If YOU know of an unsung hero, PLEASE WRITE to the Town Council outlining your reasons for nomination by the closing date: Friday 21st November 2008
Mrs A Dominy,
Mayor's Secretary,
Wareham Town Council,
Town Hall,
East Street,
Wareham, BH20 4N
Rod Curtis (left), with Blue Peter TV Gardener Chris Cooper and Councillor Eric Osmond receiving Wareham's Gold Award.
Doubly delighted in fact since, following on from last year's first ever gold award, Wareham did it again, and - as all around us got Silver and Silver Gilt - we were awarded a Gold for the second consecutive year in the Small Town section.
Eric and I couldn't believe our ears as we went up to receive the award from 'Blue Peter' Gardener Chris Collins. As the only town in Dorset to achieve a Gold this year, I can only echo the words of Town Mayor Malcolm Russell who said:
"On behalf of the whole town of Wareham, I extend my grateful thanks to the Chairman and members of the Wareham in Bloom Committee, to Council staff, to our small army of helpers and waterers, to our plant supplier Mr Jorge Annaheim of Wareham, to our many generous sponsors and to anyone who has helped in any way to achieve this award today. Following on from our first Gold in 2007, it is a superb achievement."
We now look forward with fingers crossed to receiving the news of our entry in the Britain in Bloom national finals on 24th September at Chester…watch this space!
The Planning and Transport Committee meets every three weeks on a Monday evening to consider planning applications submitted within the town of Wareham to Purbeck District Council. The Town Council is therefore consulted by the District Council who will then consider all comments and any objections before reaching the final decision as the Planning Authority for Purbeck. Similar applications from Dorset County Council are also considered. The Committee also considers all transport issues within the town although it has no delegated powers, however Council support for schemes proposed by residents can be directed to the relevant officers in Dorset County Council's Highways, Public Transport and Traffic departments for full consideration if thought appropriate for Wareham. Recent planning applications have included the following:
Planning Applications
Application No: 6/2008/0493/Purbeck District Council - Change of use to use part of existing parking area at Purbeck School, Worgret Road for weekends and school holidays as an overflow coach park for Wareham. The Committee considered this to be a very practical idea to relieve Streche Road car park and there were no objections to the scheme.
Application No: 6/2008/0485/Dorset County Council - erect external fire escape, lay path and insert window at southern elevation, Purbeck Sports Centre, Worgret Road. No objections were recorded for this application.
Application No: 6/2008/0433/G B Ward Builders - form a new access and erect three detached dwellings with detached garages at 4 and 6 Barnes Road, Wareham (off Stowell Crescent). Strong objections were conveyed regarding this further application, the Committee considering that very little had changed from the original application to create new dwellings within the curtilage of these residences, in terms of access difficulties for the proposed buildings.
Transport issues have recently included the following:
South West Trains ticket office closure and reduced opening hours for all railway stations
The Chairman, Cllr Mrs Selby, reported that she had received correspondence from Town and District Councillor Mr K Critchley regarding the proposals and it was resolved, after discussion, to send a letter to Annette Brook Mp and Jim Knight MP to encourage them to support early day Motions 1841 and 1969, drawing their attention to the Committee's concerns regarding the Disability Discrimination Act 2004 for all rail passengers.
Parking Problems at Mill Lane, Wareham
A letter from a resident in Mill Lane had requested support for a 'no waiting at any time' restriction in the vicinity of his residence. After a lengthy discussion during which several members advised that they had visited the address and sympathised with all residents of Mill Lane concerning parking problems, it was resolved that the resident be sent a letter advising him that the Committee did not feel able to support this request on this occasion.
Rod Curtis, Town Clerk.
Town Council Meeting 1st July 2008
At the Council meeting of 1st July 2008, following routine items, the following matters were considered:
Town Museum - terms of reference. Proposals for amendments had been submitted by the Policy, Resources and Finance Committee and some suggested amendments had been made by the Museum Committee. It was decided that the matter should be deferred to the next meeting of the PRF Committee to decide the final version.
Annual Report to Council Members had been circulated with a copy of the Annual Report for Civic year 2007/2008, prepared by the Town Clerk. This gave a permanent record of solid achievement for the year, committee by committee, together with a financial statement for the year and a full list of councillors' contact details. The Mayor thanked the Town Clerk and staff for their input to this report. This document will shortly be on the Town Council's website: www.wareham-tc.gov.uk for all to see.
Standing Orders Working Party - Members were requested to re-appoint a Standing Orders Working Party for the new Civic Year and it was resolved that the Chairmen of the three Standing Committees together with the Mayor and Town Clerk be appointed, to meet in September with a view to revising Standing Orders.
Public Toilets in Wareham A copy of a letter received from the Chief Executive Purbeck District Council relating to the public toilets on The Quay, Wareham (in response to a letter from the Town Clerk), was considered, together with a further letter received from Mr. Bill Davidson, Environmental Services Officer at Purbeck District Council, providing further information. After a discussion it was resolved that the Town Clerk arrange a meeting with Mr. Davidson, Councillors Budd and Critchley to discuss areas of concern that had been highlighted by a recent visitor to the town.
