Village Live no 44 (Text only edtion)

April / May 2006

Published for the residents of Sevenhampton  and Brockhampton, Gloucestershire.
Sponsored  Sevenhampton Parish Council

Items for the next issue by 20th May please

Bill & Anne Jenkin:    820338

Brockhampton Burglary

Many of you will have heard that there was a burglary at the Quarry in Brockhampton on Saturday 25th March.  The occupants of the house were away at the time.

I am sure that we all take the necessary precautions when we go away - alerting neighbours but not shouting it to the rooftops etc - but in view of events maybe we should now be extra vigilant in keeping an eye on things and report any suspicious occurrences.  
The non-emergency number for Gloucestershire Police is 0845 0901234

After a Difficult and Busy Year - a Quiet Parish Meeting

Community Needs to "Evolve and Progress"

The Annual Parish Meeting took place on Wednesday 29th March.
The turnout of residents was quite low which must indicate one of three things:

1.    The Parish Council is doing everything right so let them get on with it.
2.    No-one read Village Live or looked at the notice boards or website and feel they should have been individually invited to attend.
3.    Everyone has given up hope of the PC doing anything right and are still hoarse from heckling the last few times they turned up.

Whichever was your reason, here’s a brief outline of what took place at the meeting & Parish Council meeting which followed.

Chairman’s report
Lesley’s report highlighted the matters which have caused most reaction locally: wind turbines, affordable housing, speed limits as well as the more routine planning applications of which there have been sixteen.  It had been one of the busiest years for the parish council on record

She welcomed the good turnouts of the previous year even though she felt that some meetings had been difficult and presented a challenge.  The council would continue to try to do the best for the entire parish, but some people may be upset as a result.  However it was important that, as a small working community which needs to evolve and progress, we should respect each other’s views and opinions even if we do not agree with them, that everyone is our neighbour and deserves to be treated with courtesy and respect.  She emphasised too the limited formal scope for influence that any Parish Council has within the structure of local government. 

She expressed thanks to her fellow councillors and to those residents who had played an active role in supporting community activities in the past year. Particular thanks were given to John Jackson who is stepping down after many years as tree warden.  An advertisement for his replacement is on the back page of this issue. Thanks also went to Vanessa Holland who organises the day to day running of the village hall so efficiently.

Parish Council Meeting
Two of the contentious issues are currently on hold.  Funding commitments for affordable housing are awaited meanwhile the PC is referring their complaint to the CDC Chief Executive about the Planning Department’s failure to engage with them or respond to their representations on this issue.  The wind turbine sub-committee has met and is preparing an information pack about the objections to the turbine proposal.  No planning application has been made by the charmless Nick Brown – no bloops, blimps or bloaters flown – as yet.  The PC is urging the CDC to inform them immediately when an application is received (though on the CDC’s usual form, all ears need to be kept to the ground).

Questions raised by parishioners included whether Fosseway Housing could extend the roadside parking area at Chapel Cottages,  there was the constant problem of fly-posting and the continuing saga of RUPPs* and the pressure from “off-roaders” to have them declared BOATs** before they become RBs***– discussion of which will be at the next Parish Council Meeting – which, for those of you who didn’t make the Parish Meeting for any reason, is on

Wednesday 24th May 2006 at 7.30pm in the Reading Room

The full text of the Chairman’s Report, together with all minutes of parish council and parish meetings may be found on the village website:
www.sevenhampton.org/parishcouncil

*RUPPs - Roads Used as Public Paths;  **BOATs - Byways Open To All Traffic; 
***RBs - Restricted Byways

Bank Holiday Refuse and Recycling Collections

April - September 2006

Cotswold District Council Residents
Refuse & recycling collections will be on the normal days of the week
(i.e. NOT one day late).

Tewkesbury Borough Council Residents
Refuse & recycling collections will be one day late in weeks where there is a bank holiday Monday.

