Alderton Village Newsletter - February 2023 - No. 500

Alderton Village Newsletter - February 2023 

Happy New Year, Happy New Newsletter!
 
Note from Editor:
I am Mary Merheim and on the brink of moving back to the village (2 Church Road).  I have taken over editing this newsletter from Caroline Page, who will be a tough act to follow. The Newsletter has been going for years and years and I feel very privileged to take it on. To keep it going I am asking local businesses to take it in turns to sponsor the newsletter each month to cover the paper and ink for 420 copies. Anything left over at the end of the year will be added to funds at the Charity Football match. To kick off I am sponsoring the February newsletter myself!

PARISH COUNCIL NEWS     
Mike West - www.aldertonparishcouncil.org.uk

The Parish Council thanks Mary Merheim for taking over responsibility for the newsletter.
 
PARISH CLERK AND RESPONSIBLE FINANCIAL OFFICER - the Parish Council welcomed Julie Whiting to her first meeting.
 
DAILY EXPRESS: Views from the Parish Council and other villagers were reported in a front page article in the Daily Express on Monday 16 January called “ COUNTRYSIDE UNDER SIEGE IN RUSH FOR HOMES”.
 
PROPOSED NEW DEVELOPMENT – Land East of St Margaret’s Drive [was 55 houses,  now 48 houses]
This application went to the Tewkesbury Borough Planning Committee on 17th January. The Parish Council made a short presentation and the application was refused by the Committee. A Parish Council leaflet was circulated to villagers at the beginning of January explaining that if the application were refused it would go to a Public Enquiry. We now know this Enquiry will be on 4th to 6th  and 12th to 14th April in Tewkesbury. All commentmade will be available to the Planning Inspector and the Parish Council will play a full role at the Hearing under what is called Rule Six Status. There will be an opportunity for villagers to speak during the Hearing. More details of the timetable should be available following a Case Conference at the end of the month and will be publicised in the next newsletter.

> READ FEBRUARY NEWSLETTER

PARISH COUNCIL NEWS continued...

PROPOSED NEW DEVELOPMENT – Land West of Willow Bank Road [56 houses]
Thanks to villagers who have commented on this. There are 128 objections to date. It is still possible to comment.
How to make your comments:
WEBSITE – www.tewkesbury.gov.uk/planning click “new planning applications” then “search for and comment on planning applications” and to add your comments you will need to register first and then search for the application using ref 22/00998/FUL
OR EMAIL - You can email your letter/comments to [email protected] Please ensure you add ref 22/00998/FUL to the subject line. You’ll need to include your name and address (Names and addresses are not published).
OR IN WRITING including ref 22/00998/FUL Planning Department Tewkesbury Borough Council Gloucester Road Tewkesbury GLOS GL20 5TT
Each Individual member rather than just households can express a view and non - residents can also comment. Comments should be made as soon as possible.
 
PROPOSED NEW DEVELOPMENT – Land South of Beckford Road [35 houses]
 THIS IS A DEVELOPMENT OF AROUND 35 DWELLINGS ON LAND SOUTH OF BECKFORD ROAD [behind the Charles Church development] As far as can be seen, communication about this from the Developer has been restricted to neighbouring properties. We therefore await a Planning application and will notify villagers when we hear.
 
THESE THREE PROPOSALS [ 139 HOUSES IN TOTAL]  ARE ON TOP OF THE 77 NEW HOMES ALREADY BUILT, THE 28 BEING BUILT AND IF ALL BUILT WOULD ADD UP TO 244 NEW HOUSES IN A VILLAGE THAT ORIGINALLY HAD 277 DWELLINGS. This means that the village would virtually double in size if all these applications were approved.
 
Maps of the three current proposals are on noticeboards so villagers can see the extent of possible change and expansion.
 
CALA DEVELOPMENT: The Parish Council have already raised a number of current issues associated with the development with the Developer. Further representations will be made to Cala and Highways about the state of Willow Bank Road. Concerns will also be raised about the impact of the closures of Willow Bank Road on the state of Dibden Lane and Beckford Road.
 
