Category Archives: News

Nelson Lorries

by mikecleugh

The very large number of lorries going through Monxton currently to enable the movement of material for the works at the top of Georgia Lane (halfway between Monxton and Grateley turn left at the crossroads at Fox Farm) is for the development of roads in the forest for timber logging work, which will take place over the next few years.

The first phase is to build roads using hard-core and other materials through the forest to allow heavy forestry equipment to be moved to the places where trees will be felled and to extract the timber.

The number of lorries has been unprecedented and is more than 100 movements per week according to Nelsons, which is exacerbated when these meet lorries from the Alpine Group.

The council met recently with Mr Nelson and the owners of the site, Mr Patrick Langdown, Junior and Senior plus the TVBC planning enforcement officer Mrs Sam Francis to discuss the lorries and the potential reduction in the number of journeys by having the lorries go fully loaded to the site via Quarley and return from the site via Monxton (the least worst option) which would yield a 50% reduction.

Recently they have acceded to this request by splitting the traffic 50:50 Quarley and Monxton, which has reduced the lorries by 50% but we are still seeing lorries fully loaded coming through the village as a result.

I have urgently requested Mr Langdown this week to request Nelsons use the circular route MPC proposed to further reduce the nuisance caused by the loaded lorries and the vibration caused to the cottages along the High Street, which may be one of the contributing causes of the damage to the walls of properties bordering the High Street and Green Lane including the cottage on the corner of the Abbotts Ann Road and Green Lane namely Monks Foyle Cottage where an internal wall facing Green Lane collapsed.

Chairman

Monxton Parish Council

Fundraising Curry Night 19 December

by Monxton Matters

Monxton resident, Emily Bacon, aged 18, will travel to Bangladesh in January 2014 to work on a Government development programme for 3 months. She will team up with Bangladeshi volunteers to tackle some of the problems facing the local community, after winning a place on the government funded International Citizen Service (ICS).

ICS allows young people aged 18-25 to contribute to long-term development projects in countries like Burkina Faso, Sierra Leone and Bangladesh.  The scheme offers young people the chance to develop personally and learn about team work and leadership on projects that are of genuine value to communities around the world. On return to the UK, ICS volunteers undertake an ‘Action at Home Project’, ensuring that their new skills also benefit their local communities.

Emily is organising a pre-departure fundraising raffle/auction of promises and Curry Night on Thursday December 19th at 7pm in the Black Swan Monxton, to raise funding in support of the project that tackles poverty in Bangladesh.

Emily said: “It’s vital I achieve my target of £800 to ensure developing countries can continue to benefit from the work of future volunteers. I’ve been a busy bee organising a variety of events, such as a sponsored 100 km cycle ride, a cake sale/mufty day at Amport Primary School, and a raffle/auction of promises. Mikael and Sarah at the Black Swan in Monxton have also given me fantastic support. The project I’m working on is run by the development charity, Voluntary Service Overseas (VSO) which aims to build social capital and leadership amongst citizens, particularly youth. This is a unique opportunity to work alongside people from a different culture who have requested help from young volunteers to fight poverty and make a difference where it’s needed most. I’m really excited to go!”

To book your curry at the Black Swan please call the pub on 710260. The curry is £9.50 per person. £1.50 from each meal will be donated for Emily’s fundraising – and possibly more if enough people come along.

To support Emily and the project either call her for more information on: 07974 884557 or:
VISIT:  www.justgiving.com/EmilyCABacon
OR TEXT: ECAB94 £(insert amount) to 70070
To find out more about ICS or to apply, visit www.ics-uk.org.uk or call 0208 780 7400.

For more information please contact ICS media officer, Lucy Ing on 0208 780 7362 or lucy.ing@vso.org.uk

Alpine Group Manor Farm Potential Development & Move

by mikecleugh

Monxton PC recently arranged a meeting between TVBC Planning and a company called Corporate Property Solutions, who have been appointed by Alpine Group to address two planning challenges – one to obtain outline planning permission for a development of a limited number of acceptable properties at the Manor Farm site, situated between Monxton and Abbotts Ann, and secondly to find a suitable location for a new factory for the steel fabrication business at the site.

Corporate Property Solutions have been having difficulty obtaining any interest from any builders due their scepticism regarding the potential of getting planning permission at this site and they had therefore requested a meeting with TVBC to obtain their views on the likelihood of permission being granted. MPC and APC have already provided written confirmation that they would support a sympathetic development of a limited number of mixed units.

