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Please either select a category below for a particular article or scroll down to read the whole Newsletter.

• Chairman's Introduction
• Twinning with Framecourt
• Whitmore Village Agent News
• Push the Button - Not Your Luck!
• Road Safety - Community Speed Watch
• Information Centre & Rural Runabout
• What's On?
• Whitmore Festival?
• The Impact of Development on the A53
• Maer Hills Protection Group

View a full list of Councillors and their contact details.

From the Chairman

Within this latest Newsletter you will find several articles written by the members of the Parish Council informing you of the projects that we are progressing as well as our concerns.

The A53 troubles us all. In particular, the loss of lives in recent months has focused our minds on how we can reduce the risks associated with this busy road. Staffordshire Police have indicated that they will support a Community Speed Watch Scheme, allowing local residents to monitor the speed and report offenders. Support from Staffordshire County Council at times appears to be lethargic; the state of signage for example is below an acceptable standard. Reducing the risk associated with the road will continue to be a Parish Council priority and we will pursue all agencies involved.

On a similar theme we must continue to oppose the development of Maer Hills. From an A53 perspective, the road cannot accept any additional traffic and will put the residents of the Parish at increased risk. The recent granting of planning permission for test masts is disappointing but not unexpected. However we must not lose hope and at every stage oppose the planning applications when they are presented.

On a more light-hearted front, there have been numerous suggestions made about developing a "Whitmore Festival". Inside this Newsletter you will see some suggestions, one of which is to centre a week of activities around the very successful Whitmore Horticultural Show.

The Information Centre at the Village Hall continues to be a service offered by volunteers on a Thursday between 2.00 and 4.00 pm. If you need photocopy, fax or e-mail facilities then the Information Centre has them all. The volunteers will also facilitate access to any other service you require. It is hoped that we will be able to issue bus passes from here in the near future.

I hope you find the Newsletter informative. We are always looking for feedback in everything we do and quite often get it. However a suggestion and feedback box has been positioned in the Information Centre or you could provide feedback via the website at www.whitmore.village.uk.net.

Finally it remains for me to say that if we are to rise to these challenges and progress some of these proposals, then we need your help and involvement. Contact details are also enclosed in the Newsletter and we look forward to hearing from you.

Nick Hopper

TWINNING WITH FRAMECOURT

Despite a number of responses to our questionnaire in our last Newsletter the overall number was low. The Parish Council has therefore decided not to progress with a twinning arrangement with Framecourt. We have written to Reverend John Porter declining his invitation to set up a twinning arrangement with Framecourt and wished him success in finding a suitable community to partner.

Bob Haysom

Whitmore Village Agent News

I am continuing to support work on Parish Plan implementation, working closely with the Action Group.

Priorities I have been working on recently are:

• Development of proposals for a Community Speedwatch scheme, linked with review of improvement proposals for the A53.
• Audit of local leisure facilities, both for hobbies and pursuits, and sport and physical activity.
• Advising on notice board replacement.
• Collecting ideas for a Whitmore Festival in 2008, probably early September. Ideally this will involve all local groups and organisations, and I will be helping to develop this over the coming weeks. All ideas welcome!

I am very happy to discuss these, or any other local issues with residents, and can arrange to meet at the Information Centre on a Thursday afternoon if you wish. I have obtained free Community Safety calendars from Staffs County Council Consumer Services Department, and these are available at the Information Centre.

My employer, the Community Council of Staffordshire continues to provide a wide range of support for rural areas across Staffordshire, as set out on the new website. This includes:

• Rural Community Chest grants (up to £1000) for Community Group projects.
• Playaway – hire of toys/equipment, and supply of art and craft materials.
• Rural Access grants – supports projects which help improve access to services.
• Wheels to work – travel assistance to reach employment, or training/education.
• Rural Business advice.
• Training on Community related topics, via Skillsbase.

Contact Details
Derek Pitt, Village Agent – Community Council of Staffordshire
Telephone :- 01785 242 525
E-mail :- derek.pitt@staffs.org.uk
Website :- www.staffs.org.uk

Push the Button – Not Your Luck!

Fire officers in Newcastle are encouraging all members of the community to ensure they have at least one working smoke alarm on each level of their home. The message comes from Newcastle Fire Station (Neil Broad – Newcastle Area Command) where officers have responsibility for co-ordinating Community Safety within Newcastle Borough.

The Home Fire Safety Check is a very successful initiative already in place. Fire officers will visit people in their own homes to give advice on home fire safety. Where necessary the Fire Service will supply and fit free smoke alarms or batteries to achieve this. They will also give advice on the actions to take if a fire does break out, and other risk reduction measures.

There is a priority for homes occupied by the elderly, the very young, lone parent families, and those with life limiting illnesses and disabilities, but officers will visit anyone who requests advice.

A Fire Forum for the over 50's is also being set up by Staffs Fire and Rescue Service, and interested people are invited to get in touch.

