Croston Parish Council Newsletter

December 2017

Croston Parish Council would like to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year

Members of Croston in Bloom and other NW in Bloom award winners

The Village was awarded Silver Gilt in the RHS Britain in Bloom, Large Village Category and 1st Prize and a Gold Award in the Large Village Category of the North West in Bloom (see centre pages for more details). As this is a repeat of the 2015 results, we’ve taken the liberty of recycling the headline from the December 2015 newsletter in honour of this!

As always, we offer huge thanks to the Members of the Croston in Bloom Group and the Friends of Croston Station for their efforts and everyone else throughout the village for their help in keeping areas tidy and providing floral displays.

Blooming Great!

Chairman’s Message As this is the last newsletter of 2017 it is perhaps inevitable that we take a look back over this year and see what has been achieved.

Early Summer saw the official opening of the new flood relief scheme which operated for the first time on the night of 21 October when heavy rain on saturated ground caused the river level to raise dramatically. It was a great relief to many residents to see that the scheme worked well.

Summer saw stage 1 of the refurbishment of the Recreation Ground. The new play equipment has been a resounding success and plans are now being drawn up for the next stage which will include a perimeter path and picnic area.

September saw the Parish Council finally taking on the lease of the Out Lane Car Park. Volunteers from Croston in Bloom have kindly cleared the site of its overgrown vegetation with help from Chorley Council, who kindly provided a skip and wood chipper. The Council will now look to see what improvements can be made.

November saw the completion of 6 months of renovation works to the Church and it has re-opened with better access for all, a new toilet and most importantly the completion of major repair works to the roof and floor.

Sadly the repairs to Town Bridge have been less than satisfactory and the Parish Council have raised the issue of the unsightly pointing with relevant authority.

So it’s been a busy year - let’s hope 2018 is as productive!

On behalf of the Parish Council I wish you all a Happy Christmas with our best wishes for the New Year.

Anne Peet

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Croston/Azay le Rideau Twinning Association

Croston has had a long and successful twinning association with the lovely town of Azay le Rideau. What started as a school exchange developed into family exchanges with lifelong friendships being made. The exchanges alternate between Azay and Croston and usually take place towards the end of August. We are always very pleased to welcome new members to the association and would be delighted to have new participants in the exchanges, both in receiving guests from France and in travelling to visit partners in Azay and district.

We raise funds to help with the costs of entertaining our French visitors etc. and one main event is the annual Bastille Day Fair in July on the Village Green. This Summer’s fair had a visiting choir from Azay, as well as the usual attractions. Recently we had a wine and cheese evening in the Old School and we hope to start our Boules breakfast sessions again.

Association meetings take place about once a month in Croston Sports club and if you would like to find out more, Jean Fenemore (Secretary) on 01772 600572, would be pleased to answer your questions.

Future of Town Bridge Lancashire County Council has been requested by Historic England to consider the closure of Croston Town Bridge to vehicles. It is a Grade II listed structure and a Scheduled Ancient Monument; it was constructed in 1682 and is at the heart of the Croston conservation area.

LCC has prepared a maintenance scheme to repair and strengthen the structure. Scheduled Monument Consent is required from Historic England for any work to the bridge other than routine maintenance. Historic England stated that in their experience it is unusual for a bridge of this nature and age to still be in use for vehicular traffic.

There is continual damage from vehicles hitting the parapet walls, scraping, damaging and displacing the stone. The road over the bridge is very narrow with insufficient room for vehicles to pass pedestrians.

Closure would

• safeguard the Ancient Monument in the long term

• improve pedestrian, equestrian and cyclist safety whilst using the bridge

• remove traffic loading so that strengthening will not be required

• improve the conservation area by allowing the bridge to become public space

The loss of a vehicular crossing of the River Yarrow may affect residents living near the bridge. The bridge may also need to be reopened during times of flooding to allow access for residents and emergency services.

The parish council is one of a small number of key stakeholders to have been consulted initially about the proposal, and the general consensus of Members is in favour of closure.

Assuming there are no serious objections to the initial consultation, LCC intends to move onto a second stage of consultation with residents. The last date for feedback will be 15 January 2018.

Feedback can be emailed to townbridge@lancashire.gov.uk

or by writing to:

Town Bridge Consultation Design and Construction Lancashire County Council PO Box 100, County Hall, Preston, PR1 0LD

Please include your name and address with your feedback.

• For children aged 2 - 5 years

• Core hours 9.00am - 4.00pm Mon - Fri

• Breakfast and tea-time clubs (subject to sufficient numbers attending)

• Established over 40 years

• Led by specialist Early Years Teacher

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Tel: 01772 601241

Email: admin@crostonpreschool.org

www.crostonpreschool.org

Croston in Bloom

GOLD MEDAL & LARGE VILLAGE

CATEGORY WINNER Didn’t we do well!

Croston in Bloom is celebrating it’s most successful year to

date.

RHS Britain in Bloom Volunteers attended the RHS Britain in Bloom Awards ceremony in Llandudno where we were very proud to collect a ‘Silver Gilt’ award.

