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7 November 2004
- Willow Heron Takes a Dive. A big thank you to the mystery gentleman who rescued one of the willow herons and returned it to the Old School, after some sad person decided to take it for flying lessons and dumped it in a hedge. Both herons are now living in safe quarters.
On Yer Bike! With the assistance of the Green Centre new cycle racks have been installed by the Parish Council at the Wymott and Garth Club and the Old School, please make good use of them and cycle to the meeting places rather than take the car.
Horse Sense
- A recent survey has determined that there are more than 400 horses resident in Ulnes Walton, that’s more than one per household, is it any wonder that road safety for both the rider and motorist is of prime concern for the Parish Council.
The roads in the area are so busy, narrow and twisty which reduces driver’s visibility considerably. Hacking for the horse rider is no longer a pleasurable activity and the presence of horses often comes as a shock to the driver.
In both cases the key to improving the situation is education. Primarily for the driver it is to encourage them to think about reducing speed on lanes where it may be anticipated that riders may be encountered and to be aware of how to approach a horse. For the rider visibility is the important factor especially during the shorter days and poor weather conditions.
Eccleston Equestrian Centre holds a Riding and Road Safety training course and exam twice a year, run in conjunction with the British Horse Society, to raise safety awareness in riders. Further details can be obtained from the
Centre.
In an endeavour to try and improve the situation on the parish roads, two leaflets have been obtained from the British Horse Society’s Road Safety Officer (Anita
Knagg), which are being distributed to every household with the next Parish Council newsletter. Horse Sense for Motorist and Road Sense for Riders gives both sets of road users some helpful advice on road safety and guidance to the law.
The Parish Council have requested Lancashire County Council to place signs along Ulnes Walton Lane to warn drivers of the presence of horses and a decision on this is awaited.
It’s a GOAL!
- Several letters have been sent to the Parish Council by young people on the Wymott Estate wishing to have new goal post on Wymott Park. Typical of the comments were “the posts are dangerous and very loose” or “they are too small and one of my friends was hurt by running into the cross bar” and most asked for nets.
Following discussion with officers at the Borough Council they have agreed to provide new posts, unfortunately they cannot provide nets as it is not Borough policy to do so. If anyone would like to try and raise funds to buy some nets further discussion can take place. Please let the Parish Council know if you are able to help.
This is proof that people power does work and letters advising the Parish Council what improvements are needed really can make a difference. If something needs doing please let us know so we can try and get it sorted.
Speed Alley! - Members of the Parish Council recently had a very constructive meeting with representatives from Lancashire County Council and the Police Authority to consider initial proposals for speed reduction measures along Southport Road. A number of suggestions have been put forward by the County Council and more detailed plans are in the process of being drawn up. Full consultation will take place with residents before any measures are introduced.
Willow Weaving
- Everyone who took part in the willow weaving workshop really enjoyed the day despite the cold and the result was two beautifully woven heron sculptures. The event proved popular, with people queuing to take part, there will be another opportunity for those who missed out, to have ago as part of the planned wild flower project being planned by Action for Ulnes Walton.
A big thanks to all who contributed on the day and a special note for those who donated raffle prises which raised much needed funds for Action for Ulnes Walton.
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22 October
2004 - Quality Counts. Ulnes
Walton is celebrating its achievement on becoming the first Parish Council
in Lancashire to be awarded Quality Status.
The ‘quality’
scheme operated by the Government aims to encourage all parish councils to
reach the standards of the best and so demonstrate their ability to truly
represent the local community. A quality parish council has to show that
it:
In
order to attain the prestigious status of Quality Parish Council, Ulnes
Walton had to pass seven tests covering the electoral mandate; the
qualifications of the Clerk; conduct of Council meetings; communication
with the electorate; Annual Reports; Accounts and the ethical framework of
its activities.
The
portfolio submission was assessed by an independent panel, appointed by
the National Association of Local Councils, which is chaired by Professor
John Motherly, Principal of Myerscough College.
The
Councillors will be awarded the Certificate of Accreditation at a special
ceremony in County Hall, Preston on the 25 November 2004.
The
Parish Council Clerk Lynne Rowett said “It has been worth all the hard
work and hopefully Quality Status will lead us on to bigger and better
things”.
Chairman
Derek Ormerod said ‘We are delighted with our award. Parishes are the
grassroots of the democratic system and the Quality Status scheme gives us
the opportunity to really make a difference in Ulnes Walton. We welcome
the challenge our new status provides’.
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26 August 2004
- A Date with the Elderberries! - On Thursday, 26th August, Lindsay Hoyle MP had a date with the Elderberries. at Wymott and Garth Club.
Click
here to see how he go on.
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17 August 2004
- Screening Wymott Prison - Parish Councillor David Williams recently met with residents to discuss the planned screening programme for HMP
Wymott.
