17.07.10
The Barkway Church Fete was held today in Barkway House. The event
was well attended and enjoyed by all. A notable part was the
excellent Maypole dancing by the pupils of Barkway School. Thanks go
to everyone who helped to organise this annual event.
27.06.10
Royston Heath Archery club visited Barkway on Saturday 26th June to
host an “Archery taster session”. The event organised by Tony Terry
from Barkway Parish Council was attended by 13 people from the
village, on what turned out to be one or the best days of the summer
so far. For safety reasons, the top football pitch was roped off and
if that was not enough for "rec" users, large signs declaring -
“Danger Archery in Progress” were placed along the perimeter. The
Archery Club turned out in force to demonstrate their skill to
Barkway with 6 instructors, who teamed up with two budding Barkway
toxophilites each, to give them tuition and an introduction to
archery. Between shoots, the club demonstrated different bow types
and explained everything anyone could want to know about archery.
The afternoon was a complete success and in order to try to
introduce more people to archery, a second date, subject to
availability of instructors from the club is planned in late July -
please contact Tony Terry for details. Longer term, it is hoped we
may be able, if there is sufficient sustained interest, to form an
archery club in Barkway. Certainly after this taster several budding
archers expressed an interest in taking beginners courses.
24.06.10
The second meeting of the recently formed Barkway Forum was held in
the Village Hall yesterday. Click
here to view the minutes of this meeting.
13.06.10
If you would like to get involved with Community Speed
Monitoring, would like more information, have any fundraising suggestions or wish to
pledge a donation towards the purchase of the equipment, please use
our
"contact
us" page.
21.05.10
This month Herts Police rolled out Community Speed Monitoring
in our
area. This involves the community purchasing and operating speed
monitoring equipment using volunteers and the Police issuing warning
letters to those caught speeding. Repeat offenders will be
investigated by the Police. The Police and the Parish Council
believe that this could be a major step in reducing speed in our
village and may enable us to minimise the implementation of
permanent traffic calming measures. The community would need to
raise £2500 to purchase the equipment, which is operated in a
non-confrontational manner by a minimum of 3 volunteers. We would
therefore need a pool of approximately 12 volunteers willing to be
trained to implement, manage and operate Speedwatch in Barkway.
11.05.10
The Barkway Bellringers are desperately looking for new recruits
in order that regular bellringing can continue in Barkway. If you
are looking for a new hobby that has changed little over the past
300 years, that is a very social, team orientated and mentally
stimulating pursuit, then this could be for you. Contrary to popular
belief you do not need to be strong, musical or be a regular Church
attendee to become a bellringer and it is enjoyed equally by men and
women. If you are interested in giving it a try then please email
Richard Atkins on
ratki5@hotmail.com or visit our website at
www.barkwaybells.org. We
practice at Barkway Church most Mondays from 7:45 until 9pm and you
would receive a warm welcome if you came along.
07.05.10
The first meeting of the newly formed Barkway Forum took
place in the Village Hall yesterday. The meeting was well supported
with representatives from the many village organisations attending.
The aim of this meeting was to set the scene for the future running
of the Forum and for the appointment of officers. Click
here for the minutes of the meeting. The next meeting
is planned for Wednesday 23rd June in the Village Hall at 8pm. The
Secretary, Jo Cockerton will issue an agenda nearer the time but if
there are any organisations that did not attend the first meeting
and wish to take part in the future, they should contact Jo
Cockerton at
jcockerton@tesco.net
01.05.10
The monthly report from the Local Constabulary shows
details of recent crimes in the area - we feel that it is timely to
remind residents of Barkway to remain vigilant as regards their
property and that of their neighbours.
