03.02.12
Councillor Jo Cockerton resigns as a Parish Councillor due to personal reasons. Mrs Cockerton has been a Councillor for many years and the Parish Council is indebted to her years of dedicated service and wishes her well for the future.

31.01.12

Herts young farmers is run by young people for young people. If there is something that everyone who has ever been a Young Farmer will tell you - its how much YFC has done for them. Whether its new experiences, skills, confidence or friends - everyone who enjoys the outdoors has something to gain. We are always looking for keen outdoorsy types to become new members so if you fancy a go at scuba diving, you’re interested in behind the scenes tours of places not normally open to the public, enjoy BBQs and parties, want a go driving a tractor (or to show off the skills you already have) we’d love you to come along to one of our meetings. YFC also gives you the opportunity to travel abroad, get reduced price training and of course get involved as much as possible. All our clubs are run by our members, meaning every week you get to do the things you want to do.
If you’d like more information please contact the county office on 01920 821393 or 07825 525573. Alternatively you can email us at hertsyfc@btinternet.com or check out our website www.hertsyfc.com

25.11.11

No more waiting in the rain!

The new bus shelter at the corner of Townsend Close and Barkway High Street came into operation today. The installation of the bus shelter was organised by Barkway Parish Council using Section 106 monies received from North Herts. District Council.

18.11.11
BBC TV presenter Matt Baker, along with Pudsey Bear, travels down Barkway High at approximately 8.30am as part of his bike ride from Edinburgh to London to raise money for Children in Need.

07.11.11

Bonfire Night on the "Rec" - the weather stayed dry and the turnout amounted to nearly 300 people for the firework display. We had a new position for the bonfire this year, and it seemed to work well. The display lasted for 40 minutes which was great value. We collected £278.09 in the buckets. A big thank you to all those who donated. The food and drinks were supplied by the Playgroup (raised £250.00) and the youth club, raised and donated £65.00 to the Pavilion project. We hoped you all enjoyed the evening and will come again next year. Big thanks to my fellow  pyrotechnichian, Vince Styles.   Tony Terry.

18.10.11

Barkway Parish Council has been successful in obtaining a grant from the North Hertfordshire Partnership 'Rural Community Pot' for the Queens Diamond Jubilee Celebrations to be held in the village on Sunday 3rd June 2012. The monies received from the grant will make a contribution towards the total funding required for this event.

17.10.11
Planning Application for Proposed replacement bund and associated landscaping works at Nuthampstead Shooting Ground

Mr Conor Guilfoyle, Senior Planning Officer, Development Management, Herts County Council, has informed Barkway Parish Council that the original  submission for this planning application been found to contain errors and has been withdrawn. The information previously published by Barkway Parish Council was taken from this original application and supporting documentation and, due to this error, may therefore have been unintentionally misleading. 

A revised application has been submitted to Herts County Council.

 

Mr Guilfoyle states in his letter:

"This application was originally received on 24 August 2011 and the local Parish Council and neighbours were consulted. However, the application contained an error which implied that the associated heavy goods vehicle (HGV) movements would travel to/from a northerly direction through Barkway along the B1368. It has now been clarified that they would travel to/from the site in a southerly direction along the B1368.

 

18.08.11
There have been reports recently of unsheeted lorries driving through the village on their way to and from Ansty Quarry. The Parish Council has reported the matter to NHDC and monitoring of the situation by the Enforcement Team has confirmed that laden lorries were accessing and leaving the site without being sheeted. A letter will be sent to the Quarry Company.

09.08.11
Jarvis Contractors and North Herts Homes would like to inform the public that demolition work has now commenced on the site. The solid hoardings will be completed within 2 weeks, however in the meantime a harris rail will be erected as soon as possible as a temporary measure around the site.  For health and safety reasons, with immediate effect, the site is off bounds to the public, and under no terms should the public enter the site, even whilst the harris rail and hoardings are not in place. This is to guarantee the safety of the public and site workers.

Additionally the Parish Council would like to thank the individual who returned the wood from the bench overnight, enabling them to be reunited with the frames. It is much appreciated.

