Councillor Simon Christopher’s Report – Nov 2020

Our local Councillor Simon Christopher has granted permission for his report to be shared to the public via Broadwindsor.

Here is his report:

“I am writing this report after the announcement of the National Lockdown on Thursday 5 November 2020 . I have had a long discussion with the hard working council leader Mr Flower on the impact of lockdown for residents and businesses.

I look forward to the virtual parish council meeting but thought I would share some of my thoughts now.

I have stressed  to Mr Flower the importance of keeping services available to local residents, our transport network and looking forward to the future where we can  for example keep our local leisure centres open. Leisure centres are used often by the young , who have suffered so much by restrictions since March  2020 and by the young at heart and they contribute so much for physical and mental well being.  I have subsequently made all other 81 Dorset Councillors aware of my views.

I appreciate many of us do not use leisure centres for their exercises and I would comment that  I have also spoken with Russell Goff  of Dorset Council re footpaths. Russell  is aware of my concern that all footpaths are open and not blocked.  Russell informs me that there is also a busy programme of stile replacement and footbridge replacement  Should you have any concerns re particular footpaths please contact Russell and myself. Footpaths and walking will be more important than ever this Autumn/Winter for the physical and mental health of many of us.  I would however stress that there is a constant concern from farmers and landowners throughout The Marshwood Vale Ward, about dogs attacking and worrying sheep.  I have noted some landowners imploring dog owners to keep their dogs on a short lead.

We will now have a lockdown that will bring new challenges to both residents and business’s and hope that the restrictions  will not continue past 2nd December . The lockdown will be be different  from previous where there were only a few types of businesses and amenities that could stay open . Now it appears it is a case of what has to be closed by HM Government until 2nd December. Dorset Council  car parks  and recycling centres will stay open. This leads me onto to the question of council car par parking charges that has had much consideration in the local press. I would wish to receive your thoughts but would point out the costs of having  road surfaces in good condition etc is high .  I am continuing to press for the funds to be made available to reopen Norway Lane down to Stoke Abbott.

I repeat  from previous reports any comments /criticism of highways please pass them on to me!

Schools will this time stay open despite the new lockdown and I keep in regular touch with the portfolio holder Andrew Parry. Again ,please let me have any comments re the reopening of the school and also how school buses are working.

I am pleased that Broadwindsor Cricket Club is seemingly making progress on purchasing the ground.  I am lobbying the Highways portfolio holder for safer pedestrian access to it.

One of the things that has been noticeable has been an increase in correspondence from those in Assured Shorthold Tenancy   properties in the private sector and those in social housing questioning whether I can assist in them moving from villages in West Dorset into our local towns .

I would be pleased to receive your further thoughts on what can be done better in respect of local bus provision so I  can once more lobby portfolio holder  Councillor Ray Bryan .

We face huge challenges in terms of employment with the threat not just to Jobs within the aeronautical sector in South Somerset and Dorset but also the threat to jobs at Oscar Meyer across the border in Chard. For farmers the future has rarely looked more uncertain with a  seeming no -deal Brexit looming , uncertainty as to what ultimately replaces the existing subsidy scheme and the future of our West Dorset abattoir being questioned .

With no farmers discussion club evenings ( greatly missed ) ,village halls typically standing empty, social isolation is often very much the order of the day Never has good broadband and mobile coverage been so important. Again please let me have your comments suggestions and concerns for relaying to portfolio holders and our MP.

I continue to receive comments from residents about planning applications in the Broadwindsor  Parish area.

As the weather deteriorates ,please do let me have your comments re any local drains ,road surfaces and hedges and verges etc that are giving concern. There has been perhaps some decrease in e mails complaining about speeding and an increase in complaints about damage caused by off roading groups.  I continue to correspond with officers and the portfolio holder about speeding and road safety.

I have passed on your concerns re the desirability of greater police resources in the Ward to, amongst others , our MP Council members are focusing their attention on the budget for 2021/2022 and also the new Dorset Local Plan . The cabinet of the Council will  consider the property portfolio of the Council . We look to meet the future challenges of an ageing population , ever increasing demand for resources generally and a poor financial position. The council will accordingly look to make the best use of these various asset types. This  will ,for instance, involve assessing commercial returns as a landlord, management of 130 or so car parks and assessing the amount of office space that will need to be retained.

As we approach the eleventh day of the eleventh month I reflect on what my ancestors in the Marshwood Vale and all their friends had to deal with and believe that their experiences may just put everything into perspective !

