Your Newsletter

As many of you know Jan and I are moving away from the area so this is likely to be my last newsletter. Firstly I would like to thank all those who have contributed to the Newsletter and those who help in its production and distribution; secondly thanks to all of you who read it. There will be some challenging times ahead for the Parish not least of all will be the re-organisation of Local Government in Devon, it is most unlikely that the Boundary Commission will opt for the Status Quo so change is inevitable and it will be challenging. Also there is the real hope for a new Parish Hall, this and what ever arises in the future, means that a Newsletter to keep all informed about local matters, wider issues and decisions is of great importance. If there is anybody who feels the same way as I do and would like to consider taking over the newsletter could they contact me for a chat, e-mail me at fpcapron@btinternet.com.

Parish Hall News

The interview with the representatives of the lottery on March 31st went very well, with many positive comments.
They were impressed with the standard of the application and the way our case has been put forward. However, they stressed that our application will be judged against other projects before a final decision is made. They confirmed this would take place on May 22nd.
The interview committee noted that the application reflected many hours of work by a dedicated group of people. Unfortunately for the hall committee and the parish, one of the stalwarts of the application, Peter Capron and his wife Jan, will be moving away from the area in the near future in order to be closer to their family.
Many of you will know Peter and Jan as very active members of the parish since moving into the village. Peter was responsible for resurrecting the then defunct Horticultural Society and together with other members has re-established a successful gardening club, which meets on a monthly basis. Peter has also been solely responsible for the production and editing of the Parish Newsletter for over 5 years and has produced more than sixty issues of the Newsletter. In addition to all of this he has also been heavily involved for the past 6/7 years as a Trustee of the Parish Hall and recently took over as Treasurer of the New Hall funds. He has been an active member of the subcommittee appointed to put together the bids to the Big Lottery Fund for the funding of the New Parish Hall project. He will be sorely missed. The Parish Hall Committee would like to thank Peter and Jan for all their dedicated work and wish them well in their new home. Of course we will look forward to seeing them again when our new hall is built!

Peter moving away leaves the hall committee short of a treasurer. On May 7th we will hold our AGM, to which everyone is invited so please come along and get involved in YOUR hall. Remember the hall is for you, your children and your grandchildren. We need people to join the committee and help move things forward. If the decision is positive on May 22nd the next phase of the project will begin and the committee will need more assistance from parishioners to do the necessary work. If you can help in any way e.g. keeping accounts, minute taking etc please come along.

Ashwater Parish Hall Events

Saturday 17th May 2008.

All-age Holiday Club

There are plans afoot (instigated by the group called Sunday 4.6 which meets monthly at Clawton) to organise a sort of all-age holiday club in the summer holidays.
There will be three venues, one of which is Ashwater Methodist Church where it will be run on Tuesdays 29 July, 5 August, 12 August and 19 August.
Our plan is to have something to appeal to younger people in the morning, make snack lunches available and have something to appeal to older people in the afternoon. We think it could be quite an exciting venture but we need help! I would very much like to hear from people who would be willing to help with organising the entertainment or helping on the day or maybe in providing transport from the village or with catering. Ideally I would like a small group to help plan the whole thing. If you are interested in or could help please contact Maggie Elliot by email at maggieelliott@lineone.net.

Horticultural Society

We are having a table at St. Giles Plant Sale on MAY 31st 2008. Please could ALL members donate a few spare plants - phone Fiona or Wendy. Everyone welcome to come and support us.

Parish Council

An Ashwater Parish Walks Guide has been produced by Ivan Buxton, which the Parish Council wish to have printed. A copy will be placed on the notice board and others will be available from the Post Office and the Village Inn Public House once it is available.
The Parish Council would like to thank Ivan Buxton for his hard work.
The Devon in Touch Bus will be visiting Ashwater on Wednesday 23 April from 10.00 am to 12.00 pm and will be by the Green.
The Parish Council would like to thank the members of the Parish Hall Committee for all their very hard work in putting forward the bid to the National Lottery. They have worked extremely long hours.
Sponsorship and advertising is being looked for to fund the newsletter. Please contact Mary Gliddon.

From Our District Councilor

This month there will be no surgery as I intend to go round the Parish delivering some bits and pieces and will see many of you then.

Digital Camera Course

There is one place left on this course run by TG Training. Cost: £52.00 If you would like to join the course or want further information please contact Tony Gist by e-mail at tony@tgtraining.co.uk.

