He may be plain and grey but he could be made to be something special and to stand out and become a local landmark.  Who’s he?  The Downhead Park Rhino who is a new resident in the play park.  Great Linford Parish Council, with Milton Keynes Council are running a competition to really bring the Rhino to life.  Using pens, pencils, crayons or paints, we want youngsters to give him a bit of a make-over.  The competition is in three categories: under 8s; 8-13 year-olds; and over 14 year-olds.
A panel of judges from the Parish and MKC will choose 3 winning designs from each category and from these final 9 will choose an overall winner.  Their design will be transferred to the Rhino by an artist.
The competition is open to all children and young people living in the Great Linford Parish Council area.  All entries must be submitted by Friday, April 30th and don’t forget to give your name, age, address or school/group if applicable. 

 

 

If the library is the place where you go to find things out, then you’ll likely be interested in a document produced by Milton Keynes Council which sets out where the Library service sees itself over the next 15 years. 
The document is called Wellbeing through Libraries and Lifelong Learning Strategy and provides a framework for the library service and adult continuing education services run by Milton Keynes Council.  It also covers other services that provide lifelong learning and library services. 
To access the document, click on:  www.milton-keynes.gov.uk/adulteducation and www.milton-keynes.gov.uk/library_services
Your comments are welcomed, and should be sent to sue.williams@milton-keynes.gov.uk, by May 17.

 

Thames Valley Police has released pictures of young men they would like to speak to in connection with the theft of a mobile phone.
The pictures have been taken since the mobile phone was reported stolen and police would like to speak to the people in the photographs, as they may have information vital to the investigation.
The victim has an email account set up to enable any photos taken on his mobile to be automatically sent to his email and he has received these images since he reported his phone stolen.
The offence took place on 7 October 2009, between 1.20pm and 3.30pm at Milton Keynes Academy, Fulwoods Drive, Leadenhall. The victim's mobile phone was taken from his jacket pocket in the changing rooms while he was in a physical education lesson.
Anyone with any information regarding the incident is urged to contact PC Amanda Hall via the 24-hour Police Enquiry Centre on 0845 8 505 505. If you do not want to talk to the police, call the Crimestoppers charity anonymously on 0800 555 111.

 

The recent bad weather has led to a great increase in the number of potholes in roads. Milton Keynes Councillor Alan Mallyon, the Cabinet Member for Transport, is the man responsible for getting them repaired, but he’d like to hear from you about ones you’ve come across. Alan says that Milton Keynes Council will have to spend many extra thousands of pounds for pothole repairs. But he warned that repairs to grid roads and distributor roads would be given priority before those on access roads to housing etcetera. 
However, Alan asks for residents to report potholes to him, giving accurate location details and heading their emails - Subject: potholes - so they can be filtered and logged.
Alan’s email is alan.mallyon@milton-keynes.gov.uk – and don’t forget to head your email Subject: potholes.

If you go down to Downs Barn Wood on Saturday, March 13, you'll find volunteers planting some 600 native Bluebell bulbs. Great Linford Parish Council and Milton Keynes Council are working together with local groups to plant the bulbs in the area near to the play park.

 

If you would like to come along and help you'll be more than welcome and although trowels will be provided you may like to bring your own.

 

The wood runs alongside Dansteed Way behind Martingale Place and Byerely Place

 

For more details, contact Area Landscape Officer Rita Vahey on 01908 252530 or the parish council, on 01908 606613.

Inspiring people to explore new places and try new things in their local environment is the aim of Discovering Places, a three-day outdoor events programme being run by Milton Keynes Council’s Heritage Unit.
  The event takes place on 1-3rd May and includes the following:
• View hidden gems of nature not seen from a car
• Visit a countryside park
• Join a guided walk by the canal
• Wildlife walk, bird-spotting, pond dipping.

The event is free and open to anybody.  For more details, see leaflets in libraries, and local newspapers.  Email enquiries to: heritage@milton-keynes.gov.uk

With Half-Term coming up from February 15, comes a warning to parents and children alike to stay safe while out of school.  Great Linford Parish Council points out that its has top-of-the-range sports facilities at its Downs Barn Pavilion which can be used for a variety of outdoor sports.  The Pavilion is at the end of Pannier Place off Downs Barn boulevard.

Conservation work on the old Railway Walk in New Bradwell is taking place and volunteers are invited to lend a hand.  The Railway Walk, as many will know, is the route of the railway that used to run between Wolverton and Newport Pagnell.  BTCV is a conservation charity that is running events on Friday, January 29 and February 19 to help clear the paths and surrounding area of litter and overgrown vegatation. 

If you fancy being active and getting some fresh air, meet at 10am at the Windmill at New Bradwell (Nightingale Cresent - postcode MK130DA, grid reference SP830410).  DO WEAR APPROPRIATE CLOTHING AND STURDY FOOTWEAR - and bring a packed lunch. The event will finish at 3pm.  You are advised to ring Ed Green on 07740 899663/01234 327 300 beforehand to check for changes.

The link to the Met Office weather site has been added to Useful Links.  You can find a detailed breakdown of local weather conditions by region, and other travel advice at http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/weather/uk/se/winslow_forecast_weather.html 

 

The nearest location is Winslow, yes Winslow !  This due to the structure of the Met Office geographical areas. 

 

Alternatively for detailed forecasts and warnings clicking on London & South East England pages at http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/weather/uk/se/se_forecast_warnings.html?

Thames Valley Police have issued a warning to car owners not to leave their cars defrosting and unsupervised.  This comes after seven cars have been stolen this week after unsuspecting owners left their cars unsupervised with the keys in the ignition to allow their cars to defrost.

TVP Crime Reduction Advisor Neil Goodridge said: 'People should never leave a running vehicle unattended, even in the mornings when de-icing them.  Leaving your cars warming up makes it too easy for thieves.'

