Village Newsletter
ASHEN NEWSLETTER
AUGUST 2010
AUGUST 30TH BANK HOLIDAY MONDAY
VILLAGE WALK
Another village walk leaving village hall at 11am under the supervision of Colin Hainsworth ,the walk will last about 2 hours returning to Village Hall for a hot drink and bacon sandwiches as before . The cost is £2 per person or £5 a family all children must be accompanied and any dogs must be on leads.The Hall will be open from 10-30am with a bring and buy stall in the hall and any non walkers are welcome to come for coffee etc.If you intend to attend this walk or have any queries contact Colin 01440 785533
OCTOBER 16th GAMES NIGHT INCLUDING SUPPER OF HOMEMADE MEAT PIE AND VEGTABLES
7-30pm. In Village Hall
A fun night of games in Village Hall , Cards, Scrabble, dominoes, carpet bowls etc.if you have a game you think others would enjoy please bring along with you. Cost will be £5 per person including the supper. Please book with Graham –01440 788025,Colin - 01440 785533or lorna - 01440 785535, Please let us know due to the food. Raffle donation of prizes please.
NOVEMBER 20TH AN EVENING OF ENTERTAINMENT
WITH
THE WARBLING WOODMAN
–SONGS AND TALES OF THE COUNTRYSIDE
Neil Catchpole has been a Ranger at Clare Country Park and now his work concerns the River Stour and it’s upkeep.
Licensed bar,Raffle and Buffet
£5 per person
to book tickets contact:-
Graham 01440 788025 Colin 01440 785533 or Lorna 01440 785535
After this evening on a date to be arranged Neil has agreed to accompany the walking group on a walk and talk about the countryside and nature during the walk anyone will be welcome to join this walk, more information later.
MAKE A NOTE IN YOUR DIARY NOW
FEBRUARY 12TH 2011
ANOTHER EVENING WITH CHARLIE HAYLOCK
More details nearer the date
All the above are being arranged by the Village Hall Committee if there are other things you would like to have arranged or if anyone would like to join us and help organise functions ,Please contact Lorna 01440 785535
We have had an Extractor Fan and new non slip flooring fitted in the Kitchen and intend to fit blinds in kitchen and purchase a new Fridge, after which we are hoping to refurbish the toilets and have non slip flooring fitted . This will be a big project but hopefully a grant will be looked into to help with this.
In 2011 we are hoping to have a summer fete which we would like the church committee to join us making it a bigger day and proceeds being shared between the two committees.
Any ideas or offers to help on that day please contact Lorna 01440 785535 (village Hall) or Maureen 788678 (church)
Anyone wishing to use the Hall for a Birthday Party , a meeting or any other reason please contact Graham Howard 01440 788535 for details.
Newsletter August 2010
Parish Council
Since the last newsletter the council has met twice and we have held the Annual Village Meeting. We have approved our forward plan for 2010/11, which seeks to follow up on the decisions taken following the survey in 2009. A copy is available on the Council file in the village hall.
The village shoppers’ bus is now in place, running a Tuesday morning service. We are considering how further to support this service and make it more attractive. In particular we are considering whether we can improve the facilities for those who are waiting for the bus to arrive, including a seat and/or shelter. We would urge residents to support the service, where possible, which will ensure that it continues to be provided.
We are progressing the plans to provide better facilities for older children on the playing field and have consulted other villages as well as taking advice from equipment specialists.
The Summer Activity Day for children between 5 and 11 years old is to be held at the village hall on Friday 20th August – the cost is £5 per child and it runs from 10.30 am – 3.30 pm (places can be reserved on 01376 552525).
We responded to the presubmission draft of the Braintree Core Strategy, emphasising the importance of review in the light of the localism policies of the new government. A copy of the representations is available on the Council file.
We are very grateful to those who put their names forward to take Adrian’s place on the Council. Colin Hainsworth has agreed to join us with effect from the next meeting. Colin has of course been our footpaths’ officer for several years and we are delighted to see the success of the regular footpath walkers’ groups which have been well attended and to the VHC for its support.
The Council made representations in respect of the proposed windfarm by Leys Farm on the other side of the valley. The masts (as proposed up to six) will be widely visible (nearly 400 feet tall) and locally noisy and with light flicker. The Council is concerned whether this widespread environmental effect is justified, given the inefficiency and cost of land based wind energy and the availability of other more efficient and more sustainable alternatives.
There has been concerned expressed to the Parish Council about Dog Fouling on the footpaths and pavements in the village, Please clean up after your pets and take it home and dispose of it in your bins.
The next meeting of the Council is on 2nd October 2010 at 9.30 am – we would be grateful for any points that anyone wishes to raise, particularly as to any action which should/could be considered to improve the amenity and quality of our village life.
The Church
August 2010
Since we last wrote in February, we have been busy fund raising for the huge cost of the urgent structural repairs with which we are now faced. The estimated cost is over £25,000, with VAT on top of that if we cannot implement the work before next Spring, which we will in any event have to do all we can to achieve as the quinquennial review has identified all the work as urgent, i.e. required to be completed by this year. We have now raised over £7,000 and are doing all we can to bridge the gap to keep our beautiful and historic church open as a central part of the life of our community.
We are looking forward to the art exhibition and the annual BBQ and teddy bear parachute jump – there is a special view of the art exhibition to which you are all invited on 28th August at 6.30 pm and then on Sunday 29th August we are holding the BBQ from 12.30 pm with the art exhibition open throughout the day. We do hope that there will be a strong turnout this year to support our artists and to help raise funds for the church repairs.
We are holding the Harvest Festival service on 3rd October at 6 pm followed by the Harvest Supper and auction in the village hall at 7 pm. We are as always very grateful for any contributions of produce of any kind to the Church by the afternoon of the service. Again we hope that as many as possible will join us for the service and/or at the supper and auction.
On 23rd October at 5 pm Muff Watkins and Karen will be leading a special Alive at Five service with refreshments afterwards – this is a special and inclusive service for all the family, to which we hope that as many of you as possible will come.
As a future date for your diaries the Family Carol Service followed by refreshments is to be held at 10 am on 19th December.
We have been very grateful for all the support over the year. The church and churchyard has continued to be maintained with the help of members of the congregation and Ian Braddick, who has continued to provide a high standard in keeping the churchyard tidy.
COFFEE MORNING CLUB
This continues to meet in the village hall every fortnight
10am for the coffee mornings and 12-00 midday for the lunches.
To help with catering please could you let Lucy or Maureen know if you are attending the lunches
Lucy-01440 788146, Maureen – 01440 788732
The next coffee morning on September 8th at 10am is in aid of
MACMILLAN Cancer Support
part of the worlds biggest Coffee Morning come and have a coffee and support this good cause
There will be a Raffle ,donation of prizes welcomed
Donations towards The Macmillan. Cancer Fund welcome on or before the day
Any queries contact Maureen or Lucy on the numbers above.
September 22nd 12 midday a lunch
October 6th 10am Coffee Morning
October 20th 12 midday lunch
November 3rd 10am coffee morning