Here are just a few of the judges comments:

“.. The Black Horse pub with it’s full sized bowling green was impressive”

“ Croston station was a standout location. Both sides of the track at the station were very well maintained. Well done to Kath and the team”

“The recycling programme is very good…..special mention must be made to the ‘dog pick bottles’ , a great innovation”

“The recovery from the flood damage of 2015 was quite remarkable”

“There is little doubt that the good work of the Croston Community will carry on well into the future”

At the judges surgery we attended the following day we learned that we had only missed the Gold Award by a couple of points and our visitors had been very impressed by the great sense of community they felt.

RHS Northwest in Bloom

Members of the various groups which make up Croston in Bloom

celebrating their Gold Medal and Best Large Village Award

Tracy and Andrew from The Black Horse receiving their Gold Medal and Best in Category Award with

judge Brian Whalley and the Mayor of Chorley, Cllr Mark Perks

Kath & David from the Friends of Croston Station.

Winners of an ‘Outstanding’ award

We should like to thank everyone who contributed in any way to our success

this year.

….. And it isn't over yet.. We will be featured in a

BBC2 programme in Spring!

Fundraising Whilst gardening takes a back seat during the winter months we

will be busy raising funds for next summer’s projects.

Why not come a chat to us at the Christmas market on Sunday 10 December when we will be outside The Old School selling our

rustic snowmen, Xmas bunting and had crocheted door wreaths.

You could also enter our Winter Doorstep Challenge!

Happy Christmas!

Croston in Bloom’s

WINTER DOORSTEP CHALLENGE

£1 per door

1st round of judging will take place on

Friday 15 December

The final top 10 will be judged on

Saturday 16 December by RHS judge David Bielowski.

What will be judged? Doorstep planters, window boxes and hanging baskets adjacent to front doors.

What will the judges be looking for?

Good quality established plants that are being well looked after

Can I include Xmas decorations, lights etc?

Yes, you can but these will not be considered when judging.

How do I enter? Either:

• Complete the form on the next page and drop it off at Favourites or McCalls

• Email us at crostoninbloom@gmail.com

• Via our facebook page ‘crostoninbloom’

Closing date for entries: Wednesday 13 December

Croston in Bloom - Winter Door step Challenge 2017 Application Form

Name: …………………………………………………………………………………………………

Address: …………………………………………………………………………………………………

………………………………………………………………………………………………... Telephone: ……………………………………………………………………………………………….. For further details contact: Martin Chaplin 07597 183 163

May

May

HMP Garth Seat You may remember an article in our September newsletter about a seat which had been made in HMP Garth’s joinery workshop and was kindly donated to the Parish Council.

The seat is now sitting (no pun intended) nicely in its new location, opposite Butterfly Farm on Highfield Road, replacing the old one.

We’d like to again thank Croston resident, Anne Double (Education manager at HMP Garth), Frank Sutherland (Joinery Trainer) and, of course, the students who made the seat.

Newsletter Articles We’re often asked for the closing dates for the inclusion of articles so here’s a reminder of the closing dates for 2018 for anyone wanting to include any activities, events or information in the quarterly parish council newsletter.

The dates are

16 February 2018 (March issue)

18 May 2018 (June issue)

17 August (September issue)

16 November (December issue)

Subject to space in the newsletter we’re happy to include articles for local not-for-profit organisations free of charge.

For information contact the Clerk (details on back page).

Local Businesses

Would you like to reach around 1200 households

in Croston?

Full colour ads in the newsletter cost £20 (quarter page), £40 (half page), and

£60 (full page).

If you would like to advertise in this newsletter contact

Alan Platt on 01257 234003 or email

crostonpc@btinternet.com for further details.

Bookings now being taken for 2018!

An ideal venue for any special occasion

Licensed bar available

For forthcoming events please go our Facebook page

Tel: 01772 603600

Croston Old School

Croston Community Centre

Why not take a look at our Facebook page to see what’s on at your local Community Centre.

The centre hosts a wide number of activities - Scouting, Dance, Over 60’s, Tots Group, Table Tennis, Bingo and Café and Children’s Parties.

NEW!! We are hosting new classes of Kirtan &Shanti. Please look at our FB page for further details.

Have you a few hours per month free? Why not consider becoming a Committee Member to help run the Centre? You can give as much time as you wish.

Please ring Susan on 601321 or John on 601216.

Tots Group Are you new to the Village with under 5's and looking for somewhere to go?

We have 2 groups of mums/dads/ grandparents/carers - oh and small people! - who meet on Wednesdays at The Old School (near the Church) and the Community Centre, Castle Walks on Thursday mornings (both from 9-30am - 11-30am.

Do come along and make new friends, have a chat and watch your children make new friends too. Brews/juice/snacks are provided + craft activities.

Look forward to seeing you there.

Out Lane Car Park

A quick update on the car park

Thanks to the members of Croston in Bloom Group who worked very hard cutting back the overgrown bushes and grass. Thanks also to Chorley Council for providing a chipper and operatives to mulch the branches.