Robin Hood is the latest production to be staged by the MK-based Tread-the-boards theatre group.  The play has been specially written by Shirley Jones and Steve Allen, and is described as a ‘romp though Sherwood Forest.’ The production takes place on Friday and Saturday January 29 and 30 at the Chrysalis Theatre, Willen Park South. Times of performance are 7.15 on the Friday and 3.00pm and 7.15pm on Saturday.  For more information, visit the group’s website at http://www.tread-the-boards.org.uk/ or ring 01908 377449.

 

Making MK a safer place is the aim of a new partnership called SaferMK, which includes Milton Keynes Council, Thames Valley Police, Buckinghamshire Fire&Rescue Service, MK Primary Care Trust and Thames Valley Police Authority. 

SaferMK works with the community to make everyone safer by reducing crime, anti-social behaviour, tackling drug and alcohol abuse and the fear of crime.

SaferMK has several capaigns ongoing has just produced its first electronic newsletter.  For more information about SaferMK email Benedict.Cordy@Milton-Keynes.gov.uk or log onto safermk.com and for a copy of their newsletter click on http://www.parishcouncils.org/greatlinford/Other%20documents/SaferMK%20Newsletter.pdf

 

The Downs Barn Pavilion in Pannier Place has been given a fillip recently with the opening of a Tuesday evening youth club.  Yet, while the facility is regularly in use for sports, the pavilion itself is only used occasionally.  In fact, it's been described as 'a sleeping giant' through lack of use by the community.

Perhaps you have a group that needs somewhere to meet.  Or, you'd like to set up an activity but don't have anywhere to start it up?  Great Linford Parish would like to see the facility used much more widely for the benefit of the community.

Great Linford Parish Councillor for Downs Barn, Festus Akinbusoye, would like your ideas on how to awaken this 'sleeping giant.' Contact him via the Parish Council office on 01908 606613 or email: info@great-linford.gov.uk 

 

 

The new youth club at Downs Barn has already generated a lot of interest, with a doubling of the number of youngsters attending since the club opened on November 3. In the first week 9 youngsters attended but by the third club evening, 23 attended.

The youth club is open to 13-19 year olds hopes to fill a gap in provision for young people in this age range in the area.

One thing youth worker Tim Howell would like to see change is the number of girls attending. “At the moment it is mainly boys and we would like to see the girls represented more,” he said.
The club is held at Great Linford Parish Council’s Downs Barn Pavilion in Pannier Place, every Tuesday, from 7-9pm. 

Keeping track of planning applications has now been made much easier, thanks to a new on-line system introduced by Milton Keynes Council’s planning department.
Called Public Access for planning, the system allows the viewing of applications via the internet. All new planning applications made after November 11 will be available, including all application forms, plans, consultation responses and public representations.
The Planning Department encourages people to use the system and to make comments on planning matters via a ‘Submit Comments button.’
Public Access can be found via the Planning Department’s webpage, or by going to: www.milton-keynes.gov.uk/publicaccess.

A free collection service for bulky household items, including white goods, is offered by Milton Keynes Council.  You need to inform MKC when items are ready for collection and they need to be left in a place that is easily accessible for the crews to collect. Goods are normally collected within 10 days.  Alternatively, you have the option to pay £10 to have the item collected on your normal refuse collection day.  You need to give a minimum of two working days notice for this. Payment can be made by credit or debit card or by cash at the Civic Offices.  There’s a third type of collection, for goods classed as Fixtures and Fittings of your property, for which the charge is £40 or £20 if you are in receipt of a State Pension, or on Benefits. Again, two working days notice is required, but for any day you choose.  For more information, contact Environmental Services helpline on 01908 252570 or visit www.mkweb.co.uk and type in Bulky Items.

 

A new youth club is to open on November 3 at the Downs Barn Pavilion. This joint venture between Milton Keynes Council and Great Linford Parish Council means that there’ll be somewhere for 13-19 year olds to go every Tuesday from 7-9pm.  Positive activities which a survey among young people suggested, will include Xbox, pool, cooking, table football, a large chill-out room, music studio and computers. Downs Barn Pavilion is at Pannier Place, Downs Barn.  For more information, contact the area youth worker, Tim Howell on 07947 840598 or email Tim.Howell@milton-keynes.gov.uk.  You can also find out more for young people in MK at www.mysaymk.com  

 

The Citizens Advice Bureau provides free, confidential and impartial advice to help people resolve their problems.  The CAB service is a registered charity and volunteers are its lifeblood.  More volunteers are needed for the MK CAB to help more people. So, if you work well in a team, enjoy helping others and have good communication skills, contact Bruce Manley on 01908 545187 or email him at bruce.manley@mkcab.org.uk by October 15.  Full accredited training is given to volunteers.

 Thames Valley Police say that some residents are being targeted by callers saying they are from BT and demand an immediate payment to clear arrears or their phone will be cut off, and then ask for bank or credit card details.  Sometimes, the scammer terminates the call mid-way to show that they are able to cut the phone line off.  

TVP remind people not to divulge their banking details, and to report the call to Trading Standards on 0845 404 05 06.

Residents can now recycle even more of their household waste.  Now, clean plastic food containers, meat, fish and ready-meal trays can be added to your pink recycling sack.  Yoghurt pots, ice cream and margarine containers cans also now go into the pink bag, along with containers for orange juice, soups and smoothies and aerosols (with lids removed).
The only proviso is that all containers should be rinsed and their film covers removed. 
    For more information about recycling, log onto www.milton-keynes.gov.uk/recycling, or ring MK Council’s Environmental Helpline on (01908) 25 25 70.

That greens were much in evidence at the annual Great Linford Produce Show goes without saying. However, it was Mr John Green who took pride of place in the awards stakes, having won the Vegetables, Salad, and Fruit sections, which gave him the Overall Show Winner prize – not for the first time. 
Other section winners were Mr Sharp (Preserves) Mrs Sandra Potton (Baking), Mr Sharp (Wine), with Mr Thomas winning the Photographic section, and Mrs Green – winning the Flowers section. 

The event was held at the Memorial Hall, Great Linford on Sunday, August 30 and was well attended.