Councillor Simon Christopher 
Dorset Councillor Marshwood Vale 

Tel: 07798 833 715 

Dorset Councillor for The Marshwood Vale Ward”

https://www.simonchristopher.info/

#Broadwindsor,#Dorset,#BWGPC,#BGPCLT,#SocialDistancing,#Community,#DorsetPolice,#Farmers,#KissingGate,#PlanningApplication,#Burstock,#Blackdown,#Hursey,#Kittwhistle,#Seaborough,#Drimpton,#BroadwindsorCC,#ParishCouncil,#Coronavirus,#ClimateChange,#Zoom,#AffordableHousing,#ComradesHall,#VillageHall,#Highways,#FMRTrust,#Lockdown2,#StaySafe

Stop Press: Online Council Meeting Zoom Details

Due to a technical issue – the new details are:

Go to Meeting HERE.

Login to Zoom and Join the Meeting now.

Meeting ID: 899 1041 4222

Passcode: 131372

Church Remembrance Services

Public worship is suspended for the next 4 weeks. Broadwindsor church is open for prayer every morning 8am til 12 noon.

Broadwindsor Church will be open tomorrow, Sunday 8th November through to Wednesday, 11th November enabling you to go into the church for private prayer and to light a candle to remember your loved ones and to remember those who have lost their lives at war and in conflicts all across our world.  Also this year, the Church is offering people the opportunity to tie a ribbon to the church gate as a sign of remembering.  Ribbons will available and packaged up in envelopes for you to tie to the church gate.

Times of service in neighbouring villages are:

  • Beaminster – 4.00pm
  • Broadwindsor – 9.30am
  • Blackdown – 10.55am
  • Drimpton – 10.45am
  • Mosterton – 11.00am
  • Netherbury – 11.00am
  • Salway Ash – 10.15am
  • Stoke Abbot – 6.00pm

The #WorshipAtHome service for Remembrance Day is also online now: HERE.

#Broadwindsor,#Beaminster,#Blackdown,#Dorset,#Drimpton,#Mosterton,#Netherbury,#SalwayAsh,#RemembranceSunday,#LightACandle,#TieARibbon,#WorshipAtHome,#SocialDistancing,#WearYourMask,#StaySafe

Broadwindsor Group Parish Council – Online Meeting Monday 9th November 2020

Broadwindsor Group Parish Council are meeting online using the Zoom platform at 7.30pm on Monday 9th November 2020.
All are welcome to attend.

The full agenda is available to download HERE.

The meeting can be accessed HERE.
The Meeting ID: 858 2158 2924
Zoom is Free! – Sign Up and get it HERE.

Residents are then invited to give their views and ask questions of the Parish Council on issues on this Agenda. (There is the opportunity for Public Participation towards the end of the meeting)
Reports are to be expected from Councillor Simon Christopher (Dorset Council) and Dorset Police.

There will be an update on the fundraising from Bridport Cricket Club.

The Parish Council will give their response to the Coronavirus (Covid-19): their actions and support during this second Lockdown and community updates from the Councillors.

Climate Change Emergency will be discussed with an update from the Working Group and Climate & Ecological Emergency Strategy Consultation.

They will then be reviewing the contracts and approving the formal adoption of the BT Telephone Kiosks in Broadwindsor and Drimpton.

There is just the one Planning Application to be considered:
WD/D/20/002170, Manor Farmhouse, Bridport Road, Drimpton, DT8 3RD.

There are several parking issues being addressed regarding our Highways:
a. Report from the Footpaths Officer
b. Verge Management in the Grouped Parish Area
c. Installation of Kissing Gates Update
d. Speed Indicator Device Update
e. Reported Highway Problems Update
f. Parking in Broadwindsor Square
g. Car Parking Area Outside Broadwindsor School
h. Common Water Lane Verges

After a Report from the Broadwindsor Group Parish Community Land Trust on the topic of Affordable Housing and after any Matters of Interest and Information that may arise, there is the Public Participation, where residents are invited to give their views and ask questions of the Parish Council on any outstanding issues on this Agenda or raise issues for future consideration.

#Broadwindsor,#Dorset,#BWGPC,#BGPCLT,#SocialDistancing,#Community,#DorsetPolice,#Farmers,#KissingGate,#PlanningApplication,#Burstock,#Blackdown,#Hursey,#Kittwhistle,#Seaborough,#Drimpton,#BroadwindsorCC,#ParishCouncil,#Coronavirus,#ClimateChange,#Zoom,#AffordableHousing,#ComradesHall,#VillageHall,#Highways,#FMRTrust,#Lockdown2,#StaySafe

Pre-Order Your Fish ‘n’ Chips

A message from L & F Catering Fish & Chip Van:

“Hello everyone, so the time has come for another lockdown 😕 rest assured both vans will continue to visit its regular villages with the possibility of adding on some extra stops 😊 throughout the month of lockdown we will be going back to the pre-order system.

