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Articles submitted for publication in Parish Newsletters since: March '99 | February '01 | February '02 | February '03

The following article was prepared for publication in the December 2002 edition of the Dun Valley News.

A new Website for South Wiltshire - www.SouthWilts.com

Central Government is determined that the power of the Internet will be felt in all corners of the United Kingdom. SouthWilts.com is the result of £46,000 of taxpayers' money being spent in Wiltshire.
Over time this will become a central resource for all that is going on in Salisbury District. If you do not have direct access, you owe it to yourself to establish a mechanism for obtaining pertinent information published through this medium. This might be a friend, relative or neighbour; a newspaper, magazine or radio/tv broadcast; or even a library, council or church contact. Man has always found a way of obtaining relevant information and government should ensure that this is easily achieved. The Internet just speeds up the process.

Only 456 days to go!!

On Wednesday 1st January 2003 there will be 456 days until Thursday 1st April 2004 when Defence Estates South West are scheduled to hand over the Defence Munitions Dean Hill site to a new owner. All to often, large sites like Dean Hill end up being acquired by entrepreneurial entities who may not be able to deliver the promised development and benefit to the surrounding area in a reasonable time scale. Without maintenance, sites deteriorate fast and the impact on the surrounding area can be dramatic. We're used to the comfort of the lights at night along Dean Hill, the MoD police patrols and the daily activity. It's three months since the decision to close the depot was taken. There may not have been a great deal of local employment but closure will mean the loss of a £2m turnover. What can be done with the Dean Hill site that will produce £10,000 worth of revenue for each of 200 days in a year?
We are told that Wiltshire is eligible for up to 600 different grants from sources within the European Economic Community. Even if the funds were available to develop a community to make use of the site the available time to organise a tender is slipping slowly away......

Keep in touch during the long Christmas break:
www.sp5.org


The following article was prepared for publication in the November 2002 edition of the Dun Valley News.

Dean Hill....... overlooking the Valley of the River Dun.

On December 10th, 1997, the Ministry of Defence announced the successful bidder for the purchase of the former RNAD Trecwn, in Pembrokeshire. This followed a formal tender when a number of bids for the site were submitted. The successful purchaser was Omega Pacific Ltd, who hoped to create between 450 - 500 jobs on the site over the following five years. Trecwn was of a similar specification to the Defence Munitions Dean Hill site, although much bigger. Nevertheless, it may well prove interesting to discover how the local communities accommodated the change of ownership.
A quick call to the relevant Pembrokeshire County Councillor reveals that the hoped for jobs have yet to materialise and it may well prove advantageous to those concerned about the disposal of Dean Hill to learn from the Pembrokeshire experience. Defence Estates South West at Durrington are handling the disposal and are obliged to obtain the best price for HMG, through a tendering process.
Initially, the local communities along the Valley of the River Dun can expect a consultation period, which is likely to be handled by Salisbury District Council, Test Valley Borough Council and the relevant Parish Councils. The hoped for outcome will be a smooth transition to a new owner in April 2004.
In an attempt to foster debate about these significant changes, the Dun Valley Bulletin Board at
www.sp5.org/dvn is available.

Parish Council Meetings

The next meeting of West Dean Parish Council is scheduled for Tuesday, 3rd December in King George's Hall.
The Agenda will be posted on the notice boards and at:
www.sp5.org/wdpc no later than 29th November.

The next meeting of Grimstead Parish Council is scheduled for Monday, 4th November in East Grimstead Reading Room.
The Agenda will be posted on the notice boards and at:
www.sp5.org/gpc no later than 31st October.


The following article was prepared for publication in the October 2002 edition of the Dun Valley News.

Parish Councils.........

Are you concerned about the 'way of life' within your community? Do you wish that you could 'make a difference' to evolution? Could you spare a small amount of time each year to resolve local affairs? Parish Council Elections are scheduled for next May and PCs now operate under 'rules' similar to other tiers of government. Whether you have ambitions for a career in politics or just wants to be aware of what's 'going on', a community needs individuals prepared to be involved with the 'first rung of the government ladder'.
As with any endeavour, meetings need to be convened and decisions resolved. Agendas identify the issues and Minutes of meetings record the outcome. A Parish Councillor is required to attend at least one PC meeting every six months. Is it worth the time and trouble........?
Today's successful politicians will have spent a lifetime winning the support of a majority of their electorate. Where better that a Parish Council for tomorrows' politicians to discover the requirements of government? Perhaps we can expect a few more local people at the next few PC meetings leading to contested elections next year?

