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Simple Simon

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Posts posted by Simple Simon

  1. Posted · Report reply

    Is this anything to do with the article by the West Mercia Police in the most recent issue (Autumn 2014) of the parish newsletter?

     

    There is some confusion regarding cycling on pavements. There is a cycle/pedestrian path along a stretch of the road to Whittington (from Oswestry), but it's not really that clear where exactly the pavement ceases being a cycle path.

  2. Posted · Report reply

    The council didn't receive an official pavilion booking prior to the event.

     

    The council received a request for use of the pavilion on Sunday 3rd August at 17.50 via email to the Parish Clerk (who is away on holiday) and copied to the Assistant to the Parish Clerk.

     

    I wasn't aware that the event was on until I saw the banner on the fence outside the playing field. I had seen no other publicity.

     

    A football match had taken place on the Sunday and the bins hadn't been emptied. The council allows use of the pavilion for the Play Day for free, so it didn't lose out financially.

  3. Posted · Report reply

    The Graham Edward Memorial Season is now into its final week. They have lots of equipment in the pavilion. They also had a match on the evening of the same day (kick off at 6.30pm).

     

    Although I was aware that the National Play Day happens around now I know the council didn't receive a booking form prior to the event. The first I knew of it was seeing a banner on the fence on Monday morning (although I had received an email on the Sunday asking if the building was available).

     

    In addition, following recent matches and the GE guys doing sterling work clearing up litter after all matches, all the litter bins are full. Although there was a collection on Monday morning, the collector (Ringway) refused to empty the pavilion bins. As it's a brown bin collection week, the pavilion bin will remain full until next weeks' collection.

     

    I hope that sheds clearer light on the situation.

    Paul Drury reacted to this

  8. Posted · Report reply

    A long running popular local football tournament based in Gobowen, which raises money for charity marks its 40th year of existence when this year’s competition kicks off in July.

     

    The Graham Edwards Memorial Trophy is named in memory of a promising young footballer from Gobowen who played for Gobowen and Weston Rhyn who sadly died of Leukaemia aged just 21 in 1974. The tournament was set up the following year and the impressive trophy was paid for with £100 raised at a dance.

     

    It is one of the longest running charity tournaments in the country and a sign of its longevity is that sons and even grandsons of players who played in the first tournament 40 years ago have played in the tournament in recent years.

     

    The tournament is competed for by 16 teams (all by invitation) and played as a straight knockout during late July and early August, leading up to a grand final on the second Sunday in August. Although the ultimate aim is raising money for charity, it is officially recognised by the Shropshire FA and is used by clubs as a good guide to their pre-season build up to their local leagues.

     

    The tournament had always been held at Gobowen Playing Field but in 2007, the committee made the decision to switch to the excellent facilities on offer at the newly built The Venue at Park Hall. With only a very small number of helpers to undertake various jobs such as marking the pitch, putting nets up, man the tea bar, etc for each game, The Venue had all that already in place.

     

    However, the tournament is now returning to its original home in Gobowen by popular demand. A new committee is in place but we are still in great need of volunteers to either join the committee or help out on matchdays. Anyone who can help will be made very welcome.

     

    With the move back to Gobowen, we would like to appeal to supporters old and new to come down and show their support.

     

    One feature of the grand final is that the trophy has always been presented by a footballing celebrity and over the years, we have been fortunate enough to get Steve Sutton (ex Derby, Nottingham Forest), Duncan McKenzie (ex Leeds, Everton), Steve Bull (ex Wolves, England), Dixie McNeill (ex Wrexham) and ex England striker Gary Lineker to name but a few. It is not known at the time of going to press who is likely to present the trophy this year.

     

    In addition to money raised at the matches, there is also a grand raffle which is drawn immediately after the end of the final. One of the conditions of entry for each team is that during the tournament, they are required to sell a minimum of 50 books of tickets, which raises an additional £800. The top 3 prizes this year are 1st. £100 cash, 2nd. A spa day for 2 people, 3rd a hamper, plus there are many more prizes.
     

    The committee would like to thank in advance anyone who has kindly donated any of the prizes but we would appeal to any individuals or businesses to donate prizes – any donations would be very gratefully received.

     

    The dates of matches for this year’s tournament are:-

     

    FIRST ROUND – Sunday 20th July (3.00pm and 6.30pm), Monday 21st July (6.30pm), Tuesday 22nd July (6.30pm), Wednesday 23rd July (6.30pm), Thursday 24th July (6.30pm), Sunday 27th July (3.00pm and 6.30pm).

    2ND ROUND – Tuesday 29th July (6.30pm), Thursday 31st July (6.30pm), Sunday 3rd August (3.00pm and 6.30pm).

    SEMI FINALS – Tuesday 5th August (6.00pm), Thursday 7th August (6.00pm).

    FINAL – Sunday 10th August (3.00pm).

     

    All money raised from the tournament goes to Leukaemia Research and over the years, over £100,000 has been raised. However, more money is needed to continue research into beating a disease which claims so many lives so please give the tournament your support and help raise money for a very good cause.

     

    For further information or to offer help in any way, please contact competition secretary Wayn Martayn on 01691 671364.

     

    David Figg (Press Officer for Graham Edwards Memorial Trophy)

  11. Posted · Report reply

    @Maggie

     

    Many thanks for pointing me in the direction of this site. I'm not sure it can be of any help as far as the cycle route is concerned.