08.08.11
Work has commenced at Wheatsheaf Meadow House. From Tuesday 9 August, contractors will commence erection of hoardings around the site to secure it. The Parish Council has removed items to be recycled within the village. Unfortunately wood, from two of the three benches, along with paving stones have been removed without permission, by members of the public.  The public are reminded that the site remains the property of North Herts. Homes, and any items removed from the site without prior permission are classed as theft, and will be reported to the Police. The Parish Council would appeal to the person who removed to the wood from the bench to simply return it to the site, that it might be reunited with the frame and then taken to be used within the village for the benefit of all. Should anyone have any specific request to remove any item from the site, this should be addressed to our representative Dr Robert Davidson, who can liaise with North Herts. Homes for permission. Permission will depend on if the item in question is part of the demolition contractors agreement with North Herts. Homes.
Due to the erection of the hoardings, which will close of a section of the roadway in Periwinkle close narrowing it to 2/3 its normal width, the public are urged not to park in Periwinkle close, anywhere near the site, or on Royston Road itself.

03.08.11
"B" in the Park held on the 23rd July at Barkway Recreation Ground was a great day of games, sport, science activities, good food and drink. The bonfire added a real camping feel and the acoustic guitarist, Molly, was wonderfully
entertaining and extremely talented. 
Thank you to all who attended and all those who volunteered their time to provide activities.
Barkway School and Barkway Playgroup each raised about £300 in profit.

03.08.11
Rowan Homes and Jarvis will commence work in the next 14 days at the Wheatsheaf Site, to prepare the site for dismantling, in accordance with the demolition plan. Initially, items to be reused within the village will be stripped out, along with an internal strip out. Simultaneous to that, a hoarding will be erected around the site perimeter, adhering to the Highways  boundary and sight lines on Royston Road and Periwinkle Close.

03.08.11
The red telephone box in the High Street has now been decommissioned by BT and has been adopted by the Parish Council. Its future use within the village will be discussed and reviewed.

11.07.11 Resignation of Chairman and Councillor - Dr. Robert Davidson
Dr. Robert Davidson has resigned with immediate effect from the Parish Council. The Parish Council and the Clerk would like to express their appreciation of all the hard work that Bob has put into his role whilst on the Parish Council over the past 3 years and wish him well for the future.

02.07.11
The Speedwatch Group and the Police are pleased to announce that following talks with the authorities, that an alternative location in Royston Road has been identified and agreed, enabling the Speedwatch banner, removed following complaints from two residents, to be re-erected within the 30mph zone as part of the Police and Speedwatch Groups programme to educate drivers to slow down in the village

22.06.11
The process has commenced for the red telephone box situated in the High Street to be adopted by the Parish Council at a cost of £1. Research showed that the box was little used and plans are in hand for the box to become an information centre for village activities. Further details will be published when available.

21.06.11
Following a period of negotiation and agreement, work has commenced on sub-letting the electrical supply from the pavilion on the recreation ground to the newly built Cokenach Cricket Club's pavilion. This means that, in effect, Cokenach CC will reimburse the Parish Council for the cost of the electricity used by the cricket club. To provide a separate supply to the cricket pavilion would have been costly and the cricket club approached the Parish Council with a request for help. An agreement has been drawn up and this is a clear example of how the Parish Council is able and willing to help organisations within the village to function effectively and efficiently - it is hoped the the village and the cricket club will benefit mutually from this arrangement and that the cricket club will feature as an important organisation within the village.

15.06.11
Following complaints by two residents of Royston Road, that the Speedwatch banner, designed by schoolchildren of Barkway VA First School, to promote speed awareness, was unsightly and inappropriate, despite the endorsement of the Police and Herts. Highways, we regret that this banner has been removed. Unfortunately there are no alternative safe and effective sites on Royston Road, that either the Police or Herts. Highways would be satisfied with, and as a result the banner has been removed.

13.06.11
Road traffic accident at 0830h in Barkway High Street, near no. 20. Cyclist knocked off bicycle by car - police, paramedic and ambulance attended.  Cyclist not thought to be seriously injured.

31.05.11
The Parish Council held its Annual Parish Meeting on 25 May in the Village hall. The Meeting was attended by around 60 members of the community representing 14 village organisations. Cllr Dr Bob Davidson addressed the meeting and delivered the Annual Report, summarising the previous year's activities of the Parish Council, and touching on the matters the Parish can anticipate in the coming financial year.  A full copy of the Annual Report will shortly be delivered to every address in the Parish.  Mr Kenneth Grant,  manager of Cockenach Estate, delivered a very interesting presentation about the Estate’s history, development and activities.   Members of the village organisations, including for the first time, Cockenach Cricket Club and the newly named Barkway and Barley Football Club (BVBFC), then delivered their annual reports on their individual organisation’s activities in the past year .

