A recreation strategy for Bidford - Bidford ...
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July 2021
a recreation strategy
for Bidford
The Parish Council have begun a project to
determine what can be done to meet the
recreation needs of the expanding village
population, currently over 6,300 people.
Andrew • Not all young people will want
Maliphant
to attend a Youth Centre;
a Youth and Engagement
Leader will be able to identify
other suitable activities for
young people and help to
integrate young people into
existing activities. strategy for the Parish Council
to discuss with parishioners.
• Another clear priority was a
desire across all age groups
Volunteers from the village
for increased access to
will be invited to join parish
physical and outdoor activity,
councillors in delivering the
with many ideas for activities
Following a 2019 survey of youth survey door-to-door. As the
being promulgated.
requirements, the parish council survey is launched, a project
have appointed experienced page will be created on the
The next step will be to send
parish clerk Andrew Maliphant Parish Council website to
a recreation survey to every
as project officer to take the keep everyone up to date with
household in the parish,
recreation survey forwards. The progress.
to quantify the needs and
2019 survey concluded: aspirations of all local residents.
A draft survey is currently being for further information
• Responses from the reviewed by parish councillors please contact mrs
consultation identified gaps and will be shared with existing elisabeth uggerløse the
in community provision for village venues and sports
parish clerk on 07718
young people, particularly clubs before a final version is
teenagers. circulated by hand and online
628925 or via info@
by the end of June. The results bidfordonavon-pc.gov.uk –
• A new Youth Centre will help of the survey will be used to we look forward to being in
to address this gap. prepare a draft recreation touch.
INSIDE THIS EDITION: Knit & natter • clerK’s corner • View from Bidford medical centre
from the
initial concerns from residents
adjustments were made. In the
recent good weather the tables and
parish council
benches have been well used and
there has recently been some very
positive feedback from users. We
are aware that people are divided
www.bidfordonavon-pc.gov.uk
about this and we have committed
to review the situation after the
summer.
Parish Council our first face to face meeting, when We’re going to be putting a gate
we look forward to welcoming them
meetings temporarily across the lane to the sports
properly. pavilion to prevent people parking
suspended
along it. This is for safety reasons
The law allowing us to hold virtual Recreation Strategy because parking on the lane
Parish Council meetings during Covid It was a joy to see a group of residents prevents emergency vehicles
expired on May 6th so we are now only at the Annual Parish Meeting even getting through. We’re making
allowed to hold our meetings face to though it was on zoom this year sure there will be wheelchair
face. The Parish Council discussed instead of at the Crawford Hall. Our access to the toilets when the gate
this and came to the conclusion that newly appointed Project Manager, is closed.
it wouldn’t be possible hold face Andrew Maliphant, gave an excellent
to face meetings with the required presentation of our plans to develop Dugdale sports
social distancing in the space we
have available. So formal voting
a Recreation Strategy for the Parish. ground
Andrew comes with a great deal of Following requests from residents
meetings are not being held until experience both as a project manager of the Bovis estate for a gate into
lockdown restrictions are eased. In and as a Parish Clerk and he will be the field, the Parish Council has
the meantime the emergency Covid in touch with clubs and community agreed that it is prepared to create
Committee can make any urgent groups in the Parish as we set up a a new entrance gate on the south
decisions that arise. We hope we’ll be survey to kick start the project. side once the required access has
able to hold our meetings again from
been agreed and created on the
July – and we’ll hope you’ll come and Planning Bovis side of the fencing. This is
join us! An appeal was held on 1st June over now in the hands of the residents
an application for 50 homes on the old and the developers - Bovis. As
Joy Keeley retires Geodis site on the corner of Waterloo it’s a sports field, the access
After 3 decades we were really sorry and the industrial estate. Our immediately before, during and
to see Joy Keeley retire from the Chairman, Chairman of Planning and after matches will, of course, be
Parish Council at the end of April. our Clerk attended the all day session closed.
