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Articles submitted for publication in the Dun Valley News since: March '99 | February '01 | February '02 | February '03

The following article was prepared for publication in the December 2001 edition of the Dun Valley News.

The smallest things often make the biggest difference

Something as small as a single ASCII character can frustrate the most determined computer user. The American Standard Code for Information Interchange was created in 1968 to simplify the programming of computers. Now, in the 21st year of the life of the personal computer, even the 256th 'character', the space, still makes a significant difference to the interpretation of a computer instruction.
In the fourth century a heresy arose that denied the Divinity of Jesus Christ. The arguments lasted from the first ecumenical council in 325 until the Council of Constantinople in 381 AD when Arianism lost its credibility and the Nicene Creed originated. Homoousion, the word that describes the Holy Trinity, is different by only one letter from the similar, Arian spelling. The 'iota' or letter 'i' makes all the difference. See:
http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/07449a.htm

The Community Web Initiative

King George's Hall at West Dean has been booked from 2:00pm on Saturday, 9th March 2002 so that the second AGM of 'Community-Web' can be convened. This has been an initiative to encourage more local people that are not using computers and the Internet, to gain an appreciation of the benefits. The organizers believe that it is almost impossible to define how successfully this objective might have been achieved, however, they are willing to arrange a more interesting event during the afternoon if there is sufficient interest. Please communicate suggestions to RichardParsons@Sp5.org or Tel: 01794 341405 and an agenda can be published in the February edition of DVN.

Parish Council Meetings

The next meeting of Grimstead Parish Council is scheduled for Monday, 10th December in the Reading Room at East Grimstead. The Agenda will be posted on the notice boards and at http://sp5.org/gpc/ no later than 6th December.

The next meeting of West Dean Parish Council is scheduled for Tuesday, 4th December in King George's Hall. The Agenda will be posted on the notice boards and at
http://sp5.org/wdpc/ no later than 30th November.


The following article was prepared for publication in the November 2001 edition of the Dun Valley News.

South Wiltshire Agenda 21 Forum

About 40 people attended the meeting in the Alamein Suite at the City Hall on Wednesday, 17th October. Following the welcome by Michael New, the Chairman, Pam Roquette, the Vice-Chairman, reminded those present that the conference in Johannesburg starting on the 2nd September 2002 will mark the tenth anniversary of the formation by the United Nations, of the Global Agenda 21 Initiative. She listed several projects that are underway in the Salisbury area including Waste Management, Local Food for Local People, Landscape Strategy, Otters and Water Voles, Life in UK rivers and the Chalk Stream project. Kevin Humphries, SDC's Environmental Policy Officer, explained some of the ways that SDC are implementing a 'green' strategy including the use of Ultra low sulphur diesel and LPG in SDC vehicles and using Green electricity. Bundy Riley, the SDC Agenda 21 Policy Officer, reported on the Wiltshire Biodiversity Action Plan, amongst other initiatives and welcomed the opportunity to make use of UKVillages.co.uk Website to publish details of future meetings and project progress reports. The final presentation, with slides, was from local organic farmer, Tid Tidy. This was an illustrated example of how to make the most of a relatively small area of land to produce fruit, vegetables, eggs and poultry. By employing some novel ideas to conserve water through the use of waste materials, including old tyres, polythene sheets and corrugated iron, he has been able to achieve a farming system that delivers quality organic produce. The next meeting will be in January 2002 when it is hoped to have defined objectives for the run-up to the September anniversary. Information will be published at www.sp5.org/agenda21/.

Grossly over-rated and Phenomenally Powerful

This paradox is an attempt to explain the Internet. For those who have yet to find a significant use for this newest method of communication, the continued reference to 'this.co.uk' and 'that.com', in the news, must be rather annoying. The positive way to deal with this might be to ask a relative or neighbour if they can track down the information referred to. Some, who failed to find the information that they had expected to find online, have created Websites to satisfy the needs of others. In this way, Internet communities have evolved that link geographically remote locations. Over time, the Internet will become the first place to look for both local and general information. Start at www.theParish.net/.

