Chairman’s Letter

The Parish Council have had a very busy time over the past two months, meetings were held in this village and in Tilstone Fearnall regarding the amalgamation of the two villages under one Parish Council. The meetings agreed to the amalgamation and the matter is now in the hands of the legal department of Chester City Council, and if ratified the amalgamation will probably take effect from May 2003.

We had to deal with the planning application from Orange for the installation of a telecommunications mast (inside a silo) at Bank Farm. We were given very little time to respond with the Parish Council’s observations, we had to learn fast and with very little guidance from the planners made our comments regarding the scheme. These were largely that the installation would have a significant and detrimental impact on the view from the Tiverton Conservation area, which is contrary to the Policy Statement given in the Chester Local Plan, and although the National Radiological Protection Board reports and that of the Stewart Report allay some of the fears on radiation that some residents may have, nevertheless the danger to health is still perceived by many. We asked the planners to take those factors into account.

You will see elsewhere in this newsletter that we have begun work on the Tiverton Village Design Statement, please let us have your views, we do want the whole village to contribute.

As you are aware we are very concerned at the appalling accident rate on the A49/A51, to such an extent that we were asked to attend the Joint Highways Committee of the City and County councils. Vice Chairman Roger Cheshire put forward our anxieties and has now forwarded a report covering the record of accidents and the inappropriateness and lack of some roadsigns and road markings. We await the outcome.

Manweb are continuing with the “undergrounding” of the electricity cables, you will have noticed their activity at the individual poles. They have assured us that all disturbed earth and grassed areas will be reinstated with fresh topsoil and reseeded.

On a sadder note you will be all aware by now that Ray and Ann Ashton retire on November 2^nd and their newsagency and sweet shop will close. They have served this community and Beeston well for the past 27 years. We will miss them and we wish them well in their retirement, it will be nice for them not to have to get up at 5.am every morning!!! We have made arrangements for the Tarporley Co-op to deliver papers to the Village Hall each day to registered customers for collection. Should anyone also wish to participate in the scheme please contact the Co-op directly.

The next meeting of the Parish Council is on November 12 commencing at 7.30.pm with an open session of 30 minutes.

Derek Marshall

Chairman

732217

Tiverton & District Gardening Club

November 5^th AGM at 7.30pm followed by Mr D Cummings talking about the Beeston area of the Shropshire Union Canal in particular.

December 3^rd at 8pm Mr G D Farr, “You won’t believe this but..” Mulled wine starters, mince pies and wine to close

Everyone is welcome to all our Events.

Audrey Povall

733520

Tiverton Mums & Toddlers

We are starting a mums and toddlers group for Tiverton and the surrounding area. After seeing the good turnout of children on Jubilee Day, we believe that creating a regular meeting place would enhance village life and in particular enable some of the younger generation to become known to one another. We are intending to use the Methodist Hall. This will require some modification to make it suitable for little ones. However we would like to make a start in the meantime by getting some feedback of views as to who would be interested in coming along/suitable days and times. More importantly as we have no funds at the moment we would like some toys. As Father Christmas will be replenishing cupboards in the near future now is a good time for you to make a space for them! So please take a look and see what you can donate.

Please contact me at The Old Smithy with your toys / feedback. I look forward to hearing from you.

Liz Scott

733907

Tiverton Village Design Statement

This is a fancy title for a document that parish councils are being encouraged to produce, to reflect the views and hopes of the parish on how development in its fullest sense should be handled in the parish. It must obviously reflect the thinking of Chester District Council at the top level for local planning but allows plenty of scope for local thinking about the character of the village. Quality Parish Councils are well on the way to developing their Village Design Statement (VDS), for instance Tarporley have had their draft in the library for some time if you want to get an idea of what a VDS might look like.

A working party has only just formed with the intention that the whole parish should contribute to the process. So even at this early stage we would welcome your views and ideas about what should be in the VDS. How do you want to see the village develop, as a commuter village or a self-sustaining community?

If you want to make a contribution now, give Liz Scott a call on 733907. There will be plenty of opportunities to share in the views of the working party and influence the outcome as we work towards the VDS. The last thing we want is a clique that works in obscurity to produce a finished product and then invites the community to rubber stamp the final document. We will keep you informed via the Newsletter about developments, but the timescale will be months rather than weeks.

Steve Armitage

Tiverton Homewatch

Now that the darker nights are upon us do take care that you draw the curtains in your house, an illuminated room without the curtains drawn gives a wonderful view to anyone of malcontent of the contents of the room and who is in. It also keeps your house warmer!!

Keep alert, and watch for any unusual activity, such as a cruising vehicle that seems to be interested in the houses. Report any unsocial behaviour that you may see to your zone homewatch coordinator, they will pass it on to the Police.

Keep all your garden equipment in a secure place.

Andy Thorne.

Area Homewatch Coordinator.