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Tuesday 10 December 2013

The Charity Application Edge Fun becomes shortlisted

10th December 2013
THE CHARITY APPLICATION BECOMES SHORT-LISTED.


Today the trust received notification that its application has been short listed for funding. Trustees have been passed the email as the fund requires further information to pursue this further.

Monday 9 December 2013

ESH Contractors remove thier culvert managment system.

09th December 2013
EAST SUSSEX HIGHWAYS CONTRACTORS REMOVE THEIR CULVERT MANAGEMENT SYSTEM.

Today Contractors at the culvert said they had been instructed to remove the work they put in place 31st October 2013. The Concrete bags were removed from site and taken away. The Contractors said that there was plans to put something back but it was in the their job system again.

Tuesday 26 November 2013

The Trust was out picking up two bags of litter from Church Street Today

26th November 2012
THE TRUST WAS  OUT PICKING UP TWO BAGS OF LITTER FROM CHURCH STREET TODAY.

Members of the Trust were out today in the sunshine picking Litter from Church Street. 2 large sacks full of rubbish mostly containing energy drink and beer cans, miscellaneous bottles, surgical gloves, dog poo bags, carrier bags and many unmentionable objects. A member of the Trust was delighted to see a fox run across the green, across the HCA land and disappear.

Monday 25 November 2013

Update on Edge Fund Application

25th November 2013
UPDATE ON EDGE FUND APPLICATION.

The Edge Fund  has contacted the Charity  with a quick update:

A quick update for you. Our Advisory Group, who are the first to look at applications, have been through all them all and given feedback to the rest of the members. The Advisory Group specifically look at applications relating to their own background/ identity. The rest of our members are now doing their scores. Their deadline for doing this is the 28 November. Within two weeks of this date we'll be able to let you know if you have been short-listed for funding or not. If you have requested £1,000 or less, you will receive the funds at this stage. If you have requested more than this, you'll be asked for some further information and will then be asked to join us on 11 January to decide on the allocation of funds between the final groups. We'll be distributing £40,000 in total to around 30 groups.

Sunday 24 November 2013

Planning Fiasco In Speckled Wood

24th November 2013
PLANNING FIASCO IN SPECKLED WOOD.
The Trust has been told this morning that there has been a delay in the planning meeting of  the Victoria Avenue Planning Application (HS/OA/13/00600) which has lead there to be over a month where consultation could have been collected . The Trust has been told by the Planner responsible this was due to close the 9th September 2013.

The Trust has placed its consultation back online . Please use it to place your comment. This delay has given the planner opportunity to put a more recent ecological survey. This is actually in four parts so the link her refers to the main planning application were it is located. The Survey looks quite good from first look but will need a full read to see what is the main content of it. It seems to call for more studies.
 
You know what to do
http://www.friendsofspeckledwood.org.uk/consultation/

Saturday 23 November 2013

The Trust were out clearing back paths this morning

23rd November 2013
THE TRUST WERE OUT CLEARING BACK PATHS THIS MORNING.
The sunshine was smiling this morning and members of the Trust were busy in the Woodland clearing back pathways as part of its Management plan it proposed to the Hastings Cabinet last year. The Pathways in the upper section are looking better  and are accessible again. The Trust is hoping to clear the last wet foot path in the upper area next week as this has become badly overgrown with bramble.

Wednesday 13 November 2013

A skip full of rubbish removed

13th November2013
A SKIP FULL OF RUBBISH  REMOVED
The Charity successfully removed another large skip of rubbish with the help of French's Skip Hire the best skip hiring company in Hastings.

A spokesperson for the Charity said " This is another ground breaking event as the rubbish in the woodland is slowly coming back out. The Charity appreciates the help it gets with this removal process everyone plays their own part in making this possible."

Volunters working in the Woodland

13th November 2013
VOLUNTEERS WORKING IN THE WOODLAND.
The woodland was a beautiful sunny place today and the volunteers were back in the woodland cutting back the hedge along the back of the Salvation Army to allow the skip to be removed.

The volunteers also cleared one of the upper pathways which had a tree fallen across it and removed and cut up some of the fallen timber that had been put to one side on their last visit.

