Whitmore Parish Council Newsletter - March 2010
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From the Chairman
We are looking forward to an eventful year in 2010 with plenty of activities in the village.
The Village Hall Committee is part-way through the refurbishment of the Village Hall. The plans are to start the new entrance in October. However the Village Hall Committee needs additional funds, and as you will see from the enclosed article, you can even sponsor a brick!
You might also wonder what is happening in the village and how you might be involved. Saturday 17 April is being planned as an Open Day at the Village Hall. We are looking to have a day where you can drop in and just chat to the organization or an event that you have interest in.
In particular we are looking for a new Parish Councillor. Come and discuss what we do and see if you can make a contribution. Just come and tell us what you think.
In September the 2nd Whitmore Festival is to be held. The format will be similar to the one held in 2008. Some events will be similar, others will be different. Again, if you want to be involved, come along on Saturday 17 April or call the Village Agent, Debbie Burns on 07977 561989.
It has been four years since the Parish Council gained Quality Parish Council status. We have recently received re-accreditation for the next four years. This is not to say we are a model Council but it does mean that we run the Parish Council in a way that is recognized as best practice. There are only 14 other Councils in Staffordshire who have gained similar status.
On a political note we cannot miss that there is an election this year with unofficial campaigns already started. Please use your vote. We are likely to face some tough economic choices in the future that will have a significant impact on all our lives. The next government is your choice so I would urge you to make your vote count.
Don't forget to put 17 April in your diary and we look forward to seeing you at the Village Hall.
Nick Hopper
01782 662323
nickhopper@whitmore.village.uk.net
WHITMORE ART GROUP
We meet every Thursday, 10.00 am – 12.30 pm at Whitmore Village Hall. Anyone interested in any form of art work is welcome to come and share their knowledge. As well as painting in oils, watercolour or acrylics, members have painted pottery, fabrics, made cards, decoupage and even done embroidery.
Cost £1.50 including tea/coffee and biscuits
Contact Betty Deaville 01782 681049
WHITMORE & DISTRICT HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY
The Great Potato Giveaway!
We're hoping to encourage all you budding vegetable growers to have a go at growing your own delicious potatoes. So, to give you a helping hand, we're giving away 50 Potato Growing Packs.
They're really easy to grow, particularly for first-time growers, don't take up much space, and with a little care, you should get lots of great, tasty potatoes. Full growing guide included.
Why not enter one of the potato classes at our Annual Show on Sunday, 12 September 2010 at Whitmore Village Hall.
Free packs are available from the Information Centre at Whitmore Village Hall (open Thursdays 2-4 pm, 01782 681037)
or by ringing Helen Hopper on 01782 662323.
FIRST AID CLASSES
Basic First Aid Classes at Whitmore Village Hall. Tutor: Mr D Frost.
A course of three classes, cost £8.00.
Tuesdays 16th, 23rd and 30th March, 7.00 – 9.00 pm.
Places limited. Future classes to be arranged.
Anyone interested who cannot make Tuesdays, another evening could be arranged.
Contact Betty Deaville - 01782 681049
SPONSOR A BRICK FOR WHITMORE VILLAGE HALL
Regular users of the Village Hall will have seen the improvements made to the Annexe, the Bar and the Kitchen. The Toilet Refurbishment is now well under way and should be completed by early spring. The cost of these enhancements was £92,000.00 and grants totalling £54,675.00 were received from Staffordshire County Council, Staffordshire Environmental Fund, Lottery Awards for All and the Staffordshire Foundation Grass Roots Awards.
The next phase of the development comprises a new Main Entrance facing the Car Park with improved Disabled Access, a new Meeting / Education room, new Disabled Toilet and a new Information Centre. Full details are on view in the Village Hall. Work will commence in October. The cost of this aspect of the modernisation programme will be in the region of £115,000.00 and we have received a wonderful "kick start" from Mr and Mrs D Hughes who donated the residual fund from the Whitmore Youth Club, amounting to £19,300.00. The Village Hall Committee is actively seeking external funding and to support our applications for grants, we shall need to raise some funds from the community.