Parish Council Meetings

The next meeting of West Dean Parish Council is scheduled for Tuesday, 3rd December in King George's Hall.
The Agenda will be posted on the notice boards and at:
www.sp5.org/wdpc no later than 29th November.

The next meeting of Grimstead Parish Council is scheduled for Monday, 4th November in East Grimstead Reading Room.
The Agenda will be posted on the notice boards and at:
www.sp5.org/gpc no later than 31st October.

Also on the Notice Boards are the Statutory Notices for the current review of electoral arrangements in both West Dean and Grimstead.


The following article was prepared for publication in the September 2002 edition of the Dun Valley News.

After the Bombs have Gone.........

With the MoD depot at Dean Hill facing closure by April 2004, life along the Valley of the River Dun can be expected to experience some significant changes in the years ahead. No doubt there will be many ideas for putting the large magazines under the hill to good use. Perhaps a museum or maybe storage for a variety of objects. Ultimately, the site will be sold and the new owner/s will be deciding the future. For over sixty years the MoD has exerted its influence over the lives of people living in the immediate area. A villager can clearly remember the indignation felt when the land was requisitioned and access denied for local people. Then, of course, the war effort took priority and over time the depot has become an accepted part of village life. Future changes could be equally dramatic.

Lifelong Learning Partnership at West Dean

Salisbury College's mobile computer-training unit was particularly well received in West Dean on Thursday, 11th July. Even the most senior citizen in West Dean became engrossed in the movement of a computer mouse! Photos published at www.sp5.org/ict

Parish Council Meetings

The next meeting of West Dean Parish Council is scheduled for Tuesday, 10th September in King George's Hall. The Agenda will be posted on the notice boards and at www.sp5.org/wdpc no later than 6th September.

The next meeting of Grimstead Parish Council is scheduled for Monday, 23rd September in West Grimstead Village Hall. The Agenda will be posted on the notice boards and at
www.sp5.org/gpc no later than 19th September.

Parish Council Audits

Also displayed are the full notices of the Parish Council Audits for y/e 31st March 2002. The accounts and all related documents are available for inspection, by appointment, between Monday, 2nd and Saturday 21st September.


The following article was prepared for publication in the July/August 2002 edition of the Dun Valley News.

'Information should be a right and not a privilege'

I imagine that the above statement is something of an oxymoron. Access to information should always be a privilege whether by law, right or monetary payment. Like many publications, advertising funds the Dun Valley News, however, editorial control rests firmly with the Church. With Ken Chapman's retirement, a replacement will not easily be found. Last month's attempt to demonstrate how electronic media might be employed to aid communication has failed to attract a single visitor! The main problem with the Internet is that there is just so much information - surfers are spoilt for choice. Visit www.sp5.org/dvn and be reminded of Lois' message delivered in the February 2000 edition of the DVN.

Lifelong Learning Partnership - July schedule for SP5

Salisbury College's mobile computer-training unit will visit Alderbury on Tuesday, 9th July, returning again on the Wednesday and visiting West Dean on Thursday, 11th July. The unit will be sited within close proximity to the Village Halls so visitors will have access to facilities. The venue for Friday, 12th July has yet to be decided but could be Winterslow, Whiteparish or Odstock Village depending on site availability and demand. The objective is to assess the practicality of organising future visits. Express your interest to Greg Newman by email to greg.newman@salisbury.ac.uk or call 01722 344 344. Call Tina West on 01722 344 292 or leave a message. All are welcome to come. No cost! www.sp5.org.uk/ict. Full details will also be published on the Village notice boards

Best Kept Village Competition 2002

West Dean has been awarded winning marks in the small village category of the South Wiltshire district round. The County round will be judged in early to mid July. As a winner in the district round, West Dean is eligible to compete for the Wiltshire nomination to the Village of the Year Competition. The Judges will be looking for 'Well balanced, pro-active, caring village communities, which, irrespective of size, have made the best of local opportunities to maintain and enhance the quality of life for all inhabitants'. www.villageoftheyear.org.

Parish Council Meeting

The next meeting of Grimstead Parish Council is scheduled for Monday, 1st July in West Grimstead Village Hall. The Agenda will be posted on the notice boards and at http://sp5.org/gpc/ no later than 27th June.

The next meeting of West Dean Parish Council is scheduled for Tuesday, 10th September in King George's Hall. The Agenda will be posted on the notice boards and at http://sp5.org/wdpc/ no later than 6th September.


The following article was prepared for publication in the June 2002 edition of the Dun Valley News.