There is still much work needed to deal with the fallen trees. The charity is hoping for a generous donation from the public to allow them to put back some of the trees which have fallen in the heavy winds of October.

Wednesday 30 October 2013

FOSWMT and SSPT clear more rubbish from Speckled Wood

30th October 2013
FOSWMT AND SSPT CLEAR MORE RUBBISH FROM SPECKLED WOOD.
This morning the charity was busy with volunteers from SSPT clearing rubbish from the upper woodland in Speckled Wood a whole skip was filled with this rubbish and the charity hope that they can arrange for another skip to be delivered as there is still more material to be removed .



The manager of SSPT was on site assessing the work today. The skip is looking very full of tipped rubbish.

This is part of the charities on going clean-up of the Speckled Wood Woodland . The charity want to thank Frenches Skip Hire and SSPT volunteers for their help in this matter. The charity has confirmed some Saturday dates with SSPT pending on a empty skip being available.

Tuesday 29 October 2013

Update on Speckled Wood

29th Oct 2013
UPDATE ON SPECKLED WOOD.
The Hasting Borough Council Development Plan has failed to be delivered to the inspector this year.

We understand that the reason for this position is that the South East Plan was abolished, by the government. The SE Plan was a strategic development plan for the whole of South East England, drawn up by the South East Regional Assembly, which has also been abolished.

We understand that this was what the Council had based its 3,200 homes housing target on, and meant that they had to go through a lengthy process of that being replaced (in effect) with a target of 7,000 homes, and having to provide new evidence to show that they could only make room for 3,400 new homes. Yes it seems this figure has increased.

Because of the abolition of the South East Plan we have been informed that the planning inspector thinks the Council should consult on the DMP again, because of the time that’s elapsed since the original consultation. We understand the consultation will pretty much be a repeat of the last one last year, although probably over a shorter period. As it says in the Shaping Hastings Newsletter, previous comments will be taken into account, but it’s an opportunity to add new ones (or even withdraw previous ones). It’ll take place early next year, we don’t know exactly when yet.

This could be good news if the Victoria Avenue Planning Application is not approved but it does mean the whole process will start from last year again. We really would benefit from the general public helping with this matter taking Speckled Wood through the next consultation to help us increase the public objection to the planning in Speckled Wood.

Monday 28 October 2013

The Trust inspected Plans for the Work House site

28 Oct 2013
THE TRUST INSPECT PLANS FOR THE WORK HOUSE SITE.
The Trust members went to Aquila house today to examine the files they had requested from Archive for the Work House Site. It seems as some file information was not sent through a further request will be made to obtain the missing Wildlife Constraints and map folders. The visit was quite successful and photographic records where taken of documentation the Trust will forward on to the relevant parties.

The Trust are busy this morning clearing paths

28th Oct 2013
THE TRUST ARE BUSY THIS MORNING CLEARING PATHS.
After the met office warned of strong winds last night, members of the Trust arrived at Speckled Wood early this morning to see if the strong winds had caused any damage.

The members cleared away a lot of debris from fallen tree canopies. Further into the Woodland a tree had fallen across a pathway. The members of the Trust and a supportive group member cut  the fallen tree into pieces so that it could be moved off the pathways. The Trust was very happy with the progress of this and hope to be back to cut this into more manageable pieces in the near future.

WSP Publish Ecology Report for Victoria Avenue

28th October 2013
WSP PUBLISHES ECOLOGY REPORT FOR VICTORIA AVENUE.
WSP has submitted a 2012 ecology report for the top of Speckled Wood. This is available on the planning application.

Saturday 19 October 2013

Church Street Update

19th October 2013
CHURCH STREET UPDATE.
The Trust has been actively meeting with specialist on the Church Street site over the past two weeks. The reports from these Ecologists and Wildlife Welfare Consultant have now come in and they have been forwarded to the Police Wildlife Officer , Natural England and to Cllr Peter Chowney.

The Trust is waiting for further information from the planning office and a further report to arrive in relation to this matter and it is expected  that there will be a meeting on site with all the interested parties in the near future, when this final information becomes available. We are told the Police investigation is ongoing. We will report more information as it becomes available.

