Chairmans Presentation 2024-2025
The Chairman thanked everyone for attending the Annual Parish Meeting for Tilsworth and delivered his annual report.
As you will see, there have been some changes to our line up since last year.
Councillor Blyth resigned towards the end of 2024 but he remains a supporter of the village and he and Fiona are happy to help whenever they can and the parish council is grateful to them for their help.
My thanks go to Billy for his contribution to the Parish Council over several years.
We have however been able to recruit into both of the vacant posts and I am pleased to welcome our new Councillors, Marie Price and Diane Brocklehurst.
For the first time in a long time, Tilsworth Parish Council is fully quorate with all 7 seats occupied. We did ask if we could have extra councillors as we have people who are willing to get involved. We cannot expand on the seats we have but any parishioner who is interested can attend and will be invited to the meetings and can participate. This extends to members of the public in general if they have an interest in what happens within our parish.
I’m pleased to say that we have quite a few members of the public who regularly attend our meetings and they have been very helpful, providing input and constructive ideas and I would like to thank those people for their help over the last year. It really is appreciated.
The last year has again been busy for the parish council.
There have been noticeably fewer planning applications coming through for consideration throughout the last year. To date we have considered 5 full applications and 3 applications for Variation of Conditions. However, we have spent a considerable amount of time putting forward comments in respect of several appeals that have been submitted for developments in the village. Appeal hearings for some developments were due to be held in early March 2025 and at the time of writing we have not had the result of the appeals. CBC provide information regularly and updates will be given at our meetings.
Please don’t forget that comments on planning applications can be submitted by members of the public and not just the parish council. You can ask for submissions to be anonymised if you wish.
One of our biggest challenges has been getting responses from CBC. Emails are going unanswered for weeks at a time and this does not make our jobs any easier.
We have continued to raise issues with Highways and push to get potholes and street lamps repaired. We were successful in getting major potholes repaired at the junction of Blackhill and Bury Rise. Potholes were also repaired in Stanbridge Road near the bus stop but the quality of these repairs is questionable. Several streetlamps have been reported via Fix my Street but at the time of writing, some are still not fixed.
Councillor Jardine, Julie Martin and a member of the public met with Highways in December 2024 to discuss the parking problems in the village, particularly around the upper green. The problem areas were pointed out and this included the stretch of road outside the recreation ground which is a problem when football training and matches are happening.
We were advised that a plan and consultation document would be provided together with details and a questionnaire in respect of residents parking. It is important to consult residents in respect of permit parking as there is a charge for permits.
At the time of writing, nothing has been received from CBC despite email reminders having been sent. We will continue to push CBC on this point.
There have been reports of anti-social behaviour in the village, most worryingly the mindless and dangerous attacks on Arriva buses in February as they travelled along Dunstable Road. We received messages asking what the Parish Council was going to do about it. In reality all we can do is challenge the relevant authorities and ask what action they intend to take in order to reassure people.
Police presence at our meetings is no longer a regular occurrence but we have asked them and relevant authorities to provide updates on how they are tackling the problems we have in the village.
We appreciate that the police can only provide limited information to us. Following the attacks on the buses, they advised that they had visited properties in Dunstable Road and were hoping to hold an event which people could attend and discuss their concerns.
The one thing that people must do is to report all incidents no matter what. We have to accept that the police are unlikely to do anything but the statistics help paint the picture of just where the problems areas are.
A year ago I reported on the major problems we had with the Hyde and how we had to try and find a way to put right the problems and avert legal action being taken against us by CBC planning department. Things looked very negative and as a parish council, we were not in a good place. As some of you will know, we held extra meetings to try and find a way forward. We accepted an offer from Sean Hoare to carry out the work on behalf of the village and a year on I am pleased to report that CBC are happy with the work that has been done and the risks we were facing have been removed and our thanks go to Sean for his help.
A meeting will be held later this year, possibly July, and we will be actively encouraging parishioners to attend and put forward your ideas and listen to the ideas of others.
