Ravensthorpe News
A CHRISTMAS MESSAGE FROM THE REVD. MARK BATTISON
Our
Churches have, for many years and centuries, held a special place in our
communities, but for a whole variety of reasons are currently only used
by a small number in each village.
We are trying over the next few months to review and introduce a new pattern of worship, which may include new service times and even new liturgy (the words we use and the music we sing). Please do not be afraid that we will, in some way, throw “the baby out with the bath water”, as we are sensitive to all our parishioners needs and will ensure our traditions are maintained – but we are looking to bring new ideas into our Church to encourage more people from our wonderful communities to come and share the great joy of worship – this is the great joy of having God in our lives and the fantastic feeling of Hope you get when coming together to sing and share stories.
With this in mind we would like to invite any member of our 8 communities to come to an Open Meeting at 7.30pm on Wednesday 15th December at Guilsborough Parish Church to discuss the outline of what is being considered. All are welcome and the meeting will finish with Mince Pies and Festive Drinks.
Have a wonderful, peaceful and joyful Christmas time and a New Year full of hope for the year ahead.
Get help with the Care and Repair team
An
advisory service that provides help to elderly or disabled homeowners
across the district continues to grow from strength to strength.
The Daventry and South Northamptonshire Care and Repair team offer practical
advice and guidance to people who need repairs or improvements, so they
can carry on living in comfort and security in their own homes.
The service, which was first set up 12 years ago and covers Daventry District
and South Northamptonshire, is proving so popular that is has recently
had to boost its small team with additional caseworkers.
Kevin White, Care and Repair Co-ordinator, said: “Our service remains
extremely popular with residents and continues to grow but many people
still not be aware of all the help that we can offer.
“For example we have a Handy Person Service, which can carry out small
scale maintenance works and offer advice to older people to help reduce
the risk of personal injury, and it’s worth contacting us to see if you
can get help.”
The service can also help clients to get the work completed using available
grants, like the Housing Repairs Assistance Grant (HRA).
To find out whether you qualify for the service or for more information contact the Care and Repair service at Daventry District Council on 01327 871100 or email careandrepair@daventrydc.gov.uk.
What can Care and Repair do for you?
Visit you in your own home and discuss your requirements
Advice you on any repairs or improvements
Help you find reliable tradesmen to complete the work
Advice you on welfare benefits and any grants that may be available
Advise you on further ways to fund the work
What will it cost you?
Advice is free but if private building work is needed a small fee will be charged. Contact the Care and Repair team for more information.
How can I pay for work?
The Care and Repair team will advise you on the best way to pay for the
work, including grants from your local authority, charitable funding,
occupational trust funding and equity release.
Access to Top Ardle’s Wood
The Parish Council is pleased to report that pedestrians will continue to be able to reach Top Ardle’s Wood from Coton Road through the adjoining field.
The owner of the field has confirmed that he is happy for the permissive right of access for walkers to continue, and the PC have installed a “squeeze post” next to the gate near the 30mph sign.
Walkers are requested to keep to the path near the top of the field.
Parking on pavements
The Parish Council has recently received a number of complaints from residents about vehicles being parked on pavements.
This practice often forces pedestrians, particularly those with buggies, and users of mobility scooters into the road, which may be extremely dangerous.
It also damages the pavement, necessitating repairs which, in the current economic climate, are increasingly difficult to have carried out.
If vehicles park correctly on the road, this can have the advantage of reducing traffic speed through the village.
Where pavement parking occurs regularly, the Parish Council will continue to approach vehicle owners.
However, it seems that many instances of inconsiderate parking are due
to contractors, delivery vehicles and other visitors to the village, and
it would be to everyone’s benefit if we could all remind drivers visiting
us of the need to park properly on the road.
Vicar Resigns
The Revd. Michael Pettit is resigning, from 30th September 2010, as Priest-in-Charge of the Uplands Group of eight Parishes to which St Denys belongs.
The Revd. Mark Battison will act as the part-time interim Minister during the interregnum which is likely to be for up to two years. He will be the first point of contact for any queries e.g. Baptisms, Weddings or Funerals Tel. 01604 846690.
The Revd. Catti Moss will help as much as she can while continuing to work as GP in Guilsborough. However, it is likely that Service times will vary/change during the period when there is no fulltime Priest.
