The affordable housing projects are now going along with great speed and construction of the homes will begin very soon in both villages. This project is part of the Parish Plan and to achieve it so soon shows the determination of the parish council to carry out as much of the need shown in the Parish Plan as possible.

The area we thought would be difficult was the provision of allotments as this, at times can take considerable time to secure land. We have now secured a plot of land in Diseworth and with a bit of luck this should be available at the end of the year. I must add at this point that this achievement was mainly down to our clerk whose knowledge in this matters was quite invaluable…..thanks Doug.

Airport parking in Diseworth is still a problem, the volunteer action group which was set up last year, run by a very capable group of residents are still there fighting their corner and have the full support of the Parish Council, and I thank them.

As all are aware, our bus service is gradually being eroded away by our ‘very good neighbour’ East Midlands Airport. Last year the service was reduced to an hourly service but while the residents of both villages were a little annoyed we went along with their decision at least we still had a decent service, and it did not disrupt people’s lives that much. Now, East midlands Airport have decided to withdraw our late evening and early morning service this will affect residents lives, it will cost jobs and loss of accessible amenities for others. An action group has been set up, which is supported by the Parish Council to fight against plans to cut our service. Obviously beings at East Midlands Airport do not know or just do not care what the bus service means to the villagers of Long Whatton and Diseworth. But to us it is precious and we need to hang on to it, just like the post office that also is precious to the parish we need to hang on to these vital things that give us our quality of life. My thanks also go to the people behind the bus action group and of course the villagers of Long Whatton and Diseworth who are supporting them. Thank you.

In addition looking more to the positive Long Whatton and Diseworth are two very strong communities organising numerous events throughout the year. I would like to thank very much the dozens upon dozens of people who put in so much time and effort that made each of the events a success for all to enjoy… thank you.

The Scarecrow Festival and Open Gardens, The Flower Show, and the unique reunion at Whatton House of the ‘war babies’ along with the exhibition at The Diseworth Heritage Centre was a great success, although the Heritage Centre its self was an immense project, and must of taken hundreds of man hours to put it all together. Thank you for all your efforts.

The Show at Long Whatton appears to gather momentum each year making it bigger and better annually raising money to boost funds of various good causes and charities.

This Year saw the birth of an additional event in All Saints Church, that being the Christmas tree festival. Although in its first year was a great success raising funds to replace the lead which was stolen from the vestry roof earlier in the year.

Community events do not have to be large or take hours of planning. Quiz night are organised at the pubs.

Big or small anything that brings people together as a community gives that community strength.

To you all that have contributed not just by organising but attending events to make them the success they have been ….Thank you.

I could go on but do you really want to be here till 10.00 tonight?

Just one more thing, This has been my first year as Chairman of the Parish Council and I would just like to thank my fellow councillors and the parish clerk for their support and enthusiasm over the past year. Thankyou. « Less

During the workshops you will work with other delegates to: - share ideas in small, facilitated, table groups - prioritise project ideas (to a maximum of 3 projects per table) - pitch the top ideas from your table to the full group - score each project on its relevance and quality and vote for your favourite ideas The end result of the workshop will be a list of projects in the order of preference /priority you and other participants have given them.

How should I prepare for the workshops?
You don’t have to bring a project plan, business case, application form etc. It may help to give some thought in advance to how much money is involved, what the benefits would be and who should be involved in delivering the project. Don’t worry if you don’t know the precise answers to these questions – it’s your idea that counts.

What happens after the workshops?
After the workshops we will work, through a task group, with partners to see how the priority ideas can best be delivered. We’ll check the feasibility, costs & benefits, alternative ways of delivery, availability of other funding sources etc. During this stage we will work closely with the organisations / groups that would be involved in delivering the project. The findings of the task group will be presented at the next forum meeting for the forum to make its final recommendation on how the Forum’s budget should be allocated.