Thursday 10 October 2013

The Trust meets with an Ecologist at the HCA site

10th October 2013
THE TRUST MEETS WITH AN ECOLOGIST AT THE HCA SITE.
The Vice Chair of the Trust, Mr Dave Hemsley arranged for the Trust to meet a leading ecologist Mr Johnson today at the Church Street Site. In attendance was also Secretary Mrs Pelaou and Chair Mr Newbold. The intention was to lay their own sand traps .  This was deemed not necessary after new information was discovered on boardering properties.

Fresh badger excrement was also found on site making it not necessary to put sand traps down. Mr Johnson will be writing a report which will be shared with all interested parties.

Saturday 5 October 2013

Anguis fragilis thriving in Church street in amonst the badger foraging

05th October 2013
ANGUIS FRAGILIS THRIVING IN CHURCH STREET IN AMONGST THE BADGER FORAGING.
This morning whilst out early a member of the trust was looking at the foraging marks left wby the badgers on the HCA site and spotted a further Anguis fragilis in the ground. This is fabulous news and is the second siting on the HCA land which has been destroyed by an over zelaous contractor at the hands of The Hastings Borough Council Estates Department.

The Trust is extremely pleased to see the badgers foraging and the Anguis fragilis are sill on site.

Friday 4 October 2013

Meeting with Police Wildlife Officers

4th October 2013
MEETING WITH THE POLICE WILDLIFE OFFICERS.
The Trust met with the Police Wild Life Officers today  at Church Street. The Hastings Borough Councillors, Estates Department and land owner Homes Community Agency did not attend despite being invited with plenty of notice earlier this week.

The meeting was very productive and information was shared . The Trust was told the investigation is on going and that they had been in Contact with Natural England who had told them that the email we had received was not correct.

A later conversation with Natural England pointed out that the email was only wrong in so far as Slow Worms and lizards do not need a license , and the Police do not always Prosecute as this is at their discretion. The Trust also learned from their telephone conversation with Natural England that an Outline Planning Permission would not be enough to allow Natural England to grant a license. The Trust is taking this matter forward.

Cllr Windcott has told  this evening  I'm afraid Councillors are not always able to attend all meetings due to the fact it is not a full time role. I have a day job as well as being a Borough Councillor, so most meetings have to be in the evening. We have agreed that this is unfortunate but understandable.

Tuesday 1 October 2013

The Trust are out this morning brush cutting

1st October 2013
THE TRUST ARE OUT THIS MORNING BRUSH CUTTING
The Trust were out early this morning cutting back the pathways, making them look neater without taking too much, which would effect the habitat. The pathways down Church Street have also been partially wood chipped by the Trust last month. This is starting to look fantastic. The Trust are hoping to look at the drainage problem across the path.

Wednesday 25 September 2013

More Vandalism in Speckled Wood

25th September 2013
MORE VANDALISM IN SPECKLED WOOD.
More vandalism has occurred in Speckled Wood over the last week.  The tree at the top of the woodland near the village green has now been attacked by an axe cut all the way around it . This is another blatant attempt at vandalism to destroy the tree.

A further tree has been cut down and removed leaving a stump which is potentially a trip hazard. If you spot anyone working in the woodland cutting down trees please contact the police.

This vandalism follows on from the children's tree where logs put around for seating have been thrown in the stream. Please keep a look out for these vandals.

Sunday 22 September 2013

The Trust is busy putting down more woodchip

22nd September 2013
THE TRUST IS BUSY PUTTING DOWN MORE WOODCHIP
The Victoria Avenue end of Speckled Wood is looking fabulous. Some of the Trust members have been busy applying woodchip to the paths, this is in preparation for the wet season which is approaching.
The Trust hopes to make a start on the other end of the wood at Frederick road but there is a drainage issue on one of the paths that needs to be resolved first, this has prevented the woodchip placed at this end by Friends of Speckled Wood currently being put down on the pathway.

