Simple Simon
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Posts posted by Simple Simon
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I can tell you that this year the pavilion in Gobowen was used for 2 children's parties because it was large enough, heated, has a car park, a kitchen and some toilets.
One of the parents expressed in interested in using the building for a late night booking (10om to 2pm) for an event involving alcohol, but the council wouldn't allow it because they don't have a licence.
The institute is a much larger building with more facilities. Would a late night party disturb in the main hall local residents? Is there anywhere else in WR that could hold this type of event?
David G Lloyd reacted to this -
PRESS RELEASE
Immediate release
April 2013
Press Release: Civic Voice joins Lord True and Zac Goldsmith MP supporting amendment to Growth Bill Over 250 MPs contacted by civic groups challenging the Government’s home extensions’ plans.Civic Voice – the national charity for the civic movement with 75,000 members – is today urging individuals and communities across England to contact their local MP to support an amendment to Government legislation to allow local councils to opt out of a proposed piece of national legislation.
The amendment, introduced in the House of Lords by Lord True CBE, [1] means councils could, if they wished, opt out of the proposed legislation which would allow house extensions to double in size before needing the local planning permissions which are currently required.
Civic Voice wants community groups to contact their local MP and ask them to support the amendment when it is debated in the House of Commons on April 16th.
Write to your MP nowCivic Voice has designed a website to allow individuals and community groups to write a letter to their MP in under 30 seconds expressing support for the amendment. Write a letter to your MP at www.civicvoice.org.uk
Lord True CBE said “Many MPs of all parties must surely see how unfair it would be for neighbours to lose the right to be heard or to ask for change in the case of big ugly extensions. We must build community cohesion not create friction between neighbours. This is now the last chance to urge MPs to back those who play by the rules, not the minority who want to ignore them. I applaud Civic Voice for supporting this amendment.”
Zac Goldsmith MP who will be spearheading support for Lord True’s amendment in the Commons debate said “Everyone wants to see common sense reforms to planning policy so that uncontentious developments get a green light, and planning officers are able to focus on the cases that really matter. But this policy simply rips up all local input, and is a recipe for guaranteed hostilities between neighbours. It is madness to remove people’s right to object to developments that threaten their quality of life. I hope this sensible and modest Lords amendment passes through the Commons so that elected local representatives are able to decide for themselves if this policy suits their communities.”
Paula Ridley CBE, Chair of Civic Voice said, “There has been widespread concern about the Government’s planning reforms which would put everyday England at risk. Over 250 MPs have been contacted by groups who want to see this amendment introduced; however, this may not be enough. If you support the amendment to allow local choice, visit the Civic Voice website today and tell your MP. Numbers count on an issue such as this as the Government has made it clear they want to see the amendment removed.”
Civic Voice has designed a website to allow individuals and community groups to write a letter to their MP in under 30 seconds expressing support for the amendment. Write a letter to your MP at www.civicvoice.org.uk.
NOTES FOR EDITORS[1] Development orders: development within the curtilage of a dwelling house” [http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/bills/cbill/2012-2013/0157/13157.1-4.html], inserted into the Growth and Infrastructure Bill by the House of Lords.
Civic Voice is the national charity for the civic movement. We lead and support civic societies as a national movement for quality of place, with people actively improving their towns, cities and villages and promoting civic pride. We speak up for civic societies and local communities across England and we believe everyone should live somewhere they can be proud of. Civic societies are the most numerous participants in the planning system. Since its launch in April 2010, Civic Voice has been joined by over 290 civic societies with 75,000 members. Further information is available at http://www.civicvoice.org.uk including how to join Civic Voice (£10 individuals) and contact details for local civic societies.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT:Steve Graham, Chief Executive, Civic Voice (m) 079217 67650
Ian Harvey, Co-ordinator, Civic Voice (m) 07877 096968 (t) 0151 708 9920
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Just to add here, you can be from any background to get involved. It would be really great if you are young and unemployed because it would ad to you CV and provide some welcome and much needed input into the project.
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This from "Bank on Dave!" - Burnley Savings and Loans Ltd:
"We write further to your recent currepondence regarding the possibility of opening a similar system to Burnley Savings and Loans Ltd in the Shropshire area.
We thank you for your letter and your interest. We are currently receiving hundreds of letters, emails and telephone calls from people and organisations interested in opening a community bank, run by the community for the benefit of the community.
We are currently in the process of applying for a community bank licence, and once we receive the licence we will be able to provide help and assistance in rolling our system out across the country.
