What? Why? Where? These questions are probably your first thoughts, followed very quickly by increased unwanted trouble, vandalism and mischief in the village. Well, picture an open air structure, about the same size as a bus shelter where young people can safely hang out, congregate, call their own, take ownership of and you are getting somewhere close. The results of youth shelters in many areas of the country both urban and rural have led to reductions in low level anti-social behaviour in the community. Indeed, the Youth Shelter initiative is so successful across the country that it has the support of the Office of Deputy Prime Minister and the Police. Bridge can not afford to ignore the experiences gained from other communities much like ours. To build on this we and Canterbury City Council have been conducting our own consultation exercise with young people of Bridge at the Village Fete, in Scouts, Guides, the Youth Group and year 6 at school. We thank these organisations for their support. The next stage is to analyse all the responses and develop a proposal that we can take to the wider community for further consultation and refinement. Despite the hosepipe ban, villagers have continued to create beautiful floral displays this year. It was particularly pleasing to see that there are more tubs, planters and baskets in the High Street. Congratulations to you all. Judging will probably have already taken place by the time you read this. Please write, telephone/fax or email the Parish Clerk: Christobel Seath Bridgeford House, Brewery Lane, Bridge, CT4 5LF 01227 831085 clerk@bridgevillage.org.uk Ann Edmonds Chairman, Planning, Footpaths, Parish Forum, Affordable Housing 01227 830795 ann@bridgevillage.org.uk John Hill Vice-Chairman, Rural Area Member Panel, Planning, Affordable Housing 01227 830215 johnh@bridgevillage.org.uk Colin Beesty Recreation Ground 07989 495202 colin@bridgevillage.org.uk Barbara Beinder Planning, Village Hall, Recreation Ground 01227 830514 Julie Bennett KAPC, Art in Bridge 01227 831038 julie@bridgevillage.org.uk John Corfield Recreation Ground, ACRK 01227 830976 johnc@bridgevillage.org.uk Mark Esdale Affordable Housing, Village Hall, Youth Group Rural Area Member Panel, Police Forum, 01227 832740 mark@bridgevillage.org.uk Mervyn Gulvin Recreation Ground, Mill Centre, BVST Allotment Association, Nailbourne Group 01227 830881 mervyn@bridgevillage.org.uk Selwyn Lewis Planning, Trees, Police Forum 01227 830186 selwyn@bridgevillage.org.uk Visit the web site for village news, information, agendas & minutes of Council and Planning meetings ! In this newsletter, amongst other items, we report on several exciting projects we have in hand. These include an affordable housing scheme, a youth shelter and ways to improve the natural environment in the village, starting with the recreation ground. We need your views on these ideas and will consult the village before decisions are taken. Now you have good reason to read on….. At the May meeting of your Parish Council, Ann Edmonds was elected as Chairman and John Hill as Vice-chairman, for the coming year. 7.15 pm Planning Committee 7.30 pm Full Council Thursday 9th September 2006 Bridge Village Hall - All welcome & The recreation ground in Bridge has been the centre of village life for many years. Residents use it for walking, relaxing and sporting activities. It would be challenging to make it more beautiful and environmentally friendly by developing areas of natural hedge growth and wild flower planting. However lots of help is needed - comments - advice - working groups, etc.. With this in mind we’d like to arrange a meeting in the Village Hall in September and invite a member of the ‘Stour Countryside Project’ to discuss what options are available. No date, as yet, fixed for the meeting—but keep an eye on the village notice board and the web site for further information. ' It seems such a pity to lose the old local names from our houses and streets. The link with the past is always intriguing. We would, therefore, like to propose that some of the former street names be incorporated on new road signs in Bridge. A number of houses and terraces could also have their original names re-instated with the owner’s permission, of course. Please let us have your views and comments on the project. $ Long term residents are no doubt aware that the Parish Council has, for a number of years, been endeavouring to provide some affordable housing in the village. One of the recommendations in the Parish Plan was that the "low cost housing needs of young families and the elderly be investigated”. Therefore, at the Annual Parish meeting, in March 2005, Jennifer Shaw, Rural Housing Enabler, was invited to speak. Following this talk a survey of every household in Bridge was arranged. This was undertaken in July 2005, and Jennifer Shaw collated the information. The results persuaded us that we should go ahead with trying to provide a small number of houses. Representatives of the Parish Council, Canterbury City Council and Jennifer then walked around the village looking for a suitable site. We have now come to an agreement with the City Council that part of the Brickfields is the most suitable site. This June a meeting was held with Jennifer and the Development Officer of Southern Housing Group, Sally Richards. She will now negotiate, on our behalf, with Canterbury City Council, and present a proposal to us. Once an agreed site is secured residents will be invited to register interest and a form, for this purpose, will again be delivered to every household. To be eligible there must be a Bridge connection. This will be defined nearer the time that building takes place, which will not be soon and is unlikely to happen for at least two years. " # Thanks to ten volunteers who came forward in response to our appeal in the spring, the Youth Group has been saved from closure. Mostly funded by the precept from the parishioners, we pay for two youth workers from Canterbury City Council to run the group and we provide volunteers to make up the cover needed for child protection. The Youth Group meets on the 2nd and 4th Tuesdays of each month (except August) from 7.00 pm to 9.00 pm in the village hall. It is open to all young people aged 11 to 16 living in the area. A small fee (£1.50) is payable for each session. There is a short waiting list, so if you are interested please contact Pam Dobson on 832369 or Mark Esdale on 832740. We are also always on the lookout for more volunteers to go on the list. % # We have prepared a welcome pack for new residents in the village. The pack consists of a copy of the Parish Plan, the latest Parish Newsletter and a letter of welcome including additional and updated information. Please let us know (via the Parish Clerk) of any new residents and we will ensure that they receive the pack.