Heighington Parish Council Newsletter Letting You Know! ... NOVEMBER 2003 No 23 Mrs Sandra Rudolf, Clerk to the Council, Parish Council Office, Jubilee Hall, High Street, Heighington, Lincoln LN4 1JS Tel (01522) 790846
Lincolnshire Police: All cyclists out on the road during the hours of darkness should have illuminated lamps correctly fitted to their cycles. Please note if you do not comply not only will you be liable to a Fixed Penalty Ticket of £30 being issued, but worse still you may be involved in a road traffic collision ……………. BE SAFE ~ BE SEEN! Best Kept Village Competition: Heighington did very well in the Community Council of Lincolnshire Best Kept Village Competition. In the category for large villages and small towns we came through three rounds of judging in June, July and August, to come SECOND. We were very narrowly beaten by Scotter in the final round. In the first two rounds we were commended by the judges for the absence of litter, for which we can thank our Litter Picker (Barbara Corry), and excellent hanging baskets. Unfortunately on the final round there was litter in the High Street following a Bungee Jump at the Turks Head and some hanging baskets and gardens were judged to be past their best. In all rounds we received maximum marks for Community Effort. The Parish Council wish to thank everyone who made the effort and look forward to all residents making a full contribution next year so that we can obtain the extra two points that we need to win. Rural Touring Community Scheme: As part of this initiative an event will take place at the Thomas Garrett Heritage Rooms, Heighington on Friday 5 December 2003 at 7pm. "A Seasonal Cabaret for Children and Families with Songs, Stories, Puppets and Magic" ~ Tel (01522) 790225 for Tickets £3. Highway Matters: Traffic calming requests and road safety issues that have been awaiting a response from the County Council were discussed at a meeting between the Highways Area Manager, Mr Christie and a member of his staff, and members of the Parish Council. The decisions made by Mr Christie are summarised below:- Almond Avenue: Speed ramps are not favoured on the bus route but he will improve the signs and road markings on either side of the Children's Playground and will review the priority at the Almond Avenue/Edward Barker Road junction. Millstream Road: There is no case for traffic calming on this estate road as it is a cul-de-sac. He will continue to plan to change the road line near the emergency link to reduce the road width. Canterbury Drive: Mr Christie will install an Archer Site on the Heighington side of this road to assess the volume and speed of traffic. Julia Road: Mr Christie considered that there was a case for traffic calming on this road by the installation of a speed table and two humps. His estimate of the cost to include the necessary signs is £10,000 to £12,000 but he will produce an accurate costing. He reiterated that the County Council would only pay for half of the costs and would expect the Parish Council and/or local residents to pay the other half. We await detailed costing and the Parish Council will consider it for the financial year 2004/05 if local residents show sufficient support for the proposal. Station Road/Cycletrack: The trees and bushes in the embankment between the highway and the cycletrack on the hill along Station Road (adjacent to the public open space and recreation ground) are at long last being cut back, and as part of a Rural Initiatives Project new twin head street lighting has been installed on the route High Street/Washingborough Road: A School Safety Zone around the Millfield County Primary School will be installed by March 2004. This will prohibit vehicle parking at School arrival and departure times and a 20mph speed limit will be imposed from 4 High Street (Heighington House) to 7 Washingborough Road. Full details will be sent to the Parish Council early in 2004 and will be available for residents to read on the Parish Council Notice Boards. Mr Christie agreed that there was a road safety hazard on the corner of the High Street (near the Post Office) caused by thoughtless parking on and near the corner, and by motorists carrying out 'U' turns on this wide junction. Geometric tests will be carried out and depending on the results, the corners of the pavements will be built out to formalise parking in the area. Neighbourhood Watch: With a village as big as Heighington why do we only have seven Neighbourhood Watch schemes operating here? Each scheme has a recommended size of 10 to 20 houses, so why do we have so many unprotected properties? With the Police Force presence being so thin on the ground it needs all the help it can get. It is everyone's duty to care about our society. We are the eyes and ears needed to assist the police in carrying out their duties. It is in the interest of every family in the village to look out for one another. The public are at greatest risk from crimes such as burglary, auto crimes and vandalism. These happen at all levels of our society but it can be reduced by a really effective Neighbourhood Watch. It is fact that in areas where schemes are operating crime has been kept down significantly. Do you have a NHW scheme where you live? If not, do you wonder why? ~ Why not find out more … Contact Martin Dickie Neighbourhood Watch Administrator, Area Headquarters, West Parade, Lincoln LN1 1YP (Tel: 01522 - 885326) Branston and Heighington Family Practice: The Practice Manager advises that the Season of Goodwill is fast approaching and now is the time you need to be asking yourself, will I have enough medication to last over the holiday period? Please do not leave it until the Christmas week to check your stock as they may not be able to get the supplies quickly enough to satisfy demand. Please allow 2 working days for any repeat scripts to be processed and please remember it is your responsibility to look after your medications. The Practice Manager also asks that you please be patient over the festive period as it is usually a very busy time for surgeries and they would appreciate contact only if you feel you need to see a doctor or a nurse. He also advises that you might have read in the local paper the surgery has gained planning permission to extend the front of the