 

The full list of winners were:

Section Winners:-
Section A, Vegetables - Mr. Green
Section B, Salad - Mr. Green
Section C, Fruit - Mr. Green
Section D, Preserves - Mr. Sharp
Section E, Baking - Mrs. Potton
Section F, Flowers - Mrs. Green
Section G, Wine - Mr. Sharp
Section I, Photographic - Mr. Thomas

Wooden Spoon Winner - Neath Hill, Mrs. Potton

Overall Show Winner - Bells Meadow, Mr. Green

Overall Best Newcomer - Larkspur Avenue, Tyler & Sue Mcomie

Best Plot Winners Per Site:-
Bells Meadow - Richard Sharp
Gifford Gate - Mr. & Mrs. Carey
Hills Close - Mr. & Mrs. Brooks
Neath Hill - Mr. & Mrs. Potton
Larkspur Avenue - Chris Willgress

Overall Best Plot - Hills Close, Mr. & Mrs. Brooks

 

 

 

Healthconnect is the name of a new trial service for residents needing to travel to health care providers. This isn’t a bus service for the general public, but for users who have pre-registered and pre-booked and cannot easily reach health facilities such as hospitals, dentist, GP surgeries, by public transport.  Although the service is subsidised, single journeys cost £5 for local trips and £10 for longer distances, such as hospitals in Bedford, Northampton, Stoke Mandeville and John Radcliffe in Oxford. The trial runs until the end of October and it is hoped to find funding to continue. For more details of the trial, which, ring 01908 266950 or email transport@mkct.org.uk.  Bookings can be made to 01908 266950.

  Have you ever wondered if the present rain sodden days are normal for the month or a result of changing weather patterns?  Has it actually been wetter than usual recently? *
  If you cannot remember how this months rainfall compares with those earlier in the year or last year or in 1990 do not worry, just log onto Useful links and Weather on the left of the GLPC web site and you can get all the information you require from Andrew Leaver’s excellent web statistics

http://www.zen40267.zen.co.uk/rainfall/rainfall.html 

© Andrew Leaver.

Andrew explains: - “I started gathering rainfall statistics (at my Dad's suggestion I seem to recall) back in 1984. I've now being doing it for a good 20 years (becoming a bit of a rainfall "anorak" in the process) and have no immediate plans to stop.
The rainfall is recorded on a weekly basis at Turvey.  Weekly measurements are combined to come up with monthly and yearly rainfall figures. This site contains rainfall charts showing the monthly and yearly rainfall figures. The weekly measurements are available by downloading the spreadsheet containing the source rainfall data.”
 

  * And the answer is that the average annual rainfall up to and including June is LESS this year 9.43 inches [235.75mm] than the annual average up to June 12.44 inches [310.97mm]
 
  If you simply want to check the forecast click Useful links and Weather then “MK weather forecast over the next five days“ to take you to the BBC weather site.  You can also see the video forecast plus sports and shipping forecast. Brilliant!!

 

Fraudsters are ordering goods from catalogue companies in the names of elderly residents who receive parcels in their names although they have not ordered them.  They later receive a call from an unknown person who says that goods have been delivered to them by mistake and they will come over and collect them.  The parcels usually contain items of significant value, such as mobile phones, video cameras, shoes and clothing.
Anyone receiving a package they did not order and a phone call from someone saying they want to pick it up, should contact Detective Constable Sharon Vann at Aylesbury CID via 08458 505505.

A new service for collection of food and garden waste is being introduced by Milton Keynes Council, from July 1. Householders with a garden waste bin will be able to put their food scraps in with the garden material.  Households without a garden waste bin will be given a 140 litre wheeled bin so that they can also recycle their food with their garden waste.
   Over the next few weeks MKC will deliver a kitchen caddy to homes, to be used to collect food in the kitchen.  In the meantime, please do not put food waste in your garden waste bin.

 

 Food waste that can be recycled includes:

• Raw and cooked meat and fish (including bones)
• All dairy products, such as eggs and cheese
• Raw and cooked vegetables and fruit
• Bread, cakes and pastries
• Rice, pasta and beans
• Uneaten food from your plates and dishes
• Tea and coffee grounds

  For more information, ring Environmental Services on 01908 25 26 66 or log onto www.milton-keynes.gov.uk/recycling

GLPC is very aware of public anger at politician’s behaviour over their extravagant expenses claims.  Great Linford Parish Council Taxpayers should be heartened to know that GLPC councillors have consistently voted not to receive ANY payment for the time they devote to their work for the Parish Council 

 

GLPC has agreed to pay for a taxi to and from Council meetings, for those councillors who do not drive, and have no alternative way of getting from their home to Neath Hill.

 

The only reimbursement councillors can claim, by producing a receipt, is a maximum of £30 per year for printer consumables in lieu of receiving printed agendas, minutes and supporting papers throught the post for the 33 meetings each year.  GLPC calculates this is a net saving on staff time, paper and the 61p first class postage costs. Postage alone would cost £242 a year!

 

There is an increase in garage burglaries, with doors being forced open, warn Thames Valley Police, who ask residents to be vigilant and report anything suspicious.  Contact the police on 0845 8 505 505, or for a crime in action, dial 9. Or, if you wish to be anonymous, ring Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. Remember that thieves are opportunists, say the police, and many burglaries are preventable. Keep doors and windows locked at all times, and remove all keys from the locks and keep them safe.  Outside the house, keep garden furniture, ladders, and refuse bins in a secure garage or shed, or locked up away from the house, in case they are used to climb onto a roof or access a first floor window. Finally, install a house alarm.

They’re everywhere it seems – those supermarket trolleys!  Getting them recovered and returned to their proper homes is now easier thanks to two telephone hotlines.
For those trolleys belonging to Sainsburys, Marks & Spencer and Waitrose, ring Trolleywise on 01633 892362 (or email: enquiries@trolleywise.co.uk). For those trolleys belonging to any other supermarket, ring (01908) 252209.

