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Madley Parish Plan

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Madley Parish PlanCONTENTS PAGE

Introduction ....................................................... 4

TheParish ....................................................... 4

ThePeople ....................................................... 9

TheQuestionnaire ....................................................... 9

UsingtheResults .......................................................10

VillageFacilities .......................................................10

Planning,Housing&Development .....................................12

Traffic,Transport&Highways .....................................13

Security .......................................................15

EnvironmentalIssues ..............................................16

Leisure .......................................................18

YouthIssues&RecreationField .....................................19

YouthQuestionnaire ..............................................20

OverallConclusions ..............................................21

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Introduction

TheaimoftheParishPlan(otherwiseknownastheCommunityLedPlan–CLP)istosetoutavisionofhowthecommunitywishestodevelopovertheyearsahead,andconsequentlytoidentifytheactionsneededtoachieveit.ThereisnosetformatforaParishPlan,noristherealimittothetopicsthatcanbeincluded.

IntheSpringof2010MadleyParishCouncildecidedtoparticipateinthescheme,andsubsequentlyarrangedanopenmeetingatwhichmembersofthecommunitylearnedoftheplan’sobjectives.Asteeringgroupwasappointed,andthatgroupmetforthefirsttimeinJune2010.HerefordshireCouncilawardedagrantfor50%towardsthecostofproducingtheplan,withthebalancebeingprovidedbyMadleyParishCouncil.

Thesteeringgroupheldanumberofmeetingsinthesecondhalfof2010,followingwhichthecommunitywasinvitedtooffertheirviewsoftheparishattwo‘PlanningforReal’opendays;thesebeingheldinMarchandApril2011.WithconsiderableinputfromthechildrenofMadleySchool,severallarge3Dmodelsof theparishhadbeenproduced,togetherwithanumberof largescalemaps.Participantsweretheninvitedtoplacesuggestionsforthecommunityoncardswhichweretheninturnplacedatappropriateplacesonthemodels.

FollowingthePlanningforRealdays,theobservationsandsuggestionsmadebythecommunitywerethengroupedtogetherunderaseriesofheadingseg.transport,environment,leisureetc.Fromthese,andoveraperiodofseveralmonths,aquestionnairewasdesigned,finalisedandsubsequentlyprinted.

The ParishMadleyisinsouthwestHerefordshire,6milestothewestofHereford,andapproximately10milesfromthe

Welshborder.TheparishincludesthehamletsofCanonBridge,Wormhill,Lulham,Chilstone,Shenmore,Cublington,BramptonandWebtonCourt.ThevillageismostfamousasthebirthplaceofSaintDubricius,the6thcenturyevangelistofSouthWales.Whenanalysingtheresultsofthequestionnaire,anumberofrespondentsmadepointed reference to the fact that theParishofMadleywasnot just the villageofMadley,butincludedthevarioushamletsreferredtoearlier.

DuringWorldWarIIanairfieldwasbuiltandopenedasatrainingcentreforaircrewandgroundwirelessoperators;oncefullyoperational thevillagepopulationrosetoabout5,000.Todayonlya fewhangarsremain,butsince1978partofthesitehasbeenoccupiedbyBTCommunicationsCentre,anearthsatellitetrackingstation,thoughttobeoneofthelargestofitstypeintheworld.AlthoughthestationisinthecivilparishofKingstone,mostoftheformerairfieldisinMadley.

WithintheCommunicationsCentreistheMadleyEnvironmentalStudyCentre(MESC)providingenvironmentaleducationtoallagesandabilities.Themainsitecoverssevenacresonlandsubjecttoa99yearleasefromBT.Afurther13acreshasbeenleasedandthisareawillbedevelopedtoincreasethebiodiversityofthesite.

ThevillagechurchofStMaryisoneofthebestknownlocalexamplesofNormanarchitecture,andtherewassaidtohavebeenamedievaltunnelsystemlinkingthechurchtoCublingtonCastlenearShenmore.

Archenfield -theancientlandTheParishofMadleyliesinwhatwasoncetheKingdomofArchenfield,orErgyngtouseitsCeltictitle,andisatriangulartractoflandwhichwasboundedinthenorthbytheriverWyefromHay-on-WyetoHereford,andonitseasternsidealsoboundedbytheWyethroughRoss-on-WyetoMonmouth,andonthewesternsidebytheBlackmountainsfromHaythroughtoPandythenfollowingtheMonnowvalleytoMonmouth.

