full council meeting on 13 October.
Due to the misuse and the cost associated with repairing damage to the playground equipment, Fairford Playing Fields Ltd cannot afford to continue to provide this facility. Fairford Town Council has been asked to take over the playground in April 2010; this request now needs to be discussed further. I would like to thank the Directors and volunteers for all their hard work. To maintain the standard that they have set and make further improvements for the children to enjoy, the damage has got to stop. If you do see any misuse, could you please report it to the clerk or myself.
On a sad note, Cllr Howard Dowler passed away on Sunday 6 September. Howard was an active member on the Town Council for 18 years and will be deeply missed. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family. Contact Details: Fairford Town Council, Community Centre, High Street, Fairford, GL7 4AF
Tel: 01285 712344/713326
Email:
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Website: www.fairfordtowncouncil.gov.uk Facilities: Dare I say it, but it is coming up to that time of year again and the Facilities Committee has started to organise the Festive Market on Friday 4 December. We want to build on the success of previous markets and are hoping to arrange some added extras including a Santa's Grotto for the children, organised by a our new young Councillor, Sarah Roberts. Planning even further ahead, we are organising a Town Crier's competition for 7 August 2010 which will tie in with our aim of sustainable tourism and hopefully promote Fairford a bit more. We are going to be introducing a new look newsletter over the next few months including, in the next issue, a new column by Town Crier Maurice Jones. Your feedback would be appreciated. Please support the Wednesday Market. There is a good range of produce from fruit and vegetables to cheese and bread, with plants and household items too.
There is a saying: 'Use it or Lose it' and we don't want an empty Market Square on Wednesdays.
Cllr S Jones Chair of Facilities Tel 01285 712003 Highways: On Friday 2 October, Gloucestershire Highways will be carrying out patching works on the A417 between Poulton and Fairford. The road will be closed for HGVs and there will be a 10mph speed limit imposed.
As part of their county-wide part night light project, Gloucestershire County Council will be introducing part-night conversions in Fairford when they carry out the annual street lighting routine maintenance visit in November. If anyone has any queries about this, please contact the Town Council office.
The Highways committee requested a new pavement along the Garretts to improve road safety. Glos Highways has responded that following a site survey, the request is not deemed a high enough priority to proceed. There has been more success with a request for an extension to the 30mph limit north along Coronation Street and consultation is currently taking place.
A reminder that it is illegal and also dangerous to cycle on pavements, please refrain from doing so.
It is planned to carry out some tree removal and shrub trimming along St Mary’s Drive shortly. There are a number of trees that are growing in spaces that are too small to accommodate their final size and many of the shrubs have become rather tall.
Cllr R Winney Chair of Highways Tel 01285 712452 Planning: There have been very few planning applications recently, in fact a number of Planning committee meetings have been cancelled as there have been no applications to consider. It has been reported that there have been a 30% reduction in applications in the first quarter of 2009 compared to the same time last year.
A final reminder to send in any photos of local trees for the Cotswold Tree Project. Photos need to be in the Council Office by Friday 30th October 2009
Cllr M Jones Chair of Planning Tel 01285 712814 Memories of Cllr Howard Dowler: We were saddened last month by the death of Councillor Howard Dowler, a true Fairfordian.
This is a collection of memories from school friends and fellow Councillors. Lack of space has meant only extracts can be printed here, to read the full versions, please go to our website at www.fairfordtowncouncil.gov.uk
Ricky Lardner: Me and Bay grew up together. We were always up to something. We would regularly miss school and go down the river to watch aircraft taking off, then go home at the proper time. We thought nobody would notice, but they did. Two o’clock next day, head master’s study for the cane! We held the record for being caned the most. We were even caned for things we didn’t do - theory being we were involved somehow! (Bay’s son confirmed this when he was shown the book at school and saw his dad and Ricky Lardner’s name was in there the most.)
Bay grew up to become a well-respected businessperson and Town Councillor, who will be missed. God bless, Mate.
Doug Kilminster: Money was always short for us kids. On bonfire night, everybody built Guys to try and get some money. Doug remembers that they done Bay up for a Guy, put him in a pram and went around the houses to collect a penny for the Guy. He was so good that a lot of people didn’t know he was real.