Bookworms take note – Age Concern runs a thriving bookshop in Wolverton (in front of Tesco’s and near the Old Bath House).  There is a huge range of second-hand books – fiction, non-fiction, hardbacks, paperbacks, text books and collectables, as well as a selection of vinyl records, all at very reasonable prices.  Wolverton Books is open Monday-Saturday, between 9.30am and 4pm. Donations of books are always welcome.  Contact the shop on 01908 319620.

Are you concerned about a vehicle parked near you on a public highway that is unlicensed?  You can report vehicles on Monday to Friday between 9am to 5pm direct to the DVLA Hotline on 0800 0325 202, giving the registration number, location of the vehicle, make and model number, or you can report vehicles anonymously on-line to DVLA by clicking http://www.dvla.gov.uk/onlineservices/report_unlicensed.aspx and follow the links.

 

Have you ever wondered how your parish council operates?  Much work is done behind the scenes by the parish manager, Eirwen Tagg, and parish councillors are also active on behalf of you, the residents of the parish.  But everything that goes on is discussed and agreed at three parish council committees.

The Full Council, which meets on the third Tuesday of each month, is attended by all parish councillors, while the Finance and Planning (F&P) Committee, which meets on the first Wednesday of each month, is attended by a smaller number of parish councillors. 

The Recreation and Environment Committee (RFEC) meets on the second Tuesday of each month and is also attended by a smaller group of parish councillors.
   You can view committee minutes by clicking on Council Meetings in the right hand column of this website. You can also find out who your parish councillors are, in the same column under About GLPC, by selecting Who’s Who of Parish Councillors and Parish staff.
And don’t forget, you are welcome to attend Full Council Meetings to see what’s going on – the dates of the next full parish council meetings are: January 20th, February 17th, March 17th, April 21st, May 19th, June 16th, July  21st, (No meeting in August) September 15th, October 20th, November 17th, and December 15th.

All parish council meetings take place at the parish council office (below) at 10 Tower Crescent, Neath Hill Local Centre (almost opposite the Clocktower).

For more information, contact us at 01908 606613, or email parish.manager@great-linford.gov.uk

  A new on-line map, allows the public to see and compare Thames Valley Police crime information in their neighbourhood. 

  Search the map by scrolling down the list of locations

to find Great Linford North or Great Linford South in the Neighbourhood box and then double click on the area you live in [Linford North Ward or Linford South Ward] to view the total number of crimes totals in each category, the average crime level and trend comparisons. 

 

The link to the TVP site http://crimestats.thamesvalley.police.uk/ 

has been added to the Crime & Community Safety list under Useful Links on this web site

In July 2008, the UK’s largest domestic energy supplier warned that gas bills could rise by up to 35 per cent in 2008. This continues the upward trend in household gas and electricity costs since 2005.
As space and water heating account for around 60 per cent of the energy used in the average home, this is a good place to start. Follow these 5 tips to trim your heating bills:

 Use your programmer to switch the heating and hot water on and off and set your thermostat at between 18 and 21° C. Every 1° C above this increases your heating bill by 10 per cent.

 Avoid using the immersion heater to heat water. The relatively high unit cost of electricity makes it more cost effective to use your gas boiler for this.

 Switch supplier or switch tariff. If you have Economy 7, time your washing machine and dishwasher to exploit the cheaper night-time tariff. 

 Make the most of each use of a given appliance. Wash clothes and dishes when you have a full load ready to go. Switch things off when not in use.

 Insulate your home. Energy Saving Trust now estimates annual savings of £160 from installing cavity wall insulation. This is currently free to over 70s.

For advice on insulating your home, call Cocoon on 0800 8048 777. This is a free, council-supported service. 

 

 

Free neutering for cats is being offered by the Milton Keynes branch of the Cats Protection League. The organisation says that this has been a particularly bad year for unwanted kittens, which it believes is partly due to the increased living costs.  This is why they are offering totally free neutering to all cats over the age of four months.  To take advantage of this offer, ring or  text 07841 046527 giving details of owner’s name, how many cats, what sexes they are and an address to send the free neutering voucher to.  These can be redeemed at any vets in the area. This service is available for as long as funds allow – so get in touch as soon as you can.

The Great Linford Women’s Institute (the W.I.) is alive and well and meets on the 2nd Wednesday of the month (except August) at 7.45pm at Fulwell Court, St Leger Drive, Great Linford.  Visitors are always welcome.  Contact Beryl Hathaway , WI secretary on 01908 664409.

‘The best kept secret in Milton Keynes’ is how the Incy Wincy Pre-School group describes itself. Based in the Quaker Centre at Downhead Park, the group caters for children between two and a half and four years old.
   Incy Wincy started up a year ago and now has children from all over Milton Keynes and from many different cultures, for which English is their second language, says Chris Halsey, Pre-School Manager. ‘The staff are all enthusiastic, kind and welcoming, offering a wonderful learning environment,’ she says. Contact Chris on 0791 00666 57 or 01908 665576. You can also email her at halseyC@hotmail.co.uk.
  Details of other pre-school groups are available from the parish council office at 10 Tower Crescent, Neath Hill Local Centre (01908 606613).

 

Developed together with young people by MK Youth Service and Connections MK, Mysay.com has been created to place all information for young people --searching for activities, online forum, games, online polling, ‘agony aunt’ section and advice and information on lots of issues young people may be concerned about. 

 

These are now just one click away at Mysay.com web link at http://www.mkweb.co.uk/positiveactivities/.  Access it from this GLPC web site under Useful links City-wide community

 

MK Council Youth Officer Hilary Solway says “ Mysaymk.com will give young people even more opportunities to have their say and perhaps get a real taste for local democracy and how to get involved in local decision making.”

With the school holidays comes the need for ways to keep children occupied. The installation of new play equipment at Serjeants Green, Neath Hill, could not have come at a better time. Plans are also in hand to complete the landscaping of the area.

Phil Snell MK Council’s Play Area Officer coordinated the refurbishment as part of an on-going programme throughout the parish.  Conniburrow and Downs Barn have already had smaller play sites renewed as well as transformed Multi Use Games Areas [MUGA’s]. 

