Village
FeteThe Scholes Village Fete was a great success with over a 1,000 people enjoying the day out. Thank you to the many villagers helped out both during the run up (including a very stormy Saturday where the village lost its power) and the fete itself. On the day, we were again blessed with hot and sunny weather.
Following complaints over excessive speeds with which some drivers pass through the village, a traffic census was organised. This has shown that, at the peak times of the day, 59% of the traffic is breaking the statutory limit.
Bryan has taken this up with RMBC's Road Safety Department, but there is nothing else we can do unless someone is injured or killed!
We would ask all residents to ensure they and their's drive carefully through the village.
On 28th April, Peter Thornborrow talked to us about the Conservation Appraisal he had written for Scholes and also how the village could apply for Heritage Lottery Funding.
The Appraisal will be published here shortly.
The AGM appointed new officers for 2006.
Our sincere thanks go to those standing down:
- Sue Dixon, who has worked hard for the village over the
last 4 years, both as Chair and Secretary before that.
- Tom Boot, our fundraiser who organised enjoyable and sucessful
events.
Welcome to:
- Dave Horbury - Chair
- Tony Parkin - Treasurer
- Shaun Beaumont - Fund Raising
We would also like to thank Bryan Linfoot and Chris Woods who remain as Secretary and Web Master and other non committe members, who help regularly.
Please say hello to Julie and Lawford Watkins who have already moved into 18 Scholes Village and to Shaun and Mel Beaumont who will shortly be moving into 112 Scholes Village.
Maxine Boot would like to pass on sincere thanks to all those who attended the coffee Morning on 30 September in aid of MacMillan nurses. £80 was raised on the day and later donations, totalling £30, took the total raised to £110. This was a magnificent achievement in such a small time.
A small stalwart band of volunteers got thoroughly wet whilst cleaning out a drain running from the Old Post Office. Thanks to their efforts, drainage around Scholes Green should be improved. Thanks also to the 2 volunteers who picked up all the litter on the stretch of Scholes Lane running to the “Sheep Dip” on Saturday, 5th November. They were canny to avoid the rain!
Earlier this year, the Village Association submitted a report to the Council and Fitzwilliam Estates about drainage problems, largely associated with field run-off on Scholes Lane and broken drains in Keppel’s field. On 28th October, the Association met the Council to push along the requests made in the report to improve field drainage. It is still pushing for an action plan.
Village
FeteThe 2005 Summer Fete and Centenary Celebrations were an enormous success. Read on and see the pictures.
The picnic in the Historic Gardens at Wentworth was a great success with over 30 people joining in. The weather was kind and it was great to see the gardens after the investment and time that has been put in by Tony and Sandra. We also had a preview wander through the new maze. £98 was raised which will go towards the STAG fighting fund.
Following the threat of development, the STAG (Scholes and Thorpe Action Group) web site has been launched . For full details and ideas on how you can help read on...
The sponsored walk was great fun, with 11 villagers following the circular walk from Scholes, finishing at the Bay Horse, via the dams....stopping for a drink in various pubs along the way! We raised a magnificent £330 for the new Cricket Club changing rooms and showers.
Two social events are being organised:
Would you like to enjoy a picnic in the Historic Gardens at Wentworth? This private village event will be held in July, and will include a guided tour of the gardens. If you would like to come along, please let any of the committee know by Sunday 22nd May.
On Sunday 19th June, we will be following a circular walk from Scholes, to finish at the Bay Horse, via the dams....stopping for a drink in various pubs along the way....with a free drink in each pub included! Minimum sponsorship required. Accompanied children welcome. If you would like to come along, please let any of the committee know by Sunday 22nd May.
Two committee members and one villager attended this months meeting! Without a quorum, the meeting had to be cancelled. If you see this and can attend in future, we would very much like to see you. Just look at the achievements for 2004 to see what can be done. The next meeting will be on Thursday 31st March.