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TheoriginalinhabitantsofArchenfieldarrivedhereviathelandbridgewhichonceconnectedtheUKtoEuropeduringthelasticeageandit’sprobablethatthesepeoplewereakintotheinhabitantsofsouthEasternEurope,theareawecall Iberia,theBasquearea.Theremainsoftheoriginal inhabitantshavebeendiscoveredintheLongBarrowswheretheywereburied.Itisbelievedthat“ArthursStone”onthehillaboveBredwardinewasfromthisera.TheywereanagriculturalpeoplethatsettledinpocketsaroundEngland,someofwhommadetheirhomeinArchenfieldwheretheyremainedforseveralcenturiesandovertimeinterbredwiththeCeltswhohadarrivedbyseaandwhobecamethepredominantrace.

Thisresultedinamixofpeoples,theSilures(apowerfulandwarliketribe)andCeltswhowereofthesameracebutconsistedofdifferenttribeswhowouldpillageandplundereachother’svillages.

ThepeopleofthisareaalongwithmostofBritainhadareligiousbeliefthatdeathwasnottheend,butthatthedeadlivedonunderground.ThisbeliefmadethemferociouswarriorswhowerenotafraidtodieandthereforeaformidableenemyoftheRomansoldierswhodidnotsharethisbelief!

TheRomanoccupationofBritainhadlittleeffectonArchenfield,eventhoughRomanroadsranthroughthearea,therewaslittlemineralwealththattheRomanswouldhavewanted.Theydidhoweverengageinmanyscrimmages,oneoutcomewasthecaptureoftheCelticChiefofthisarea,KingBrantheBlessed,whowithhissonCaracatuswasheldinRomefortenyearsashostageforthegoodbehaviourofthepeople.

ItisbelievedthatwhilstheldinRomeBranwasconvertedtoChristianityandwasbaptisedbyStPeterandStPaul.OnhisreturnhebecamethefirstChristianKingandwithCaracatusbroughtChristianitytotheseshores(longbeforetheRomansbecameChristians).

BythetimetheRomanlegionsfinallylefttheseshoresmostofthecountrywasChristian.

TheAnglesandtheSaxons invadedfromnorthernGermanyand landed intheeastandastheyspreadoutransackedthecountrydrivingtheCeltsbeforethemintowhatwenowknowasWalesandCornwall,settlingastheywent.Therateofadvancewasslowedbyriverswhichactedasboundariesandsowereeasiertodefend.ForalongtimetheRiverSevernorHafrenbecameoneoftheseboundariesleavingtheCeltstothewest,sothatforatimetheWelshboundarywastheSevernupthroughGloucester,WorcesterontoShrewsbury.ThisboundaryeventuallyfellmakingtheriverWye,orriverVagaastheRomanscalledit,thenextmajorobstacleintheSaxonadvance,whichhadnowbecomethenewWelshborder.AcrosstheWyewasTheKingdomofArchenfield.

Itwasaroundthistime,traditionhasit,thatachurchwasestablishednearHoarwithybyBrychan,KingofBrycheniog-nowknownasBreconshire-whowasthegreatgrandfatherofDubriciusorDyfrigtousehisBritishname.

DyfrigwasbornatMadley inthe5thcentury,thenameroughlymeans‘waterbaby’or‘Ofwater’;hismotherwasEfryddil,thedaughterofPeibioKingofErgyng.Aninterestinglegendismixedwiththefactsofhisbirth.Peibioreturnedfromoneofhishuntingtripsandcalleduponhisunmarrieddaughtertowashhishair,henoticedthatshewasheavilypregnantanddemandedtoknowthenameofthefather;sherefusedtonamehimsoPeibiohadhisdaughtertiedinasackandcastintotheriverWyetodrown.LegendhasitthatthroughDivineGuidance,eachtimeshewascastintotherivershewasswepttoasandbankandwassaved.Herfatherwasfuriousandorderedafuneralpyretobebuiltontowhichhisdaughterwastobecastalive.Nextmorningamessengerwassenttoseeifanyboneswereleft,hefoundhersittingnursinghernewbornson.Peibioorderedthathisdaughterandchildtobebroughttohim,whentheycameheembracedandkissedtheinfant,whoinadvertentlytouchedPeibio’sfaceandmouthwithhis infanthands,thiscontactcuredanincurablediseaseofwhichthechild’sgrandfatherwassuffering.Peibiohadadeformedmouthfromwhichheconstantlyfrothed.Inhisjoyandrecognisingthedivineprovidenceoftheoccasionhehada‘stone’erectedattheplaceofbirth,Madley.

