New village hall / community centre revised plans
Due to the significant increase in construction costs the Development committee took the decision that we needed to reduce the overall build costs. We are working with our Architects Stride Treglown on a revised plan as part of the next stage of the project. The initial draft we showed at the coffee morning would result in a reduction of 27% in the footprint but allow for future expansion. The main reduction comes from reducing the size of the main hall, which would still accommodate 260 (Memorial hall – 150, Old School Rooms – 120).
The reduced footprint will still mean we would meet our vision of providing a multi-use quality building to meet the needs of the village.
We are now reaching the stage of looking at the fine detail of the design, the finishes etc. and are looking for people to be involved in helping us get this right first time. We be at the village fete on Saturday, come and have a chat.
Police Notice
Over the past couple of weeks a burglary occurred at High Street, Congresbury. Access gained into the property but there are no details as to any items stolen.
SYLVIA JAGO
Villagers representing facets of Sylvia Jago’s 84 years of activity were among the congregation in St. Andrew’s Church, Congresbury, for a celebration of her life on April 4th.
Burglary Alert!
During the evening of 10 April a burglary occurred at a farm at Iwood Lane, Congresbury. Entry was gained by breaking window and items stolen include cash, laptops and a radio.
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CRAG team ‘quietly optimistic’
After three and a half days of close argument, CRAG’s team at the Wrington Lane public inquiry, ably led by Peter Walton, are quietly hopeful of a positive outcome.
Praise for CRAG’s efforts came from District Councillor Tom Leimdorfer who said he was immensely proud of the village. “We knew that we were up against land agents with very deep pockets using top experts and an aggressive business model,” he said.
Friday’s session ended with evidence from two important witnesses for Gladman.
The first, a landscape architect tried to argue that 50 new houses in a field would not alter the character of the surrounding area. The second, Gladman’s town planner, tried to convince the inspector that because North Somerset could not prove a five year supply of land for development, their appeal should be allowed.
Volunteer opportunity
If you have ever wanted to help your local community now is your opportunity to volunteer with the Avon Community Resilience Team (CRT).
The purpose of the Avon CRT is to support communities within Avon to be able to be better prepared to cope with adverse situations like the effects of a storm, high winds and flooding. Volunteers will help reduce the demand put on the emergency services and be a link between the community and blue light services.
Village Stores robbers caught
Two thieves who robbed a shop in Congresbury on Tuesday, were caught and arrested within minutes of the crime.
Two men, both wearing hoods and with their faces covered, entered Congresbury Village Stores at approximately 5pm.
One man attempted to steal items from behind the counter but when challenged by staff left the store with a cash tin and handbag, before making their escape in a red Ford KA.
Driving off down the A370 towards Weston-Super-Mare, they didn’t get far before they were stopped by police near Puxton Park and arrested.The stolen property was recovered from the car and the two men, 42 and 46, were taken to Bridgwater Custody Centre.
PC Simon Broad, from the Somerset Investigations Team, said: “We understand that an incident of this nature can be extremely distressing for shop staff, who in this case acted very courageously in challenging the thieves.
“I want to reassure the local community, that crimes of this type are relatively uncommon in villages such as Congresbury.
“The police unit who responded, two Firearms Officers from our Tri-Force Operations Department, were quick to locate and deal with the suspects, which I hope provides further reassurance to local residents.
“If anyone has any information about this or any similar crimes, then I would like to hear from them. Please call me via the 101 number, quoting reference number: 5217028307.”
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Say Hello to your elderly neighbour and help them to be safe
Sometimes all it takes is a simple ‘hello’ from a neighbour to make an elderly or vulnerable person feel less isolated and more safe, say police.
Everyone has a part to play in reducing opportunities for thieves to strike. If you’re a family member, neighbour or carer of an elderly or vulnerable person, please help to keep them safe and independent by giving them some good advice and reminding them to think about their personal safety.
Sing Out Loud
Spring is coming
“TeenSing” sessions are for anyone aged between 10-19, and are held at “The Old School Rooms, Congresbury” on Mondays from 5:45-7:15pm.
In Memory of Fred Bailey
For many years Fred Bailey was the well-known figure in Congresbury British Legion, always featuring in the Remembrance Day services, so villagers were sad to learn of his death at the age of 96.
Police Report – Congresbury thief caught red-handed
An eagle-eyed Special Constable caught a thief red-handed on Friday night 13/01, when he noticed a suspicious vehicle just before midnight. The officer was on patrol around the Congresbury area when he noticed a van parked across the gateway of a field. Given the late hour, the officer went to investigate and his suspicions were confirmed the driver ran away as he approached. Fortunately he didn’t get far and was detained by the officer.
Items including a ride-on lawn mower, tree shredder/chipper, a generator, a hedge trimmer and tree pruners were found in and near the van and officers later confirmed that two separate garages had been broken into and the items recovered matched those that were taken.
The 34 year-old man from Hewish was arrested on suspicion of two non-dwelling burglaries and was taken to Patchway Custody Centre. He has been released on bail pending further investigation. The officers were able to reunite the property with the rightful owners.
If you have information about suspected crime in your area you can either email the Police via the website, call us on 101 or text a new number 81819 we have launched which will allow the public to text information directly to the Rural Crime Team, who will be able to assess and action the intelligence quickly and efficiently. This text number is specifically for rural and agricultural crime information and is being trialled for three months.
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Sing Out Loud
Choirs start again with “TeenSing” sessions which are for anyone aged between 10-19, and are held at “The Old School Rooms, Congresbury” on Mondays from 5:45-7:15pm. £76 for 11 week term. Come and join us, and if you’re new, your first session is free!
Quad bikes stolen
A garage at Hill Park, Congresbury, was broken into overnight 31 December-1 January. Items stolen include quad bikes, motor bikes and a mountain bike.
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Sing Out Loud
Happy New Year!
Sing Out Loud UK wants to help you make this your “Year of Songs”! With our selection of choirs in North Somerset, there is a choir for everyone, and opportunities to develop your skills as well as learning new songs and refreshing old ones!
Safety warning from Avon & Somerset Police
As Christmas approaches there are plenty of new gadgets that parents and carers may be thinking about buying for their children. But before you wrap up your presents, have you checked out the safety features?
The following links will help
Tech gifts general http://www.saferinternet.org.uk/blog/tech-gifts-christmas
Various Internet providers http://www.saferinternet.org.uk/advice-centre/parents-and-carers/parental-controls-offered-your-home-internet-provider
Various Devices http://www.saferinternet.org.uk/blog/all-i-want-christmas-wii-u
Smart TV’s
http://www.saferinternet.org.uk/advice-centre/parents-and-carers/parents-guide-technology/smart-tvs
Forwarded on behalf of Kate Blackburn, Youth Project Co-ordinator
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Con artist in the area
We are appealing to the public to be vigilant and to look out for vulnerable neighbours, relatives and friends after several incidents in Nailsea and Clevedon where elderly people have been conned.
Still remembering …..
Loyal as ever, although the Congresbury branch of the Royal British Legion is now closed, so the standard was not present, the usual crowd of villagers gathered at the War Memorial Hall on November 11 to remember Armistice Day. A contingent of pupils from St. Andrew’s Junior School was there and one of the pupils, 10-year-old Maddie Smith, who is a Girl Guide, carried the standard of the Congresbury Scouts. Traffic stopped at 11a.m. for a short service, conducted by the vicar of Congresbury, Rev. Matthew Thomson. Ben White sounded the Last Post and Reveille and 97-year-old Fred Bailey, in a wheelchair, gave the Act of Remembrance.