Tony Holness: We used to go up the base shoe shining. One day, we saw this compound open and went in to have a look around. Suddenly, two great big Military Police men turned up. I ran, but Bay wasn’t quick enough and got caught. As I ran across the field, I could hear Bay shouting “Tony, Tony”. Later, I see him walking down the street a big smile on his face. I ask what happened. He was taken to the cop shop; he said he was cold, so they gave him a small jacket then a beef burger and chips, then dropped him off in Fairford. He said “you missed out on that didn’t you?”
Cllr Maurice Jones: Bay was four years younger than me, but I remember and can relate to most of the other stories. When we were teenagers and started work, we became real good mates working on the base as plumber’s mates. We had many laughs, Once when we were working on a hut on Horcott Hill, I was on the roof, Bay was on top of the ladder. I slipped and slid down the roof, both feet forward. The look on Bay’s face as I hit the ladder! He grabbed the guttering to stop the ladder from going backwards, I slid behind the ladder as he pulled back to the roof, which stopped me falling, but I could not get up, and he could not let go! We were stuck there until somebody came to help us. It took a long time to live that down.
After the base, we lost touch for a bit. We used to see each other in the pub now and then. Both of us were elected to the Council at the same time; I shall miss him he was a good mate, and loved Fairford he was a true Fairfordian.
Cllr Chris Roberts : The first time I ever saw Howard was in the Town Council Chamber. He was already a Councillor of long-standing and I was a member of the public coming to ask a question about skate boarders. He was sat at the Council table looking so stern and experienced and I thought how scary he was with his growly voice!! How wrong can first impressions be? He was not at all scary, but the dearest, sweetest friend that anyone could ever want.
Cllr Paul Fisher: "With me being a new, 'wet behind the ears' councillor, Howard was always highly supportive and welcoming to me. He was a passionate man with strong beliefs. On numerous occasions, Howard, along with Maurice Jones, would light up planning meetings with their colourful anecdotes and descriptions of the characters and houses of Fairford. He was a Fairfordian through and through, a unique character who fought his illness with amazing bravery and stoicism, and the town will be an infinitely poorer place without him."
Cllr Sarah Roberts: I’ll always remember the Fairford and Lechlade Business Club Award Ceremony, waiting to see who would be crowned “Business of the Year 2008.” When Fairford Roof Tiles was announced as the winners, I don’t think anyone could have been more pleased for Howard and Neil. To see the look of surprise and pride on Howard’s face was really heart-warming. Howard was so humble about it and so appreciative to those that had nominated him. It was such a good night and I’m just so glad that Howard got to see that all his & Neil’s hard work over the years was rewarded. He will be greatly missed, but always remembered with a smile. League of Friends: League of Friends chairman David Phillips reported at a recent thank you evening for supporters: ”Grateful as we are for the support we are having for our outreach work in the community, the need for fresh ways of raising money remain a constant issue. The new X ray equipment at the hospital, which means local people no longer have to go elsewhere for their scans, and the deal with the Prospect Hospice, which has given comfort to many elderly patients, means that the League is likely to show a deficit in its finances this year.”
Offers by anyone who would like to support the League’s work, please, to Julie Zarczynski at 01793 725091. The Bethany Appeal: The Bethany Appeal has been set up to help 5 year old Bethany Fenton, who needs proton beam therapy treatment in America for a brain tumour. The family needs to raise £50k for the treatment, which is her only hope. For more details on how to donate, please visit www.bethanysfund.co.uk or bring your donations to the Town Council office.
A fund raising event is planned in October—see events page On Saturday 10 October, Fairford Retained Firefighters will be holding a sponsored Ladder Climb in support of the Bethany Appeal at Fairford Fire Station. They will start at 9am and climb 8,848 metres, which is 804 climbs. Parents of Bethany’s friends will be providing tea and coffee and home made cakes plus lots of other stuff to buy and a Bouncy Castle in support of the appeal. Contact Lea James on 07900 563329 to sponsor the event. Coln House School Porch: Many of you will have seen the fine restoration work carried out on the porch of Coln House School recently, which has now regained its former glory. Thanks to those who contributed to the cost. Over £600 was donated. This will offset some of the school’s share of the cost. Coln House is grateful for the community’s support. Thanks to Steve Allen, who carried out the work. Community/Dial A Ride Bus News: Bus Trips: The regular trips will be running as normal along with some extra trips for Christmas shopping:
6th Oct - Stroud , 14th Oct- Stratford upon Avon, 20th Oct - Cribbs Causeway, 3rd Nov - Salisbury, 17th Nov - Gloucester, 1st Dec - Moreton in Marsh, 9th Dec - Burford and Bourton on the Water, 15th Dec - Cheltenham, 21st Dec - Swindon Orbital
Timetables are available on the buses, from the Volunteer Centre in the Community Centre, or call Ann on 01285 713852.