The meeting was held at TVBC office on the 8/11/13 with Paul Jackson, the Head of Planning at TVBC, who confirmed that the application was supported by TVBC in principle, due to the representations of Monxton and Abbotts Ann. He would also be happy to write to Corporate Property Solutions to confirm TVBC’s support, so that the various potential building firms who are nervous about committing money to a project would be re-assured and would have a level of confirmation that the various councils would NOT object to a reasonable development balancing the number of units with the cash generation required to cover the migration of the Alpine business to a new site.

Villagers should be re-assured that this in effect gives Monxton and Abbotts Ann Parish Councils a significant role in determining the future development on the site, in collaboration with TVBC and we are also supported by HCC Pat West and TVBC Ward Councillor Ben Few Brown.

Bollards have arrived!

by Monxton Matters

We now finally have the wooden bollards (as voted for by residents) installed around the village green (on the High Street side), and next to the wall of Monks Foyle, and around the corner of Old Hoyles wall. Hopefully this will have the desired effect of protecting our village.

Bollards at the corner of Old Hoyles

Bollards at the corner of Old Hoyles

Bollards along the wall at Monks Foyle

Bollards along the wall at Monks Foyle

Bollards along the village green

Bollards along the village green

 

Damage to Village Green

by Monxton Matters

 

It looks like a lorry has taken a chunk out of our village green! Bollards were supposed to have been installed by now and would hopefully have prevented this type of incident. Despite HCC promising the bollards by mid-October at the latest (and much chasing by MPC) they are still not here. Apparently there is a “problem with the supplier”!131030-1 lorry damage131030 lorry damage

Bonfires, fireworks and thatch

by Monxton Matters

Statistically, homes with thatched roofs are no more likely to catch fire than those with conventional roofs; however, if a thatched roof does ignite, the results are rapid and devastating.  We would ask that residents please do not light  bonfires or set off fireworks in their gardens, as they pose a serious risk to the  thatched properties in the village.

If you live under thatch it is wise to be extra vigilant around November 5th and make frequent checks on your roof.

Chinese lanterns are of particular concern, as the potential for harm when they descend is catastrophic, with a number of thatch fires resulting from these lanterns. (They are also very frightening for animals and livestock.) Please DO NOT use them.

For further information and advice, contact your local fire safety officer.

The laws concerning fireworks

  • It is illegal for anyone under 18 to possess a firework in a public place.
  • Fireworks cannot be set off by a private individual between 11pm and 7am except for certain nights of the year (ie New Year).
  • It is an offence to cause any unnecessary suffering to any captive or domestic animal.

Amport (& local parishes) Burns Night

by Monxton Matters

Christmas is coming, and New Year is hard on its heels.  If you think there is nothing more to celebrate once you have ripped the cellophane from your new calendar and turned it to ‘January’, you may be pleased to know that Robert Burns’ birthday is celebrated all over the world on Saturday 25th January. And in 2014 we’re going to be celebrating it in Quarley Village Hall.    

Following on from the Amport Burns Night in 2011, the format will be the same – traditional of course, but light-hearted.  A supper, including haggis specially imported from Royal Deeside, will be served with a dessert to follow.  (Unsure about haggis?  You might be pleasantly surprised; but that’s not all there is to eat.)  Wine, soft drinks, and whisky for ‘toasts’ (a bit like speeches, but light-hearted and short) is included in the ticket price.  Dancing to a live band with a caller follows the supper and toasts, and hopefully everyone will be go home at the end of the evening with a smile on their face.

Doors open at 7 p.m. for a prompt 7:30pm start (it’s a packed programme).  Tickets cost £18 each, with proceeds going to Amport charities.  For more information, please go to www.birdsweb.co.uk/burns/ or call Gillian (01264 889463) or email gillian.bird@virgin.net

Firework Fright!

by Monxton Matters
Recommendations from the Blue Cross:

Every year thousands of animals will suffer as a result of fireworks being let off. Blue Cross animal hospitals across the country see a marked rise in pets requiring medication during such stressful times, and many animals are brought into Blue Cross adoption centres having run away from home.

Animals have very acute hearing. Loud bangs and whistles may cause them actual pain in their ears. But by following these simple guidelines your pet need not suffer.

Small pets and hens
Rabbits, guinea pigs, hamsters, gerbils, mice, ferrets and birds all need to be treated with special care when fireworks are being let off. These animals are easily frightened. The Blue Cross advises that owners of such types of small animal should follow these precautions:

  • Hutches/cages and enclosures should, if possible, be brought into a quiet room indoors, or into a garage or shed.
  • Give your pet extra bedding to burrow into so it feels safe.
  • If you cannot bring your pet’s hutch inside, you should turn its enclosure around so that it faces a wall orfence instead of the open garden.
  • Cover any aviaries or hutches with thick blankets or a duvet to block out the sight of the fireworks and deaden the sound of the bangs, but make sure there is enough ventilation.

