WOODHALL SPA Community Website

2008

Woodhall Spa Parish Council Newsletter - Issue 2 

Woodhall Spa Parish Council Newsletter - Issue 1

2007

Woodhall Spa Parish Council Newsletter - Issue 4

Woodhall Spa Parish Council Newsletter - Issue 3 - missing

Woodhall Spa Parish Council Newsletter - Issue 2

Woodhall Spa Parish Council Newsletter - Issue 1

WOODHALL SPA PARISH COUNCIL NEWSLETTER   Issue 2  2008
Community Website: www.woodhallspa.org

REPORTING BACK TO YOU…

The last 12 months have been some of the most challenging for Woodhall Spa and its Parish Council. There have been a series of major issues affecting Woodhall Spa now and for years to come, many of which are still ongoing.

 The Annual Parish Meeting, to be held on WEDNESDAY 16^TH APRIL at ST PETER’S HALL at 7.30PM is YOUR chance to find out the latest position and to ask us any questions. Topics covered will include:

 ·         THE LIBRARY - We are challenging the reasoning behind imminent savage cuts to our library hours and the premise that we will happily travel to Horncastle or Coningsby to use theirs when ours is closed. We fear for its long term future.

·         CEMEX LORRIES - We are told both the company’s and the County Council’s estimates of the number of extra lorries generated by the new quarry are wrong – so who’s right and why do they need to come through here anyway? Find out more about our meeting with the company and what’s happened since.

·         DRAINAGE SUMMIT - Getting everyone round the table showed just where the communication problems were and why ‘the system’ has been letting us down.

We left them in no doubt that they need to rethink their approach and we will be keeping up the pressure – you’ll be surprised (or maybe not!) at some of the things we found out

·         JUBILEE PARK INVESTMENT – The money won’t cover all we want to do, find

      from the Friends of Jubilee Park what the priorities are, where we are in the

      process, what we hope to get for the £1.54m and when the work starts. You can ask

      questions about the 2008 season too.

 There will also be updates on the Coronation Hall and Youth Club, The Woodland Trust Woods,, Britain in Bloom, developments in Woodhall Spa and a run down on other issues likely to arise in the coming year. Your local policing/PCSO team will also be represented. There’s a short slot for other Woodhall Spa organisations to give a brief report on their activities if they wish.

 As usual there will be updates on matters raised at last year’s Annual Parish Meeting and a question and answer spot where you can quiz us. To assist the Parish Council on issues beyond our area of responsibility, our District and County Councillors have been invited to attend too.

 IF YOU CARE ABOUT WOODHALL SPA – BE THERE… Please be early to be sure of a seat. Sound system provided.

 NEW COUNCILLOR.  Elspeth Mace has been returned unopposed as our newest Parish Councillor, replacing Doug Waring.

 Now semi-retired and doing the administration for her husband’s notary practice, Councillor Mace has spent much of her working life in the NHS, but has also worked in financial institutions in London, Europe and the USA.

  She and her husband searched the country before choosing Woodhall Spa as the place they wanted to settle away from the increasingly frenetic south-east. Since living here she has been active in a number of local voluntary organisations and is anxious to contribute further to the community in her new role.

 KEEPING TRACK

Remember, you can also attend any Parish Council meeting to hear first hand what we are doing. Our main meetings are usually held on the first Tuesday of each month at the Parish Council Offices, 17 Stanhope Ave. Agendas are on the Parish Noticeboard, opposite the Post Office, and in the library as well as on the community website www.woodhallspa.org.  Meetings start at 7.15pm with a 15 minute session for any members of the public to raise any issues before the meeting proper starts at 7.30.

 We also frequently have a second shorter meeting on another Tuesday half way through the month to consider any additional plans that come in and cover other issues we can’t fit in to the main meetings. Agendas are published as above.

TWINNING

For 20 years Woodhall Spa has enjoyed a very successful and enjoyable twinning with the French community of Roeze sur Sarthe, where the association has widespread and enthusiastic support. In the natural course of things, people move on and the Woodhall Spa half is now looking for more new members to twin with French families and some who will hopefully be prepared to help on the committee. It doesn’t matter how new you are to Woodhall Spa or to twinning or whether or not you speak French. Young families, retired people, couples, single people, all are welcomed in France where the hospitality extended to us has always been wonderful.

