The INFORMER
Todwick Parish Council
No. 67
November 2004
The A57 - WHAT NEXT?
If you attended the information meeting in the Village Hall called by the Parish Council on 7 October you will be aware that Rotherham Borough Council's attitude has not changed, except in so far as they have agreed to provide a pedestrian crossing in the area of Todwick Common and The Grange - but this by means of a subway and not a footbridge as we requested; and they have refused our request for a 50 mph speed limit on the road.
Their plans - as expected! - were duly passed by the Planning Board (by 13 votes to 2) following a site meeting held in the Red Lion car park. Apart from the fact that it would have been impossible to assess the problems resulting from the closure of a right-turn into Goosecarr Lane from this venue, the length of the meeting was totally inadequate for a full and intelligent assessment to be made. Those who attended the 7 October meeting will have heard a full account of all this from John Castledine of the A57 Action Group, while Karl Barton (one of our Borough Councillors) explained the unsuccessful representations he had made on our behalf.
The matter now rests in the hands of the Leeds office of the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister which has been kept fully informed of all Todwick's objections to the Borough Council's plans. In due course a decision will be made as to whether it should become the subject of a Public Inquiry. We have pressed for this as we feel it is essential that all the problems which will result from the plans are fully aired and considered by an independent Government Inspector who will report his findings to the Deputy Prime Minister. Both the Parish Council and the A57 Action Group will of course be able to address the Inquiry if it is held.
As a result of concern that various press reports might have given the false impression that Todwick was opposed to improvement of the A57 and unsympathetic to the regeneration of Dinnington with the resultant greatly increased traffic from there, the Parish Council paid for a joint statement with the Action Group in the Dinnington Guardian to make our position clear. At a recent meeting of the Seven Parishes Liaison Committee Councillors Gregory and Mosley were given a sympathetic hearing when they explained this, and representatives of other local parishes realised the likely knock-on effects on traffic to their villages, e.g. Harthill, etc..
So the present situation is one of "wait-and-see". We can only reiterate our view that this dispute with the Borough Council would not have occurred had they consulted us regarding possible effects on the village and its residents before they drew up their plans and reached agreement with the Government on funding, instead of presenting us with a "done deal".
THE PARISH PLAN - Many of the proposed initiatives are linked with the future of the Village Hall, and until this is resolved it is difficult to make progress. Unfortunately the situation with regard to funding the refurbishment of the Hall is not clear. It had been hoped that the Village Survey carried out at the end of 2003 would provide much of the evidence required to attract funding. However the Committee was informed that a further survey relating to the Hall was necessary - the fact that the original one was undertaken professionally apparently made its findings suspect! You will have received this second questionnaire and the results have been duly collated and analysed and forwarded in support of the appeal for a grant but it will not be known until 2005 whether it has been successful. We continue to live in hope!
Also the possibility of regeneration of the Kiveton pit site linked with further restoration of the Chesterfield Canal, which was mooted at a meeting in Harthill last April, seems to have come to nothing. It is understood that development of the pit site may commence in September next year, but there is no indication that it will have any advantages for Todwick.
BUDGET 2004/5 - Items included are:
- Provision of Hanging Baskets - £2000
- Fencing of Children's Playground - £5000.
Councillors Palmer and L. Waller have been given responsibility for pursuing the first item and Langford and Mosley for the second.
DONATIONS this year have been made to Todwick Over 60's (£100), Rotherham Talking Newspaper (£100), Kiveton Independent Advice Centre (£50), and Victim Support (£100).
PARISH COUNCIL MEETINGS - Continue to be held on the last Tuesday of each month. Forthcoming dates are 30 November, 21 December (early because of Christmas) 2004, 25 January, 22 February and 29 March 2005. They begin at 7.30 pm in the Village Hall and are open to the public, though you may only speak during the Open Session starting at 8.30 pm.
ALLOTMENTS - At present there are 2 or 3 vacant - free until the end of March and then only £8.00 for a year. If you would like to "grow your own" contact Les Waller on 770819.
SKIPS - No dates so far for community skips at the bottom of the allotment field, but they have been requested for January and March 2005.
WIND TURBINES - Harthill Parish Council and residents are extremely unhappy about a proposal for wind turbines at Loscar Farm, and have set up an Action Group to fight this. We have indicated our support as we fear the spread of these turbines may well encroach on Todwick at some time in the future. There are also concerns about similar proposals for the area between Laughton and Dinnington, and the effect they will have on that landscape.
CONGRATULATIONS - To Carol Aston Carpets and John Hughes who, after a couple of very near misses, this year won the small shops category of the Rotherham in Bloom Competition run by Rotherham Chamber of Trade in conjunction with Rotherham Borough Council. Mr Hughes has expressed appreciation for the support of Todwick Environmental Action Group, in particular Sheila Pantry.
NEW BROWNIE GUIDER - Not all pleas for help fall on deaf ears. Following Audrey Radford's urgent plea for help in the July issue of The Informer, Claire Newbold (possibly better known as Claire Boulton) who grew up in Todwick and still lives locally, has come forward so the danger of the Brownie Pack being disbanded has disappeared - at least for the time being.