You can assist us in this application. We are hoping that public support in this matter will help us in our goal of obtaining a community bank licence, and we would be grateful if you would write to the banking regulatory body and support Burnley Savings and Loans Limited's cause."
The regulatory body is of course the FSA in London.
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I don't know how Heather is getting on or whether she is part of CO. Judging by my conversations with Andy there are a number of people in the area that UnLtd are helping.
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I was involved with "IT in the Community" run by Walford & North Shropshire College at the Centre at St. Martins. We were using "Elements" although we encouraged people to download the free "PaintShop Pro", but that caused big problems because I had to quickly design new worksheets for the people using Pro. People got a bit frustrated because we charged for the course, all the students were mature, they all had different cameras with different ways of uploading images. The problems was they weren't too interested in the sorts of effects you can acheive. They simply wanted to upload photographs and arrange into an album of some kind and burn onto a CD. We had about 12 students with two tutors, so we were always giving personal attention.
The GIMP one I delivered at Shrewsbury was an expanded course developed from some worksheets Shropshire Council gave me. Four to six students who all knew me so it was much more relaxed. Rather than using cameras I downloaded a folder of images and we went through things like cropping, red eye, cloning, text, layers, selecting, restoring an old photo. Fun bits and bobs.
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Hi Paul
I ran a brief photography course in Shrewsbury a couple of years ago. It wasn't about taking photographs, but it concentrated on using Gimp to adjust photographs (cropping, reducing red eye, cleaning up old photos).
I word of caution: People always had difficulty in downloading from a camera and things can get very frustrating.
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Hello Michelle
I attended a similiar course at Craven Arms last summer. It was run by Shropshire Council, and I know that Selattyn & Gobowen Council were thinking about running a short course at the pavilion in Gobowen.
Perhaps a good idea would be to contact the councils and youth clubs. I know the Parish Clerk missed out on doing the course that I attended, so I suspect she would be very interested.
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I'm going to contact Dave Fishwick of Bank of Dave fame. I'm getting really concerned about the state of our banking system and the security of our savings.
Is there anyone on CO who would like me to put specific questions to him?
I only have the bank's address, so I'll send a letter (with SAE) to him after the Easter holiday.
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I think a french company called "Ringway" has a contract with Shropshire Council to do the road gritting. Ringway also do the litter picking and empty the public bins.
The short drive where I live was only gritted early on Monday morning (it started snowing the preceeding Thursday night). 4 neighbours cleared a section of the road on Saturday morning whilst I joined another 3 residents on Monday morning to clear the build up of snow and ice in the middle of the road.
I notice that the pavements haven't yet been cleared of a build up of snow down Old Whittington Road into the village, although they are clearing it in front of The Cross Foxes and the Post Office.
I'm afraid that it's up to neighbours with a touch of community spirit, a snow shovel and a bit of muscle to get the side roads and pavements cleared nowadays.
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It's almost a year since I was awarded an UnLtd Do It Award to promote, expand and sustain the Community Online project.
It's got me thinking.... who else has received an award from UnLtd. It would be interesting to see who is doing what and maybe we could collaborate and share experiences, knowledge etc....
Yes, me. I got one to help with the costs of doing the campaign for the traffic free route. I'm also helping a friend to make an application for an award to help expand the facilities we have with the Gobowen I.T. Learning Project.
I've got to say that Andy and UnLtd have been really helpful. It's always a case of forming filling and ticking the right boxes, but I cannot fault their friendliness and professionalism (blimey! I'm sounding like I'm giving eBay feedback....ah, memories...).
It would be nice to give UnLtd a big "Thank You".
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Are you looking for "Green Spaces" in Gobowen?
There's one in Rowen Close
Another one in Meadow Way
Another one around West Place (risky though)
What about the end of Chirk Road by the Henlle junction?
And then there's all the land toward Watt's Drive.
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Ha! Many thanks, CO. The interest in that thread shows that this site can be used as a tool, and hopefully, for positive change.
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I would be prepared to invest in a secure local bank that gave me a 5% interest and gave its profits to local charities in the 3 villages.
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yesssssss...
"Gifted and talented" - who is the judge of this? Local schools? Does that include the primaries and nurseries?
"Saturday afternoon films for young people" - they'll have already downloaded by then, but I wouldn't be against local public showing of the latest movies on a large screen.
Businesses will take money for their advice no matter what.
Are community buildings run by the councils?
No suggestions for the older generation?
However, these general headings of transport, housing, education, leisure and employment indicate some good broad themes of concern both locally and nationally.
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Peoples of Selattyn, a couple of weeks ago you will have noticed a stranger in your village showing an unatural interest in your telephone box.