Dogs & cats

  • Always keep dogs and cats inside when fireworks are being let off.
  • Make sure your dog is walked earlier in the day before the fireworks start.
  • Close all windows and doors, and block off catflaps to stop pets escaping and to keep noise to a minimum. Draw the curtains, and if the animals are used to the sounds of TV or radio, switch them on (but not too loudly) in order to block out some of the noise of the fireworks.
  • Ensure dogs are wearing some form of easily readable identification (ID) – even in the house. They should have at least a collar and tag.
  • Think about fitting pets with a microchip, so that if they do run away they have a better chance of being quickly reunited with you.
  • Prepare a ‘den’ for your pet where it can feel safe and comfortable – perhaps under a bed with some of your old clothes. It may like to hide there when the fireworks start.
  • Let your pet pace around, whine, miaow and hide in a corner if it wants to. Do not try to coax it out – it’s just trying to find safety, so don’t disturb it.
  • Try not to cuddle and comfort distressed pets as they will think you are worried too, and this may make the problem worse. Instead stay relaxed, act normally and praise calm behaviour.
  • Avoid leaving your pet alone during such potentially upsetting events. If you do have to leave the house, don’t get angry with your pet if you find it has been destructive after being left on its own. Shouting at a frightened pet will only make it more stressed.
  • Don’t tie your dog up outside while fireworks are being let off, ie outside a shop while you pop inside, or leave it in the garden or in your car.
  • Never take your dog to a fireworks display.
  • Calming pheromones can also be very helpful. These are scents that your pet can small (but you can’t), and help pets to feel calmer and less stressed. Adaptil for dogs and Feliway for cats are supplied as diffusers and should be plugged in 2-3 weeks before the event, preferably near your pet’s den. Vets can also prescribe medicines that calm or sedate pets and help to reduce anxiety.

Horses & ponies

  • Fireworks must not be set off near livestock or horses in fields, or close to buildings housing livestock. Anyone planning a firework display in a rural area should warn neighbouring farmers in advance.
  • Try to make sure that fireworks are never set off near your horse’s field or stable. Tell neighbours and local fireworks display organisers there are horses nearby, so that they can ensure fireworks are set off in the opposite direction and well away from them.
  • Keep your horse in its familiar environment, in its normal routine with any companions to make it feel secure. If your horse is usually stabled then keep it stabled. If it is normally out in the field, keep it there as long as it is safe, secure and not near the fireworks display area.
  • Ensure that you or someone experienced stays with your horse if you know fireworks are being set off. This way you can observe its behaviour, ensure it remains as safe and calm as possible and respond to its reactions appropriately.
  • If you know your horse reacts badly to loud noises speak to your vet or perhaps consider moving your horse for the night.
  • Try to remain calm and positive as horses can sense unease in a person and this might make things worse if the horse is startled.
  • Be careful yourself. Try not to get in the way if your horse becomes startled as you may get hurt.
  • Chinese lanterns are known to cause terrible injuries and the deaths of horses and other livestock.  As there is no way of controlling where they go and where they land, the advice to horse owners is to be vigilant and to ensure you check your fields and hedgerows for these lanterns.

 

 

Nelson Lorries in Monxton

by Monxton Matters

Many villagers have contacted the Parish Council over the last few weeks exasperated by the huge number of Nelson lorries going to and from the Georgia Lane site with vast quantities of material to build roads into the forest (to enable large timber cutting vehicles to have access for the removal of timber). Some residents have even mentioned that direct action may be required.

The on-going project to build the road infrastructure in the woods at Georgia Lane may unfortunately continue for several years, though we have yet to have any definitive advice from the land-owners as to how many years and how many lorry movements Monxton will suffer during the period, despite asking the question to the owners last week.

The owners of the site/woods are the Langdown family and the Parish Council met with them last Tuesday (15/10/13) following an incident in the village. Earlier that morning the MPC Chairman and another resident co-incidentally both followed a Nelson Lorry up to the Georgia Lane site after two Nelson Lorries passed each other in the village just before the bridge and stopped to chat to each other, which was caught on video by the MPC Chairman, as the stopped lorry drivers were causing a traffic jam in both directions.

The Parish Council would like to appeal to TVBC and HCC to intervene and ensure the lorry traffic routing is amended to ensure that Monxton does not have to endure all the Nelson lorries coming and going through Monxton. It is suggested that a one-way system is implemented and instead goes to the site via the A303 and Quarley and only (if necessary) comes back via Monxton (or vice-versa), which would mean Nelson Lorries would never meet in Monxton again, for a chat or any other reasons, and break down verges in the process as they try to pass each other.