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March 2004 - Letters to the Editor |
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Do you have something to say about a community issue? Pucklechurch News invites your comments. We reserve the right to edit all submittals for length and clarity.
Either e-mail to editor@pucklechurch.org or in writing to any of the editors (see printed issue for addresses).
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Dear Editor,
Further to Bill Dalziel’s letter in the December issue of Pucklechurch News, I would firstly like to sympathise with those residents who have been inconvenienced by having to carry their shopping from the centre of the village. Secondly, I would like to bring to their attention the existence of the Dial-a-Ride scheme. This is a community transport scheme that will provide a door-to door minibus service at minimal cost to anyone who is less able to get around. In Bristol, the scheme costs no more than a public bus fare, and you may ask for either two single journeys or one return journey per week.
To use Dial-a-Ride, you must register with the local scheme and book your journey 24 hours in advance. The provider for the Pucklechurch area is Kingswood Community Transport - telephone 0117 961-6216. In addition, there are also car schemes, which offer transport for people who are unable to use public services (or for journeys not possible by a public service), usually manned by volunteer drivers using their own cars. For details of these schemes, contact the Rural Transport Officer at Community Action on 01275 393837.
The majority of these schemes are staffed by volunteers. South Gloucestershire Council currently provides financial support for them via the annual corporate grants system, as well as free training for volunteer drivers and assistance in the work of their management committees. However, I have been told that, as of April 2005, SGC has failed to secure funding for these services to continue. If this is true, the majority of these schemes may cease to exist or be forced to charge impossibly high fares. Given the rural nature of our area, many people may be stranded if the problem of funding is not addressed. I would urge your readers to contact their local councillor to ask questions about the future of community transport schemes in South Gloucestershire.
Mrs Gail Boyle
In response to the letter above, Pucklechurch News solicited the following from SGC:
We share your concerns regarding the Dial-a-Ride services provided by Kingswood Community Transport. It would be helpful to explain some of the background to the current situation. Kingswood Community Transport relies for funding upon a grant from South Gloucestershire Council and three-year funding from the Government’s Rural Bus Challenge scheme. Unfortunately, whilst the funding from South Gloucestershire continues to be available, the Rural Bus Challenge money has run out.
South Gloucestershire Council is working closely with all operators to investigate ways to continue this valued and worthwhile service. We are hopeful from the discussions that have taken place that services will be maintained and that a formal announcement will be made in the very near future.
Planning, Transportation, and Strategic Environment Department
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Dear Editor,
I would like to take this opportunity to thank everybody for coming to my 40th birthday party and for all the lovely presents you gave me. It certainly was a birthday to remember. Thank you to Neil and his staff at the Social Club for all their hard work. Once again, thank you all.
Sarah Frankcom
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Dear Editor,
I would like to say thank you to all who attended at the crematorium to say goodbye to Jock. I didn't know he had so many friends. I also wish to thank Stewart for the lovely service; everyone has commented about it. Thanks also to all for the donations to the cancer charity and to the Bingo Club for their donation to the RNLI, which was Jock’s special charity. Lastly, thanks to all who sent bereavement cards, too many to reply to individually.
Mary Hastings
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Dear Editor,
South Gloucestershire Council are planning to build houses and flats on land adjacent to Dyrham View in Oaktree Avenue. Original planning consent was given when the houses in Dyrham View were built, but the Council ran out of money and did not continue. Now SGC have drawn up plans in conjunction with the Housing Association to build more than 70 houses on the site. Local residents have applied to designate this land as a village green, but unfortunately the guidelines have changed and we have been told that the application has no chance of succeeding. It looks as if the Council have won.
Do you want at least 70 more cars going past your house? Can the village centre cope? Can you get an appointment at the doctor’s surgery now? What will happen with even more residents? This would affect the whole village. Surely Pucklechurch is big enough now. Let’s hold on to our open spaces and not spoil our village.
We need your support to oppose these plans. When SGC publicises these plans, please be aware of the consequences and send your objections to them.
Pat Gowing
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Dear Editor,
There was no response to the notice in the previous edition of Pucklechurch News. Is anyone interested in coming to a May Day picnic on the green in Oaktree Avenue on Monday, 3rd May? It’s not far off now. We need to know soon, so we can make a few arrangements. If you are thinking of coming, please call me on 937-4449.
Anna
But will we still have a green in Oaktree Avenue? - Ed.
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Dear Editor,
I read with interest the letter concerning the young people in Pucklechurch. For several years there has been a committee, the Pucklechurch Youth Project, who have been trying to establish a base for young people to meet regularly. The Youth Project desperately needs residents to join the committee to give their help to move this project forward. If you are interested, please phone me at 937-3164.
Sandra Grant, SG Councillor for Boyd Valley
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Dear Editor,
I am researching my late father’s family tree and trying to trace his real parents. His name was Frederick Charles Horace Davis. As far as I can remember, he was always called Charlie. He said he was born on 28th Aug 1905, and he was fostered or adopted around 1910 by a Mr & Mrs Joseph Davis. Her name was Ellen Davis (nee Miles). The 1901 census lists them as farmers living at Tucking Mill, Compton Dando, Somerset, and records that Joseph was 46 (born at Marshfield) and Ellen 44 (born at Kington St Michael, Wilts).
Old papers belonging to my late father show that in or around 1915 they moved to Blue Lodge farm, Pucklechurch. From here they moved to Redfield farm, also in Pucklechurch. Joseph died around 1920 at Bristol (this may mean either Pucklechurch or Bristol). My father would have been about 15 years old. I believe my father and his foster mother Ellen moved back to the Wiltshire area, but I don’t know what date this was. My father joined the Somerset Light Infantry in 1924.
I realise this was a very long time ago, but if anybody has any bit of information, however small, I really would appreciate it. You can contact me on 01249 730233 or email rex@davissr.fsworld.co.uk or write to me at Mr S R Davis, 36 Corsham Rd, Lacock, Chippenham, Wilts SN15 2NA.
Rex Davis
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Dear Editor,
I was very pleased that two owners phoned mine to arrange to walk together. We meet at 10.30am on the first Sunday of the month by the swings on the recreation field. Our first walk across the fields was enjoyable. My owner says that the next few dates are 7th March, 4th April, and 2nd May. She also told me that some people would like to walk their dogs with others, but Sunday is not a good time. If they would like to ring her, perhaps something could be organised. Her name is Anna and she can be reached at 937-4449. She would be delighted to hear from anyone who would like to walk with us.
Ruby the dog
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