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Village halls are still for all

by Louise Beaton OBE and David Clark

LEGAL MATTERS

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Congleton Youth Council with town councillor Kay Wesley, Mayor’s cadet Haru Pepper and co-chairs Barney Mitcheson and Sadie Kirk.

YOUNGSTERS DRAW ON EXPERIENCE FOR NEW COUNCIL ROLE

A new youth council is up and running in Cheshire. An enthusiastic and diverse group of young people came together for their inaugural meeting at CONGLETON Town Hall. Twelve youngsters aged 10 to 17 attended the first session, representing a wide range of backgrounds and experiences. The group discussed the purpose of the council and its role in representing the views of young people to Congleton Town Council and the wider community. The first officers were elected with Barney Mitcheson and Sadie Kirk the co-chairs, alongside a vice-chair and leads for social media, fundraising and activities.

A celebration of small businesses proved to be a hit event in Buckingham.

BUCKINGHAM CELEBRATES ITS SMALL BUSINESSES

Two initiatives gained lots of interest from the community as BUCKINGHAM celebrated its small businesses. Children gathered in the town to search for hidden swans in shop windows, while their parents earned a stamp for every £5 spent on collecting cards. The initiatives offered the chance to win up to £100 to spend locally; a book voucher for Buckingham Bookshop, and vouchers for The Swan Pool and Leisure Centre. One business owner said it had been their biggest number of sales since opening and another expressed how many new faces had visited.

Report shows Nailsea businesses are not coping with new parking charges.

PARKING CHARGES BLAMED FOR SHOP CLOSURES

NAILSEA town centre is facing an accelerating economic decline following the introduction of parking charges by North Somerset Council, according to the town council. Two more businesses have recently closed or been put up for sale, with owners citing reduced footfall and falling trade directly linked to the parking charges. Several businesses have given notice to leave or are actively considering relocation, naming parking charges as a material factor in their decision. Despite repeated requests by the town council, a spokesman said no explanation for the new charges had been received from North Somerset Council.

David and Emma Dallimore think the new signal will be good for safety.

‘FORGOTTEN’ VILLAGE CONNECTS TO OUTSIDE WORLD

Residents and businesses in Penmachno, a rural Welsh village in the valleys of Eryri National Park, are no longer cut off from the outside world after EE delivered mobile coverage. Penmachno’s residents had no reliable mobile signal. EE’s connectivity is now being used to improve safety for residents and tourists, provide access to critical online services and boost the local economy. EE, with the support of BRO MACHNO Community Council, has built a mobile mast at the edge of a forest on the slopes of the Machno Valley.

Enjoying the chance to relax in Witham.

NEW CAFE ENCOURAGES PLENTY OF CHAT WITH HELPING HAND OFFER

The Mayor of WITHAM Paul Heath, has opened a new chatty cafe in the Essex town. It is an inviting space designed to bring people together, share stories and offer a helping hand with everyday tasks. Based in the town hall, the cafe welcomes everyone for a friendly chat, a cup of tea, and some practical advice. The mayor said: “Whether you’re looking to meet new people or need a bit of guidance, even something as simple as learning how to change a SIM card in your mobile phone, we’re there to help.”

The cheque handover took place in front of Trowbridge’s bandstand.

BUILDERS DONATE £2K FOR BANDSTAND RESTORATION

A developer with a major forthcoming development in TROWBRIDGE has donated £2,000 to the town council for the renovation of a bandstand. Persimmon Homes Wessex gave the cheque to Mayor Stephen Cooper, deputy Mayor and Wiltshire councillor Stewart Palmen, and town council officers after they were successful in applying for funding from the housebuilder’s Community Champions scheme. The council is raising funds to restore the town’s historic bandstand for the benefit of the whole community, with Persimmon’s donation going towards the visible decorative elements of the refurbishment, including repainting the bandstand and refreshing the dressing rooms.

Otley is getting ready to celebrate the town market’s 800th anniversary in 2027.

OTLEY GEARS UP TO HIT 800

Major community events are at the heart of the need to increase the annual precept, according to OTLEY Town Council. The precept had been frozen for three years and remained lower in real terms than six years ago. Every year, the council organises community events. However, this year is significant, because it leads up to Otley 800 celebrations, when the town will use the 800th year anniversaries of the town’s market and medieval bridge to celebrate its heritage and community. The anniversary will be marked with a year-long programme of community and heritage events.

Mayor of Sevenoaks Tony Clayton with artist Carole Aston and her linoprint.

DUCKS JOIN MAYORS’ COLLECTION

For more than half a century, Mayors of SEVENOAKS have donated artwork featuring a local scene to the town council’s public art collection. The latest artwork was donated by the Kent town’s Mayor Tony Clayton. Carole Aston's vibrant linoprint depicts ducks on Bradbourne Lakes and will be displayed in the council offices in Bradbourne Vale Road. The Mayor said: “Sevenoaks has such a wealth of nature in its green spaces and Carole’s picture portrays it beautifully.” Last year a commemorative booklet, showcasing the full collection, was produced to celebrate 50 years of Sevenoaks Town Council.

Cathryn Davies with her bouquet.

CATHRYN STEPS DOWN FROM CHAIR

Lengthy service, during which she chaired more than 200 parish council meetings was honoured when Cathryn Davies stepped down as chairwoman of LACEY GREEN Parish Council. She retired after 18 years as chair but will continue as a parish councillor. Parish councillors joined Buckinghamshire county councillors Shade Adoh and Robert Carington, and Police Constable Bryony Powell at a presentation event. Long-serving councillor Miv Hughes paid warm tribute, thanking the former chairwoman for a long and successful period of ‘hands on’ community service. Graham Peart was elected to take over the chair.