ANNUAL PARISH MEETING - THE BIGGEST YET?

This month's Annual Parish Meeting saw the largest collection of villagers at such a gathering for many years. The is obviously a lot to concern Creaton folk at the moment: houses, speeding traffic, churchyards and an increase in the precept (the amount of Council Tax that is taken for the upkeep of the village amenities). The Blackberry Farm housing issue was never very far away and whilst Paul Williams, the Manager at Highgate House, did his best with good news of the restaurant being open to the public (and giving away discount slips) I am sure that he left with a clear understanding of the potential undercurrent that could be stirred up here.

In addition to Paul Williams, the meeting was briefly addressed by Barry Frencham, Chair of Spratton Parish Council and candidate for the ward on the District Council. After introductions, he told the audience that there would be no Spratton Folk Festival this year. Oddly enough, no one jumped up offering to hold it in Creaton.

The official proceedings got underway with a series of reports, starting with the Parish Council Chair, Stan Perrins, and then followed by the Playing Field Association, Ducklings and the Village Hall. Retiring Councillor Linda Toombs gave a report on the village's Emergency Planning Committee and it was noted that the Neighbourhood Watch Scheme was without a leader since Bob Osborn moved out of the village.

Village issues were discussed. The street lights have to be changed over the next few years. There is a capital outlay yet the new lamps are apparently considerably more economic to run. The Churchyard is now full and is seeking official closure, a process that will end with the Church requesting the Parish Council to take on the maintenance. This process has some time to run its course.

Traffic claming measures are everybody's concern, whether it be that they are needed, or that some feel that the methods are more appropriate to an urban setting, not a small village. The speed of traffic on the Welford Road continues to be monitored by the Police and there is a permanent alert sign to be placed at the northern entrance to the village. The thirty mile an hour limit between Highgate House and the start of the village proper is to be raised to 40mph. One of the major concerns for the village, especially for those with children, is the lack of control on the Brixworth Road by the playing field. Suggestions were made of looking into speed restrictions, perhaps in the form a chicane rather than 'sleeping policemen. The Parish Council will be organising another Speed Watch campaign in the summer. Please contact one of your councillors to express an interest in joining this merry band of speed testers!

DP

GREAT DAFFODIL RUN & DAFFODIL DASH

Supporting the Marie Curie Cancer Care Great Daffodil Run & Daffodil Dash

The Great Daffodil Run, now in its 13th year, will again be held at Kelmarsh Hall, on Sunday 23rd May 2010. The Great Daffodil Run continues to be the region’s flagship event and to date has raised an incredible £700,000 for Marie Curie Cancer Care.Once again runners have the opportunity to take part in the 10km road race; a circular route starting in the grounds of Kelmarsh Hall before taking runners along minor roads around Kelmarsh and Clipston.

Also back for the second year is the Daffodil Dash, the 1.5km family fun run which will take place within the grounds of Kelmarsh Hall. The course is suitable for multi terrain pushchairs and all ages will be welcome, although children 14 years or under must take part with a responsible adult. Sadly, due to lack of support, the 15mile race will not be held this year.

ROADS CLOSED
The Great Daffodil Run will begin at 10:15 and for safety reasons roads around the villages will be closed from 09:45 until 13:00. A letter and copy of the road closure map was sent to local residents last month notifying them of the temporary road closures.

Marie Curie Nurses work across the UK from remote Scottish islands through to villages, towns and cities. They’re there for patients and carers at what can be the most stressful and exhausting time of their lives. The service is always free to patients and their families.

If you would like to take part in the Great Daffodil Run or Daffodil Dash, or are interested in other aspects of the charity, please visit the website www.mariecurie.org.uk

If you have any queries about the organisation of the Great Daffodil raun, contact the organisers on (01604) 442313 or email midlandsanglia-events@mariecurie.org.uk

NORTHAMPTON ASSOCIATION FOR THE BLIND

The NAB Mobile Information Unit will be visiting Brixworth at the beginning of June. The Unit will be at Brixworth Library, Spratton Road on Thursday June 1st between 1:15 and 2:30pm.

NAB are also offering ball-by-ball commentary for the blind at all 1st class matches at Northants County Ground on May 18th-21st, 24th-27th & 31st. Freed admission to any carer (with a registered blind person). Free receivers are available at the Club Shop or contact John Wood at NAB on 01604 719193 or Ray Foster on 01604 881532

CHANGES TO THE RECYCLING CENTRES

Changes are do be made to the service at Household waste Recycling Centres in Daventry and Brixworth. For more details, follow this link... (PDF document)

TREE CAMPAIGN

As The Tree Council launches its thirteenth annual Tree Care Campaign, the year will certainly be unlucky for many roadside trees. We have just seen the coldest winter for 31 years and a tree killer has once again reared its head – salt damage.

Newly planted roadsides trees and hedges may already have been fatally damaged by the large quantities of road salt used over this winter. Salt spray can also affect foliage or buds of dormant twigs. Unnaturally high levels of salt in the soil as a result of runoff from roads and pavements may, in severe cases, cause trees to lose limbs or even die.

“In many cases the damage to the tree is often not noticed until the spring or even summer, and people often don’t associate it with the winter salt. Unfortunately, there is little that can be done once the soil is salt laden. Attempting to irrigate the soil and wash out the salt may help, but if there is a lot of salt this may not be possible.” said Pauline Buchanan Black, Tree Council Director-General. “If British winters do continue to be cold, salt damage may be back on the agenda and we may face the death of thousands of roadside and hedgerow trees each year. A healthy landscape needs healthy trees: we can’t afford to lose them each winter”

“Visually check trees in your street if you live in towns, and out on walks in the country, and let the landowner or council know if they aren’t coming into leaf or if you can see other significant problems” suggested Jon Stokes, Director of Rural Programmes at The Tree Council. “Meanwhile, if you have trees of your own, now is the time to administer some basic care so that they have the best chance of a healthy future.”

THE TREE COUNCIL’S TREE CARE CAMPAIGN
Highlighting the need for better care for all trees the annual campaign runs from 21st March to 21st September. Anyone who has planted trees in the past 5 years is reminded to revisit them and carry out a few simple tree care tasks that can save young trees from dying and allow them to develop into the mature trees that enhance our urban and rural landscape, provide shade and local climate change, and support biodiversity.

An environmental charity, The Tree Council is an umbrella body for over 180 organisations working together for trees – planting, caring for and enjoying them – and a forum for tackling issues relating to trees and woods. It focuses on making trees matter to people; more trees, of the right kind, in the right places; better care for all trees of all ages and inspiring effective action for trees. It works with its national volunteer Tree Warden Scheme and member organisations to engage people in biodiversity and environmental issues and to promote planting and conservation of trees and woods in town and country. A major part of this is achieved through its annual Community Action Programme that also includes Walk in the Woods month, Seed Gathering Season and National Tree Week, and through supporting groups organising local events.