From the Chair:

Summer 2007 UK has not been one of the best on record. Floods in England both North and South have devastated many communities. Our location here in Moulton means that we are unlikely to ever experience such devastation. Moulton has issues, but the community spirit that still lies within the village means we can address these together and make Moulton what we all want it to be. A clean, safe and vibrant village.

Denise Watkinson Chair MPC

Moulton Village Design and Landscape Statement

Produced by the local community including a group of volunteers and input from the parish council, it describes the character of the village; its buildings, open spaces, roads, paths and ‘street furniture’, and the landscape surrounding us.

It sets out design objectives for the future appearance of Moulton, so that people applying for planning permission will be guided by it.

Its aim is to influence any change that happens, so that it is change for the better, and that new building and development are in harmony with its setting.

The statement is due for completion of the writing stage at the end of 2007 and will then be submitted for approval by Vale Royal Borough Council prior to community consultation and final issue.

Citizenship Awards

The Parish Council once again wishes to celebrate the work undertaken in the village by many individuals and community groups. The annual Citizenship Awards are to recognise ‘outstanding commitment, support and delivery of a service to the community of Moulton’.  Awards are given for both an individual and for a group selected from nominations from the community. 

If you would like to nominate an individual and / or a group please contact the Clerk, Elaine Beech on 01606 888015 or e-mail clerk@moultonpc.org.uk

Closing date for receipt of nominations is 31^st January 2008.

Playing Field Development - We’re back on track!

Despite being unsuccessful in our application for a lottery grant the Playing Field Trust has managed to secure some funding mainly from WREN and Vale Royal Borough Council for new playground areas for toddlers and junior children. 

These new facilities are currently the subject of a planning application about which a decision is due in early November – if OK then project work will start ASAP to ensure we have the new facilities in place very early in 2008. 

Village Organisations

If your organisation is not listed, please contact Moulton Parish Council  (MPC) and we will include you in the next newsletter and add details to our website and ensure details are also posted on the Moulton and District Community Association (MADCA) website.

MPC: www.moultonpc.org.uk MADCA: www.madca.org.uk

Best Kept Garden Competition 2007:

The 2007 competition took place in the summer and was judged by John Gittins of the Cheshire Landscape Trust. 

John commented on the high quality of many gardens in the village and referred to their matching the best he had seen at the RHS Flower Show at Tatton in July.

Congratulations go to the owners of the winning gardens for 2007,

1^st Christine Birtles and Leslie Walker of Meadow Lane

2^nd Mr and Mrs Christie of Eaton Lane

3^rd Mr and Mrs Nixon, also of Meadow Lane.

Roll on 2008 and hopefully a much-improved summer for all! 

Traffic Problems in the Village

Traffic problems are an enduring subject of debate within the village and the Parish Council have discussed with Cheshire highways possible methods of dealing with congestion which arises at certain times of the day - especially on the section of Main Road from Regent Street to the Travellers Rest.

It is not easy to get a consensus on the best way of solving the problem but the highways department have promised to look at it. However money is tight so an early remedy is not on the horizon.

Additional problems under discussion are excessive speeding on Main Road both coming into and leaving the village, as well as bad sometimes illegal parking and poor road surfaces.

A possible remedy for reducing speeds is by the use of a manually operated speed camera. It requires two people to operate the device and training is required.

No fines are imposed but a record of the car number plate is made together with the speed and the offender is notified. Other parishes have introduced the scheme with good results. Options are being considered.

The Police may also be monitoring the situation and they will impose fines, so the easiest solution is to slow down.

It’s a Dogs Life

Crow Fair

The events committee revived the Crow Fair and with it the Crow Dance in 2006 and followed it up with an even better fair in 2007.

Sixteen men, a scarecrow and a farmer performed the dance superbly on the day.

The day was fortunately dry especially so when there had been periods of heavy rain and the sun brought the crowds out in great numbers.

It requires a lot of help to run the fair and the committee is small in numbers. Help is mainly required at the end of a tiring day when the field has to be cleared of litter, tables moved, stalls dismantled etc. Volunteers are required for 2008.

Get Fit and Pound the Bounds

The Pound the Bounds event took place in September in dodgy weather with around 35 people taking part. This is the third time it has been held and we wish to keep it as an annual event.

Top Ten Energy Saving Tips

Save energy, save the planet – or just save yourself some money! 

Ten free ways to cut your energy bills.

1.      Turn your thermostat down by 1^oC.  It will cut your heating bill by up to 10%, or £40 per year.

2.      Is your water too hot? Your cylinder thermostat doesn’t need to be higher than 60^oC.

3.      Close your curtains at dusk to keep heat in.

4.      Turn off lights in empty rooms.

5.      Don’t leave appliances on standby. The clock on your microwave uses more energy in a year than cooking food.

6.      Use the half load or economy programmes on washing machine, tumble dryer or dishwasher if they’re not full.

7.      Only boil as much water as you need (but cover the element in an electric kettle).

8.      A dripping hot water tap wastes enough water to fill half a bath in a week, so turn taps off and get leaks fixed.

9.      Replace light bulbs with energy saving ones and save £60 over the lifetime of the bulb.

10. Look for the Energy Saving Recommended logo when replacing electronic goods.

Moulton On-Line

Moulton Parish Council now has a fully operational website where you can find out tons of information about various organisations in the village as well as accessing the latest information concerning council meetings and events that are happening in the future.

www.moultonpc.org.uk

We appreciate that many of you do not have access to this information, which is why we will continue to produce this newsletter twice yearly as well as ensuring the village notice board is kept up to date.

For suggestions for the next newsletter due around April 2008 please contact the clerk Elaine Beech (tel. 01606 888015) or MPN Newsletter editor, Carl Turner via email: cturner@moultonpc.org.uk

In addition, everyone is welcome to attend the 15 minutes open public meeting held before each parish council meeting, normally held the second Monday in each month in the rear building of the Village Hall.

Moulton Parish Council Vacancy

Moulton Village Christmas Tree 2007

The now annual lighting of the village Christmas tree will take place at the village green next to the village hall on Saturday 1^st Dec 2007. It’s free and Santa himself will be flying over for the big event so bring along the kids!