The Council's Amenities Committee, following a request by the circus (in its 21st anniversary year), decided to give it a try on this occasion at the Recreation Ground provided that due care and attention to the playing field surface was given. The circus set up successfully on the fields with vehicles and caravans surrounding the 'Big Top', in 'wagon train' style.
Harry, who steered Portsmouth FC to FA Cup victory in May 2008, attended a presentation of cheques from the Wareham Round Table and also brought along the Cup itself.
Mayor Malcolm Russell received a £100 cheque for his Mayor's charities (Wareham Blind Club and Macmillan Cancer Dorset). The visit followed on from a previous visit to Wareham at the Quay Inn in June when Portsmouth FC players brought the Cup to pose with excited local football fans.
A very successful fundraising effort for Wareham in Bloom was held in the Corn Exchange on 26th January. A coffee morning held in conjunction with an exhibition of pictures by the Wareham Camera Club, a competition featuring photographs of trees taken by Wareham Middle School pupils, and a jumble sale raised £350 for this year's 'In Bloom' effort. Many thanks to the members of the Wareham in Bloom Committee and all others who helped raise this magnificent sum in the space of one Saturday morning in Wareham.
Town Hall Building Works
Planning permission has been granted for the taking down of three chimneys at the Town Hall, recommended in a major survey report commissioned by the Town Council in 2005. In addition to interior gable end strengthening work undertaken last year, this project will help to increase the stability of the Town Hall roof area. The Town Hall was designed by Thomas Crickmay, Thomas Hardy's architect 'boss', in 1868 and opened for business in 1870. Although not a listed building, it is in the town's conservation area. Most of the work will take place via scaffolding placed at the rear of the building, commencing 10th March, and there will be no inconvenience to the public.
Drop In Centre for Youth
Plans for a youth oriented 'Drop in Centre' have recently been discussed at meetings of the Wareham Community Partnership, re-formed in 2007 to take forward the Wareham Community Plan under the leadership of the Town Council. A pet project of the current Mayor, Sue Elmes, nothing has yet been achieved due to a lack of suitable town centre premises. The centre would need to be supervised by qualified youth workers. If anyone has knowledge of any upcoming premises, please let us know.
Housing Action Day
A Housing Action Day has also been planned by the Wareham Community Partnership, on Saturday 5th April in the Corn Exchange. The theme is ' Affordable Housing Advice' and displays will be manned by mortgage advisors, housing professionals, District Council housing team officers etc. If you want to find out about affordable housing, shared ownership schemes, ways of getting on the housing ladder in Wareham and Purbeck, details of grants to improve your property, keep your home warm etc and many other topics, please pop in and we will be glad to see you.
Organised by the Wareham Town Trust and Wareham in Bloom, there will be a community effort on Sunday 9th March to litter pick the Wareham Walls. The town's ancient Saxon monument provides interesting and stimulating walks around the perimeter of the old town, with some lovely views of our water meadows. Let's keep them tidy for all to enjoy - if you wish to get involved, please let us know and full details will be given, or simply join the group on the day.
Stop Press: Guggenmusik Festival - it's back!
Word has been received from the organisers of the first Wareham Guggenmusik Festival in 2006 that the event will be back bigger than ever with more bands this summer - including the popular Bournemouth Gugge Band and bands from Europe. Planned for the weekend of 5/6/7 July during Wareham Carnival Week, there will be some Gugge activity at the Quay, however the main event is planned for the Wareham Recreation Ground along with other Carnival events. There will be a small admission charge but all children will be free. Make a note in your diary to come along and support your local Carnival and swing along to the Guggenmusik ('Happy Music' to those who know what it's all about).
Wareham Town Council contact details:
Tel: 01929 553006. The Town Council offices are located at the Town Hall, East Street, Wareham. Bookings are taken for the Corn Exchange, the use of the Council Chamber for weddings and civil partnerships, and for sports pitches at the Council's Recreation Ground in Worgret Road. You may also e-mail the Town Clerk at 'clerk@wareham-tc.gov.uk at any time. We look forward to hearing from you. Website: www.wareham-tc.gov.uk/
Rod Curtis, Town Clerk
Mayor, Councillor Sue Elmes, presenting the Volunteer of the Year Award to Mrs Hilary Evans.
At Wareham Town Council's
Annual Christmas Reception on 19th December 2007 the Mayor, Councillor
Sue Elmes, presented the Volunteer of the Year Award to Mrs Hilary Evans.
Cllr Elmes referred to Hilary's involvement in community projects over
many years. This included her invaluable contributions to Wareham Ahead,
the Wareham Community Partnership, Wareham Town Trust, the Saxon Festival,
the French Market, Wareham Online and the Saturday Street Market Steering
Group. Hilary, of East Street, Wareham was presented with a framed certificate
in recognition of her achievement and her name has been placed on the
Volunteer of the Year board in the Corn Exchange.
Well done, Hilary!