Take special care to lock doors, garden sheds and garages
and if your property is going to be empty for a period of time, let
the Police know by completing the "Unoccupied Premises" form. Click
here for a copy. Please remember that, although crime does occur
in Barkway from time to time, it is a relatively safe place to live
01.05.10
The final draft of the Barkway Parish Plan, as prepared by
the Barkway-Newsells Parish Plan Steering Group and volunteers has
gone to print. It will be published on 1 June 2010, but a short
resume on its content will be delivered on 26. May 2010 at the
Annual Parish Meeting. The APM is at 7.30pm in the village hall,
guest speaker Julian Dollar from Newsells Stud. Everyone is welcome
to join the meeting, with drinks and canapes being served beforehand
from 7pm
25.04.10
Out of the Parish Plan process, a proposal to form a new
group comprising as many of the village organisations as are
interested has been put forward and the first meeting will take
place in the Village Hall on Wednesday 6th May at 8pm. This new
group will be known as "Barkway Forum" and its main aim will be to
share information and ideas for the benefit of the Village in
general. Further information about this project can be obtained by
email:
parishplan@barkway-village.co.uk Click
here for the agenda for the first meeting
16.04.10
Response from Herts. County Council Highways regarding
regarding the issues of HGV’s using the B1368 through Barkway -
"As
you are aware, we are undertaking a review of our highway network in
accordance with the requirements of the Traffic Management Act. The
review will include the establishment of a route hierarchy and HGV
routing, striking a balance between the needs of ensuring economic
and efficient servicing of premises and deliveries, whilst
mitigating the adverse impacts of HGV traffic. I have forwarded a
copy of your letter to the team dealing with the review in order to
take account of your concerns. However, I would point out the review
is a significant piece of work which will take a number of months to
complete. Once the review is complete our intention is to share
information with road haulage groups and SATNAV providers to help
guide lorries around Hertfordshire’s Highways Network. "
Rob Smith
Assistant Director, Transport Management
24.03.10
The Parish Council has received several complaints from
residents about the number of lorries driving through Barkway High
Street during the latter hours of the day. These lorries, mainly
operated by P J Thory Ltd of Peterborough and not necessarily
speeding, have been causing severe disturbance. The Parish Council
has in the past six weeks had cause to approach this firm about
their lorries and received an assurance that drivers were instructed
not to speed through Barkway. However this latest series of
complaints has necessitated approaching Herts Environment for advice
on hours of restriction etc. for which we are awaiting. The Parish
Council has again contacted P J Thory Ltd and informed them that in
the event of their lorries being seen to speed through Barkway, the
matter would be referred to the Police.
14.03.10
Red Telephone Box - British Telecom has indicated
that they wish to remove the telephone from the red kiosk as it is
currently not used. In 2009, only 12 calls were made from the box.
The box is a listed property, which means
it cannot be removed and must be fitted with a telephone.
However, BT have indicated that they can apply to English
Heritage to have it delisted , then the phone and the box can be
completely removed. In an alternative
initiative, the Parish Council is invited to adopt the box for a fee
of £1. The phone would be removed, and the care of the box would
fall into the Parish Council. This would of course mean additional
costs to the village for its up keep. The
Parish Council wishes to hear your views:
Should apply to adopt the box, so that whilst, losing the
telephone, we would keep the red box in place? We need to decide
soon. Comments, please to
parishcouncil@barkway-village.co.uk or via the contacts page on
this website to Dr Bob Davidson on 01763 849803.
12.03.10
Barkway School is collecting
the Tesco School vouchers and if anyone has any spare could they
please drop them off at the school or through the letterbox of No. 2
Townsend Close.
09.03.10
Discussions have been taking place between the Parish
Council and Royston Heath Archery Club about the possibility of
running archery lessons on the recreation ground during this Summer.
There has been interest shown in this activity, but before
we can proceed to the next stage we need to know how many people
would be interested in taking part. To register your interest,
please contact Councillor Tony Terry on 01763 848893 or by email
anthonyterry@btinternet.com
05.03.10
Following yesterday's approach to Herts CC about uncovered
Anstey Quarry lorries seen driving through the village, we have
heard from that the Monitoring and Enforcement Officer visited the
site today and made it clear that unsheeted
laden lorries exiting the site was not acceptable and instructed the
circulation of an urgent reminder to all hauliers to ensure that any
loads are correctly covered before exiting. Barkway Parish Council
is greatly appreciative of this prompt action.
04.03.10
The Parish Council has reported to Herts CC that Anstey
Quarry lorries have been seen driving North through Barkway, fully
laden with crushed concrete/rubble, but uncovered. It is a condition
of quarry operations that such lorries are covered.
04.03.10
Village pond - due to high water level and
concerns over the condition of the jetty, the Parish Council has
closed the jetty indefinitely. The public are requested to refrain
from using the jetty until further notice. Anyone who chooses to
ignore this, does so at their own risk.