 This year the visit to Roeze is taking place in late August – ideal for families with children. Special celebrations are planned to mark the 20^th anniversary. If you want to find out more, contact the current Chairman Jack Baker on 01526 352997. The twinning will also be one of the organisations represented at the Annual Parish Meeting, so you can talk to someone there too.

 NEW CLERK

We have had a number of applications for the post of clerk/responsible financial officer and hope to appoint for 1^st May.

 This post is vital to the effectiveness of the Parish Council which has an increasing list of legal obligations to fulfil in its work as well as extra responsibilities and opportunities to influence the future of our community.

 We would like to take this chance on behalf of Woodhall Spa to say a special thank you to Wendy Radford who has given us exceptional service for more than 20 years and to wish her a happy retirement. 

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This issue includes the end-of-season report by the Friends of Jubilee Park and a short questionnaire which will be used to help decide on opening times etc for 2008.

CAN WE HELP YOU? Every year the Parish Council is asked to make grants to local projects. To help our budgeting, and make sure all organisations, however small, have an equal chance to benefit, we have revived an earlier practice of collating and considering all grant applications together before the annual precept is set. As you may have already seen in the local press, our Finance Working Group has devised a simple application form and will discuss each claim face to face with applicants before making its recommendations to the full council. Please note that applications should be returned by Friday 16th November and the meeting to discuss the applications will be held on Tuesday 27 November.  Please ring the clerk for an appointment (352955). There will be some provision for unexpected and emergency situations that occur after this deadline.

LOW COST HOUSING: Low cost housing for local people has been one of the Parish Council’s concerns for some time. Nationally various new initiatives are being tried to tackle this issue, and we are keeping abreast of developments. In the meantime we are delighted to report a small development is planned for the former Balcan Engineering site on Witham Road. The homes are being built by the East Shires Housing Association in conjunction with East Lindsey District Council and will be offered on a shared equity basis.  Although current rules don’t allow Housing Associations to restrict applications  entirely to local people as we would like, we hope that as many as possible will go to Woodhall Spa families. However, only those who have registered an interest will be considered, so if this could be you, please act NOW.

The village plan revealed that many who wanted this type of property were not registered with either the council or any housing association. Unless people register, we cannot prove we need low cost homes. Anyone interested should therefore register both with the housing association and the council. This does not commit you to anything but does show that there is a need. You can obtain the forms from the Parish Clerk and it is also possible to register with the Association via their website on homebuy@eshagroup.co.uk. 

DRAINAGE SUMMIT UPDATE: We are amassing an impressive collection of evidence to present to the various drainage authorities, thanks to your excellent response with details of drainage issues. We shall be collating these and presenting them to the relevant bodies before Christmas, giving them time to research the questions and prepare their answers before we meet around the table in the new year, possibly some time in February.  Problems raised range from queries on the capacity of some of the pumping stations and Victorian sewers to problems encountered on specific properties. It’s not too late to submit information to us – remember this will be a closed meeting, so you will not be compromising the value of your property by publicising any problems. Contact the Clerk or any councillor.

CONSERVATION AREA REVIEW: The Parish Council is currently working with the relevant authorities to review our conservation area. This has to some extent helped to preserve the character of central Woodhall Spa for the last 20 years, while still allowing sympathetic development. However, we want to be sure we are making the most of this aspect of planning legislation in the face of national changes to the planning system. Watch this space.

