Kingswear Lime Kiln
I have been asked by South Hams District Council to include the following information in our page this month. Ironically the dog mess situation seems not to have been too bad recently, although I have had information about a negligent local resident who does not clean up after their dogs.
Town and Parish Council Magazine Article – Autumn 2014:
Recently the District has seen an increase in the amount of dog fouling. Dog fouling in any part of the South Hams is unacceptable. Dog faeces are known to carry the toxicara parasite, which can cause blindness in children. There is also concern that E-coli may be caught by contact with dog faeces. It is therefore a serious health hazard.
The Dogs (Fouling of Land) Act 1996 states that dog fouling must be picked up and disposed of forthwith. Bagged faeces may be deposited in a dog bin, litter bin or household dustbin. Please DO NOT bag faeces and leave them anywhere else!
There is NO EXCUSE for any dog fouling anywhere in Kingswear. I have been made aware of the problems and will be making extra visits to the area. Anyone breaking the law who is witnessed by the Dog Warden will be subject to a £80 on the spot fine or a maximum £1,000 fine if taken to court.
SHDC will also act on information it receives, if we are provided with a date and time, together with the identity of an offender, SHDC will issue a Fixed Penalty Fine. If you have any information, please contact the Dog Warden on 01803 861117. All information is treated in “strictest confidence”.
This may seem draconian but, unfortunately, some dog owners are persistently failing to clean up after their dogs and sadly, therefore, dog owners in general are getting a bad name. Please help to keep the village clean and make it a safe environment for everyone. As the evenings (and soon, the mornings) get darker please ensure that you take a torch with you when you walk your dog. This will ensure that you are properly prepared and able to clean up after your dog.
The Bonfire?!
After the problems of over-large bonfires in recent years we do not want the event to be under threat of cancellation due to Health and Safety concerns. If we want big fires out of control we’ve got trains for that sort of thing! So Peter Burr (Lord Bon-ffire himself) has asked me to tell ALL bonfire material contributors, including local builders, not to leave anything until the day before the bonfire.
This is really important. If you are bringing anything to put on the bonfire please let Peter Burr know (tel: 752202) beforehand.
Lime Kiln
Oh, not that again, I hear you say; he ought to get out more! Well hopefully this is the last and best bulletin on the lime kiln because I am delighted to announce (cue sound of blaring trumpets and clashing cymbals) that the site is now finished and open for use. There is a very posh new bench on site and all Kingsweardoes and associates are welcome to rest their weary bums on the lovely seat. It’s a delightful warm spot to enjoy a bit of peace. I do urge you to give it a go.
Music Quiz
Mike Goodearl tells me he has now just about put together the next music quiz in support of the inshore lifeboat. We live next door and the sound of maniacal laughter has filtered through the open windows on summer evenings, so it’s probably a toughie, unless he was just looking in the mirror of course! Posters and emails will alert you to this splendiferous event in due course.
WI Goes Wild
On August 20th ladies of Kingswear WI congregated on Jane Bolton’s lovely garden at Hoodown for an afternoon of Pimms and Prosecco, scones and strawberries. All members bravely bared a discreet (or not quite so discreet in one or two cases!) portion of flesh for a butterfly tattoo. I expect they’ll be joining the Navy soon! Mandy Gateshill won the competition for the most original garden ornament with her seashore-themed mermaid wreath and all members enjoyed an afternoon of fun and frolics in the almost sun, well the sky was bright grey!
Christmas Fayre
‘Let the WI start off your Christmas festivities on Saturday Nov. 22nd - Come along to the village hall from 10:30 - 12noon for hot mince pies, coffee and lots of goodies for your Christmas stockings - crafts, home baking, jams, chutneys, raffle and games.The ladies have been beavering away all year to make this a really colourful and enjoyable event, with lovely things to buy, so help to banish that early winter gloom.’
Playground
The proposal to develop a small children’s playground in Jubilee Park was extensively discussed at a public meeting on 9th September. The overwhelming feeling of the meeting was that the playground would be better sited there, rather than the present one on Redoubt Hill which is rather distant from much of the village and consequently not used greatly. Objections to the proposed scheme were essentially that it would change the peaceful nature of the creek and possibly create car parking difficulties. But these problems were deemed to be outweighed by the perceived advantages to village children and their families. The vote in favour of accepting the scheme was heavily carried. The matter will now be taken to the parish council for their consideration.
Posh Frocks and Panamas
The latest event concerning posh frocks and panamas was very successfully held at Mount Ridley on 7th September. The usual traditions were upheld as much cake and alcohol was consumed and the assembled multitude was happy to be introduced to our new Community Team Vicar, Rev John Gay and his wife. As you may see from the photo the comestibles were consumed with no pain at all.
Beacon Road
The representative from the South West Footpaths Association was unable to attend the meeting but did send news that four possible schemes of repair to the landfall at Beacon Road were being considered by the District Council; she also informed the village that a Lottery Bid was being put forward for some of the funding. It seems that the situation, although precious little has changed, is at least a bit more hopeful than the flat ‘No’ of earlier this year. Watch this space for exciting developments, but on no account hold your breath!
Lighthouse Beach
Those old enough to remember zeppelins and Camp Coffee may remember that we used to have a beach. Seriously though there is much work going on at the moment in efforts to resolve the unhappy situation. As soon as there is positive news of the beach opening I will fill the page with hosannas and invitations to drink champagne thereupon! Hopefully there may be news of some sort soon. Again, on no account hold your breath!
First published By the Dart October 2014
