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Todwick Village

The Informer

The INFORMER

Todwick Parish Council
No. 79
September 2008

THE POST OFFICE

Some of you may be aware that the government announced, some time ago, that they were introducing a programme of post office closures across the country. As a consequence there has been concern expressed by people across the country who rely heavily on their post office to provide the usual services but also a meeting place particularly for the elderly and lonely who rarely see anyone. It appears that Todwick Post Office is not at this stage on the list for closure. However, the parish council has regularly consulted with the 'powers that be' in order to establish the facts and to try to ensure that our post office remains open. Many thanks to everyone who signed the petition.

VILLAGE HALL

The Village Hall has a management committee, consisting entirely of volunteers, who meet regularly to oversee, market and manage all activities and events that take place. They are also responsible for the maintenance of the building and surrounding car parking area. For example, the brickwork on the older section of the building has recently been re-pointed. Anyone who has visited or used the Village Hall since the refurbishment last year will appreciate what a fine job the management committee has done.

There are a host of activities that are currently on offer including Computer classes, Over 60's, Weight watches, German classes, Line dancing, Toddler group, Active always (over 50's), Rosemary Conley diet and fitness club, Indoor bowls, Historical society, Ramblers club, Girl guides, Rainbows, Craft group, Keep fit, WI, Ballroom dancing, Yoga, Hip hop class, Table tennis club, Floral design and Tai Chi. A full timetable of village hall activities can be found on the village hall notice board inside the main entrance, also on the new Parish Council notice board in the window of the Post Office and can also be viewed on the Todwick web site - www.todwick.org.uk.

The hall is also available for private meetings and functions. Kay Pearson is the caretaker and booking officer and can be contacted on the village hall telephone number - 774353.

WI

Now into the Autumn/Winter programme. There is a theatre visit on 2nd October and on the 6th November the WI is looking forward to welcoming local expert, Alan Turner, who will be telling members how they can research their family histories. Watch out for the annual Carol Service with mulled wine and mince pies - an event not to be missed! Date to be announced. For anyone interested in joining the WI, they meet at 7 pm on the first of every month in the Village Hall, where a warm welcome awaits you. Please ring Eileen on 770050 for further details.

WORLD'S BIGGEST COFFEE MORNING

This will take place at the Village Hall from 9 am to 12 am on the 26th September 2008 in aid of the Macmillan Cancer Appeal. Coffee, tea, cakes, book stall, bring and buy. Please call in for coffee/tea and a slice of cake, and support this very worthy cause.

TODWICK VILLAGE SUMMER EVENTS

Three summer events in Todwick were well attended and thanks to all those who helped in various activities that made up the events and to all those who supported and sponsored them, including Todwick Parish Council.

Music by Moonlight (14 June) - despite the cold June night (albeit with Moonlight) about 130 people enjoyed the Jazz Preservation Society Band programme of music. The supper tables were splendid and some people even danced.

Todwick Funday (15 June) - the weather was much kinder as 250 people visited during the afternoon to enjoy various events and displays that included five-a-side football organised by Dermott O'Farrell and competitions organised by Rob Lincoln. Fun puzzles were organised by the Ramblers' Club and in addition there were face painting, lucky bran tubs, two bouncy castles, wooden block puzzles and the striker testing everyone's abilities! The Bowls Club put on lessons for those wishing to "have a go" and Lloyd Jones provided the music and PA system. Joe's ice creams were delicious. There were interesting exhibitions put on by the Todwick Craft Group, Water Stars, Sing and Sign, Neighbourhood Watch, the Chesterfield Canal Group, Save the Children Fund - all very enjoyable and added to the afternoon's entertainment. Sandra Barker did a stalwart job on both the Music by Moonlight event and during the Funday in the raffle draw. The WI and Mothers Union served free refreshments throughout the day. Many thanks to all who took part and particularly to Julian, Todwick Handyman, who erected gazebos, shifted tables and generally cleared up afterwards. The Community Spirit is alive and well in Todwick!

Todwick Arts, Gardens and Historic Trail (27 July) - the trail was held on a very hot and sunny day but offered something different again. Todwick's historical places - The Church, The Todwick Wall, The Moat and Trysting Tree were there to see. Free refreshments were served by church members in the Church Hall. In the Village Hall there were a number of exhibitions as well as free refreshments. Todwick's history goes back a long way and the new Historical Society reflected this with some interesting and fascinating displays. Other exhibitions were presented by Neighbourhood Watch, Save the Children Fund, Todwick Craft Group and Todwick Ramblers. A new feature was the art display. There were lovely paintings by Alan Atkins, Betty Mathieson, Jenny Sulley, Abigail Mosley age 9 years and an interesting range of pictures by Todwick Junior & Infants pupils. Many thanks to the schools coordinator, Sandy Davison. There were also exquisite tapestry pictures by Mabel Hextall and Christine Mullins, pottery by Sheila Pantry. The Garden Trail took in the Todwick Allotments for the first time and the following people very kindly opened their gardens for viewing: Graham and Sandra at 9 The Pastures, Harry Beat - 3 Osborne Road, Marion and John Brassington - 20 Manor Way, Brenda and John Palmer - 78 The Meadows, Sheila and Clive Pantry - 85 The Meadows, Brian and Christine Mullins - 79 The Meadows and Derrick Hextall - 8 Mill Close. The trail map was produced by Paul Bradford, Todwick Early Years, Computer Club and Internet Café.

Many thanks to everyone who gave their time and energy in making this a most enjoyable day attended by many people not only from Todwick but also from elsewhere. Next year's Art, Garden and Historic Trail will include a competition for the best, most interesting scarecrow - open to all ages! Details later.

