Ogwell

Issue 1 Spring 2013

The Parish Plan (Page 5) Ogwell Nature Park (Page 8) Win a meal for 2 (Page 11)

Contents
Contents A Message from the Chairman About the Parish The Parish Plan News Village Life Important Information Competition Time 3 4 5 8 10 11 12
Ogwell Nature Park Opening p. 8

Publishing Details This newsletter is published quarterly by the Ogwell Parish Council to keep parishioners informed upon issues which affect our community and provide information on news and events. Visit Ogwell.org to keep updated. The Ogwell Brook Development Copyright Ogwell Parish Council Contact ogwellparish@gmail.com

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A Message from the Chairman...

Welcome to the first Issue of the Ogwell Newsletter. A place where we can share news, views and keep you up-to-date on village life. The Parish Council consists of 8 volunteers and a clerk who collectively seek to act in your interest to ensure that those issues and matters that affect us all are addressed. Village Life does not revolve around the Parish Council but around you. It is your involvement with village life that gives the village its life. We have lots of organisations and societies within the village who are run and supported by people just like you and ultimately village life relies on its people and their support. We hope therefore that this first issue of our Newsletter can introduce you to what is available within the village. If there is something that you would like to see in the village, get in touch. We are your Parish Council, here for you.

Michael Simmons (Chairman, Ogwell Parish Council)

About the Parish

Ogwell Parish Council is a local authority that makes decisions on your behalf. It is your authority, the first place you should go with your concerns & ideas. We have a wide range of powers: to look after community buildings, open spaces, allotments, play areas, streetlighting and much more. We are consulted on planning applications & both District and County strategic planning. These bodies know the Parish Council reflects the local community, so we can make your views heard and influence decision making. We have the power to improve the quality of community life by spending money on things we consider are to the benefit of the community and directing the wider local authorities on what is important within our community. The Parish Council has the power to raise money through taxation, shown on your Council Tax Bill as The Precept; Councillors are unpaid, & with minimal bureaucracy we aim to ensure every penny we receive is spent on the parish. You control us! You elect us every four years, with any vacancies arising between elections filled through byelection or co-option. If you have any ideas or suggestions or wish to see our community change for the better we would love to hear from you. You can raise any issues at the beginning of monthly Parish Council meetings (second Monday of every month at Ogwell Memorial Hall) or write to Rita, our Parish Clerk. We are here to listen and you can make a difference! There are many opportunities to become involved in the community through various village groups and societies and if nothing appeals, why not start one? Ogwell Geography Ogwell is a small community situated midway between the South Devon coast and Dartmoor National Park, close to the market town of Newton Abbot. The Parish comprises Ogwell, West Ogwell and Holbeam with over 2500 residents and 900 homes. The old village of Ogwell has 150 homes with over 650 homes to the east of Canada Hill. The remainder of the parish population live in rural areas. The Ogwell Brook development will eventually provide a further 178 homes. The geography of our village means there is a physical divide between the "old" and the "new" village, which takes a lot more voluntary effort to ensure the unity of the village.

The Parish Plan

The Ogwell Parish Plan is the result of a major consultation in 2008 that sought views from the community as to how the parish might best develop in the future. The questionnaire identified issues which the residents of Ogwell wanted tackled, such as a pathway between the two main parts of the parish and the need for more events within the parish. The feedback from the consultation has allowed the Parish Council to create 'The Ogwell Parish Plan' which guides us, the Council, in the direction that you, the villagers, want the village to take. Of course, the last consultation was 5 years ago, and issues and needs change, so please attend Parish Council meetings to update us! The following pages show a breakdown of the objectives of the Plan, the actions taken by the Council and any further follow-up that is needed.

Remember!
The Parish Councillors are all volunteers. If everything on the Plan is to be fulfilled it will need everyone in the parish to lend a hand where and when they can: from keeping the pavement clean outside your house, or litter-picking as you walk, you can do your bit for your parish.

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The Parish Plan

What People Want Action Taken Proposed Next Steps DCC lobbied for alternatives. Cllr White appointed as highways officer to speed up process. Dedicated cllr to put forward proposals. Study options & alternatives. Investigate right-to-buy. Investigate feasibility. Your views taken to DCC: Replace Ogwell Rd speed bumps with 'reduce speed' traffic flow & speed survey record avg. 38mph signs or chicane. suggesting speed bumps ineffective. Introduce 20mph village speed limit. Safe, lit pathway over Canada Hill. Bakers Park access paths. DCC advise this is unenforceable. Alternative being explored. Land ownership is the main obstacle. DCC confirm road path would be unsafe. No action taken.

