Ward Meeting July 30th
From Nenthead Community Wiki
Monday 30th July 2007
Contents |
[edit] Present
- David Herring (Chair)
- Thérèse Lewis (Secretary)
- Brian Aves
- Alison Clark
- Tim Haldon
- Adam Herdman
- Margaret Nolan
- Paul Mercer
- Sally Orrell
- Dick Phillips
- Carol Sutton
- Richard Turner
[edit] Apologies
- Tony Pennell
- Holly Craigs
[edit] Minutes of last meeting
Minutes approved. Proposed: Dick Phillips. Seconded: Sally Orrell.
[edit] Matters arising out of the minutes
David Herring contacted the Heritage Centre and they agreed to present report at this meeting (no representation to make the report at the AGM); Holly Craigs as a governor representative of Nenthead Primary School agreed to present report from Nenthead Primary School (no representation to make the report at the AGM) however Ms Craigs had to cancel attendance at this meeting at short notice making it difficult for us to secure another representative. David Herring will approach the school again when the school re-opens in September. David Herring was unable to contact Kathleen Walton of the Medical Practice and will invite a representative from the Practice to the next Ward Meeting.
- Action: DH to contact school and Medical Practice
Item 6: David Herring wrote to Gary Strong (copy to Isa Henderson) to express our concern and dismay at the Transforming Passenger Transport in Cumbria proposals and to ask that any decisions be deferred until the proposals and the implications of the proposals for our communities can be discussed at the ATAG Committee and there has been time for adequate and transparent local consultation. Reply received acknowledging the concerns expressed by David Herring on behalf of the community (see attached for copy of the letter).
Dick Phillips attended the last meeting of the Area Transport Advisory Group (ATAG) and at the meeting there was a general consensus that the original proposals needed further thought.
Those present agreed that we must be pro-active in assembling our own evidence of use of public transport and it is agreed that when using the threatened public transport services that time/date/service/number of travellers is recorded. Brian Aves has a contact that has kept detailed records recording the above detail for over a year. Brian Aves will ask if we may have a copy of the records to put towards our evidence bank. The cuts in transport are now delayed however we must carefully monitor developments.
- Action: BA and Community Action to gather evidence.
[edit] Reports
[edit] Report from Heritage Centre : Heritage Centre Education Team
Paul Mercer and Tim Haldon represented the Nenthead Heritage Centre Education Team. Paul Mercer apologised on behalf of the Heritage Centre for no representation at Ward AGM and Ward Meeting 21.05.07. He pledged to ensure a representative attends all Ward meetings as well as presenting the annual report at the ward AGM.
He presented the report:
The Heritage Centre is currently restructuring how it manages its work and business and the role of the people that work for the Trust. There are currently twenty five people that work for the trust and not just when the Centre is open to the public.
They continue to renovate and restore derelict Heritage Centre buildings for example most recently the Mine Shop and the Compressor House.
Currently the Heritage Centre is developing an Upper Nent Valley walk to encourage people to explore more widely.
When able to the Trust works with community groups for example work on the Dow Gang Hush woodland walk and nature trail was funded with a grant to a charity that support disadvantaged inner city young people and the work although supervised by Heritage Centre staff was carried out by a group of young people the charity work with.
The Heritage Centre recently facilitated a conference: Underground matters. This brought together: Heritage Centre staff; archaeologists; mineral collectors; educationalists and mine explorers. The purpose of the conference was to work together on how best to educate and inform the public about what is usually hidden from view. This resulted in an exhibition of photographs taken underground. The exhibition is still showing in the café at the Heritage Centre and has proved popular with visitors. Visitor numbers continue to grow year on year (approximately 7,000 in 2006). Numbers this year by the end of June were up 30% however in July and potentially August numbers have been down on 2006 figures as a result of the very bad weather.
New signs are being designed for the Heritage Centre. Paul Mercer has consulted with the East Cumbria Project Team. Capita will be placing them however unfortunately Capita have not consulted with Nenthead and Overwater residents.
One of the things that the Heritage Centre staff have been considering is how best to improve visibility as the entrance is ‘off the beaten track’ and people quite often comment that it is hard to find/or if don’t know it’s there does not advertise presence clearly enough to attract passing visitors. Planning permission for the flags on the main road expires at the end of the year and they will have to reapply for permission. The Trust wants to ask the community if they would be prepared to ‘host’ some examples of mine workings in the new developed picnic area beside the recreation park. Those present thought this would be an attractive and distinctive addition quite in keeping with the character of the ward.
