03/12/2007 - Local Businesses agree that Henley in Arden should be promoted for tourism
The Beaudesert and Henley in Arden Parish Council (JPC) met with local businesses on Wednesday 28 November to discuss tourism. After a presentation, given by the Business and Employment Committee and following discussion, the local businesses unanimously agreed that Henley in Arden and its locality should be promoted for tourism. Detailed discussions will now take place to agree on an implementation strategy.
The Parish Council organises a French market for - Saturday 15 December
One option for attracting visitors to our town and to our local shops is to improve the utilisation of the High Street for commercial purposes. To this end coupled with the fact that after the floods the town needs a feel-good factor, the Parish Council has organised a French Market on 15 December. The market will be located from the Market Cross up to approximately the outside of Torquil Pottery. Swing Manouche will provide a lively combo of hot and swinging gypsy jazz with a festive element. The event will include the local community too with a Fair Trade stand which will be run by Mrs Cilla Pudney and we are hoping to have performers from the High School previewing their own Christmas event. The date coincides with the arrival of Father Christmas at the Fire Station Christmas Grotto and will be opened officially by Mrs Sheila Roy the Chairman of the Parish Council at midday, ably assisted by our Town Crier Mr Gordon Trinder.
01/12/2007 - Christmas Lights "Switch-On" Carol Service - Saturday 1st December 2007 at 5.00pm
The Beaudesert & Henley Christmas Lights Working Party invite you to join them for Christmas Carols at 5.00pm before the Christmas lights in the High Street are officially illuminated at 5.30pm. Congratulations to 10 year old Georgie Cambell from St Mary's Roman Catholic Primary School, and to 11 year old Suzanna Luckman from Henley High School who were the winners of this year's Carol Sheet Competition. They will have the honour of switching on the lights.
11/11/2007 - Herring House fire closes High Street
A serious fire erupted today 11 November 2007, in the afternoon at Herring House next to the White Swan in Henley in Arden's High Street. The Police closed the High Street for several hours and we understand at one time there were eight to nine Fire Engines involved. The Fire Brigade has now put out the fire but so far we have no information about its cause. We understand there were no casualties. It was a poignant reminder to all of us on this Remembrance Sunday of the recent tragic death of the four fire-fighters in Warwickshire and the professionalism and bravery of our Firemen.
See more pictures below taken by Councillor John Love.
06/11/2007 - Beaudesert and Henley-in-Arden Joint Parish Council
At the Joint Parish Council Meeting on Monday 5th November 2007 Members discussed five planning applications received and sixteen items of correspondence and other matters for consideration, as well as its normal procedural business before the meeting concluded. Amongst the items discussed were the following:
1. Market Site
Following the Special Meeting of the Joint Parish Council on 29th October 2007 to discuss the proposal to erect 65 residential units for social housing on the market site, Members considered the response. They treated it as an application that was still "live" although they understood that the Stratford District Council Executive had refused to grant £2million to the developers to assist the development.
The response of the Joint Parish Council was robust in that it considered the planning application the most contentious presented to the community in many years. Members made it clear that they supported the community in its opposition to the proposal and recommended refusal for the following reasons:
· It was contrary to Stratford District Council's Local Plan 2006-2011 which remained in force notwithstanding the housing moratorium introduced in June 2007. That plan earmarked the development for mixed use, including at the most no more than 25 dwellings.
· They were concerned as to the adverse impact on the streetscene, creating in design terms an "institutional barracks", and also the siting of a single open space area which could exacerbate current difficulties with anti-social behaviour.
· The proposal was unbalanced, being the only 100% social/affordable housing scheme of any size, and smacked of a social engineering experiment which should be resisted.
· The scheme was not needed as the Housing Needs Survey, conducted in July 2006 by Warwickshire Rural Housing Association in partnership with the Joint Parish Council, indicated a requirement of only 18 units locally.
· The report that analysed the flood risk used a mathematical model that was highly questionable, and could not be relied upon. It concluded that the site does not lie within the 1 in 100 years flood risk zone, even though the area has been flooded twice in the last nine years!
· No account had been taken of parking issues for Warwick Road residents, or consideration given to the removal of street parking on the High Street.
· Traffic assessment was missing, even though indications are that traffic could increase at the Warwick Road/High Street junction by around 15%. The accident and safety audit was also missing.
· The danger caused by the new entrance to Warwick Road opposite the pedestrian access for children attending HenleyHigh School.
The Parish Council were exasperated at the District Council's total disregard of all consultations which covered the Parish Appraisal, the Parish Plan, the Village Design Statement and the Housing Needs Survey. They had serious concerns over the consultation process and recommended refusal because the proposal was totally out of keeping, particularly as it is adjacent to the conservation area and nearby listed buildings.