DO YOU KNOW WHAT GOES ON IN YOUR VILLAGE HALL?
| CONTACT NO. | ||
|---|---|---|
OVER 60's |
Monday 2.00 - 4.00 pm fortnightly |
770919 |
MOTHERS UNION |
Monday 2.00 - 4.00 pm monthly Tuesday 7.30 - 9.30 pm monthly |
770173 515245 |
WEIGHT WATCHERS |
Monday 5.45 - 6.45 pm |
0114 248 8169 |
LINE DANCING |
Monday 7.30 - 8.30 pm |
770819 |
MOTHERS & TODDLERS |
Tuesday 9.00 - 11.30 am |
518784 |
PARISH COUNCIL |
Last Tuesday in the month (except August) 7.30 pm |
566639 |
TODWICK CRAFT GROUP |
Wednesday 2.00 - 4.00 pm |
773863 |
BROWNIES |
Wednesday 6.00 - 7.30 pm |
771931 |
GUIDES |
Wednesday 7.30 - 9.00 pm |
770751 |
CARERS & TODDLERS |
Thursday 9.00 - 11.15 am |
770190 |
DANCING CLASS |
Thursday 5.15 - 6.45 pm |
567204 |
WOMEN'S INSTITUTE |
Second Friday in the month 7.15 pm |
770746 |
THE HALL CAN ALSO BE BOOKED BY PRIVATE INDIVIDUALS AT A VERY REASONABLE CHARGE BY TELEPHONING 770081 (before 9.00 pm please)
THE MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE - The management of the Village Hall is vested in a Committee laid down in the Trust Deed at the time it was given to the Village - the Parish Council are the Guardian Trustees, but have no active part in its management. The Committee comprises the Rector, two members of the Parish Council, and a representative of each of the organisations which use the hall - nominated by those organisations. The Committee normally meets every two months, with an AGM in October. At this year's Annual Meeting officers and trustees were elected as follows: Chairman - Revd David Bliss (770283); Vice-Chairman - Councillor John Mosley (771384); Treasurer - Mrs Margaret Grayson (770646); and Secretary on a temporary basis until a volunteer can be found to take over long-term - Mrs Mari Gabbitas (773863).
CHRISTMAS FAIR - This will be held in the Hall on Saturday 27 November, and will be opened by Father Christmas at 2.00 pm and he will stay to welcome children in his grotto. The various village organisations will all be running stalls, etc. Tickets for the Grand Raffle have been on sale around the village for several weeks. If you haven't already bought yours make sure you get some on the day - there are as usual many very attractive prizes. Please support this event - it is the only fund raising activity of the year in aid of the Hall.
TEAG (TODWICK ENVIRONMENT ACTION GROUP) - has continued its excellent work in brightening up the village throughout 2004. Autumn planting is still taking place, so if you have any spare bulbs there is still time to plant them in the verges near your home ready for Spring 2005. If you can't plant them yourself contact Sheila Pantry (tel: 771024) who will be pleased to do it for you. If you are not able to take an active part in improving the environment in Todwick perhaps you could make a donation to TEAG - unfortunately outside sources of funding have now dried up. Any will be gratefully received by either Sheila Pantry (85 The Meadows) or Brenda Palmer (78 The Meadows).
FOOTPATH WALKS - Continue during the winter months under the leadership of Mr Pat Wilson (tel: 771319) on the second Sunday of each month, leaving the Village Hall at 10.00 am. Suitable footwear is essential and dogs are welcome. The walks are a good way to get to know the footpaths and bridleways in the area - and to ensure they are kept open to walkers.
STREETPRIDE - If you want to report any problems with potholes, street lights, graffiti, illegal tipping, etc. the number to ring is 01709-336003.
POLICE CONTACT NUMBERS - Emergencies - 999. To report an incident/for prompt attention ring the Central Switchboard 0114 220 20 20. Crimestoppers number is 0800 555111. Our local Community Police Officers, Howard Saul and Tina Jones can be contacted at Kiveton Police Station (01709 832681) but do not leave a message if your call is urgent - ring the Central Switchboard.
KIVETON INDEPENDENT ADVICE CENTRE - Open at Kiveton Community Library on Mondays from 7.30 to 8.30 pm when free legal advice is available if needed, and on Wednesdays from 2.00 to 4.00 pm.
TODWICK VILLAGE COOKBOOK - Published at the end of September this year. Copies available from June Cadman (4 The Pastures - tel: 515510) - price £3.00.
TODWICK WEBSITE - www.todwick.org.uk goes from strength to strength, providing a wide range of information about the village. If you have any news send it to Sheila Pantry at 85 The Meadows or sp@sheilapantry.com.
DANGER - MEN AT WORK! Work has now started on the new Church Hall, so if you go through the Churchyard at any time please take extra care. Some paving stones may have been removed, and possibly also the lamp standard by the gate from Lindley's Croft.
CHRISTMAS LIGHTS - TEAG will again be putting up Christmas
lights around the Village Hall (thanks to them for the electricity) and
elsewhere. Can you help to put the "sparkle" into Todwick at Christmas by
putting a few lights outside your home? More and more people seem to be
doing so each year.
AND CHRISTMAS CAROLS - Members of Todwick Church will be singing
carols outside the Post Office from 10.00 to 11.30 am on Saturday 18
December. Coffee and mince pies will be served!
Come and join in - as well as enjoying the singing and refreshments why
not buy some HOLLY and Christmas posies which Lisa will be selling
in aid of the Macmillan Fund. Proceeds from the Carol singing will as
usual be divided between Christian Aid and the Children's Society.
The Informer is published three times a year by Todwick Parish Council from 10 High Street, South Anston, Sheffield, S25 5AY. The next issue will appear in March 2005.