CCVS Charity Shop: The shop continues to be a success many thanks to everyone who supports us in this venture. During the week November 1st -8th the British Legion will be taking over the shop to use for their Poppy Appeal, please support them in this, we are all affected in one way or another by the atrocities of war and the Legion do a wonderful job of support for our service personnel.
Ann Nicholls 01285 713852 Fairford History Society: The next FHS meeting will be on 19 November at 7.30pm in the Farmor Room of the Community Centre, when the speaker will be Anna Morris, Outreach Officer from Gloucestershire Archaeology who will talk on ‘The Role of the Archaeology Service and the county SMR (Sites and Monuments Record)’.
This is the most comprehensive source of information on archaeological sites in Gloucestershire. The SMR holds nearly 30,000 individual records, detailing sites and finds, spanning the full range of human history from the Paleolithic to the Second World War. Anna will concentrate on sites local to Fairford.
For local history enquiries, FHS publications, and event enquiries please contact the Secretary Alison Hobson 711768 or the Chairman Geoff Hawkes 712053 or visit the Archive Room Monday afternoons, 2-4pm.
www.fairfordhistory.org.uk email:
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Cotswold District Council: Gloucestershire Homeseeker
This Autumn, the new countywide choice based lettings scheme, Gloucestershire Homeseeker, will be launched to give applicants greater choice.
Its introduction will replace the existing allocations systems. Applicants will be able to take control of their own housing application by checking weekly adverts of vacant homes and deciding which ones they wish to apply for.
All new and existing applicants have been made aware of the proposed changes. The first properties will be advertised from 28 October with adverts published every Wednesday thereafter. All applicants on existing local authority housing registers within the County should have been contacted in September with full details about the scheme and invited to re-register with Gloucestershire Homeseeker between 23 September and 27 October 2009 by visiting www.gloshomeseeker.co.uk.
Changes to the Licensing Act
It is now possible for village halls and community premises to apply for the sale of alcohol and not have to have a Designated Premises Supervisor. This will save money and make the licensing process easier. Visit www.culture.gov.uk/reference_library/publications/6262.aspx for more details.
Recycling Collections of Glass and Cans
From the beginning of August, SITA started to make some service efficiencies by reducing crewing levels. This has resulted in recycling collections of glass and cans being carried out at different times during the normal collection day for some residents. Some residents that normally have had their collections in the morning may now be receiving the service in the late afternoon or early evening.
CDC has the highest recycling and composting rate in the South of England and Wales. To promote this achievement a short film can be viewed on the CDC website. The link is www.cotswold.gov.uk/nqcontent.cfm?a_id=11275.
Chris Roberts – 01285 712150 Cotswold District Councillor LOCAL NEWS: River Coln Project Team: Councillors from the River Coln Project Team have prepared an action plan for the problem areas along the Coln, Court Brook, Milton Street and the River Walk. The County Council Public Rights of Way Department (PROW) had originally agreed to upgrade and repair the River Walk in August, but there seems to be some uncertainty as to the correct line of the path and who is responsible for it. The Project Team feels that this is not good enough and have asked for an explanation, as PROW have had ample time to sort this out before the agreed upgrade date.
A new bridge has been erected at the Broad Boards, but the Project Team still believe that there is a blockage in this area, which is having a detrimental effect on the river flow. The Environment Agency has been asked to investigate this.
The good news is that the Environment Agency has now confirmed that they will clear the Coln from the Town Bridge to Cutler’s Ford, as they did last year.