10 Year Joint Anniversary
Both
the Woodland
Trust and the Playing Fields combined forces to celebrate their
10th anniversaries on September 3rd and 4th.
The Woodland Trust displayed examples of their work programmes on the playing field and in the Pavilion.
On Friday the Woodland Trust invited VIP guests from all over the country to visit Top Ardles Wood and hear about the latest initiative from the Woodland Trust.
View more photos from the two day celebrations for Ravensthorpe Memorial Playing Fields 10th Anniversary.
A great
nights entertainment was provided by local band Anyone
Out There.
Their name is taken from a track on Duran Duran's debut album ' Duran Duran'.
Musical influences come from Paul Weller, Freddy Mercury, Elton John, George Michael, Frank Sinatra, Bobby Darin, Carouso, Barbara Streis and bands like Queen, Sex Pistols, Dance Class, Roxy Music, U2, Tears for Fears, Duran Duran, Depeche Mode, Gary Numan, Human league and Spandau Ballet. Anyone Out There Demo Track
Rubbish in our streets
The amount of litter in our streets seems to be increasing. It appears to be due the covers not being properly secured on recycling bins - please check yours.
Deepening Problem of Potholes - Report Them Now
Some of Ravensthorpe's roads have seen a great improvement following work
carried out by the County Council contractors recently. however,
there are still holes in some roads which should be reported.
According to Endsleigh Insurance a survey has found that one in two motorists have met with an accident or near-miss while trying to avoid a pothole.
However, almost seven in 10 motorists did not report a pothole to the local authority, the survey by Guild of Experienced Motorists (GEM) Motoring Assist revealed.
Nine in 10 drivers said their council was doing very little to repair damaged roads, which have been further deteriorated by the recent cold snap.
Problem potholes can be easily reported via the Northamptonshire County Council website. The reporting of these dangerous holes could then assist motorists with subsequent claims if the local authority has not made efforts to repair the roads and pavements.
Although many cars have been damaged by potholes, only 5% of drivers have claimed for a compensation against their local authority, the study noted.
It emerged that 88% of motorists did not know the procedures to make a claim, while the rest were unaware that they could claim for compensation.
David Williams, chief executive at GEM, said: "Often motorists will not spot a pothole until it is too late and as the survey worryingly reveals either swerve out of the way, which could result in a crash, or cause damage to their car.
"Local councils need to take swift action in alleviating this nationwide problem, but it is also important for motorists to play their part in reporting potholes to local councils."
Housing Development Will Not Happen
It is understood that the local land owner has written to West Northamptonshire Joint Planning Unit (WNJPU) advising them that they have made an error in including the land at Ravensthorpe in their plan. In turn WNJPU have advised that the site will be removed from their website following the period of consultation which will be in approximately 3 months time.
Ravensthorpe set to Double in Size in 6 Years? - Probably not!
West Northamptonshire Joint Planning Unit has published details of a proposed site for the potential development of 759 houses. The report suggests that development could start as soon as 2012 and would conclude by 2018.
The site is shown as including Hawtoft Farm and the land directly behind it. The report states that there are no identified environmental constraints and that the development will have a low impact on Strategic Roan Network (SRN). It goes on to say that the "site is available for development as it is actively promoted. The site is considered suitable, available and achievable."
There does appear to be a huge gaff here as we believe the land owner does not advocate this plan and very upset by the published report.
Cllr Chris Miller says "It
does not mean that any development will ever be agreed on this land -
certainly a bold proposal for a village of Ravensthorpe size!!
I do not believe there is any cause for concern at this stage but if that
changes I will advise you immediately - site specific sites will form
part of the next consultation stage at which time you will see any potential
development threats to your village!"
http://www.westnorthamptonshirejpu.org/shlaa/site.aspx?site=124
Location
map of the proposed development
Tell us what you think... editor@ravensthorpe.me.uk
Your Responses...
