Thanks to everyone who helped out on our big lunch, the Wall city jazzmen who entertained us, Matt Baker who provided a sing-a-long, Jane Wolf for her cameo appearance, Ed Whalley for the stage, the Harmonettes for their impromptu performance, St. Thomas’s for their catering organisation, everyone who brought some food and everyone who helped setup and strikedown. The rain held off and fun was had by all. Roll on next year….
The Barn Dance and Auction was a triumph; a large crowd of people of all ages merrily danced the night away under golden evening sunshine. People went home with several bargains, promises and new friends…..and a belly full of real ale. The Cambrian Barn Dance Band (led by Catherine who called the dances) was superb.
The Auction alone raised over £1,500 towards more community events!
Thanks to the church hospitality team for a fantastic setting, the Cambrian Community for the musicians and the food, and the Garden Quarter Association for the auction and publicity. And thanks to all people of the neighbourhood for offering promises and simply turning up to have fun!
Coming next……….THE BIG LUNCH in less than 3 weeks time. More info to follow……your help will be needed….
A delightful evening of informal live music intermingled with neighbourly chat
Saturday 22 May at 84 Cambrian View
7.30 for 8pm
Tickets £10.00 include free glass of fizz on arrival
smart dress, complimentary canapes, Bar
Tickets from Catherine Jones 01244 371186
Money raised goes towards festival community events this year
Saturday 26 June 7.30pm
St Thomas’ Church
Some amazing promises to auction for and come and try some Barn Dancing!
Bar.
Call Linda Baker 0n 01244 372084
Sunday 18 July 1 – 4pm
Cambrian Road
Free. Bring Food. Bar
For the whole neighbourhood.
Watch this space for more information.
Friday 20 August 7.30pm
Garden Lane Church
Tickets £5
Local talent at it’s best in a very a very informal atmosphere.
Watch this space for more information.
Sat. Sep. 18 , 12 – 10pm
Cambrian View and Gladstone Road.
Bands, live music, games, helter skelter, bar, food, dancing. For the whole neighbourhood.
Watch this space for more information.
9 October
University of Chester Playing Fields
Free.
Watch this space for more information.
The annual month long festival of markets, light illuminations, carol concerts and more
December 2010
Including The Switch On, Christmas Market, Children’s Craft Day, Live professional theatre and carol serives.
Watch this space for more information.
The Victoria Children’s Centre on Cheyney Road, next door to Victoria Infants School, caters for families in the Newtown, Hoole, Garden Lane and the city centre areas of Chester. It was opened in June 2009.
Funded through the government’s Sure Start programme, the Centre is one of more than 30 across Cheshire which aims to bring together early education, childcare, health and family support for the benefit of young children under four and their parents living in disadvantaged areas.
The Victoria Children’s Centre will be administered through Cheshire West and Chester Council with a multi-agency team which includes professionals from health and social care, education, Job Centre Plus and family information service.
Services include baby massage, midwifery clinics, health visiting sessions, parenting programmes, a Baby Matters Group and two stay and play groups. The centre also offers advice and information on local childcare providers and schools.
To find out what is going on click on this link.
From talented local photographer Neil “Nez” Kendal
| Published | 27 January 2010 |
|---|
Housing and Planning Minister John Healey today announced new local powers to control the spread of high concentrations of shared rented homes and to tackle pockets of unsafe and substandard accommodation run by bad landlords.
Mr Healey confirmed new powers for local councils to manage the unplanned spread of Houses in Multiple Occupation (or an HMO) in towns and cities. The cluster of too many shared houses can sometimes cause problems, especially if too many properties in one area are let to short term residents with little stake in the local community. Tenants can also suffer from poor conditions and management of the properties by landlords.
Read on at http://www.communities.gov.uk/news/corporate/1447619
MINUTES OF THE ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING HELD AT GARDEN LANE CHURCH
TUESDAY, 20 JANUARY 2010
Apologies: Jenny Rasmussen, Tim Longman, Laura Pearsons, Martin Hardy, Cllr. Richard Lowe, Jackie Holden, Neil Kendal, Rachel Dison, Geoff Taylor
Minutes of the Last Meeting: Adopted as a true record
Co-Chairman’s Report: Matt summarized how successfully our various activities this year had been, both in terms of organization and the enthusiastic support of our members and the community. We have been able to access funds from both Chester Racecourse (Sport’s Day and Big Sunday Lunch) and our CWAC councillors (Lighting up the Quarter). Although we regret not seeing more of our Councillors, they have proved invaluable in their support when needed, for example, Lorne Street’s problems with drug users has been partially rectified by erecting gates to cut off access to back laneways these were financed by Councillor’s fund. Steve Baldwin said that Richard Lowe was very quick to react to problems when contacted. Jane Wolfe added that Cllr. Tom Parry was always extremely helpful when contacted for information and advice.
We have had real success in building stronger ties with the churches, the university, the schools, the pubs and other organisations. Both Garden Lane Church and St. Thomas’ were crucial in saving the Big Sunday Lunch, by moving lunch into Garden Lane Church and opening the church for entertainment later in the afternoon, when torrential rain might have washed it out. The children of Victoria County Infant School joined us for the first time when they sang at the Christmas Market. We hope we will see more of them and that our close ties with St. Thomas’ C. of E. School will flourish under the new Headteacher.
Jan Tapp is now our representative at the University’s Community Liaison Committee making sure our views are heard. We continue to have a good relationship with Chester Student’s Union and hope to find more ways to have students participate with the Garden Quarter. The University has established a group of volunteers who are available to help disabled and vulnerable people with errands and other tasks at short notice.
