Affordable Housing As those who have been up Mill Lane recently will have seen, the Affordable Housing is in an advanced state of completion. There are 8 units in all, 4 one bedroom flats, 2 two bedroom houses and 2 three bedroom ones. In my view they look very attractive, with tile-hanging on the elevations and rustic looking tiles on the roof. Having seen over the properties, all are extremely spacious and well designed. When the landscaping and replacement hedges have been completed, they will be a real asset and benefit to the village of Bridge. The dwellings are strictly for those people, old or young, who have been unable to stay in Bridge where they grew up or where there are family connections to return to it. The City Council will allocate the units but there are very tight “localism” qualifications, which the Parish Council will oversee. Only those who are on the housing list of the City Council and fulfil the criteria laid down will be able to get one of these homes. Please contact the City Council for more information on eligibility. We are not sure when the development will finally be ready for occupation as the interiors are still to be completed. Also one never knows with the English climate, if bad weather might delay matters. However, progress is encouraging, so, cross your fingers! John Hill Chairman Bridge Parish Council How to Apply The current forecast is that the homes will become available around March. When they become available, people interested in having one must "bid" (i.e. express their interest) - using the web site www.kenthomechoice.org.uk. It is expected our homes will be advertised in the New Year. The bidding period is only 6 days. Only those who meet the local connection criterion and who have registered with Canterbury City Council by then can bid. Southern Housing wrote to everyone on their list in May. If you are interested in a home and you did not hear from Southern Housing, it means you are not on the list, so you need to get in contact with Canterbury City Council and register now. Do not wait until the bidding opens, as it is unlikely your application would be processed in time. The information will be posted on the village web site as soon as we hear bidding is open. For those unable to get on line (please help your friends if you know anyone unable to use the internet), the advert will be posted on the notice board by the White Horse. Apart from the web site, bidding can also be done by text, digital television, by coupon or by phoning Canterbury City Council directly. Xmas trees in the High Street This year we will be putting up over 70 Xmas trees in the High Street on Saturday morning 3rd December. If you can help, please come to the Village Hall at 9.30 am. Changes to bus times There is a new timetable on routes 16 and 17. The timing of the old 9.28 bus as been changed, so it now comes through Bridge at 9.33am, making it eligible for those holding KCC bus passes. Farmers’ Market November 12th & 26th December 10th Do support the Market and help create a vibrant place to shop at the heart of the community at the Red Lion Inn. Cutting back Hedges Please cut back any of your shrubs and bushes growing out onto the pavement. It is not nice for pedestrians to be slapped in the face by branches and torn by thorns, especially in the wet and in the dark. Thank you. Sandbag Store In case they are ever needed, you should know that there is a supply of sandbags in the hut on the Recreation Ground, next to the Pavilion. The key is held at Mervyn Gulvin’s office in the High Street, by Bill Oakey and by the Parish Clerk. Wild Flower Project help Do come and help with the Autumn clear up on the Recreation Ground this Saturday 29th October starting at 9.30 am. Please bring warm clothes and tools. The Diamond Jubilee of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II To commemorate the Diamond Jubilee next year there will be a series of public events in Britain centred upon the weekend and double bank holiday of 2nd- 5th June 2012. The only other such Diamond Jubilee was in 1897, for Queen Victoria. Such unusual events clearly should be celebrated and Bridge will play its part with a series of events. It is proposed that the Village celebrates with a large party to be held on the Recreation Ground, on Saturday 2nd June, following the general theme of ‘Ladies Day’ at a Horse Racing Meeting. In addition, a beacon will be constructed atop Star Hill and it is hoped that this will form part of the official chain of beacons that will be lit across Britain on the evening of Monday 4th June. There will be other events too, in and around the Village, next year. We need volunteers to help make these Jubilee Celebration events truly wonderful and memorable. If you can help or if you have ideas for special events, let me know. Contact me, Alan Atkinson, on 01227 830629 or email: pheasantscroft@btinternet.com Art in Bridge exhibition favourite Katie Zurakovsky received the highest number of votes for her picture 'Clash at the Salmon Run', to become the favourite artist for the third year running. You can see the top favourite pictures at www.artinbridge.org.uk To contact the Council Please write, telephone or email the Parish Clerk: Christobel Seath, Bridgeford House, Brewery Lane, Bridge, CT4 5LF tel: 01227 831085 email: clerk@bridgevillage.org.uk Bridge Parish Councillors Alan Atkinson Vice Chairman, Emergency Planning, Nailbourne group, Police Forum 01227 830629 alan@bridgevillage.org.uk Simon Cook Finance, Mill Centre, Recreation Ground, BVST 01227 831532 simon@bridgevillage.org.uk John Corfield Recreation Ground, Newsletter, Web site 01227 830976 johnc@bridgevillage.org.uk Ann Edmonds Finance, Planning, Affordable Housing, Footpaths 01227 830795 ann@bridgevillage.org.uk Sue Hodges Planning, Village Hall, School Liaison, Wild Flower Project 01227 830311 sue@bridgevillage.org.uk John Hill Chairman, Finance, Affordable Housing 01227 830215 johnh@bridgevillage.org.uk Bill Oakey Affordable Housing, Emergency Planning 01227832397 bill@bridgevillage.org.uk Brigitte Ward Recreation Ground, Allotments, Litter picking, Speedwatch, Health Issues 01227 830330 brigitte@bridgevillage.org.uk Terry Wilmshurst Planning Committee, KAPC 01227 830310 terry@bridgevillage.org.uk Bridge village web site Visit the web site for village news, information, agendas & minutes of Council and Planning meetings www.bridgevillage.org.uk BRIDGE Parish Council Caring for the village Winter 2011 Newsletter In this issue: Affordable housing Christmas trees Bus timetable changes Farmers’ Market Cutting back hedges Sandbag store Diamond Jubilee Art in Bridge favourite Wild Flower project Next Parish Council meeting 7.15 pm Planning Committee 7.30 pm Full Council Thursday 10th November 2011 Bridge Village Hall - all welcome