WOODHALL SPA NEEDS YOU ….. We have been fortunate in the past in our calls for volunteers to help us keep Woodhall Spa special. So if you have a little time to spare, here’s how you can help this time:

1. Become a Coronation Hall Trustee. Following its long-awaited refurbishment, we need some enthusiastic support to take the building forward. Contact the PC Vice Chairman, Councillor Daphne Robinson, to find out more - 354385.
2. Sign spotter. We need someone to tour Woodhall Spa and list any signs that need cleaning, repairing or replacing. We’ll take it from there. Contact: PC Clerk
3. We still need more members for the Woodhall Spa Tree Committee to help ensure our trees and woods are protected and that we have a plan for replanting and replacing. The group will also have an input into the future management plan for the Woodland Trust woods in the centre of Woodhall Spa. Contact: Coun Daphne Robinson, PC Vice-Chairman.
4. The Cottage Museum has some fascinating photographs taken in 1911 at a pageant to mark Woodhall Spa’s centenary. The Heritage Committee would like to stage a similar event in 2011 and are looking for volunteers to take the idea forward. Contact: Michael Czajkowski 352895.
5. We are working on an Emergency Plan for Woodhall Spa to cover any extreme

      event from terrorism to flooding. We also need some volunteer Flood Wardens. 
      If you are have an interest or expertise in this area and would like to help, please
      contact the Parish Clerk - 352955
      6.   Please report details of any instances of dog fouling to the dog warden on
            0795 8805047.

DATES FOR THE DIARY

1.  The annual Civic Remembrance Day Service will be held at St Peter’s Church on November11th at 9.45 am. Pleases be seated by 9.30 am. The rehearsal for local organisations will be held on Friday 9 November at 6.30 pm. Organisations should let the church know how many seats they wish to reserve – tel: 351358.

2. The Cottage Museum’s next annual presentation will be held on Saturday 10 November at 2.30 pm at the English Golf Union. The talk on “The Life and Times of Group Captain Lord Leonard Cheshire of Woodhall” will be given by Jill Roberts MCLIP, Archivist from the Leonard Cheshire Centre. For tickets ring 352881 or 352112.  

3. The open air Carol Service, Christmas Fair and Late Night Shopping event, organised by the Parish Council and the Rotary Club, will take place on Friday 7th December this year.This popular annual event is an occasion for all the family.

4. The Twinning Association have organised a coach trip to France in August 08. New members are welcome. Please ring Jack Baker on 352997.

JUBILEE PARK 2007 – A LOOK BACK AT 2007 AND FORWARD TO 2008: annual report by the Friends of Jubilee Park

The Friends of Jubilee Park committee have had a period of consolidation. During this time the various options to progress the refurbishment have been identified and progressed by East Lindsey District Council (ELDC).
The 1.54 million pounds commitment from ELDC to Jubilee Park is intact and will be spent either directly on the pool refurbishment or will be part of a wider package to attract funding for a more comprehensive redevelopment of the Park as possibly outlined in the FOJP 3 options appraisal and the Studio Egret West concept plan.

ELDC officers involved in this project have until November to receive expressions of interest. Ventures that might be run by the private sector include the caravan site, the management of the café and a possible fitness suite. The Friends of Jubilee Park are mindful of community concerns relating to the quality of provision and the overall ambience of our Park. ELDC is committed to the successful running and management of the Park and refurbishment of the Swimming Pool is scheduled for the 2008/2009. If no expressions of interest are forthcoming, the committed monies will be spent on the Pool and its associated facilities.

Community ventures within the Park will be supported by the FOJP and we will be keeping Woodhall Spa well informed as and when we can. As we progress to the actual work being done we will seek the views of residents in open consultation.

This season has obviously been seriously affected by the poor summer. This has not however deterred the Pool Staff who have made every effort to welcome visitors and tend to any operational niggles as needed.

PLEASE ATTEND THE PARK’S END OF SEASON REVIEW, MONDAY 12TH NOVEMBER , 7.30PM, ST ANDREW’S SCHOOL TO LET US AND ELDC HAVE YOUR VIEWS ON THE 2007 SEASON AND IDEAS TO HELP SET POLICIES FOR 2008! 

It will also be an excellent chance to hear the latest news on the planned investment for the Park.  Whether or not you can be there, please take the time to record your views on the questionnaire below. You can also do this online via the Woodhall Spa website.