Cricket Club Extension
We have the materials for the extension. A commencement date now just needs
to be agreed.
Drainage Report
A meeting was held on 14th February with a representative from Wentworth Estates.
He expressed understanding for the situation but stated that he could not do
anything until the Council had sorted their drain out. The Council have still
not responded to the Report and wil be chased.
Development Of Village Green
The Council have stated that it is still a Green Belt and Conservation Area.
There are no planning applications currently submitted and any development was
highly unlikley. Any planning applications would be made public. Paul is to
try and find out who owns the land.
General Environmental Issues
The gate to little lane has been approved.
To further enhance the entrance to the village, we are to install a stone sign
and trough with flowers.
Brambles etc next to the allotment have been cleared by the council, but the
orchard still needs doing.
The flooding of the manhole near the bend going out the village has been investigated
and no problems found. It was agreed that the water may just be coming from
the road/verge.
Summer Picnic
A summer picnic at Wentworth Garden Centre's historic gardens has been kindly
sugested by Tony and Sandra Airey for sometime in June. The picnic will include
a guided tour. If you would like to attend, please let any of the committee
know ASAP.
A
big thank you to all those who helped plant the huge quantity of bulbs, kindly
donated by Sandra and Tony Airey.
Present - Sue Dixon, Bryan Linfoot, Dave Horbury, Annette Kelly, Ian Lewis, Betty, Paul and Shirley Bray, Geoff and Alison Capewell, Tom and Maxine Boot and Tony Parkin.
Apologies were recieved from Elayne Wears Taylor, Jenny and Phil Sherrif and Chris Woods.
Chair’s Report
Sue Dixon recapped on the items outlined in the SVA Achievements report for
2004. There has been no progress on the Cricket Club suggestions but this is
ongoing.
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Scholes Village Association: Achievements
in 2004 |
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| - | Sought villagers’ opinions on the use of cricket club; Summer Fete; social events; the environment including Little Lane and The orchard; traffic issues in the village and on the A629 |
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| - | Improved community well-being by arranging seasonal events:
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| - | Carried out two successful projects: |
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| - | Applied for additional grants to fund the coming Centenary Fete on Sunday 14th August and software needed for the website |
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| - | Maintained communications: |
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| - | Improved and protected the environment: |
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| - | With the intention of further improving road safety: |
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The report prepared by Nick and Dave re the drainage problems is ready to be
presented to the council. Further information will be provided in due course.
Sue is to chase PC Poppleton yet again on the issues of speeding in the village
and will report back.
Treasurer’s Report
Dave Horbury informed the meeting that there was £2155.92 in the bank
and that copies of the audited accounts are available on request.
Election of Officers
All the positions were up for re-election and the following were nominated and
re-elected unanimously.
Office |
Nominee |
Nominated |
Seconded |
Chairperson |
Sue Dixon |
Ian Lewis |
Annette Kelly |
Treasurer |
Dave Horbury |
Sue Dixon |
Annette Kelly |
Secretary |
Bryan Linfoot |
Betty |
Dave Horbury |
Fund Raiser |
Tom Boot |
Maxine Boot |
Annette Kelly |
Website |
Chris Woods |
Sue Dixon |
Annette Kelly |
Newsletter |
Sue Dixon |
Ian Lewis |
Annette Kelly |
Any Other Business
1. A vote of thanks to the committee was proposed by Annette Kelly and was supported
by all present.
2. There was concern expressed by all as to the lack of interest in the AGM
by the majority of the residents, it was proposed that the AGM be moved to March
when the nights are lighter and more people may be interested in attending.
Proposed by Ian Lewis
Seconded by Dave Horbury
Motion carried unanimously.
Therefore the next AGM will be in March 2006 at 7:30pm
3. Paul Bray will use his contacts to try and ascertain what if any plans there
are for houses to be built on the green land adjacent to the Paddock as there
was word that planning permission had been sought.
