Horden Parish Council

horden parish council newsletter

Hi folks,

As I write this, I am approaching the end of my first year as Chairman of theParish Council. I hope I have given youthe information you need and an updateof events through my column and youhave enjoyed reading your Newsletter.There have been a lot of changes in theyear (where has the year gone youmight ask me!).

We have a big milestone for the Councilin May, being the Diamond Anniversaryof the Parish Council we are startingcelebrations with a Church Service onThursday 17th May and an event afterthe service where we will be meeting upwith Parish Councillors from past andpresent who have served the

community, and inviting representativesfrom neighbouring Councils.

There will also be a number of community events coming up in thesummer months to cater for the young and old, so we can all enjoy a celebration! The Teddy Bears Picnic in the park on July 1st, which will becombined with activities for the DiamondAnniversary which I know is one of theevents which the community of all ageshave come to enjoy, also the bands onsome Sunday afternoons where peoplefrom outside the village even came. Wehave Jimmy Bush to thank for theseevents he has put in a lot of hard workorganising the many events and also forsecuring funding so it will not cost the

community asmuch, so he cancarry out thegood work (welldone Jimmy)don’t you agree?

Once again Iwould like tothank the community fortaking time to care about reading theNewsletter because I have beenapproached so many times by the publicto say how interesting it is and that a lotof the information they did not know (especially my photo on the front page!).

Jean WhiteChairman of Horden Parish Council

Issue 5 - Summer 2007

The cast of Beauty & the Beast Pantomime entertainingschool children at Social Welfare Centre

The results of the hard work by Cotsford Infant School who planted 5,000 bulbs in October 2006!

Some of the new “Monster”play equipment installed atCotsford Park Play Area inOctober 2006.

Horden Inclusive Youth Action -“HIYA” action day givingoptions to young people.

You can contact Horden Parish Council Office direct:

Designed and produced by informnorth creative services T: 0191 5866 010 E: mike@informnorth.com W: informnorth.com

Chairman: Jean White

Councillors:Mr R. Brown19 Naisbett Avenue, Horden, Peterlee, Co Durham SR8 4BWMrs J. Clark73 Cotsford Park Estate, Horden, Peterlee, Co Durham SR8 4TAMrs M. Clark89 Cotsford Park Estate, Horden, Peterlee, Co Durham SR8 4TAMrs E. M. Connor2 Cedar Street,Horden, Peterlee, Co Durham SR8 4HDMr W. Hill6 Sunderland Avenue, Horden, Peterlee, Co Durham SR8 4BHMr G. Jones12 Smillie Road, Horden, Peterlee, Co Durham SR8 4AHMr T. Jones18 Handley Street, Horden, Peterlee, Co Durham SR8 4NW

Mr G. Lavery9 Park Terrace, Horden, Peterlee, Co Durham SR8 4JGMr D. Maddison4 Langthorne Avenue, Horden, Co Durham SR8 4HLMr G. Patterson7 Hope Avenue, Horden, Peterlee, Co Durham SR8 4ERMrs G. Phillips13 Macbeth Walk, Horden, Peterlee, Co Durham SR8 4HUMrs M Robinson 19 Shotton Road, Horden, Peterlee Co Durham SR8 4RBMr W. Smith22 Alder Road, Horden, Peterlee, Co Durham SR8 4HQMrs J.White23 Blackhills Terrace, Horden, Peterlee, Co Durham SR8 4LJMrs E.Wood12 Roseby Road, Horden, Peterlee, Co Durham SR8 4RJ

All Councillors can also be contacted via the Parish Council Office.

Clerk to the Council: Samantha ShippenAdmin & Finance Officer: Gaynor CruteClerical Assistant: Gemma Rowe

Office opening hours now:Monday - Thursday 9am - 5.00pmFriday 9am - 4.30pm

(Social Welfare Centre open Monday to6.30pm, Tuesday to 8pm, Wednesday to 10pm, Thursday to 9pm)

Address: Parish Council Office, Social Welfare Centre, Seventh Street,Horden, Peterlee, County Durham SR8 4LX

Tel: 0191 518 0823Fax: 0191 518 0385email: hordencouncil@btconnect.com

Having Your Say...Have you ever wanted to tell the ParishCouncil what you think of the services that are provided? Wanted to make a complaintbut didn’t know who to write to or where tosend a letter? There are many ways that you can contact us:

You can phone us on 0191 518 0823during office hours, or leave a message on our answerphone after hours.

We can be contacted by email at hordencouncil@btconnect.com.

Our fax number is 0191 518 0385, if youprefer to fax us.