Ogwell Mill/Bradley Woods TDC investigating new gates Investigate creation of footpath. & surfaces to improve circular footpath & funding. access. Ogwell-Abbotskerswell foot/cycle path. Improved youth facilities (e.g. park, club, cafe) A mobile Post Office service. A farm shop. A monthly car-boot sale. A more frequent mobilelibrary service. Annual Summer Fete. No action taken. Investigate feasibility.

A new park on the green. The PC will consider any Parishoners invited to run proposals put forward to facilities at existing venues. fulfil the plan. No action taken. The Post Office no longer offer this service. No action taken. No action taken. Service currently under threat due to lack of use. The Country Pannier is taking on some Post Office Services. Proposals invited. Proposals invited. Promote use of the service.

Now organised by the More helpers always Summer Fair Committee who welcome. are looking to put on more events.

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Action Taken Hall now in use every day. PC funds pre-school equipment & building maintenance. Proposed Next Steps Demand for use is outstripping supply. Find alternative venues.

What People Want Increase Memorial Hall.

Laying on of more events, Social events are increasing. More public support & e.g. bbqs, evening classes. voluntary effort is needed. Improve police presence in New PCSOs have improved the village. provision. 'No cold-calling' zones. Better policing of dog fouling. Improve weed control. More on-street litter bins. Reduce late-night streetlighting. Village 'Welcome' flowerbeds. Advise all residents not to respond to cold calling. New dog waste bins & signage. DCC lobbied; budgets & health & safety. No action taken. Implemented. Invite PCSOs to parish meetings. Monitor & assess. Consider a trial 'shame' policy through fluorescent marking of fouling. PC exploring paying private contractor. Investigate feasibility. Assess & monitor.

PC mapped out banks & Identify preferred location, verges; discussions ongoing. seek sponsorship. Review after 1 year; promote & distribute.

A free, regular newsletter. You're reading it!

Country Pannier Noticeboard.

A parish website. Welcome Packs for new arrivals.

Installed. We now have 8 Ensure well maintained. noticeboards, Newton Abbot has 1. We now have 2! Integrated newsletter & website to address. Promote their use. Monitor & assess.

News
Nature Park Opening
Ogwell Nature Park is a success story for the village. From first pitching the idea of a park somewhere in, or near, the old village for young children, parishioner Rob Ballard and a team of volunteers has overseen the project to its fulfillment. The design has placed an emphasis on both play and nature with over 20 trees and many bulbs planted, as well as bird boxes and the encouragement of other habitats. There was overwhelming support for the idea from the beginning, and after consulting, designing, liasing, the park opened officially on 23rd March with a special ceremony and celebration. Funding was generously given by the Parish Council, the District Council and the County Council, as well as donations of time, materials and work by many local villagers and businesses.

Dangerous Parking
Dangerous parking in the Parish delayed the Fire Service attending an emergency call at Ogwell Brook last month, with similar parking noted at various points around the village. Resolution will require fines and parking restrictions but simply making sure your vehicle does not restrict emergency access would be better. The situation is now being closely monitored and we are liaising with the police and Devon County Council to see what measures can be put in place.

Community Book Exchange

Plans are afoot to adopt the phonebox on Canada Hill and create a community book exchange and information point for local residents. It will mean free access to books 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Keep an eye on the website for updates.

News
Best Kept Village
Inspired after being 'commended' in the 2012 BKV awards, Ogwell has been entered for the 2013 award. We narrowly missed out over 'General maintenance' and 'tidiness', so with a push we could win it this year, but the judging starts soon... How could you help? Tidy your garden (spring is the best time to get on top of the garden and a great time for bulbs, flowers and paintwork!), be competitive! Be proud of your street, work together to keep it free of litter, leaves and weeds. Consider 'joint ops' with neighbours to tackle those big jobs, any assistance to those less able really makes a difference and it is a great way to meet your neighbours. Alternatively, contact the Council if you are interested in adopting a verge. How can we help? Any way we can! The Parish Council will address 'general maintenance' through a programme of works (let us know if anything needs particular attention). With a bit of effort we can return this award to its rightful home (it hardly left the village for 10 years)!