4. All future meetings will start at 7:30pm as of now.
RMBC A629 Quality Bus Corridor presentation postponed, a new date will be advised.
RMBC Plans for A629 Quality Bus Corridor
Date for presentation set. Monday 29th November @
7pm @ Holy Trinity Church, Thorpe Hesley.
Friends of Keppel's Field
The new home page for the Friends of Keppel's Field is now live. Read
on...
Welcome to Darren and Geoff in the Bay Horse.
2004 Summer Fete
The fete made £613 profit, shared between the Association and
the Cricket Club. Despite the weather, more people came this year and everyone
enjoyed themselves.
2005 Summer Fete and Centenary Celebrations
Planning for the Centenary Fete on 14th August 2005 has begun. If anyone
would like to get involved, there is a wide range of areas where we need help.
Christmas Event & Historical Garden Summer Picnic
Tony and Sandra Airey have kindly offered:
- use of their drive to hold the Christmas event and
- private use of the historical gardens at the Garden Centre for a picnic for
villagers and friends.
RMBC Plans for A629 Quality Bus Corridor
The Association and the Thorpe Hesley and Scholes Forum have requested
that RMBC present their recommendations for improvements to the A629 between
Fenton Road and the motorway and improved access to buses, to the Forum. The
date will be advised.
These changes will significantly affect our community and everyone
is encouraged to attend and voice their issues or concerns. A recent presentation
to the Area Assembly indicated some good and some inadequate proposals at the
following junctions:
- Fenton Road / Bradgate: moving the bus shelter, installing a pedestrian refuge
and a half width bus lay-by.
- Watson Road: installing a signalled crossing
- Great Park Road: Changes to traffic islands – seemed inadequate and caused
heated discussion
- Dropping Well Road: moving traffic island, new pedestrian crossing, half width
layby
- Oaks Lane: road widening, pedestrian crossing, dedicated turning lane, new
lane marking. Again seemed inadequate and caused heated discussion.
- Brook Hill: install a 4 arm roundabout and no parking restrictions on Brook
Hill
- London Way: install traffic lights and no parking restrictions.
- M1: friction surfacing and safety fencing.
Thorpe Hesley Community Building
Planning permission has been approved.
Boules Competition
It was another good afternoon and will hold it again next year and
perhaps buy another set of boules. The cost to the Association was approximately
£56.
The Association is considering forming a league. Please get in touch if you're
interested.
Notice Board
The notice board has arrived and will be erected shortly.
Hanging Basket Competition
Louise and Nick won the best hanging basket and Dave and Vicky the
best display. Thanks to all who took part and to Tony and Sandra for their generosity
and time to judge the entrants.
Footpaths
A range of actions are underway to improve local footpaths and resolve
issues where they have been ploughed up.
Road Safety / Traffic
PC Andy Poppleton advised that our request for a mobile speed gun would need
justification as The Road Safety Casualty Reduction Unit, which manages them,
has funding only to reduce fatalities and children’s accidents. Scholes does
not fit these criteria.
Andy offered to provide the Smiley face over a period of 24
hours (2 shifts covering morning and afternoon peaks). This flashes a smiling
face if a car is below the speed limit and a sad face if above. It also logs
incidents of speeding. We explained the stretches that we would like monitoring
and he will assess the suitability of the sites for the equipment. Andy is to
try and arrange this for November.
The Orchard and other Allotments
Sheila Walker (ex Mayor) has visited the sites with the council and she is pushing
the council to tidy up these sites. Ideas were suggested at the meeting were:
Screen the pavilion with bushes; naturalistic planting rather than formal planting;
any decision on which trees to be felled in the Orchard to be left to the tree
specialists, but would like to see some replacement trees; repair of the stone
wall on the roadside; no additional entry points into the cricket ground.
Village Green
The association will continue to push to get the village green registered
as common land if this strengthens the protection against building development.
Cricket Club
A dog fouling bin has been installed near the entrance to The Bay Horse.
