Chairman’s Letter

At last Spring is here but as I am writing this on 8 April I am looking at large snowflakes landing on the lawn!

We have had a number of changes to the Parish Councillors recently; Andy Thorne and David Wake have resigned and have been replaced by Mike Turner and Bob Pilgrem. I would like to express my sincere thanks and best wishes to Andy and David for all their hard work over the years and to welcome Mike and Bob.

Derek Marshall has also informed us that he will be retiring from the Parish Council at the end of the Parish year in May. It is difficult to know where to start to thank Derek, he has done so much in his time on the Council including being Chairman. I can only say many thanks on behalf of everyone for all of his efforts and hope that he will not withdraw too much from Village affairs.

That’s enough from me other than saying that this edition of the Newsletter is the biggest yet and we may have to look at a larger format for future ones.

Roger Cheshire

Chairman Tiverton & Tilstone Fearnall Parish Council

732059

Parish Council Meeting

The next meeting of the Parish Council will take place in Tiverton Village Hall at 7.30pm on 24 May 2005 . The first 30 minutes will be an open forum for residents to raise any issues they wish.

Dates for your Diary

Mondays- 6.30 pm Duplicate Bridge

Tuesdays- 10.0oam Line Dancing

Wednesdays- 1.30pm Duplicate Bridge (Call 733520)

Wednesdays- 7.00pm Yoga Classes

Thursdays- 7.30pm Bingo

Fridays/Sat/Sun- Normally available for bookings (732855)

Last Thursday in month- Coffee Morning 10:30 -12am.

First Tuesday each month- 7.30 for 8.00pm Garden Club

3 May “A Calendar of Gardens” talk/plant sale.

7 June Visit to Wigg Island Nature Reserve- Guided Walk

5 July Summer Event- Ask the Experts, Panel, followed by Strawberries and Cream, Shortbread and Wine.

Tiverton Village Day – 16 July 2005

At the Hockey Club Field

We will issue a final reminder in the next Newsletter but now is the time when we would really appreciate some support for the Village Day. The Village Day Committee have got plans well in hand but need some help in the following areas:

1) Do you have an idea for a stall you could man? – Handicraft/Fun Stall/ Selling Items.

2) Does anyone know a Face Painter in the area?

3) Can you please donate some items for the Tombola?

If so please give them to Derek and Madge at The Quadrant, Huxley Lane or Audrey Povall at Castle View Cottages, Huxley Lane.

The Childrens picnic will be available from noon onwards and is free. For the adults we will be doing our Aberdeen Angus steakburgers and other BBQ items.

The evening entertainment for the adults will be a Dance with the Kads in the Village Hall including a Pie and Pea Supper, bring your own drinks, tickets strictly limited to 65 so buy early.

We will be going house to house with the Prize programmes and Dance Tickets giving all the details so please give generously as profits will go to Tarporley Cottage Hospital.

Tiverton Garden Club

The Spring Open Show was among the best ever held in 20 years of the Garden Club. Cut Flowers, Shrubs and Pot Plants attracted a record 275 entries.

In addition to Flower Classes there are also Handicraft, Painting, Embroidery,Knitting, Needlework, Photography, Cookery, Flower Arranging and Childrens Classes. Annual Membership of the Garden Club only cost £2 per person or £3 per couple, children 25P! and includes 10% off at Okells Nursery and one third off Suttons Seeds bought through the Club.

Enquiries to 01829 733520

Parish Plan

The Parish Plan is in the final stages of production following the completion of the work of the various Discussion Groups and is currently being edited. When it is printed we will be holding a launch day at the Village Hall to which all will be invited. The Parish Plan has now been formally adopted as Parish Council policy which is a prerequisite to its issue.

Two issues from the Parish Survey and hence the Plan are already being actioned. 1) Reopening of the Station has been included in the Cheshire County Council Strategic Transport Plan and Derek Marshall is involved with many groups and influential contacts across the County to progress this. 2) A Meeting has been arranged with British Waterways to discuss enhancing and making better use of the Canal area which is an important part of our heritage and an increasingly used leisure facility.

Open Gardens Walk

The idea for this which was first suggested last year would be for a number of people to open their Gardens to allow people to walk through for a nominal sum which would be donated to Charity.

We have 2 or 3 people willing to do this and if we can get up to 5 or 6 it would be viable. Please let Audrey Povall (733520)know if you will do it and we will make a definite date.

A Village Society

The Parish Plan Survey showed a lot of support for this idea which would be made up of a Group of people independent from but not excluding the Parish Council. It can be a fluid membership with people joining when they have time without a big commitment or perhaps only for an item that they have a particular interest in.

The Sub Committee which the Parish Council set up for dealing with events such as the Village day could be widened and separated from the Parish Council to form the basis of the Village Society. The sort of things being mooted are :

Walking Group, Conservation Projects, Sport, Educational Programmes.

Please call Roger Cheshire on 732059 if you are interested.

Homewatch News

If you have any information about vehicle fires, abandoned vehicles or any other crime ring Chester 01244 616183 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Fire Service News

A serous fire occurred in Beeston Brook recently and through this Newsletter the Parish Council would like to thank the incredibly rapid response and professional manner in which Tarporley Fire Brigade dealt with this. They undoubtedly saved two homes from being destroyed. It shows how valuable a role they play and it does not bear thinking about if we in this area had to rely on a Fire Service from as far away as Chester or Winsford.

Station Officer Ben Bellis would like to remind you that free home fire safety checks , smoke alarms, special vibrating and illuminated alarms for people with impaired sight/hearing are available by calling 0800 393 0053.

If you have an unroadworthy vehicle you wish to dispose of ring 01244 402477 ( Some restrictions apply and proof of ownership required)

Your Homewatch Co-ordinator is Roger Blake on 01829 733787.

Large Unwanted Items

Every household in the Chester District is entitled to one free special collection of rubbish a year. To get rid of those large unwanted items such as furniture etc ring 01244 402477.