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Theexactspotofthisstone isn’tknown,but is itpossiblethat itmaybeatMadleyCross?Afterall itappearsthatitisnotapreachingcross,andthepresenttopisatleastthethirdtoptobeerectedontheoldbase.

Toroundoffthetale,itseemsthatthefatherofDyfrigwasPabialithesonofBrychan.

ReturningtothechurchnearHoarwithy,StDubriciusformedamonasteryorreligiousteachinghouseatLlanfrotheraboutamileawayfromthechurchatHentland,whichisnearHoarwithyandcouldbethelandthathispaternalgrandfatherhadthechurchbuilton.

ThemonasteryatLlanfrotherwasreputedlythehomeoftraineemonks.AfteraboutsevenyearsofuseLlanfrotherbecamelesssafe-perhapstheSaxonsweremaking lifemoredifficult.StDubriciusmovedfurthertowardthenorthwestofthekingdom.Hereputedlyhadadream,anangeloftheLordcametohimanddirectedthat,whenheawokeheshouldwalkaroundhischosenarea,andwherehewouldseeawhitesowlyingwithherpigs,thiswaswherehewastolaythefirststoneofhismonastery.ThiswasatMochrosorMoccas.MochmeaningpigorhogandrhosmeaningplaceinWelsh.

StDubriciusisalsoreputedtohaveofficiatedatthecoronationofKingArthur.Whilstthereisnoactualrecordofa‘King’Arthur,itisrealistictobelievethathecouldhavebeenwhatmaybetermedawarriorchieforwarlordandlookeduponasalocalking.

It isalsoverypossiblethathe livedhereandwastheKingofthis“KingdomofErgingorArchenfield”.Certainlythenamesofsomeofhisknightsarerecognisableaspastinhabitantsofthisarea,SirGeraintalmostcertainlyhadaconnectionwithCaerCaradoconthehighbanksoftheWyedownstreamofHoarwithy.HisprimefoewouldhavebeentheinvadingSaxons,fromtheothersideoftheriverWye.Précis of a talk given by Mr Colin Tudor - with thanks for his permission to use it.

NB.TherearepaintingsinthechurchbyEdKellybasedonthelegendofStDubricius.

The PeopleAsaruralparish,populationdensityperhectareislessthanthecountyaverage.

AccordingtothePopulationCensusof2011,statisticalboundarieshaverecentlybeenredrawn,soitisnotpossibletoofferdirectcomparisonswithpreviouscensuses.SimilarlyitisnotpossibletoisolatedatafromtheCensusthatsolelyrelatestotheParishofMadley.AlldatafortheparishofMadleynowincludesEatonBishop&Ruckhall,andthisareaisdescribedasNeighbourhoodAreaHerefordshire016c.

The2011CensusrecordedthatArea016chadapopulationof1614.Thiswasbrokendownasfollows:

Aged0-15 18% Herefordshire17% UK 18%Aged16-24 10% 10% 13%Aged25-44 20% 23% 27%Aged45-64 31% 29% 25%Aged65+ 21% 21% 17%

The age mix of the Parish therefore broadly matches the county, but both Parish and County haveproportionatelyasignificantlyolderpopulationthanthecountryasawhole.ItisthereforeimportantthatwhenproducingaParishPlanthatconcernsandopinionsoftheyoungerresidentsmustnotbeoverlooked.

The QuestionnaireTowards the end of February and early March 2012, the questionnaire was delivered by a number of

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volunteersto475householdsintheparish,togetherwithafurther95questionnairesspecificallydirectedtoyoungpersons.Thequestionnairesincludedaforminvitingparishionerstoenteracashprizedrawandalsoprovidedetailsofanemailaddress,apotentialaidforfuturecommunications.

Completedquestionnaireswerereceivedfrom247households(anapproximate50%responserate),withafurther55youngperson’squestionnairesbeingreceived(aresponseratealsoofabout50%).TheresultswereanalysedbyHerefordshireCouncilResearchTeamandtheirreportwasprovidedinAugust.

AsummaryofthefindingswaspreparedandwaseitheremailedordeliveredbyhandtoallthehouseholdsintheParish.