     

    I'm not getting any support from Shropshire Councillors or from people within the organisation, despite the positive feedback I've amassed from local businesses, organisations and ordinary people.

     

    I'm guessing that councillors see the track as a golden opportunity of making money for the town rather than using the route for the benefit of all people. I was warned years ago that it would all come down to the council and deep seated vested interests rather than money and common sense.

  15. Posted · Report reply

    Right....

     

    I think you're referring to Twmpath Lane. It has a pavement from the back entrance into the Derwen College to the roundabout on the bypass. The route you appear to be using is through the college via a drive that links Bypass Road in Gobowen to Twmpath Lane by the entrance to the "Woodland Walk" (over seem speed bunps and a bridge across a stream).

     

    It's a route I've cycled through a number of times, but I think it is Derwen property. During certain public holidays both gates are closed to traffic.

     

    There is a public footpath from the corner of Twmpath Lane on Bypass Road via a kissing gate, through the grounds of the college, past the bowling green, the coffee shop and the football pitch. It crosses the drive, goes through the Woodland Walk, over the main railway line, behind Meadowbrook and the hospital, over the disused railway line, through a field and out on the road leading into Gobowen. It's unlit and muddy in places. 

     

    I understand the Derwen have had talks with the council regarding safety issues concerning this route.

  16. Posted · Report reply

    The Gobowen I.T. Learning Project (the Pavilion, St. Martins Road, Gobowen. 10am to noon during term time - plug, plug) has a scanner and image manipulation software.

     

    "Uh.....?!" I hear you exclaim. It means that even tatty and badly stained and ripped photos can be cleaned up and made sparkly and new again. Just pop by if you uncover any damaged photos and we'll be happy to help out.

  18. Posted · Report reply

    I've had offers from well-meaning individuals and groups that would like to contribute, but not from pros that can give me watertight information.

     

    I have approached the 2 people that were involved in winning the original LSTF award and developing the Greenway project as I fear they will soon loose their jobs with Shropshire Council and I for one recognise and appreciate their hardwork. However, neither have replied.

     

    By the way, there are increasing doubts that the Greenway project (a tarmac path alongside the railway line between the Coney Green crossing and the Travis Perkins drive underneath the Gasworks Bridge) will ever see the light of day. They've missed the deadline for "Phase 1" which was due to start in 2013. The whole project has to be complete by March 2015. Shropshire Council have had the award since July 2011.

     

    As to recruits, my intention is to approach companies on an individual basis. Hard graft and a thankless task, but 've been here before.

  20. Posted · Report reply

    I'm trying to gather a group of people together to push forward the development of a new traffic free route suitable for walkers, mobility scooter users and cyclists alongside the disused railway line linking Gobowen to Oswestry.

     

    I really need the help and advice of experts in the following fields: 

     

    • Engineers (paths, tunnels/underpass, bridges)
    • Accountants (people that are able to put a costed business plan together and can identify potential sources of funding)
    • Disable Access (individuals who have knowledge of the challenges faced by people in wheelchairs and mobility scooters)
    • Solicitors and Lawyers (experts in Rights of Way and people that can argue a case powerfully)
    • An ex-Shropshire Councillor (someone who knows how the council operates today)
    • Public Relations Managers (people who know how to sell a good and worthwhile project)
    • Project Managers (someone who can organise information and people)

     

    I really need these you now. In the first instance private message me via this site.

  21. Posted · Report reply

    I couldn't agree more with your comment regarding how certain drivers treat the Gobowen roundabout. Because it has 5 exits very few drivers get into the correct lane or indicate their exit point.

     

    The coal yard project appears to be mired in confusion. I've now heard that there are plans to extend the existing station car park. I think everything is in flux while namesless individuals try and scramble for capital project pots of money. 

     

    It appears that nowadays the word "consultation" is used is used to describe a very brief session open to the public with very little prior notification in which oridinary people can come and listen to what has already been decided.

     

    There's loads more on this subject here be warned, it will scramble your brains!

  22. Posted · Report reply

    At Christmas time ones' thoughts enevitably turn to ones' family as we reflect on the passing year and give thanks. 

     

    So, with the seasonal spirit of good will in mind, I would like to take this opportunity to say a big THANK YOU to Community Online for being involved in the following projects during 2013: 

     

    • For co-sponsoring the new football kit and logo we gave to the Cross Foxes Football Club in Gobowen for FREE (shout that out from the highest hilltop - if your village has one!)
    • For making available full colour versions of the Selattyn & Gobowen Parish Roundabout throughout 2013 and for contributing some articles/flyers
    • For putting together a huge banner for the Gobowen I.T. Learning Project for FREE (shout that out from the highest hilltop, if you've any voice left). More on this in the New Year
    • For helping out with the publicity for the Doctor Who 50th Anniversary Competition in Ellesmere and Oswestry Town Market

     

    Thank you

     

     

  23. Posted · Report reply

    Just to expand this topic a little; Shropshire Council are cutting back on police, ambulance and fire services. My understanding is that they are trying to centralise them to bring costs down. Baschurch Fire Station are kicking up a fuss.

     

    Ambulances and fire services will take longer to arrive and get to A&E. When you ring 999 and ask for an ambulance the operator asks a series of questions to see if a First Responder can better handle the situation. My understanding is that First Responders don't have to same equipment and are not qualified to administer certain drugs.

     

    There used to be regular meetings by the First Responders in Gobowen Pavilion. The man in charge is based in St. Martins. Are they on CO? It would be good for them to contribute to this issue.  

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