It was me!
And that box will be appearing on the front cover of the Spring issue of the "selattyn & Gobowen Parish Roundabout".
I must confess a hidden agenda here. I haven't just put it on the cover because it was time we had something from Selattyn taking centre stage. Nor did I do it because it is now being used as a library.
In fact, I'm not going to tell you why I did it. All I will say is that those books within make it bigger on the inside...
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March...I think...
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@Mark
Many thanks, Mark. If you want to frazzle your brain take a look at the "£5million Sustainable Transport Grant" in the "Coffee Lounge".
At the moment I'm trying to get the support of the Governors of Gobowen Primary School, but it's taking me time and effort. So if you know anyone there that will listen, try and persuade them.
Ta.
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They are putting together they're own website, but it's not a forum, just a digital newsletter.
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No, I'm not acting for Big Local. The feedback form was thrust into my hand as I was leaving the LJC last night. I just think people would be interested on here.
The hardcopy I have has an input graph for each question. So, "0" is "Not" and "3" is "Very". It may be difficult to actually do a poll here. But Keith's input is good.
I can see what the BL are trying to do in terms of the projects they're looking at. But, well...umm....ahhh.
People already know I'm like a stuck record.
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"just a thought" is good. I like "just a thought". More please...
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I can't help, but I can share information.
The pavilion in Gobowen is a much more modern building than the institute, but it also has it's share of problems. Although much smaller, it's a very hard building to heat up even though we do have central heating. Because of its location on the playing field, the building suffers with anti-social behaviour. That means parts get damaged and then replaced on a semi-regular basis and at a cost to the rate payer.
A typical example are the windows; two of them had to be totally bricked up following fire damage but the builders only used plaster board for the interior, so that causes heat loss. Vents prevent us from getting cavity wall insulation. The low roof prevents us getting solar panels fitted (items are regularly thrown up there), even though the building is bathed in sunlight.
We charge roughly £10 per hour for use of the main hall and kitchen (more for use of the Changing Rooms with showers) although we have allowed discounts and even free use. The building is always targeted by kids, so they'll be knocking on the windows during meetings (and worse) discouraging regular bookings. We always encourage groups to use the building, especially during the day in term time. The council uses it monthly, but once the tables are set out there's not too much room for anything else, so a community consultation event would typically have to be held in the Scout Hall or at All Saints.
Having said that, we have recently had bookings for a couple of kid's parties, and the place really does hot up when the building is full. There's also plenty of parking. Your building would really benefit from large scale "events" to maximize available space.
The institute is a fine building and it would be a terrible blow if Weston Rhyn were to loose it. I think that main hall would make a great cinema...but I'm already getting Skyfall for my birthday (PS: that's not a medical condition).
Good look and keep on fighting.
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This from the Big Local:
The first round of consultation carried out in 2011/2012 has been analysed and the following 6 priorities for the 3 communities have been identified. We would like your opinion on how valuable or otherwise these ideas are to YOUR community. (You are then asked to rate the following in terms of importance 0, 1, 2 or 3):
Help all ages to become better educated and qualified for life, both in and out of work.
Help to develop "gifted and talented" young people in local schools?
Provide job interview practice with local businesses?
Encouage more "out-of-school" activities to help the health and well-being of our young people.
Saturday afternoon films for young people?
Open the swimming pool in the summer holidays?
Support access to affordable housing.
Set up an organisation to develop low cost dwellings?
Help the area get the best out of its rural position.
Car sharing scheme to help people to get to work cheaply?
Produce an advertising campaign to attract visitors to our heritage sites?
Support lots of new and established businesses so they can employ more local people.
Set up business forum to swap business opportunities?
Set up a locally available business advice service?
Help those run community buildings so that they can more ably support themselves.
Develop a commual marketing campaign to encourage more use of the buildings?
Get solar panels on all appropriate community buildings?
Tell us, have we missed anything? Have you any suggestions?
The feedback form doesn't ask information of who you are or which community you live in. Send your comments to David Boyce, 3 Parishes Big Local, Qube, Oswald Road, Oswestry, SY11 1RD.
...or post your comments/observations here.
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(YESSS!) :ph34r:
Council Elections - What a BORE!
in Coffee Lounge
Posted · Report reply
For anyone who is interested, 235 votes were cast in Gobowen Pavilion yesterday. When I say "cast", some of them may have been spoilt. All Saints Church Hall was also used as a Polling Station, but I have no information on the turnout there. Voters had a choise of 3 candidates and 2 places on Shropshire Council were available.
Does anyone else have information on Weston Rhyn and St Martins?