QUESTIONNAIRE: SWIMMING POOL

1. In 2007 we had 115 extra hours for the SWIMMING POOL which were used to extend the season. As a trial, this ran from early May to the end of September, with part-time opening in May, June and the last two weeks of September. Did it work for you and if not, why not?

a) May (weekends only apart from Bank Holidays)

b) June- full weekends and half days in the week – mornings three days, afternoon (3-6) on two.

c) September- as June for the first 2 weeks, then weekends only

     2.  Opening times. General swimming was from 10am to 6pm weekdays, 10-7pm
          weekends. Is this about right?   

     3. Special sessions. Did you use any of the following? Were the times convenient?

• Breakfast swims (adult only) Mon, Weds, Fri 7-8.30am

• Adult only swims- as above and Friday evenings from 1st July 6-7pm, changing to 7-8pm during the holidays.

• Aquacise

• Swimming lessons

• Other – please specify

4. Discounted swimming was available with season and discounted tickets. Any
    comments on these or admission prices?                   

5. Publicity. Did you find the pre-season publicity on the new opening times helpful?

6. Weather apart, did you use this facility, more or less than in previous seasons –
    please explain why.

7. Other comments on the swimming pool and associated facilities?

QUESTIONNAIRE: OTHER PARK FACILITIES
Please use this space and continuation sheets if needed to comment on any of the other park facilities. Remember, you can also comment in person at the feedback meeting or via the community website: www.woodhallspa.org

Please return this questionnaire and any continuation sheets to the council office, 17 Stanhope Ave (next to Russell Green nursing home) before 10th November. Your views count!

COUNCILLOR DETAILS: Chairman Cllr Audrey Pestell 354898
                                           Vice Chairman Cllr Daphne Robinson 354385
OFFICE TIMES: Monday and Tuesday 5.15 pm – 7.15 pm and at other times by appointment with the clerk 352955.

AND FINALLY –CONGRATULATIONS to Cllr Joanna Nelstrop and her husband Will on the birth of their second son Freddy on 4th October. As far as we know, this is the first time in Woodhall Spa’s history that a serving councillor has had a baby! Also to the Cottage Museum for winning the Inspiration Award in the first ever Lincolnshire Renaissance Heritage Awards 2007, for its School Archive project and to St Andrew’s C.E. Primary School, staff and pupils, for their excellent Open Day

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Woodhall Spa Parish Council Newsletter   Issue 2:  2007

NEW COUNCIL…From May Woodhall Spa will have a new Parish Council. Three members did not seek re-election – Basil Standley, Brian Olive and Tony Bennison, we thank them for their years of service to Woodhall Spa. In their place there will be three new faces- David Clarke (who Chaired the Parish Plan Committee), Daphne Robinson (who was a Parish Clerk before moving to Woodhall Spa) and  David Hill ( who is not seeking re-election to the District Council). Because there were 12 applicants for 12 seats, there won’t be an election for the Parish, BUT THERE WILL BE FOR EHTE DISTRICT, SO PLEASE USE YOUR VOTE! NB the next Parish Council Meeting will be Tuesday 15th May at 7.15pm, after that the meetings will revert to the first Tuesday of the month

ANNUAL PARISH MEETING- Monday 30th April, 7.30pm. St Peter’s Hall.

ALL WELCOME - NEW RESIDENTS – OLD FRIENDS- THE CURIOUS-THE CRITICAL – YOUNG –NOT SO YOUNG  and EVERYONE IN BETWEEN

• New Planning system- at last we can call the tune on development in Woodhall Spa – or can we? Be there to find out.
• Power to the Parishes – A new White paper will bring major changes in local government, what will it mean for Woodhall Spa?
• Parish Plan, how are we doing on all those action points ?
• Jubilee Park – some work has already begun, get the latest news
• Old Spa Baths – a potted history, a ‘virtual tour’, and hopes for the future
• Coronation Hall – progress at last- hear the latest developments
• Britain in Bloom – will Woodhall Spa blossom?
• Your questions – your chance to ask the council
• New to Woodhall Spa? – come and meet us face to face

This is YOUR meeting. We can only achieve what we all want for Woodhall Spa with your continued interest and involvement. IF YOU CARE, PLEASE BE THERE!!!