Aside from the response, Members were also concerned to know how it was that so much time ( and presumably expense) had been spent on a proposal when it appeared that a significant grant, a pivitol element of the finance, had not been agreed by the Executive.
2. Area Planning Meeting 25th October 2007 - WarwickshireCollege Application
Members had concerns over the clarity of decisions made at the Area Planning Meeting on 25th October 2007 concerning the WarwickshireCollege application for a new sports hall and fitness studio, and improved changing and administration facilities. Support of the Joint Parish Council for this proposal had been conditional upon demolition of the existing hall and withdrawal of the existing consent for a second all weather pitch. In addition a resident had made the reasonable request that transluscent panels on the south facing elevation of the building be changed to prevent a wall of light. Members understood that the applicant was sympathetic to these proposals and yet the Committee failed to address any of these issues. They agreed to write to the Chief Executive and Head of Planning at Stratford District Council expressing their dissatisfaction with the process and asking for an explanation.
The next meeting of the Joint Parish Council is scheduled for Monday 19th November 2007. Meetings take place in the Baptist Church Hall, High Street, Henley-in-Arden from 7.15pm and, as with all meetings of the Council, members of the public are welcome to attend
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4/10/2007 - The Joint Parish Council has launched two new initiatives.
First, following the recent floods a working party has been set up to examine the causes of the floods, to identify what lessons can be learned and what can be done to prepare the town for any future floods. An expert is advising the working party and a report is expected to be produced in the near future.
Second, the Business and Employment Committee has initiated a project to promote our town for tourism. Fact finding presentations are currently taking place with local businesses, local organisations and residents. A report on the way forward is expected to be produced later this year.
Any resident who has ideas on how best we can promote our town for tourism please email your suggestions to Councillor George Matheou at:
The Environment Agency have organised some flood drop-in sessions around Warwick, Stratford and Rugby Districts. This is part of their work with communities affected by the recent flooding. The intention is to give people the opportunity to ask them questions about the recent flooding, the clean-up operation and future plans to manage flood risk in their area. It is also a way for them to capture important information from residents about the flooding in different localities and help to them learn lessons from the event.
The attached sets out details of the sessions arranged.
Location
To Include
Date
Venue
Time
Stratford-upon-Avon
Stratford-upon-Avon, Snitterfield, Shottery and surrounding areas
Tues 4 Sept
Stratford District Council,Elizabeth House, Church Street, Stratford-upon-Avon, CV37 6HX
3 pm - 8 pm
Wellesbourne
Wellesbourne, Charlcote, Walton, Alveston, Hampton Lucy, Barford and surrounding areas
Thurs 6 Sept
Methodist Hall Bridge St.(Between Post Off & Estate Agent)
3 pm - 8 pm
Shipston-upon-Stour
Shipston-upon-Stour, Treddington, Tidmington, Atherstone, Wimpstone, Alderminster Chamber, Barchester, Willington, Newbold, Luddington, Weston on Avon and surrounding areas
Bidford on Avon, Welford on Avon, Barford, Barton, Cleeve Priors, Salford Priors, Morcliffe and surrounding areas
Mon10 Sept
TBC
3 pm - 8 pm
Alcester
Alcester, Studley, Coughton, Wixford, Arrow, Broom, Great Alne and surrounding areas
Wed 12 Sept
AlcesterWarMemorialTown Hall, Henley St.
3 pm - 8 pm
Henley in Arden
Wootton Wawen, Little Alne, Aston Callow, Henley in Arden
Fri 14 Sept
Henley in ArdenBaptistChurch, Henley in Arden,Warks B95
3 pm - 8 pm
Warwick
Warwick, Leamington Spa, Marton, burdingbury, Grandborough, Cubbington and surrounding areas
Wed 26 Sept
LeamingtonTown Hall Parade Leamington Spa CV32 4AT (Council Chamber)
3 pm - 8 pm
Kenilworth
Kenilworth, Stoneleigh and surrounding areas
Thurs 27 Sept
TBC
3 pm - 8 pm
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08/08/2007 - Foot and Mouth disease
Following confirmation of Foot and Mouth disease at a farm in Surrey, Animal Health Officers from Warwickshire County Council Trading Standards Service are issuing this advice for the farming community and the general public in Warwickshire.
Foot and Mouth is an infectious viral disease that affects all cloven - hoofed animals, particularly cattle, pigs, sheep, goats, deer & camelids (eg camels, alpacas & llama). Horses are not affected but they can carry the virus and no other livestock are affected.
It is also extremely rare for humans to contract the disease. There are no implications for the human food chain.