What can the funding be used for?
Funding can be used for new or existing projects, for ideas that involve you/your community group, or for ideas that will be for others to deliver. Projects need to have a demonstrable link to the priorities set out for your forum area. We are looking for projects & activities that will provide some lasting or longer term benefits for the area (or part of it) and that do not rely on further funding to continue once this funding has been used. The following organisations / bodies will be eligible to receive funding: • Voluntary & Community Sector organisations, constituted local groups and charities (including social enterprises, but excluding political groups) • Parish Councils, Local Authorities and other statutory agencies.

What if my project idea doesn’t make it?
We will capture all ideas put forward on the night and we will share these with key partners, who may be able to offer advice on other available sources of funding and support. You may also find that you’ll meet a few people at the workshop that can help you further with your idea, irrespective of the funding from the forum’s budget.

Use the Link above to book your space! « Less

For Valley
The parishes of Packington and Normanton le Heath are now part of the forum covering Ashby, Measham and Moira, and Ravenstone with Snibston is now part of the Coalville Community Forum.

For AMM
The parishes of Ellistown & Battleflat, Ibstock and Heather are now part of the Coalville Community Forum.

The area covered by the Ashby, Measham and Moira Community Forum now includes the parishes of Packington and Normanton le Heath and County, District and Parish representatives from this area are now invited to attend this Community Forum.

We don’t always know in which village residents on our mailing list live. If you live in one of the above parishes and would like to continue attending the forum covering your village, please contact us so we can amend our records. « Less

Affordable housing was another Parish Plan recommendation, and as the year drew to an end, there was a good chance that sites had been found in both villages. A well attended meeting in Diseworth continued to support the scheme, while the Long Whatton meeting will have just taken place before this report is published.

Planning of course continues to take most of the Parish Council’s time, with three proposals dragging on throughout the year without apparent resolution. The major proposal for two golf courses and a large hotel between the B5324 Ashby Road and Shepshed – mostly within the Parish – has now dragged on for almost 18 months without resolution; the Teakettle Hall site at Town End in Diseworth has a new hotel bid which has gone to appeal following strong objections by the Parish Council, largely on the grounds of inappropriate design; and the field on Grimesgate opposite Diseworth School has approval for two houses but it remains something of an eyesore on this approach to the village.

The extended stay of an attractive gipsy caravan at the end of The Green in Diseworth, at first viewed sympathetically, became a matter of concern, especially to some neighbours, and steps were taken by the appropriate County Council officers to gain their eviction. They moved on in April, before proceedings could start.

The Parish Council has given support to the new Heritage Centre in Diseworth in the shape of a grant towards a computer on the ground floor particularly for disabled access. In future plans will be stored there, along with Parish Council archive material. Looking back over the minutes from 30 years ago, it is a little depressing to see issues from the 70s and 80s that still appear unresolved today. You would not be surprised at two such items recurring – dog fouling and parking on pavements.

The condition of footpaths is also a recurring theme, and though the mowing of verges now seems better and more regular, the state of some jitties is often a cause for complaint. Shrubs and hedges overhanging footpaths are also a frequent cause of concern.

The new traffic lights at Hathern turn, not looked forward to by many, have turned out to be a boon for local traffic, and the new speed limits, particularly on the Ashby Road, also seem to have a positive effect. Attempts to get more positive responses from the new management at Donington Park, in the light of next year’s anticipated return of Formula One, have not been successful. Their promised control of race traffic may or may not have a positive effect on the surrounding villages, but with an increased capacity of over 120,000, we await the consequences with some concern.

The local bus service between the Airport and Loughborough now continues to Leicester, but has been reduced to an hourly service during the day, with alternate buses going via Kegworth. This is a disappointment, but we still benefit from a far better service than most villages, and if you’re as old as me, it’s free.

Kev Brown resigned from the Council during the year due largely to family and work commitments, and has been replaced by Simon Adcock, who not only helps to reduce the average age of the Council by a considerable amount, but also was born and brought up in the village.

Finally, my thanks to all Parish Councillors for their hard work and support during the year, and particularly to Doug Maas, our Parish Clerk, who ensures that our business is conducted smoothly and fairly.

Martin Hening
Chair, Long Whatton & Diseworth Parish Council
April 2009 « Less

The kits will be available to all the schools in Leicestershire for the term starting 20th April 2009.