Contact can be made as follows:-

Telephone
Newcastle Fire Station – 01785 89 80 85
Fire Forum – 08451 22 11 55

Websites
www.staffordshirefire.gov.uk
www.firekills.gov.uk

ROAD SAFETY – COMMUNITY SPEED WATCH

The police inform us that the scheme has generated an unexpectedly high level of interest. It is already well established in the Stafford / Stone Division and is now at the pilot stage in the North Staffordshire Division. Pilot schemes have been launched in each area, including Loggerheads and Keele and are due to be evaluated in October / November to determine the best way forward.

In July's newsletter I announced that in response to wide concern expressed by parishioners during preparation of our Parish Plan, Whitmore Parish Council has decided to set up and operate a Community Speedwatch Scheme. Our objective being to try to reduce the incidence of vehicles speeding through Whitmore and Baldwins Gate in the short term and collect evidence which may justify more permanent controls being introduced in the future.

In order to do so, we need a minimum of 6 volunteers, but preferably up to 12. Training only takes about 2 hours. Equipment, protective clothing and insurance are of course provided. Volunteers will operate in pairs and monitoring sessions, of about 1 hour duration, will take place only during daylight hours and in good weather.

In view of the feedback obtained during the preparation of the Parish Plan we were confident that this would not be a problem. However, so far only 2 volunteers have put their names forward and obviously without sufficient volunteers, we will be unable to proceed with this initiative.

Please do help us to help you by registering as a volunteer - contact either the Parish Clerk Mr Robert Haysom or your local Parish Councillor.

Ian Webb

INFORMATION CENTRE OPEN THURSDAY 2:00PM to 4:00PM County and Borough Councillors Schools Parish Council Trading Standards Highways Beth Johnson Housing Benefits and Pensions Local Amenities Local Policing Social Services Internet Access Use of Computers Photocopying Open to all residents of Whitmore, Hill & Chapel Chorlton, Aston and Maer parishes		Where will you go with the Rural Runabout? Group Outings Supermarket Garden Centre Seaside Call 01782 751 164 to start your adventure

What's On? What's On? What's On? What's On?

There is far more going on in and around the parish than most people realise, via the parish newsletter we are providing listings of clubs, and organisations. In this edition our list is parish based, next time the newsletter will provide details of complementary clubs and organisations in adjacent parishes.

With the usual caveat, the information we have is accurate at time of printing, to the best of our knowledge and is offered in good faith. Please see list below for the village hall.

If you know of any other activities or venues that we can pass on please do contact me.

Bill Murray

Whitmore & District Village Hall

Read What's On at Whitmore Village Hall.

Whitmore Festival

A couple or so years ago we looked at the practicalities of a "May Day" type weekend using the parish playing fields behind the village hall. The initiative came from Phillipa Gardiner a local school girl. An otherwise excellent idea, we had to set it aside for two reasons. To be successful the A53 would have needed to be closed to allow the proposed procession- with the inevitable chaos that would cause. And we were aware of several comparable events within a few miles of our parish.

The idea lived on, we needed a different format and we think that we, with Phillipa's input have found one. A September-based Whitmore Festival starting the second week in September, running through the week to the third weekend in September, with a mixture of day time and evening events.

For the moment it's just an idea, not a proposal, with the hope that local people and organisations will cooperate to produce a proposal. In other words, we need to generate interest from enthusiastic, competent individuals and groups.

The initial ideas are as follows:

• Daytime Saturday 13th September Formal opening with a local celebrity, several guided walks starting out from Acton, Butterton, Whitmore and Baldwins Gate with knowledgeable local guides.
• Evening of Saturday 13th September Pop Concert with young people and local school's input.
• Sunday 14th September Horticultural Show at the village hall.
• Evening Monday 15th September Choir Concert or Variety Show.
• Evening Tuesday 16th September Pub Quiz.
• Evening of Wednesday 17th September Jazz Night, at local public house.
• Thursday 18th September Coffee morning as usual at the Methodist Church followed by a themed coach trip to somewhere such as the Railway heritage centre in Crewe.
• Evening of Friday 19th September choir concert or disco.
• Morning of Saturday 20th September Farmer's market
• Evening of Saturday 20th September barn dance and/or fashion show.
• Sunday 21st September Car boot sale as exists, craft fayre.
• Evening of Sunday 21st September combined churches harvest festival.

We would hope to involve the local media in the festival, we have a few ideas as to potential venues, but have no proposals other than recognising the wisdom of incorporating existing events wherever possible. We are mindful of the existence of the churches at Butterton, Whitmore and Baldwins Gate, the two pubs, schools that local children attend, the playing fields, village hall, some very friendly farmers and some equally friendly locals with big gardens and an occasional grand house. We must also remember that our parish includes all the settlements at Butterton, Acton, Whitmore Heath, Madeley Park Wood and Baldwins Gate as well as Whitmore itself.

So for the moment all we have is the idea .... developed from Phillipa's original proposal. We now need to drum up support from interested parties, particularly those whose existing or otherwise proven events can be scheduled within the format of two weekends and the week between. And of course those enthusiastic enough to offer something new, with or without a venue. Feel free to talk to Bill Murray or contact the Village Agent Derek Pitt, who has agreed to coordinate our efforts. Or pop into the information centre on any Thursday afternoon between 2.00pm and 4.00pm.

