You are on page 1of 12

Og w e l l Newsletter

Autumn 201 3

A Message from the Chair


Hello, I hope you enjoyed our very first parish council newsletter, delivered to your door by your local councillors. We've had some really positive feedback, which is great. Here's the second of the three issues we're publishing as a trial run for getting council business and information out to you. The aim is to tell you what's happening in your neighbourhood, and what we're doing on your behalf. Theres an invitation inside this issue to a special meeting on 26 September at Canada Hill School to discuss how we all could shape our village in the future. We would very much like to hear your views. In the meantime, we want you to feel part of our fantastic community, and get involved in any way you can. Don't be afraid to tell us what needs doing, and suggest ways in which it could be done, but please be prepared to be part of the solution! Don't forget! We have one more newsletter to deliver to you over the Winter before we convert to e-newsletters in the Spring, so it's really important that you sign up for your email copy at ogwellparish@gmail.com as soon as you can. See you at the village bonfire night on the green? Saturday 2nd November.

Michael Simmons
Did you know?

There's a full size football pitch for everyone to use at the top of Dawes close off Reynell Road, and right next door to it is an enclosed playpark for young children. So when you're looking for something to do at the weekend to keep the children occupied, no need to get the car out, just make use of the facilities on your doorstep. And there's a footpath straight into Baker's Park through Merrywood at the bottom of Larksmead Way. For more ideas about local country walks, check out the ogwell.org website to look at the paths in the area, or contact Barry Long via ogwellparish@gmail.com - he's our footpaths guru!

News

Visit ogwell.org for regular village news updates.

Weed invasion on your doorstep!

Have you noticed the weeds in the village? It's like the march of theTriffids. We're suffering from a lack of weed control as a result of cutbacks. This means Teignbridge Council, who do the work on behalf of the County Council, are unable to carry out the sort of spraying they've provided in the past. We are looking at using some of the parish council funds to pay for a private contractor (other villages are taking similar action). In the meantime, if you see a weed you don't like as you stroll around the village, please feel free to pull it up!

Broadband speeds within the village

It's a game of two halves in the village when it comes to broadband speed - the Larksmead side/Reynell Road side of Canada Hill benefits from pretty good broadband speeds - up to 20 Mb per second, but sadly the old part of the village isn't so lucky: speeds can only be as high as 2Mb per second, and it can take half an hour to download something fairly simple! This is a disaster for those who rely on the web for communication with family, friends and particularly those who are trying to run a business. It all revolves around getting the green box on the village green upgraded. Richard Broome our councillor who's taken on the job of tackling BT about the problem, promises he won't give up until he's got some sensible answers and preferably some action from BT.

News

When is a phone box not a phone box? When it's a community library!

Councillor Harry Godwin is well on the way to turning his dream library into a reality. Although not quite on the scale of the newly refurbished and extended state of the art library in Newton Abbot, Harry's community library based in the old phone box on Canada Hill has finally been handed over by BT for the princely sum of 1 . Now comes the hard work - fitting it out & stocking it! If you have some books to donate, either leave them in the box, or contact Harry through hjgodwin@gmail.com

Allotment update

After a small amount of potential asbestos material was found in one of the plots, the allotments outside HMP Channings Wood were closed for most of the summer, with Ogwell gardeners only being granted access to water and maintain their plots in late July. Solutions are being sought by the Denbury and Torbryan allotment association, who are in talks with the prison governer to try and keep the allotments accessible.

Prickly Ball Farm re-opens...


...and ticks two Parish Plan boxes!

Prickly Ball Farm on Denbury Road reopened on 20th July with the new owners opening the caf and a new farm shop to the public. There are also plans to fully engage in the community, with the farm putting on a silent bonfire night, food festivals and more! Visit their website www.pricklyballfarm.co.uk for more information, or call 362 31 9 . The caf and shop offer locally sourced and produced food and drink. Both are open from 1 0 - 4, seven days a week.

Have news? Contact ogwellparish@gmail.com today!

Teignbridge Local Plan

The local plan is now under the scrutiny ofa planning inspector.

The Secretary of State appointed Geoff Salter of the Planning Inspectorate to conduct the Local Plan Examination, which opened on the 5 September and runs for about 1 0 days, with hearing sessions held at Teignbridge Council's Forde House. At the time of writing we don't know the outcome but will put regular updates as and when we have them on the Ogwell.org website. You can also get updates at www.teignbridge.gov.uk/planteignbridge

Village hall wins bid for broadband

A recent bid for rural grant aid means the village hall now gets the chance for broadband to be installed. This will give the pre-school an opportunity to run effectively and provide some learning tools for the little ones. It also means that other groups have access to online information and will be a good resource for the community. If you don't have access to a computer at home, but would like to take advantage of an online facility please tell the Memorial Hall Committee through Richard Broome on 368 270 . If there's a real demand, we might be able to get something organised...who knows - even our own home-grown internet cafe one night a week!