Parish Council Meetings

The next meeting of Grimstead Parish Council is scheduled for Monday, 12th November in the Village Hall at West Grimstead. The Agenda will be posted on the notice boards and at http://sp5.org/gpc/ no later than 8th November.

The next meeting of West Dean Parish Council is scheduled for Tuesday, 4th December in King George's Hall. The Agenda will be posted on the notice boards and at
http://sp5.org/wdpc/ no later than 30th November.


The following article was prepared for publication in the October 2001 edition of the Dun Valley News.

Community Carnival at Devizes

The Corn Exchange in Devizes was the venue for this Community First organised event on Saturday, 15th September, designed to show some of the projects underway in Wiltshire. 'In Praise of Trees' is a major arts/environment project for Salisbury Festival in partnership with English Nature. Forty communities across Wiltshire, Dorset and Hampshire will help draw together important woodland issues, from the purely aesthetic to the simply practical. Each community will compile a 'Book of Trees' encompassing contributions from artists, photographers, poets, youth groups and schools. The project will culminate in Exhibitions and a conference in Salisbury between April and July 2002. Other projects included video making and editing, making toys from recycled leftovers in true 'Blue Peter' fashion, the Learning Curve, an ICT project and, of course, Community Web. More information can be found at the following Websites: www.English-Nature.org.uk and www.WiltsPlay.org.uk

Community Web in South Wiltshire

The Computer Fair at Salisbury College on 2nd September presented a worthwhile opportunity to meet other individuals who have found positive uses for computers and the Internet. Central Government surveys have shown that 65% of the UK population is readily taking to the Internet as a powerful means of obtaining everyday information. There are 25 'Pathfinder Projects' involving over 100 local authorities in England that will develop a variety of 'generic' methods for delivering government services over the Internet. The Wiltshire and Swindon Pathfinder Partnership is one of the successful bidders, although proposals will need to be scaled down, as funding is 30% short of the original 'Expression of Interest'. The sum awarded represents less than £2 for each of the 610,000 population in Wiltshire and Swindon. Hyperlinks to a Government Website created to report on progress can be found at www.theParish.net and also at www.sp5.org/theparish/.


The following article was prepared for publication in the September 2001 edition of the Dun Valley News.

Community Planning in South Wiltshire

Inspector Rex Webb of Salisbury Police is on the look out for volunteers to be involved in a group that will work under the community planning umbrella and link with the Salisbury Community Safety Partnership. The group will be looking at problems of Crime & Disorder in the Southern area and hopefully coming up with solutions. Funded by the Home Office, Rex Webb hopes to get the group up and running in late September or early October. Volunteers should contact Rex at Salisbury Police Station - Tel: 01722 411444 Ext.561 or by eMail: Rex.Webb@wiltshire.police.uk.
The report of the 'Action Planning Workshop' held at Downton in May is now available from the South Wiltshire Strategic Alliance and by the time this magazine is published should be available on
www.theParish.net Website and also at www.sp5.org/theparish/. There will also be a response form that can be sent electronically or printed out and posted.

Community Web in South Wiltshire

David Neudegg, Salisbury District Council Policy Director, found time to visit the Community Web meeting at the new Dinton Village Hall on 28th June. Whilst none of those present were unfamiliar with controlling a computer, most hoped to learn more about the Internet. One visitor was able to register with Internet Service Provider Freeserve directly from their Website and there was opportunity to practice searching the 'net'. The Internet lived up to its reputation of being the 'world wide wait' as data transfer repeatedly dropped to zero. If one is paying for an Internet connection by the minute, this becomes extremely annoying. A majority of those present hoped that the event would be repeated.

Community Pig Roasts

Bob Trott has been working is magic with the mobile spit roasting equipment. First in Grimstead on 23rd June and then in West Dean on 11th August. Both were well attended and the weather behaved itself. Bob believes that these two were his 23rd and 24th pig roasts since moving to East Grimstead in 1987.