Using the ResultsTheParishCouncilhasrecentlyformedaworkinggrouptoconsideryouth issuesandthefutureoftheRecreationGround.Aparishionerhasoffered to start aYouthClub, andat its inauguralmeetingon5November2012,20youngpersonsattended.Atthismeetingthosepresentdiscussedhowtheywouldliketoproceed,anditwasagreedthattheywouldaddresstheParishCouncilatafuturemeeting.

1. Village Facilities

Village facilities includetheParishHall,Shop/PostOffice,ParishCouncil,Hairdresser,Church,Chapel,Pubs,Schools,andvariousClubsandGroups.Thequestionsunderthisheadingwerepartlyinresponsetorequestsfromparishionersforneworimprovedservices,butalsomayhavebeenbaseduponadesirefromthoseresponsibleforrunningexistingfacilitiestodeterminewhattheir‘customers’thoughtoftheserviceprovided.

Therewerealsoquestionsenquiringwhether therewereparishionersable tooffer vocational training

toyoungpeopleinthevillage,andwhetheranycouldofferactivesupporttothePrimarySchoolorPreSchool.InasimilarveintherewerequestionsenquiringwhethertherewereparishionerswhoneededanyhelpofferedthroughtheauspicesoftheOwlsClubeg.legaladvice,helpwithformfillingetc.andwhethertherewereanycoursesorclassesthatwouldbeofinterest.

Finally,therewasaquestiontoascertainhowthevillagefeltabouttheancientmonumentsinthevillage.

Pleasenote thatwherepercentagesarequoted, these refer to thepercentageof responses received.Theresponsesreceivedtoaparticularquestionwillneverexceed247(initselfonlyabouthalftheParishhouseholds);inmanycasestheresponsesweresignificantlylessthan247.

Responses• abouthalfofrespondentswouldbeinterestedincomputertraining• alittleoverhalfwouldbeinterestedinanArtsandCraftClub• 57%wereinfavourofacommunitycafe• abouthalfoftherespondentssaidthattheywoulduseifavailabletheopportunitytopurchaselocal

foodproduce,andattendFlicksintheSticks• onlytwothirdsofrespondentssaidthattheyhadeverusedtheParishHall,andthegreatmajority

ofthoseratedthefacilitiesassatisfactoryorbetter• therewaslittleinterestinParishHallactivitiesotherthanthosecurrentlyavailable,andevenless

interestinofferingtohelpruntheHall• aboutaquarterofrespondentsconsideredthatadditionalshopservices inthevillagewouldbe

beneficial• veryfewfeltabletohelptheschoolsinthevillage• there was an almost unanimous view that it was important to value and care for the ancient

monumentsandartefactsinthevillage

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KingstoneSurgery• almostallrespondentsareregisteredatKingstoneSurgery,andwithveryfewexceptionsthefacility

andserviceswereconsideredgoodorverygood• many respondents considered it would be beneficial if the Surgery could offer Physiotherapy,

Chiropodyand/oraminoraccidentclinic• 63%wereinfavourofSaturdayopeningtimes

Conclusionsandproposedactions1. Anintroductorycomputercoursehasbeenrun2. AwellattendedPotteryGroupandtwoCraftGroupshavebeeninexistenceforsometime3. EveryThursdayfoodanddrinkisavailableatTheStables

KingstoneSurgery4. PhysiotherapyisavailableattheSurgery;chiropodyisofferedthroughtheauspicesofAgeConcern.5. AlthoughanumberoforganisationsusetheParishHall,itistruetosaythatwheneveranalternativeeventoractivityhasbeenarranged,therehasbeenverylimitedenthusiasmeg.Farmers’Market,musicnightsetc.

2. Planning, Housing & Development

RespondentswereaskedtostatewhethertheywouldbeinfavourofadditionalhousingdevelopmentsintheParish,andifsothetypeofhousingthatwaspreferred.

Theywere also requested to give their views on the impact of existing businesses in the Parish, andwhethertheywouldhaveconcernsshouldtherebefurtherindustrialdevelopments.