She’s so well known in the village, and our new County Councillor (And
and she put a huge amount of energy SDC member) Daren Pemberton
into her role as a councillor, including spoke up giving our reasons for
Don’t forget...
stints as Chairman. We’re delighted the importance of retaining it as an
that she’s volunteered to continue employment site, given that we have
to look after Burial matters for the already more than fulfilled our need
Parish. We wish Joy and her husband, for housing in Bidford and what we if you want to know what
Mick, the very best, and we know need now is improved infrastructure your Parish Council is
she’ll keep in touch. to match. After the meeting the doing on your behalf keep
inspector visited the site as well as
New Councillors Bidford itself and Alcester which
checking our website –
Joy’s retirement (following Mike Atkins should help him come to his decision and come along to our
leaving) left two vacancies on the – which is expected to take a few Zoom meetings. Details,
Council and we were delighted to have weeks. Agendas and Minutes are
excellent candidates volunteering for
all on the website and
the roles. Informal interviews were Big Meadow
held with the full Parish Council in Most people will have noticed the
on our Facebook page!
May and we’re very happy to say that changes on Big Meadow, with the www.facebook.com/
Rebecca Thompson and David Moore new parking system and the addition BidfordParishCouncil
have accepted offers to join us. They of more picnic tables, blue benches
will be formally co-opted on to the and litter bins. And most people
Parish Council as soon as we can hold have an opinion! After some strong
Page 2
ClErk’s
Sportsfield.
Once again, can I ask dog owners to pick
up and dispose: it is an offence not to an
carries a fine of up to £1000
corner... COMMUNITY SPEED
WATCH
As many residents raised concerns
about speeding in various areas within
MARCH 2020 to type meetings, will be held face to face the parish (Bidford, Barton, Broom and
or virtually but it is being considered: Marlcliff) the Parish Council invested in
JUNE 2021Corner”
“Clerk’s the saving of time and climate change the purchase of a speed camera, helped
Hopefully, this will be the last article considerations are the major reasons for by a County Councillor Grant of £500.
written under COVID 19 restrictions. It this. This means that we will not be dependent
TWO FAREWELLS
has been a funny, old year but we have Last year, in order to protect staff, the on the availability of the Police camera
coped. Perhaps with hindsight – always Parish Council took the decision to waive but can be out an about whenever it is
a valuable tool – things could have been the entrance fee to visitors so it decided to necessary. However, to be able to use the
We said “farewell” to two councillors this June, but in very different
done better but, I truly believe that, under investigate automatic alternatives. Having camera safely, training is required: if you
the circumstances, the Parish Council
circumstances. spent time on this, it agreed to install an are concerned about speeding within
did all it could to supports its community ANPR system managed by Local Parking the Parish, please contact the Clerk
during these 15 months. Systems Ltd (LPS) a Warwickshire based on 07718 628925 or by email info@
The improved, new website has helped company. The entrance fee remains at
Cllr Frank Spiers MBE (aka as Mr Bidford) decided not to stand for re bidfordonavon-pc.gov.uk
and it is great to know that it is a local £3 per day for visitors and residents, who as a group of at least 6 people in required
election in May this year, after 45 years as a Parish Councillor. You will be
webmaster. I have also been much pay their Local Precept to Bidford Parish to arrange training.
more active on Social Media – on the Council, continue to have free access via a It is also necessary to have the sites
able to read about the event held by the Parish Council to say its farewell
“car fob”. These have been, and continue
Parish Council’s Facebook, Twitter and approved by the Police to ensure they are
in this paper.
Instagram pages. As some of you know, to be distributed, from the Parish Council safe: again, please let the Clerk know the
I started posting daily “podcasts” during Office, 2 hours every day – details of days areas of concern so that these may be
the lockdown period and I have continued and times are posted on the website and assessed.