|
Editor: This report is probably a result of desk based research and it should be noted that a landowners permission does not have to be sought prior to publishing such a report. It is NOT a planning application but part of a process to identify potential development areas. The Parish Council and landowner are believed to be vigorously opposed to this proposal. |
| Just a few quick thoughts: Without employment
being planned, this new estate will just be a dormitory with everyone
having to travel to work. Traffic: There are already major problems with lorries passing through the village, despite the “no lorry” signage. Where are all the lorries for the development going to drive? 750 new homes equates to at least 1500 cars – this is a very large development normally only allowed next to main (A) roads due to the greatly increased traffic levels. Aggregate: Aggregate, no matter how poor a quality, has to be removed from areas that are to be developed, so as not to lose them. There is some low grade gravel around the north end of this site, which would have to be strip quarried. The valley in the centre of the site could be arranged with settling tanks, etc. to limit the environmental objections to a washing operation here, and to uses of the aggregate e.g. concrete mixing. Aggregate extraction, adjacent to an area where it could be used (i.e. new developments) side-steps almost all planning restrictions. Further extraction of the low grade deposits in that area would be almost inevitable. If development is scheduled ‘correctly’ then half of the valley could be strip quarried for aggregate to serve the building. And the other half, on the basis that the valley has already been ruined! Sewerage: There would need to be a new sewerage treatment works to serve this development. The site for this would be interesting to contemplate, but I’m sure would not be within the bounds of the proposed development. Utilities: These would all have to be upgraded. 750 homes would double the water requirements from the reservoir (which can get close to drying up in some summers already). 750 homes would require a doubling of the capacity of the East Haddon telephone exchange (they claim not to have sufficient space to add extra capacity already) 750 homes would require extra electricity supply capacity i.e. extra overhead lines to the village Community: The mature, compact village centre (Post Office, Shop, Pub, Village Hall, Church and Garage) would be supplanted by something amorphous and way outside the current village boundary. Small villages have a unique community that has evolved over centuries, full of like minded ‘country’ people. There would be two distinct communities formed, the existing one, on the top and south side of the ridge, and the ‘outsiders’ one in the new estate on the north side. There is likely to be only one entrance into the new estate isolating them still further. Planning: There is a Village Design Statement produced in conjunction with Daventry District Council. Its over-riding message is the conservation of the village, through maintaining the current character and infrastructure, and limiting further expansion to that in keeping with the rest of the village. Posted: 16/02/2010
09:16 |
| I
have to agree with everyone I have spoken with so far, NO ONE I know
wants this development.
This would destroy village life in Ravensthorpe as we know it, we cant stand by and let it happen. I agree we do need more housing, but it has to be affordable housing so that our children stand a chance to stay in the village if they so choose, not more large detached houses which young people can't afford. This
should be decided by the villagers and not by West Northamptonshire
Joint Planning Unit, whoever they are. Posted: 30/01/2010 11:16 |
| You asked for views. At first mine would not be printable, now I am calmer i can tell you how I feel. What do i do to help fight this? We are a small village not a town. We do not have the infrastructure to support a town, it would ruin our lives with the building and is not the resaon I moved here many years ago. If I wanted to live in a town I would be there not in our lovely village. Posted: 28/01/2010 15:11 |
| What
is proposed is contrary to a number of points on the village design
statement which was approved by Daventry District Council Posted: 28/01/2010 14:00 |
PROPOSED VILLAGE DEVELOPMENT
- No cause for concern - says local councillor
Cllr Chris Miller has said "It does not mean that
any development will ever be agreed on this land - certainly qa bold proposal
for a village of Ravensthorpe size!!
I do not believe there is any cause for concern at this stage but if that
changes I will advise you immediately - site specific sites will form
part of the next consultation stage at which time you will see any potential
development threats to your village!
Hawtoft Farm and the land behind it has been assessed by the West Northamptonshire Joint Planning Unit as being "suitable and available" for 759 houses.
The report indicates that the development potentially could start in 2012 with building continuing for six years!
The Draft SHLAA (Strategic Housing Land Availability Assessment) has been published by the Joint Planning Unit (a partnership of Daventry District Council; Northampton Borough Council; South Northamptonshire Council; and Northamptonshire County Council) to seek additional information or evidence about the potential sites identified.
The SHLAA is NOT a plan for development, but simply a part of the technical evidence base required to inform the plan making process. Please click here to access the data. The data will be available for viewing and technical comment until 5.00p.m. on the 11th February 2010.
The following link takes you directly to a copy of the report held
on the West Northamptonshire Joint Planning Unit website:
http://www.westnorthamptonshirejpu.org/shlaa/site.aspx?site=124
Village Website
Editor: Martin Wilkes