Responses• asignificantmajorityofrespondentswereinfavourofaffordablehomesandrealisticallypriced

starterhomes,bothtopurchaseortorent.Therewasadangerthatifyoungerpeoplewerepricedout,theywouldbeforcedtomoveaway

• fromthosewhoofferedanopinion,therewasaveryfavourableviewtowardsexistingbusinesses• Howeverconcernwasexpressedbymorethan30%ofrespondentsshouldtherebefurtherindustrial

developmentintheParish

Conclusionsandproposedactions1. TheParishCouncil has recently requested that theHousingAssociation give housing priority toMadleyresidentsortheirrelatives.TheAssociationhasacknowledgedthisrequest.2. Mostofthenegativecommentsconcerningadditionalindustrialandhousingdevelopmentsrelatedtoperceivedconsequenttrafficandhighwayissues.3. Over80%ofrespondentssuggestedthatanyfurtherhousingdevelopmentsshouldbepricedanddeemedasaffordable.ThiswouldindicatethatingeneraltermsfurtherbuildingintheParishwouldbeviewedfavourably.TheParishCounciliswellawareoftheimpactlikelytobeposedbyfurtherhousing/industrial growth. Following the latest request for planning permission for housing development, theCouncilhasaskedforvariousconditionstobeapplied,includingitistobehopedtheprovisionofacarparkinthevillage,andchangestotheBridgeSollarsroad.4. To contact the Parish Council, please contact the Clerk, Mrs Carla Boyles, 12, Grenfell Road,HerefordHR12QR,ortelephone01432271209.Finallyheremailiscarlaboyles@talktalk.net

3. Traffic, Transport & Highways Notsurprisinglythistopicattractedcommentsfromalmosteveryrespondent.Thequestionsrelatedtothe

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busservice,carusage,provisionforcyclistsandfinallyroadconditionsandroadsafety.

Responses• itwasinterestingtonotethatalthough93%ownedorhaduseofacar,thebusservicewasvalued

andusedonoccasionbymorethan50%• useofthebusservicewasalmostexclusivelytoandfromHereford• therewasasignificantviewthatthebusrouteshouldincludeShenmore• anumberofrespondentsconsideredthattheservicecouldbeimprovedbyincludinginthetimetable

amorningbusintoHerefordforthosewhoseworkcommencedaround9.00am.Currentlythereisnobusservicebetween7.43amand9.30am

• aboutonethirdofrespondentsconsideredthereshouldbeabusshelter,althoughtherewasnounanimitywheretheshelter,orsheltersshouldbelocated

• theconditionoftheroadsintheParishwasconsideredbythemajoritytobepoororverypoor• theoverwhelmingconcernofrespondentswastheBridgeSollarsRoad,bothasindicatedinthetick

boxesandthewrittencomments• BramptonRoadandStoneStreetattractedsignificantconcern• congestiononthemainroad(B4352)outsidetheSchoolandParishHall,particularlyatthebeginning

andendoftheschoolday,wasaseriouscauseofconcerntoverymanyrespondents• concernwasalsoexpressedatthespeedoftrafficonthemainroad(whencongestionallowed!)

andStoneStreet.ThevolumeoftrafficonStoneStreetwheneverthereisaBootFairalsoattractedmuchcomment

• roadandstreetsignsshouldberestrainedandnotduplicated

Conclusionsandproposedactions1. ItisproposedtoapproachthebuscompaniesandinformthemthattherewouldappeartobeademandforthelocalservicetoincludeShenmore.Theywillalsobenotifiedofthevarioustimetabling

issuesraisedbyusers.AstherearelimitedjobopportunitiesintheParish,publictransport,particularlyforyoungerresidentswhodonothavetheirowntransport,isvital.2. Itisnotconsideredworthwhiletoraisetheissueoffarepriceswiththebuscompanies.3. TheParishCouncilisverywellawareoftheconcernexpressedabouttheBridgeSollarsRoad.Theroadhasinrecenttimesbeenrepaired,andinpartsresurfaced;signshavebeenerectedtotryanddeterunnecessaryHGVtraffic,andpassingplaceshavebeencreated.TheCouncilhasalsorequestedthatthespeedlimitbereduced,andthishasbeenconfirmed.4. TheCouncilhasaskedthatbeforegrantingplanningpermissiontoanylargedevelopments,thatfundingshouldbeprovidedbythedevelopersforroadimprovementsintheParish.ThisparticularlyappliestotheplanningapplicationcurrentlyunderconsiderationwheretheCouncilhasrequestedimprovementstotheBridgeSollarsRoad.TheCouncilhasalsorequestedthatafurtherconditionbeplaceduponthecurrentapplication,specificallythatapubliccarparkbeincludedintheapplicationtherebylesseningsomeoftheparkingissues.5. Ashasbeenreferredtoonotheroccasions,itisincumbentonallwhoareinvolvedinaccidents,howeverminor,tonotifythepolice.Itisonlythenthatthevariousauthoritieswillbecomeawareofanyinfrastructureproblemthatexists.6. Several respondents recommended the installation of speed humps at various strategic places.Unlessthereisstreetlightingthisunfortunatelyisnotanoptionthatcanbepursued.Itmaybepossibletoinvestigatetheinstallationof‘pinchpoints’.7. To report anyhighwaydefects, street cleaning,fly tipping and graffiti, either telephone01432261800oremailstreets@herefordshire.gov.uk