On a sadder note, Cllr Mike Gerrard died peacefully at home, on Thursday
with weekly ones after restrictions started on Facebook and Twitter every morning. Warwickshire Police are issuing monthly
relaxing
th – my way of putting a “face” to the The Council also welcomed the WARM Community Speed Watch Newsletters
4 June.
Parish Council. MOBILE HUB a great, friendly service, that are available online at https://
Another change during this crisis were organised by Warwickshire Rural bidfordonavon-pc.gov.uk/community-
“virtual meetings”. Regrettably, these Community Council (WRCC) and VASA,
What can I say about Mike? We all have our own memories of him. I will speedwatch-newsletters-march-
came to an end as of 7th May 2021 as to help fight social isolation, which has june-2021/
remember him as a tower of strength: always there to support me. On
Government stated that it would require become more prevalent during lockdown.
secondary legislation to allow this to JOY a
many an occasion, if he thought I was going through KEELEY
Its safe environment allows people to
difficult period, he
continue. The result is that, as Councils meet and chat over a cup of tea or coffee
would pop in and see me, talk through the problemLast,
and no
but by meansme
give least, ithis
was with
are obliged by law to allow any member (and biscuits of course) and start to
great sadness that the Parish Council
to attend a meeting but COVID legislation re-establish that all important human
invaluable advice. said goodbye to Cllr Joy Keeley at the
contact. It is there every Wednesday
restricts numbers we ended up with
end of April. For over 30 years she ably
a situation of “how do we square that morning 10.00 – 12.00 – do pass the word
and robustly represented the people
on if you know someone that would benefit
He encouraged my studies through the long 6 years, and I was delighted
circle”? Added to this the Parish Council
of Bidford. I clearly remember her
Meeting Room is currently being used by from it.
to be able to invite him to my graduation at Cheltenham Racecourse last campaign to ensure Bidford Fire Station
the school, with all the safety issues that
remained open: hiring a bus to take us to
November. Sadly, he wasDOG FOULING
involves so, at its Annual Parish Council
already AND from Alzheimers, and was
suffering Warwick County Council on the day this
Meeting, it was resolved that no meetings
physically getting weaker,LITTER but I hope he was able to enjoy the day.
would be hold until July when school
was considered by full Council and I well
recall the Chief Fire Officer coming up
I am not sure if it’sin
finishes and the Parish Council Meeting
Mike was elected Parish Councillor me but
Maythere2004,
seems to and I became Clerk to
to us and “congratulate” us on the well
Room becomes fully available.be a lot of litter around- despite the litter
the Parish Council in August fought campaign which was, ultimately,
bins! that year. Having headed the Bidford
One exception was a single item meeting,
successful.
Admittedly, we are all being more careful
held at the Crawford Memorial Room
Appraisal, which culminated in the Bidford Parish Plan B50, he was keen
about picking up “foreign” bits, including
Of course there were others involved,
on 30th June 2021 to consider, approve
by Cllr Keeley was the Chairman of the
to ensure the Parish Council implemented
me, which
and sign the Annual Governance and means there is more of as many of the issues raised in
it about.
Council at the time and made sure we
It has also been difficult for our wonderful
Accountability Return which, by law, has to
that document as possible.
be done by 30th June 2021.
As always, it was his mission to improve the
Bidford Rubbish Friends to organise their
out up a good, clean fight. Coincidentally,
another major player in the campaign,
quality of life for all withinusual
the parish
monthly
Council also took the opportunity at that of days.
litter picking Bidford-on-Avon. Mike was a Bill Fleming, is the current Chairman of
The same can be said about dog fouling.
meeting to co-opt and welcome two new
person that not only “talked the talk, but also walked the walk”. There
With more people enjoying their daily
Parish Councillors: Rebecca (Becky)
the Parish Council.