The wall renovation is now complete and it looks great. Thanks to all who worked hard to make this happen for the village.
The "Wall" before
Same place on the wall after (yes really - some of the trees had to be felled)
Welcome to Jeff and Alison who have moved in to the cottage next to the Bay Horse.
Scholes to Wentworth Circular Walk
If you would like some gentle exercise and are interested in how you can walk back to Scholes without risking life and limb on Hague Lane, join Sue in the car park at The Bay Horse at 10.00 on Sunday, 20th June. The walk will be about 5 or 6 miles and if the weather is hot bring plenty to drink and a hat.
Go-Karting
This year’s go-karting event will be held at 14.30 on Saturday, 7th August in Swinton. Children under 16 will need to be accompanied by an adult. The cost is £30 each and if you are interested please email Chris or pop round to no 14. He will need your £15 deposit before 20th June.
Hanging Basket Competition
It is time to plant up your hanging baskets, again. Sandra and Tony Airey have kindly agreed to provide the prizes and will judge the baskets at the end of July.
Boules Afternoon
After the success of last year’s Boules afternoon, we are holding this year’s
event at 1pm on Sunday 15th August. An entrance fee of £2.50 per person
will help to cover the cost of refreshments and prizes. As we are limited to
4 courts for adults and 4 courts for children, there will have to be a maximum
of 32 adults. If you would like to play, please contact Sue
before 10th August.
Children's Painting Competition
The competition is open to children living in the village or the grandchildren of people living in the village. Two prizes of £20 and £10 of WHS vouchers will be awarded to the top 2 entries. All the entries will be displayed at the Summer Fayre on 29th August and judged in the afternoon. The winning painting will be enlarged, laminated and used to discourage speeding.
Each entry, submitted on A4, should be a picture and text which visualises that there are families with children living in Scholes and motorists need to take care when driving through the village. To be easy to read by passing motorists, the painting and text should not be too busy. Please write the child’s name and address on the back of their painting and give to Sue at No 154 by Monday 23rd August, at the latest.
Summer Fayre
Villagers who have already volunteered to help will be contacted within the next two weeks. If you would like to help and have not already volunteered, please contact Annette at No 11 or Philip at No 97.
Friend’s of Keppel’s Field
This group is meeting at 19.00 on Wednesday 30 June at Keppel’s column to walk about Keppel’s Field, Scholes Coppice and Bray Plantation. RMBC’s Green Spaces Unit and maybe Mel Jones will join the group who wish to do an informal “audit” of the natural and architectural treasures that we have in this area and develop ideas for protecting and capitalising on them. These will then be used to develop a multi year plan for the group. Please join the group if you are interested in local wildlife, habitats or architecture. It should be an interesting evening.
Road Safety
In order to reduce speeds in Scholes Village, create a more pleasant environment and improve road safety, Streetpride has decided that the most effective solution would be to introduce a gateway feature. In order to introduce this feature, the speed limit on Scholes lane is to be amended to conform with Circular Roads 1/93, and reflect the average speed of cars travelling on Scholes Lane. The speed limit will be increased to 40 mph from the junction with Upper Wortley Road to a point well down Scholes Lane near the village. The proposal is being considered by Police and emergency services and local groups have been asked for responses within the next month. Once the gateway signs highlighting the speed limit of 30mph are erected close to Scholes Village, Streetpride will survey the speed of traffic entering the village. If average traffic speeds are 35 mph or above, then they will consider introducing rumble strips to slow down traffic. These strips will not be placed close to houses. The Association understands the benefits this change will bring and supports the changes and will write to Streetpride clarifying the need for a warning sign because of horses, livestock, no footpath etc.
At the end of the year, when Government criteria changes, the Association will apply again to Streetpride for the footpath to be made continuous and for double yellow lines to prevent parking on blind bends.
Wall Rebuilding
The felling of the large trees has been completed and clearing brushwood and saplings should be completed at the beginning of June. The wall rebuilding will begin in earnest during the 2nd week of June. Please say hello to Ian Boyle, the stone mason, if you are passing by.