We’re now looking to have the car park mapped to make sure we have as many parking spaces as we can.

What is Lancashire Volunteer Partnership?

It's a range of public service organisations who have come together to improve, promote and widen volunteering across the public sector. Our partners include Lancashire County Council, Lancashire Constabulary, Lancashire Fire and Rescue, Borough Council, health services and many more.

We are passionate about supporting people and building stronger, more resilient communities that can flourish, and at the heart of this are our volunteers. At present LVP supports over 3,500 Public Service Volun-teers ranging from over 800 young people engaged in uniformed youth groups such as Police and Fire Cadets, through to volunteers visiting people who may be feeling lonely or supporting those who are struggling to get out and about independently, to giving a carer some respite time, volunteering alongside the Constabulary as a Special Constable or Sup-port Volunteer, children’s centres, as a cadet leader or as a Neighbour-hood watch Co-ordinator, there are many opportunities available for peo-ple wanting to volunteer in Lancashire.

To view opportunities in your area please visit our website at www.lancsvp.org.uk

You can visit our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/lancsvp

Over 60’s

Over 60?

Looking for somewhere to go on Wednesday afternoons?

Come along to the Community Centre, Castle Walks from 1:00pm.

In the run up to Christmas, it’s important to make sure you become more security conscious. Never leave anything of value on view in your car or your home. Keep all windows, doors, sheds and garages locked and secure.

Do not advertise on social media when you are out of your address, for example when you go Christmas shopping. Do not tell everyone where you are or your plans to be away from home. Doing so leaves your property vulnerable.

Now the weather is cooling down and we are expecting frost and ice, do not defrost your car and leave the engine running whilst you go back inside to stay warm. This is an offence, and your insurance will be invalid if your car is stolen whilst doing this.

If you have vulnerable or elderly neighbours, please spare a moment to check on them during the winter months.

On behalf of Lancashire Police, can I wish you all a safe, happy and joyous festive season.

PCSO 7932 Maria Fetherstone

Croston St Michael’s Scouts The 3 Sections this term have been involved in number of different and diverse activities. Our Beavers (6 - 8) have been learning Karate as part of their health and fitness badge and having fun at our Halloween Party, we have had 6 Beavers gaining their Chief Scouts Bronze Award - the highest level badge. Our Cubs (8 - 10.5) have been learning how to make single shot movies and competing in their very own bake off. Scouts (10.5 - 14) have taken part in a water activity day, high ropes at Haigh Hall and a ‘Stars at Night’ visit to complete the Astronomy Badge.

As a Group we have had the first family camp for a number of years and despite the time of year had over 15 families camping with us at Bowley Campsite, near Blackburn. The weekend was packed with activities, culminating in a good old fashioned sing song round the campfire in the evening.

The next few weeks are packed in the run up to Christmas with Remembrance Sunday, sleepovers and loads of other activities across the 3 sections. Of course, we are always in need of parent help, even one night a month is brilliant and our young people get even more out of it. If you think you can help or would like to know more contact Russell on 07793712699 or croston_GSL@hotmail.com

Contact Details

Alan Platt (Clerk to the Council) can be contacted at:

9 Ambleside Avenue Euxton Chorley PR7 6NX

Tel: 01257 234003

e-mail: crostonpc@btinternet.com

website: www.crostonparishcouncil.org.uk

Council meetings are held on the second Wednesday of each month (except August), commencing at 7:30pm, in The Old School, Church Street, Croston. Details of the meetings are placed in the notice boards prior to the meetings.

Residents are always welcome to attend and part of each meeting is set aside specifically for residents to air their views on local issues.

Tel

600012

600368 07545 976151

600572 07787 005663 07983 578671

603427 07905 452160 07415 410037

Councillors

Anne Peet (Chairman)

Kath Almond Mark Cowley Peter Fenemore Keith Iddon Stuart Laverick Bruno Paillusson Gill Stubbs Kevin Ward

Useful Telephone Numbers

Police (non-emergency): 101

Chorley Police Station 01257 264225

Crimestoppers 0800 555111

British Transport Police (station/car park): 0800 405040

Chorley Borough Council 01257 515151

Lancashire County Council (roads and pavements, including street lighting): 0300 123 6780

National Grid Gas leaks 0800 111999 Electricity 0800 404090

United Utilities (Water) Leakline 0800 330033

Flood Action Group Kath Almond: 01772 600368,

Richard Guinness 01772 600957 Dave Massam 01772 601077,

Environment Agency Floodline 0345 9881188

Notice boards

Keep up to date with Parish Council activities and details of meetings etc. The notice boards are located on the Village Green, outside the Co-op, in front of the former Police Station on Westhead Road and by the Surgery on Brookfield.

Local non-for-profit organisations wishing to include A4 sized posters to publicise events etc should contact the Clerk.

Published by Alan Platt, 9 Ambleside Avenue, Euxton, Chorley. PR7 6NX

Printed by Printwise, Clarke Street, Poulton-le-Fylde, FY6 8JR. Tel: 01253 885142