Click
here to
see the notes reflect the discussions at the meeting.
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7 August 2004
- Elderberries Launch Calendar - The Elderberries have been working very hard on the production of a calendar depicting Ulnes Walton’s past and present, based on an original idea put forward by the Parish Council and the Parish Plan Steering Group.
The calendar will be officially launched by Lindsay Hoyle MP at the Wymott and Garth Club on Thursday 26 August at 3 pm, an open invitation is extended to all to attend. There will be a display of the contents of the calendar up to 7 pm.
Each household in the parish will receive a complimentary copy of the calendar around October time, but extra copies are available on the day or by request at a cost of £2.50.
Further details can be obtained for Barbara Kennington on 01772 431986 or any member of the
Elderberries.
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2 August 2004
- Raffle Prizes Needed - A raffle will be held on the 9 October to raise funds for Action for Ulnes Walton to put towards future projects, prizes are needed so if you are able to donate anything please contact the Clerk or one of the Parish
Councillors.
Get Drawing!
- As part of the event on 9 October an art competition is being held for primary age children. The theme is River Life, so the picture needs to be something associated with the river – animals; birds; or a river itself etc. and must be no bigger than A4 size. Prizes will be given for the best ones. Send your entries to the Clerk by no later than 5 October, remembering to write your name age and address on the back. So get drawing!
"Action For Ulnes Walton" Needs You!
You will all have received a copy of the Parish Plan and hopefully had time to read and digest its contents. Many projects have been identified but for many of them to be fulfilled a new community group Action for Ulnes Walton needs to be formed. All the residents of Ulnes Walton over the age of 18 are automatically members of Action for Ulnes Walton.
The first stage is to establish an Executive Committee of up to 11 residents and volunteers are required. The following people have already put their names forward Janet
Royle, Pauline Coan, Jim Coan, Bob Bell and Helen Williams but for the project to be successful a few more are needed.
The Executive Committee will meet approx once per quarter and will over see the running of the projects. Other groups will be formed below this committee to work on individual projects.
Prior to the Parish Council meeting on the 13 September 2004 a short public meeting will be held at 7.30pm to officially appoint the Committee and adopt the constitution. Even if you are unable to become an Executive Committee member please come to the meeting and find out more about future plans. JUST BY COMING ALONG YOU CAN MAKE A POSITIVE IMPACT ON THE FUTURE FOR ULNES WALTON
If you would like to know more about the Executive Committee; the constitution or to volunteer please contact the Clerk to the Parish Council.
The deadline for nominations is Friday the 10 September 2004. If more than 11 people volunteer a ballot will be held.
Mersey Basin Week
- The Parish Council and Action for Ulnes Walton have been invited to take part in a week of activities associated with the Mersey Basin. Funding has been obtained from the Mersey Basin Campaign and Lancashire County Council for a Willow Weaving workshop to take place on Saturday the 9 October, at the Old School from 10 am to 4pm. The aim will be to create two sculptures of birds or animals to be placed by the River
Lostock. Places on the workshop are strictly limited and will be granted on a first come first served basis, it is suitable for anyone age 8 to 80, but children must be accompanied by an adult. There is no charge for the workshop, so to book your place, contact the Clerk.
Watch out for further details but other activities on the day will include an art display; painting competition for children; mask making; afternoon teas; display by the Environment Agency on the clean up of the
Lostock; a raffle and much more. So come along, join in and enjoy the day.
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2 July 2004
- The Viking Council - Alan Jones, editor of the National Association of Local Councils "Local Council Review",
visited Ulnes Walton. See what he has to say
here.
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25 June 2004
- Quality Parish Council Status - Ulnes Walton is hoping to apply to become recognised at a Quality Parish Council; one of the important criteria in achieving such recognition is for the Clerk to have passed the AQA Certificate in Local Council Administration.
Lynne Rowett has recently attained the high standards required and is now an accredited Clerk the first in Lancashire to have passed the grade.
Steps can now be taken to apply for Quality Status.
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Also in
June
ON YER BIKE! - Funding has been secured with assistance from the Green Centre and Lancashire County Council Bike Aid for cycle racks to be placed at the Old School and the Prison Officers Club. It is hoped it will encourage more people to cycle to the venues rather than using the car, please try and use the racks.
Clean Up The Lostock - Darren Wilson from the Environment Agency will be attending the Parish Council meeting in July to talk about the improvement project he is managing relating to physical improvements to the river Lostock with a long term aim of encouraging the return of migratory fish populations (salmon and sea trout) and sustainable coarse fish populations. Darren is the fisheries technical officer for the River Douglas catchment of which the Lostock is an important tributary.
