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Community Plan Update
Youth Survey
Pucklechurch Community Association
Environmental Group
Church
Scarecrow Competition
Good Neighbours
South Gloucestershire Council
Rainbows
Parish Council
Twinning
Women's Institute


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Community PlanSurveyBadge_106

For the Community Plan there are and have been many small steps and big steps along the way. A very big step has now been completed: all the questionnaires from individuals and households have been entered into a database and the first analysis made.

FACT:  A total of 715 household and 1273 individual responses have been entered into the database, taking 300 hours to enter. Cost: nil.

As they did with the distribution and collection of the Community Plan questionnaires and now with the analysis, the people of Pucklechurch and Shortwood responded magnificently. Thanks so very much to all our volunteers.

Many of the results are things that we already “knew”, but now we have hard facts with which to fight our corner. So what does a high-level analysis show?

The responses reveal that the majority of parishioners choose to live in Pucklechurch because of its rural location (91%) and do not want to be physically linked to Emersons Green 91%) nor have the Green Belt around us eroded (94%). They are also concerned that green spaces remain within the parish (95%) and that hedgerows and trees be preserved and looked after (90%). Many use the countryside and are against any further developments within this area (88%). Over half would like to see the derelict chapel ground turned into a garden (54%). These responses lead to the conclusion that local residents feel the natural environment should be preserved. (Thanks to Ros Abbott for that piece of analysis.)

We know that cycle paths are popular, but they cost money to make and maintain. But the facts are that over 600 (52%) villagers would make greater use of cycles if there were more safe routes in and out the village. It would help with cycling and walking if there were more and better maps (36%) and signs (28%), and the paths were better maintained. (Thanks to Phil Look for that piece of analysis.) For the novice cyclists amongst you, the following website is quite useful: http://www.lifecycleuk.org.uk

Now we have the facts to present to Pucklechurch Parish Council and South Gloucestershire Council for action. With the long, hard slog of collecting and analyzing, we should not lose sight of our vision, which is to form a plan of action that will carry Pucklechurch and Shortwood forward into the future in a way that local residents want. This will make us better able to reply to requests and dictates from the Council and the Government.

Alan Holder


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Community Plan Youth Survey

In March the Community Plan subcommittee for youth asked young people aged 11–18 to give their views on our village. At our meeting we found that they enjoy living in Pucklechurch and like the rural location; they don’t want to be joined to Emersons Green. However, they think there are insufficient things for them to do in the village. They really would like a Youth Club. Can you help start one? Contact a member of the Community Plan committee. 

They also say bus fares for school children are far too high, making trips into town expensive, and they would like a later bus service. This group also felt there should be more playground equipment, both for very young children and for teenagers -- something like a zip wire or spider’s web.

These young people believe that cars drive too fast, making the roads dangerous for cyclists, and that litter and dog fouling are problems.

We also discussed the Parish Council and what it does, so they now have a better understanding of its function. Finally, we let them loose with cameras, and they photographed what they liked and didn’t like. At a second meeting some of the photos were mounted onto display boards, which will be shown at Revel along with all the pictures taken.

Our thanks to all the young people who took part and gave their time and effort to this project.

Ros Abbott and Helen Parker


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Pucklechurch Community Association AGM

The PCA held its annual general meeting on 13th May. Les Bence remains as chairman. Liz Achibald has agreed to become our secretary. We still need a facilities manager, however. Please ring Les Bence on 937 3140 if interested in this position. Two new members have joined our Executive Committee.

The Village Hall needs a lot of work. The PCA is holding an open meeting on Tuesday, July 15th, at 8pm in the Village Hall to discuss what upgrades, repairs, and changes need to be made over the coming years to suit the needs of our community. Please come along if you care about the future of our Village Hall or have ideas on how to make this facility greener and more user friendly or how to raise funds to make it all happen. Please contact Tina Symons on 07771 907869 for more information.

Jill Hayden


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Environmental Group

The Pucklechurch Sustainability Group that arose from the Community Plan process has a new name: the Pucklechurch Environmental Group. We are still in the early stages and would welcome anyone who has an interest in sustainability and environmental issues that affect our community. The next meeting will be held on Tuesday, 8th July, at 7.30 pm in the Village Hall.

We had our first little green success courtesy of YOI Ashfield, who are sponsoring a recycling bin for plastic bottles. It's located near the other recycling bins in the Village Hall car park. Plastic recycling was an area of dissatisfaction identified in the Community Plan questionnaire.

If you have any queries or suggestions regarding the Environmental Group, the group may be contacted here...