Friday 20 September 2013

The Trust meet with Council Officers to discuss the Ore Notice Board

20th September 2013.
THE TRUST MEET WITH COUNCIL OFFICERS TO DISCUSS THE ORE NOTICE BOARD.

This morning the Trust met with Council Officers to discuss the position of the Ore Notice board. A site was agreed subject to any restrictions as discussed on site. The new notice board is hoped to be situated in place of the dustbin . This will afford the best view and the rubbish bin will be located at the other end of the bench.

We look forward to this moving forward and the Village having its noticeboard back.


Saturday 14 September 2013

Meeting with the Sussex Badger Group

13th September 2013
MEETING WITH THE SUSSEX BADGER GROUP
Today Mr Don Wiseman met with the Trust members Kelly , Martin , Dave and Mr Aubrey Ingleton at the HCA land at the end of Church Street for a meeting in relation to Speckled Wood. The meeting was very successful and everyone participated with a walk through Speckled Wood. Some interesting information was learned and an exchange of information was most useful. A further meeting with the Council is going to be requested.

Wednesday 11 September 2013

Two more dates agreed with SSPT Volunteers

11th September 2013
TWO MORE DATES AGREED WITH SSPT VOLUNTEERS.
Two more dates have been agreed with the volunteers from SSPT today who worked so hard with the Trust clearing a huge amount of rubbish from the site last month.

The Trust was very happy to agree two new dates in October were the remaining rubbish from this area will be removed.

A spokesperson from the Trust said they were very pleased to have arranged this and look forward to  having the volunteers on site again.



Monday 9 September 2013

Anguis fragilis spotted at Church Street

09th Sept 2013.
ANGUIS FRAGILIS SPOTTED AT CHURCH STREET CLEARANCE SITE

Slow worms have been spotted at the vandalized Church Street site bordering Clifton Road. Ealy last week Council Contractors tried to clear this land without a license. It appears that no Ecology report was done prior to this work either . Despite this the slow worms have managed to survive despite the site being left in an aweful state by the Council Workers. It is hopped that the Council will stop work altogether as there has been criticism that this is the wrong time of the year to do this clearance work.

FOSWMT Report handed into Planning

09th Sept 2013
FOSWMT REPORT HANDED INTO PLANNING OFFICE.

The Friends of Speckled Wood Report in response to the Outline Planning Application HS/OA/13/0600 was taken to the Planning department and handed in this morning.

The report was also sent digitally into dccoments email address on Sunday.

Saturday 7 September 2013

Come play in the Woodland

7th Sept 2013

COME PLAY IN THE WOODLAND

The second come play in the Woodland event was hosted by Friends of Speckled Wood Management Trust in association wit Ore Church Mice Pre-School and Sussex Wildlife Trust today. The event was very successful on a sunny but chilly afternoon. The activates juggling cake decorating, face painting all went down well with the children and more than fifty adults and children enjoyed the treat in the Woodland. The Trust thanks everyone for there help as without this this event could not happen.

The glades in the woodland  were wall full of activities an animals

The Trust hopes to have a youngsters bonfire with out fireworks in the woodland later in November .

Please watch this space as we will announce the next event as soon as we have details of it

Friday 6 September 2013

The Trust hands over objections

6th September 2013
THE TRUST HANDS OVER AN INITIAL 464 OBJECTIONS.
Today the Friends of Speckled Wood Management Trust handed over four hundred and sixty four objections to the Cllr Peter Chowney outside the Town Hall . These Objections were all regarding teh Outline Planning Proposal in Victoria Avenue , Ore. The Trust has said they hoped there would be more objections as the Chairman gave an interview with Arrow FM for their breakfast news.  It is apparent that the public in Ore do not want this development. It is hoped that the Council will take these views on board as the village has been beset with development that the Council has agreed in the last year.The Trust is hoping for a better informed decision as they also submitted a 12 page report.