Why?
We are witnessing climate change and the Government is encouraging us to pass the message to our next generation – School Children.

What you can use it for?
You will be provided briefing notes with lesson plans integrating to Science, Geography, ICT, CARE, PSE, etc. showing their links to the National Curriculum.

How much does it cost?
You can borrow these kits for free, there will be a small delivery charge or you could collect and return them yourself. You can also spread the delivery charge by borrowing other items from the Resource Box Scheme.

How long can we keep the loans for?
Schools can borrow up to 25 items from the Resource box including these kits for a whole school term. Non-school borrowers can borrow at any time for a fixed agreed time.

ORDER NOW!! There are only 20 sets available on first come first serve basis. To reserve your renewable energy kit, contact Resource Box Officer on 01455 552834 or sherrier@leics.gov.uk

For further information, please contact Hetal Patel on 0116 3057068 or enable@leics.gov.uk « Less

The directory is arranged by town and then by category, enabling you to find what you are looking for easily.

To complete your day in one of the towns, each offers a unique selection of eating places,
from cafés through to restaurants. Should you welcome a change from shopping, then most towns offer quality museums - especially Snibston in Coalville, which has a new and exciting
Fashion Gallery where you will find pleasant or unpleasant memories!

Copies of these will be distributed to all the shops included in the directory as well as the following,

Car Dealers
Doctors
Dentists
Hotels and other accommodation
Café’s
Tourist Attractions
District Councils
Libraries

If you have any comments or you are interested in a future directory then please contact Nicola Lees on 0116 305 7986 or email betterplaces@leics.gov.uk « Less

Community Forums give you the opportunity to discuss local issues with your local Parish, District and County Councillors and representatives from the Police and the Health Service. There are 27 Community Forums across they county. To find out more about forum meetings in your local area, please visit www.leicestershireforums.org

Contact: Derk van der Wardt, 0116 3057581 « Less

The meeting was organised by Long Whatton & Diseworth Parish Council, but also drew considerable numbers from Shepshed, as well as Belton and Oaks-in-Charnwood. Speakers included a senior Planning Officer from North West Leicestershire District Council, and Nick Rushton, County and District Councillor. Other contributions came from David Taylor MP, Leslie Pendleton, County Councillor, and Trevor Pendleton, District Councillor. Martin Hening, Chair of Long Whatton & Diseworth Parish Council, led a lively debate in which feelings ran high about the decision making process as well as the scale of the proposal. The Local Plans of both North West Leicestershire and Charnwood, the two planning authorities involved, would be breached by both the size and location of the hotel, while strong feelings were also voiced about the loss of good quality agricultural land, about the amount of traffic that would be generated – possibly 3000 vehicle movements a day - and the effect of that traffic on nearby settlements, Shepshed in particular.

From the range of issues that emerged, participants were asked to identify their major concerns. Equal first were the loss of farmland, and traffic issues. Close behind was opposition to the scale of the golf course development, and whether there was a need for yet more courses in the area. Comparisons were made with the Belfry Hotel in the West Midlands, which has offered few benefits to the area in which it is located.

Other issues which aroused concern included the effect on wildlife, especially in nearby Piper Wood, which lies within the site, and which would have service roads running on both sides from the Ashby Road in Long Whatton; and the effect of such a major development on land drainage and air quality.
Questions were also raised about the pattern of employment that would emerge, and whether it really would generate many jobs for local people.

The meeting agreed to seek further ways to express opposition to the plan, and representatives of Parish and Town Councils, along with the District and County Councillors present, agreed to keep everyone informed and to present a united front. David Taylor MP asked to be kept informed of further developments.

From: Martin Hening, Chair, Long Whatton & Diseworth Parish Council
Phone: 01332 853647
Email: martin.hening@zen.co.uk « Less

For further information contact the Parish Council or Richard Windley, the Rural Housing Enabler:-
Tel: 01530 276546
richard.windley@midlandsrh.org.uk

And please look out for more information on its way with Long Whatton News and Diseworth Dialogue. Thank you. « Less