Chair :  Richard Dunning

Secretary: Sue James

 


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St Thomas à Becket Church

        • Sun, 15th March 6.30pm Revel Thanksgiving Service
          We look forward to seeing you all on this occasion.
        • Sat, 5th July 2pm Garden party at the Vicarage
          Strawberry cream teas, stalls, and sideshows. Also Handbell Ringers and a Quartet playing throughout the afternoon. Proceeds to Church Restoration Fund.
        • Sun, 6th July 10am Patronal Festival Service,
          All-age worship

Scarecrow Competition

WOW! I was so overcome by the incredible response to our St Thomas a Becket Scarecrow Trail and competition. Despite the weather, the event was a tremendous success, and it was fantastic to see so many people of all ages participate -- on foot, bicycle, buggy or car. At the time of writing, we had made £1,500.

A huge thank you to you all for braving the elements and enjoying the scarecrows. Thank you also to the 50 scarecrow makers. As an artist, I can honestly say the standard was extremely high -- so much imagination and creativity.

Results:

The winner of the trail for guessing the most characters was the Fox-Robinson family, who guessed 50 1/2 out of 51. A lot of people got over 48 correct, so well done.

The Individual/Family scarecrow winner was "Willy Wonka", who was made by Mrs Elsom.

The Organisation scarecrow winner was "Harry Potter", made by 1st Pucklechurch Brownies.

 If you would like to see the clues, answers and some photos of the scarecrows, please click here....  

Following the enormous success of this event we will endeavour to repeat the Scarecrow Trail some time next year. Keep an eye out for information if you would like to take part.

Thank you again.

Rachel Goodchild


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Good Neighbour Scheme

Progress setting up the Good Neighbour Scheme has been continuing. We have carried out a lot of research into what is required in order to set the scheme up, e.g., insurance cover, CRB checks, etc. We are continuing to work on this to get final details.   

Over 100 people registered an interest in the scheme in the Community Plan last year. We have contacted all of those people to check on their continued availability. We had a good response and will be contacting all of those people again soon to get the scheme up and running.   

If you have not responded to our letter and would like to be involved, or didn’t register an interest in the Community Plan and would like to be involved, please contact us here...

 


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South Gloucestershire Councilsgloslogohome03

I am pleased to report the successful campaign by Pucklechurch and Westerleigh residents who forced the withdrawal of the in-vessel composting facility application proposed by SITA on Green Belt land. It was a fantastic example of a community pulling together.

Over 80 residents viewed the plans for the new doctors' surgery and proposed housing development in Oaktree Avenue. The views expressed during the evening were mixed and many important issues raised, and these can be taken into account when the application is submitted.

The Boyd Valley Safer & Stronger Community Group has now been set up. There are 20 groups within South Gloucestershire, which bring local residents together with representatives from the local police, fire & rescue, health visitors, South Gloucestershire Council, parish councils, and local organisations. The aim is for the groups to work together to help make the community safer and stronger, ensuring it is a safe and pleasant place to live, work and play. We are holding the first public Boyd Valley Safer & Stronger Community Group meeting in Pucklechurch over the next couple of months.

For further information regarding any of the above or for any other advice or help with local issues, please phone me on 937 4646.

Cllr Sarah Turley


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Spotlight on Rainbows -- 21 Today!rainbows-logo02

Yes, our youngest and fastest growing section, Rainbows, is 21 years old this year. Imagine, the first Rainbows may now be sending their 5- to 7-year-old daughters to Rainbows!

The two thriving Rainbow units in our village wear the Association’s bright red and pale blue uniforms and have recently made bird boxes, memory boxes, celebrated Easter, and worked on Olivia’s favourites. (Olivia is their mascot, closely named after Olave Baden-Powell, the founder’s wife.)

To celebrate our 21st birthday, most girls recently attended a circus-themed, county-wide gathering of hundreds of Rainbows, who took part in twisting balloons into animal shapes, face painting, juggling hats, making streamers, etc. I don’t know who was having more fun icing cakes, Maria, one of our leaders, or the Rainbows. When I saw her she was knee-deep in popcorn, chocolate drops and icing! It was wonderful to see so many girls enjoying themselves and it helped them to realise there are lots and lots more Rainbows than those they see in the village.

Both Brownie packs are doing well and have looked wider by celebrating Chinese New Year, Burns Night and taking an International Badge. At long last we have managed to accommodate all the eligible girls on the Guide waiting list. Now that summer is coming, the Guides are making frequent visits to their allotment and really enjoy these outdoor meetings. Our Senior Section is growing well and joining with South Cotswold (Yate) Rangers for some overnight activities. Congratulations to Eilidh who has completed her Adult Leadership Qualification and is now a Senior Section Guider.

Please contact me if you would like to know more about Girlguiding in this district.

Ros Abbott,
District Secretary 937 2157

 


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Pucklechurch Parish CouncilLogo for banner
Chairman’s Notes

First, congratulations and a very big ‘thank you’ to everyone who contributed to the successful outcome against SITA’s  bid for the composting facility very close to Pucklechurch. It epitomized the great public and community spirit for which our village is known. I should like also to thank my councillor colleagues for the major part they played in publicising and stirring up interest in Pucklechurch to ensure high-profile media coverage of the issues involved. Your efforts resulted in the largest number of written objections SGC had ever received to a planning application.  