COUNTY ISSUES: Our County Councillor reported on progress towards arriving at a proposal for Junction 9 of the M5 which would go out for Public Consultation. In addition he added that the County would be investing more in social care.
 
VACANCIES FOR PARISH COUNCILLORS: terms of office for the current Parish Councillors end on 4 May 2023 and there will be vacancies going into the next term. More details will be published in due course but if you might be interested in becoming a Councillor and would like to learn more please contact the Parish Clerk by email: [email protected] Observers at meetings are welcome.
 
DATE OF NEXT MEETING – Tuesday 21st  February 2023 at 7.00 pm in the Village Hall.

ALDERTON NEWS

GARDENING CLUB NEWS - Phil Kitson
A Fabulous start to our 2023 programme with our guest speaker for January being Peter Skeggs-Gooch of the nationally regarded growers and suppliers of Clematis.. Thorncroft.
Based in Norfolk, they also have a branch at the old Rails End nursery in Ashton Under Hill. Peter travelled from Norfolk to be with us. All three of the staff Heather, Mary-Anne and Aimmie at Rails End also attended! 

Peter's talk entitled "A complete guide to Clematis" covered a year in bloom with varieties of these versatile plants. The talk also covered container display varieties for patios as well as ground covering types. The last part was the practical side of things with sections on planting, soil preparation, planting depth and fertilisers and the support and pruning of the three main groups of Clematis. The talk featured some of the superb displays created by Thorncroft at the major gardening shows including Chelsea where they have won 12 Gold medals.

After speaking for 80 minutes Peter sat down to a loud round of applause from the 58 attendees. Tom Cullimore then invited the staff to talk for a few minutes about their roles at Rails end Nursery. Tom then went on to give out his gardening jobs for January. He also read out various notices and the latest club news. There was a good selection of Clematis plants for sale with many purchases soon to be planted in members’ gardens!

It was one of our best attendances since we re-started in October 2021. So encouraging to see new members signing up, existing members re-joining and over a third of The Chris Beardshaw tickets selling on the night!

Next month we welcome back celebrated, award winning gardening journalist and photographer Mandy Bradshaw. Her talk will be based on a journey through the seasons in some of the great gardens of the Cotswolds.
Thursday, 9th of February, Alderton Village Hall, doors opening at 7pm for a 730pm start.
 
ALDERTON ACORNS NEWS
Hi everyone, I’m Ellie the Play-leader here at Alderton Acorns Pre-school.

We are now open 5 days a week, Monday to Friday 9-3 for children aged 2 to 5 years. We offer Forest School on a Friday for children aged 3 and above. This is proving very popular and if you go down to the woods (aka the Millenium Copse!) on a Friday morning, you can be sure of a big surprise – no, not teddy bears just little Acorns exploring the great outdoors with playleaders, Suzy, Steph and Ellie!

​In the Village Hall, our popular Toddler Group will be running in parallel as usual on Fridays between 10-11.30am.
Acorns is a charity run by a voluntary committee and we are based in the Village Hall on Dibden lane. Spaces are available for new children to come along and join in the fun so if you are interested in a place, contact me on 07842 161159 or email [email protected]. 
 
Thank you to everyone who bought tickets for our Christmas Hamper Raffle. We raised nearly £300 to go towards running Acorns. Louise Kennedy was the lucky winner of the Christmas Hamper. Keep your eyes open for our next raffle to be drawn at our Quiz and Curry night. Tickets will be on sale soon and there are some super prizes to be won.
 
Quiz and Curry Night on Sat 11th Feb, 7 for 7.30 start
This is our biggest and most important fundraiser of the year so do come and support us if you can. All proceeds help Acorns provide such a wonderful friendly group for all young children in Alderton and the surrounding villages. Delicious homemade curries including vegan options, delectable desserts, brilliant cash bar, amazing raffle and fantastic fun. Get you team of 6 together or we can put you in touch with others to make up a team. £16 per person. To book your table call Sian on 07790 342157 or email [email protected]
 
VILLAGE HALL NEWS - Judith Humphreys and Sarah Hughes
Please join us at 10 am on 4th February for home made cake and coffee. We’d love to see you.
 