19.05.11
The Casino Night held at the Village Hall on Saturday 14th May was a great success and raised much needed funds for the Recreation and Pavilion Project. Approximately 70 people attended the event and the evening produced a handsome profit of £1261.25. Together with donations received at Barkway Market, the project committee is in a position to move on to the next stage of the project.

17.05.11
Negotiations have taken place between Barkway Parish Council and Barley Football Club with a view to the football club changing its name to Barkway FC. At the moment, the Barkway recreation ground is used as the home ground for Barley FC. With the plans to redevelop the sports pavilion in place, it was felt it would be sensible for Barkway to have its own football team. Barley FC were approached on the subject and agreement has been reached for the club to be known in the short term as Barkway and Barley FC. In fact this name change has already been registered with the respective football associations and leagues. This presents an excellent opportunity for both parties. Barkway will again have a football team and another organisation for residents to use - and the football club will have undoubted benefits from the relationship.

11.04.11
The Recreation and Pavilion Project Group received official notification today that their application for a £50,000 grant for NHDC Parish Amenity Capital Improvement Funding (PACIF) had been successful. This award, made subject to various conditions, means that the viability of the project, whilst not guaranteed, is certainly raised to a greater level of attainability. We are now in a position to research other funding sources and in doing so we are appealing to the public and local organisations for their donations, ideas and support. The Project Group will be meeting shortly and progress on the project will be reported here, in the Barkway Bulletin, in Parish Council meeting minutes and in other usual means of communication

07.04.11
We expect to hear on Monday 11th April the result of our NHDC PACIF grant for the Pavilion Project. As soon as we know, this website will be updated. Watch this space.

03.03.11
The Barkway Speedwatch project kicked off today with the first monitoring of vehicle speeds in Barkway High Street. Click here for a report

27.02.11







           




A large hole suddenly appeared outside 54 High Street, Barkway this morning between the hours of 08.30 and 10.15 am exposing a still buried gas main under the edge of the collapse.
At the roadside, a section of kerb 2 yards by 1 yard long, collapsed into a hole about 2 feet deep. Barkway Parish Council used borrowed cones to highlight the danger to motorists and pedestrians.
Barkway Parish Council contacted the Police and Herts. Highways at 10.15 as the size of the hole, its position next to the pavement, made for a potentially dangerous situation.
No one form Highways appeared, despite assurances that “someone was on the way”
At 19.00h, after further calls by concerned residents, as a gas pipe was exposed in the collapse, National Gas Grid engineers appeared and confirmed there was no gas leak, and that they would request Highways to attend to proper safeguard the hole.

25.02.11
The Parish Council is pleased to report that within days, Barkway Speedwatch, will begin monitoring speed within the village. Barkway will be the first Speedwatch Group in Hertfordshire, with groups in Royston and Ashwell coming shortly, and thereafter across the whole County
The Speed Watch Volunteers, under the co-ordination of Tony Harris, will begin checking traffic speeds at different times of the day, at different points in the village.  
The objective is to educate drivers to reduce their speed, not catch those who choose to ignore speed limits.  Speeding vehicles will be logged and reported to the Police, and letters of caution issued. Persistent offenders will be identified by the police for prosecution.
A central Cross-County record will allow the Police to identify if a vehicle has been recorded speeding elsewhere in the county and take appropriate action.
The Parish Council wish to thank Tony Harris and Sgt Jon Vine of Royston Police for their hard work in getting the group together, the commitment of Royston Police and of course the stalwart members of the Speedwatch Group, who have come forward to pursue proactively reducing vehicle speeds through the village.

23.02.11
The next Census Day is 27th March 2011. Next month every home in the district will receive a form which needs to be returned providing information on the household on that day. Everyone living or staying in your home must be included on your form. Please complete and return the form as soon after 27th March as possible. For the first time, forms may be completed on line. Help is available for anyone who has difficulty in completing the form - on line at www.census.gov.uk or by phone on 0300 0201 101. The Census is very important as the information obtained is used to determine where funding needs to be allocated.

21.01.11
The Parish Council is pleased to announce that the first £21,000 of funds for the Pavilion Project is “in the bank”.  This follows the signing of a Section 106 agreement with North Herts. Homes and North Herts. Council, this morning at Letchworth, by Cllr Dr Bob Davidson and Cllr Gordon Baker. Section 106 is a sum of money, calculated upon the value of a development and paid by the developer as mitigation for the impact of the development on the community. Usually this money would be split into different funds which can then be allocated to projects within the Parish. However in this case, following months of careful planning, negotiation and cooperation between the partners involved, it was agreed that Barkway Parish Council could receive the total into one project fund, namely The Pavilion Project.