27.02.10
Following an approach to North Herts MP, Oliver Heald by
the Parish Council regarding the problem of HGVs using the country
network and the possibility of SATNAV being programmed to avoid
certain country routes, we have heard from Mr Heald that he has been
informed by the Director of Environmental and Commercial Services at
Herts CC that Herts CC is currently undertaking a review of its
highway network, which includes an establishment of a route
hierarchy and HGV routing. This will feed into their Intelligent
Transport Systems strategy where one of the initiatives is to work
with road haulage groups and SATNAV providers to guide lorries
around Hertfordshire highways network. This is a project being
adopted by a Parish Plan working group who will keep on top of the
matter.
26.02.10
As part of the plans to meet the criteria, needed to
achieve "quality parish" status, Barkway Parish Council will be
issuing a newsletter to all household in the Parish on a quarterly
basis. "Barkway Bulletin will provide both recent news and future
plans aimed at keeping residents informed as to current and planned
activities designed to benefit the whole community.
Households should have received the first edition by now, but if for
any reason you have not received a copy, you may download a copy by
clicking here; or you may telephone 01763 848755.
Let us know what you think of "Barkway Bulletin" and if
there is any particular area which you would like covered in future
editions.
16.02.10
The recent road works within The High Street were discussed with the
Area Manager from Herts Highways on Monday 15th February who was
visiting the village on a separate matter. The works have been
planned for some time but were delayed by weather. A window
appeared in the contractors schedule whereby they could be
completed, hence the sudden appearance. The Parish Council
welcomes the works which will hopefully see less vibration noise
from HGVS on the uneven surfaces, but will continue to push for a
complete resurfacing of the High Street in the future. The traffic
management was somewhat lacking, and Herts Highways will address
this with the contractor.The Parish
Council is also pleased to say that we learned that as part of this
phase of works, the pavement in London Road will be have its verges
cut back and the surface completely re-laid at some point in the
near future.
16.02.10
Today, many people, despite the weather, visited Laing's
lovely barn in Elms Lane, for the annual pancake and coffee morning
which included a bring and buy stall. The event was very successful
and enjoyed by all. A raffle was held and all proceeds will go to
Barkway Church. Click
here for
some photographs.
11.02.10
In response to the Parish Council's request for information
about salt bins, we understand from NHDC that there are
approximately 120 requests on a list for North Herts/Stevenage
alone. Very few have been installed in the current year and those
that have have been are the highest priority in accordance with the
County's criteria (gradient/school etc). Barkway is on the list for
a salt bin but we are not sure of the priority level. Funding
is an obvious issue currently with the provision of salt bins with
the level of gritting/pothole repairs being undertaken due to the
current cold winter. The question of salt bins was raised by the
Members of the Joint Member Panel and a report is to be prepared
regarding salt bins.
Your Parish Council will keep
on top of the issue.
08.02.10
It has come to the notice of the Parish Council that lorries
belonging to P J Thory Ltd have been driving through the
village at speeds estimated in
excess of 30 mph. The Parish Council has
taken up the matter with the firm and has been
assured that their drivers have been instructed to observe the speed
limit whilst driving through Barkway. If any resident sees a lorry
from this company driving in excess of the speed limit, if they
could take the registration number and report it to the Parish
Council via this website or by email to
webmaster@barkway-village.co.uk
03.02.10
Sue Nielson, our Parish Clerk for the past 22 years has
retired and we would like to thank her for her long and valuable
service to the village. The position has been advertised and the
post has now been filled by Catharine Toms. We wish her well in this
role.
11.01.10
Parish Council has contacted Herts CC Environment and complained at
the delay it is taking in getting salt bins for the village. These
were requested in December, and we received assurances they would be
in place as soon as possible. There is still no date for delivery of
the bins. We understand that the weather in the county has seen an
increased demand for bins in the bigger towns, but we are on
the list.
06.01.10A report commissioned by HCC entitled "Winter
Maintenance Programme - an investigation into the effectiveness of
the current arrangements" concludes
"
the Group
believes there is benefit clarifying that liability remains with the
Highways Authority (i.e. the County Council) if residents/businesses
clear snow from the front of their properties.
This would clear some of the confusion among the public as
regards the responsibility.