4. Security

Thegeneralslantofthequestionswasintendedtodeterminewhetherresidentsfeltsafeandsecureinthevillage,andifnot,whatweretheirmajorconcerns.Respondentswerealsoaskedwhethertheyconsidered

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therewasaneedforNeighbourhoodWatchand/oraResidents’Association,andineithercasewouldtheywishtobeinvolved.Responses

• mostconcernsaboutthePoliceserviceinthevillagecentredonthe‘apparent’lackofanyvisiblepresence

• thevastmajority,92%,feltsafeandsecureintheparish• therewaslimitedenthusiasmforsecuritylightingorsecuritycameras• alittlelessthanonequarterofrespondentswereinterestedinbeinginvolvedinaNeighbourhood

Watchschemeconsideringitlittlemorethanacosmeticexercise,andinvolvementinaResidents’Associationattractedsupportfromonly13%

Conclusionsandproposedactions1. In general therewould appear to be little demand formore securitymeasures, other than anincreasedfrequencyofavisiblepresencebythePoliceortheirCommunitySupportOfficers.TheseviewswillbepassedontothePolicebytheParishCouncil.2. Forpolicematters,101isthenumbertocallwhenyouwanttocontactyourlocalpolice.

5. Environmental Issues

Anumberofthequestionshighlightedthe(national)problemoflitterinitsmanyforms,andthegeneraldisregardbymanyintheParish,andwithout,fortheirfellowresidents.Thosequestionsthatrelatedtolitteralsorequestedopinionsonflytipping,dogmessandwhetherthereweresufficientbinstodepositrubbishetc.

Responses• approximatelyhalfofallrespondentsconsideredtherewasalitterproblemintheParish,andalso

thattherewerenotenoughlitterbins• therewasnounanimityastotheareasthatwereworstaffected,althoughmostoftheroadside

vergesandhedgerowsinandaroundtheParishwerecommentedupon• 23%consideredtherewasaproblemwithflytipping,andonceagain itwasconsideredtobea

problemthroughouttheParish• abouthalfofallrespondentsconsideredtherewasaproblemwithdogmess,andasimilarproportion

feltthereshouldbespecificbinsprovidedfordogmess• 55%ofrespondentsconsideredthereshouldbefacilitiesinthevillageforre-cyclinggardenwaste,

and48%wouldliketoseefacilitiesfordisposingoflargeritems• alittleoverhalftherespondentshighlightedgraffitiasaproblem,particularlytothebusshelter

andinandaroundtheRecreationGround

Conclusionsandproposedactions1. Thereisanactivelitterpickinggroup(co-ordinatorSuzyBishopon01981251320)thatcarriesoutaveryvaluableservice,andwouldmuchappreciateadditionalvolunteers.2. AnadditionallitterbinhasbeenorderedbytheParishCouncil,andistobesitedontheRecreationGround.3. Atthemomentthepurchaseofdogmesslitterbinscannotbeconsideredonthegroundsofcost,boththecostofthebinsthemselves,andtheiremptying.4. Similarlythecostofprovidingrecyclingfacilities,andcollectingsame,isunfortunatelyprohibitive.Specificgreengarden refuse sackscanbepurchasedbyhouseholders fromHerefordshireCouncil (cost£3.00perpackof6)andwillbecollectedbytheCouncilonthedayofthehouseholdwastecollection.5. Inallcasesofantisocialbehaviour,beitthedroppingoflitter,flytipping,graffitietc.itisdifficulttoaddresstheproblemwithoutknowingwhoisresponsible.

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6. Leisure

This section dealt with organisations, clubs and activities in the village, together with the usemadeofMadleyMoatandthenetworkoffootpaths inandaroundtheParish.A listofmanyoftheactivitiesavailableintheParishwasprovided,andrespondentswererequestedtoindicatewhethertheyusedanyofthem,andindeedwhethertheywereawareoftherangeofopportunitiesoffered.