Looking ahead, the next year is lining up to be busy with several positive things in the pipeline
A litter pick was held last Sunday arranged by Julian. Our thanks to those that turned out to help and to Carol Knight for providing excellent refreshments. The litter pick was carried out within the central areas of the village this year for safety reasons. CBC have removed the bags and we hope that the village will remain clean and tidy. I’m sure that Lyndsay will let us know if it’s not!
A few years ago a group of people from Stanbridge and Tilsworth were trying to get Footpath 2 in Tilsworth reinstated to a bridleway. For a variety of reasons, not least of all lockdown, the issue dropped off peoples radar. With help from all involved and support from Mark Versallion and our own Clerk, we are now a step closer to achieving this. The British Horse Society have resubmitted the application and it has been registered by CBC. We will be monitoring this to ensure the momentum is not lost and hope to see a safer route for horse riders. There is also the hope that Footpath 10 could become a permissive path that would join up with bridleway 8 which would extend the route and form a circular route. Further discussion is needed but we hope for a positive outcome.
At our meeting in November 2024 the council discussed the need to keep the allotment field and footpath clear. Access with machinery has always been a problem because of where the allotments are. We had agreed to gain quotes for getting the work done. However, Nicki Banfield was present at the meeting. Nicki lives in the village and suggested that she could help by grazing her horses in the field. It would provide some extra grazing for her horses and solve the problem of keeping the grass down. Nicki was happy to keep the footpath clear for us. After some discussions regarding the plants and wildlife in the field, it was agreed to arrange for an assessment to be undertaken. Nicki is very knowledgeable regarding rotational grazing and has worked with conservation groups before. Following her advice, an initial assessment was carried out on 6th March by The
Conservation Volunteer group and Nicki and Marie Price were in attendance.
The aim is to manage the allotment field as a green conservation area which will support the plants and wildlife found there. We were given good advice and pointers towards improving the field. There will be plenty to do and if anyone wants to come along and help then you would be more than welcome. Updates will be provided as this project progresses but those involved are feeling very positive about protecting at least one small part of Tilsworth.
The allotments themselves are still proving popular with all plots currently occupied. Allotment holders often comment that the allotments are a peaceful place to spend some time.
Particular thanks go to Colin Quantrill who continues to monitor the water supply to the allotments and generally makes sure everything is in good working order. He has done this for many years sorting out issues as they arrive and we do appreciate it.
At January’s meeting it was decided to remove the old notice boards on Wades Pond. The plan is to install some planters and tidy up this corner of the village. Wades pond is classed as common land and as such cannot be built on or become anything other than what it already is.
I am personally arranging for the installation of new planters for the upper and lower greens. This will hopefully protect the greens from vehicles as well as improving the look of village.
We may look at installing a new Parish Council notice board on the upper green dependant on finances towards the end of the year.
The major project that has been in the pipeline for some while is new play equipment at the community hall.
Councillor Jardine, Councillor Knight, our clerk Julie Martin and Kika Dabbs from the hall committee are leading on this project.
Earlier this month, a request for quotes was sent to 3 suppliers and we are pushing to have a costed project within the next few weeks.
The plan currently is to retain the rocket and the existing toddlers climbing apparatus.
New apparatus that we are costing up as possibilities include new swings, a new climbing tower to include a slide, 1 or 2 sit on springers and a birds nest swing.
We hope to upgrade the existing slide. It is hoped to keep the rocket and the existing toddlers climbing unit.
The areas will require suitable surfacing where necessary and need to be fenced.
All of this is dependent on cost and fundraising. We will be applying for grants where possible but will need to match fund any grants we are awarded.
The Parish Council is very aware of many other organisations in the village and we want to try where possible to support local groups and village events. We often hear that the community spirit is lacking but many people are striving to improve that by working together. It’s important to bring people together and reignite community spirit where we can. And it can only happen if the parishioners support these efforts.
The informal group, the Tillie Girls, encourages the local ladies to get out and about for walks and lunches and this is so important for wellbeing and mental health. Marie Price, Carol Knight and Mandy Pamplin are really the founder members of the group. Marie is looking to plan another Tillie Girls charity fundraiser later in the year. Previous fundraisers have seen donations made to breast cancer research and dementia research This year the girls will be supporting a male based charity by raising money for Prostate Cancer UK. Look out for details on the group and social media.