Paul Mercer is currently putting together a three year development project that will create a historical archive of village and mine life old photographs, documents, parish and church records and oral recordings. The project will not just be about the community but will involve the community and Paul is keen that the community actively contribute to the development of the archive. The Trust will provide office space and support to enable interested people to contribute.
Update on footbridge linking Overwater and the mine: Paul Mercer reported that this is the property and responsibility of the county Council and they have been informed by the Heritage Centre that it has been destroyed by the recent flooding.
Dick Phillips extended a welcome back to the Heritage Centre and asked if they could commit to further meetings as when the Heritage Centre was set up it was a three way partnership between the community, the Trust & the Heritage Centre and attending and contributing to the Ward meetings is a way to become involved with and contribute to the community.
Paul Mercer again expressed a full commitment and will attend all Ward meetings as he believes that this is a valuable way to achieve involvement as well as to contribute to discussions and developments that involve us all. The Heritage Centre has an internal Nenthead Committee that is devoted to working with the community and Dick Phillips suggested that it would perhaps be a good idea to invite one of us to represent the community on the committee. Paul Mercer will take this back to the Nenthead Committee. Dick Phillips asked what the Heritage Centre knew about the offer of one of the Heritage buildings to the Bothy society. Paul mercer replied that two of the restored and renovated buildings would be suitable for use as a bothy: Hodgson’s Mine Shop and Middlecleugh Mine Shop.
Some concern was expressed by a resident about the untidy entrance to the Heritage centre. Paul Mercer agreed and reported that it is being dealt with.
There was also concern from a resident about the potential hazards at the left hand side of the entrance to the site (just set back between entrance and public toilets) of one of the Mine’s recovered workings. The area is overgrown and there is a concern that children could play in the area without seeing the hazards. Paul Mercer said that he will follow this up and will report to the next ward meeting on both issues.
- Action: PM will follow up and report at next Ward meeting
[edit] Update report from Nenthead Community Village Shop Committee: Sally Orrell
Sally Orrell represented Nenthead Community Village Shop Committee: Good progress towards opening a Village Shop at the site of the Over 60s goes ahead.
The next stage is to gain permission for change of use. The request will be considered by 23.08.07 and if that goes ahead all the terms required for a 99 year lease will all be in place.
The Nenthead Community Village Shop Committee has had advice from the Post Office and from the Penrith Cooperative to give guidance on setting up a co-op and organising the requirements for a Post Office. The Post Office will require a secure box as well as some way to secure the building when shut.
The ‘style’ will be new style Post Office (like the Melmerby Post Office). The Nenthead Community Village Shop Committee has been proactive in talking to members of the community to enlist their views on what they would like from the shop. For example there will be newspapers but this will start on an order only basis while the business develops.
The Committee is exploring different building security options and it is hoped that it will be possible to line the existing traditional wooden shutters with metal to give security but to also keep the traditional look of the building. It is a listed building so the Nenthead Community Village Shop Committee has to work within certain parameters and requirements.
Brian Aves asked when it would be open and Sally Orrell replied that the Committee is working towards Autumn 2007. Although the shop will be in place before the Post Office element of service and as a community we will still have to defend keeping the Post Office.
Sally Orrell presented an update to transfer of activities from the Over 60s building to the Village Hall. There are two main issues that have to be addressed:
The refurbishment of one existing room to make a space suitable for meetings and events such as craft activities.
As the room that has been identified as suitable is upstairs a stair lift will be a priority and the Village Hall Committee has been taking advice from a Disability Access Advisor. There is a lot of work to be done and the Village Hall Committee is asking for volunteers. Volunteers should contact Christine Habberjam.
Thérèse Lewis proposed a formal thank you to the Nenthead Community Village Shop Committee. They have worked tirelessly at this and have not allowed obstacles to defeat them. Everyone present agreed.
[edit] Ball wall for recreation area: Thérèse Lewis
Thérèse Lewis and Rita Swindle have put in a bid to Eden Play Partnership fund for a Ball Wall for Nenthead (the funding was restricted to Ball Walls or similar). If successful this will supplement our very nice play facility that meets many of the play requirements of children aged from 0-14 years however the addition of a ball wall would be a valuable supplement as it would provide interactive learning play and communication opportunities for children 0-16 and we believe will make the play area even more attractive particularly with the upper primary, KS3 and KS4 groups.
