09/05/2010 - Henley-in-Arden commemorates the 65th V.E. day and Mr Les Goodman, the Chairman of the Joint Parish Council receives awards from the Royal British Legion in recognition of his outstanding contribution and dedication to the work of the Legion.
On Sunday 9 May 2010 Henley-in-Arden together with whole Country commemorated the 65th anniversary of the end of WW2. The Shirley Pipe Band led the parade from the Memorial Hall and the Henley-in-Arden British Legion followed together with local organisations such as the Court Leet, Parish Council and a large number of residents of our town. The Drumhead service was conducted by Rev John Ganjavi in the grounds of St. Nicholas in recognition of troops holding their services outside close to the battlefield and sometimes using drums as temporary altar, hence Drumhead service.
After the service the parade returned to the Memorial Hall and Captain Tim Carpender-Balmer took the salute by the Market Cross.
Refreshments were served at the Memorial Hall and immediately after Mr. Les Goodman thanked the participants of the V.E. commemoration. Then he received a pleasant but moving surprise when he was awarded by Captain Tim Carpender-Balmer the Gold Batch of the Royal British Legion in recognition of services provided. He also received a Certificate of Appreciation from the Royal British Legion Henley-in-Arden Branch in recognition of his dedication to the Branch. A large number of people congratulated Les Goodman and later the Councillors and the Clerk of the Council congratulated their Chairman for a job well done.
10/04/2010 - The opening ceremony of the Market Cross
The opening ceremony for the completion of the Market Cross project took place on Saturday 10 April 2010. A large number of people gathered at the Market Cross. Revd John Ganjavi began the proceedings with a prayer and blessings. The Chairman of the Parish Council Les Goodman followed by explaining the work that had to be done to conserve the 15th century monument and for making the area around the cross a tourist attraction as well a much improved setting for the residents and the disabled. He then asked John Stott the Chairman of the Henley Society to unveil the information board.
The High Bailiff, Roger Sutton's speech focused on the theme that ‘working together is working better'. He cited the projects of the conservation of the Market Cross and for preparing a video for promoting the town for tourism as good examples where success was achieved by different local organisations such as the Parish Council, Heritage Centre, Henley Society, Henley in Bloom and the Court Leet working together. He concluded by quoting the industrialist Henry Ford that ‘coming together is a beginning, keeping together is progress, working together is success'.
Les Goodman and Roger Sutton congratulated the project team who achieved all their objectives and completed the project within budget.
Refreshments were offered at the Guildhall. Mrs Anne Holding gave a brief presentation on the history of the Market Cross and on the importance of maintaining the right balance between history and the present. To understand the present one must appreciate we arrived at it through history.
Councillor George Matheou who managed the project explained that over 90% of the costs were funded from grants and local fundraising. He thanked all the organisations who helped to finance the project, the suppliers, his project team and the people of Beaudesert and Henley-in-Arden who fully supported the project. He explained that the next project to undertake will focus in helping businesses and creating jobs. The aim is to increase economic activity and to make our town more prosperous. He added that we must also pay particular attention to the young generation of the town.
John Rutherford, Low Bailiff, acted as the town crier for the morning. Photos by Alan Robson.
03/03/2010 - Henley-in-Arden Parish Council gets Quality Accreditation Beaudesert and Henley-in-Arden Joint Parish Council were delighted to hear this week that they had been successful in achieving the highly-acclaimed National Association of Local Council's Quality Status.
The Quality Mark is only awarded to Councils who have demonstrated the highest levels of achievement in community engagement, communication and management. The Chairman and Parish Clerk attended a 50 minute interview with a Panel of leading local government experts who gave unanimous approval for the Council to be awarded the coveted status.
Chairman Les Goodman said "We are delighted to have this recognition of the hard work we have undertaken to make Henley a better place to live and work in. To receive this professional accolade is an inspiration for me as Chairman, and my fellow Councillors to continue building on the strong foundations we have laid for the town. I know that our Clerk will also join me in saying that we are proud of the strong leadership within the Parish Council and we can look confidently to a future where integrity, determination, and hard work will champion our residents and our local economy for the benefit of our town - in short, we are absolutely thrilled!".
For further information please contact Jenny Walsh - Parish Clerk on 01564 795499 email: bhjpc@btconnect.com
24/02/2010 - Henley-in-Arden for Business The Business Committee of the Parish Council will arrange a number of meetings with Local Businesses with the aim to agree on a strategy to market our town for business. Two proposals will be discussed. First, the launch of a loyalty card for our town and second to set up a one day Market on the High Street where all local businesses will participate as well as local farmers. The meetings will be arranged into three or four groups. Retail, Restaurants/Pubs/Patisseries, Hotels and finally Miscellaneous Business. Promoting the town for tourism will also be discussed.
Cllr George Matheou the Chairman of the Business Committee will invite speakers and advisers from Warwickshire County Council and Stratford District Council and from other appropriate organisations to advise our local businesses. He will also explain some key economic factors that could be useful to business. Cllr Les Goodman the Chairman of the Parish Council said in these difficult times we have to be proactive and will do everything that we can to promote our town in a positive manner. The Council will finance the cost of promoting our town from a grant that we received specifically for this purpose. =====================================================================
16/02/2010 - Meeting with Allotment Holders The General Purposes Committee of the Parish Council would like to invite all allotment tenants to attend a general meeting on Tuesday 23rd February 2010 at 7pm at The Baptist Church Hall, High Street, Henley-in-Arden.
The Councillors will give an update to tenants on allotment matters and there will also be the opportunity to answer your questions. We look forward to seeing you there!
10/01/2010 - Our town under a white blanket... a beautiful scenery with consequences. Like the rest of the country, Henley-in-Arden is covered under a blanket of snow. A Christmas card come true. In the midst of the beauty of snow covering nature there are unfortunately the unpleasant consequences of slippery roads and pavements. Luckily this doesn't last long. But the continuing sub-zero temperatures in the new 2010 has prolonged the unpleasant and for some dangerous icy conditions. Is there anything practical that can be done to help people and to reduce the danger from ice on the pavements? Your Parish Council will examine this issue in the near future.
10/04/2010 - The opening ceremony of the Market Cross
Beaudesert and Henley-in-Arden Joint Parish Council were delighted to hear this week that they had been successful in achieving the highly-acclaimed National Association of Local Council's Quality Status.