Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Autumn 201 3
Michael Simmons
Did you know?
There's a full size football pitch for everyone to use at the top of Dawes close off Reynell Road, and right next door to it is an enclosed playpark for young children. So when you're looking for something to do at the weekend to keep the children occupied, no need to get the car out, just make use of the facilities on your doorstep. And there's a footpath straight into Baker's Park through Merrywood at the bottom of Larksmead Way. For more ideas about local country walks, check out the ogwell.org website to look at the paths in the area, or contact Barry Long via ogwellparish@gmail.com - he's our footpaths guru!
News
Have you noticed the weeds in the village? It's like the march of theTriffids. We're suffering from a lack of weed control as a result of cutbacks. This means Teignbridge Council, who do the work on behalf of the County Council, are unable to carry out the sort of spraying they've provided in the past. We are looking at using some of the parish council funds to pay for a private contractor (other villages are taking similar action). In the meantime, if you see a weed you don't like as you stroll around the village, please feel free to pull it up!
It's a game of two halves in the village when it comes to broadband speed - the Larksmead side/Reynell Road side of Canada Hill benefits from pretty good broadband speeds - up to 20 Mb per second, but sadly the old part of the village isn't so lucky: speeds can only be as high as 2Mb per second, and it can take half an hour to download something fairly simple! This is a disaster for those who rely on the web for communication with family, friends and particularly those who are trying to run a business. It all revolves around getting the green box on the village green upgraded. Richard Broome our councillor who's taken on the job of tackling BT about the problem, promises he won't give up until he's got some sensible answers and preferably some action from BT.
News
When is a phone box not a phone box? When it's a community library!
Councillor Harry Godwin is well on the way to turning his dream library into a reality. Although not quite on the scale of the newly refurbished and extended state of the art library in Newton Abbot, Harry's community library based in the old phone box on Canada Hill has finally been handed over by BT for the princely sum of 1 . Now comes the hard work - fitting it out & stocking it! If you have some books to donate, either leave them in the box, or contact Harry through hjgodwin@gmail.com
Allotment update
After a small amount of potential asbestos material was found in one of the plots, the allotments outside HMP Channings Wood were closed for most of the summer, with Ogwell gardeners only being granted access to water and maintain their plots in late July. Solutions are being sought by the Denbury and Torbryan allotment association, who are in talks with the prison governer to try and keep the allotments accessible.
Prickly Ball Farm on Denbury Road reopened on 20th July with the new owners opening the caf and a new farm shop to the public. There are also plans to fully engage in the community, with the farm putting on a silent bonfire night, food festivals and more! Visit their website www.pricklyballfarm.co.uk for more information, or call 362 31 9 . The caf and shop offer locally sourced and produced food and drink. Both are open from 1 0 - 4, seven days a week.
The local plan is now under the scrutiny ofa planning inspector.
The Secretary of State appointed Geoff Salter of the Planning Inspectorate to conduct the Local Plan Examination, which opened on the 5 September and runs for about 1 0 days, with hearing sessions held at Teignbridge Council's Forde House. At the time of writing we don't know the outcome but will put regular updates as and when we have them on the Ogwell.org website. You can also get updates at www.teignbridge.gov.uk/planteignbridge
A recent bid for rural grant aid means the village hall now gets the chance for broadband to be installed. This will give the pre-school an opportunity to run effectively and provide some learning tools for the little ones. It also means that other groups have access to online information and will be a good resource for the community. If you don't have access to a computer at home, but would like to take advantage of an online facility please tell the Memorial Hall Committee through Richard Broome on 368 270 . If there's a real demand, we might be able to get something organised...who knows - even our own home-grown internet cafe one night a week!
The Parish Council received an application for planning permission for a solar farm at Rydon Equestrian Centre. The proposed 55 acres, that's the equivalant of 31 football pitches, will be split across two sites. Visit ogwell.org for more information.
There have been reports of a couple of car break-ins and attempted burglaries in the village recently please keep your home and car locked and the contents safe. Sat navs seem to be very popular with our light fingered friends. Dial 1 01 to get a message to your local PCSO.
We need help to keep it here - the school needs lots of support to make sure its legacy remains. Would anyone who has either attended the school, is a parent, guardian or grandparent of children involved with the school, past or present, or who just has some spare time to offer, consider joining a support group to start planning for its future? Contact Michael Simmons through ogwellparish@gmail.com
Leaders of a number of village groups met at the Annual Parish Meeting in June to report on how the year went and what they want in the next five years. The resounding answer from all of them was they need more village support and more members! John Addy, of the Memorial Hall Committee, told us about the ongoing problems with the building a leak in the roof at the rear, the inadequate size and difficult layout of the former school building. Ideally, the village could use a purpose-built hall with modern facilities. Most village groups use the hall regularly, including the Women's Institute, the Gardening Society, the U3A, the Pre-School and the Luncheon Club. If you are able to help, or are interested in finding out more, visit their pages at Ogwell.org.
Getting Involved
How you can help your village...
Nurture a neighbour
Frequent mowing of the verges around the village are a thing of the past. Funding cutbacks combined with a continuing council tax freeze means less money in County and District Council coffers, and a slowdown in the mowing programme, over which we have little control. Combined with the lack of weed spraying, we are in for a period of dense weed and grass growth, from which our streets may never recover. Pavements are becoming covered in grass and weeds, and small bushes and even tiny trees are taking root in the roads and gutters. The tarmac is beginning to disintegrate as a result.
