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Parish Council Chairman’s Annual Report 2019-2020

Due to the lockdown, this is being made public on the Liddington.org website and in the Lyden Magazine. 

The green at Spinney Close has been leased by the Parish Council to ensure that its future as a green space for the village is secure and to prevent the possibility of it being built upon. 

A Defibrillator has been placed by the front entrance to the Village Hall. Around thirty people attended a presentation about its use which indicates there is support for the installation. It is intended to place a second one in the disused telephone box subject to the cost of electricity connection not being prohibitive. 

The Parish Council approached Swindon Borough Council with suggested measures for traffic calming on the main road. Firstly, we requested moving the pedestrian crossing point fifty yards down the hill to improve visibility for both pedestrians and motorists. After several silent months, this was rejected. Secondly, we asked for a pedestrian designated area along the edge of the main road beginning where the pavement to Hillside Cottages ends continuing on to the pavement’s re-emergence. This would have been facilitated by removing the cross hatching in the middle of the road, thus allowing houses on the south side of the road a little more protection and encouraging motorists to keep to the speed limit. This too Swindon Borough Council rejected. 

Thirdly, after many months Swindon Borough Council granted us permission to use our own funds to install a flashing speed sign which now operates at the western approach to the village. It will be rotated around three other positions along the main road and one on Medbourne Lane, as it is noted that familiarity breeds contempt amongst motorists. Data can be collected so that the selfless work of the Community Speedwatch team can be augmented. 

The Parish Council is spending almost £1,000 a year cleaning the pavement along the south side of the main road from Hillside Cottages eastwards to Spinney Close access gate. This is because Swindon Borough Council is failing in its duty to cut back overgrown vegetation. The Parish Council incurs this annual expense, which it is not legally obliged to under the Transfer of Services Deed of 28th June 2017, because there would otherwise be grave risk to pedestrians. It is a highly unsatisfactory arrangement about which the Parish Council must continue to challenge Swindon Borough Council. 

During the year the Vicar, The Rev Bill O’Connell, addressed the Parish Council about the relationship between Church and Village. The suggestion was made that the building might appear more welcoming and feel more a part of the village life if it was open to the public during daylight hours. This was rejected on the grounds of the risk of vandalism. Is there not a danger that fear now dictates opening hours in a way not witnessed before during the centuries of worship in our village church? “Use it or lose it” the saying goes. But it helps if it is not locked, 

At the second attempt an oak was planted on the south side of the playing field to commemorate The Centenary of Armistice Day which is marked by a brass plaque. It seems especially important with Covid-19 cancelling the 75th Anniversary celebrations that the 75th Anniversary is marked in some other way to remind ourselves how invoking the spirit of coming together as in WW2 is helping us now. Any ideas? 

In response to the outbreak of Covid-19, the Parish Council instigated the setting up of the Liddington Support Group. I would like to thank Tessa Lanstein for improving it with the creation of a WhatsApp group and chat forum. The Parish Council has also opened a page on Facebook which I encourage you to use. 

I would like to thank Adams & Watt for all their hard work in grass cutting and maintenance. The attractive feel and look of the village owes much to their efforts. I urge residents to keep their boundary vegetation from overhanging public pavements and footpaths as it creates obstruction and moss growth. 

Finally I would like to thank my Parish Council colleagues for giving so much of their time on behalf of the Community with especial thanks to our very diligent clerk, Val Curtis, who has afforded this rookie patient wise and candid support. 

Keep Safe in the coming weeks 

David Lomax, 

Chairman, Liddington Parish Council 

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Liddington 100 Club

The 100 Club will be suspended until further notice due to the Coronavirus. We still have the March drawer to do, and next years memberships to collect when it is safe to do so.

Regards, Keep Safe

-Caroline Tams

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Liddington Support Group for Coronavirus

During this pandemic it is really important that we look out for one another.

If you find you need to self isolate during the coming weeks ,a member of the Liddington Support Group can help you by collecting essential food and/or medicine. Please contact one of the names below and the Support Group will be able to assist you.

People who are self isolating are advised to do what they can to avoid visitors to their home, so deliveries of groceries, medicines or other shopping are to be left at the door.