Neighbourhood Planning
A working party has been created to explore whether Ogwell should develop a Neighbourhood Plan. A Neighbourhood Plan offers an opportunity to shape the future of our Parish, in the way we feel it should develop rather than that solely on what developers propose. We already have a good start with the Local Plan, but a Neighbourhood plan considers how the planning process might assist to achieve these aims. To learn more, there is an excellent guide How to shape where you live: A guide to neighbourhood planning available on the internet. Should you wish to be involved in shaping your community, then please write to or email the Parish Council. If y o
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Village Life
St Bartholomew's The church holds regular Sunday Services 10:30am offering a warm welcome to all new members. The Parochial Church Council also organises regular fundraising and social events. The Garden Society The Garden Society hosts a programme of talks and events during the year. Meetings take place 2nd Wednesday of the month @7pm, Ogwell Memorial Hall. Visit Ogwell.org for more details. The Jolly Sailor A traditional country pub meeting the demand of todays customers for big screen live sports and landlord commentary. The restaurant has an extensive menu - from bar snacks to 3- course meals, and a popular Sunday Lunch and can cater for Wedding Receptions, family gatherings, or any excuse for a party! Ogwell Tennis Club Ogwell Tennis Club is a small friendly club with a macadam court open to all regardless of age or ability. The Club welcomes new members and has a very active social life. Visit ogwell.org for details on how to join. Canada Hill School Outstanding! OFSTED, our community school and one of the best in Devon. The school engages and contributes to many parish events. www.canadahill.devon.sch.uk Ogwell Pre-School An attractive and stimulating learning environment, OFSTED registered and professionally staffed to offer relaxed and happy atmosphere for children aged 2-5. Session based at the Ogwell Memorial Hall. The pre-school is a registered charity & needs help if it is to survive & thrive! Contact: 01626 367696 The Country Pannier The Local Shop & Newsagents stocking the essentials. Opening hours: Mon-Sat: 6am -7:30pm Sun: 8am - 2pm. Fo Contact 01626 368316 de t r a il villa of mor s ge g e V roups, Ogw isit ell. org

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Information
Ogwell Parish Council contact: ogwellparish@gmail.com Michael Simmons (chairman): 01626 361018 Rita Hannaford (clerk): 01626 367 313 Richard Broome: 368 270 Tim Flower (planning) : 363 606 Harry Godwin (magazine, events): 330 443 Ann Hall: 355 617 Denis Hyne: 355 267 Barry Long (footpaths & website): 363 496 Ian White (highways liason): 07823 442780

Councillor Profile

Michael Simmons (Chair) Michael has been a Councillor since and Chair for 1 year . His family moved to Ogwell after purchasing and restoring Cappys Cottage and The Pound House. Michael is an Architect and Passive House Designer by profession and his practice is also based in the village. Michael enjoys cycling and spending time with his twin boys. He feels passionately about bringing the community together and ensuring Ogwell is a thriving village and parish.

Important!
This newsletter costs money to print and distribute. Once out of date it is waste. We can all save this trouble by signing up to receive future newsletters online. Future issues will be available from the Country Pannier, the Jolly Sailor and the Community Book-Exchange (if available), so save yourself the walk and sign up online by contacting ogwellparish@gmail.com or visiting Ogwell.org for further details.

The Parish Magazine

The Ogwell Parish Magazine is an excellent source of up-to-date information, providing more information on wider parish issues. Available through subscription (or individual copies 50p from the Country Pannier, Church or the Jolly Sailor). To subscribe please contact: subs@ogwellparishmag.plus.com

In the next issue...

Neighbourhood Planning... Volunteering Opportunities... Meet a Councillor... Event Reports... Things to do in Ogwell...

Events Diary
May
Mon 6th - Denbury May Fair Wed 8th - Gardening Society - Afternoon coach tour to the Garden House, Yelverton. Guided Tour. Cost 12.00 per person. Mon 13th - Parish Council Meeting, Ogwell Memorial Hall - 7pm

June
Sat 1st - Annual Tennis Club Golf Tournament, at Stover Golf Course. Contact Rob 01626 354770 or Gwyn 01626 351961. Sat 8th - Ogwell Duck Race at Holbeam Mill Mon 10th - Parish Council Meeting, Ogwell Memorial Hall - 7pm Wed 12th - Gardening Society - Talk by Julia Tremlett of Bickham House at Kenn on the National Garden scheme in Devon. Ogwell Memorial Hall - 7pm Fri 28th - Canada Hill School Fayre - 5pm-7.30pm Fri 28th - Sun 30th - St. Bartholomew's Art & Craft Show

July
Mon 8th - Parish Council Meeting, Ogwell Memorial Hall - 7pm Sat 13th - Ogwell Summer Event, check the ogwell.org website for further details from Ogwell Fair Committee

Competition Time!

Name: Address:

Telephone #: Send in your feedback for a chance to win E-mail Address: a meal for 2 at The Jolly Sailor. Fill in your details below, add your feedback & send it to: Rita Hannaford, Higher Stubbins Feedback: Farmhouse, TQ12 6DA. Alternatively, email your details to ogwellparish@gmail.com The draw will be held at the May Parish Council Meeting.