Proposed solar farm

Keeping your stuff safe

The Parish Council received an application for planning permission for a solar farm at Rydon Equestrian Centre. The proposed 55 acres, that's the equivalant of 31 football pitches, will be split across two sites. Visit ogwell.org for more information.

There have been reports of a couple of car break-ins and attempted burglaries in the village recently please keep your home and car locked and the contents safe. Sat navs seem to be very popular with our light fingered friends. Dial 1 01 to get a message to your local PCSO.

Canada Hill School


CANADA HILL School needs room to grow !
Canada Hill School goes from strength to strength it's reputation for excellence has made it a very desirable destination for local children, and it's bursting at the seams. There isn't enough space to accommodate all the children in the school hall, so assemblies and other activities are limited. Expansion plans are on hold because there isn't sufficient land to build an extension, and the worst case scenario is that it may eventually have to uproot and leave us. It would be sad to lose such a vibrant and integral part of the village. For the sake of our local children, and with an expanding community of new families within the new developments, it's essential we do what we can to keep the school in Ogwell.
Can you help?

We need help to keep it here - the school needs lots of support to make sure its legacy remains. Would anyone who has either attended the school, is a parent, guardian or grandparent of children involved with the school, past or present, or who just has some spare time to offer, consider joining a support group to start planning for its future? Contact Michael Simmons through ogwellparish@gmail.com

Memorial Hall Update

Leaders of a number of village groups met at the Annual Parish Meeting in June to report on how the year went and what they want in the next five years. The resounding answer from all of them was they need more village support and more members! John Addy, of the Memorial Hall Committee, told us about the ongoing problems with the building a leak in the roof at the rear, the inadequate size and difficult layout of the former school building. Ideally, the village could use a purpose-built hall with modern facilities. Most village groups use the hall regularly, including the Women's Institute, the Gardening Society, the U3A, the Pre-School and the Luncheon Club. If you are able to help, or are interested in finding out more, visit their pages at Ogwell.org.

Getting Involved
How you can help your village...

'Adopt a verge' scheme comes to you!

Nurture a neighbour

Frequent mowing of the verges around the village are a thing of the past. Funding cutbacks combined with a continuing council tax freeze means less money in County and District Council coffers, and a slowdown in the mowing programme, over which we have little control. Combined with the lack of weed spraying, we are in for a period of dense weed and grass growth, from which our streets may never recover. Pavements are becoming covered in grass and weeds, and small bushes and even tiny trees are taking root in the roads and gutters. The tarmac is beginning to disintegrate as a result.

Winter's on the way. If we have bad weather (who knows what's in store), and you think your neighbour is probably not able to get out to the shops or clear the snow and ice from their path, can you take a few moments to check they're OK and offer a lift into town, or to do a little shopping? It might make all the difference.

We need volunteers to help carry out much needed maintenance of the copse on the village green. It hasn't been cared for over a number of years and is becoming dangerous, with dead and diseased trees threatening to fall across the paths. We want the If you can find it in your hearts to it to become a haven for diverse adopt the verge and pavement outside wildlife, a safe place for children and your home or nearby, it would really adults to explore, and an attractive help, and will ultimately keep or asset to the green. Sign up by improve the value of your property and contacting ogwellparish@gmail.com the area.

Maintaining the Copse

Neighbourhood Planning

With towns and villages ever expanding, the need for a Neighbourhood Plan is very important to help safeguard and benefit the parish. Chairman Michael Simmons is trying to put together a team who will help create a plan for the parish. Please read the following pages for more information.
If you can help, contact Ann or Harry at ogwellparish@gmail.com

Events

Ogwell Big Picnic


The Ogwell Big Picnic, held on Saturday 31 st August was hugely successful. Hundreds of people turned up to listen to bands such as Raspberry Fish and Mr Gilbert, while the sun shone brightly and the cider flowed freely. Much money was raised for the village through the cake stand, barbeques and cider tent, while villagers celebrated the end of a fine summer, meeting with friends old and new.

Neighbourhood Planning
Are you worried about ?

OGWELL NEEDS YOU!

HOW can we get the best for Ogwell ?


Make a Neighbourhood Plan

new housing proposals low employment quarry developments shortage of school places roads the lack of community facilities the possible loss of valuable community assets like the pre-school, the Memorial Hall and other facilities ?