This work will continue in other areas. GLPC is presently working with Phil to see if the MUGA at Pennyland can be revamped with Section 106 money provided from housing development in the parish area. 

Seek advice sooner rather than later. That is the message from The Shelter Housing Aid Centre in Central Milton to people who are struggling to pay their rent or mortgage. The Charity, which provides free specialist housing advice, has seen an increase in those facing repossession.  However, Shelter says there is a lot that can be done to help people’s houses being repossessed, but it is easier to help in the early stages of the problem arising.  Shelter has been successful even at the final stages as they run a County Court Advice Desk at Milton Keynes County Court.
Shelter also gives advice on other housing problems such as:
 Relationship breakdown
 Disrepair
 Landlord/Tenant disputes
 Housing Benefit
…and much more

Their service is open weekdays except Wednesday at their office in the Food Centre in Central Milton Keynes (over Iceland).  Appointments are issued daily at 9.30 am on a first-come-first-served basis.  To discuss how Shelter can help you, ring 0844 515 1876.

 

 

Report their location and Milton Keynes Council will send an pest control expert round to investigate.   If they are nesting in burrows in your garden, you will have to pay to have them eliminated but that is better than letting the rats invade your home.

 

Picture copyright - www.rat-hunter.com

From 1st April 2008 a new national bus pass became available for eligible 60+ and disabled residents for free travel on local bus services throughout England.  This national bus pass is accepted for free travel on most local buses throughout England including London between 0930hrs and 2300hrs on Monday to Friday and at all times at weekends and on bank holidays.
While the national bus pass is NOT valid for travel on train, tram, ferry or coach services, Milton Keynes national bus pass holders can, for a fare of 35 pence per single journey, travel between any of the six rail stations inside Milton Keynes - Wolverton, Milton Keynes Central, Bletchley, Fenny Stratford, Bow Brickhill and Woburn Sands.

For more details ask for an application form, either by calling in person at the Council's bus card section at the Civic Offices in Central Milton Keynes or by ringing them on 01908 252558.

 

 

 Teams who contributed to the feature on the parish’s cricket facilities in the October News&Views last year, asked GLPC to consider providing sightscreens and scoreboards for the Marsh Drive and High Street pitches in Great Linford.
   Having weighed up the cost, parish councillors agreed to the purchase of a set of screens and scoreboard, for each site, as well as a practice net for the new all-weather wicket, from funds set-aside in the 2008/09 budget
   Announcing the purchase of the new equipment, Parish Councillor Charles Allum, who chairs the Recreation and Environment Committee (REC) said: 

   ‘We are delighted to provide this new equipment, which we realise will be of great use to the four teams who use our pitches.  We know that the facilities provided by the parish council are envied by visiting teams – because they have told us that they wish theirs were as good as those provided by GLPC.’ 

 

The new equipment is now ready for use throughout the summer cricket season by the five cricket teams using GLPC pitches.  They are: Stony Stratford III, New City, The Printers, North Bucks Ambulance and Great Linford Youth Cricket Clubs.

● The feature on cricket teams in issue 17 of News&Views, can be viewed from this website, by clicking on Newsletter Archive, under Newsletters, in the right hand column. 

With the retirement of Jenny Sharp, Great Linford Parish Council (GLPC) has appointed Eirwen Tagg as the new Parish Manager. Eirwen is a former international sprinter (for her home country of Wales!) and a management consultant. She and husband Chris have lived in Great Linford for 12 years and have two young children - so you might well meet them on the school run!  Eirwen has also been active in fundraising for Great Linford Memorial Hall.

Eirwen welcomes comments about parish matters and can be contacted at the Parish office at Neath Hill Local Centre (almost opposite the Clocktower) which is open weekdays between 9 and 4pm. Ring her on 01908 606613 or email gtlinfordparish@btconnect.com.

 

 

Great Linford Allotment Association now has a web site at http://www.greatlinford-allotments.co.uk or click on the GLPC web page Useful Links and then Parish and Community Information to find the link to the Association site.

The allotment association represents any plot-holder on the five-allotment sites owned by Great Linford Parish Council.  These sites are Bells Meadow, Gifford Gate, Hills Close, Larkspur Avenue and Neath Hill.

 

  The aim of the association is to have every plot in a state of cultivation. They also encourage their plot-holders to take part in competitions and trips.

 

  The association meets once a month at 7:30 pm on the 4th Tuesday at the Cricket Pavilion, High Street, Great Linford.  All plot holders are welcome to attend.

 

 

  Local pooches may suffer the indignity of not having their poo picked up because Great Linford Parish Council (GLPC) has run out of bags and Milton Keynes Council says it can no longer afford to supply poo bags to residents.

  GLPC encourages dog owners to provide their own bags, whilst GLPC decides, whether it can afford to buy poo bags.

 

A representative of GLPC said;

   ‘Residents already pay for these bags as part of the precept they are charged in their MK Council Tax. They also pay - through the parish precept - for the 17 bins that GLPC provides for the dog poo bags, and for weekly emptying of the bins.  
 

A dedicated hotline has been set up to support local authorities in their new role taking over sole responsibility for stray dogs from the police. The change is from April 6 and will mean Milton Keynes Council will be responsible for collecting stray dogs out of office hours as well as during the normal working day. In the past, especially outside normal working hours when the council dog warden was off duty, anyone finding a stray dog would have had to take it to CMK police station.
Now the council will offer an improved service by collecting stray dogs direct from residents’ homes -within a few hours in most cases.  The dog warden will continue to respond to sightings of stray dogs during office hours.
Also, a register of all stray dogs found will now be kept by the council instead of the police who previously had this responsibility.
It is hoped to make the register available via the council’s website to make it easier for strays to be reunited with their owners.
Environmental health team leader Simon Teesdale, who is also a Great Linford Parish Councillor said: “We are pleased to be able to offer what we see as an improved service to anyone finding a stray dog in the borough. We will be able to collect strays when they are found, hopefully within a few hours of a call to the hotline.”
The hotline number is 01908 252187 (office hours between 8am - 5pm); out of office hours on 01908 226699.

