Affordable Housing now named Brickfield Close By the time you read this, the eight Affordable Housing units, now called Brickfield Close, will be occupied. We think they are a wonderful addition to the village both for their design, which is modern without being a pastiche, and how they represent a real opportunity for people with a local connection to either stay in, or return to the village. They are also well designed and appointed inside. The Parish Council is proud that after a number of years we have finally achieved something which will ease the housing shortage and will benefit future generations. John Hill Chairman BPC Neighbourhood Plan Under the Localism Act, Parish Councils are expected to draw up a plan as to how they wish their locality would develop in the future. For example, do we want to have any more houses in the village, if so how many and where would they go? Are we lacking any facilities that we ought to have? Are there sufficient open, green spaces and sports facilities? Are the young catered for and what about older people? We have formed a committee from members of village organisations, people in the village who have shown an interest, several Councillors and will call on those who have special knowledge to assist in preparing the Plan. Canterbury City Council is also preparing a Local Development Plan and Bridge’s will be subject to this overall strategy. John Hill Chairman BPC Time Capsule To celebrate the completion of the Affordable Housing, We decided to bury a Time Capsule. This will have in it various articles associated with the village, the school, and items typical of life in England in 2012. There will be an aerial view of Bridge, a copy of the Kentish Gazette, a daily newspaper, details of the Jubilee, the Olympics and current 2012 objects. Children from the school will help bury it at Brickfield Close. If someone digs up the capsule in 100 years or even a thousand, we wish to provide them with a picture of our life now. John Hill Chairman BPC Wanted Mr and Mrs Possee have decided to hang up their gardening gloves after many years of tending the tubs in the centre of the village. Our grateful thanks go to them and NOW we need to find a new volunteer. The Parish Council will reimburse the cost of plants and medium, within reason. All you need supply is the labour. Please contact me (tel: 830795) to apply or for further information. Ann Edmonds Dog Fouling There has been a noticeable increase in dog mess in the village. This has been a recent problem on the recreation ground, from which dogs are banned. Dog fouling has even occurred in the children’s play area, which is particularly unpleasant and even dangerous to small children. There are plenty of country walks around the village where dogs may be exercised. Dog owners who allow their pets to foul public places can be fined, if you are willing to report them to the police. Mill Centre News For the latest information please go to their web site www.millcentre.org.uk Bridge twins with St. Andre-lez-Lille On February 10th Cllr. John Hill signed the charter that twins Bridge with St. Andre-lez-Lille, and on February 24th Cllr. Bill Oakey signed the French version on behalf of the Parish Council, in St. Andre. These signings completed the Twinning that has, already for the last 2 years, been in place between the two Schools. The Twinning Committee is chaired by Louise Tasou and is comprised of three Bridge Parish Councillors, together with Rene Renault of The Red Lion and other villagers. The next stage will be to produce a list of events to include visits to St. Andre, and Lille, in Northern France. Twinning is all about Friendship, Education, Culture and Economic Benefits to both Communities, and we look forward to a long and happy relationship with the residents of St. Andre-lez-Lille! All residents of Bridge are welcome to participate and, if you wish to become more involved please contact Louise on 07800 714165, or e mail her on louise@tasou.fsnet.co.uk Bill Oakey The Bridge Big Jubilee Lunch June 3rd 12 - 4pm Recreation Ground In line with the national Jubilee Celebrations, Bridge Village will be holding an event at the recreation ground. The fun will be centred around a ‘street party’, where adults and children can enjoy a family and friends get-together. Bring a picnic or relax and buy food and drink at the event. The day will have a vintage feel, transporting everybody back to simpler times. There will be food, drink, music, entertainments and lots more. There is no admission fee and this will be a non-profit making event. Please support your village party and help make it a success. Any help, however small, will be gratefully received and appreciated. Please contact: Alan Atkinson - pheasantscroft@btinternet.com or Louise Tasou - louise@tasou.fsnet.co.uk Bridge In Bloom It is that time of year, once again, when the Parish Council sends out a plea for you to hang up your baskets and fill up your tubs. Judging will be in late July and extra points will be awarded this year for insect attracting plants and a red white and blue colour scheme. So let's celebrate the Diamond Jubilee with a colourful display around the village. Ann Edmonds 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 Spring 2012 Newsletter In this issue: Jubilee celebrations Neighbourhood Plan Affordable housing Time capsule Annual Parish meeting Mill Centre Twinning association Bridge in Bloom High Street Planters Recreation Ground Working Party Next Parish Council meeting 7.15 pm Planning Committee 7.30 pm Full Council Thursday 12th April 2012 Bridge Village Hall - all welcome BRIDGE PARISH COUNCIL ANNUAL PARISH MEETING Thursday 3rd May 7.30pm Bridge Village Hall The main guest speaker at this year’s Annual Parish Meeting will be Ann Millington, Deputy Chief Executive of Kent Fire and Rescue Service, supported by Steve Griffiths, Director of Service Delivery and Russ Jordan, Group Manager for the service in East Kent. They will give a presentation about the work of the Fire and Rescue Service and answer questions. There will also be reports on the work of the Parish Council over the past year, plans for the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee celebrations, information about the Twinning Association and a report from the Mill Centre Management Committee on their efforts to retain a youth centre in Bridge. The meeting will be followed by refreshments and all Bridge residents are welcome to come and to meet the parish councillors. WILD FLOWER PROJECT Working Party Saturday 21st April 9.30 am Recreation Ground If you can spare part of the morning to come and help, your time would be appreciated. Please bring warm clothing and your own gardening tools. If you cannot help, come and have a look at the work that has been done in the past. Your ideas and comments would be welcomed. Sue Hodges Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Commemorative Coin All children, aged 16 or under on 6th February 2012, who live in Bridge Parish are eligible to receive a coin. Those at Bridge school or who are a Scout, Guide, Cub, Brownie, Beaver, Rainbow or MOBY will automatically be offered a coin. If you have other eligible children for whom you would like a coin, then please complete this form and enter the name and date of birth of each child overleaf. Contact name: Address: Email: Telephone: Please return this form by 10th April to: Laurie Wakeham, Nick James, The Red Lion, Londis, Woodlands, or the Post Office. The coins will be available for collection at the Post Office from 21st May to 1st June.