There is still time to object until Monday. You can register your objection here:

TWO DAYS LEFT TO SEND IN YOUR OBJECTION

http://www.friendsofspeckledwood.org.uk/gb/consultation/

You can register your objection online on the Council Planning website here:
http://publicaccess.hastings.gov.uk/online-applications/applicationDetails.do?activeTab=neighbourComments&keyVal=_HSTBC_DCAPR_100731

You can write or take your letter to:


Outline Planning Application HS/OA/13/00600 
Hastings Borough Council
Upper Ground Floor, Aquila House
Hastings, East Sussex
TN34 3UY
Email: dccoments
@hastings.gov.uk
If you email please include your full postal address, if you object, and your reason for your objection.

Thursday 5 September 2013

HBC Estates Department stopped contractors 2nd day

05th Sep 2013.
HBC ESTATES DEPARTMENT STOPPED CONTRACTORS 2ND DAY.
For the second day FOSWMT members where down on site at Church Street, Ore  were the atrocity commenced yesterday. Emails and telephone calls finally reached the relevant people and it appears the contractors had no license to work on the land in the way they were. Contractors have been pulled out by the council and left at around 9:00am after arriving at 8:00am .

An Ecologist is due to come down to the site to determine which license should be required. The Trust is pleased that this is being dealt with correctly and are pleased with their Chairman's efforts.

Wednesday 4 September 2013

Employed Council Workers temporarily stopped by FOSWMT Chairman

4th September 2013
COUNCIL CLEARING HCA LAND BEYOND THEIR REMIT WAS STOPPED TODAY BY FOSWMT CHAIRMAN

Today clearance work was temporarily stopped today when Chairman of Friends of Speckled Wood stopped collecting objections in the village centre and rushed to  Church Street. The public in the village had said Church street was being cleared. Mr Newbold Chairman of the chairman asked the Contractors who had employed them . They told him Mrs Terry of the Estates Department Hastings Borough Council had engaged them to clear this land. Mr Newbold was heard  to state that the land was owned by HCA and that they should not be working on it. Mr Newbold was asked if he was anything to do with this . He was shown an OCLT compliment slip. Mr Newbold was heard to say no.

Negotiation was then seen to happen when Mrs Terry, Estates Department arrived at 2:00pm . She talked to Mr Newbold at length. An agreement was made to not cut the trees during this meeting. The workers departed around 2:15pm.


It is worrying to note that no public safety fencing was erected whilst these workers were working on site.

Chairman of FOSWMT has said people will be onsite tomorrow and that he has contacted HCA and learned that their bid of intention has not made it to HCA the land owners and that an Outline Planning Application will be submitted for this land in november 2013.

Another member of the Trust said the objections were going well for the Outline Planning in Victoria Ave and that their target was 500 and they are just short . Please keep the objections coming in there is less than four days left for this . It is clear there is another battle ahead

Sunday 1 September 2013

Eight more days to object to stop the Planning Application in Speckled Wood

1st September 2013
EIGHT MORE DAYS TO OBJECT TO PLANNING APPLICATION IN SPECKLED WOOD.
There is only seven more days from tomorrow to object to the Outline Planning Application that is up for comments until 9th September 2013. If this outline application is passed it will severely affect our campaign to save the woodland as the application area will take out the pond the top glade and the pathway to Victoria Avenue. It will also affect our chances of having the BIGLOCAL Purchase the woodland.

There is a lot hinging on this decision. If this is passed it will also open the door to more planning Applications. Please help stop this! Help us bring the land price down so that it can be bought and protected for the Children of Ore and the animals that live there.

You can register your objection online on the Friends of Speckled wood website here:



http://www.friendsofspeckledwood.org.uk/gb/consultation/

You can register your objection online on the Council Planning website here:
http://publicaccess.hastings.gov.uk/online-applications/applicationDetails.do?activeTab=neighbourComments&keyVal=_HSTBC_DCAPR_100731

You can write or take your letter to:


Outline Planning Application HS/OA/13/00600 
Hastings Borough Council Planning Policy
Upper Ground Floor, Aquila House
Hastings, East Sussex
TN34 3UY
Email:
fplanning@hastings.gov.uk
If you email please include your full postal address, if you object, and your reason for your objection.

Friday 30 August 2013

New Skip arrives behind the Salvation Army building

30th August 2013
NEW SKIP ARRIVES BEHIND SALVATION ARMY BUILDING.

