Category Archives: News and Articles

Dorchester-on-Thames Neighbourhood Development Plan Referendum

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When: 15th March 2018

Where: Dorchester on thames village hall

The face of the countryside as we know it is being changed and rural communities like ours must adapt to accommodate the need for more homes to be built in our part of the world. If you as a resident of Dorchester-on-Thames have an interest in or concern for the future of our village, particularly in the areas of its:

  • HOUSING
  • ECONOMY
  • TOURISM AND LEISURE
  • HISTORIC ENVIRONMENT
  • NATURAL ENVIRONMENT, WILDLIFE AND BIODIVERSITY

It is vital that you exercise your right to vote on the Plan at the forthcoming referendum on: 15th March 2018

The Plan can be viewed on the village website www.dorchester-on-thames.co.uk/ndp and also at the George, the White Hart, the Fleur, Lily’s, Hair and the Abbey.

The Parish Clerk will also have a copy.

Proxy and postal votes are available and can be applied for at www.gov.uk/apply-vote-proxy

There will be at least one drop-in session at the Village  Hall (date and times to be announced) prior to the Referendum for you to come and discuss any questions, issues or concerns with members of the Parish Council and NDP team. Any questions you may have in the intervening period should be sent to the Parish Clerk parishclerk@dorchesteronthames.co.uk who will ensure that a member of the NDP team comes back to you with an answer as soon as possible.

So please remember, this is a unique opportunity for you to influence the future shape of your village and your vote is vital

 

Oxford to Cambridge Expressway

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One of the proposed routes (S4) linking the A34 to the proposed Expressway passes very close to Dorchester (please see map below).

An Action Group has been formed to campaign urgently against this proposal.

Updates:

Survey: Unlocking the digital potential of rural areas

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Here is something we found which we felt would be of interest to all those that may have small businesses, work from home, or anything along those lines. ruralengland.org are running a survey to try to ascertain what those in rural communities are using as far as technology and broadband are concerned, and also what would be most useful to improve this area.

If you have time, please take a look at the online survey below to let everyone know how your business is using technology, and how it could be improved for the benefit of yourselves, and the community at large.

Unlocking the digital potential of rural areas – research

Rural England CIC and Scotland’s Rural College (SRUC) have launched a research project, supported by Amazon, to explore the economic potential where businesses in rural areas take-up digital opportunities arising from broadband, mobile and other networks.

This project will take an independent look at businesses’ use of digital connectivity, including how they use it, what benefits arise, what barriers they face and what future potential they see, especially if barriers can be overcome.

This is an important topic for the future of the rural economy and its varied businesses. The e-economy is driving business efficiency, productivity and competitiveness, and is changing the way some go about their business.

Your views will be valuable to the project whether you run a farm, a retail outlet, a tech company or something else entirely. You could be a sole trader or a large employer, a PLC or a social enterprise, a recent start-up or a long established firm.

Hurst Water Meadow Trust News – August 2017

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Summer on the meadows

We hope that you have enjoyed the meadows during the summer months.
The flowers and butterflies in the Hurst have been particularly good this year. Many of the wild flowers in the Hurst are ‘indicator species’ recognised by DEFRA as contributing to the Countryside Stewardship Higher Tier status. An advisor from Natural England makes periodic inspections to ensure that the Hurst meets the qualifying requirements for an annual grant from the scheme, and the flora is of particular interest. The grant helps the Trust to pay for insurance cover, professional tree surgery, countryside skills training, tractor maintenance, and the purchase of hand tools and other equipment.

Our open morning to celebrate National Meadows Day was attended by more than fifty people, some of whom had never visited the Hurst before. A large ‘bug hotel’ was built, invertebrates were swept up with nets in the long grass and examined, drinks and cakes were enjoyed. Everyone was intrigued to watch Richard Tilley open his mammal traps and find small mammals which could be closely observed before being set free; and there was video footage from the trail camera which showed the larger mammals that frequent the Hurst.

Dog mess continues to be a problem

and has got worse in recent weeks. This may be because there are more visitors to the meadows during the holiday period but it may also be because other distractions take our attention away from our dogs. If residents see a dog owner fail to pick up after their dog please help by pointing this out to the owner and suggesting that they pick up. An effort by all walkers to combat this problem might be effective.

Autumn work ahead

Weekly work parties have met throughout the summer, mainly keeping nettles down and clearing vegetation from around recently planted trees. Eleven members of Sonning Common Green Gym joined us one Saturday to work on Overy Mead Piece near the confluence. We hope that they will be back helping us again soon. Autumn and winter work will include remedial tree work, cutting back scrub growth which is encroaching into grassland, and continuing to lay the hedge beside the car park at Old Bridge Meadow. If you would like to join the volunteer workers and perhaps learn to scythe or hedge-lay please let us know. It doesn’t have to be a regular commitment but you will be made very welcome and tools will be provided.

Gillian Johnson (Hon. Secretary) on behalf of the Trustees
01865 340925
Website: www.hurst-water-meadow.org.uk

Ever wanted to own your local community Pub?

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This could be the first step. Some of you may know that the Fleur de Lys is for sale. Others of you may also know that over four years ago it was registered with SODC who are the administrators of Assets of Community Value (ACV`s) by a group of local customers who live in the village.

What this means is that if it is ever put on the market (as it is now), their is a 6 month moratorium on the sale during which members of the local community can assemble a consortium to buy and run it as a community pub.

In order to evaluate whether there is sufficient support to take this forward as a serious proposition there will be an initial meeting of interested parties at the Village Hall at 7.30pm on Thursday 6th July. Anyone who is interested will be welcome to come along to find out more and decide for themselves.

Friends of the Fleur
c/o Chris Hill – 340910