To this end, we invite all residents to sponsor at least one brick, price £10.00, towards the cost of the development. Names of those contributing will be recorded in a permanent display in the new entrance.
Forms will be available at the village hall and from any of the Officers:
Mr K Willingham, Chairman, 680944;
Mr J Inchley, Vice Chairman, 680315;
Mr D Lawton, Secretary, 680371;
and Mr D Platt, Treasurer, 680615.
If you are a UK taxpayer, we can reclaim the tax on your donation so that every £10.00 contributed will be worth £12.80.
Thank you in anticipation.
WOULD YOU LIKE TO KNOW WHAT IS HAPPENING IN YOUR VILLAGE?
Come and find out about:
- The 2010 Whitmore Festival
- Local events
- Social evenings
- Recreation classes i.e. IT and Art
- Mother and Toddler Group
- Meet Your Parish Councillors
- Exercising on the playing field
- Local litter picking
- And much more ...
at WHITMORE VILLAGE HALL - SATURDAY 17th APRIL
10am – 2pm – free refreshments
Would you like to get involved?
Do you have ideas for community events; would you like to become an active member of your community?
Please come along and register your interest, you will be made VERY WELCOME.
Come and meet the people involved and see how much your village has to offer.
If you can't attend on that date please call Debbie Burns your Community Council Village Agent on 07977 561989 or email debbieburns123@hotmail.co.uk.
North Staffs Linkline
Want a chat? Don't be alone...
North Staffs Linkline is a FREE telephone befriending and support service. We operate across Newcastle Borough and are open on Monday to Friday from 9.30 am to 12.30 pm.
Who are we?
We are a voluntary service based in Newcastle. Our volunteers are police checked. Any elderly person who would appreciate a friendly voice can use our service.
What do we do?
We telephone you on the same day each week at about the same time for a chat. We can also provide assistance in contacting people who can help you in different ways.
How to contact us?
You can telephone us during our opening hours and we will call you straight back and explain how North Staffs Linkline works. If you phone outside these hours you can leave a message on the answer phone and we will get back to you on the next working day.
Our telephone number is 01782 710436.
"Loneliness, and the feeling of being unwanted, is the most terrible poverty" (Mother Teresa)
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It's back! Starting on Saturday 11th September 2010, just like last time, but better: a series of around 20 events all held within the civil parish of Whitmore which includes Acton, Butterton and Madeley Park Wood.
If there is an event that you think we ought to have run last time, if you would like to help with specific events this time, or to help with the Festival in general, or maybe just curious, then phone Bill Murray or turn up on 17th April at our open meeting to be held at Whitmore Village Hall, 10.00 am – 2.00 pm.
There is a specific request for younger people to help run events that younger people want us to organise - maybe recommend a band or two who are willing to perform at a Festival event, and then turn up with lots of your friends. Why not get your friends to help us organise the event?
Everyone who ran something last time has been contacted. Initial response has been most encouraging, but we would like to see more events, and more people involved in running these events.
For the hundreds of people who told us that they wanted to become involved in Parish life when we produced the Whitmore Parish Plan, then this is your chance.
