winter bloomers
Whizz! Bang!
Peter Burr has asked me to include the following report on the fireworks/bonfire night which we enjoyed on November 6th. Before I do that I would like to thank him very much for all his efforts to make sure we have such a splendid evening. And where were all the children this year??!
‘Despite almost perfect weather there were slightly fewer people at the bonfire and fireworks this year, so the money donated was a bit less, leading to an overall loss. Colin Lang and his team from the Ship Inn ran a very successful barbecue and bar, the profits from which provided about half our income - very many thanks, Colin! Jim Wright organised the bonfire - again many thanks. A much larger crowd of people turned out this year to build the fire on the Sunday morning, which was splendid. The total cost of the show is over £1400 so I hope that those who watched the fireworks at home or from the Banjo made a contribution in one of the collecting tins.’
Parish Bits
We now have a Snow Warden and a Deputy Snow Warden who have both been trained, no less. They are Councillors John Ferris and Graham Sowerby. Their job is to listen to dodgy weather forecasts, when snow or ice are approaching, then to co-ordinate the spreading of salted grit. To facilitate this we are in the process of buying a grit-spreader which can be easily towed behind a 4x4 vehicle to prepare our hills for the cold stuff. Much work has been done on your behalf to be more ready to cope with severe conditions this year.
The main roads are gritted by the County Council but the others identified on the village maps are: Church Hill, Wood Lane, Ridley Hill and parts of Beacon Road. Upper Wood Lane is unadopted but salt will be available for Wood Lane and I expect Upper Woodlanians can use that to ease their way if they wish.
It is essential to have a few more volunteers to help in difficult conditions, or in case John or Graham are away for a period. If you would be willing to help keep your road clear or to help elderly or infirm neighbours (VERY important) please get in touch with Emma Illingworth on 01803 392265 or contact one of your councillors. My number is 01803 752928. We really need some younger and fitter people than our goodselves to tackle this problem; remember we are all volunteers. Thank you.
I mentioned the availability of parish moorings in a recent Around Kingswear page so I’ll just remind folk that there are moorings available in the creek and that interested parties should contact our clerk, Emma, whose number appears above.
It might be a bit previous to mention this but I know a number of people will be interested: there are big plans afoot to clear and renovate the lime kiln in the creek, the one nearer the head of the creek. So far a bat survey has been done, finding no bats, and a date is being organised when we can clear the site sufficiently for builders to inspect it to see how much re-pointing needs doing. The structure looks sound as far as you can see at the moment. When the building is safe and reasonably clear we hope to connect it to the head of the creek with a footpath and, if possible, create some steps behind the kiln so that it can form an interesting part of a round creek walk. If funds allow, or a generous benefactor emerges, it would be great to have a seat placed on top of, or in front of the kiln, so that the lovely scene of a tranquil creek could be enjoyed. More news of this will appear as it unfolds.
FRost Quiz
The annual Friends of St Thomas’ Church (FRoST) Quiz on Saturday 12th November in Kingswear Village Hall was a huge success. Tickets sold out and 72 people in 18 Teams of four with names such as Quiz Quiztoffersen, the Oxford Dons, Overthehills, the Duffers and the Budgie Bashers (to name just a few) sat down to a brain-teasing quiz expertly put together by Susie Bennett. Kit Noble was Quizmaster and dealt calmly with the occasional “alternative answers” emanating from quizzers at the back of the hall! The interval brought tasty sandwiches provided by the ladies of FRoST and baskets of chips kindly donated by Colin Lang of The Ship which ensured the quizzers’ grey matter did not fade in the second half. The winning place was closely fought for by several teams, but in the end “The Real Aussies” (aka members of the Hine-Haycock family) were the worthy winners and were awarded the Brain of Kingswear Trophy. With the sale of tickets, wine and raffle tickets during the evening, over £600 was raised towards the maintenance of St Thomas’.
Winter Bloomers
The WI made the most of a grim grey day recently by getting out their winter bloomers with the help of Vicky Pearce from Dartmouth Flower Club who expertly helped members to transform empty bean tins into very presentable seasonal flower arrangements. President Sandra White thanked members at the Annual meeting for their help and support during a very successful year and looked forward to welcoming new members in 2012. Kingswear WI meets on the 3rd Wednesday of each month at 2-15pm in The Sarah Roope Trust Room and offers a lively programme of events and activities.
Wine Tasting Event
Wine and conversation flowed again this month as Kingswomen enjoyed an evening of ‘tutored tasting’ under the expert guidance of Red Field Wine merchants from Churston. This is becoming a popular annual event and was well attended by an enthusiastic group of wannabe wine buffs.
Kingswomen will continue this sophisticated theme at their Christmas Party on December 1st when cocktails and canapés will be served at a ‘Posh as you Dare’ party. Definitely a night to shine.......
Zumba
After a very well attended Zumba workshop in November – enthusiastic females will be offered the chance to sign up for a series of Zumba classes to be held on Monday evenings in the village hall starting on January 16th. The cost for 10 sessions is £50, payable in advance. If you would like to beincluded please contact Tricia at fresian.cow@btinternet.com
What is Karrd?
Kingswear Action on Rail and Riverboat Development, (KARRD), is the community interest group formed to promote the interests of all who wish to see constructive and legal developments of the railway and riverboat facilities in Kingswear, Dartmouth and the immediate valley of the River Dart. The Group made the following announcement recently.
“On 27th October 2011, members of KARRD attended the Scrutiny Group meeting of SHDC (South Hams District Council) at Follaton House, Totnes. There have been press reports since, which are accurate, but might benefit from an explanation: KARRD originally questioned the legality of the Dartmouth Steam Railway and Riverboat Company’s action in building on a site at Kingswear without planning permission from the Local Authority. The Company claimed they can do this under the General Permitted Development Order. KARRD asked SHDC to review the legal situation and the performance of Council officers in determining this issue. KARRD initially put questions to SHDC Executive Committee.
At its meeting on 13th October, SHDC decided to ask its Scrutiny Committee to report on the situation before any further decision was taken. Work on this started immediately and an initial report was prepared by two members of the committee. It was this report which was identified in the press last week as not recommending any further action to be taken.
However, when this initial report was considered at the Scrutiny Committee’s meeting, members also had the benefit of hearing from members of KARRD, our two local Councillors who are members of SHDC, (but not the Scrutiny Committee itself), and gave consideration to KARRD’s reports we have earlier made known.
The strength of local feeling as evidenced by the presence of a large number of local rate-payers was also noted. Two members of the SHDC legal department answered questions. No member of the Planning Department had been asked to attend on this occasion. KARRD regards this as remiss.
The Office of Rail Regulation is unable to confirm its status as a Statutory Undertaker within the meaning of the Act. Members of the Scrutiny Committee decided (with no objections and support from the original reporting members) to recommend that SHDC obtain independent advice from lawyers with special interest and experience of the issues of Railway and Planning law.
The SHDC’s lawyers have indicated they will work with KARRD to formulate an appropriate brief so that the core issues may be addressed, definitive opinions established and decisions made on the basis of sound evidence and with good grounds. No opinion will, of course, carry the status of a Court’s judgement, though that may be necessary at a later date, depending on progress.
The Scrutiny Committee will report now to the SHDC itself, but it would seem most unlikely that we will now establish decision-making on as firm a legal basis as possible, without resort to the Courts.”
First Published December 2011 By The Dart