Funding
Our recent survey showed that villagers wish the Village Association to focus on priority areas of interest to hopefully increase the community spirit within our village, and to ensure a free flow of information regarding developments that could affect us all. The Summer Fayre generates some revenue for the Association and grants may also boost our revenues, but we need to increase our account balance to cover general expenses and it is our aim to have £500 in our account for this. Initially, when the Village Association was started, a household contribution of £10 was suggested as a yearly contribution. During the first year, 31 households contributed and last year only 12 contributed. At the moment, our account shows we have £181 available to spend and we have earmarked at least £40 of this for the children’s painting competition and the associated signs. Please help us by handing in your household’s contribution during the week commencing 14th June to Dave at 51 Scholes Village, to Gary in The Bay Horse, to Sue at 154 Scholes Village or Philip at 97 Scholes Village. Your donation will be gratefully received and you will be given a receipt.
Other News
Notice Board – a joint application has been submitted this
week with the Thorpe Hesley Forum for permission to erect 3 notice boards in
Thorpe Hesley and 1 in Scholes.
The Association is talking to RMBC and the new agent for Wentworth Estates,
Anthony Barber-Lomax, to identify ways to improve field drainage,
arrange for the erection of a gate on Little Lane, and improve local footpaths.
Blue boxes have been delayed for rural collections (which include
Scholes) until the end of the year.
4 surveys that were received just before March's meeting but not in time to include the figures, have now been processed. The updated results are included below with the specific changes marked in red.
A summary of the feedback is:
| Cricket club function room |
93% (from 92%) of villager responses were in favour of the proposal to provide a village function room in the pavilion. Concerns were expressed regarding parking, noise, antisocial behaviour. It was agreed that the village had provided a mandate for the proposals, if events were managed to address concerns regarding noise and traffic and to keep events relatively low key. |
| Summer Fayre |
The variety of suggestions made by villagers will be considered at the next meeting of the subcommittee on 1st April, which should also address the concerns expressed regarding parking, noise and other antisocial behaviour. There will be no cricket march on the day of the fayre. |
| Social Events |
Interest was expressed in Go Karting, boules, bowling, badminton, a walking group, golf competition, carol singing , arts and craft events. It was also commented that 158 organise a fortnightly bible study and monthly men's group. |
| Little Lane |
83% of villager responses were in favour of erecting a gate across Little lane. |
| The Orchard |
63% (from 61%) of villager responses were in favour of tidying up and maybe planting the orchard. There were only 15% (from 17%) of replies in support of installing benches and there were 17 (from 15) expressions of concern about issues that might arise if there were benches. |
| Environment |
There were numerous good suggestions which the committee will follow-through on throughout the year. |
| Speed Restriction in the village |
65% (from 64%) of villager’s replying wanted the speed limit reducing to 20mph, but there was no consistency in how villager’s felt the speed should be controlled. For example, speed humps had the most “top priority” but more than double that number of people not wanting them at all. |
| Scholes Lane |
A selection of suggestions and concerns (parking on the bend, speed) were expressed. |
| Upper Wortley Road Junction |
75% of villager’s replying felt the junction needed to be improved. The meeting considered the view that improving the junction might increase through traffic causing greater concern. Feedback from Thorpe Hesley Forum indicates that a roundabout will be installed at the Brook Hill junction. This will create gaps in the traffic and make it easier to get out at Scholes Lane. Because of this, it was agreed that there would be no request to change the junction. |
Village Survey
40 survey responses have been received, 36 in time to be analysed for the meeting.
18 villagers volunteered to help. If you haven't filled one in, we would
be grateful if you could do so now (and return to no 154).