Responses• asignificantproportionofrespondentswouldappreciateanincreaseincommunityflowerbedsand

gardens,designatedwildlifehabitatsandotherareasimprovingthefloraandfaunaintheParish• approximatelyonethirdofrespondentssaidthattheyvisitedMadleyMoat,andtwothirdswere

supportiveoftheconservationofthearea• 40%claimedtousethefootpathsintheParishatleastonceperweek.Interestinglythispercentage

correlatedpreciselywiththenumbersthatownedadog• morethanhalfoftherespondentsconsideredthatimprovementscouldbemadetothefootpaths• therewassignificantsupportforthereplacementofstileswithgates,regularmaintenanceand

improving the access by cutting back vegetation, clearer signage, and the provision of Parishfootpathmaps

• halfofourrespondentsstatedthattheyattendedoneormoreoftheactivitiesthathadbeenlisted.ByfarthelargestnumbersclaimedtousetheThursdayCafeandattendtheChurch

• afurtherlistofactivities,notcurrentlyavailableintheParish,wasprovidedandrespondentswereaskedtoindicatewhetheranywereofinterest.Morethanhalfrespondedthatnonewouldappeal,althoughtherewassomepositiveresponsesforamultigym,yoga,andlinedancing

Conclusionsandproposedactions1. MadleyMoatisanimportantwildlifehabitat,andinrecentyearshasbeenrestoredwiththehelp

ofHerefordshireNaturetrust.Ifyouwouldlikemoreinformation,orwouldliketohelptomaintaintheMoat,orwouldliketojointheFriendsofMadleyMoat,pleaseringSuzyBishopon01981251320.2. TheParishFootpathsOfficerwouldwelcomehelpandsupport;heisPeterClarkon01981251429.He is not responsible for the actualmaintenance and improvement of footpaths and stiles – butwiththehelpofthepublichedoestryandliaisewithandchivvyHerefordshireCouncilwhoseresponsibilityfootpathsare.AmapdetailingfootpathsintheParishcanbefoundontheParishwebsite.3. AlocalParishmapand/orleafletdetailingfootpathscouldbeproduced(providingotherdetailssuchaslocalbusinessesforexample).4. ThereisalackofcontinuousfootwaysintheParish,thisbeingaparticularproblemforthosewhoaredisabled,andalsothosewhomightbepushingapram/pushchair.5. Thereareinfactverymanyactivities,clubs,groupsandlocalorganisationsactiveintheParish.ForfurtherdetailspleaserefertotheParishwebsitewww.madley.org.uk

7. Youth Issues & Recreation Field

Thequestionsinthissectionwereincludedinthemainquestionnaire,somaywellhavebeencompletedbyanadulthouseholder.Thosehouseholdsinwhichtherewerechildren(17andunder)wereinvitedtocompleteasupplementaryquestionnaire–seefollowingsection.

The questions requested views onwhether there should be additional leisure facilities in the village;whethertheexistingfacilitiesattherecreationfieldweresatisfactory,andwhetherindeeditisintherightlocation.Finallyrespondentswereaskedtooffertheiropinionwhethertheyhadanyissuesorconcernsaboutyoungpeopleinthevillagenotcoveredbythequestionnaire.

Responses• almosthalfsuggestedthatthereshouldbeadditionalleisurefacilities

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• well over two thirds considered that an adventure playground and bike trail would be used ifavailable

• only8%weresatisfiedwithexistingfacilitiesattherecreationfield• therewasavarietyofsuggestedimprovements,suchasprovidingplaygroundfacilitiessuitablefor

allagegroups;improvedfacilitiesforfootballetc• mosthoweverconsideredthattherecreationfieldwasintherightlocation• therewasageneralconcernthattherewereveryfewfacilitiesforyoungpeople

Conclusionsandproposedactions1. The responses concerning the recreation field have been helpful to the Parish Council in itsdiscussionswiththelandowner,theDuchyofCornwall.Negotiationsareproceedingtoagreeafurther,andimprovedlease,whichonceagreedwillprovidetheParishCouncilwithanopportunitytopursuethemainissuesraisedinthisandtheYouthQuestionnaire–referto‘UsingtheResults’,page10.

8. Youth Questionnaire

Priortopreparationofbothquestionnaires,theYouthEngagementOfficerfromHerefordshireCouncilhadhadameetingwithyoungpeopleofthevillage.AlltheissuesraisedweresubsequentlycoveredintheYouthQuestionnaire.

