Support for Bewdley Football Club

I was interested in the comments made by Peter Nielson in his letter about local elections (Shuttle 12th June). What he says is very true - electors seem to have been largely influenced by national politics in the recent local elections. The more local the Council then the more important it is that the persons elected are in tune with the locality and are sensitive to the needs and beliefs of the local people. They are going to contribute to the running of the Council, at whatever level, on behalf of the local community.

Consider this in relation to the article on page 30 of the same issue where Cllr Stephen Clee is effectively telling Bewdley Town Council (on which he sits) to mind its own business. Does he not, therefore, consider that the future viability of the Town Football Club is not relevant to the Council which was elected by the people of Bewdley? This Club is a great asset to the Town and it is hard to see how the present situation came into existence. The fact that the Football ground may not actually be within the parish of Bewdley is irrelevant. Apparently it is feared that these lights spoil an area of outstanding natural beauty. I do not know whose opinion that was, originally, but have they actually stood near the ground and looked around them?

Most local residents will be appalled at this attitude and it is for this very reason that when future elections come around electors will hopefully vote for those persons who they believe will fight for their area and stand up for the wishes and aspirations of the community as a whole.

Most people locally think that the position relating to the floodlights at the football ground is ludicrous. I have to say that I have little interest in football but am able to recognise that this Club is of great value to the Community and must be encouraged, not strangled.

Gren Jones
Letter sent to Shuttle 17th July 2008

Distraction Burglaries

Paul Gittins is Labour Spokesperson for Wribbenhall.

As part of the Water UK campaign to raise awareness about distraction burglaries where criminals claim to be from the ‘waterboard’ to gain access to a vulnerable person’s home, the following telephone number can be used to check the identity of any ‘water company’ doorstep caller.

Severn Trent 0800 783 4444

This information supports the advice to be given for doorstep security which is:

install and use door chains
use spy holes to see who is at the door
display uninvited caller stickers
do not keep large amounts of money at home
encourage family, friends, carers and neighbours to check that these are in place
encourage people to register a password with their water company
encourage people to ask for identification from those at the door

Bewdley Football Club

Paul Gittins is Labour Spokesperson for Wribbenhall.

Although I am not in favour of any new building into the green belt and on areas of Great Landscape Value or Landscape Protected Areas I believe that policy LA.2 of the adopted Wyre Forest District Council Local Plan allows development necessary to meet local community needs in these areas. As well as keeping many of our youths and younger children off the streets, Bewdley football club teaches them team work, fitness and and many more attributes that are sadly now missing in our society. Bewdley has always been the poor relation with regards to sporting facilities in Wyre Forest. Bewdley people and the volunteers who run our football club deserve better. Perhaps the District Council could find them an alternative site? I spoke to DC Leisure some time ago and they seemed keen to allow the club to use their facilities at Bewley Liesure Centre.

Parish Games

Paul Gittins is Labour Spokesperson for Wribbenhall.

Each year the District Council holds a Parish Games competition. Each Parish in Wyre Forest is invited to take part and the Games include Bridge, Crib, Dominoes, Short Mat Bowls, Golf, Archery and a quiz. This year the Bewdley team won the archery contest even though 2 of the Parishes had archery clubs and came second overall in the games. I would like to thank all those who represented Bewdley.

Beech Tree by Bewdley Library

Paul Gittins is Labour Spokesperson for Wribbenhall.

Following representations made to me regarding the protection of the splendid Copper Beech Tree next to Bewdley Library I proposed at Bewdley Town Councils planning meeting that a Tree Preservation Order be placed on it. The District Councils Aboricultural Officer feels that as the tree is in a Conservation Area and on Councty Council land a TPO is not recommended. However it was discovered at the meeting that a provisional TPO is in place and that it expires this month. The Town Council’s Tree Officers feel that as the tree is such an important landmark feature a TPO should be vigorously pursued. My proposal was agreed and the Town Clerk will be progressing the matter.

Bench at the Hollow Update

Paul Gittins is Labour Spokesperson for Wribbenhall.

A year ago I reported on a bench that had been removed by the Highways Department at the top of the Hollow on Bark Hill, Bewdley. A drive way was being constructed in this area and when the Highways Department tried to relocate the bench a few feet away it broke up and was taken away. I have been campaigning for a year to have this bench replaced as it was very well used by the residents of Bark Hill after climbing the steps next to the Hollow. The Highways Department have offered to replace it if the Town Council pays 50% of the costs including the installation! Although I believe that they should pay all the costs I proposed that the Town Council pays 50% of the cost of the bench and that the Highways Department pay 50% plus all of the installation costs.

Bewdley Bypass Island a mess

Paul Gittins is Labour Spokesperson for Wribbenhall.

For many years Bewdley Rotary Club have sponsored and cared for the traffic island on the Bewdley bypass near Blackstone.

I was very disappointed to see several weeks ago that their sign which advertised the fact that they sponsored the island was missing and later another sign appeared asking for someone to sponsor it!

I believe that the Rotary Club did not pay the district council to maintain it but did it themselves and it has always been a credit to them.

However, now the district council are asking others to sponsor it as a way of making some money.

The island now looks a mess with the long grass and weeds. Why not allow the Rotary Club to take it on again as they did before?

As well as keeping it tidy, it was an ideal way of advertising the fact that we have a Rotary Club in Bewdley.

Catchems End, Bewdley

Paul Gittins is Labour Spokesperson for Wribbenhall.

Several people contacted me regarding my question asking if anyone had spotted the difference following the latest very expensive improvements at Catchems End, Bewdley. Only one said they could spot the difference. Well done Gordon!

Youth Clubs

Paul Gittins selected as Labour Candidate for Wribbenhall.

I would like to thank all those who contacted me following my introductory leaflet. It is apparent that anti-social behaviour and drinking of alcohol in our play areas are major concerns for many. However I am sure you will agree that the youths involved are in a minority.
Although some may say there is little for them to do in Bewdley, I am sure that you will also agree that there is more for them to do now than when we were their age. For the younger children there are Cub, Scout and Guide groups, for the older ones who enjoy sport there are tennis, rowing and football clubs, and there is a leisure centre.
There are youth clubs at the Baptist Church and at the Riverside Church. The youth club on Stourport Road has excellent facilities but is unfortunately only open for 2 or 3 nights a week and now this is curtailed because of staff shortages. Could you help?
I will be seeking funding for this youth club to be open more regularly and if possible on Friday and Saturday evenings. The Youth café in Load Street will be opening shortly which will be another place for our young people to hang out with their friends.

Beware of Bogus callers

Paul Gittins selected as Labour Candidate for Wribbenhall.

As the Town Council’s representative for police matters, I am very concerned about bogus callers at the homes of vulnerable persons on the pretext of checking their water supply, or something similar, and then rob them. This must be one of the lowest things anyone can do and I urge everyone to report such an occurrence at once to the police by dialling 999.

I will be working with local neighbourhood schemes regarding this and would like to set up a system whereby if a sales person visits a vulnerable person’s home and becomes intimidating they can phone someone who lives close by who will come immediately to their aid.