Letters of enquiry, compliment or complaintcan be sent to the Clerk - Mrs Samantha JShippen FCIS, Horden Parish Council,Social Welfare Centre, Seventh Street,Horden, Peterlee, Co Durham, SR8 4LX

You can call into the Social Welfare Centreduring office hours. If you wish to speak tothe Clerk, you may need to make anappointment. This can be arranged by telephoning the office in advance.

If you are interested in finding out how theParish Council makes decisions, you are entitled to attend meetings of the ParishCouncil to observe the proceedings.Meetings of the Parish Council, Parks &Cemetery Committee and Finance &General Purposes Committee are held thefirst Thursday of the month (except August)in the Conference Room at the SocialWelfare Centre from 6pm. The agenda forthe meeting (which details what is to be discussed) is placed on the noticeboard inthe foyer of the Social Welfare Centre on the Friday before the meeting.

If you wish to speak at the meeting, all you need to do is contact the Clerk beforethe meeting. You would be able to speak atthe Public Participation section of the meeting. A maximum of 20 minutes isallowed for the public. To find out more,please contact the Clerk.

Dates for your diaryHorden Parish Council Welfare Park Summer Activities

Did you know that there is a totally free delivery service of books,

talking books or information to County Durham residentswho have problems getting to the library, because of disability or mobility problems?To be accepted onto the service, there is an informalassessment procedure. A member of Durham CountyLibrary staff will visit you at home, take a few details and discuss your reading needs. Based on this, a bag of books will be chosen for you. Every three weeks, a new bag will be brought to you.They also need volunteers to help deliver the service, particularly in the Peterlee area.If you can help, or you know someone who needs the service, phone Denise Tyerman on 0191 383 4224or contact the staff at Horden Branch Library.

Monday......... Rounders 1pm-3.30pm (No.2 Rugby pitch)23rd July

Tuesday........ Street Dance Workshop 1pm-3pm 24th July (Welfare Hall)Wednesday... Craft workshop 10am-12noon 25th July (Bowls tea room)

Crazy Golf 10.30am-3pmThursday....... Crazy Golf 1pm-3.30pm26th July (Multi Sports Pitch area)Friday............ Crazy Golf 1pm-3.30pm (Multi Sports area)27th July

Monday......... Crazy Golf 1pm-3pm (Multi Sports area)28th July

Tuesday......... Street dance workshop 1pm-3pm31st July (Welfare hall)Wednesday... Craft Workshop 10am-12noon 1st August (Bowls tea room)

Netball Workshop 10pm to 12 noon 8yrs-11yrs12.30pm to 2.30pm 12yrs+Boxing Workshop 1pm-3pm Band stand area

Thursday....... Cycling Workshop 1pm-3pm 2nd August (Sunderland Road Playing fields

Car Park 1pm -3pm)Friday............ Crazy Golf 1pm -3pm Multi Sports Pitch3rd August

Sunday.......... In the Bandstand - FOUR BANDS 1pm-5pm5th August Newbridge Downfall, Underwings,

Short Circuit, +Guest BandMonday......... Hockey (Multi sports)6th August

Tuesday......... Street Dance Workshop 1pm-3pm 7th August (Welfare hall)Wednesday... Craft workshop 10am-12noon 8th August (Bowls tea room)

Junior Soccer Course 10am-3pmThursday....... Junior Soccer Course 10am-3pm9th August Cycling Workshop (Sunderland Road

Playing Fields Car Park 1pm-3pm)Friday............ Crazy Golf 1pm-3pm, Multi Sports Pitch Area10th August

Sunday.......... BAND) ARRIVAL - 2pm-4pm, Bandstand12th August

Monday......... Under 15 football Tournament 13th August (Sunderland Road) Group Stage 10am startTuesday......... Under 15 Football Tournament semi-finals14th August & final 10am start

Street Dance Workshop 1pm-3pm (Welfare hall)

Wednesday... Pirates in the Park. 1pm-4pm 15th August (Bandstand Area)Thursday....... Cycling Workshop (Sunderland Road Playing 16th August Fields Car Park 1pm-3pm)

D J Workshop (Welfare hall 1pm-3pm)Friday............ Crazy Golf 1pm-3.30pm17th August (Multi Sports Pitch Area)Monday......... Boxing Workshop 1pm-3pm 20th August (next to bandstand)Tuesday......... Street Dance Workshop 1pm-3pm 21st August (Welfare hall )

Multi Sports Activities 10am-3pm (Welfare Park)

Wednesday... Drum Workshop 10am-12noon 22nd August (next to Bandstand)

Multi Sports Activities 10am-3pm (Welfare Park)

Thursday...... Multi Sports Activities 10am-3pm 23rd August (Welfare Park)

Cycling Workshop (Sunderland Road Playing Field Car Park 1pm-3pm)

Friday............ Family Fun Day 1pm-3pm (WelfarePark) 24th August

Tuesday......... Street Dance Workshop 1pm-3pm 28th August (Welfare hall)Wednesday... Craft Workshop 10am-12noon 29th August (Bowls tea room)

Junior Soccer Course 10am-3pmThursday...... Junior Soccer Course 10am-3pm30th August Cycling Workshop 1pm-3pm

(Sunderland Road Playing Fields Car Park) Friday............ Crazy Golf 1pm-3pm Multi sports Area31st August

For further details please contact Jimmy Bush*on 0191 518 0823 Monday to Friday. *Please note time and events may be subject to change. Please seenotice boards at park entrances for any change of events.