Information should be a right and not a privilege

Thanks to Ken Chapman, the Dun Valley News has kept local people informed for the past three years. With his imminent retirement this might be an opportune moment to experiment with electronic media. Try logging on to http://sp5.org/dvn/ and test the format. Also, visit http://www.suttonveny.co.uk for an example.

Lifelong Learning Partnership

The mobile computer-training unit built for Salisbury College and funded by Central Government is now operational and will be visiting the Dun Valley from 8th to 12th July. See the next edition of the Dun Valley News for details and locations. http://sp5.org/ict/

South Wiltshire Agenda 21 Forum

The meeting at the City Hall on 15th May was well attended and the presentations about Village Design Statements from Downton and Grimstead were impressive. The next meeting is on 23rd October.

Mid-Thorngate Society

The next meeting is at Mike and Judy Smales' Lyburn Farm at Landford on 19th June - Diversification in Farming - 7:00pm www.lyburncheese.co.uk

Parish Council Meeting

The next meeting of Grimstead Parish Council is scheduled for Monday, 1st July in West Grimstead Village Hall. The Agenda will be posted on the notice boards and at http://sp5.org/gpc/ no later than 27th June.


The following article was prepared for publication in the May 2002 edition of the Dun Valley News.

South Wiltshire Economic Partnership (SWEP)

SWEP is an initiative aimed at providing support for local businesses by holding regular seminars in Salisbury to help create 'networking' opportunities. Visitors to the Website at http://swep.a-better-business.com/business_centre.htm can quickly obtain the latest local business news and schedule of events. There is also ample opportunity to discuss with other members subjects as diverse as tourism, training and recruitment.

Community Web

There has been little time to produce a full report of the Community Web event in West Dean on 9th March and only one short video clip has been posted to the Website at http://sp5.org/theparish/ 

www.UKVillages.co.uk has introduced a convenient link to train timetables confirming this to be one of the most useful Websites on the Worldwide Web for local information.

Wiltshire and Swindon Pathfinder Project

Websites at www.wiltshireandswindon.net and www.marlborough-info.net reveal the result of this Central Government funded project. There is also a Website at www.swaap.co.uk designed to help people with severe financial problems(?)

Parish Council Meetings

The Annual meeting of Grimstead Parish Council is scheduled for Monday, 20th May in East Grimstead Reading Room. The Agenda will be posted on the notice boards and at http://sp5.org/gpc/ no later than 16th May. The Annual Parish Meeting will be repeated for the benefit of East Grimstead parishioners before this meeting. 

The Annual meeting of West Dean Parish Council is scheduled for Monday, 13th May in King George's Hall. The Agenda will be posted on the notice boards and at
http://sp5.org/wdpc/ no later than 9th May. The Annual Parish Meeting will precede this meeting. Please note the change of date.

Home Produce Stall at West Dean Fête on Saturday, 8th June

WANTED: Home-made and home-grown produce - Jam, Honey, Preserves, Fruit, Vegetables, Cut Flowers, Bread, Biscuits, Pies, etc. 

Will collect on the morning of the Fête OR please leave at Heron Cottage on the day. Please contact Gill Parsons or Marlene Trott. Thank you for your help.

Village Design Statement for Grimstead

The VDS committee will be holding an open day at West Grimstead Village Hall on Sunday, 28th April, 10:00am to 5:30pm. There will be a presentation at 3:30pm.

Federation of Small Businesses

Business networking opportunity for members and guests: 6:30pm on Friday, 3rd May at Salisbury and South Wilts Golf Club.
Contact the Salisbury Branch Secretary, Richard Mistlin at Salisbury Health Foods, 15 Queen Street, SALISBURY. Tel: 01722 335965 and visit
http://SalisburyCity.com/fsb/


The following article was prepared for publication in the April 2002 edition of the Dun Valley News.

Community Web evolves to the next level! 

The Community Web event in King George's Hall, West Dean on Saturday, 9th March 2002 attracted twelve attendees including Test Valley Borough Councillor, Neville Whiteley and Salisbury District Council Policy Director, David Neudegg. The meeting got underway at 10:20am with Bob Bradshaw, Grants Administrator at Community First explaining in great detail how the Millennium Commission is distributing lottery funds. Jackie Calderwood was able to explain how she became the first person in Wiltshire to receive a Community Innovator Millennium Award and with her daughter was able to use her equipment to make a video record of the day's discussions. Selective Video clips will be available on theParish.net Website by the time this magazine is published.