Canine Coffee Morning - well behaved owners and dogs on leads are very welcome at our inaugural Canine Coffee Morning from 10 till 12 noon on Saturday 4th March in the Village Hall.  Pots of tea and cafetiere coffee with delicious home made cakes.  Lots of doggy treats and pupcakes too for your "best friend"! All funds raised go to Cheltenham Animal Shelter which has been helping animals since 1926 by rescuing, rehoming unwanted and abandoned dogs, cats and small animals from across Gloucestershire.  www.gawa.org.uk
 
A huge thank you to our lovely villagers who helped us raise £171 for the North Cotswold Foodbank by supporting our Soup & a Pud day earlier this month.  Hearty and home made soups and delicious fruit crumbles and custard were kindly donated by volunteers and were thoroughly enjoyed by those who came! 

CHURCH NEWS - Helen West

Visit from the Bishop of Gloucester: Bishop Rachel together with her Chaplain, Rev’d Jason Taylor, came to Alderton on January 22nd to take the service for all 4 Oak Hill Churches. There was a good attendance of 70 people. Refreshments were served afterwards and the Bishop stayed on and talked to everyone.

NEWS FROM AROUND THE AREA  
 
GREAT WASHBOURNE NEWS - Karen Cox
North Cotswold Foodbank - many thanks for all who contributed to the Christmas hampers, a weight of 41.82kg was collected and this was very gratefully received. If anyone would like to contribute on a regular basis there is a collection box in Alderton shop. Once the church is opened daily again, we will put a box there. 
 
2023 Fundraising dates - the following have been set, more details to follow nearer the time.
Family quiz - Saturday 15th April
Summer supper - Friday 23rd June.

OVERBURY CRICKET CLUB - Rob Hayden
Overbury Cricket Club are looking for new senior and junior players of all abilities. 
Indoor preseason nets start soon at Winchcombe.  Sundays 1pm to 3pm for juniors. Tuesdays 8pm to 9.30pm. First session free for new players.
Men, Women, boys, girls all welcome.
We run a league Saturday team, a midweek and Sunday friendly team. We also have a thriving junior section, with U11, U13 and U15 teams.
For more information call or text Rob Hayden on 07527 340320. Or email [email protected]
 
GREEN FIELDS TRUST - Ken Roles

Next Green Fields Trust Application Deadline - 31st March 2023

Green Fields Trust (www.greenfieldstrust.co.uk) on behalf of Alderton Solar Farm Limited have funded numerous small projects within Alderton over the last few years; solar panels on the playing field changing rooms, energy efficient lighting in the village hall, outdoor and environmental education projects for Oak Hill School and Alderton Acorns and water butts and compost bins for the allotment committee - you see the sort of thing! The next funding application deadline is 31 March 2023 - go to the website for more information and application forms.

EVENTS 

CHARITY FOOTBALL MATCH NEWS - Mark Watts-Jones
The 2022 Alderton charity Married v Singles football match raised a fantastic £2,284 - £2,081 to Friends of Oak Hill School and £203 to Alderton Acorns. Over the years we’ve raised tens of thousands of pounds for different charities by coming together and doing not much more than running round a muddy field at Christmas. It’s a fantastic community event and thanks to everyone who played, helped and supported. In 2023 the charity is Vale Wildlife Hospital. 

PILATES
Mixed ability Pilates/Conditioning class. 6-7pm Fridays. Alderton Village Hall. Contact Tina at [email protected] 07376051863
 
TAI CHI
Classes available in Winchcombe and surrounding areas. New beginners group on Tuesdays. For full details see cheltenhamgloucestertaichi.com or contact Olly on 0750 8686315
 
ANNOUNCEMENTS

WELCOME
Peter and Moreen Cross (Ellenor Drive)
Jeff and Jonathan (Beckford Road)
 
Next newsletter deadline Weds 22nd February. All articles / notices / queries to [email protected] please.

Kindly sponsored by:

07826 019476