30.12.09
The Parish Council
received a further request from BT for the village to adopt the red
telephone box in the High Street. Adopting means that we keep the
box without the telephone equipment, and have to look after and
maintain it. Keeping it as a working phone, BT have to maintain it.
The Parish Council has responded to BT saying that
with no mobile or unreliable mobile phone
signal in the village, we therefore regret we are unable to accept
your kind invitation to “adopt” our listed telephone box, and must
insist you continue to provide a telephone service from the box and
continue to maintain the box in the manner you have done
successfully in the past.
22.12.09
The Parish Council, on behalf of the village, has
made strong representations to the Herts Environment Agency and to
our County Councillor about the lack of salt bins and road gritting
during the current bad weather conditions.
10.12.09
The local Police are concerned that this time of
the year may be a bonanza time for burglars.
If your property is going to be unoccupied at any time, please let
the Police know. You can do this by downloading and completing the
Unoccupied Premises Form
09.12.09
At a meeting of the Parish Council held in the
Reading Room on the 8th December, the current Chairman, Ken
McCormick stood down. Ken will continue as a Parish Councillor. In
his place Dr Robert Davidson, the current Vice Chairman, was elected
Chairman and in his place, Gordon Baker was elected Vice Chairman.
The Councillors present unanimously expressed their thanks and
gratitude to Ken for his hard work and efforts over the years as
Chairman.
07.12.09
The Parish Plan Steering Group delivered
a questionnaire to all addresses in Barkway and Newsells on Sunday
6th December. The purpose of the questionnaire is to give residents
a first opportunity of providing their views on the future of the
Parish. Questions relating to issues and concerns regarding the
environment and the community will be included and residents are
asked to complete and return the forms in accordance with
instructions by the 19th December. This is an important exercise as
the findings will go a long way in determining planning and funding
for the community in the future. Your co-operation will be greatly
appreciated.
23.11.09
Despite appalling weather the Barkway Moonlight Market in the Church
on Saturday 21st November was a huge success with over 200 people
enjoying the amazing range of goodies organised by the Friends of
Barkway Church. The food stall piled high with a wonderful variety
of treats was great attraction as were the stalls with Christmas
presents, decorations, candles, cards and local honey. Children were
able to make their own decorations to take home or be hung on the
Christmas tree in the Church next month. A major treat was the great
Barbers Shop group, who provided huge entertainment for those who
just wanted to sip their Whisky Mac and eat the hot sausages and
enjoy themselves.
11.11.09
Dog Fouling in Barkway has in recent times become a particular
nuisance, and the Parish Council has diverted valuable revenue from
its limited funds to provide dog litter bins at multiple sites
within the Parish. For the most part, dog owners within the
village have cooperated and used the dog bins and in so doing have
shown strong social responsibility and a commitment to keeping the
streets and pavements of Barkway dog mess free.
It has been reported to the Parish Council by a concerned residents
that despite our efforts and the cooperation of the majority of dog
owners/walkers, that it appears a persistent minority still fail to
clear up their dog’s mess.
The Parish Council prefers to try to tackle problems of dog fouling
by bringing the matter to the attention of the dog owner/walker.
However the Council has a responsibility to report to the
authorities any person who does not comply with the law.
We therefore wish to remind all dog owners/walkers that under the
Dogs (Fouling of Land) Act 1996, failure to clean up dog mess is
punishable by law and carries a fine of up to £1000 for each
instance. Please ensure that that you have the necessary bags/scoop etc with you when walking dogs, and that you clean up any mess
left by the dog(s) as required by law and use the dog mess bins. In
so doing you will help to keep our beautiful village clean and tidy.
05.11.09
Firework display at Barkway Recreation Ground
- a happy and safe evening was enjoyed by children and adults alike - the rain
held off. A bucket collection towards the cost of the event raised
£320.86 - a big "thank you" to those who helped to organise the
evening.
19.10.09
Friends of Barkway School and the Playgroup Committee
would like to say a huge "thank you" to everyone who supported the
Auction of Promises on Saturday 17th October. The event was a great
success and has raised approximately £8000.00. Special thanks to
everyone who donated promises, to those who bid for items, to those who
attended the event and to all the people who worked so hard behind the
scenes to make the evening a success.
