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Open letter to villagers. . .

For those of you who I have not met before, my name is Mark Ham and I am a lifelong Claverley resident.

It was on my family’s land, along Aston Lane, Bridgnorth District Council passed South Shropshire Housing Association’s plan for seven homes. I was very much at the forefront in the design of this plan, which is currently underway.

I would usually bring my comments and thoughts to the parish council but I am currently in the States....hence this open letter.
This development for seven homes was not my desired outcome in any way. Claverley had no choice but to accept the District Council's mandated directive, it was just a matter of site location. Our location was “chosen” as the most desirable and now is the time for me to explain why.

For 25 years various Claverley people have given me advice or asked me to actively pursue the idea of utilising our fields in order to solve certain community issues. Parking, especially at the village hall, doctors, tennis club and church have continually caused problems for certain members of the community.

Back in 2001, I started a dialogue with both planning officer Richard Fortune and Claverley Parish Council. Many meetings were had and I made a proposal the land could be used to move community buildings all with adequate parking. Other uses were also offered such as moving the cricket pitch, a bowling club and shop for example.This, I explained, could be paid for by the development, including seven open market houses.

I received many letters of support for the plan from Claverley residents, which were copied and given to the parish council. Back in 2001, the Parish Council made it very clear Claverley did not want more housing. My reply was if Claverley did not take some affirmative action and formulate its own development, then its planning policy would be mandated for us.
I also made it clear houses would be built on that field anyway so we may as well get a community benefit out of it.
I kept saying at meetings that houses would be built on the Aston Lane site and this has now proved to be the case.

Unfortunately I, and the other families who supported my plan, were only able to persuade one parish councillor to vote our way. They really did believe that Green Belt meant no houses..Which obviously isn't the case!. When South Shropshire Housing Association infomed me they would work with us on a plan that would involve community buildings, green space, etc we accepted this strategy.
It was only because another site was muted for the affordable houses we had to go ahead. However, I personally designed the road layout so a future plan could be adopted.

So I now feel the time is right to ask the question again: Can our fields be developed in such a way to solve major infrastructure problems and add a community benefit?
Suggestions from Claverley residents, again, would be very welcome. If we don’t positively come up with a community plan, endorsed by our parish council, I guarantee again that only houses will be built.I imagine it will be far easier to persuade more than one parish councillor this time....because it is impossible for anybody ( Parish Councillor or otherwise) to say " no houses will ever be built on those fields".

My personal thoughts going forward would be to try to achieve the following:

 Aston Lane fields could easily accommodate a doctors’ surgery and a village hall, both of more suitable build with adequate car parking.Other communiity space could be provided ...Bridgnorth DC Planners have told me many times that if a "clear sustainable need is established" then, with Parish Council approval they would consider all amenities. The current sites of the village hall and doctors could then be developed for houses affording the necessary funding to relocate.

I do feel that when the next housing directive comes down for Claverley as many as a further 28 mixed category homes will be built at Aston Lane. Your thoughts and opinions are again welcome and will again be passed on to the parish council.
Please contact me at markhamuk@gmail.com

Mark Ham, Claverley Hall, High Street. Claverley.

Claverley Village Hall

Details of availability and latest program of events on the Village Hall web page, just click here

FORTHCOMING EVENTS

Flicks In The Sticks

Bring your friends and neighbours to see the films on a big screen.  Tea/coffee and biscuits served at half-time.  Start 7.30 p.m. prompt.  Films showing this year are:

·        Next showings

War Horse --- May 17th 2012

Doors open at 7.00pm ( Tickets in advance £3 or £3.50 on the door)  tel:- 01746 710528

• Make a note in your diaries.

Express & Star article

Claverley sub-postmistress is made an MBE

Friday 31st December 2010, 11:29AM GMT.

Kay White MBE, who has worked at Claverley Post Office near Wolverhampton for 68 years

A dedicated sub-postmistress who has spent the last 68 years working at a village post office was among the Midlands’ unsung heroes recognised in the New Year Honours today.

Kay White, aged 83, is now one of Britain’s oldest sub-postmistresses after starting work at the Claverley branch at the age of 15 and today spoke of the “huge honour” of being made an MBE.

Miss White joined the staff at the post office on leaving Claverley Church of England School and became sub-postmistress in 1960.

She has spent 38 years on the parish council and also ran the Sunday school at nearby All Saints Church for more than 20 years

Miss White, who was born on a farm less than two miles away from her current home, also helped found the local Women’s Institute.

She lives at the High Street branch which she still runs with her niece Ann Madeley, and has no plans to retire.

She said today: “This is a huge honour and it has been a terrible strain keeping it secret because of the number of people I know in the area.

“Just last week I had a little smile to myself when one of my regulars said he was going to write to Buckingham Palace to say I deserved recognition for all the work I had done in the village. I knew somebody had beaten him to it but could not say a word about it because the news had to be kept quiet until the big day.

“Claverley is a beautiful village. I have loved my life here and have never wanted to move anywhere else..”

Her brother Roy, 87, and sister Margaret, 86, still live in Claverley while her other brother Reg, 88, has a home in nearby Seisdon. “It is unusual for four siblings to all live so long – it must be something in the air,” concluded Miss White.

Nationally, ex-Eurythmics singer Annie Lennox has been appointed an OBE for work fighting Aids and poverty in Africa.

Actors Sheila Hancock and David Suchet become CBEs, while stage star Harriet Walter is appointed a dame.

By John Scott

Read more: http://www.expressandstar.com/news/2010/12/31/claverley-sub-postmistress-is-made-an-mbe/#ixzz19s2DCkYO

We have a new CSO (Community Support Officer) covering Claverley, as well as Worfield and Alveley. Sue Eden, aged 53, has replaced Fiona Bastock-Young as the CSO for Bridgnorth Rural East area. Sue served as a Special Constable in Bridgnorth for 7 years, and she will be based at Bridgnorth Police Station.

  In case of emergency always phone 999  --  for non-emergency incidents phone 08457 444888 or

0300 333 3000 

 Bridgnorth Rural East, Local Policing Team - phone 01743 264753