Winter's on the way. If we have bad weather (who knows what's in store), and you think your neighbour is probably not able to get out to the shops or clear the snow and ice from their path, can you take a few moments to check they're OK and offer a lift into town, or to do a little shopping? It might make all the difference.
We need volunteers to help carry out much needed maintenance of the copse on the village green. It hasn't been cared for over a number of years and is becoming dangerous, with dead and diseased trees threatening to fall across the paths. We want the If you can find it in your hearts to it to become a haven for diverse adopt the verge and pavement outside wildlife, a safe place for children and your home or nearby, it would really adults to explore, and an attractive help, and will ultimately keep or asset to the green. Sign up by improve the value of your property and contacting ogwellparish@gmail.com the area.
Neighbourhood Planning
With towns and villages ever expanding, the need for a Neighbourhood Plan is very important to help safeguard and benefit the parish. Chairman Michael Simmons is trying to put together a team who will help create a plan for the parish. Please read the following pages for more information.
If you can help, contact Ann or Harry at ogwellparish@gmail.com
Events
Neighbourhood Planning
Are you worried about ?
new housing proposals low employment quarry developments shortage of school places roads the lack of community facilities the possible loss of valuable community assets like the pre-school, the Memorial Hall and other facilities ?
A Neighbourhood Plan sets out what we want for the future of Ogwell - it will make sure our voices are heard. If you have opinions about housing, transport, local jobs, facilities, services or the environment, we would like to hear from you.
Rifle Range
In need of some target practice? Why not sign up at the Denbury Range near HMP Channings Wood? Built by the Americans stationed at the airbase (now the prison) in the 40's, the range was aquired by locals who formed a club. That club has split into the two current groups, Torbay Fullbore Club and Denbury Fullbore, who use the range every alternate Saturday. Contact Anthony Woodwark for the Torbay Fullbore Club at: secretary@torbayfullbore.co.uk, if you are interested in joining. Denbury Fullbore Club is full and has a waiting list.
Fancy getting your 4x4 filthy while navigating treacherous trees and mud pits? Torbay 4x4 club have a site based in Ogwell, as well as a few other Devon locations. With over 1 00 members, the club is very popular and active, taking part in laning and trials as well as various social activities. If you are interested, please visit their website torbay4x4club.co.uk
Off-Roading
The Harriers meet every Monday evening to run from pub to pub all over Torbay, Dartmoor and Teign Valley, often including our own Jolly Sailor! They are 'the Party Hash', dedicated to having a good time, offering a warm welcome to all new members and catering for all abilities. Just turn up, have a go and make some friends. Visit www.tvh3.org for details of meets.
Don't fancy the gym, but fancy getting out, meeting new people, and doing something different once a month or so? We've been given a couple of ideas and would like to know if you're interested.... Skittles & darts teams, football and cricket teams, book groups, carnival committee... We need people to help set these up! Register your interest by emailing ogwellparish@gmail.com
Important Information
Ogwell Parish Council contact: ogwellparish@gmail.com Michael Simmons (chairman): 01 626 361 01 8 Rita Hannaford (clerk): 01 626 367 31 3 Richard Broome (council & democracy): 368 270 Tim Flower (planning & environment) : 363 606 Harry Godwin (community engagement): 334 638 Ann Hall (community engagement): 355 61 7 Denis Hyne (planning & environment): 355 267 Barry Long (communications & paths): 363 496 Ian White (highways): 07823 442780 Barry Long has served on the Parish Council for eight years, having lived in the village for 25. He is responsible for all 1 1 footpaths within the parish, which he walks regularly with his dogs Monty and Jasper. Barry is also responsible for the running of the parish council website, ogwell.org. He retired from running a golf course nine years ago, and now spends his time walking, playing golf and drinking fine wine.
Parish magazine. parish council newsletter - what's the difference? Easy - you're reading the parish council newsletter which we're publishing
three times this year, and the rest of the time we'll keep the ogwell.org website updated, or if you've registered we'll send you an e-newsletter.
local news, upcoming events, helpful information and lots of adverts for local trades people... you'll never be short of a handyman whilst you've got a parish mag in your hands. It's run by the church and costs 50p an issue... you can pick up a copy in the Country Pannier shop, or you can subscribe and have it delivered to your door. All revenue goes to keeping our lovely church in good order. Have you been to look inside the church? It's worth a visit.
September Sun 29th - Harvest Lunch, Memorial Hall, 1 2pm October Sat 1 2th - Children's Autumn activities, St. Bartholomew's Church Sun 1 3th - Back to Church & Family service, St. Bartholomew's Church November Sat 2nd - Bonfire on the Green, 6.30pm Tues 5th - Silent Bonfire Night, Prickly Ball Farm Sat 30th - Christmas Meal and Raffle, Memorial Hall More details can be found at Ogwell.org
Publishing Information
Ogwell Parish Council, 201 3 Contact ogwellparish@gmail.com Photos supplied by Kate Arthur, Harry Godwin and Ann Hall Printed by Kingfisher Print, Totnes