Whitmore Parish Council Newsletter - January 2009
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From the Chairman
The role of the Parish Council is to challenge the issues that face our rural parish as well as being a catalyst for uniting the community. 2009 will be no different.
There are two notable issues that are pressing. Firstly, the planning application for four wind turbines at Maer Hills is to be heard by Newcastle Borough Planning Committee within the next few weeks. Towards the end of last year there was a joint meeting with our neighboring Parish Councils where we all expressed a united front in our strong objection to the proposal. A joint letter reaffirming our strong objection has been forwarded to all the Newcastle Borough Councillors, local MPs and our County Councillor.
The Maer Hills Protection Group is organizing a demonstration outside the Council offices on the night of the Planning Committee meeting. It is their intention to demonstrate to the Planning Committee just how many people are opposed to the destruction of an area of significant greenbelt.
The second notable issue is the potential winding-up of Whitmore & District Horticultural Society. The Horticultural Society has been in existence for over 40 years and has produced some outstanding Annual Shows. The Parish Council will endeavour to prevent the winding-up of the Horticultural Society and the loss of the important day that unites the community.
We strongly support the Horticultural Society in their appeal for new members. If you can help, not only on the day, but in the preparations throughout the year, then please contact myself or Mike Deaville, President of the Society on 01782 681049. They really do need your help. You don't necessarily need to be a good gardener, just a member of the community who wants the yearly event to survive. I know that the day is always fascinating from the large vegetables to the giant dahlias, to the cakes, pictures and photographs. You cannot fail to be impressed by the quality of exhibits.
Elsewhere in this Newsletter you will find a number of interesting articles and events. The Parish Council is constantly seeking feedback. Our contact details are on the back cover. Better still, come to a meeting on the first Wednesday of the month, usually at the Village Hall. A 15-minute slot is reserved during the evening for the public to speak.
Nick Hopper
01782 662323
Maer Hills - Wind Farm
Much has been happening with respect to the Maer Hills Wind Farm proposal over the past few months, with several decision-making Council meetings being cancelled or delayed, and with still no firm date. Personally I am surprised, as this is a serious and contentious matter. I don't know anyone who does not want a clean, sustainable supply of electricity, myself included, but the challenge to the scenic beauty or environment of any future site should be of equal importance. To further enlighten and inform our Parish Council and other local interested parties, Newcastle Borough Council arranged a visit to a wind farm site at Burton Latimer, Kettering and following this I have been asked to convey the details and interesting features of this visit.
We were informed that the Burton Latimer site was unfortunately nothing like the Maer Hills site as Maer Hills was "unique" and no site existed that was anything like the Maer Hills proposed development. On arrival we approached the area from each of several directions and then left the coach to examine the views and listen for any noise. Not only was no noise apparent – no sight of the turbines was evident either. Eventually we arrived on site and the 10 turbines were very evident. They were all sited on one farmer's land and the very gentleman joined us to escort us around. The wind farm was commissioned in January 2006 – the turbines being 100 metres tall although 125 metres had been applied for, but had been refused.
The first impression of the site was that it was virtually treeless, and was absolutely flat land with few buildings other than the farm and its outbuildings. Unbelievably none of the villages we had visited could be seen from the site. This perhaps accounted for the fact that there were only three objections to the application.
The wind was coming from the North West at 9 mph which was about half speed and not from the normal South West. The farmer went on to explain that no turbine could be sited legally within 650 metres from a building. When working at their ultimate, the turbines were a little over 20% efficient. No real noise was apparent other than a continuous "whoosh" when close up.
What was however very noticeable, particularly on this cloudless, sunny day, was "flicker". This certainly attracted one's attention and had an unusual effect on one's eyes after watching it for a while. It was not a real problem at Burton Latimer as no one overlooked the site. But what of the Maer Hills? Will this type of "flicker" distract traffic on the A51 and A53? It's certain you can't miss 125 metre turbines, as at Burton Latimer. This is indeed a serious problem for the Borough Council to consider as the height of the requested turbines are some three or four times the height of the tree-line at present.
It was certainly worth the visit but I feel it raised more concerns than were originally envisaged and that Maer Hills is not the site for these four turbines. Even 10 turbines add little to the National Grid, four can only mean even less. Is it worth the destruction of this exclusive site? It really is "unique".
As a matter of interest, the 250 turbine wind farm off the coast of Llandudno in North Wales (permission having been granted), has now brought out environmentalist David Bellamy in opposition. He said "We are being fed lies all the time about the supposed benefits of wind farms. No matter how large they are or how many there is they will not allow us to close down conventional or nuclear plants. The sums don't add up" he went on "and if we are not careful we will destroy what we want to preserve, landscapes and lifestyles with this head long rush into a flawed technology which will cause serious, social landscape and visual harm, produce a small amount of intermittent electricity and cost the UK taxpayer billions of pounds in unnecessary subsidies". He might well have been talking about the Maer Hills.
Alan Wilkinson
01782 680820
Village Hall
Whitmore Village Hall reaches its 50th anniversary this year and a major refurbishment will start on January 19th. The original suggestion to replace the Hall with a new building was abandoned when our application for funds to the BIG Lottery was turned down. Also our original architect had taken on the Claymoss Maer Hills development and the Committee felt that it would not be a good idea to continue employing them in view of the objections to that development within the community. A new architect was appointed and plans have been drawn up to develop the existing building, a move which will preserve the unique interior of the Hall.
We have applied for funding to many sources and now have sufficient funds to commence Phase 1 of the development. This includes the following:
- Replace all windows and glass doors with double-glazing.