Bill Murray 680252
Crime and Anti-Social Behaviour Figures for Greater Whitmore Neighbourhood Area
| Crime Type |
Jan 08 -
Mar 08 |
Jan 09 -
Mar 09 |
Apr 08 -
Jun 08 |
Apr 09 -
Jun 09 |
Jul 08 -
Sep 08 |
Jul 09 -
Sep 09 |
Oct 08 -
Dec 08 |
Oct 09 -
Dec 09 |
Total
2008 |
Total
2009 |
| Theft of Vehicle |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
3 |
1 |
3 |
1 |
6 |
| Theft from Vehicle |
1 |
1 |
7 |
0 |
2 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
11 |
3 |
| Domestic Burglary |
2 |
2 |
3 |
3 |
1 |
1 |
2 |
1 |
8 |
7 |
| Criminal Damage |
6 |
1 |
4 |
4 |
4 |
2 |
3 |
2 |
17 |
9 |
| Common Assault |
2 |
0 |
2 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
5 |
0 |
| Wounding |
3 |
0 |
0 |
2 |
3 |
0 |
2 |
1 |
8 |
3 |
| Personal Robbery |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
| All Crimes |
28 |
17 |
31 |
18 |
27 |
26 |
18 |
14 |
104 |
75 |
| Anti-Social Behaviour |
19 |
19 |
3 |
13 |
4 |
3 |
6 |
2 |
32 |
37 |
Robert Haysom
01782 643496
Whitmore Village Hall
ADULT LEARNING GROUPS
AIMS AND PLANS
In keeping with our intention of implementing the recommendations expressed by a large quantity of respondents to the Parish Plan Questionnaire, the Village Hall Committee is promoting the encouragement of Adult Learning Groups now that we have one new lecture room and the prospect of others in Phase three of our redevelopment. Please phone one of the contact numbers if you feel you can help in any way.
EXISTING GROUPS
Staffordshire County Council Adult and Community Learning Service financially assist self-help learning groups. We are already using this facility for our Groups in the following subjects:
- I.T. Training
- Art
- First Aid
ADULT LEARNERS WEEK
Staffordshire County Council are offering grants up to £100.00 per organisation, between the dates Saturday 15 May to Sunday 23 May to help with the cost to promote any learning group.
CONTACT NUMBERS
Anyone interested in helping to form or participating in an educational group in any subject or participating in the learner's week event please contact one of the following telephone numbers.
John Pedley 01782 680985
Betty Deaville 01782 681049
Kris Holbrook 01782 680481
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Where will you go with the Rural Runabout?
Group Outings ~ Supermarket ~ Garden Centre ~ Seaside
Call 01782 751164 to start your adventure
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WHITMORE VILLAGE HALL
INFORMATION CENTRE
The Information Centre is open every
Thursday from 2.00pm to 4.00pm
- Photocopying ~ Use of Computers ~ Faxing
- Printing ~ Internet Access ~ Local Information
- Parish, County and Borough Council Contacts
In addition we are now able to offer the following service:
Bus Pass photographing and forwarding by Internet to Local Authority
for issue (normal delivery time is about a week)
Please drop in to view our improved Village Hall, Kitchen,
I.T. Training and Information Centre, if only for a chat.
John and Audrey Pedley 01782 681037 (2pm to 4pm Thursday)
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Whitmore Village Hall
Find Out What's On at the Whitmore & District Village Hall.
FRESH AIR FITNESS – Outdoor Exercise Equipment
In support of the national initiative towards fitness for all ages and the popularity of private fitness clubs, the Parish Council is examining the possibility of installing permanent outdoor exercise equipment within the playing field area adjacent to the Village Hall and the children's play area.
This equipment would be free to use and accessible to all, offering similar exercise and workout opportunities to some of those available in gyms and health clubs. The great thing about this equipment is that it is suitable for all ages and abilities; it can be casually used or as the basis for a serious fitness workout.
The scheme would have other benefits:
- Promotes the use of public space
- Low maintenance and running costs
- Promotes intergenerational and family activity
- Makes health and exercise fun
- Very low carbon footprint
- Promotes social interaction
The Parish Council needs to know what interest there is from the local community (of all ages) before moving forward to locate suitable funding from possible grants and/or donations etc.
If you or members of your family have any interest in using this equipment, or assisting to develop the project, please contact any Parish Councillor listed in this Newsletter or come along to the Open Day at the Village Hall on Saturday 17th April.
Peter Ford 680955
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