Rita Swindle and Thérèse Lewis had consulted with the early years and lower primary age children and the upper primary and KS3 and KS4 young people. They all felt that this would be a fun and attractive addition to the play area.
This application is being considered by Eden Play Partnership.
Full agreement from those present at the Nenthead Ward meeting that this would be a valuable supplement to the current provision.
Update on progress at next meeting.
[edit] New Grant programme: Rural Development Fund: Thérèse Lewis
Thérèse Lewis brought this to the attention of the Ward meeting.
Sally Orrell and Rita Swindle have both put in bids on behalf of the community. Rita Swindle on behalf of the Village Hall Committee and Sally Orrell on behalf of Nenthead Community Village Shop Committee. Update on progress at next meeting.
[edit] Nenthead Gala
Thérèse Lewis proposed a revival of the Nenthead Gala. Other villages in the parish successfully hold an annual gala day that provides funds for the maintenance of their village hall. Those present had great memories of the Rose Queen Gala and lamented that fears around insurance liability and health and safety regulations had led to this annual event being too complicated and complex to manage. Tim Haldon is key in the organisation and management of Garrigill Gala Day and he reported that they had faced the same problems but had managed to meet requirements and get insurance and agreed that the annual proceeds of the day make a very valuable contribution to the funding of Garrigill Village Hall. Tim offered us any advice or guidance that we might need. It was agreed that our first step should be an open meeting to invite all of those interested in reviving this community celebration.
Brian Aves thinks that there may be a small fund that can be used to begin to organise for next year. He will check this out on behalf of the Ward.
- Action: TL will advertise and organise a meeting for those interested.
- Action: BA to check regarding fund.
[edit] Any Other Business
Alison Clark drew the attention of those present to the newly developed picnic area next to the play area. This is an area that was developed with the surplus funding left over from development of the Nenthead Triangle. Alison had a copy of the original plans that she shared with those present and it is clear that the area had not been developed in line with the plans.
There are two major issues: The wall between the play area and the picnic area and the play area and the river bank is low enough to enable any toddler or small child to scramble over from the play area into two potentially dangerous spaces: the bank leading down to the river and the paved picnic area that is open to the road. The play area had originally been surrounded by a fence high enough to stop children climbing over. Without this fencing or high enough walls the play area becomes a dangerous place as it will be far harder to supervise young children as they play.
The picnic area is open to the road on two sides. This is an issue in that cars or motorbikes can now pull up on the area and it is open to the road and we still have many problems with bikes speeding through the village.
All present are equally concerned and we feel that there is a real danger that someone could be hurt. Excited children playing with no effective barrier onto a busy road must concern us all. Alison is aware that Rita Swindle has been instrumental in working to ensure that Capita meets the commitments made to the new developments and Alison is certain that Rita has already had to contact Capita with concerns. It was agreed that this is an important issue and that our first step must be to talk with Rita Swindle to identify the department we need to contact to register our concerns. Paul Mercer agreed that we need to be concerned and has pledged the support of the Heritage Centre. When we have identified a point of contact with Capita. Paul Mercer will ensure that a letter is sent by the Trust to support our concerns.
- Action: TL to contact RS and will update at next meeting.
Brian Aves drew our attention to the picnic area by the river (just across from stone bridge). This had been a popular area for visitors as it had three picnic tables, a nearby car park and pleasant views of the river. In developing the area (as above two of the picnic tables had been removed from this area and the turf badly churned up and damaged. Those present felt it was counterproductive to enhance one area of the village at the expense of another. It was agreed that this is another issue that can be raised with Capita.
- Action: TL to contact RS and will update at next meeting.
Those present felt we needed to further publicise our Ward meetings. In addition to the Village notice board Alison Clark and Paul Mercer have offered space on the notice boards that they maintain. Carol Sutton recommended that we also post in the Surgery and pointed out that in future it would be helpful to use a larger font size. This was agreed.
- Action: TL to coordinate
In the past it has been the practice of the Ward meeting to pass on relevant items to the local newspapers. It was agreed that a short overview report of main developments would be shared with the local press.
- Action: TL to coordinate with Denis Inch *
Meeting closed: 8.45pm
[edit] Date of next meeting
Monday September 24th 2007, 7.30pm, Nenthead Over 60s Rest Room
All meeting dates are available on the calendar.