Click on http://www.parishcouncils.org/greatlinford/Parish%20Councillor%20pictures/Dog%20poster%20720.tif to see MK Council's poster.

 

A couple of months ago, a request was received from some older residents in the Sandy Close/Church Lees area of Great Linford, for a bus shelter or seat at the bus stop.
The Parish Manager contacted the department at Milton Keynes Council who are responsible for shelters and was informed that there was money in 2008/9 Budget for only one bus shelter in St Leger Drive.
The Parish Council had requested some time ago that a shelter be installed at the bus stop by the school and after discussion it was agreed that the new shelter should go there as this stop is also used by the residents of the High Street area of Great Linford.
It was agreed by the Parish Council that they would purchase from their own funds a seat for the stop between Church Lees and Sandy Close and this has now been installed. It has been purposely put in the position adjacent to the stop, in order that a shelter may still be erected if Milton Keynes Council have the funds at a later date. 

 

 

Reports are increasing about the use of mini motorcycles – also known as mini motos, say Thames Valley Police (TVP).  Complaints range from disturbance to residents, to damage to the environment.
   TVP say that many people are not aware of the legislation which applies to these bikes or vehicles.  By law the only place you can use them is on a public road - not on Redways or footpaths - and you must have a driving licence, tax and insurance and wear a helmet. Even if you are fully legal, you still cannot use them on Redways or pavements, or in parks or on playing fields. Also, you have to be 17 years of age to have a motorcycle licence and 16 years to ride a moped. 
   Police and Community Support Officers have the power to seize any vehicle or bike that is being used in an inconsiderate manner, and can even dispose of it. Riders can also be arrested for careless or dangerous driving.
   By law, parents have a responsibility for their child’s actions and can face a large fine or even imprisonment if they allow them to drive or ride in an inconsiderate manner.
   Some of these bikes/vehicles are capable of speeds up to 60 mph and can seriously hurt young children or elderly people – as well as those using the bikes!

 

Danger to residents and the environment can be caused by illegal use of mini motos, as pictured below.
  
 

If you cannot remember the post code for the important letter or card you are sending you can now easily look it up on the Royal Mail "Post Code finder" web link GLPC has added in "Useful Links" under the heading "Parish Community Information". 

 

Click on the link "Find any Post Code" and it should take you directly to the Royal Mail site.  Just type in the address and it will find the post code.  Or find the full address if you know the post code.

 

 

Image copyright - alphabetilately.com

Keeping tabs on planning applications is one of the functions of the parish council. It is now possible to track applications made to MK Council that are within the Great Linford Parish Council area, via this website. Click on Planning Applications in the right hand column for Whys and Wherefores of planning applications.

This will give you Quick Clicks to all applications, every decision, and appeals. The document also gives a general guide to the planning process.

 

 

A play area that can be transformed into a boat or other play scene was officially declared open in Downs Barn this week by Children from nearby Woodlands Day Nursery who were first to use the refurbished play area.  The play equipment installed at Farrier Place is the only one at present in the UK using the unique design that allows the play area to change into different scenes such as a boat or a jungle scene by the removal and adding of different panels. 

 

Milton Keynes based playground equipment maker Kompan has worked with Milton Keynes Council to install the play equipment that can be adapted into a different play scene every year if appropriate.

 

The £10,000 refurbishment costs came from the Section 106 planning obligation paid by the Gyosei School redevelopment.  The recent Clydesdale Place play area refurbishment was also paid for with Gyosei s 106 funding.

 

Council play area officer Phil Snell said:” This is early days yet but we hope that this design will allow us to reinvigorate play areas and give fresh impetus to play when we replace old equipment.”

 

Woodlands nursery children "open" the play area.

A new dog poo bin has been installed at the bottom of Loriner Place on Downs Barn. But before pooches on neighbouring estates get sniffy about not having one of their own, the new bin is meant to serve the needs of those dogs who also live at Windrush Close, Tadmarton and Colesbourne Drive area of Downhead Park.
    Dog walkers from those areas have been dog-ged in their request for a bin to be installed somewhere between Colesbourne Drive and Loriner Place, and the Parish Council has duly responded. There have been many problems with dog poo in the grass verges along the redway – mainly in the Downhead Park side, at the rear of the houses in Windrush Close, so the bin is for the use of pooches from both estates. 
  The new bin brings the number provided by GLPC to 15.  For a list of where the bins are sited, click on Parish Facilities in the right hand column. Many dog owners plan their regular walkies where they know the bins are situated.
   Bins are provided so that dog owners can scoop up waste and put it into the bins, rather than having to take it home. The bins are emptied regularly by the parish council.

 

 

 

 

Home security is the best way to avoid your chances of being burgled. Many burglaries are carried out on the spur of the moment, as a burglar may see an open window or other easy point of access and take their chance.

Home Security Checklist:

• Timers on radios or internal lights can give the impression someone is home.
• Always lock all doors and windows when you leave the property even if its only for a few minutes.
• Install visible burglar alarms.
• Fit a letterbox cage to prevent attempts to open the door from the inside.
• Don’t leave keys near the door or in an obvious place.
• Don’t leave spare keys outside or in a garage or shed, and put garage and shed keys in the house and out of sight.

Distraction burglaries, where criminals use tricks to get into homes and steal, are a constant blight on communities. Bear these suggestions in mind:
• Make sure you can see any callers before opening the door, by fitting a door-viewer or door-scope.
• Fit a door chain or door bar to stop people gaining entry to the house without your permission.
• Always make sure the door chain/bar is on before opening the door.
• Always ask people for identification to check they are a professional. Then call the company they claim to work for using the number taken from the phone book. If they are genuine they will not mind you doing this.
• DO NOT LET ANYONE IN UNLESS YOU ARE HAPPY WITH THEIR IDENTITY!!