- Replace the flat roof over the kitchen and annexe.
- Install cavity wall insulation.
- Reorganise the kitchen with new floor, entrance and units.
- Refurbish the Annexe and Bar.
- Enlarge the Information centre and increase the IT training facility.
- Create a new entrance to the stage from the Storeroom.
Completion is anticipated by March 27th.
Phase 2 comprises building a new entrance on the gable end facing the car park; relocating the disabled toilet; constructing a small meeting room; constructing a health suite; creating a new, larger Information Centre at the front of the building; creating a large meeting room in the existing foyer. The plans are available in the Hall The estimated cost of this development is around £200,000. An additional, separate project is to install solar photovoltaic cells on the roof of the Hall to generate our own electricity.
Funding is being sought and a series of fund raising events will be held in the Hall during the year. Any suggestions for fund raising will be welcome as will any volunteers to join the Committee or to offer skills to help to see the project materialise.
For further information, please contact Chairman, Keith Willingham 01782 680944 or Secretary Don Lawton 01782 680371.
We need your presence at events – you gave it for the Festival last year – please do so again and make this year just as special.
Look out for posters and leaflets for future dates at Whitmore Village Hall.
Local Footpaths
Our parish covers approximately 20 square miles and is criss-crossed by a myriad of public footpaths of varying lengths and difficulty.
Over the last 12 months we, the Parish Council, have walked all the footpaths in our parish to survey their condition. We then compiled a report which was sent to Stafford for review and now they have started a program of repairs and renewals of stiles and finger-posts etc.
These footpaths enable people to admire our beautiful parish in a new dimension, away from traffic and close to nature. Now that Christmas is over, why not put on some good boots and take advantage of this free local amenity and help with your own fitness regime.
Ken Allman
01782 680382
WHITMORE VILLAGE HALL
INFORMATION
CENTRE
After a short break for Christmas and New Year, the Information Centre is open again every Thursday from 2.00pm till 4.00pm at The Village Hall, offering;-
- Printing
- Photocopying
- Faxing
- E Mail Service
- Local Information
Anyone interested in training/helping as an Information Officer please contact John Pedley by telephone 01782 681037 or email johnpedley@whitmorepcinfo.plus.com |
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Where will you go
with the Rural Runabout?
Group Outings
Supermarket
Garden Centre
Seaside
Call
01782 751 164
to start your adventure |
Whitmore & District Horticultural Society
Whitmore & District Horticultural Society is desperately seeking new members. The Society was established over 40 years ago and holds its Annual Show at Whitmore Village Hall each September. The Committee is short of Officers for organising this coming year's Show.
If you think you can help, then please call Mike Deaville on 01782 681049 by 21 February.
SAFETY ISSUES
PROTECTING YOUR BELONGINGS
As promised in October's Newsletter, the following are now available from the Information Centre:
- Four "Invisible Marker Kits" to protect valuables in the home, provided on a "free loan and return" basis.
- 500 "Jingle Bells" to protect against "pick-pocket/bag-dip".
All of the above are free of charge. Call in at the Information Centre at Whitmore Village Hall on a Thursday between 2.00 pm and 4.00 pm.
PROTECTING YOURSELF IN THE HOME
 Staffordshire Fire Service have asked us to remind you that they are offering a FREE "Home Fire Risk Check" Service. Here, officers will visit your home and identify any potential fire risks, with recommendations as to how to eliminate them. The visit takes about 30 minutes and can be requested on 0800 0241999.
IMPORTANT: for residents aged over 60 considered to be "vulnerable", they will resolve many of the potential fire risks free of charge. Examples would include:
- Smoke Alarms: Supply and fit new alarms / repair or replace faulty alarms.
- Supply of:
- "Power Down" sockets
- Fire guards
- Low energy light bulbs
- Chip pans: replace these with much safer Deep Fat Fryers.
- Electric blankets: replace faulty blankets free of charge. Note: in order to be able to check these properly, please state, when requesting the service, what sort of blankets will require checks (Single or Double, Over-blanket or Under-blanket).
This is a valuable service. Please do make full use of it.
Ian Webb
01782 680522
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Whitmore Village Hall
Find Out What's On at the Whitmore & District Village Hall.
PARISH PLAN
Bus service: We have been talking to several Parish Councils to seek their views on the local bus service. The intention is to call a meeting of Parish Councils who have an interest in the X64 bus service (Hanley, Newcastle, Market Drayton, Shrewsbury) and then approach the bus operators and County Councils with proposals that have the backing of all Parishes involved, not just our own. We will keep you posted.
Newcastle College: There is a reassuring willingness to run evening courses within the Parish. "Conversational Spanish" and "Track your own ancestors" have been suggested and with this in mind we hope to call an open-meeting quite soon, probably at the Village Hall. Again, we will keep you posted.
Bill Murray
01782 680252
I.T. TRAINING
The eight-week I.T. Training course commencing on 22/01/09 is now fully subscribed even though we have increased our capacity from six to eight students at one time. Names are now being collated for the eight-week courses to be commenced on 16/04/09 and 11/06/09.
All the courses will be held on Thursday morning (Two sessions: 09.00am - 11.00am and 11.00am - 13.00pm). Tuition on " Word", "Excel", "Publisher" and "Email" depending on the requirements of the students.
These courses are available due to the assistance of Whitmore Parish Council and the Staffordshire County Council Adult and Community Learning Service.
Contact John Pedley on 01782 680985 or at the Information Centre on Thursday 2.00pm till 4.00pm or Email: johnpedley@whitmorepcinfo.plus.com
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