Jackie showed a video that had been produced by a group of teenagers in Ramsbury as a Community project and following the AGM, David Neudegg provided an insight into how Salisbury District Council is implementing the e-Government Pathfinder Project. 
The canapés provided by Shirley at the Old Brewers were well received and the event overran by about an hour. A more complete report will be published on the Website at
http://sp5.org/theparish/ It was agreed that the 3rd AGM of Community Web would be held on Saturday, 8th March 2003. Nothing definite has been planned for the ensuing year but the organisers will be on the lookout to develop interesting opportunities. Tel: 01794 341405 with suggestions.

Parish Council Meetings

The next meeting of Grimstead Parish Council is scheduled for Monday, 15th April 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 11th April. The Annual Parish Meeting will precede this meeting. 

The Annual meeting of West Dean Parish Council is scheduled for Monday, 13th May in King George's Hall. The Agenda will be posted on the notice boards and at
http://sp5.org/wdpc/ no later than 9th May. The Annual Parish Meeting will precede this meeting. 


The following article was prepared for publication in the March 2002 edition of the Dun Valley News.

Community Web

The event scheduled to start at 10:00am in King George's Hall, West Dean on Saturday, 9th March 2002, will be finished by 12:30pm enabling visitors the opportunity to enjoy the hospitality of the area. The Old Brewers (tel: 01794 341596) at East Dean is the nearest pub with a wide range of beers and fresh cooked food. Bookings are advisable. In the village of West Tytherley to the north is the Black Horse (tel: 01794 340308). The Star Inn (tel: 01794 340225) lies to the east in the village of East Tytherley and in Farley to the west is the Hook and Glove (tel: 01722 712247). The larger villages to the South, West, North and East of West Dean all have Public Houses and on the London Road further to the north there is the Pheasant Inn (tel: 01980 862374). 
Jackie Calderwood has been asked to come prepared to use her digital video camera to record the day's events. It is anticipated that selective video clips will be used in a report that will be compiled for publication on the Internet. Bob Bradshaw, Grants Administrator at Community First, will be on hand to advise attendees interested in applying under the Millennium Awards Scheme, however, the speaker who was to have given an insight into the workings of the Government Secure Intranet (GSI) is unable to come. If a replacement is found in time, callers will be advised. Details will also be published on the Website at
http://sp5.org/theparish/ that can also be accessed from www.theParish.net
Space is limited so it is imperative that those wishing to attend notify the organisers ASAP on tel: 01794 341405
CRISP, Community First and several local businesses are funding most of the cost. To be included in the list of supporters please call.

Parish Council Meetings

The next meeting of Grimstead Parish Council is scheduled for Monday, 4th March 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 28th February.

The next meeting of West Dean Parish Council is scheduled for Tuesday, 26th March in King George's Hall. The Agenda will be posted on the notice boards and at
http://sp5.org/wdpc/ no later than 21st March.


The following article was prepared for publication in the February 2002 edition of the Dun Valley News.

The smallest things.........

In the December issue I mentioned the difference that a single character can make to the meaning of a word. The 'iota', or letter 'i', can make all the difference. Observant readers should also have noticed the misspelling of 'homoousion'.......... I'd left out the 'u'! Those with access to the Internet and http://www.google.com/ would have quickly discovered that I'm not the first person to have made this mistake.<g>

Community Web

Readers may be interested to discover that Jackie Calderwood of Positive ImageWorks has agreed to come to King George's Hall at West Dean on Saturday, 9th March 2002 starting at 10:00am to share her experiences of making a community video to celebrate life in her village of Mere. She is the first local award winner in the Community Innovators Millennium Awards Scheme, which is run for Wiltshire by Community First. This will be an opportunity for anyone with an idea that could benefit their community to find out 'how to do it' from someone who 'has done it'. Jackie's award of £2,998 helped her to make the idea a reality and has led on to other interesting activities.
http://www.communityfirst.org.uk/ and Tel: 01380 722475 ext.209

From 2:00pm there will, hopefully, be an opportunity to learn about Internet Communication. The nature of the Internet means that finding advice online is the way that most people have discovered how to use this exciting new method of communication. The afternoon will be very much 'demand led', so, if you're not sure that you know enough about the mechanics of surfing, put the date in your diary and let Richard Parsons know that you want to come. 
Tel: 01794 341405 and
http://www.theparish.net/ for details. 
The agenda will be finalised in the March edition of DVN.

Parish Council Meetings

The next meeting of Grimstead Parish Council is scheduled for Monday, 4th March 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 28th February.

The next meeting of West Dean Parish Council is scheduled for Tuesday, 12th February in King George's Hall. The Agenda will be posted on the notice boards and at
http://sp5.org/wdpc/ no later than 8th February.


Click here for more news published in the Dun Valley News up to December 2001

Click here for more news published in the Dun Valley News up to December 2000


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