Coastal Path and Beckermet Roads.

The Coastal Path consultation is now advising that the route will closely follow the railway line north of Sellafield through our parish.  This will eliminate the long diversion which has been in place for some years.  The PC has written to say that we are content.

At last week’s meeting, the council discussed the ideas being developed by the County regarding roads through our village.  They think that funds will be available next financial year, so hope to have a formal consultation in the Spring, but an informal one early in the new year to collect villagers’ thoughts.  Essentially, it will depend on 3 questions

1. Do you think there should be a gateway at each village entry point?  This would include a more visible sign, road markings and a rumble strip?  (No narrowing of the road)
2. Do you think there should be speed ‘cushions’ in the village?  Height can be between 37 and 75 mm.  So, height, location and design are to be discussed.
3. Do you think that the village should be a 20-mph zone?  This would require a speed limiting feature every 100 metres, so the village would need about 12 artificial ones.

There is now no suggestion of roads being made one-way.

Parish Council Meeting update.

The PC has received a letter showing an intent to erect a 12 metre mast on Mill Lane, next to our WW1 soldier memorial figure; in order to link with smart meters at Beckermet and Thornhill.

Last night’s council meeting decided to object to this location.

We also agreed to write to the planning department at Copeland BC with comments about the proposal for houses off Hunter Rise.

Following a consultation with residents, it was decided that most of the bushes on the green at Station Crescent could be removed, but leaving the mature trees.

The plans for the National Coastal Path through our parish were due to go to consultation on June 12, but this has been delayed again.

Coastal Path

The PC understands that North West Coast connections are due to publish their ideas for the path near Sellafield and near Nethertown on 12 June.  Presumably, there will be a period of consultation for comments.

May Parish Council Meeting issues

At the Parish Council meeting on May15, two unusual items came up.  We understand that

Cumbria County Council now has suggestions for road changes in Beckermet, and we are trying to find out when they can be viewed.  Also, it has been suggested that the open area on Station Crescent be grassed over, so residents surrounding the Green have now been asked for their views.

Parish Council Meeting update.

At last night’s Parish Council, it was confirmed that there is a Public Space Protection Order in place for School Green.  This means that dogs must not be taken onto the grass on the south side of the river.

The ceiling of the Reading Room is in a state of dis-repair, and we were pleased to make a grant to enable it to be put right.

We have some volunteers, but are still looking for people to

1. Join the parish council.  There are 12 seats, and as only 8 people were willing to stand, there will be no election- other people can be co-opted at any time.
2. Join a team to operate a speed gun to help deter traffic.
3. Be trained in use of a defibrillator.

If you are able to help, please let us know.

2nd May Local Elections: Statutory Notices

Statement of Persons Nominated for the position of Mayor of Copeland

Statement of Persons Nominated for the position of Beckermet Ward Councillor

Notice of uncontested election for Beckermet with Thornhill Parish Council

Parish Finances

The Financial Year is coming to an end, and the Parish Council has consciously used up some of its reserves, because we have supported a number of good projects.

These include a contribution to the cost of extending the Football Club changeroom at Thornhill, purchase of a defibrillator for Thornhill, support to the Beckermet Nursery, and purchase of items to mark the centenary of the Great War.  We expect to help with the cost of repairs to the Beckermet Reading Room ceiling shortly.

Beckermet traffic speed checking

The Parish Council is looking to set up a group of people capable of using a speed gun to check traffic through the village.  If you are willing to join the group, please let the clerk know at gillrthreader@gmail.com

Planning Application for 28 houses in Beckermet

The Parish Council has received a copy of an application to build 28 houses.  Access would be from Hunter Rise, and the development would fill up the land as far as Fleming Drive.  We hear that people on Fleming Drive have not received notifications.
The Parish Council is currently collecting views so as to respond to the Planning Authority, so please let us know.  The closing date is Feb 7.

Beckermet Reading Room ‘Surgery’.

The Beckermet Reading Room hosted a ‘surgery’ for Trudy Harrison, our MP, on January 5.

There were separate tables for her, County Councillors, Borough Councillors and Parish Councillors.   A number of residents were able to speak privately and directly to our MP, and got some quality time.  Other councillors were able to update each other on current things of importance.  The main general topic of the day was progress in producing a plan for the village, to see where it is aiming to be.

Mill Lane Playing Field - Dog Ban:

We have received a number of pleas from Beckermet residents asking us to reconsider our decision to ban dogs from the above. We therefore discussed the issue again at the November meeting, noting that the main concern for these residents is the lack of safe places/pavements to walk dogs in the village; particularly when children accompany the dogs.  As previously noted, we know that a small minority of dog owners are responsible for the dog muck left behind in the field, but it remains a serious concern because of the potential harm to children playing there. However, in light of the pleas received we have decided to postpone the ban while we monitor the situation.  Several members of the PC have volunteered to check the field as often as practicable to see whether muck is still being left behind.  If the field remains clear of muck, we will not have to impose the ban. We will not be clearing up any muck; we will simply be monitoring the situation. Please be prepared for the fact that we will have no choice but to ban dogs, even though the majority of owners do clear up, if muck continues to be left on the field. We will revisit the issue during a meeting in the early spring.

