Town Moorings

A combination of floods and the present operator going out of business has meant that the town moorings are in a very neglected state. These moorings have been an important source of town Revenue. The Town Council has accepted that to restore and modernise these facilities it will need to forgo its income over the next four years. It will mean that by the summer the town will hopefully possess moorings of which it can be proud.

The temporary loss of this revenue is a factor in the need to raise the Town Precept (Rates). This is just another consequence of those terrible floods. At least it will mean that the appearance of the riverside will start to improve.

Parking Issue - your Views do Count

The Town Council is convinced that parking within the town is too expensive and hinders the economic regeneration of the town centre. For this reason it is dedicated to looking at the issue of parking. A Tewkesbury Town parking strategy was developed before the May 2007 elections. This has been modified in light of the introduction of decriminalisation after November 5th (interesting date!) 2007. This sub-committee has met members and officers of the Borough on a number of occasions and has yet to persuade all of them that parking charges are too high. Indeed, it would be fair to say that many Borough officials entirely reject such suggestions.

In order to strengthen our position we are asking for your comments on the attached questionnaire so we can use them to influence the next Borough car parking review commencing in April.

We want to make this review wide-ranging so that it benefits visitors, traders, low-paid workers, shoppers and residents. Car parking and its use play a vital part in the quality of life for the community . The focus of the Borough has, in the view of the Town Council, been too narrowly focussed on revenue generation. We hope with your help to change that.

Please fill in this important questionnaire - this is an opportunity to us valuable evidence of your views.

Flood Plains or Not Flood Plains: That is the Question

Vernon Smith the chair of the Infrastructure committee has produced a joint report with Dave Witts the Chair of the Severn and Avon Flood Group. This report is so authoritative that its conclusions have been accepted by Stephen Haddrell of the Association of British Insurers. The report, adopted by the Council, shows conclusively that building has taken place on the flood plain despite assurances to the contrary by officials of the Environment Agency and Borough Council.

The Town Council together with Tewkesbury Borough and County Councillors are determined to This report builds on the previous document accepted by the Town Council back in the autumn. do all they can to ensure that flood plains around the town are recognised and protected. The Town Council Planning Committee advanced this objective in recommending refusal of building consent for the further housing developments along the Bredon Road.

Town Councillors, local Borough Councillors and our M.P. Laurence Robertson, supported the residents of Mitton in a public meeting called by Elaine Hancox to protest against the new building on Bredon Road. An Action Committee has been formed by the Town Council to fight any further attempts to build on the flood plan. This will involve joint action with other Town and parish councils. If necessary it may also involve protest demonstrations to London.


 
Major Mike Wilson

The Major Retires

Major Mike Wilson has decided to retire after fourteen distinguished years as Town Clerk of Tewkesbury. Before this he served thirty-four years in the army undertaking a variety of roles both in the United Kingdom and overseas. Mike has certainly made his mark within the Tewkesbury community and has been an inspiration to generations of town councillors. His dry wit and calm demeanor have often done much to defuse the more fraught periods in the Council's history.

He has always been willing to offer his wise and authoritive guidance to councilors and members of the public. He has managed his small team at the Town Hall with tact and consideration.

He will be much missed - perhaps more than we now realise! Retirement will give him time for much deserved relaxation, reflection and perhaps most important of all to hone his golfing skills. He is to be replaced as Town Clerk by Pauline Clark who is presently Clerk of Chipping Campden Council.
 


 

 

Chuck's Christmas Party

Chuck Pavey is perhaps the best `scrounger' the Council possesses. During the flood crisis he was able to help persuade the supermarkets to dole out vast amounts of goodies to the flood victims. He has used that skill again to organise a wonderful party for local children at the Watson Hall. The Borough, Town and County Councils all provided grants. There was even a donation from Tewkesbury New Jersey.

However, it was Chuck more than anyone else who got the whole thing organised. He was helped by lots of local people — both residents and businesses. The result was a fantastic party attended by well over 100 children together with their parents. This was a real fillip to local morale and was an excellent start to the New Year. Well done everyone that was involved!

Don't Forget to fill in Your Questionnaire

Our Planning Principles

The Town Council Planning committee that meets once a fortnight is one of the consultees that helps the Borough make planning decisions. What guides those Recommendations are five principles.

Van in flood water
  1. To enhance the commercial viability of the town whilst at the same time preserving both the tranquillity and historical quality of the environment.
  2. Seeking advice to extend the Conservation Area of the town.
  3. To try and control inappropriate display signs within the whole Conservation area.
  4. To resist `garden grabbing' especially when they are viewed as ipso facto brown field sites. We look at every application in the context of its neighbourhood.
  5. We are extremely sensitive to flood vulnerability and try to encourage a higher standard of proof than required before the July 2007 floods.

The committee has a good working relationship and we would remind members of the public that they are welcome to attend.

At your convenience - update

We on the Town Council are very conscious of the very unsatisfactory state of some of Tewkesbury's public toilets. The Public Convenience Working Group chaired by Cllr John Dixon has been working assiduously to improve matters.

Two problems have made matters more complicated. Firstly, the flood put out of action both the Gloucester Road and Gander Lane toilets. Both these are currently operated by the Borough. You will know from our June newsletter that it is the intention of the Town to take over the Gander Lane toilets once they are refurbished.

The refurbishment of the Gander Lane facilities has been slower than anticipated and the Gloucester Road toilets are now closed permanently until they are demolished and rebuilt.

