Engine Common - petition presented to Council

At last night's first meeting of the new South Gloucestershire Council, Mike Keenan (pictured next to Steve Webb) presented the petition against the proposed 350 house development + industrial units at Engine Common.

You can continue to follow the campaign at http://www.saveenginecommon.co.uk/

Could you help your community?

Now is a great time to be looking for ways of becoming more involved in the community in Coalpit Heath and Frampton Cotterell.

There are currently 4 vacancies on Westerleigh Parish Council in the Coalpit Heath ward. Find out more at http://communities.southglos.gov.uk/sites/westerleighpc .

The Friends of Ram Hill Colliery are looking for new members and someone to chair the group. Please contact Steve Hillyard at s.hillyard00@btinternet.com .
The Joshua Group, which cares for people with severe learning diffculties and runs every other Tues evening from 6-8pm, is looking for volunteers to help staff the group. For more info contact Helen at the Zion Church office 01454 776618.

Capital Grants - time to apply

If you belong to a local community group looking for funding you have until noon on 20th June to apply for the 2011/12 round of Capital Grants. More information on the South Glos website.

Time running out to sign Engine Common petition

Time is running out if you want to sign Mike Keenan's petition against the proposed 350 house development + industrial units at Engine Common. He is planning to present it at the first meeting of the new South Gloucestershire Council this Wednesday. To sign the online petition visit http://www.saveenginecommon.co.uk/ .

We have now heard that the Core Strategy Inquiry is unlikely to take place before September. The developers could of course decide to put in a planning application before then.

New aerial runway at The Park

Young people in Frampton Cotterell said an aerial runway was their top priority for new equipment in our parks when Village Action surveyed local schools, clubs, scouts, guides and other groups. The household surveys also showed that people wanted more adventurous equipment, with Kingsgate Park, Yate being held up as an example.

Frampton Cotterell Parish Council agreed at their meeting on Monday 16 May that the runway should be installed at The Park, School Road next to the existing play area after Beesmoor Road Playing Field Committee decided they could not accommodate it there.

Pat and Dave Hockey have used part of the funding that they have been allocated to spend in their Frampton Cotterell Ward to pay for the runway after their own recent survey had indicated substantial support across the Parish from residents who felt the quality of our play facilities locally is poor in comparison to other areas.

The photograph shows the supports for the cable that were cemented in place on Thursday 19 May ready for the cable to be installed early in the week commencing Monday 23 May. The runway will be risk assessed to ensure it is safe before it is commissioned for use.

The new Beat Manager for Frampton Cotterell, Finbar Simmons, has been asked to keep an eye on the runway when it goes into use ahead of half term since it is likely to be popular with local youngsters and we want to ensure that local residents are not disturbed, especially after dark.

The runway has been positioned more than 60 metres away from the nearest properties to minimise the risks of disruption to residents – the suppliers and installers state that a distance of at least 20 metres is required.

Pat and Dave hope that local children and families will have a lot of fun using the ‘Cablerider’.

Extract from the Village Action report showing that a zip wire/aerial runway was the top priority among young people for new play area equipment

Lollipop person wanted

Watermore Primary School is looking for a new lollipop person for the junior site. The hours are 8.30-9.05am and 3.20-3.45pm, the rate of pay is £6.62 per hour. Please email wendy.feltham@southglos.gov.uk or call her on 01454 863611 for more info.

Traffic lights in Westerleigh on Monday

There will be temporary traffic lights outside Copp Cottage on Westerleigh Road in Westerleigh on Monday 23rd May to facilitate tree cutting.