A Neighbourhood Plan sets out what we want for the future of Ogwell - it will make sure our voices are heard. If you have opinions about housing, transport, local jobs, facilities, services or the environment, we would like to hear from you.

Come and talk about it at the meeting:

Canada Hill Primary School 7.30pm on Thursday 26th September


Help us shape the future of the village
www.Ogwell.org

What's Occuring in Ogwell?


You've no idea just what people actually get up to in Ogwell!

Rifle Range

In need of some target practice? Why not sign up at the Denbury Range near HMP Channings Wood? Built by the Americans stationed at the airbase (now the prison) in the 40's, the range was aquired by locals who formed a club. That club has split into the two current groups, Torbay Fullbore Club and Denbury Fullbore, who use the range every alternate Saturday. Contact Anthony Woodwark for the Torbay Fullbore Club at: secretary@torbayfullbore.co.uk, if you are interested in joining. Denbury Fullbore Club is full and has a waiting list.

Fancy getting your 4x4 filthy while navigating treacherous trees and mud pits? Torbay 4x4 club have a site based in Ogwell, as well as a few other Devon locations. With over 1 00 members, the club is very popular and active, taking part in laning and trials as well as various social activities. If you are interested, please visit their website torbay4x4club.co.uk

Off-Roading

Teign Valley Hash House Harriers


"Drinkers with a running problem"

The Harriers meet every Monday evening to run from pub to pub all over Torbay, Dartmoor and Teign Valley, often including our own Jolly Sailor! They are 'the Party Hash', dedicated to having a good time, offering a warm welcome to all new members and catering for all abilities. Just turn up, have a go and make some friends. Visit www.tvh3.org for details of meets.

So what else do you fancy doing?

Don't fancy the gym, but fancy getting out, meeting new people, and doing something different once a month or so? We've been given a couple of ideas and would like to know if you're interested.... Skittles & darts teams, football and cricket teams, book groups, carnival committee... We need people to help set these up! Register your interest by emailing ogwellparish@gmail.com

Important Information
Ogwell Parish Council contact: ogwellparish@gmail.com Michael Simmons (chairman): 01 626 361 01 8 Rita Hannaford (clerk): 01 626 367 31 3 Richard Broome (council & democracy): 368 270 Tim Flower (planning & environment) : 363 606 Harry Godwin (community engagement): 334 638 Ann Hall (community engagement): 355 61 7 Denis Hyne (planning & environment): 355 267 Barry Long (communications & paths): 363 496 Ian White (highways): 07823 442780 Barry Long has served on the Parish Council for eight years, having lived in the village for 25. He is responsible for all 1 1 footpaths within the parish, which he walks regularly with his dogs Monty and Jasper. Barry is also responsible for the running of the parish council website, ogwell.org. He retired from running a golf course nine years ago, and now spends his time walking, playing golf and drinking fine wine.

Meet Vice-Chairman Barry Long

Parish magazine. parish council newsletter - what's the difference? Easy - you're reading the parish council newsletter which we're publishing
three times this year, and the rest of the time we'll keep the ogwell.org website updated, or if you've registered we'll send you an e-newsletter.

The parish magazine comes out every month, full of

local news, upcoming events, helpful information and lots of adverts for local trades people... you'll never be short of a handyman whilst you've got a parish mag in your hands. It's run by the church and costs 50p an issue... you can pick up a copy in the Country Pannier shop, or you can subscribe and have it delivered to your door. All revenue goes to keeping our lovely church in good order. Have you been to look inside the church? It's worth a visit.

Dates for the Diary

September Sun 29th - Harvest Lunch, Memorial Hall, 1 2pm October Sat 1 2th - Children's Autumn activities, St. Bartholomew's Church Sun 1 3th - Back to Church & Family service, St. Bartholomew's Church November Sat 2nd - Bonfire on the Green, 6.30pm Tues 5th - Silent Bonfire Night, Prickly Ball Farm Sat 30th - Christmas Meal and Raffle, Memorial Hall More details can be found at Ogwell.org

Publishing Information

Ogwell Parish Council, 201 3 Contact ogwellparish@gmail.com Photos supplied by Kate Arthur, Harry Godwin and Ann Hall Printed by Kingfisher Print, Totnes

PLEASE SIGN UP!


What's being built over the hill or even next door? When's bonfire night on the green? Sign up to hear! We'd like to let you know about important or upcoming issues (could be about big planning activities that might affect you, or social opportunities like bonfire night, community picnics, neighbourhood watch updates).Give us your email and we'll keep you posted! Contact ogwellparish@gmail.com
Your details will not be passed on to any third parties or be used inappropriately.

You might also like