As a final point, please be aware that Copeland Borough Council are in the process of reviewing Public Space Protection Orders which includes dog bans etc. Mill Field Play Area is likely to be included in this, so we will inform you all if and when a decision is made.

In the meantime, we would be grateful if you could bring this notice to the attention of anybody you feel might not otherwise see it.
Kind regards
Beckermet with Thornhill Parish Council
November 2018

Thornhill Football Club changing rooms extension

Thornhill village run two senior football teams - Thornhill Football Club (TFC) who have represented the village for many years, and a relatively  new team - Thornhill Social Football Club (TSFC).

With the formation of the additional team (TSFC) it soon became apparent that the limited storage space within the changing rooms building (owned by the Parish Council) was going to be a problem, in that all the necessary equipment associated with match fixtures was not going to fit in the available space. This resulted in managers / players resorting to storing equipment  in their own garages / homes, and then having to cart the said items to the field on match days.

Initially TSFC floated ideas of a an ISO Freight container or wooden shed for storage purposes within the  confines of the playing field. However it was thought such structures would perhaps not be in keeping with the area.

In early 2017 a meeting was arranged between the football teams and some Thornhill based  Parish Councillors.  A former resident of Thornhill, Martin Hogg of MH architectural design, was also invited. The purpose of the meeting was to try and decide what, in conjunction with the Parish Council, the football teams would like in terms of storage space.  It was suggested that perhaps a purpose built modest extension to the existing changing rooms would be ideal.

Martin, a qualified architect agreed to  produce some initial  drawings for comment. These were subsequently agreed with some minor amendments, and the proposal was put to the Council.  The Council agreed in principle to the idea, and asked the football teams to develop the plans along with a Councillor.

Anyway to cut a long story short, Planning Permission and Building control approval were obtained, then some local reputable builders were asked to quote for the works.  Quotes were obtained and a grant application was lodged with Copeland Community Fund (CCF).

The grant application was successful and we have just heard news from our building contractor that they are planning to start the extension this week.

Grants and Donations from the Parish Council

On a fairly regular basis, the Council awards grants or donations where we think that an event or project helps the well-being of our villages.

We are pleased to record that we have just given £1400 to the Beckermet nursery; towards the cost of essential work in its kitchen.

We have also given £375 towards the cost of a ‘fun day’ in Thornhill.

We have pledged to spend a substantial amount of money on a project to extend the changeroom at the Thornhill football clubs, and £1000 on items to commemorate the centenary of the First World War armistice.

The Great Cumbrian Litter Pick  6^th July

The Parish Council has been informed of this event.  If you would like to take part, then please follow the links below:

Email from Copeland.

Poster from Friends of the Lake District.

Fire Hazards – Chinese Lanterns

Following recent fires within and close to our Parish, we would like to remind you of some of the hazards surrounding the popular Chinese Lantern. Please follow this link for further information

Reay's Bus service 20 and 21

The Parish Council has been advised of changes to Reay's services in the Whitehaven area from the 28th May.

From that week the whole of the Saturday service will be withdrawn.

The Monday to Friday timetable on these routes is unchanged.

A Saturday service will continue to be provided to Frizington via Cleator Moor, and to Thornhill via Egremont and Bigrigg on the Stagecoach service 31/31H and 30/X30, which also continue to operate on Monday to Friday, and the 30 also on Sunday.

Black Beck & River Ehen

The Parish Council has been advised that the banks of the River Ehen and Black Beck need to be protected to avoid erosion, particularly by cattle.

Consequently the Authorities will be accessing them to fence off the rivers.

Consultations regarding the work are currently under way and being carried out by the West Cumbria Rivers Trust and G L Hearn (agents for the Moorside Development). There may be some disturbance in the village.

We have been told that the relevant landowners have been consulted and the rights of way looked at.

Parish Council Precept

The Parish Council has not asked for any increase in the precept for the year commencing 1st April 2018, and it is basically the same as last year. To most households in Thornhill this represents about 31p per week paid towards the Parish Council activities. Because of Council Tax banding, most households in Beckermet will pay a little more and this will probably equate to about 34p per week.

A reminder to parishioners of some of the things the Parish Council do:

Represent the Parish Views (as best they can) on various issues and consultations; Ensure the grass is cut at various locations throughout the Parish during the growing season; Maintain and where possible improve play equipment in the three playgrounds at Beckermet and Thornhill; Maintain a large playing area at Thornhill; Consider grant applications from organisations within the Parish.

Some improvements made last year include the Construction of a car parking area at the Playing Field off Wodow Road, Thornhill. This was a direct result of concerns and complaints made to the Parish Council about irresponsible parking on football match days, near the aged persons bungalows at the entrance to the Playing field. Picnic tables have also been provided at the School Green Play area, Beckermet, along with a new bench seat. Some work is still required to install plinths for the tables and bench, but this work should be completed shortly. Picnic tables have also been provided in the play area at The Crescent, Thornhill.

There are vacancies for Parish Councillors – please come along to one of our meetings if you are interested in becoming a Parish Councillor. Its your opportunity to put something back into the Parish.