Warwickshire Trading Standards has enacted its animal disease control plan and is working with DEFRA, the Animal Health Service and the National Farmers Union, to help ensure that everything is done to prevent the potential spread of the disease.
Mark Ryder, Head of Warwickshire Trading Standards Service said:
"The farming community and the general public should know that our service will do all it can to help prevent the spread of Foot and Mouth. We have already taken steps to cascade information and advice to farmers in the county, and in the coming days will continue to keep farmers as up to date as possible with matters here in Warwickshire."
A national movement ban is currently in place to help prevent any possible spread of the disease. Cattle, sheep, pigs, goats, deer & camelids cannot be moved, the only exception being the movement of cows along the public highway for milking, and then only to cows moving from one part of a premises to another part of the same premises. The ban does not apply to horses except within a 3km protection zone around the infected premise.
All livestock markets and other animal gatherings in Warwickshire have been cancelled for an indefinite period. Henley market is continuing to operate as it is not a market at which susceptible animals are sold.
Trading Standards Animal Health officers are urging all livestock farmers to ensure enhanced biosecurity is maintained on their premises and to minimise visitors to livestock farm premises.
The countryside remains open and rights of way, other than on an infected premise itself are not currently affected. It is hoped that no closures will be required but this matter will remain under review.
Apart from the Surrey premises, no other cases have been reported and all other test results to date have been negative.
Warwickshire farmers requiring further help or advice are asked to phone 01926 414040.
Warwickshire Trading Standards will investigate any suspected illegal movements of cattle, sheep & pigs etc. and anyone with information should call 01926 414040.
Henley-in-Arden Floods. As everyone knows the unprecedented rainfall last Friday 20th July caused chaos around the County. Henley-in-Arden was seriously affected, and the areas around the east side of the High Street and Beaudesert Lane were particularly badly hit. We extend sympathy to those whose property and possessions have suffered damaged and thank those who gave their time and effort to help others at the worst time. We also offer our heartfelt sympathy to those in neighbouring counties for whom the nightmare is as yet not over. Whilst the conditions that brought about the devastation were exceptional the Joint Parish Council will want to join with all the other agencies involved in learning lessons for the future.
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23/07/2007 - New Chairman of the Joint Parish Council
At the meeting of the Joint Parish Council on 18th June 2007 Cllr Stephen Thirlwell stood down as Chairman, thanking fellow Councillors for their views and debate over the last year and for the professional and efficient manner in which they had conducted the business of the Council. He is to be succeeded by Cllr Sheila Roy who has been his deputy. Sheila lives in Chingley Bank and is married to Eric. We offer her every good wish for the year ahead. Sheila's deputy for the next twelve months will be Cllr Laurence Marshall.
23/07/2007 - SNETTERTON PREVIEW
The high-speed Snetterton circuit in Norfolk is next up for Henley-in-Arden's Mat Jackson in the Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship (July 28th/29th).
Mat is hopeful that the Snetterton track's mixture of long straights and fast corners will play to the strengths of his #48 BMW 320si. He's currently seventh in the outright championship standings and second in the Independents championship following the latest three rounds held in the pouring rain at Donington Park.
At Donington he managed a best result of fourth place - a great testament to his family's Jacksons MSport team who, overseen by Mat's father Tony and older brother Dan, are still only six race meetings into their first season in the BTCC. They already have a win under their belt against the top race teams in Britain, achieved in the previous fixture at Oulton Park.
Mat, aged 26, says: "We'd had high hopes for Donington, but the great British weather really ruined it for us! On a wet track, the rear-wheel-drive of the BMW is at a disadvantage against the front-wheel-drive Vauxhalls. SEATs and Hondas. We have to hope that we have a normal, warm summer's day at Snetterton if we are able to fight fair.
"Provided conditions are as expected, then we will be strong. Even though we didn't have the results we wanted at Donington, we still managed to briefly lead one of the races and achieved the highest finish for a BMW with fourth. We still took a lot of satisfaction from the weekend."
Mat has always produced great results at Snetterton: last year he won there twice on his way to the SEAT Cupra title. He would also have achieved the double the year before had it not been for a mechanical problem when he was five seconds clear of the field. "Snetterton might be flat, but it's still very challenging," adds Mat. "There are two really long straights offering overtaking opportunities under braking at the end and three really quick corners where you need a great-handling car which we've got in the BMW. What we'll need to sort out is the car's handling through the two chicanes and the fairly tight Sear corner - the exit off there dictates your speed down the long back straight. It'll be a bit of a compromise, but provided we get the balance right then we have a chance of pushing for wins.
"It's also great to see the BTCC back live on ITV1 on Sunday afternoons. That's great news for my sponsors and also everyone in the UK who follows the championship. It's also another great reason to get on the podium!"