The signing of the Section 106 agreement paved the way to the granting of Planning Permission to North Herts. Homes, to begin to redevelop the site, to deliver 10 new homes to Barkway, including affordable homes.  As previously announced, regrettably, the cancellation of all housing grants by the new Coalition Government means that there will be fewer affordable homes available within the new development than first anticipated. However, this is the vital first step in seeking to fulfil our housing needs in Barkway, in a manageable and sustainable way. Included within the plans will be a Village Garden, which will be created by North Herts. Homes  in conjunction with the community, to provide a relaxing area for everyone to enjoy.

The bat’s mating  season, creates a very tight timescale when works can actually commence. However, it is anticipated that dismantling works will commence in mid March and construction will take place over the summer and into autumn. A meeting will be held by the Parish Council, North Herts. Homes and the Project Manager, in the Reading Room in early February for all residents who live around the site, to explain the demolition and building schedule, and how the works will be conducted, and to answer any questions about the programme. The date of this announcement will be made as soon as possible.

07.01.11
According to NHDC the next brown bin collection in Barkway will be 17th January

17.12.10
Now that the snow has arrived, there will be concern for those residents who find difficulty in coping with the icy conditions and who are worried about over using their heating in the light of spiralling bills. In a close village like Barkway, it is a very neighbourly duty to check on such residents. If you have a neighbour about whom you are worried or know someone in these circumstances, please do make regular calls on them to check on their welfare. Care of this kind is usually appreciated.

26.11.10
Following two burglaries in Barkway and Barley, the need to strengthen and support our Neighbourhood Watch effort becomes ever more important. There is a danger that our area could become a nice little sleepy backwater for criminals. We can hope that the Police will spend a bit more time in the locality, but it remains for us to be ever vigilant

02.11.10
Following a site visit to Barkway Golf Course on 26 October by an Inspector appointed by the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, the appeal is made under Section 78 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 against a refusal to grant planning permission was dismissed. Click here to view the appeal decision

16.09.10
Recently a meeting in the Village Hall, Barkway, was attended by over 60 members of the community to discuss the resurrection of Neighbourhood Watch across the Parish and the creation of a cohesive Village Emergency Plan. 
Two burglaries in the village earlier on in the day in broad daylight, the victims being elderly residents, added impetus to the need for an effective Neighbourhood Watch Scheme. PSCO Chris Brabrook, was unforeseeably unable to make it to Barkway, so the village was very grateful that PC Paul Marina was able to step in at the last minute to deliver a very interesting and informative presentation on Neighbourhood watch.
He informed those in attendance of the types of crimes that have occurred in the area and the constant need for the community to be ever-vigilant against crime. 
The meeting then went on to discuss the Village Emergency Plan, a vital and important necessity for remote villages, the need for which was identified as part of the Barkway Parish Plan Process, as a result of the late night stranding of Royston Round Table in the heavy snows before Christmas on Reed Joint, and the isolation of of the village as a result of the snow.
It was decided that Neighbourhood Watch and Emergency Plan should be combined into one effective team, and, following the question and answer session that followed, a number of people came forward to fill vital roles.
Cllr Vince Styles, who held the meeting and is leader of the NHW & EP Team, said “he was incredibly grateful to PC Marina, and everyone who attended and have volunteered to join at least one aspect of the new team.” He added that he had recently spoken to PCSO Brabrook about a further public meeting to organise the cascading of up to date crime information, intelligence and trends that affect our area.In light of the recent burglaries that have occurred in Barkway, the Team and the Parish Council would like to reiterate the need to be vigilant.
If you are sure you have witnessed a crime take place then contact the Police on 999 – suspicious activities or individuals, or any behaviour that seems out of keeping with the village, should be reported to the police on 0845330222. It is the public’s observations and attention that could provide information that fits into a much larger overall intelligence of any particular crime in the area.

02.09.10
Two  robberies took place in Barkway yesterday. Costly damage was caused and items taken when illegal entry was made in both cases. The Police are investigating and are appealing for anyone who witnessed anything untoward or has information that may be helpful to come forward. Please call 0845 33 00 222

17.08.10
Following a request by the County Archaeologist (as part of the pre-application discussions) a company called Archaeological solutions Ltd have been commissioned to undertake a field evaluation on the Wheatsheaf Meadow site. They will be on site starting sometime next week. Temporary fencing will be erected during the site investigation and there will be a JCB digging trenches. The trenches will be backfilled and the fencing removed following the investigations. The work is expected to last five days. Their findings will be reported as part of the planning application submission.