EDENFIELD LITTER PICK

Sunday Afternoon - 15th April - 1.30 p.m.

Quite a crowd had gathered at the 'bus stop on Bolton Road North for the Great Village clean-up, Darryl arrived with all the necessary equipment i.e. picker-upper's, bags, gloves and hi-vis. jackets and the enthusiastic team proceeded to pair up, one with a bag and the other one with a pickerupper on both sides of the main road.  Think myself and five others picked the 'short straw' as we ended up behind the 'bus stop 'grot-spot' where we managed to completely fill four bags just from there. Amongst the itemd we 'binned' were three pint glasses and a child's potty, together with polystyrene trays, crisp packets and more unmentionables.  In all we collected over thirty bags which were left at the re-cycling centre for the Council to collect. After an hour and a half's hard work we all retired to the Community Centre for a 'brew' and biccies.  Special thanks to Darryl and to the 9th Ramsbottom Cubs and Scouts whose leader Tim Allen and his wife were very keen to help the village in this event.  We are hoping to have a similar event sometime in July, when we will 'hit' the off-road areas.

Jenifer Mead E.V.R.A.

Edenfield Residents Remember Tony Graham Founder member of Edenfield Village Residents Association.

Today (21^st April 2012) Edenfield Residents remembered the work of Tony Graham, founder member of Edenfield Village Residents’ Association (EVRA) in the dedication of an Oak tree paid for by the association.

Tony was one of the founders of the Residents’ Association in 1977 and was a member for the rest of his life.  During his time he was either a vice – chair or chair of EVRA. In those roles he was closely involved in all the events and activities run by EVRA in that time.

It is very appropriate that this dedication was done in the year of the Diamond Jubilee as EVRA was founded to run a village fete to celebrate the Silver Jubilee in 1977.

Tony had a big heart and was dedicated to the village of Edenfield and worked very hard over the years through EVRA to do make things better for the village and its residents’.  He will be remembered for all his hard work and will be missed within the community of Edenfield.

The Oak tree will stand as a lasting memorial to him and his love for his village.

EVRA - Summary of the Minutes of 15^th February 2012 Meeting

There were 15 committee members and 1 guest present with 6 apologies.

The minutes of the 18^th January 2012 meeting were approved and matters arising discussed. These included:

· An update on road safety improvements in the village

· The actions being taken to prevent future flooding on Gincroft Lane

· The projected work to restore the public garden at the fingerpost

· The provision and planting of an oak tree in memory of Tony Graham

· The possibility of installing a flagpole in the Memorial Garden

· The actions being taken to possibly resurrect the Edenfield bonfire event

· The arrangements for a liaison meeting with the management of Chatterton Hey.

The Chairman reported on the planning undertaken so far for the 2012 Village Fete. Discussions followed on various aspects of the arrangements.

It was reported that work to refurbish the toilets of the Community Centre was now under way and should take about 4 weeks to complete.

.The Chairman informed the committee that he, and other groups from around the borough, would be attending a planning strategy meeting with the Rossendale Borough Council officers the following evening. The agenda for that meeting would be to consolidate future plans for the use of identified plots of land around the borough and consider possible alterations to the Green Belt and Urban boundaries.

It was reported that both of our borough councillors were on the liaison group that was monitoring the planning application for expansion of the Scout Moor Wind Farm. Every effort would be made to secure benefits for the village.

Items for possible inclusion in the Spring Newsletter, to be delivered in early May, were discussed.

Other business was mainly about matters concerning the general appearance of the village which, apart from general litter, included the repair to the mosaic in the Memorial Garden, the presentation of the adjacent electrical sub-station and the state of disrepair of the Horse & Jockey public house. It was considered that a "Civic Pride Committee", separate from EVRA, would be a good way to oversee all aspects of the appearance of the village long-term, although it was agreed to organise a "litter-pick" in spring to target the worst litter spots..

It was confirmed that the next meeting would be on Wednesday 21^st March at 8pm.