Bloomin’ Marvellous Volunteers Needed

There can’t be a lot of people in the area whohaven’t heard about

Bloomin’ Marvellous. Since itstarted in July 2004 with a ‘ground force’ spectacular,thousands of volunteers have taken part in a range ofactivities to make the villages of Horden and EasingtonColliery a brighter and tidier place to live and work. This year, more volunteers are urgently required to giveup just a little bit of their time, either alone or as partof a larger group. In the past volunteers have workedtogether to add a real burst of colour to the streets bydistributing hanging baskets and tubs, planting newbedding areas and trees, picking up litter and turningwasteland into new community garden areas.

In February, Kate Welch and a few others from the

Bloomin’ Marvellous team also appeared on ITV’sFortune: The Million Pound Giveaway television programme with great success.

Bloomin’ Marvellous activities willbe taking part this year onJune 26th (10am-12pm),27th (2-4pm) and 28th(6-8pm) for moredetails and to volunteer please contact SamanthaShippen on 0191 518 0823 orLinsdey Wood on 0191 5866 010.

Books on Wheels

Horden newsletter Summer 12/6/07 14:57 Page 1

REVIEW OF 2006/07Welfare ParkFollowing the completion of the restorationof the Welfare Park, 2006/07 has been ayear of much less change. The park wasawarded a Green Flag and GreenHeritage Site status in August, we are theonly Parish Council run park in the countryto achieve the Green Flag! The range ofevents and activities organised within theWelfare Park have increased significantlysince the restoration.

Social Welfare CentreThe Social Welfare Centre continues to beused by many residents and communitygroups. Activities ranging from Mother andToddler sessions to dancing classes andadvice sessions all take place on weekdays, whilst the building is used forfunctions and parties at weekends.

Thorpe Road CemeteryDuring 2006/07 79 burials took place. Inaddition to the burials which took place, 9memorial plaques were sold for display onthe Memorial Wall.

In February 2006 the Parish Councildecided to ban the use of solar poweredlights within the cemetery this decision hasupset many relatives, both residents andnon-residents, as a result, the Council didfurther public consultation during 2006/07which resulted in the decision beingchanged. We now allow two lights to beplaced on graves subject to guidelines.

Memorial ParkHaving undertaken a number of capitalprojects in recent years, 2006/07 hasbeen one of general ongoing maintenanceat Memorial Park. Those of you who visitthe park regularly will be impressed withthe excellent standards achieved atMemorial Park.

During the year a management and maintenance plan has been prepared forthe park, which revealed some interesting facts.

Church GreenDuring 2006/07 the Council replacedsome of the seating on the green andinstalled new litter bins.

Sunderland Road Playing Fields & Play AreaIn October 2006, as part of the preparations for Northumbria in Bloom,children from Cotsford Infant School planted 5000 crocus bulbs with ParishCouncil staff, resulting in a beautiful display in the spring!

Station Road AllotmentsThe committee continue to work with theParish Council organising the annualFlower and Vegetable Show.

Cotsford Park Play AreaDuring October 2006 a new play area was installed. The design was chosen by local residents from five choices.Although there is still some grass regrowth needed, the area is looking good and providing excellent play facilitiesfor children in the area.

Maritime Crescent Play Area,Grants HousesThis area was also redeveloped inOctober 2006, five designs were put ondisplay for public consultation. The onechosen was by far the most popular.Some grass regrowth is needed to finishoff the area, but this should take place asspring approaches!

Northumbria in BloomFollowing on from the success inNorthumbria in Bloom 2005 Competition,

the village were awarded a Bronze award in 2006.

Quality Council StatusQuality Council Status is a standard developed by the government by whichParish & Town Councils can prove thatthey meet certain quality criteria. HordenParish Council applied for this standard in2007, we are awaiting accreditation.

FinanceDuring 2006/07 the Council set a budgetof £521,794. It is estimated that we spent£595,784 during the year, which includessome expenditure from earmarkedreserves on capital projects such as thenew play areas. (Please note that thesefigures are subject to adjustment as yearend final figures are still being calculatedand will be available at audit in the summer of 2007).