Different arrangements will apply in both areas over Christmas & New year 2006/7

Come along to a

Puddings Evening

on Friday 28th April at 7:30pm
in Rhodes Memorial Hall, Brockhampton
Taste as many puddings as you can manage
Bring your own drink -Tea & Coffee provided
Tickets £5 each
or £3 if you bring a pudding.
Tickets available from
David Oldham on 820423
All proceeds towards David Oldham’s
World Challenge Expedition to India in July 2007

Tree Warden Wanted

The Parish Council is looking for a volunteer to become the local tree warden.
It would involve monitoring and advising about trees within the parish. There are courses to equip you with the necessary knowledge. 
The job is not salaried but expenses  will be reimbursed.
If you have an interest in trees and would like more information please contact the  parish clerk Ann vanRossem on 820718.

You can find out more about tree wardens at www.treecouncil.org.uk)Sheila Agius 820102
)Fay Swain 820402
)Di Brown 820271

Carbon Emission and Energy Saving

The February Edition of Village Live Promised you information on energy saving schemes in the next edition. The Parish Church magazine forestalled us with an excellent article in Feb., but here is a little more information and ideas.

  • If the fibreglass in your loft is less than 250 (10") grants are available to improve it. Tel: 0800 512012
  • They also help with cavity wall insulation and if you live in a house with thick stone walls they can also help with internal insulated linings - but this can be a major upheaval.
  • Think about secondary double glazing and insulated curtains. And draught proof doors and windows.
  • Remember about cost saving with night storage rates for heaters and water heating and make sure the Cylinders are well lagged.
  • Make sure that all your radiators have got thermostatic valves.
  • Use time clocks on electric heaters so you don't forget to switch them off.
  • Use low energy light bulbs.
  • Closed stoves are at least 3 times more efficient than open fires which are the most inefficient form of heating - 80% goes up the chimney!
  • Share car journeys or use the bus that seems to run half empty most of the time.
  • Club together to order oil - you can probably get a cost reduction and it cuts down unnecessary journeys by the tanker. (see below)
  • Keep the temperature down and wear a wool vest - Remember this, the golden rule.  There is no substitute for wool.

Brockhampton Oil Club

The inaugural meeting of the Brockhampton Oil Club was held on March 9th. 

  • Those attending heard the benefits of the scheme outlined by Rod Francis and Adrian Sweet from Sweet Fuels.
  • These are:-
  • Discounted central heating oil prices – consistently lower than other competitors over a year
  • One set day a week when the one truck would come to the village, cutting down on blocking roads and damaging walls and verges, pollution in general
  • A quarterly commission on consumption to be paid back to the Club which will be put back into any societies and clubs that want to put in a bid.
  • You are not committed to buying even if you sign up.
  • Price remains the same, irrespective of quantity.
  • 500 litre voucher to be raffled at the Produce Show.
  • Budget Scheme and Top Up Scheme available.
Anyone may join.
More information from Vicky Lewis - 820325 or Rod Francis - 820678

Easter Services

Friday 14th April (Good Friday)
Whittington
2 – 3 pm Last Hour of the Cross - Quiet reflective service
Andoversford Church Centre
7.30pm Evening Service

Sunday 16th April (Easter Day)
Sevenhampton
11.00am Holy Communion
Charlton Abbotts
6.30pm Evensong

Also, after Easter
Sunday 7th May
Sevenhampton
10.00a.m. All Parishes Holy Communion

For details of all services in the local
family of parishes please see the monthly magazine ‘Coln Rivergroup’.

Regular local services are listed on the village website www.sevenhampton.org

The Thamyse String Quartet

will perform a concert

of works by
Hayden, Mozart and Dvorak
on Sunday April 23rd
at 7.00 pm
in Sevenhampton Church
Tickets £8
and information from
Gill Hyatt on 820458

Sevenhampton Good Neighbourhood Scheme

For help with transport call a co-ordinator-
Sheila Agius 820102
Fay Swain 820402
Di Brown 820271