The Working Group has continued to put pressure on the Borough to accelerate this project. Thankfully the Gander Lane facilities were recently reopened, although not yet refurbished! It is important there are adequate public loos in place before the start of the tourist season. We intend to do our best to ensure this is the case.


 

Flowers For the 25th Battle Anniversary

This summer will be a very special occasion for the town. It is 25 years since the first Battle of Tewkesbury re-enactment took place. This is an enormous credit to the large number of local people who have made it possible. This is now rated as the largest Medieval Fair in Europe!.

The Town Council is considering ways to help mark the occasion. One suggestion is that flowers be laid in Victoria garden representing the shields of the knights who fought on that day over 500 years ago. Town Councillors intend to liaise with `Tewkesbury in Bloom' to see whether this can become a reality

Chuck Pavey is very much the driving force behind the idea and is determined that this important anniversary is properly marked. We all say, 'hear-hear' to that!.

TOWN EMERGENCY PLAN

The Town Council is working on an plan that can operate in any future emergency. A sub-committee chaired by Cllr Pope has been able to draw on the professional expertise of ex-Chief Inspector Cllr Calway and former Special Constable Cllr King.

It is obvious that we might face at some point an emergency similar to that experienced last July. This might not necessarily be flood-related. One can imagine all sorts of scenarios from plane crash to terrorist outrage. We at the Town Council are determined that we should play our part as efficiently and effectively as possible.

We have looked critically at our response last July and have put in place systems which will build on our successes then and deal with any deficiencies. This will require a relatively small expenditure. We are grateful to the Borough Council for helping us in this. More later.

Princess Anne at Tewkesbury

Princess Royal visits Flood Victims

The Town was honoured to greet Princess Anne who visited Tewkesbury on January 18th 2008. she arrived at 1 1.45, was met by the Lord Lieutenant, Henry Elwes, Bruce Keen, Chairman of the Chamber of Commerce, Mike Wilson, and Cllr Dawson. She visited the Canterbury, where she was briefed on the floods and their aftermath as well as the effects on the local community and the economy of Tewkesbury as a whole She showed a very detailed knowledge of the local area and its "normal" flooding patterns, as well as a good understanding of the local economy. Graham Dawson was then privileged to escort her on a tour of the area, starting in Canterbury Leys, where she met flood victims, and then on to the BB Hut, where the BB captain briefed her on the state of the hut, what its loss meant to the community and the effects on the local BB. Then on to Pyke Rd and Knights Way to see and talk to more flood victims and visit caravans, houses under repair and those just completed. Finally, she departed at one fifteen, over half an hour later than planned. All those involved in the visit remarked how pleasant she had been and how much understanding she had shown of the plight of the flood victims.

Councillors Help Flood Victims

Both Newtown and Priors Park ward councillors have taken the initiative to do their best to help hard-pressed flood victims. Councillors Aldridge and Dawson held a surgery in the Canterbury Inn to give citizens the opportunity to express their concerns. Unfortunately it was a very cold evening and attendance was slightly disappointing. A litter pick was organised in February to improve the area and help raise morale, it was good to see so many people involved. All the Newtown councillors want to reassure residents that they are always available. Councillors Wright and Calway are heavily involved in the Priors Park Neighbourhood Project. Recently a worker has been employed to help flood victims. This has been made possible by a grant from the Rotary Club. They too wish to reassure residents that they are always available.


 

Tewkesbury Town Council

PHONE: 01684 294639 FAX: 01684 290753 E-MAIL: townclark@tewkesbury0.wanadoo.co.uk

Councillors

Tewkesbury Town Crest

A MEDIEVAL FAIR TO REMEMBER

King Simon at Tewkesbury Medival Festival

On Saturday July 12th at I I.am there will be a 'Medieval Festival Procession' through the Town to the Battle Site down Lower Lode Lane. As well as the 25th Anniversary of the Battle, it is also the 700th Anniversary of The Black Bear' Inn. People

will need to gather at the 'Black Bear' from 9.am ready to start the walk at 11.am. to reach the Battle Site for a 12.noon opening ceremony. Leading the procession, to perform the opening of the Festival on-site, will be the Colchester and Tewkesbury Mayors, together with the 'Colchester Watch'... followed by a Medieval band, re-enactors, Warriors, School groups, livestock and one or two Celebs! In addition, the 'Black Bear' brewery will help to enhance the procession as part of their own celebrations Everyone is invited to join in, and what a sight it will be if they costume and parade through the Town already draped with Flowers, Flags and Banners". and all dressed up in Medieval garb. Those wishing to join in with the procession are ask to contact — Geoff or Angie Pope on 01684 297874 or email geoffpope at hotmail.com numbers that may attend for the procession may be limited by police traffic control requirements on the day

Post Office logo

No to Post Office Closures

In January the Town Council passed a unanimous motion condemning the intended closure of rural and suburban post offices. The Council believes that this policy is harmful to communities locally such as Mitton and Twyning and is especially damaging to the interests of the vulnerable and the elderly. Our County Council Councillors who are also Town Councillors are pursuing matters through the county. Many councillors were present at protest meetings both in Mitton and in Twyning and a number took part in the protest outside the Tewkesbury main post office on Saturday February 16th. It was wonderful to see so many local residents involved. It shows the strength of feeling about this issue in the town and the great sense of Tewkesbury community. This was followed up on February 23rd by another protest organised by Cllr Sztymiak outside Mitton post office. We have had so many successful campaigns under our belt we must succeed in this one too.