As you all know we were super busy the last lockdown so we feel we just need to be organised and space the orders out to hopefully stop too many people at the van at one time.
However to start with we will not turn you away if you haven’t pre ordered but we may ask you to come back at a certain time 😊.
We understand people have to get back into a routine of texting/calling us.
We apologise for the disruption and appreciate you all supporting our little business.”

ORDERS FOR NAT’S VAN – 07803 257 674
Serving: Drimpton, Broadwindsor, Martinstown, Portesham, Halstock, Corscombe, Bradpole.

ORDERS FOR JEN’S VAN – 07546 064 996
Serving: Charminster, Cerne Abbas, Charlton Down, Salway Ash.

#Broadwindsor,#Drimpton,#WestDorset#StaySafe,#Lockdown2,#EatFish

Broadwindsor Group Parish Community Land Trust Update

In Issue 4 of the BGP CLT News, the focus is mainly on new housing with the anticipation of the start of building on their development of affordable housing for local people at Netherhay Lane, Drimpton, in the Spring of 2021.

To be eligible for the affordable homes proposed by Broadwindsor Group Paris CLT you must apply to join the Dorset Home Choice Housing Register. You can do this using the online application form at: www.dorsethomechoice.org

They will be looking for local people with skills and talents to take part in their project. Chairman, David Leader stated: “We foresee many opportunities for young people in the village and the wider Parish area to take part and have fun learning about building, sustainability and the environment. It will be a chance for everyone to showcase their talents, be they musical, photographic, practical, or artistic in other ways. Meanwhile, if you have any ideas to contribute or would like to be involved then please contact Lesley Tibballs at Tibballs55@outlook.com.”

As Broadwindsor resident, Philip Colthart has resigned from the Board recently, there are seeking 2 new Members to be recruited as soon as possible. Anyone interested in being part of the current and future CLT community projects are invited to contact Sheila Hawkins (11esgh528@gmail.com) for a CLT membership form.

Download the Full News HERE.

In the ‘closer to home’ section shown below, the Blue indicates Completed Projects by the CLT and the Purple represent ongoing Projects/Projects by the CLT which are “in the pipeline” in Dorset, Devon and Somerset.

CLT Projects

 

The Broadwindsor Group Parish comprises of:

  • Blackdown
  • Broadwindsor
  • Burstock
  • Drimpton
  • Hursey
  • Kittwhistle &
  • Seaborough

Chris Loder MP Responds To Why He Voted Against Free School Meals

After being exposed as voting against the Free Meals For School Children In Need during the holidays, our local MP Chris Loder was compelled to address the issue this evening and issued a letter of response on his website.

“Many constituents have taken the trouble to write to me on the question of free school meals and I have responded to them by letter today.” – Chris Loder, MP

Read his full letter HERE.

#Broadwindsor,#Drimpton,#Bridport,#Dorset,#FoodBank,#HalfTerm,#DorsetTogether,#EndChildPoverty,#ChrisLoderMP,#WearYourMask,#StaySafe

 

 

 

 

Feed The Children

The Stableyard Restaurant is the latest to join a list of local suppliers who are offering free meals to children for Half Term week following MP’s voting down free school meals for hungry children this winter.

The full list of the 322 MPs who voted such can be found HERE. It includes our MP for West Dorset, Chris Loder.

AristotleThe Stableyard Restaurant:

are offering a free meal to children who are entitled to free school meals in the Broadwindsor, Drimpton and surrounding areas, from 28th October – 31st October.

Pre-order the night before for collection between 12pm-3pm the following day. 01308 868362
Choose from any of the following takeaway meals;
* Soup & bread
* Macaroni cheese
* Sausage and chips
* Chicken bites and chips
* Jacket potato, plain or topping of cheese & beans
* Ham, cheese or jam sandwich with crisps
All they ask is that your child attends Broadwindsor or surrounding village schools, maximum 1 meal per child per day. They are funding this themselves and it is provided on a trust basis.
Click HERE to visit their website.
Aristotle

L&F Catering:

From Tuesday 27th until Friday 30th October KIDS EAT FREE at Nat and Jens vans!
Pick one meal per child from our KIDS MENU
Cod, fish cake, chicken nuggets or sausage all come with chips 😋
Children must be aged between 4 & 16 and attend a local school.
As always children attending the vans need to be accompanied by an adult.
We hope lots of you will make the most of us this half term 💜

Villages visits and times:

MONDAY – Burton Bradstock 5 – 6pm Puncknole 6.15 – 7pm
TUESDAY- Drimpton 5-6pm ~ Broadwindsor 6:45-8pm
WEDNESDAY-Martinstown 5-6:30pm ~ Portesham 6:45-8pm ~ Charminster 5-6.45pm,
THURSDAY- Bradpole(post office) 5-6pm ~ Cerne Abbas 5-6.45pm
FRIDAY- Charlton Down 5-7pm

Aristotle

The Half Moon at Melplash:

On a no question asked basis, a free meal to children from the local area.
With only a few clicks on their website, you can choose a meal from our Childrens menu or Brunch menu which will be available to collect between 12pm & 1pm (you must select these times to qualify)
All we ask, to qualify, is the children attend a school in our local community (both Beaminster & Bridport).
This is an act of kindness in a time when worry about the future is high & is entirely non-profit. Let’s work together to end child poverty. Click HERE to visit their website.
Use promo code #helpinghand this will allow you to checkout with 100% off child and brunch menu items only.
Please think of this as a helping hand from our family to yours to.