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22 May 2004
- Village Ditches "Where's That? Tag - People have continually got confused because they couldn't find Ulnes
Walton on the map.
"But where's Ulnes Walton?" has been a common question for years because until a few months ago the village was nowhere to be seen on maps.
Follow the story behind getting Ulnes Walton
"on
the map".
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10 May 2004
- Parish
Plan Launched In Style - Monday 10 May 2004 saw the official launch of the Parish Plan. The event took place at the Old School and was well attended by residents and those who contributed to its preparation.
For more, click here.
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28 April
2004 - A Parish Plans Its Future -
Ulnes Walton with around 300 households may not be the biggest village in the Chorley area but when looking to the future it certainly comes top for forward thinking and enthusiasm.
Over the past twelve months, with support from the Countryside Agency, the villagers have been preparing a Parish Plan which was launched at the Annual Village Assembly on Monday, 10th May 2004.
The majority of local residents have had a hand in preparing the 24 page booklet which reveals their vision for the future of the village. Illustrated by Helen Williams, a member of the ten strong group which masterminded the project, the plan reveals how the locals hope to preserve and enhance the village over the next few years.
The comprehensive plan covers all the issues which are of local concern including: social matters, road safety, communications, building development, wildlife etc. and will be a ‘road map’ for the Parish Council in setting out its priorities over the next few years.Chair of the Steering Group, Derek Ormerod, said, “The plan has grown out of the very real sense of value the residents of Ulnes Walton place on their community. It is a first class example of grassroots democracy in action. We now need to use its ideas and proposals, working together with colleagues from Chorley Borough Council and Lancashire County Council, to build the best possible future for Ulnes Walton.”
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20 March 2004 - Visit To The New Wymott Block
- On Saturday 20 March 2004, eleven people from the parish (nine residents and two Parish Councillors) attended an excellent visit to the new block at Wymott Prison. We were hosted by Peter Gillmore and grateful thanks are given for his valuable time. For more, click
here.
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Also in March 2004
Road Safety - Following lobbying by the Parish Council confirmation has been received from the County Council that two projects will be put forward for consideration for inclusion in their business plan:
Congestion around the junction of New Lane with Southport Road
Signage at the junction of Moss Lane with Ulnes Walton Lane
A representative from the Traffic and Road Safety Section of the County Council will be visiting the Parish Council later in the year to discuss other proposals for inclusion in future business plans.
Prison Issues - Members of the Parish Council and the Clerk have been spending a lot of time recently in and around the prison campus –
click here
to find out what they been up to.
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18 February 2004 - Local Government Review of Two Tier Areas In Cumbria and Lancashire: Draft Recommendations
- The Parish Council have given consideration to the proposals regarding the above. The recommendations can be viewed
here.
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18 February 2004 -Traffic Accidents in Ulnes Walton
Contributor: Councillor Margaret Iddon, Councillor for Lostock Ward
Between 1st January 1998 and 30th September 2003 there were 64 recorded traffic accidents in Ulnes Walton. The details of these accidents were recorded in most cases because people were injured; there were a total of 90 casualties in these 64 accidents.
There are however a considerable number of accidents that go unrecorded, these are the “bent metal” type accidents were there are no casualties just damaged vehicles.
When the Highway Authorities are considering whether a particular road warrants traffic calming measures it is only the recorded accidents that are taken into account. These figures do not paint the full picture because in some cases it is only a stroke of luck that makes the difference between accidents were there are no casualties and those were people are injured.
I would like to keep a record of the non-injury accidents that residents know the details of so that we have better information to strengthen our case as and when traffic calming measures or restrictions are requested.
If you know that there has been a minor or non-injury accident please could you let me know by any one of the following methods:
Telephone: 01772 600172
Post: 28 Riverside Crescent Croston PR26 9RU
Email:
Known traffic accidents statistics can be seen by clicking
here.
PS from the Parish Council - Don't forget accidents can now also be recorded on the Forums!
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12 February 2004
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Community Car Scheme - Ulnes Walton
Needs You! Following on from Ulnes Walton Parish Plan questionnaire detailed information has been collated and shown that 40/50% of residents thought a county car scheme was a good idea.
Lancashire County Council are willing to provide a scheme but unless local residents come forward as volunteer drivers the funding will be lost and the scheme will not go ahead. We have until March 2004 to find drivers or it will be lost for another year.
If you wish this scheme to go ahead, help us to help you and ring Cein Heath on 01257 453784 who will be more than happy to discuss it with you.
What is County Cars? The scheme is intended to help residents who have difficulty getting out and about in their community whether through physical disability or because no bus service is provided. It is run by volunteers who answer the phone and volunteer drivers, who use their own cars and are reimbursed their expenses.
The scheme can be used to visit Doctors, Dentists, Friends, Shopping, Opticians etc.
