Congresbury.net

A developer in the village of Congresbury has warned residents that it will start to remove a historic meeting place within a few days.

Residents of Wrington Lane have been told that construction company Vistry will begin grinding down a granite rock outcrop, known as the “Mansbury Mound” because it occupies the centre of a site where it wants to build 50 houses.

Used as a play area by generations of children who called it the pirate ship, the mound may have been used in mediaeval times by the community as a meeting place and for open air court cases.

Despite strong opposition, permission was granted for 50 houses on the site by the former North Somerset Council back in 2016. But there was a caveat attached to the decision. It stated that no building could start until a safe footway had been provided for pedestrians along Wrington Lane.

And that has stopped the development in its tracks for more than five years. The reason? Land to construct a footway, belongs to the residents, and without that, there is not sufficient room for a footway and a suitable carriageway width.

CRAG chair Mary Short is in no doubt where the blame belongs: “The former North Somerset Council should never have allowed a development of this size in a narrow lane. Residents have quite rightly opposed the development and have suffered years of planning blight as a result.”

Local residents of the Lane have taken legal advice and believe that Vistry do not have authority to start work on the site while the footpath question is unresolved.

In the meantime, said Mary, all Congresbury residents should call on North Somerset Council to stop the destruction of an historic feature.

* Historical note: Known as a local “hundred” the term was the division of a shire for military and judicial purposes under common law. Until the introduction of districts by the Local Government Act 1894, hundreds were the only widely used assessment unit between parish and county. A Hundred of Congresbury existed by 1084 and consisted of the manors of Congresbury, Wick St Lawrence and Iwood.

Villagers have been greatly saddened by an arson attack on the village allotments during Saturday night and are now disturbed that unwelcome visits have continued this week. Two allotment plot holders arrived early on Sunday morning and saw the old shed (often used to shelter from the rain or have a rest) had been set on fire. They managed to put out the fire with buckets of water but it took ages to douse the smouldering timbers. The contents, including a long bench, chair and even the First Aid tin box had been set alight at some time during the night. The floor at the back and part of the structure had burnt through but fortunately the back wall (which is right next to the electricity station) held. There could have been a very serious situation if the fire had spread. It is also suspected that storage boxes on allotments were also tipped and emptied out by the same thoughtless vandals. Western Power and the Police had to be informed, of course and given all the details. It’s so sad to see such a valued village asset damaged in this way – and worrying that 3 teenagers were seen in the daytime (Monday lunchtime) and late night Tuesday having a picnic and leaving all the meal deal packaging behind. They also broke bamboo canes just for the fun of it and even threw broken grass onto a well kept plot next to the shed. If only the young people realized how much the allotments mean to the plotholders and how hard they work to keep them tidy and get crops to grow well. A space which seemed safe and peaceful now seems threatening. We ask everyone to be vigilant in watching out for any antisocial behaviour which destroys village property. 

In April a collection was started for our excellent Postmaster and Postmistress who have retired after 35 years.

On Wednesday 11th May, Jagtar and Sukhvinder with their daughter Harpreet attended a presentation, kept very small at their request, in the Community Cafe.  The very generous amount of £510 was collected from the village community, enabling the presentation of an engraved crystal vase, a bouquet and a retirement cake, with the balance of the collection in vouchers.  
Jagtar made a brief speech thanking us all. The Seehras are remaining in the village, and will continue to be a supportive  part of our community in their new roles.The cafe was provided free for the occasion by Debbie Fortune Estate Agents.

A male broke into a home on Chestnut Close in Congresbury at approximately 1am on Thursday May the 5th. It is thought the he had reached through an open small window and has opened a larger one to gain entry, and has then taken two gold chains from the occupant.

If you have any information about this incident, please call the Police on 101 and quote Reference number: 5222105736. Alternatively you can call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111

A home has been burgled between 7:30am and 4:20pm on Thursday (April 28th) in Wrington Lane, Congresbury. The offender gained entry via a rear door, without the apparent use of force. Once inside a messy search had been conducted with all cupboards being searched, the only obvious item being stolen was a jam jar containing foreign currency. The offender made off via the same method of entry.

Any information please contact the Police on 101 quoting reference number: 5222100605 stating NHW release. Or call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

A home in Congresbury’s High Street was burgled late on Wednesday night.

It happened between 11:20pm and 11:30pm. The vulnerable resident was awoken by noises downstairs and went to investigate. The offender had gained access via the garage door and onwards through an integral doorway, where they then stole a wallet from a coat hanging in the hallway. The wallet contained cash and bank cards. It is understood they made off the same way they came in.

If you have any information please contact the Police on 101 quoting reference number: 5222093715 stating NHW release or call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

The community café’s ‘Supporting the community initative’ with Debbie Fortune estate agents has raised £400 for the Little Rascals baby and toddler group. www.facebook.com/littlerascalscongresbury

FND Hope UK

For the next two weeks the cafe in Broad Street is supporting a small charity, FND Hope UK. Dr Helen Bolter who lives in the village, is a trustee of the charity, and asked for help to raise money and raise awareness. The charity is supporting a couple of villagers.

Functional Neurological Disorder (FND) is a problem with the functioning of the nervous system which does not send and receive signals to or from the body correctly. It can affect men, women, and children. It produces disability and impairment of quality of life that is similar to that seen in people with Parkinson’s or epilepsy. 

The following is from a patient detailing how FND is affecting them:

“In late 2020, I had a mild head injury.  I was unable to walk and had other symptoms so the doctors thought I had had a stroke, but my brain scan was normal. My left leg was weak and shaking so bad that I couldn’t stand or walk.  I was diagnosed with FND.  I sometimes need a wheelchair, have pain and feel very tired on most days but I have found not being able to continue the job I enjoyed as the worst part of having FND.  I have physio and am waiting for a place on a neurology rehab unit. I have not given up hope of getting better but I wish more people knew about FND so more people understood me.”

Local mum Leonie Hart has launched a petition to try to stop First Bus from axing the X2 service.

She says: “It’s hard to begin to express the impact that the loss of the X2 will have on my life. I have a chronic health condition, ME which has a considerable effect on my mobility, and thus the bus to Yatton is a lifeline to get to the dentist, doctor, vet, shops and the station plus social groups. I have primary aged children and often use the bus with them as my mobility means it’s impossible to get any further than the immediate Congresbury village amenities otherwise. 

“There needs to be more focus on sustainable transport options for environmental reasons plus the rising cost of fuel especially with such limited transport options already serving rural areas. The loss of this service would not only mean that local people are more dependent on their cars to access local amenities, but that those for whom driving isn’t an option will be increasingly isolated and unable to live independently.”

Congresbury Parish Council will discuss the matter at its next meeting.

If you want to join Leonie and sign the petition click on this link  https://chng.it/jKqZhGgjsc