building. The plans have had to be put on hold until Spring 2004 due to contract reforms that are being brought in for GP's next April. To obtain the results of blood and urine tests please contact the surgery a week after the test and preferably after 11am. On behalf of the partners and staff at the surgery the Practice Manager wishes everyone a Merry Christmas and a Healthy and Happy New Year. Planning Matters: Applications have continued to be submitted on a 'piecemeal' basis, with no major developments being considered at this time. There have been numerous applications for extensions and conversions of existing homes, none of which was controversial and all have been passed. The Appeal lodged against the refusal for three dwellings on Washingborough Road has been dismissed. An application to extend the residential accommodation at Beckfield House is pending. The application to build 3 houses on the water meadow between Park Lane and the Beck, which has been ongoing for some years continues, pending the NKDC producing its own flood risk assessment report in relation to the area. In spite of strong local opposition and submissions at the NKDC Planning Meeting by local residents, the application to build a crèche along Potterhanworth Road at the entrance to the proposed business and light industrial site was passed by NKDC. Parking at Football Matches: All supporters and players are asked to be more considerate and safety conscious when parking at the Sportsfield on Potterhanworth Road, and the Recreation Ground on Station Road. Please walk whenever possible as there is only limited safe parking space at both fields. Village in Bloom Competition: The presentation ceremony took place at the Parish Council meeting on 8 September when prize vouchers and a certificate was awarded. Best Hanging Basket/1 Millers Close, with runner up at 16 Kenyon Close. Best Overall Front Garden/1 Millers Close, and runner up 2 Hilltop Cottages. Best Village Centre Display went to the Butcher & Beast Inn on the High Street, there was no runner up for this award. No awards were given in the Best Tub, Container category this year. Congratulations to all the winners, and a very big thank you to ALL parishioners for looking after their gardens etc. Thus 2003 was another successful season. With all the new members joining the Club it has been decided to enter a team in the city Evening League for the 2004 season. Another successful Final's Day was held at the end of August and several new names will appear on the Honours Board. The weather was again kind, with plenty of sun. The Ted Kay Triples was again closely contested, the match going to an extra end. Judith & Rodney Jelfs and Mildred Howden were the winners. A big 'thank you' to the Ladies for putting on another excellent spread, which was enjoyed by all. Finally, the Club is always ready to welcome more new members. So if you are interested please contact either Laurence Creasey (790927) or Mildred Howden (793004). Heighington Junior Football Club: The Club's success both on and off the field continues with last seasons Under 8's team winning their league and gaining promotion to the 'A' League, well done to Ron Jackson and all the boys who played in the squad last year. Another achievement was the club as a whole winning the Football Club of the Year title for the Mid Lincs League, the Lincolnshire FA presented us with a cheque for £200. Four teams the Under 7, Under 10b, Under 13b, and the Under 12 Girls won tam of the year in their respective Leagues. The Club is seeking children and any interested parents to set up and run an under 7s team for next season (the children need to be six or under now). As the club supports teams to Under 15 level it is important that we get 'new blood' to maintain the continuity of the Club. If you can spare a couple of hours on a Saturday and some Sundays, please do get in touch. The Heighington Junior Football Club would like to thank all the parents and the local community for their continued support of the players and they hope to have another successful season this year. For more information on membership in all age groups, boys and girls, contact Nick Caunt (702083) or Martin Holvey (821301). Heighington Parish Council: There are Eleven members on the Parish Council and May 2003 was the start of a new Term of 4 years. Ten nominations submitted returned un-opposed to Office, and the one vacancy was filled by Co-option. Your Parish Councillors for the next term are:- Councillor W.E. Bliss CBE (Chairman) - Potterhanworth Rd - Tel: 793843 One of the topics discussed at a recent meeting has involved a 'Forward Plan', a list of 21 items has been drawn up by Councillors and these have been placed in different categories. These include such things as renewal of litter bins on a rolling programme, village name plates, facilities for teenagers, production of a Village Web Site, provision of a Village Map, and various maintenance/capital projects associated with Parish Council owned property, such as resurfacing of the village tennis courts, repair of stone boundary walls, resurfacing of car park areas, and provision of additional car parking etc. As in the past, grants towards projects will be sought, but also finance will be set aside within the Parish Precept. The Parish Council is looking for YOUR thoughts on this issue. Where would you like to see your money spent in the Village? - Have you got any ideas on what you would like to see in the Village, that is not already provided? We welcome all calls/letters on this subject - Write to Heighington Parish Council Office, Jubilee Hall, High Street, Heighington, LN4 1JS - or contact one of the Parish Councillors as listed above, or the Clerk on 790846 - Your views are important! Lincoln and District Citizens Advice Bureau Limited: Volunteers are needed by this organisation male/female, with time available, qualifications are not important, although you might be keen to develop new skills and experience, like to help others, and enjoy being part of a team. If you can offer any time at all please contact the Bureau on 08701 224422 or call/write to the Lincoln Office, Beaumont Fee Lodge, Beaumont Fee, Lincoln LN1 1UL - They need your Help!! THE COMPLIMENTS OF THE SEASON TO ALL RESIDENTS AND THEIR FAMILIES |