We have joined Chester Communities Together, an umbrella organization of residents association, which intends to strengthen our voice in dealing with the Council, Tim Longman is our representative. (see note)
Our success with the submission to the Boundary Committee was extremely gratifying, we hope that the Garden Quarter Ward survives the consultation process to become a reality. Our thanks to people who have written to the Committee supporting the proposal.
Treasurer’s Report: Jenny’s Rasmussen’s report was tabled and we have a healthy balance in the bank. With regret, this is Jenny’s last report as Treasurer as the logistics of having to conduct business with an absentee Treasurer has proved very difficult. We appreciate her excellent work for the Garden Quarter Association.
Election of Committee: The following people were elected: Matt Baker – Co-Chairman (Residents), Lyndsey Roberts – Co-Chairman (Traders), Honorary Secretary – Jane Wolfe, Honorary Treasurer – Roy Tapp. Ray Noonan continues as our Community Safety representative.
A.O.B.
Steve Baldwin reported the success of a second sweep of drug raids which will hopefully see fewer Class A drugs on the street. He also warned that there had been a spate of opportunist burglaries in the area and warned residents to be vigilant.
We asked the Council, via Tom Parry, for advice on the legal ramifications of individuals clearing/treating streets in a big snowfall. The legal advice is that provided that the householder takes reasonable precautions in clearing their drive / pathways and does not create a greater hazard by doing so we think it is highly unlikely that any claim against an individual householder would be successful.
Jan Tapp did a neighbourhood walk about with Avril Coady and representatives from the Council to view problems with rubbish strewn about. It was suggested that the Council place mini skips in problem areas to take rubbish put out prior to collection time.
We hope to have a book sale in March at Garden Lane Church. We will conduct the sale, the church will provide refreshments and we will split the proceeds. Anyone with books to donate can contact Jane at the e.mail address above – please no encyclopaedia. Some kind members have agreed to store books until the sale.
The Big Sunday Lunch is being held again this year on the 18th of July, we hope to participate.
We need people to help us access funding for various activities, we have one volunteer, but others would be welcome.
If people would like to get involved with any of our plans, please come to the next meeting.
Next Meeting: 9th March 2010, 6.30 pm, Garden Lane Church
Note: Chester Communities Together consists of eight community groups, Canal Basin Forum, Lache Park Ltd., Kingsway and Newton Residents Assn., City Centre & Newtown Neighbourhood Partnership, Northgate Village Residents Assn., King Street Area Residents Assn., Garden Quarter Assn., Brook Lane West Residents Assn. They have an excellent web site.
CRIMINAL DAMAGE
There has been an increase in the amount of reported incidents of damage in the area this month, most of which have been to vehicles. This seems to be mostly taking place overnight, with wing mirrors either being damaged or completely kicked off the vehicle. We are continuing with our operation in the area to try and prevent this, which involves officers on foot patrol throughout the night. If you do still become a victim please ensure you report it to us.
THEFT OF, OR FROM A MOTOR VEHICLE
We unfortunately seem to be having a spate of car crime at the moment, with a number of vehicles being broken into, some of which also seem to have had attempts at taking the vehicle. These have also occurred through the night and around the area of Whipcord Lane and its adjoining streets. If you have an older vehicle that you think may be susceptible to being stolen, then please try and take some further security measures to try and prevent this happening. These incidents have also seen car stereos being stolen, so if you happen to have a stereo with a removable face make sure you remove it before leaving your vehicle, especially over night. There have also been cases of valuables being stolen form the vehicles, despite not being on show. If at all possible, avoid leaving valuables of any kind in your vehicles, most offenders are opportunists and will take a chance if a vehicle seems vulnerable.
BURGLARY
We have unfortunately seen a number of burglaries reported throughout the last week of November, with all of the victims having been students, although someone has since been arrested and charged with all of these incidents. Entry was gained through insecure windows at the rear of the properties. As a result please be vigilant, especially if you have students living nearby, and if you see anyone acting suspiciously around your property, especially to the rear, call the Police.
Fortunately we had no more reports of distraction burglaries in the area this month but please take care when answering your front door to anyone. Firstly, avoid keeping large amounts of cash on the premises at any time, unless absolutely necessary. If you do experience someone claiming to be from any of your utilities providers, do not let them into your home if they can’t present you with identification. You should be able to pre book an appointment with your providers. If you have any doubts, do not let them in!
OTHER ISSUES
We are still seeing a large number of bikes being stolen in the whole region of Chester City Centre, not just College Ward. A number of the bikes stolen have been taken from back gardens, in some cases garden sheds have been broken into to get to the bikes. If you own an expensive bike, it is worth investing in a good quality lock which can not be broken or cut so easily, such as a strengthened steel ‘D’ Lock and if you do happen to keep it in your back garden, make sure both the garden itself and any sheds are secure.
POLICE SURGERY
I am holding my next surgery on 5th December at the usual venue of the Garden Lane Methodist Church. They are held on the first Tuesday of every month. Come along, even if it’s just to come and meet me and introduce yourself or to highlight any problems you might have.
You can contact your local officer via the various methods listed below:
E-mail: robert.large@cheshire.pnn.police.uk
Cheshire Police non-emergency number: 0845 458 0000
Chester Inner CAT’s (24 hour answer machine service): 0845 458 6384
PCSO Robbie Large 20656
PC Steve Baldwin 3238
Just a reminder – we’re Lighting Up the Quarter today (Sat 5th) on Cambrian Road. Carollers can meet at the CSU on campus at 5.00 for a mince pie and some singing before the biggish show at 6.00.
Sunday is the Christmas Market at Garden Lane Church with loads of craft stalls, the really wonderful raffle, a tombola, lots of home made goodies and a chance to get a tree. Starts at 2.00 and runs until 4.30.
See you there!
Cheers
Jane (Hon Sec Garden Quarter Association)