 Council have heard concerns from some residents of Eagle Crescent about a few children and youths playing ball games against house walls. This is both very annoying for the owners and also quite unnecessary. In addition to the Eagle Crescent play area, young people can also use the Recreation Ground in the middle of the village and the land at the end of Becket Court (where there is a small goal post), all of which are owned by the Parish Council. I hope that parents of children who live in Eagle Crescent and the surrounding area will monitor their own children’s use of the play area so that children can play safely and householders do not have the thud-thud of footballs against their walls!

 At the April council meeting, councillors were given a presentation by Sovereign Housing Association with regard to their indicative proposal for the development at the top of Oaktree Avenue. Councillors were robust in their comments and sought answers to some important questions. We asked if it was possible for councillors to attend the public exhibition/consultation on 30th April, which was agreed to willingly. Councillors asked those who attended to give us their views on a written comment sheet, so that we have some idea of the feeling of those living close by the proposed development.

When Sovereign present their full planning application, the Parish Council will have an opportunity to give their view and, as with the case of the composting facility, we would again want to hear the views of Pucklechurch residents and businesses. Just when this will be is unknown at present. We will keep you informed through the website or the usual method in Pucklechurch -- word of mouth!

Omar Beg, Chairman

 


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Pucklechurch Twinning Association

How to have fun, make friends, get physical and end up exhausted but happy…

As you may know, the visit in April of our French friends from Pringy marked the 20th anniversary of Pucklechurch Twinning. What you may not know is that the twinning arrangement involved formal ceremonies and signings of charters by the Parish Council and the Commune de Pringy. These formal signings have continued on every fifth anniversary visit, both here and in Pringy.

The visit started on Saturday morning, 19 April, with a reception in the Village Hall and continued for the rest of the day by the French being entertained in a variety of ways by their host families, thus beginning the hectic programme.

And so on to Sunday… most enjoyed a leisurely English breakfast and then wandered around the village, following the excellent “Pucklechurch Village Heritage Trail” produced by South Gloucestershire Council with Heritage Lottery funding. (If you haven’t seen it or followed this trail, pick up a brochure, and enjoy the walk.) The constant to-ing and fro-ing of French people stopping and looking at the marked sites produced puzzled looks from some locals. Oh, and some of our guests also wandered into the local hostelries! There followed a formal Anniversary Dinner at Cleve Rugby Club attended by 107 people, with the entertainment in the evening also attended by many past members of the Twinning Association. (Check out some highlights on YouTube.)

On Monday the French visited Cardiff for some culture and retail therapy. In the evening there was an American supper and barn dance in the Village Hall. This was the really physical bit, with dances that put the fizz into fizzical, a resurrected Hobgoblin playing, and Alan Holder calling in his own inimitable Franglais way!

Tuesday the French visited Windsor and then were entertained by their hosts in the evening, and on Wednesday morning they departed on their return trip to Pringy.

Another visit had passed by so quickly, but again, one that had been enjoyed by all. After lots of kisses, we promised to do it all again -- October in Pringy!

We are always looking for new members and general meetings are open to all -- the next meeting will be on June 9 at 8pm in the Village Hall meeting room and dates always are on the Pucklechurch website. We shall also be present on the Twinning stall on Revel Day, so please come and talk to us. You do not have to speak French! Alternatively, if you want to find out more, contact Val Broom 937 2025 or Ann Smith 937 2030.

Lyn Smith, Chairman


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Pucklechurch W.I.WI-logo04

Our first outing this year saw members visiting the Hippodrome in Bristol to see a wonderful production of Mamma Mia -- what a noisy journey home with the Pucklechurch Super Troopers.

In February we welcomed three new members from the waiting list. W.I. held a new-age curling evening in the Village Hall and played hostess to members from other W.I.s in the area.

This year members, along with family and friends, have embarked on several historical visits. In February the group enjoyed an overnight stay in London, visiting the Terracotta Army Exhibition at the British Museum followed by a visit to the O2 venue to see the famous Tutankhamun Exhibition.

In March we organised our own evening in the Village Hall, again with family and friends, where we engaged in another bout of new-age curling, a sport which is growing in popularity and great fun.

April saw the group visit the ‘Garden of England’ county of Kent. Excursions included Chartwell, the family home of the late Sir Winston Churchill, Leeds Castle, and Hever Castle, home to the famous Boleyn sisters. We also included a visit to Rochester, the historic dockyard at Chatham, Canterbury, and a vineyard where the group sampled and enjoyed the product of the locally grown grapes.

April was also a time when some members enjoyed a Fashion Evening at Doynton & Wick W.I. This saw two members ‘strutting their stuff’ down the catwalk. A good time was had by all.

Norma Pratt, President

 


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