SHELDON NEWSLETTER

FEBRUARY 2003

Hello to everyone:

Just a couple of things to mention that are happening:

We had a meeting on Wednesday Feb 19 with two Peak Park officers responsible for woodland schemes in our area. The result was very promising indeed, and in principle agreement has been reached on the proposal to lease the land to the Woodland scheme ( subject to final Peak Park committee approval) and get grants from the sustainability fund to do the things we discussed at the last Village meeting: to plant trees, provide rustic-type seating; wetland; conservation area for wildlife etc; space for our own play area/gathering etc; area for picnics/barbecues etc; better disabled access; and in time a covered area for shelter ( this could be some kind of log cabin or similar). The benches and seats and the like will probably be sculptured out of tree logs etc to give added effect to the area.

We stressed, and they agreed, that it was important for all the village to be involved in the planning so ideas will be important so that it really is a village amenity. Once final agreement has been reached and the documents signed, the next step will be a village meeting to discuss design of the area, etc.The Peak Park will bring along their design/wildlife/tree experts to help. It was suggested that as part of this there might be a prize for the best design, plan, and that the younger members of the village might like to provide plans for what they would particularly like to see. Although the last village meeting approved in principle the idea and gave permission for us to pursue it, I think it’s important for everyone to have another say about what should be in it; its design and facilities; and how they should be developed. It’s important that it be seen to be a village initiative, and this is one way of doing that. There was also a suggestion that we might have discussions with the Church to see whether it might be possible to hold some kind of outdoor service in the community recreation area once a year. We will ask for comments about that from Rev Clive and the church wardens.

I sent a letter to Ashford parish council keeping them abreast of the developments about a bridge and footpath change at the bottom of the dale, as I have mentioned previously. They have replied congratulating us and thanking us for our hard work in this area and saying they continue to fully support what we are doing. That is all progressing as planned.

We will soon be calling for volunteers from throughout the village ( as I mentioned in a previous newsletter and at the village meeting last year) to form as representative a committee as possible so that the work is shared throughout the village. So start coming up with ideas and plans. The more involved the easier it is and the better it will be. There’s a space at the bottom of this newsletter for you to say you’ll be involved in the planning.

The new road signs are (still) on their way---but Highways promise them soon; likewise with the tree roots---they will be sorted soon as well. They’re on the list I’m told and getting towards the top now.

Footpaths: this is the time when we put in our annual estimate of how much we will claim from the County council for any minor repairs to the footpaths that are in our parish boundaries. Brian will be alerting the council shortly to the approximate amount, but it looks as though it will be about £95. This is actual expenditure for which we get totally reimbursed. However if anyone notices any of the footpaths that might need further minor work doing to them to make them easier to walk on, please let me or Chris Davies or Brian know.

You’ll have noticed that the tree pruning has now happened; and the dying tree will be cut down in May. At the playing field site meeting with the Peak Park there was a suggestion that the wood from this tree be reused for seating etc as part of the new community recreation area that the playing field will become. This will of course be replaced by two new trees. I've applied for a grant for cutting down the condemned tree on the Green and replacing it with new trees from Shell Better Britain Campaign. The application will be considered at their next meeting at the beginning of March. It looks very hopeful.

Keep warm!

John