News From Devon County Council

County Council unveils vision for unitary local government Devon County Council's Executive has backed proposals by the Leader of Devon County Council, Brian Greenslade, and Shadow Leader of the County Council, John Hart, for a unitary model of local government in Devon based on three councils - Plymouth, Torbay and a new unitary authority to take responsibility for the services currently provided by the County and District Councils of Devon.

The proposed new authority would be founded on an innovative network of City and Community Boards supported by devolved budgets to invest in locally determined priorities.

The proposals follow a series of consultation meetings with Town and Parish Council representatives and will now be submitted as an outline concept to the Boundary Committee for England which is reviewing local government arrangements in Devon.

The proposed Community Boards would be based upon Devon's market and coastal towns and their surrounding parishes. Chaired by a unitary councillor, they would include elected representatives from Town and Parish Councils and work closely with those bodies to agree local priorities and delegated services.

The County Council has spent the past five weeks consulting with a wide range of stakeholders, listening to people's views, reflecting on the lessons learned from Exeter City Council's bid for unitary status based on the city's existing boundaries, which was the trigger for this current review, and considering the concerns people raised about the effect that breaking up Devon would have on public services.

You can read the Executive report www.devon.gov.uk/cma_report.htm?cmadoc=report_cx0835.html and County Council news release here www.devon.gov.uk/press_unitary_report_to_exec_2.htm

To find out more about the Boundary Committee's review and view webcasts of our consultation events for town and parish councils please see our Devon Review webpages www.devon.gov.uk/devonreview . We will be updating these pages as more information and webcasts become available.

We are grateful for all the thoughtful contributions received and the time freely given to discuss this important public policy issue. Over the coming weeks we will be holding further consultation meetings around the county to help develop the detail of our concept in discussion with the Boundary Committee and with our partners and stakeholders.

County Council to continue doing it for Devon

Devon County Council's Do It For Devon climate change campaign is to continue to help residents do more to make Devon even greener The County Council’s Executive has praised the campaign. Councillors heard that Do it For Devon has become a recognised brand which is raising awareness of climate change.

During the campaign, which launched last April, 335,000 household guides were distributed throughout the county and, as part of the County Council's climate change roadshow, 8,500 low energy lightbulbs were given away to people receiving benefits. The bulbs, donated by EDF Energy, offset the cost and carbon content of the campaign. Councillors agreed to continue to help people reduce their carbon emissions and to tackle fuel poverty by supporting domestic energy efficiency measures that have gained increased Government funding. The County Council is to support the Devon Warm Zones Project which aims to increase the uptake of free or subsidised insulation and heating measures in around 140,000 homes in Devon.

Devon's Senior Council is now formally constituted

The Senior Council for Devon has officially become a constituted body, announcing its new Chairman and Board of Directors.
Its first meeting held in Exeter was attended by representatives from 26 of Devon's market and coastal towns that now form the countywide Senior Council. Collectively the 60 representatives from local groups make up the Senior Council's Assembly.

Addressing the Assembly for the first time as Chairman, Bill Jordan, said:
"We have an excellent opportunity to make an impact in decision making with respect of local public services.
"Issues of particular interest to us include health and caring services, the environment and local transport.
"Although we are focusing very much on issues relating to people over the age of 50, we see our work within the context of improving the quality of life of the whole community.
"Our Members are already working alongside Devon's Youth Parliament to identify issues of mutual concern to young and older people, so that we address them with the right authorities."

Also elected were:
Clifford Bell, Vice Chairman, from Barnstaple.
John Stedman, Treasurer, from Tiverton.
Ken Crawford, Secretary, from Okehampton
Graham Bowen, Director, from Great Torrington
Janet Crocker, Director, from Exeter
Malcolm Froude, Director, from Newton Abbot/Kingsteignton
Toni Hamilton, Director, from South Molton
Derek Pedder, Director, from Sidmouth
Graham Rogers, Director, from Ivybridge

For more information about the Senior Council for Devon, or to get involved with your local Senior Council group, contact 0844 800 9283.

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Open 6am until 11am (guaranteed) after 11 am please call at the house
. Contact no. 01409 211087

Croft Homes (Builders), Ashwater.
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Ashwater Parish Calendar

My thanks to those who provide articles for the newsletters. Copies will as always be available at the Post Office and in the Village Inn. Any information for inclusion in or offers to help please contact Peter Capron, my e-mail address is newsletter@ashwaterparish.org.uk.

Website designed by Anthony Williams and Henriette North.
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Last modified: Sunday December 13, 2009