Bishopstone

VILLAGE PLAN -- On Saturday between 10.15am and 2pm at the Lord Nelson Inn in Bridge Sollars the villages of Kenchester, Bishopstone, Bridge Sollars, Byford and Mansell Gamage who comprise Bishopstone Group Parish Council held their second public meeting this year aimed at producing a 10-year plan. More than 50 people attended during the day representing all five villages and across all age groups. The large map attracted most attention and the responses to it gave encouragement to the organisers. The largest response was for a community centre with 30 spotting Bridge Sollars church as a possible conversion, there were 10 supporting a Byford Church conversion and five for the pumping station at Byford. Notice boards were wanted in all villages except Bishopstone who already have an excellent glass fronted one. Many requests for footpaths to be opened up and for traffic-calming measures and road signs. A surprising number of requests for more passing places for cars on some narrow lanes. There were five suggestions for a bus shelter in the centre of Bishopstone. Once again re-cycling of household waste was a main feature with suggestions of sites being the centre of Bishopstone, Bridge Sollars church, pumping station at Byford and the old tip at Stretton Sugwas. The guest speaker, Lynda Wilcox of HALC (Herefordshire Association of Local Councils), gave a compact, short, informative speech in which she spoke about the importance of the village plan and how Government supported and encouraged parish councils to produce them by sponsoring them with a grant up to £5,000. That the county of Herefordshire was leading the way nationally. She praised the initiative that Bishopstone Group Parish Council had shown in acting quickly to the challenge when it was first made and that now some 40 parish councils in Herefordshire were capped from starting their plans because further Government grants were awaited. The village plan covers all aspects of parish life and by arranging meetings the parish council are helped in identifying needs for the future. Some of these needs may not be possible but many will in the short, medium or long term. Later this year your parish council will complete its village plan, she said, and that will list a programme or 'wish list' for the next 10 years. Having produced the village plan, the parish council will be able to apply for grants based on need and by working with different county departments and supported by these departments she said she could see the positive parish council action producing many of the items on their 'wish list' in the next 10 years. So positive was her delivery that on asking for questions the only one received was swiftly despatched and all present then set about consuming the array of sandwiches, sausages, nuts and biscuits provided by the genial hosts Mr and Mrs Eden of the Lord Nelson Inn. Charles Mayson, the Independent Herefordshire councillor, and Ron Mills, chairman of Bishopstone Group Parish Council, sent their apologies. The steering committee of Bishopstone Group Parish Council wish to thank all the persons who gave of their time to visit and talk during the day. To thank Lynda Wilcox of HALC and Lisa Bedford of Hereford Partnership who was very helpful all day. Thank you all.

ELECTIONS -- On May 1, the elections took place for ward and parish. Most members of the Bishopstone Group were elected unopposed. At the parish council meeting on Thursday, May 15 there were four members co-opted. The Bishopstone Group Parish Council is now complete. The following persons represent your village. Ron Mills and Alan Morris for Kenchester. John Verry, Sarah Morgan, John Macklin, Brian Merrick and Richard Hinksman for Bishopstone. Lilian Allsopp and Gary Malins for Bridge Sollars. Sue Hubbard, Penny Redshaw and Hayley Birch for Byford. Cath Draper and Ann Midwinter for Mansell Gamage. Ron Mills was elected chairman and Penny Redshaw was elected vice-chairman. Barry Megson is parish clerk.