Children’s Play Area: The plan is to start with an immediate spend from current resources to establish a play area which we can then further develop by winning grant money from organisations such as The National Lottery. To do this we invite parents, grandparents and carers with energy and ideas to contact Councillors Nikki Polden and Paul Rogers to share your thoughts and experiences and if you wish JOIN IN and become involved in the planning and delivery of this project. Contact Paul: littlechurchfarmshapwick@gmail.com or Nikki: nikkipolden@gmail.com Village Allotments: It was agreed that we would facilitate the creation of a “Shapwick Allotment Society” who would then become the tenants of Shapwick Parish Council. Following many years of requests to the Parish Council for the provision of an allotment area in the village it is a fantastic achievement that they are finally on their way. We already have a group of potential allotment holders who will be working with Councillor Steve Campion to deliver the vision. First meeting: Saturday 14 October, 10am, Village Hall! See p. 8!!! The Village Green Wildlife Area: - This is at a very early stage, but offers many opportunities to learn and produce an amazing wildlife result in the heart of Shapwick. If you have knowledge or experience that can help this journey or want to JOIN IN and learn more then please contact Graham.Croucher@btinternet.com 2 AUTUMN I S SUE | OCTOBER 2 0 2 3 Shapwick Parish Council GRAHAM CROUCHER CHAIR OF SHAPWICK PC All Agendas and Minutes are available at: shapwickparishcouncil.org.uk We hope everyone had chance to read the recent special edition of Shapwick News about the successful purchase of the Village Green on behalf of the Shapwick Community. The successful completion of the purchase means that we can now move on from planning and dreaming to delivery of the outcomes from the various recent consultations. Now it is everyone’s opportunity to JOIN IN. At the September Parish Council meeting we started that process with Councillors able to report that we have created some excellent alliances with external experts who will be able to help guide the Parish Council and the wider community through the next stages. Other actions agreed include the removal of about 1/3 of the concrete pad just past the entrance from the Village Hall car-park which is a hazard and beyond economic repair. Thanks to Sam Vigars of SJV Construction, Woolavington, who is generously providing his firm’s services free for this work! Once complete we will be able to encourage the use of the already installed Outdoor Table Tennis table. We are seeking a storage box for table tennis bats and balls to make them available to all. It was agreed to purchase two round 8 seater picnic tables and two park benches. These will be made from recycled plastic milk bottles. Once installed the addition of a plaque to commemorate the recent coronation will be arranged. Councillors also agreed an arrangement whereby Dovecote School will provide grass cutting for the village green at cost. Bearing in mind that the Village Green has been purchased for the benefit of the Shapwick Community, do please JOIN IN, share and expand your knowledge and acqure new skills whilst helping in the development of “Shapwick’s Own Village Green”. They are: Bryony Slaymaker from Somerset Wildlife Trust who was able to suggest comprehensive management plans for each area of the Village Green. Bryony works for their project “Team Wilder”: https://www.somersetwildlife.org/get-involved/team-wilder Scott Mason from Somerset Council. Scott is responsible for 50+ playgrounds across Somerset and will be available to help with our planning and playground equipment purchase processes. Allan Cavill from the National Allotments Society. Allan brings the remarkable experience from being involved in the creation of 70+ allotments across Somerset. https://www.nsalg.org.uk/ The overall plan for the Village Green was described at the meeting and is very much aligned with ideas described in the original “concept plan”: - The central grass area will remain open and available for village events, exercise, ball games and general recreation and will include an area of approximately 400m2 as a children’s play area. The area west of the pathway crossing from the Dovecote School to Bridewell Lane, together with the hedges on Bridewell Lane, will be managed as a “wildlife area”. The area to the south of Bridewell Lane will be broadly split into two with the western part becoming the Shapwick village allotment area and the eastern part an annually cut meadow area with pathways. This design fits with the outcomes of the consultation process and above all provides those resources, without impacting upon the existing general “open feel” of the Village Green, and retaining the existing views of the Church and Dovecote. Parish Council Vacancy: Regrettably Frank Barnard has resigned from the Parish Council and the Parish Council thanks Frank for his service and contribution during the past two years. This means that we now have a vacancy for a Parish Councillor who can be co-opted onto the team. This is an exciting time to become a councillor in Shapwick. All organisations work best when members have a wide diversity of backgrounds and experience and Parish Councils are just the same, so everyone is welcome! if you are interested contact Sue Williams, Parish Clerk, shapwickpc@btinternet.com or for more information Graham (Chair) 07484 160913
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