The Audit Commission appointed externalauditors, BDO Stoy Hayward, have set theaudit date for the 2006/07 accounts as13th July 2007. By law, any interested person has the right to inspect theCouncil’s accounts. Any registered electoralso has the right to ask questions aboutthe accounts or challenge an item ofaccount within them. The accounts will beavailable for public inspection for 20 working days between 11th June and 6thJuly 2007 for this purpose. If you wish toexercise your right to inspect theaccounts, please contact the Clerk to theCouncil, Samantha Shippen between thehours of 10a.m. and 4pm on any of thosedates stated.

Strategic PlanIn October 2006, the Council continued aformal process of planning for the next 5 years and beyond. Much has beenachieved in the past five years and theCouncil wish to continue to improve services whilst concentrating on keepingincreases to a minimum.

We hope to implement the items in thestrategic plan identified for 2007/08, wewill continue to run events for the community in the Welfare Park and continue to work hard to make Horden a better place in which to live!

A full copy of the Annual Report is available to residents, upon request, fromthe Parish Council Office. Please ring oremail us or just pop in and collect one during office hours.Samantha J Shippen FCIS Clerk to the Council

Horden Parish Council

Pictured are newly elected Parish Councillors Terry Jones, Billy Hill, BillSmith and Rod Brown following their induction training event in May.

Billy HillMy name isBilly Hill, Ilive inSunderland

Avenue inHorden. I have

been working for people inthe community for the pastthree years with the HordenResidents Association, whereI am Vice-Chairman. I amalso a member of the HordenRegeneration Partnership, siton a panel for Doctors andPatients in the EasingtonDistrict area, attend the TidyTed meeting at Easington,have links with East DurhamHomes and attend their BoardMeetings and not forgetting Isit on the committee of theHorden in Bloom - brighteningup our streets throughout theyear. I hope now that I am aCouncillor, to continue to helpthe people of Horden to makeit a better place to live.

Terry JonesBoth my latefather RoyJones andGrandfather

Billy Joneswere Miners

working in Horden all theirlives and had great pride inbeing Horden residents as doI and this is why after 13

years service as a TankSoldier in the Army serving inIraq, Kosovo, Bosnia, Cyprus,Germany and Canada myself,my wife Catharine and sonNathan, decided to settleback here and set up in business. Straight away Iknew I wanted to be involvedin making Horden a betterplace to live, this is why Iopted to volunteer for theParish Council.

I look forward to tacklingissues to enable Horden togrow and strongly believe thatthe future of Horden lies inour youth so we need to giveas much encouragement andassistance to our young peo-ple making them proud to befrom Horden and bring backto its full potential the community spirit that Hordendeserves. Regards

Bill SmithI have livedin Hordenmost of mylife except

for my time inthe Army. I believe

in a safer and cleaner environment, free from drugsand drink on the streets and acleaner place to live in. Ibelieve in the Labour Party

and unions and unity instrength.

My interests are football andmost sports and gettingyouths off the streets.

I am a Councillor, SchoolGovernor and Labour PartyMember, as well as a UnionRep.

Rod BrownHello, myname isRod Brown,41 years old

married withtwo daughters, I

have lived in Horden for 15years. I have taken on therole because I think it will bea new learning curve for me. I would like to see less anti-social behaviour, lesscrime, and more unity, and as a team working together, I hope we can all achievethat. I want to learn moreabout the services the parishcouncil provide, and in turn let others know. I am a goodlistener and open to anyquestions; if I can’t help I will try to put you in touch with someone who can. Iwant to work towards a betterfuture for the children ofHorden because today’syouths are tomorrow’s parishcouncillors.

Horden Parish Council

horden parish council newsletter horden parish council newsletter2 3

Bikes WantedHas your child outgrown their bike? Cotsford Junior School are seeking bikes to be donated to the school to be used for cycling proficiency training for pupils aged 7-11.They do not need to be in mintcondition! Please contact Barbara Fletcher at the school on 0191 586 4660for more information.

Our aim is to give residents information about the ParishCouncil and the services which

we deliver in the village, to outlinehow we are dealing with current challenges and highlight our plans tomeet community needs and deliverquality services in the next year andbeyond.

Annual ReportSummary

STOP PRESS • STOP PRESS

The Green Leaf CaféSituated in Horden Welfare Park.Have a great meal and enjoy the benefits of the park, traditional home cooked food at affordable prices. Daily specials start from £1.50. Children’s box meal (including toy) £1.99Sunday Lunch £3.95. Eat in or bring your own plate and have a great meal in the comfort of your own home.

Opening Times Tuesday - Friday 9.30am-4pmSaturday - Sunday 10am-5pm

Also available outsidecatering please call

0191 569 3661for more details.

O.A.P.10% discount

Horden newsletter Summer 12/6/07 14:58 Page 3