Bill Murray

The Impact of Development on the A53

I wonder whether many of you saw the article in a recent Evening Sentinel headed "Act now to stop more tragedies" submitted by a Newcastle Borough Councillor. Rightly he complained of the dangers of the A53, the main artery through our parish. He went on to examine the dangers experienced on this roadway and the number of deaths caused over the past few years. Whilst this was a very commendable observation, unfortunately it was, in my opinion, an opportunity lost. The opportunity to add another nail into the coffin of the proposed Maer Hills debacle.

I personally think we all become a little blasé over matters that drag on, like the Maer Hills project, but we must not dismiss the consequences of what might happen to our local environment in the future. Bear in mind that this is not some wonderful amenity being erected for our local benefit and is going to provide us all enjoyment and prosperity in the process. This is a commercial outfit prepared to destroy our locality to benefit the few (in their pockets) and everyone within the vicinity pays the price.

It is not only the eyesore of the wind turbines (120 metres high) and their deafening noise; it is the impact on our roads, particularly the A53 and A51. You will all know the notoriety of the A53 – some eight deaths since 2003 and dozens more serious accidents within this time, so how will 1600 more vehicles each weekend (which will be a consequence of the Maer Hills Eco Village proposal) going to help the problem? Not a jot. It will exasperate every A53 user even more. The proposal to put a speed limit from one end to the other of the A53 sounds fine, but is speed a main contributor?

The last two fatal accidents, I am told, had nothing to do with speed. However it has to be a factor. It is not just speed that kills on this road, it is the traffic volume, particular 40 tonne trucks, short cutting to the M6, dangerous corners and bends, the road junctions and even the overhanging trees add to the notoriety of the A53. It is no fun being stuck behind a 40 tonne truck and hence a line of traffic over half a mile long, on what is after all a country road, but it is no use trying to overtake when a certain bend looms ahead. In other words, if you would choose a road with every conceivable danger then the A53 tops the list.

Therefore we should be asking whatever are our Councillors at Borough and particular County levels playing at, knowing full well these problems exist and who will pick up the tab if this project succeeds – the locals! This project being pushed by the proposer as eco friendly is a complete and utter death knell for the surrounding areas and its residents, and in particular the hundreds of users of the A53. Until this road is completely updated or rerouted NO development of any size should be considered that would even add one more vehicle to the dangers of the A53.

Maybe our Councillors should take more notice of the Parish Councils who seem to have more consideration and realisation of what is going on in their own backyards. We all see the results of the property prices when an airport runway is extended yet one turbine's spinning blades (should there be enough wind) are larger than the size of a jumbo jet.

We should all be concerned therefore at the possible damage to our local environment in every shape or form. We all love our villages, the scenery, the walks, the wildlife etc – we already live with the dangers of the A53. So are we asking for more.

Alan Wilkinson

MAER HILLS PROTECTION GROUP

The Maer Hills Protection Group have recently held their Annual General Meeting and we thought it timely to set out the Group's current position relative to the proposed development of Maer Hills.

At the Annual General Meeting we summarised some of the many events that have occurred since the Claymoss Group announced their plans in September 2006 with a series of exhibitions. The Maer Hills Protection Group interviewed hundreds of people to ascertain their views at Slaters Country Inn, the Potteries Shopping Centre and Newcastle town centre. The Group then organised a series of Public Meetings locally to ensure that as many people as possible were made aware of the impact of the proposals.

In December the first planning application for two 60 metre high test masts was emphatically rejected by Newcastle Borough Council Planning Committee following representations by Parish Councils, Maer Hills Protection Group and 650 letters of objection from the general public. The Planning Inspector eventually upheld Claymoss' subsequent appeal against this decision in September 2007 as he considered the masts were slim temporary structures would not be overly intrusive.

In February 2007 Claymoss submitted a Scoping Report for four 120 metre high wind turbines and in March 2007 submitted a Scoping Report for a holiday village which consists of 800 lodges, 2 hotels, shopping area and golf course.

The Forestry Commission granted a thinning licence to fell 13,600 trees and a Clear Fell licence to clear four areas totalling 70 acres. Despite being advised by the Parish Councils and several hundred members of the general public of the cynical intent behind the choice of the four areas to be felled which match the sites of the proposed four wind turbines.

The Maer Hills Protection Group has also been very active in many other ways. Informative meeting have been held and newsletters distributed to over 3,000 local households. The Group have a website www.savemaerhills.co.uk which is available for the public to access for information. The attraction of the hills and the public amenity they provide have been publicised through television programmes, radio interviews, newspaper and magazine articles.

A series of fund raising events have been held and thanks to the generosity and support of the public a good start has been made to the necessary fighting fund. The Group remains convinced with continuing support this precious landscape and its wildlife can be saved for future generations.

We are keen to have new members (membership £5), volunteers to assist on committees, financial support in the form of donations and individual fundraising events (e.g. coffee mornings). Contact: secretarymaerhills@yahoo.co.uk

MAER HILLS CALENDARS ARE AVAILABLE AT LOCAL SHOPS AT £4

From The Maer Hills Protection Group

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