The following article was prepared for publication in the July/August 2001 edition of the Dun Valley News.

Community Planning in South Wiltshire

The meeting in Downton on 19th May, organised by the South Wiltshire Strategic Alliance, was well attended. Entitled 'Action Planning Workshop' it certainly lived up to its name! The Team Leader for the Southern Area, Inspector Rex Webb of Salisbury Police, set the pace and a number of specific projects were identified. As soon as the official report on the meeting is published it'll be posted on theParish.net Website and also at sp5.org/theparish/. This will include a listing of established groups and initiatives and will also reveal the priorities uppermost in the minds of those who attended.

Community Web in South Wiltshire

Downton villagers, as well as local people, attended the meeting in Whiteparish on 24th May. Salisbury District Councillor Leo Randall and Robert Key, who arrived early for his evening address to Conservative party supporters, satisfied their curiosity and Parish Clerk Anita Boakes found it useful. She'll be taking over the updating of online Parish Council information from Whiteparish.co.uk Webmaster Peter Green, once she has eliminated the viruses from her PC!
Catherine Spencer, Salisbury District Councillor for the Western Area and Ros Castro, Clerk to Zeals Parish Council, arrived promptly for the meeting in Maiden Bradley on 14th June. Later on Carol Munt, Chairman of Maiden Bradley PC, and the Landlord and staff at the Somerset Arms took advantage of the opportunity.
The final meeting of this series will take place at the new Dinton Village Hall from 2:00pm on Thursday, 28th June.
Salisbury District Council will publish its eGovernment Consultation Document before the end of June and the Wiltshire and Swindon Lifelong Learning Partnership are inviting tenders for the construction of two mobile training units to be operational in the first quarter of 2002.

The Internet and UKVillages.co.uk

The gremlins crept into last month's publication. Readers must judge for themselves whether the eight words that were 'lost' will alter their understanding of the information. ..........................................A Webpage is little more than a collection text, graphics and hyperlinks. The actual information will be stored in a conventional database somewhere, often maintained by a Government department. A Website like UKVillages.co.uk just makes it easier to find related information and can even help visitors find a local Website.


The following article was prepared for publication in the June 2001 edition of the Dun Valley News.

Community Web in Salisbury

The Morrison Hall in Brown Street is fully refurbished and provided a superb venue for this event and although only two new faces attended, the event was considered to be a success. A local lady noticed the write up on page five of the Salisbury Journal and, together with a neighbour, hopped into her car and drove into Salisbury. They were attracted by the opportunity to find out about using the Internet. It quickly became apparent that they both lacked the skills necessary to operate the mouse. After about one hour of coaching, Audrey was beginning to find the mouse a little less daunting and was able to conduct a basic 'Internet search'. Her friend will probably leave it to her grandchildren!

Village Design Statement for Grimstead

Following a successful presentation from Community First in West Grimstead Village Hall on 30th April, a second meeting has been arranged at West Grimstead. There will be another opportunity for East Grimstead Villagers to attend at 7:00pm on Wednesday, 20th June at West Grimstead Village Hall before the second meeting, at about 7:30pm, for those who offered to take part in developing the VDS.

Police Property Marking Event in East Grimstead

Alderbury Police will be in attendance at the Reading Room, East Grimstead on Saturday, 30th June from 9:30 to11:30am. Villagers will be able to bring along items of property for marking.

The Internet and UKVillages.co.uk

The Internet is a fickle place. Companies come and go so it must be prudent to ensure that a facility that one gets used to using doesn't vanish into cyberspace. A Webpage is little more than a collection text, graphics and hyperlinks. The actual information will be stored in a conventional database somewhere, often maintained by a Government department. A Website like UKVillages.co.uk just makes it easier to find related information and can even help visitors find a local Website. An alternative route to theParish.net is at: sp5.org/theparish/.


The following article was prepared for publication in the May 2001 edition of the Dun Valley News.