22.09.09
It can be announced that this morning the Planning
committee voted unanimously to reject the application by the Golf
Course to create the golf academy by the importation of inert
debris. Whilst roads were discounted as a problem, the sheer volume
of material, the length of the works, the failure to properly
consider a right of way and other breaches of HCC policy were
sufficient to persuade the committee to dismiss the application.
A representative of the agent did appear and did mention that they
would consider an appeal if the application was rejected.
06.09.09
A fabulous time was had by all at the Barkway Playgroup 'Camping
on the Rec' fundraiser organised in August. The sun shone, the
sausages sizzled and the bonfire blazed. We managed to raise
around £450 !, which will go along way to keep the playgroups
head above water. Thank you so much to the Parish Council who
allowed this event to go ahead and also to everyone who came. We
hope to make this an annual event, so will see you next year
under the stars.
Lisa Taylor
Chairperson of Barkway Playgroup
03.08.09
Wheatsheaf Meadow House will be used for the
summer and autumn months as a temporary
office by North Herts Homes, to enable
them to manage a programme of improvements in their properties in
the villages south of Royston. The offices will only be used by NHH
staff during office hours and will have minimal impact on
neighbouring householders. To this end, workmen have been and
continue to work at the site, in order to install the offices. As
stated before, there are no plans to use the building for any type
of accommodation. The Parish Council is in discussion with NHH over
the development of affordable housing in the village to meet the
future accommodation requirement identified in our Housing Survey
needs.
30.07.09
TRO3876 Temporary Closing and Temporary 10mph Speed Restrictions in
Various Roads in Royston, Sandon, Therfield, Barley and Barkway.
Click
here for details of this order.
23.07.09
Barkway Parish Council, by working actively with NHDC, our
District Councillor and Herts. Police, has recently secured a change
in speed monitoring initiatives, with the Ermine ward now benefiting
from 10 speed checks per month, 3 of them enforceable, whereas
before the number was less and none were enforceable. A small but
important improvement.
It should be noted that in the last 2 years, of those
caught speeding by the police, 80% of the offenders were local
residents.
For rural parishes, such as Barkway, it is necessary to
embark on and complete a Parish Plan (PP). Such plans encompass many
issues and proposals for corrective action and their implementation.
Barkway has commenced this process and is under the steerage of the
Barkway Parish Plan Group, which opened consultations with the
community at the recent Barkway Church Fete. Not surprisingly,
amongst several issues within the Parish village traffic,
particularly speed and HGV’s were raised several times. The PP
enables everyone to raise issues, express their opinion on those
issues, and then get involved to work with the authorities to seek
actions to resolve those issues.
Whilst the PP progresses, for concerns over traffic issues, it is
recommended that residents can contact the following:
Speeding/ traffic and parking
Hertfordshire Police non emergency calls dial
0845 33 00 222.
The operator who answers will
ask you for details about the nature of your call and pass you on to
the relevant department and person.
Roads / Traffic calming -
Herts. Highways and Environment 0300 123 4047
or email
hertsdirect@hertscc.gov.uk
In doing so, this may have a better effect in raising the profile of
speeding and gain more speed monitoring, as it has been made clear
to the Parish Council that in order to secure the funding for any
traffic measures it is required to complete a Parish Plan, which
takes time and for which there is no fast track or short cut to
secure funding
20.07.09
North Hertfordshire Local Development Framework
Local Development Framework - Land Allocations Additional
Suggested Sites Consultation July 2009
As part of a consultation process
being carried out by
NHDC seven
sites in and around Barkway
have been
identified
for additional housing.
Documents relating to this consultation process can be accessed via
the NHDC website
www.north-herts.gov.uk
and by following the links until you reach "Land Allocations
Additional Suggested sites".
The Barkway Parish Council held a special planning meeting on 11th
August to discuss the response on behalf of the
village. Residents are welcome to present their views to the Parish
Council through this website. It must be remembered that in
cases like this the more responses NHDC receive the better - each
response in favour or against counts. In the meantime, the proposed sites can be viewed by
clicking
here.
The Council's preferred method for accepting comments is by using
their online consultation software.
Online consultation softwareHowever,
representations can also be sent by e-mail to:
ldfconsultations@north-herts.gov.uk
Or by post to:
LDF Team
North Hertfordshire District Council
Gernon Road
Letchworth Garden City
Hertfordshire
SG6 3JF
The closing date for receiving representations is 14th September
2009
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