Tilsworth Charities has new committee members who are keeping a careful eye on the finances and processes needed to support the charity. Our parish council clerk is also clerk for the charity which enables a crossover to offer support and advice when required. Marilyn Wilder is treasurer and takes an active role in ensuring that the charity is managed properly. She submits all required data to the Charities Commission and submits the finance reports as required.. Our thanks go to all of the committee members who have stepped up to support the charity. The original aim was to support the poor and needy of the village but this was before the times of the welfare benefits system and the NHS.
The committee members have agreed to fund a bench to be installed on the lower green which will be of benefit to the village as a whole. This should be in place by the summer.
Friends of Tilsworth Church play a major role in the village by supporting the church and arranging social events that bring the community together. The Harvest Supper is always a good evening and many villagers attend each year. Celia, Glenda, Pam, Carol and Julian work very hard to support this. And of course our auctioneer David Payne does a magnificent job each year, persuading us to part with our money.
The Christmas quiz, so brilliantly arranged and presented by Julian Knight is a hugely popular event and sees Church House full each time.
The Tilsworth teams all made a sterling effort last year, racking their brains and digging deep to find the answers to a wide range of questions. That said, the winning team last year came from Slapton.
The village fete has always been a major event for the Friends of Tilsworth Church and it seemed doubtful that it would go ahead this year. However, a group of people have come together to make sure it does happen and it’s now scheduled to go ahead on Saturday 28th June in the grounds of Tilsworth Manor. Celia Bourne continues to advise and help but the responsibility now falls to a larger group of people. We really hope that the fete continues for many years to come and the younger generations step up to keep it going.
This year sees the 80th Anniversary of the end of World War 2 in Europe. On the evening of Thursday 8th May a VE Day 80th celebration will be held at the Community Hall. This will see the lighting of a beacon and there will also be a bar and a food truck. It starts at 7.30 and entry is free. We hope that villagers will turn out to mark this event.
The greens in Tilsworth will be decorated to commemorate the event.
The Meeting Point magazine is delivered around the village and is an excellent way of finding out about local clubs and societies and what is happening in our local villages.
Sue Scott co-ordinates requirement for Tilsworth and is ably assisted by David Payne and others who help with the delivery. So if you want to know what is happening – speak to Sue.
So a busy year ahead which should deliver some improvements for the village. Please feel free to step up and join in to support your community.
As always, there is a core of people to thank for their support to the village.
Lynsey and Maurice Box for their hard work in so many things. Litter picking, maintaining the defibrillators and Speedwatch.
Sue Scott who co-ordinates the delivery of the Meeting Point Magazine whilst David Payne does the actual door to door deliveries and has done so for many years.
Chris and Andy Connor – always willing to step up over the years and help out where they can.
Billy and Fiona Blyth for arranging the supply and delivery of the Christmas tree and for arranging the Carols on the Green.
Yiannis Emma and the team from the Anchor for decorating the tree and the upper green each year.
Thanks to Nicki Banfield for the help and advice in respect of the allotment field.
And special thanks to Julian and Carol Knight for supporting and helping with just about every village event that happens.
Lastly, my thanks go to our parish councillors who will continue to give of their time to support the village as best as they can and strive to make sure the parish has a voice.
Your views and opinions as parishioners are important so do come to our meetings. It’s your chance to hear what is planned for the village and have your say.
AWARD OF COMMUNITY GRANT
The Men’s Association of Stanbridge & Tilsworth (MAST) are a long established group who meet every 3rd Wednesday at Tilsworth Golf Club. They have a website which gives details of meetings and events and causes they support. If you are new to the villages you might want to take a look.
One of their committee members, Maurice Box regularly attends our parish council meetings and together with his wife Lyndsay, they support the village in many ways offering constructive comments and advice as well as practical help.
MAST are this year supporting the Tilsworth Summer fete and I am pleased to advise that the Parish Council has approved a Community grant of £ 150.00 in support of the
MAST Tilsworth Fete 2025 fund.