Therewere55completedquestionnairesthatwerereturned;44%bythoseupto10yearsofage,35%aged11-14,21%aged15-17.Therewasanalmostequalsplitbetweenboysandgirls.Thequestionsessentiallycoveredtwotopics;firstly,whatwouldyoungpeopleliketoseeintheParishthatwouldbeofbenefittoboththeiragegroupandalsoadults.Secondly,questionswereaskedabouttheirmeansoftravel.

Responses• four out five responses considered that better play equipment should be available, and the

indicationswerethatthisequipmentwouldbeusedonafrequentbasis.(Thisdesiretohavebetterplayequipmentwasofcoursemirroredbytheviewsofadultswhenquestioned.)

• manyexpressedtheviewthatbothindoorandoutdooractivitiesshouldbeavailable,togetherwiththeappropriateequipmenteg.goalposts

• therewassomeinterestinattendingaYouthClub• alittleoverhalfoftheyoungstersusedthebusservice,andveryfewexpresseddissatisfaction.It

ispossiblethatmostoftheseusedthebusasameansofgoingtoschool• howevergeneraltraveltoothertownsandvillageswaspredominatelybyprivatecar

Conclusionsandproposedactions1. Theoverwhelmingviewwasthattheprovisionofplayequipmentandfacilitieswouldbegreatlywelcomed.Itishopedthatthiswishcanbesatisfied–seetheprevioussection.2. Therewouldappeartobenogreatdesirefororganisedactivitiesorfacilities,otherthanthosecurrentlyinexistence.ThereishoweveraresidentintheParishwhohasexpressedaninterestinstartingaYouthClub,anditishopedthatthisinitiativewillbegivenallpossibleencouragement.

Overall Conclusions

Itisdifficulttodrawtoomanyconclusions–weareafteralladiverseandvariedgroupofindividualswithonlyoneabsoluteandcommonlinkandthatisthatweallliveintheParishofMadley.

Perhapsthoughitmightbepossibletoofferoneortwogeneralobservations.

TheParishhasmanyfacilitiesandadvantagesthatotherscouldonlyenvy.WehaveaChurch,ShopandPost

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Office,twoPubs,aHairdresser,PrimaryandPreSchool,ParishHall,togetherwitharegularandfrequentlocalbus service.WehaveaRecreationField thathopefullywill begrantedamore secure long termfuturethatinturnwillprovidegreateropportunitytodevelopandimproveitsfacilities.Inotherwordstheinfrastructureisbyandlargeinplace.Inordertothrivehowever,itdoesrequiretheenthusiasm,involvementandprideofallofus.TheoverallresponsebyParishionerstocompletethequestionnaireswaslessthanhadbeenhoped,asindeedwasthedisappointingofferstobeinvolvedinParishactivities.

Itwasveryevidentfromtheresultsofthequestionnairethatthefacilitiesandactivitiesforolderresidentsarebettercateredfor,thantheyarefortheyoungerpeople.

Inexaminingthequestionnaireresponsesindetail,therewouldappeartobeanothertheme;thatisthattherearemanyactivitiesandadvantagesavailable to thecommunity that verymanyof the residentsprofesstobeunawareof.Alltoooftensuggestionsweremadeforonefacilityoranother,whenthatfacilityisalreadyinexistence.Somehowanincreasedefforttoinformandcommunicateshouldbeattempted,althoughotherthanregularleafletdropstoremindresidentsoftheParishwebsite,theactivitiesintheHallandsoon,itisdifficulttoofferworthwhilesuggestions.Coupledwiththegeneralapathytobecomeinvolved,maybe“allisrightwiththeworld”

Thewholeprocessindevelopingaquestionnaireandanalysingtheresultshasundoubtedlybeenofbenefit.Althoughindividualsandgroupscanmakeadifference,itfallsinmanycasesontheParishCounciltodriveforwardchangeand improvement.The responses receivedhavebeenofhelp to theCouncil inaddingmuchsubstanceto,amongstotherthings,itsattempttoensurethatthefutureoftherecreationfieldisassuredtogetherwithimprovedfacilities.Alsoofhelpwerethecriticalcommentsaboutthehighways,butespeciallytheBridgeSollarsRoad.Itisonlybyobtainingtheviewsofthecommunitythatchangecanoccurforthebenefitandsatisfactionofall.

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January2013