A new link from this website will help you to find out more about crime and what is being done to combat it.  Everything from Crimestoppers, to Neighbourhood Watch, plus the ‘Thames Valley Police website, is available via the new ‘Crime and Community Safety’ link. Clicking on this will help you find out everything, from who is your local ‘Bobby’, to 24 hour a day advice on drugs, plus the latest Home Office research into crime both in the UK and around the world.
  The collection of web links gives an encouraging insight into the considerable effort by a number of agencies, to make communities safer.  Try it – click on ‘Crime and Community Safety’, in the left hand, section of this website, under ‘Useful Links’ (between City-wide Community and MK Ward Councillors).

Great Linford Parish Council has given support to three local groups.  GLPC Manager Jenny Sharp last year recognised a need for a Youth Cricket Team in Great Linford.  Now formed, the team were happy to receive £400 towards the cost of equipment and insurance.

The trustees of the Great Linford Memorial Hall have recently spent almost £20,000 replacing part of the floor in the hall, and having new windows installed. The Parish Council grant of £338 will pay for two new radiators in the modernised part of the building.

The Milton Keynes branch of Headway, the Brain Injury Association,  is based at Neath Hill and GLPC have agreed to purchase for them a new telephone/answering machine, micro hi-fi System and a filing cabinet, up to the Grant Allocation of £400.

THE rise in the number of planning applications to convert houses into multi-occupancy dwellings has prompted Great Linford Parish Council to devise a minimum acceptable standard, before it will agree to the conversion.  The GLPC is particularly concerned that there should be no more than four habitable rented rooms, in what was previously a ‘family home’, and that any existing car parking provision, including a car port, must be retained.
The number of houses in multi-occupation (HiMOs), has grown rapidly in recent years, and GLPC has considered each application individually. By setting a consistent standard, the process of judging each application will be simpler, and quicker.
The new policy sets out the acceptable minimal size of rooms and facilities, for living, dining, bath/shower and toilet provision. Arrangements for bicycle and refuse storage are also laid down.
The new policy is GLPC’s attempt to deal with the problems created when planning applications are refused, for a variety of reasons. This has led to a backlog, with applications sometimes granted months after the conversion, and to an inconsistent standard.
Great Linford Parish Council has decided to face up to the problem, by devising a policy which clearly sets out what minimum requirements are required to convert houses into separate living units. GLPC hopes that this will help property owners to convert houses in an acceptable way, and which meet legal requirements, by making it clear what is expected. This should remove some of the uncertainties owners face in applying to convert properties. By meeting minimum standards, the conversion work, and living accommodation provided, should be of a quality that is acceptable to owners and tenants alike.

Milton Keynes Council’s Graffiti Busting team have cleared around 100 more tags from ten locations in the parish, mainly on the walls to canal bridges and some particularly offensive racist remarks in the underpass on Harpers Lane.  GLPC have had excellent service for the team led by Andy Hudson and Greg Shouler who responded quickly to the list of tags provided by Parish Councillors.

 

The Parish Council takes the view that when graffiti is left it is a visible invitation to other criminals that crime is tolerated in the parish.  If you see graffiti ring the Parish Manager on 606 613, with the location of where and when you see graffiti tags and we do our best to get it removed.

 

If you see some one tagging dial 999, it is a crime in progress. 

 

If you know who is carrying out criminal damage ring the police on 08458 505 505 or report it to Crimestoppers free on 0800 555 111.

 

With your assistance Great Linford Parish Council will persist with its policy of eradicating graffiti and targeting those responsible.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Barry and Trevor complete the cock and hen capping
Picture - David Stabler

Thames Valley Police now have a new way for the public to contact them – by email! Ringing 999 is still the number to call in an emergency, but you can also ring 0845 8 505 505 to report a crime, or if you wish to speak to the Police abut an issue which may require police attention.  Or, if you have information about a crime, you can ring Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
Now you can also pass on information, or speak to your local officer, via email.  Each area has it own unique email address. If you live on Neath Hill for example, you send an email to neathhill@thamesvalley.pnn.police.uk  Or, if you live at Conniburrow, the address will be conniburrow@thamesvalley.pnn.police.uk - just put your area name and then @thamesvalley.pnn.police.uk
The introduction of email is designed to make it easier to contact Thames Valley Police about local crimes and has the benefit of a timed and dated copy of the email to refer to if you want to pursue any matter.
Local beat officer WPC Heather Denton also holds a ‘surgery’ at the Parish Council Office every Wednesday between 10 and 11 am to which residents are welcome to come and talk to her about police-related issues.  The Parish Council office is at Neath Hill Local Centre, opposite the Clocktower.

After several bus users asked why no seating is provided at the bus stop on Overstreet V9 near Neath Hill Medical Centre. the Parish Council decided to investigate. As well as having no seat, the plastic canopy covering the stop was badly damaged and leaking.  Milton Keynes Council said they did not have any funds to repair the canopy or provide a new seating.

 

It was decided that residual funds of £205 from the defunct Neath Hill Residents Association, held in trust by the Parish Council, plus another £270 provided by the Parish Council should be used to buy and install a new seat. 

 

Jenny Sharp, the Parish Manager, also contacted the Parks Trust who willingly agreed to replace the plastic sheeting.

 

So we now have a brand new seat and a new roof to keep out some of the rain whilst you are waiting for the №3 to Wolverton.

 

Picture - David Stabler
 

Residents with concerns about landscaping, cleansing and highways will, from November 13, be able to discuss them face to face with the MK Council officers who are responsible for these services.
The new ‘Streetcare surgery’ is to be held at the Parish Council Office, every second Monday of the month, between 10 and 11 am.  Streetcare is the name of the scheme put in place by MK Council to deal with issues raised by residents.*   
The new surgery will be attended by MK Council’s Landscape, Cleansing and Highways officers, who will be available to talk to residents about matters that concern them. 
 As well as the Streetcare surgery, Local Police beat officer, WPC Heather Denton, holds a weekly open session for residents, about crime-related issues. Her surgery is held at the Parish Office, every Wednesday, between 10 – 11 am.
Both new surgeries have been instigated by Jenny Sharp, Parish Manager, who said: “The Parish Council welcomes the participation of both organisations and encourages people to take advantage of the chance to talk directly with the people whose jobs are to deal with issues raised by residents.” 
The Parish Council Office is at 10 Tower Crescent, Neath Hill Local Centre (opposite the Clocktower). The Office is open from 9am to 4pm Monday to Friday.  