This morning the Friends of Speckled Wood Management Trust members where up early having the full skip removed and a new empty one put out . This is necessary for removing the rubbish which has been moved by the Trust and the SSPT Volunteers on Wednesday. FOSWMT are trying to make the woodland safer for Children.


You can read more about this by joining Friends of Speckled Wood from our website by clicking here:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/friendsofspeckledwood/

Friends of Speckled Wood Management Trust wants to say a special thank you to Frenches Skip Hire for there help.

Wednesday 28 August 2013

The Trust is out canvassing

28th August 2013
THE TRUST IS OUT CANVASSING
The Trust has been out collecting objections for the planning application in the Village at Victoria Avenue. The Trust believes that this should not be approved and is collected objections online and by visiting peoples houses. The voting is very slow at the moment and people are not responding to the vote. It is really important if we are going to save and buy Speckled Wood that this Planning Application is rejected. Please vote you can object on paper by filling in one of our paper forms or vote online at:
http://www.friendsofspeckledwood.org.uk/gb/consultation/
Please help its is important that this application is rejected. This is probably one of the most important votes  we have had to date so please vote .

More scrap removed by volunteers in woodland.

28th August 2013
MORE SCRAP REMOVED BY VOLUNTEERS IN THE WOODLAND
Today the Trust and the SSPT volunteers removed a further large quantity of rubbish from the woodland the members were amazed of the quantity of buried rubbish in this area which is starting to look much safer. The trust members wish to Thank Lee , Tom , Kelly, Martin and Chris for there help.  The rubbish did not make it into the skip because a car driver blocked the access to the skip preventing it from being emptied this morning. More information and further pictures can be found in our group pages. If you are not a member click join from our website page.

Tuesday 27 August 2013

FOSWMT and SSPT volunteers will be hoping to clear more scrap from the woodland tomorrow.

27th August 2013
FOSWMT AND SSPT VOLUNTEERS WILL BE HOPING TO CLEAR MORE SCRAP FROM THE WOODLAND TOMORROW.

The Friends of Speckled Wood Management Trust is set to continue its scrap clearing form the upper woodland tomorrow this is the second of two dates arranged by the Trust and is not associated with another group Ore Community Land Trust.

This is the second of two days which the Trust has been given by the SSPT and we are hoping that the Volunteers will have a good day in the woodland.  

The Trust wants to say a huge thank you to Frenches Skip Hire.

The vote is still running online please do not forget to vote
http://www.friendsofspeckledwood.org.uk/gb/consultation/

Sunday 25 August 2013

The Trusts Vote to save the Nature Reserve goes online

25th August 2013
THE TRUSTS VOTE TO SAVE THE NATURE RESERVE GOES ONLINE.
The Trust has been forced to put its vote system back up due to failures in the Hastings Borough Council Planning Application Portal. Numerous people have said their objections are not being shown on the Council System. Please continue to register objections here as well.

The new vote emails forward planning directly with your objection or support for this Outline Planning Application HS/OA/13/00600 . You can add an additional comment and this is sent directly to the right place to register your feeling about building in this beautiful nature reserve.

The Friends of Speckled Wood Management Trust vote is here:



http://www.friendsofspeckledwood.org.uk/gb/consultation/

PLEASE VOTE SAVE THIS NATURE RESERVE FOR OUR CHILDREN



Saturday 24 August 2013

We are hearing reports that the Hastings Planning site is not recording objections

24th August 2013.
WE ARE HEARING REPORTS THAT THE HASTINGS PLANNING SITE IS NOT RECORDING OBJECTIONS.
Two users of the Speckled Wood site have contacted Administrators today to state that they have made objections twice on the Hastings Planning system today under reference HS/0A/13/0600 and the system has not shown the Objection registered on the system. We ask users to check to see if  they have received an email in relation to thier objection . If the have please forward it to the  fplanning@hastings.gov.uk email address and mention the fault you are experiencing please.

