CHARLCOMBE PARISH COUNCIL MEETINGS:
The next meeting of the Charlcombe Parish Council will take place on Tuesday 31st October 2023 starting at 7.00pm, in the Foyer of St Stephens Church, Lansdown Road, Bath BA1 5SX. The agenda for the meeting will be published here about a week before the meeting .
If you are a member of the public and would like to participate in the meeting, please email the Clerk at charlcombepc@gmail.com no less than 24 hrs prior to the meeting.
The draft minutes from the 5th September Parish Council meeting can be read here .
NEWS:
Caring for the Cotswolds – grant scheme application open until 29th September
Wildflower verges in the village of Long Newnton, funded with a Caring for the Cotswolds grant
A new window for project applications will open on 3rd July for the Caring for the Cotswolds grant scheme, running until 29th September. The scheme is open to charities, town & parish councils and other non-profits in the Cotswolds AONB. Projects are sought in the four key themes of: conservation of habitats and species, heritage and landscape, improving access, and education.
The Caring for the Cotswolds scheme is based around a visitor-giving model. Visitors voluntarily donate to member businesses, who pass the funds along to be allocated as grants for projects that benefit the unique landscape and heritage of the Cotswolds.
James Webb, Partnerships and Fundraising Lead at Cotswolds National Landscape explains, “In the last year, a record number of projects across the Cotswolds were completed and claimed their grants, totalling approximately £21,000 – making our countryside a better place for people and wildlife. In this grants round, we’re keen to hear from organisations which are developing high quality projects across our region.”
Grants start at £500 and go up to £2,500. Projects must fall within at least one of the scheme’s four themes and offer good value for money. The application form and accompanying guidance document can be downloaded from the Cotswolds National Landscape website. The application window will be open until 29th September, after which time the applications will be reviewed and decisions made towards the end of the year.
Ben Dent, Cotswolds National Landscape Board Member said, “Many really valuable projects just need a relatively small amount of cash, with the minimum of paperwork – and that’s Caring for the Cotswolds! So, whether you want to contribute to the Cotswolds’ landscape, nature, climate action or heritage, we’re here to help you. And this is only made possible by the participating businesses, and their customers, whose generous contributions to this scheme help to keep the Cotswolds a special place to live, work, and visit.”
Further details on the scheme and of the projects supported can be seen here: https://www.cotswoldsaonb.org.uk/looking-after/caring-for-the-cotswolds/
Notes from Annual Parish Meeting – Wednesday 17th May 2023
All residents of Charlcombe Parish were invited to the Annual Parish Meeting on Wednesday 17th May in the Lansdown and Langridge Village Hall. The notes from the meeting can be found here.
Our three new parish noticeboards are now in place
The parish council has bought three new noticeboards to replace the twenty year old noticeboards in Langridge, Woolley and Upper Weston. The first was installed in Upper Weston with the others following in February. A huge thank you to the Cotswold Voluntary Wardens for their help in assembling and installing the noticeboards.
Staying safe around livestock when out walking
The National Farmers Union website https://www.countrysideonline.co.uk/care-for-the-countryside/countryside-code/ provides some excellent guidance for how to keep safe and to enjoy your time out walking in the countryside. It includes a video giving specific advice about walking with your dog near livestock.
Improvements to drainage on Osborne’s Lane
This section of the lane, which is used by pedestrians travelling between Broadmoor Lane and Weston, has been prone to flooding making it near impassable to those on foot. Recent work to add a larger drain and culvert have helped mitigate the issue.
Improvements to the footpath behind Charlcombe Church
Using funds from the Ward Councillor Empowerment Fund, the Parish Council commissioned the installation of additional steps and handrails on the very step footpath that runs behind Charlcombe Church, making it easier for walkers to use.
Grassland Restoration Advisory Service
As part of the Heritage Lottery Funded Bathscape project, this service provides advice to owners of fields and meadows with potential to become more flower-rich and biodiverse.
Flower-rich grasslands along with their considerable benefits for wildlife have declined enormously over the last 80 or so years. To help address this, available is a free grassland restoration advisory service, potential to access small grants for meadow restoration, botanical surveying and a party of volunteers who can carry out work such as wildflower seeding using local provenance seed.
If you are a small landowner within Charlcombe parish who would like to find out more about engaging with the grassland service, please contact Rob Stephens who is working on this project for Bathscape Rob.Stephens@avonwildlifetrust.org.uk
Future Bright offers FREE career coaching, training and support to help individuals develop the skills and confidence they need to take their next step. They provide support, advice and skills training to specific groups within B&NES. For more details visit www.futurebright.org.uk or call 01225 395555 or email futurebright@bathnes.gov.uk
Safeguarding Vulnerable Adults
Following a transfer of service back to Bath & North East Somerset Council on 1st
July 2022, the number to ring if you suspect an adult is being abused or neglected
(this could be you or someone you know) will be 01225 394200.
Phone lines are open Monday to Thursday, 8.30am to 5pm and Fridays 8.30am
to 4.30pm; at all other times, call the Emergency Duty Social Work team on 01454
61 51 65 (evenings, weekends and bank holidays). If you think someone is in
immediate danger, ring the emergency services on 999.
You can also report a concern via email; there is a new email address to use for
safeguarding referrals; please use Safeguarding_Adults@bathnes.gov.uk.
Worrying about Money?
Advice and support is available within B&NES for those who are struggling to make ends meet – further details are here
One farm through one century
An opportunity to hear about life at Manor Farm in Langridge going back to 1917 via this Bathscape Podcast https://footprints.captivate.fm/episode/105-years-at-manor-farm-langridge
It’s very interesting, going from pre-mechanisation to war-time to modernisation. The current owners describe their successful Emorsgate seeds business.
Bath Preservation Trust – New Quick Guide to Energy Efficiency in Old Homes
B PT has released its new quick guide on how old homes can help cut carbon emissions, as an update on our existing energy efficiency guidance in Warmer Bath. This new publication includes a number of helpful no cost and low cost tricks and tips to reduce energy usage whilst keeping old homes warmer, and is intended to empower residents to make changes this coming winter with minimal risk to historic fabric. You can find the guidance available via our website: https://www.bath-preservation-trust.org.uk/new-quick-guide-from-bpt-advises-how-all-old-homes-can-help-cut-carbon/