The Parish Council would like to offer a special thanks to Sheila Pantry for all the hard work she puts in year after year in planning and organising these events. Well done Sheila!

GARDENS & ALLOTMENTS

The following competition winners were presented with the annual prizes by Ken Mathieson at the end of the Garden Trail event:

Best Garden

1st Prize of £50 to Roy and Pauline Bowell, 68-70 The Meadows

2nd Prize of £30 to Brian and Christine Mullins, 79 The Meadows

3rd Prize of £20 to Les and Brenda Waller, 13 The Pastures

Best Kept Allotment

1st Prize of £50 to Mrs Dawn Brookman and Mrs Daphne Stewart, Plot 17

2nd Prize of £30 to Mr Ken Mathieson, Plot 18

3rd Prize of £20 to Mr Peter Sliwinski, Plot 19

Anyone interested in things green should contact Ken Mathieson on 01909 515023.

NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCH

Membership of Todwick Neighbourhood Watch continues to grow as more village households are becoming aware of the benefits and sign on to the scheme. It takes less than a minute to become a member and it is completely free of charge. There are no meetings to attend. You get free, quarterly newsletters about local crime and other issues. Interested? Then please contact Norman Anderson to find out more.

Together we can help to reduce crime in our village.

TODWICK RAMBLERS CLUB

The walking group meets on the second Sunday each month normally outside the village hall. The walk is planned to cover the local area and follows the definitive footpaths and bridleways. However, a second walk, either on the 3rd or 4th Monday each month, has now been organised. This is known as an away walk and will take place outside the village, typically in places like the Peak District, Sherwood Forest or possibly the Barnsley area. Stout footwear is the order of the day. For details contact Jim Tompkin - 01909 770700.

The Ramblers Club have recently teamed up with the Historical Society on the 2nd or 3rd Tuesday each month at the village hall at 7.30 pm for illustrated lectures and talks about the history, outdoors etc. All are welcome. Once again the contact is Jim Tompkin.

FIREWORKS

Fireworks are more popular today than ever before and appear regularly at Christmas, New Year, private parties and special events in addition of course to bonfire night. The parish council don't wish to be party poopers and understand that everyone has a right to enjoy themselves in the privacy of their own home. However some residents do have a problem with fireworks late at night and we have in the past received complaints. The legal position is as follows - The Fireworks Act 2003 states it is illegal to set off fireworks between 11 pm and 7 am except on Nov 5th when the curfew starts at midnight. Also for Diwali night, Chinese New Year and New Year's Eve the curfew starts at 1 am the following day. Enough said.

ROOF & RIDGE TILES

One of the parish councillors, Stephen Hill, bought his current property on Mill Close from Mr Birtles who was a local land owner and builder and well known in the village. It so happened that, after moving into the house, Stephen came across a number of different roof and ridge tiles in the back garden. After enquiring with Mr Birtles he discovered that the tiles actually matched a range of properties in the immediate area, mainly Mill Close, The Meadows, Mill Fields etc. Stephen has now decided to dispose of the said tiles but rather than convert them to hard core he would prefer that local house-holders use them appropriately. If you live on or in the vicinity of these roads and require the odd roof tile then contact Stephen on 772001 and, if available, he will gladly supply you with the suitable roof/ridge tiles. Donations to Bluebell Wood Hospice will be gratefully accepted.

ANNE LANGFORD

Anne, a resident of the village for some 40 years, passed away suddenly at the beginning of July. She was well known and respected by many local people and had a real affinity with the village. Her three children all grew up here and attended the Junior and Infant school where her two grandchildren are also pupils. Her husband, Paul, is currently chairman of the parish council. Anne was a lovely lady who constantly thought of others and did in fact donate her organs which subsequently helped three people to live a normal life. It would be nice if local people followed Anne's example and volunteered for organ donation. If you would wish to become an organ donor please contact the Organ Donor Line on 0845 6060400. They are desperate for organ donors.

PARISH COUNCIL

Formal Parish Council meetings are held on the last Tuesday of each month, except August, in the Village Hall commencing at 7 pm. The open session which allows anyone to attend and ask questions commences at 8 pm.

The Parish Council is made up of the following members:

Mr Paul Langford (Chairman)

20 Mortains, Todwick

01909 772345

Mr David Gregory

49 The Meadows, Todwick

01909 771307

Mr Stephen Hill

4 Mill Close, Todwick

01909 772001

Mr Philip Kettell

5 Furnival Close, Todwick

01909 771161

Mrs Jean Leah

91 The Meadows, Todwick

01909 771082

Mr Ken Mathieson

26 The Pastures, Todwick

01909 515023

Mr John Palmer

78 The Meadows, Todwick

01909 771257

Mr Clive Pantry

85 The Meadows, Todwick

01909 771024

Mr Brian White

18 Mill Fields, Todwick

01909 770817

Mr Rod Walker (Clerk)

10 High Street, South Anston

01909 566639

TODWICK WEBSITE

The website which has been in existence for a number of years is constantly updated with Information on Local news, Modern Todwick, History of Todwick, The Church, Parish Council, The Informer, Organisations and Groups, Village Hall, Shops and Businesses, Local Services and Diary of Events. If you have any items of news that can be shared with others please contact Sheila Pantry on 01909 771024 or email: sp@sheilapantry.com.

www.todwick.org.uk


The Informer is published four times per year by Todwick Parish Council. It is funded by the parish council, we don't use sponsors or offer advertising space and as a result we publish news and only news. If you have any items of particular interest you wish to have published contact Phil Kettell on 01909 771161 or e-mail to philkettell@googlemail.com.