The Community Web Initiative

Four Villagers called into King George's Hall on Thursday, 12th April to make use of the computers and the Internet connection. On Thursday, May 10th the Morrison Hall in Brown Street, Salisbury has been booked from 10:00am onwards and on Thursday, 24th May the venue is Whiteparish Village Hall from 2:00pm onwards. Venues in June are The Somerset Arms, Maiden Bradley on Thursday, 14th from 2:00pm and the New Dinton Village Hall on Thursday, 28th from 2:00pm. These events are supported financially by Community First and CRISP. The Computer equipment is provided by RECOMMIT in Salisbury.

Full details will be published on the Internet at www.theParish.net.
Those who are curious can phone Richard Parsons on 01794 341405.


The following article was prepared for publication in the March 2001 edition of the Dun Valley News.

Village Design Statement

About twenty West Dean Villagers attended the first workshop meeting at the Village Hall on Monday, 5th February. Karolyne Fudge-Malik from Community First set the agenda and a second meeting was arranged for Wednesday, 21st February. Watch this space for further developments.

The Community Web Initiative

By the time the March Edition of the Dun Valley News is published, Community Web will have held its first AGM on Thursday, 22nd February. The Agenda was published on the Internet at http://sp5.org/a010222.htm and the Minutes of the meeting will be published at http://sp5.org/m010222.htm before 2nd March at the latest. The main proposals to be decided are the number and location of future meetings and whether or not to charge a membership fee. A member's response page has been set up to enable apologies for non-attendance to be recorded and for non-members to be considered for membership.

Community Transport Conference

The Community Transport Conference organised by Community First in Devizes on 3rd February was well attended. In opening, the Bishop of Ramsbury stressed the importance of people being able to move about in Wiltshire. Mr Stephen Styles from Surrey County Council explained that 25% of people do not have access to a car and that Parish Councils are being encouraged to get involved in developing sustainable local transport schemes. Up to £10,000 will be made available to individual Parish Councils who will be encouraged to work with neighbouring Parishes to establish practical solutions. Several other speakers reported on successful projects like the Link Scheme and the Kennett Wiggly Bus. The rest of the day was taken up with a series of workshops that addressed the issues of planning, financing and promoting community projects and the recruitment and training of volunteers.


The following article was prepared for publication in the February 2001 edition of the Dun Valley News.

Village Design Statement

On 15th January, over forty Villagers and representatives from neighbouring Parishes attended a presentation by Community First on the benefits of establishing a Village Design Statement (VDS) for West Dean. This is an initiative promoted by the Countryside Agency to encourage local people to take an active interest in how their communities evolve. Attendees were encouraged to choose from a selection of photographs, the types of architecture and scenery that they did and didn't like.

This showed substantial agreement between villagers. The objective of the VDS is to produce a document that describes the distinctive character of the village and surrounding countryside and to develop design principles based on those characteristics. A VDS presents the opportunity to work with the local planning authority to influence future policies.

The procedure involves establishing a core design team who will organise a workshop to identify skills and talents within the village to help draw up an initial draft. Officers from Community First will help to ensure that all relevant issues are covered. The final draft, agreed with the local planning authority, follows a period of consultation and revision with the whole village. The result is a document that developers are obliged to take into account when seeking planning permission.

Karolyne Fudge-Malik is the contact officer at Community First: 01380 722475.

The Community Web Initiative

Community Web will recommence twice monthly meetings in King George's Hall, West Dean, during February, on Thursday 8th and Thursday 22nd. Future meetings will be arranged to satisfy demand and the organisers will be hoping to attract representatives from other Parishes in Wiltshire. The objective is to encourage the maximum number of individuals to become familiar with communication via the Internet.

Community First is paying for the hire of the Village Hall and Community Web will hold it's first AGM during the second meeting. Agendas will be finalised nearer the time and published on the Internet at
http://www.TheParish.net. Or Telephone Lockerley 01794 341405.


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