The River Coln Project Team has consulted with a wildlife specialist from the Cotswold Water Park to make sure that any work is done legally with regard to water voles’ habitat. Following this advice, the Team now plan to carry out clearance work along the main river, Courtbrook and the ditches behind Milton Street, as part of an annual maintenance programme. Work will take place on Saturday 17 & 24 October. If anyone would like to help, please contact Chris Roberts on 01285 712150 or Trevor Hing on 01285 711122. Refreshments will be provided for helpers. Junior Rugby: Fairford Rugby Club Junior Division need as many players as possible. All abilities welcome - from ages 6 up to 12 years. Qualified, friendly coaches – meeting once a week for training or matches.
A sociable, enjoyable and CHEAP way of entertaining kids and keeping them fit. Call or text Dave on 07867 826889 for more information. Fairford & Lechlade Business Club: Tim Small, who owns Lechlade Trout Fisheries, has been elected as the new Chair of the Fairford and Lechlade Business Club. He has been a member of the Club since its inception.
The August Summer BBQ was a great success and was well attended. FLBC welcomed guests from Cirencester, Faringdon and Tetbury Chambers of Commerce. The Club is fostering reciprocal links with these other business organisations to extend the networking opportunities.
An exciting event planned for April/May 2010 is a Food and Drink Festival. Both Fairford and Lechlade have many eating and drinking establishments and the Club is hoping to put on a wonderful gastronomic experience for everyone to enjoy! Kathryn Limoi from the Tetbury Chamber of Commerce, who also helped to organise the Tetbury Food and Drink Festival, will be coming along to the October Club meeting to tell us a bit more about the Festival. The meeting is on Thursday 22 October at 7.30pm at Farmor’s Business Centre. The FLBC November meeting is same time, same place on Thursday 26 November.
If you would like to find out more, please contact Chris Roberts on 01285 712150 or email
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. EVENTS: - There is a Barn Dance on Saturday 3 October in aid of Fairford Primary School PTA starting at 7.15pm at Farmor’s School. Tickets are available from Fairford Primary School Reception, Londis in Fairford or call Marie Thompson on 01285 713364. Ticket price includes supper.
- On Saturday 10 October, Fairford Retained Firefighters will be holding a sponsored Ladder Climb in support of the Bethany Appeal at Fairford Fire Station. They will start at 9am and climb 8,848 metres. Parents of Bethany’s friends will be providing tea and coffee and home made cakes and a Bouncy Castle in support of the appeal. Contact Lea James on 07900 563329 to sponsor the event.
- Fairford Primary School PTA and St Mary’s Church PCC are once again organising the very popular Firework Display in the grounds of Fairford Park on Saturday 7 November. Gates open at 6pm, with the bonfire being lit at 6.30pm and fireworks at 7pm. Tickets will be available from the Primary School.
- Fairford Pre-School will be holding a Ladies Evening on Friday 13 November from 7:30pm to 10:00pm, at the Fairford Community Centre. Tickets will be on sale from 19 October from 7a Coffee Shop or by calling Donna on 07812 643993. Tickets cost £3.50 each or two for £6.00. There will be a variety of stalls and mini-treatments, refreshments, raffle and a great opportunity to purchase some early Christmas gifts.
- The Brize Norton Singers will be at Farmor’s School on Saturday 14 November in aid of the League of Friends of Fairford Hospital.
Farmor’s School first ever Christmas Fair is taking place on Wednesday 25 November from 7pm till 9pm. Many items are locally produced by local entrepreneurs. All money goes to Farmor’s School in support of local enterprise through the CWiB programme. Stalls cost £10. For more information or to book a stall, please contact Emma Haley on 01285 750715 or email
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. - Fairford & District Choral Society will be presenting An Anniversary Miscellany on Saturday 28 November at 7pm including popular pieces by Purcell, Haydn, Handel and Mendelssohn, with additional contributions from the choirs of Fairford Primary School and Farmors School. Tickets (£7) will be available from Blenheim Antiques, 3 Market Place, Fairford, or on the door.
- The Fairford Festive Market will be held on Friday 4 December from 6.30pm—9.00pm in the Market Place, Fairford. To book a stall, contact Penny on 01285 712344. Please note that future Festive Markets will be held each year on the first Friday in December.
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