Bradford Peverell

AT the recent meeting of Bradford Peverell Parish Council Coun Neil Howard praised the village tidy up team.

A working party, which included a number of children cleared the verges along the approach road to the village from the A 37.

Bushes and brambles were cleared and bulbs planted. The party was organised by Cllr Jan Wilson and the excellent turnout was due to good publicity and word of mouth grapevine.

The resulting mass of debris was removed by tractor and trailer and taken to a local farm for disposal. A real village success story.

As winter approaches a note has been sent to the 'gully monitors’ to keep an eye on the leaf build up around the drains, especially in Church Lane.

With the new improved drains water should get away and into the Frome much quicker.

Residents will have noticed that the hedge by the river at Ash Hill has been removed to ease flooding problems and let the water away quickly from the flooding point under the railway bridge. More debris needs to be removed from the river bed and hopefully this will be done.

Coun Bob Clark reported that the income for the village hall was a little down on last year and that there has been a recent modest increase in charges.

Moviola and Artsreach productions continue to be very popular.

He also reported on the Home watch front that there had been one car broken into in Frome View and the safe in the Church had been targeted. There has also been a break in at Muckleford.

The police are very aware of this and urge residents to be on the alert for strangers wandering around.

The Chair then urged everyone to visit the village Website at www.bradfordpeverell.info and let the Council know what you think of it.

Coun Neil Howard is to investigate the possibilities and implications of ownership of our historic phonebox before any decision is made.

Real concern was expressed at the meeting by a member of the public about the latest phases of the Poundbury development and in particular its effect on the skyline.

Coun Neil Howard reported that our letter to the Duchy Local Office, copied to WDDC, was contained in the Enviromenetal Statement for the scheme. He said that as an interested party we should be allowed to speak at any planning committee meeting.

During the discussion on finance it was agreed that the precept should be raised to £5000. Other financial matters and payments were discussed and approved.

The next meeting is on Thursday, January 7.