RIVER YEALM & DISTRICT ASSOCIATION.
Newsletter – AGM 2008.
* The Village Directory. This has now been distributed to all members and, in addition, we have sold 112 copies bringing in a useful contribution to our funds of £560.00. The prices remain the same as before: free to Members of the RYDA and £5.00 to non-members available from Tubbs, the Chemist, and the village Post Office. Both Marchand Petit and Luscombe & May continue to hold copies which are sold to newcomers arriving in the villages.
We are very grateful to Christopher Powlett for his time and effort as Editor of the Blue Book, that indispensable addition to life in the two villages. He now wishes to retire from these duties and I would welcome a volunteer who would like to take it on. This is not an onerous responsibility and the entire Directory is on a single CD. All that would be required would be to keep track of and publish in the Parish Magazine any amendments that come in. The next major revision will not be until 2010 at the earliest. A summary of all amendments to the “Blue Book” since publication is attached at the end of this News Letter by way of information. All new copies sold will have this list included as an addendum.
* The Village Websites. There are two Village Websites as follows:-
The Parish Council Site: http://newtonandnoss-pc.gov.uk
The Newton Ferrers and Noss Mayo Site: http://www.newtonnoss.co.uk
The Parish Churches Website: http://www.combinedbenefice.org.uk
* The NNPC Site lists the Council’s Committee members, their various responsibilities and provides invaluable access to Planning Applications, Parish Notices and local warnings of road closures and similar matters of local interest. All the work of the Community Housing Working Group can be found on this website under “Community Housing”.
* The Newton Ferrers and Noss Mayo Site provides a genuine “Community Site” and your Association has an entry under “Clubs and Societies”. This is constantly updated and available to our members and any one visiting this site, whether coming down for a holiday, looking to buy a house here or exploring the site for other reasons. This website is sponsored by Marchand Petit and the RYDA use this at no cost to the Association. On this site you will find the minutes of every meeting of your committee and all important letters written on your behalf. I encourage everyone to make use of it.
There will be some members without access to the internet and it will be important to provide printed versions of the RYDA ‘Home Page’ to all new members on joining the Association as we have in the past. We will also continue to publish all Minutes of meetings and other important material on the two RYDA Notice Boards.
* The Harbour Cleanup. This year the cleanup will take place on Saturday 19th April when the tides will be at their most cooperative. This event is a major contributor to the appearance and safety of the estuary. All who are able and would like to contribute are asked to call Christopher Bradley on 872035 or, between 11th – 18th April, Robin Hogg on 872366 . Those with a boat in the water, who would be prepared to help collect the sacks at the end of the day, would be especially welcome. Last year 100 volunteers, of all ages up to 90, took part and collected over 2 tonnes of rubbish !
The timing this year is particularly apt since the Campaign to Protect Rural England (CPRE), Clean Up UK and the Coastal Preservation Society are launching a major national “Anti-Litter Campaign” on the 16th April. This campaign will focus, not just on the countryside, but also on the coastline which forms such a critical element in the economy of the South West.
* Boatwatch. Crime on the river is markedly less than on other local estuaries. The efforts of those taking part in “Boatwatch" make a major contribution to this.
* Brookings Down Wood. Christopher Woodd-Walker will be giving a short brief on progress since the last AGM. Suffice it to say that the wood is in remarkable condition and ready for the Spring. All those who have had a hand in the various working parties deserve great credit for their perseverance.
* RYDA Benches. The RYDA has sponsored a number of Benches around the villages over the years. During 2007 we have, in conjunction with the Revelstoke Trust and South Hams District Council, bought and installed 5 Oak Benches at Noss Green. One overlooks the Tennis Courts and two have been placed together next to the Main Gate onto the Green. These are especially useful for those waiting for the bus.
* The Forthcoming Year. 2008 will see the start of the build of the Sherford New Community. By 2026 this project will eventually have up to 5,300 dwellings, housing around 12,000 people in mixed accommodation, together with all the necessary supporting infrastructure. We are bound to feel the effects of this project, if only because many of the residents will make use of the river and our pubs and facilities. It is for this reason that we are making the Sherford New Community the main focus of this AGM. After the coffee break we shall show a short film setting out how the Sherford complex should look when completed. The Project Officer, Nigel Beckett, and Rebecca Sturge from the Developer REDTREE will be present, as will Paul Tyler, representing the Planners at South Hams District Council. They should be able to answer any questions you might care to put!
* Affordable Housing. Progress is slow but this year could see Planning Applications coming forward for Sites in the Fairway and at Briar Hill Farm in addition to some Social Housing at Newton Downs. Any such applications will have to be preceded by another “Housing Needs Survey” which will involve everyone in the Parish. Your committee is currently considering how best to proceed.
* Finances. The audited accounts for the year to 31st December 2007 are attached. These accounts reflect a sound financial position for your association, much helped by the generous support of Marchand Petit over the printing of the 2007 Edition of the Village Directory. We have once again received financial support for our contribution towards the 2006 Public Liability Insurance that covers our annual harbour cleanup both from the RYHA and the NNPC. This will, I am sure, be forthcoming in 2008. We shall ask you to approve these annual accounts and to appoint John Wilson as our Honorary Auditor, a post he has kindly offered to fill for another year.
Chairman William Taylor Firslea, NF (872366)
Honorary Secretary Robin Hogg Anchor House, Noss (872366)
Treasurer & Alan Lomax Suncroft, Noss (872444)
Membership Secretary.
Planning Liaison Rod Carter Church Cottage, NF (872212)
Committee Member Chris Bradley Shore Steps House, Noss (872035)
Committee Member Eric Rodmell Rodmells, NF (872525)
Committee Member Kate Wood 4, Higher Combe Cottages, Noss (872588)
Janet Martin moved away to Totnes during 2007 and in so doing resigned from your committee. Her contribution was noteworthy and we are delighted to have co-opted Kate Wood who returns to your committee after many years.
I have been happy to act as both Chairman and Secretary for 2007 but it would be better for your Association were there to be an independent Secretary. On assuming the Chairmanship at the forthcoming AGM, Judge Taylor has asked whether I would consider remaining as Honorary Secretary. This I am happy to do for a period of one year. Robin Hogg, Chairman