A summary of the feedback is:
| Cricket club function room |
92% of villager responses were in favour of the proposal to provide a village function room in the pavilion. Concerns were expressed regarding parking, noise, antisocial behaviour. It was agreed that the village had provided a mandate for the proposals, if events were managed to address concerns regarding noise and traffic and to keep events relatively low key. |
| Summer Fayre |
The variety of suggestions made by villagers will be considered at the next meeting of the subcommittee on 1st April, which should also address the concerns expressed regarding parking, noise and other antisocial behaviour. There will be no cricket march on the day of the fayre. |
| Social Events |
There was limited feedback regarding social events. |
| Little Lane |
83% of villager responses were in favour of erecting a gate across Little lane. |
| The Orchard |
61% of villager responses were in favour of tidying up and maybe planting the orchard. There were only 17% of replies in support of installing benches and there were 15 expressions of concern about issues that might arise if there were benches. |
| Environment |
There were numerous good suggestions which the committee will follow-through on throughout the year. |
| Speed Restriction in the village |
64% of villager’s replying wanted the speed limit reducing to 20mph, but there was no consistency in how villager’s felt the speed should be controlled. For example, speed humps had the most “top priority” but more than double that number of people not wanting them at all. |
| Scholes Lane |
A selection of suggestions and concerns (parking on the bend, speed) were expressed. |
| Upper Wortley Road Junction |
75% of villager’s replying felt the junction needed to be improved. The meeting considered the view that improving the junction might increase through traffic causing greater concern. Feedback from Thorpe Hesley Forum indicates that a roundabout will be installed at the Brook Hill junction. This will create gaps in the traffic and make it easier to get out at Scholes Lane. Because of this, it was agreed that there would be no request to change the junction. |
Wall Rebuilding: We have now full approval for £17,900 for the wall rebuilding from Living Spaces (Government body). The stone masons are pencilled in to move the stone in the week begining 19th April and will be on site that week, tree thinning, clearing and preparing for the wall building which will start in earnest around the 10th of May, aiming to complete by end June.
Blue Boxes: The council has now promised these in April.
The Orchard
Based on the survey feedback, and the feedback from RMBC, the meeting agreed
not to install benches and to tidying up the plot and grass it. RMBC has advised
that they are carrying out a strategic review of all their land during 2004.
Some of this land will be sold off. This may affect the orchard and other plots
in the village. Because of this RMBC has refused to lease the land to the Association.
Improvement to the Cricket Pavilion
The cricket club is also surveying their membership’s views on a function room
and if they are also in favour then proposals can move ahead with a mandate
from the village. A summary of the survey feedback will be provided to the cricket
club for appropriate action.
Social Events / Fund Raising for 2004
Favourite Recipe Book: There are still another 56 to sell. Any help will be
appreciated.
Summer Fayre: Date has been set for Sunday 29th August.
Other events: boules event, Go-Karting and Sunday morning walk in June.
Proposed Parish Council: No action except to follow the progress of this item with Thorpe Hesley Forum and to assess the impact.
Friends of Keppel’s Field: Next meeting is 31 March at 19.30 in the OAP centre on Brook Hill.
Rubbish: There were complaints about rubbish being dumped on Little Lane. If you see any, please ring Street Pride to request a litter pick on 01709 336 003.
Street Pride Initiative
Request submitted for bollards to be built to protect the verges on
Scholes Lane and the passing place to be properly kerbed and drained. This missed
last year’s budget and will be re-submitted to be included in 2004 budget.
Bill has requested that we ask Street Pride to tidy up the lay-by near Red House
Farm. Request submitted to Street Pride in November along with a request to
repair the wall opposite 146.
AOB
The paddock in the village is being ploughed and re-seeded
and now the drainage problems are understood, will not be allowed to get into
the same muddy state as it has this winter. The fence is being stained a consistent
colour.
The horses were let out of the top field a few weeks ago. If you saw anything, please let Chris Penn or any of the committee know.
A mine shaft has opened up in the field behind the Old School
House. Wentworth Estates have agreed to cap it.
Press here for news from previous years.