Kirkbride Parish Council Newsletter Autumn 2015

The following is an update from Connecting Cumbria on Broadband provision: this was sent to a member of the PC and was posted on the Kirkbride Facebook page in July 2015. “The KIRKBRIDE exchange area is not enabled for Superfast Fibre Broadband presently and is expected to be enabled in the coming months. This area is being upgraded by building a new Superfast Fibre Broadband cabinet near to the exchange building. More telecoms works are needed to complete it. Significant telecoms or civil engineering challenges were encountered in this area (or with the network leading up to this area) which has led to the overall plan being revised. Please note that such revisions of the plan are normal and to be expected in a large telecoms infrastructure delivery programme. Due to the challenges encountered, we are expecting to complete in early in Autumn 2015. This will be announced on the website and through our Twitter account @Connect_Cumbria. We do appreciate that it can be disappointing when some elements of the works are extended because they cannot be completed as expected. This situation happens in a large engineering programme because some elements are progressed as planned and some don't. Please be assured that we are working to complete this area is soon as we can.” Here is the website for up to date news, http://www.connectingcumbria.org.uk/ Website up and running! As was mentioned in the last newsletter, the village website ‘Kirkbide Community’ was funded through the Big Lottery Fund. The website is now live with lots of information and updates. Check it out on http://www.kirkbridecommunity.co.uk/ If anyone has content for the website or suggestions please contact Ann Kirk, Sam Willis or Jenni Tuck contact details overleaf or on the website.

The Parish Council recently had a presentation from Marian Grave of the Solway Red Squirrel Group. This group work to help protect our native red squirrels. Marian is keen to hear from anyone who sees grey squirrels in and around Kirkbride, “Please report any sightings of squirrels to us as soon as possible. Our best hope of protecting our reds is to keep the greys at bay” Her details are: marian.grave@hotmail.co.uk 01228711520 and 01228562263

Parish Council meetings Meetings are on the second Tuesday, every other month at 7.00pm in the Kirkbride Learning Centre at the school. Future meetings: Tuesdays: 12th January 2015, 8th March 2015, AGM 10th May 2015

Footpath maintenance has been mentioned to the PC this summer. The footpaths are strimmed twice a year but possibly the best way to keep the growth down is to walk the paths. If anyone would like to join a working group to help keep the paths clear, please contact a member of the PC. The footpath to the new Bridle Bridge has been rerouted. We will try to include a new map for this on the website but in the meantime we have been advised that access to this path is via the gate at the bottom of the drive for Cumbria Turf. The footpath now carries on along the fence and then straight across to the Bridge; not along the river bank.

Parish Updates Kirkbride Learning Centre: as always, Caroline Carey provides a wide range of community, recreation and learning opportunities at the centre and other venues in the community. Contact her on 52284 or email manager@kirkbride.cumbria.sch.uk for more information. Meals on Wheels: A 2 course freshly cooked meal is available on Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, within an 8 mile radius of Kirkbride School. £3.70 per meal. Contact Peter Brooks-Tee on 01697351158 for more details. Cumbrian Coastal Way: Changes are being made to this long distance walk. This has resulted in some fingerpost signs being taken down from walks around our area. This does not affect the rights of way for these footpaths and the fingerposts should be replaced in due course. Litter Picking: The Parish Pickers group’s next planned collection is Sunday 10th January 2016; meet at 10am in the school layby. Please ring Ann Kirk if you are able to help with the litter pick. Also, could users of the bus stop outside Chapel Bank, mostly NTS school pupils we suspect, please stop littering! Dog Fouling: Despite some improvements in reducing dog fouling, this disgusting problem still affects pavements and footpaths in parts of the village. If you are aware of dog fouling taking place, please contact the Allerdale Dog Warden (telephone number below) and alert a member of the PC giving details of where the fouling is occurring. Pub: A lot of interest has been expressed about the renovation of the 'The Bush' and it is hoped that this project will provide an opportunity for further invigorating the social life of the village. Look out for the Grand Opening towards the end of November and please support it if you can. Hedges: Please could residents ensure that hedges belonging to their properties are kept trimmed and cut back, especially those hedges which adjoin the roadside. Macdonald memorial: The PC is pleased to report the completion of the refurbishment of the McDonald Memorial seating area and hopes that it will be well used by villagers and visitors to Kirkbride.

Other useful phone numbers Dog Warden: 01900702800 (contact if you see dogs fouling in any area of the village) Highways and Lighting problems Highways hotline: to report a fault by phone, call the Highways Hotline on 0845 609 6609 (answer phone service evenings, weekends and public holidays) or email highways@cumbria.gov.uk Who’s who on the council Your eight Parish Councillors, who are unpaid volunteers, are: Chairman: Alan Hedworth tel: 51658 alanhedworth@hotmail.com Vice-chairman: Rob Little tel: 51114 Barrie Day tel: 51255 daybarrie@aol.com Ann Kirk tel: 51614 annkirk.56@gmail.com Ben Irving tel: ??? irvingbenjamin@hotmail.com Ann Noblett tel: 51923 john@jnoblett.freeserve.co.uk Robbie Taylor tel: 52133 powhill3@aol.com Samantha Willis tel: 52741 willisatkirkbride@btinternet.com The only employee is the Clerk to the Council: Mike Abbs tel: 51722 clerk@gomphus.demon.co.uk As always members of the Parish Council seek to be proactive and to represent the views of all residents. We are always interested to hear about ideas for improving the quality of life in the village so please don't hesitate to pass on your thoughts and suggestions to members of the PC.