On a personal basis, I will always
was nothing he would notexercise
Thompson and David Moore. do of it by
routine meant a betterment
walking a dog, again, for Bidford on Avon
remember Cllr Keeley as a kind, listening
there is more of it about – and again,
As we, slowly, return to normal, there
and its local community. despite the many dog bins! It is especially
will be somethings that will remain
and supportive member of the Council:
someone I could count on and I will miss
unchanged. Some of the meetings I noticeable on the Public Open Spaces
her.
attended at County Council will now when dog fouls is picked up and cast into
His last, main campaign, was to ensure the survival of Bidford Library. He
remain virtual so, instead of travelling to the air each time the grass is mowed. It
We wish her all the very best!
is also not pleasant for the footballers
attended a number of meetings at Shire Hall, Birmingham and even went
Warwick, I will attend the meeting from
home. I am not sure if all other, similar marking out the pitches on Dugdale
as far as Liverpool – nothing, and nowhere, was too hard or too far it it
meant he could save the library. And
Page 3 save it he did.
the pandemic
I have been asked by the council to write a few lines about
how, the team at the health centre have coped in the last
fifteen months. As I’m sure you are aware things have been
very different in so many ways and things are continuing
to change rapidly. I think it’s probably best to summarise
where we are now.
...working to include all ages
I’m sure most during the summer months. and walks of life in our
readers know Particular thanks goes to Suzie Community
someone who Meredith and her team for providing C/O Parish Office
was a victim to excellent support at the Bidford Bramley Way, Bidford-on-Avon.
the coronavirus Health Centre clinics. They have been Tel: 01789 778653
Email: info@bidfordonavon-pc.gov.uk
outbreak and excellent marshals and have also
unfortunately provided friendly support to those
Bidford did lose a few people. It has patients who have been nervous all parties. These include emailing
been a difficult time for relatives, about the vaccinations. photographs, video chats and
friends and our staff. Fortunately, We have always offered face to e-consultations. Please look at the
with vaccination, it is hoped that these face appointments throughout health centre website for more in
events are in the past. the pandemic to those that have information on this.
We are running a very successful requested them, the difference now We continue to have a flourishing
vaccination campaign and appreciate being that patients need to speak to Patient Participation Group who are
all of the support that has been one of the clinical team prior to having always keen on new members. Again
given to us by our patients. Where the appointment. As things ease we details are on our website.
we can, we have vaccinated at the are seeing more and more patients on I am more than happy to help provide
health centre but we have had to use a daily basis. regular communication with the
Stratford hospital for Pfizer vaccines. There are however new innovative village by these newsletters if people
Providing the supplies are there we ways of dealing with problems rather think that would be helpful
would hope that all adults will have than face to face appointments
been offered both their vaccines which can be a lot more efficient for Dr Tim Shackley
Bidford community library
knit and natter group
Design and print by Bloomfield Ltd, Bidford-on-Avon. Tel. 01789 490528 www.bloomfieldprinters.co.uk
The 25 strong group all remains in close contact, The group is obviously very keen to return to its base in
starting off each week on Monday with an email from Bidford Community Library as soon as the restrictions
Anne Dewsbury. This simply comments on local are lifted. Hopefully this will not be long now!
activities, village news and news about members who
have been telephoned, who do not have the Internet or
email . Throughout the week, others then send in their
own news etc. The group is currently awaiting news of
the hopeful hatching of cockatiel chicks in the Dewsbury
aviary! In total:
The projects, arranged by Fiona Buxton, have occupied Blankets 72
the group throughout the last 16 months and have Octopus 57
had an amazing response. The premature baby items, Hats 153
hats, octopuses and cot blankets were collected from 180 Teddies
members on doorsteps or dropped off at “collection
houses”. They all were then picked by a nurse from
Worcester Royal Hospital. The first batch of Teddies went
to Swindon Police, the second batch went to the Black
Country Women’s Aid Unit.
In the early days of the pandemic, several group
members (the sewers amongst us) also made scrubs
and masks for local hospitals ~ all in all the group
has remained very productive throughout the time of
lockdown!
Page 4
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