MAY DAY CELEBRATIONS FOR HISTORIC WOODHALL SPA- On Saturday 28th April we will be combining a celebration of the grant funded heritage work on Woodhall Spa’s Broadway – the canopy restoration, shop fronts and other work- with a revival of the traditional May Day event that was such a highlight for the Spa’s children 50 years ago. There will be a May Queen and maypole dancing and singing by children from St Andrews’ School in the grounds of the Woodhall Spa Hotel. It starts at 10.30am and finishes around mid-day .

OTHER DATES FOR THE DIARY: WOODHALL SPA COUNTRY SHOW – SUNDAY 20TH MAY IN THE SHOW FIELD BEHIND JUBILEE PARK – LIVESTOCK, VINTAGE MACHINERY,CRAFTS, LINCOLNSHIRE PRODUCE, AND MUCH MORE… Last year’s event was a great success, with your support this year‘s will be even better. For more information contact Sue Stennett:352703

LEG CLUB- The next meeting is June 6th at the Methodist Church Hall from 10am,
Anyone with mobility problems is welcome.

10K RUN – Jubilee Park, Sunday 3rd June, see the events diary on our website for more details and an application form

JUBILEE PARK- 2007 SEASON

THE POOL- In advance of the main refurbishment programme, due to begin late in 2008,  the plant and pipework is being replaced  – so the heating system will be more reliable, the filtration more efficient and the paddling pool will be heated too, for the first time in many years! Some improvements are also being made to the changing rooms.  

Following public consultation, the season is being extended by 115 hours, to begin at the first weekend in May and run to the end of September. In May and June, and again in September, this means the pool will be open for shorter periods (see below)- but there is flexibility if the weather, and visitor numbers, warrant it. In July and August the pool will be open all day every day and there are plenty of special events and sessions, including early morning swims.

Season tickets make a welcome return, alongside the Swimsaver tickets and there are further discounts for families. Anyone with a Keycard can benefit from substantial reductions in entry prices – new residents note, you can simply acquire one at the swimming pool. PLEASE SUPPORT OUR POOL, THE MORE WE USE IT, THE MORE HOURS WE CAN EXPECT – REMEMBER, WHATEVER YOUR AGE, SWIMMING IS ONE OF THE BEST FORMS OF EXERCISE—and where better than in our own lovely park!

CAFÉ, CYCLE HIRE AND OTHER ACTIVITIES..The present café has been repaired to keep it going until its long term future is decided (find out more at the Annual Parish Meeting). It is open at weekends to mid-May when it will open 7 days a week. You will be pleased to hear that once again cycle hire and other activities will be managed from the hut near the bowling green.

All this is great news for Woodhall Spa and for all of you who made your voices heard
In support of the Park. Full information is available on the Woodhall Spa Website www.woodhallspa.org and at the Park.

Swimming Pool Season 5th May to 30th September. Opening times:

MAY: Weekends  and Bank Holidays only 10am-7pm

JUNE: Saturdays & Sundays – 10am-7pm
            Weekdays – Mon, Wed & Fri, adults only breakfast swims 7am- 8.30am,
            general swimming 10am-1pm   : Tues & Thurs  general swimming 3-6pm

JULY AND AUGUST – Open 10am-6pm every day plus adults only  breakfast
                                    swims Mon, Weds & Friday and Aquacise 8-9am on Tuesdays
                                    and 6-7pm on Wednesdays. 6-7pm special sessions-adult
                                   swims, aquacise and fun on inflatables – see programme

SEPTEMBER-: Saturdays & Sundays to 30th September – 10am-7pm
(as June)          Weekdays to 16th September  – Mon, Wed & Fri, breakfast swims
                          7am- 8.30am, general swimming 10am-1pm   :
                          Tues & Thurs general swimming 3-6pm

PRIVATE HIRE; 7-9pm anyday in July and August, and weekends early and late season.

Note: the newsletter is a PDF file Download free PDF reader software

Note: the newsletter is a PDF file Download free PDF reader software

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