Karen Allen     07879896991           Jane Howes           07951563367

 Clive Bunney 07824536559           Matthew Bowman   01793791401                               

Guy Allen        07775712874          Tessa Lanstein      07795057420

Joanne Ayres  07803292080            David Lomax         07931895044

Andrew  Caird 07779010645            Nicky Heape           07503157859

Penny Caird    01793791955           Phil Cripps              07595248143

If you would be prepared to help a householder in this way, please phone Tessa Lanstein who is setting up a WhatsApp group on the phone for  the Support Group. 

This information can also be found on our facebook page

Liddington Parish Community

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Stay Well this Winter

Look after yourself this winter

As the dark nights draw in across Swindon and winter really starts to bite, it’s worth thinking about how we can all make sure we’re looking after ourselves and staying well over the cold winter months.

The NHS recently launched its annual winter campaign – Help Us Help You– which is here to help make it easier to understand the things you can do.

We all know hospitals and surgeries can be especially busy during the winter months and it can often be tricky to know the best place to go for help, so here’s some handy tips to see you though until spring:

  1. It’s not too late to get your flu jab 

The free flu vaccination is offered to those who are at increased risk from the effects of flu, including people aged 65 and over, pregnant women, those with underlying health conditions and children aged 2-10. If you’ve not had one yet, it’s not too late. 

  • Call 111 or visit 111.nhs.uk online

If you’re unsure where to go and think you need urgent medical attention, but it’s not life-threatening, contacting NHS 111 can help you make sure you reach the most suitable NHS service for your needs.

  • Ask a pharmacist for advice before minor ailments or winter illnesses get worse 

Community pharmacists are qualified healthcare professional who can offer clinical advice and over the counter medicines to safely manage things like coughs, colds and sore throats.

It’s quick and convenient to see a pharmacist– you don’t need to book an appointment and can often be seen in a private consultation room.

  • See your GP in the evening or weekend if you can’t see them during the day

If you need to see a GP but find it hard to find the time during routine hours, appointments with a GP, nurse or other healthcare professional are often available in the evenings and at weekends through many local practices or other local NHS services.

For more information about services in your area visit:

http://swindonccg.nhs.uk/

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Break in on Church Road

Be alert, thieves may be operating in Liddington. Yesterday a garage was broken into at Parsonage Yard. Nothing was taken. The police are looking into it.

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Parish Magazine Error

AN ERROR WAS MADE DURING THE PUBLICATION OF THE FEBRUARY EDITION OF THE PARISH MAGAZINE. THE CORRECT DETAILS ARE BELOW:

PRECEPT FOR 2019/20

At the January meeting it was unanimously agreed that the Precept would need to be increased by 9.49% for 2019/20 to maintain the level of service that has been achieved in this current financial year. Since the transfer of services from Swindon Borough our aim has been to carry out works and maintenance where it is most needed. This equates to approximately £59 for a band D property.  The Parish Council will continue to make every effort to ensure that the precept is no higher than is necessary and remains prudent and self-sustaining. 

SCIENCE PARK 

The Parish Council fully endorses and supports the aims and objectives of South Swindon Protection Group, whose flyers have been distributed to residents, in fighting the Planning application to build a Science Park on the land at Inlands Farm, Wanborough.  We will be submitting our own objections to the proposal and encourage all residents to make their views known to the planning authority.   

NEW PLAY EQUIPMENT 

At the time of writing, the new play equipment was due to be installed on Liddington Playing Field soon after 8thJanuary, weather permitting.  We hope the children enjoy using the new pieces.  As previously mentioned, the basket swing can cater for more than one person at a time, so siblings or parent and child can be on the swing together. It is also suitable for children with disabilities. The Dart Activity Centre should provide a variety of activities.  We hope the children enjoy using the new equipment, it would be good to hear what they think.

The next meeting of Liddington Parish Council will be held onWednesday 6thFebruary 2019starting at 7pm in the Village Hall, not as reported in the Lyden Magazine.  

Val Curtis, Clerk to Liddington Parish Council

PLEASE NOTE:  The AGM for the Village Hall Committee was also incorrectly reported. The Meeting will be held on Monday 18thFebruary at 7.30pm in the Village Hall not as reported in the Lyden Magazine.