These problems came today after a fault was shown stating there was an error when you tried to access the planning area. We are told the system was rebooted but it does not seem to have cleared the fault. Please keep trying . We are working on an alternative site on our own website

The Council Planning Website is here: http://publicaccess.hastings.gov.uk/online-applications/applicationDetails.do?activeTab=makeComment&keyVal=_HSTBC_DCAPR_100731 You can click this link and choose Make a comment then Object as one of the options  before sending in your details and comment

The Hastings Borough Planning Council Planning site goes down this morning.

24th August 2013
THE HASTINGS BOROUGH COUNCIL PLANNING SITE GOES DOWN THIS MORNING.
Early this morning at around 5:00am the Hastings Borough Council Planning site which was newly written this year went down and will no longer allow you to search for any applications or get on the system to write comments. There is also some worry that comments on application may have been lost as these have not been updating for two days .

publicaccess.hastings.gov.uk/online-applications/applicationDetails.do?activeTab=summary&keyVal=_HSTBC_DCAPR_100731

This is principally worrying as the Outline planning application on part of Speckled Wood is currently running and objections being gathered. The Trust has notified the authority about this today and is making plans again to take the matter onto its own website as it did last year.

Thursday 22 August 2013

The Village Green issue and Disposal of two plots of land.

23rd August 2013

THE VILLAGE GREEN ISSUE AND DISPOSAL.

The Village Green matter is due to escalate today. A large number of objections are known to have been handed in with regard to  the matter of the disposal of the two parcels of land at the Village Green . The matter is now on its last day.

It is known that these Objections will be discussed at a Property Management Group. It is thought as there is at least two groups interested in this disposal of land that there will be some form of Consultation. This has been something the Trust has been asking for and welcomes this despite hearing that another group raised £500.00 of paperwork costs for this purpose last month. The Trust is starting to question where this groups information is coming from.

Please ensure that if this matter comes to a consultation you are aware of what paperwork you are signing and what that might mean to the Village Green and the rest of the woodland.

Wednesday 21 August 2013

Friends of Speckled Wood Management Trust volunteers working alongside SSPT volunteers

21st August 2013
FRIENDS OF SPECKLED WOOD MANAGEMENT TRUST VOLUNTEERS WORKING ALONGSIDE THE SSPT VOLUNTEERS.
Today the volunteers from the SSPT worked fabulously alongside the Trust members to remove 1.5 Tons of rubbish from the woodland into a skip behind the Salvation Army.  The Trust was very impressed with the hard work that was done by its members and the visiting volunteers and are hoping that the volunteers  will return to
help continue to remove this rubbish next week.  The area which was used as a staging point was thoroughly cleared before the volunteers left the area. A spokesperson from the Trust said "it was a lovely day working in the sunshine and everyone seemed to enjoy themselves".

The whole story is pictorially shown at the following online Facebook page:

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.529351823804645.1073741858.363895927016903&type=3

The Trust sends a big thank you to Frenches Skips

21st August 2013
THE TRUST SENDS A BIG THANK YOU TO FRENCHES SKIPS.
This morning Frenches Skips delivered a skip to behind the Salvation Army . This was a very difficult maneuver as there was only just enough room for the vehicle to reverse. The Trust had been out the previous evening to try to widen the road to allow this to happen. The Trust was very worried in the morning and very relieved to find that the Skip was brought in and dropped off with very little discussion.

The Trust want to say a big thank you to Frenches Skips as with out their cooperation much of our work would be impossible.

Tuesday 20 August 2013

The Trust has been busy finding a site for its skip

20th August 2012.
THE TRUST HAS BEEN BUSY FINDING A SITE FOR ITS SKIP.

Friends of Speckled Wood Management Trust have been very busy this evening as the Councils Estates Department would not allow them to put their skip on the Village Green so that the team from SSTP and the Groups volunteers could continue to remove scrap from the woodland.

The Trust was not worried by this and have found a suitable place to put the skip and has the support from local residents to enable this clearance to happen. The current situation with the disposal of the Village Green is thought to be responsible for this decision. The Trust is very resourceful and has managed to secure a site by its hard work.

The boundary of the woodland had needed tidying up and now looks much better for the work put in by the Trust. If you would like to see more pictures and read more about this please click here: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.529048790501615.1073741857.363895927016903&type=1