Aristotle

Beaminster Food Bank:

6, Prout Bridge, Beaminster, Dorset DT8 3AY
Contact: 01308 861030 (Children’s Centre)
Opening Hours: Mondays 10am – 12pm, Wednesdays 2pm – 4pm and Fridays 10am – 12pm

Bridport Food Bank:


Contact: 01308 301457
Food is distributed from 11.30am till 1pm on Walk-in-Wednesdays inside St Mary’s in South Street.

Broadwindsor resident, Paul Davies is raising funds for Bridport Food Bank – Donate HERE.

Aristotle

 

Dorset Citizen’s Advice have arrangements in place to help provide food. Their helpline is 01305 221000 and is open from 8:30am on today (Monday) or email: communityresponse@dorsetcouncil.gov.uk .

AristotleOther Businesses in Beaminster & Bridport have generous offers – please contact them to find out more.

  • Aroma Cafe, East Street
  • Bella’s, South Street
  • Brassica Restaurant, Beaminster
  • Bridge House Hotel, East Street
  • Burgers At The Bay, West Bay
  • Cilla & Camilla -Pack up boxes
  • Kernow Pantry, West Street
  • Long’s Fish and Chips, West Street
  • Moore Than Tea Cafe/Deli
  • Morrisons Community Champion
  • Refresh, South Street
  • Snack Shack, West Bay
  • The Three Horseshoes, Burton Bradstock
  • The White Lion, West Allington
  • Windy Corner Cafe, West Bay

#Broadwindsor,#Drimpton,#Bridport,#Dorset,#FoodBank,#HalfTerm,#DorsetTogether,#EndChildPoverty,#ChrisLoderMP,#WearYourMask,#StaySafe

Remember To Decorate Your Windows With Pumpkin Drawings

Monday 26th – Friday 30th October 2020 is Half Term week. Keep yourself and children occupied and get involved to help produce a colourful display of Pumpkin drawings in your windows for the week leading up to Saturday 31st October around the parish.

As Trick or Treating is to be discouraged, go out on Hallowe’en and see how many Pumpkin drawings in windows you can spot!

🎃 If you do have a real pumpkin outside your door for Hallowe’en – please remember pumpkins are food, especially to lots of the wildlife! Deer, squirrels, raccoons, possums, badgers, mice, rats, chipmunks, birds, bugs and more. Sticking them outside somewhere where wildlife can access them but do not bleach your pumpkins to make them last longer – you can try using vinegar. 1 part vinegar to 10 parts water will work just as well. We really DO NOT want our wildlife eating bleached pumpkins!  🎃

Halloween SuncatchersOther cheerful ideas like these Hallowe’en Suncatchers by #playathomemama_g, black cardboard cut out spooky shapes or white draped cloth can all add atmosphere to your windows!
Have Fun! Be Spooky! Be Safe!

 

#Broadwindsor,#Dorset,#BGPC,#Burstock,#Blackdown,#Hursey,#Kittwhistle,#Seaborough,#Drimpton,#Pumpkin,#Halloween,#Art,#Creative,#PlayAtHomeMama_g,#SocialDistancing,#BeKind,#StaySafe

Join in with Advent Windows

Last month Rev. Jo put out her idea for having Advent Windows for the month of December.  Beaminster Team Churches are now promoting the event.  Read everything you need to know HERE.

If you live in Drimpton or Broadwindsor please email Rev. Jo Neary, revneary@gmail.com to register your interest. If you live in another village then you will need to get a group of people together to organise your own event but please let her know if you are joining in so you can be included and publicised.

Please sign up for your carol by Friday 23rd October allowing time to fill in any gaps. Spread the idea far and wide as some more people need to be recruited.
On Monday 2nd November the list will be confirmed, giving everyone four weeks at least to prepare their window. If there are fewer than 24 houses taking part then the Advent trail will start later in the month so that the last window is still lit on day 24.

#Broadwindsor,#Dorset,#Drimpton,#BeaminsterTeamChurches,#Advent,#Christmas,#Fun,#Community,#AdventWindowTrail,#TakePart,#BeKind,#StaySafe