* Residents can report problems directly to the MK Council’s Streetcare website by clicking on ‘MK & Bucks Council Services’ (in the left hand column of this page), then click ‘How to report problems to MK Council via STREETCARE.’ 

 

A WEEKLY ‘surgery’ is to be held by local beat officer PC Heather Denton, at the Parish Council Office, from Wednesday, November 1, between 10am and 11am. Residents are welcome to come and talk to Heather.
 The Parish Council Office is situated at 10 Tower Crescent, Neath Hill Local Centre, Neath Hill (opposite the shops). The Office is open weekdays from 9 to 4pm.  We can be contacted on (01908) 606613, or by email to info.glpc@btconnect.com. 

 

GRAFFITI strikes at the heart of communities; because it gives visitors and residents alike the impression that no-one cares about the area in which they live.  The Parish has been hot on the tails of ‘taggers’ as they are known and now, the Thames Valley Police, has used a new measure locally which can make taggers and others who commit offences of criminal damage, actually acknowledge and control their actions.  The new measure is called an ABC or Acceptable Behaviour Contract, which is a cousin of the ASBO (Anti-Social Behaviour Order) which Courts can impose.  ABCs are used when the police are confident of gaining a conviction, but consider an acceptance by the offender to ‘own up’ to the actions, with an agreement not to do it again, is better than a court appearance without any longer term restraint on future behaviour.  16 offenders have been identified as causing criminal damage, ten were charge and six cautioned, locally, one offender has been fined £3000 and another ordered to pay £1,800 in damages.

Read more on this story in the next News & Views, the Parish newsletter.

ONCE again much of the graffiti in Great Linford Parish has been removed by the “Graffiti Busters” from Milton Keynes Council. The Parish Council has congratulated Andy Hudson and his team for the reaction they provided to 50+ locations tagged in the parish on road bridges, signs, green boxes and the bridges along the Grand Union Canal.  This is the second major response by the “Graffiti Busters” to remove graffiti this year.

The Parish Council takes the view that when graffiti is ignored, it becomes an engraved invitation to other criminals that chaos reigns supreme and crime is tolerated in an area.  Ring the Parish Manager on 606 613, with an indication of where and when you see graffiti and we do our best to get it removed.

If you see some one tagging dial 999.  Or if you know who is carrying out criminal damage ring the police on 08458 505 505 or report it to Crimestoppers free on 0800 555 111.
With your help Great Linford Parish Council will persist with its policy of eradicating graffiti and targeting those responsible.

 

MANY dog owners scoop and poop after their dogs.  But carrying their mess around or taking it home, to put in the black rubbish bags, is not the nicest of things.  Which is why the Parish provides dog bins.  Many owners plan their dog walking routine on where they know the bins are situated.  For those who need reminding about where the bins are, here is a guide to the area and location:

 

Tongwell Lake (off Delaware Drive)
Entry from North side of Wedgwood Avenue, Blakelands
Bottom of play area in Wedgwood Avenue, Blakelands

Downs Barn
At entrance to sports facility, Pannier Place

Great Linford
High Street at entrance to Cricket Ground
Solar Court at entrance to Cricket Ground (off Woad Lane)
Bottom of Willen Lane (off Marsh Drive)
Between Hartley and the school (St Ledger Drive)
The Green at top of High Street (Harpers Lane)
Right-hand side of the bollards at entrance to Marsh Drive sports facility car park

Pennyland
Leopard Drive (by Skeats Wharf - Downhead Park End)

Sovereign Drive (junction with Bodle Close and Sterling Close)

Sovereign Drive (opposite Health Centre)

 

Copies of the map, showing where the dog bins are located, are available from the Parish Council Office at Neath Hill (opposite side to Clock Tower) between 9am and 4pm.

 

Map below shows areas where dog bins are located and may help you to plan your dog walks.

You may have seen in the last issue of the Parish Council’s News and Views  and on this website, that we have suggested you call Crimestoppers if you have information that may be of help to the Police, But why should you? Crimestoppers lets you pass on information to the Police about people who are involved in crime or who may be planning crime, without giving your name. Nobody is asked to say who they are and the calls are not traced or recorded.

There can be many reasons why someone does not want to speak directly to the police. You may not want to have to give a formal statement, appear in court as a witness - or you may be afraid of what will happen if someone finds out you have spoken to the police.

Crimestoppers removes any fear of reprisal, retribution or revenge. It’s an independent charity that has fully trained persons available as an alternative to talking directly to the police.

Drug dealers, driving offences, theft, robbery, stolen goods, burglary and many more crimes can be stopped with a call from you to Crimestoppers. The Parish has asked you to help stop illegal bikers, so if you know who the people are who are making our community unsafe, help put a stop to it by calling Crimestoppers or if you have any information that will stop crimes being committed, make that call anonymously on 0800 555 111

 

 

Illegal use of “mini-motors” and trail bikes, power-assisted scooters and motorised skateboards are becoming the bane of many residents’ lives. These machines are often used by youngsters, who seem to believe that these sorts of vehicles are just ‘toys’. In fact they are legally classed as motor vehicles, which have to be licensed, and taxed with proper number plates, and their riders should over 16 and insured.

   Giffard Park and Blakelands are two particular areas that seem to be blighted by mini-bikers and the like. Sadly, these vehicles are often used without the required lights or brakes and by riders who are not wearing approved crash helmets or any other kind of protection.

   These vehicles should not be used on roads, footpaths or cycle routes, although these are being turned into race tracks, with all the inherent dangers to riders and other path and road users.  None of these vehicles are allowed on playing fields or public parks without prior permission of the land owner.

   There is a very real danger of a very serious accident happening, so it is in everybody’s interests to report riders, either to the Parish Council on MK 606613, or to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.