Mallerstang Parish Meeting

Minutes for 1998

MINUTES OF THE ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING HELD ON THURSDAY 26th MARCH 1998 

AT THE BLACK BULL HOTEL KIRKBY STEPHEN 

l. ATTENDANCE
Eight members of the Dale were present under the Chairmanship of Mr Ian Smart.  Apologies for absences were received from Trevor Ladhams, Mr and Mrs Sawyer. Mrs Howard and Mrs Smart.

2. MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD ON 4th DECEMBER 1997
These were approved by the Meeting.

3. MATTERS ARISING
(a) Parish Notice Board
This was discussed and the best price that could be obtained to manufacture a new Notice Board was £160 and expenditure of such sum on the Notice Board was approved by the meeting.
(b) Travers Institute
A short discussion took place as to how the monies to be raised from the leasing on Licence of the Institute at £200 per year could be used. Mr Phil Ready Suggested that the money be utilised to buy books for Kirkby Grammar School Library. Mr Howard indicated that he thought the Dale must clarify how the money could be used first and the Parish Clerk was instructed to check with the Charity Commission.
(c) Flooding On The Highway and in the vicinity of the Church
Mr Howard suggested that the Parish Clerk contact the Highway Authority to raise this issue with them and the meeting asked the Parish Clerk to contact the authority accordingly.

4. ACCOUNTS
Mr Paul Watson, the Parish Clerk, presented the accounts to the meeting and these were unanimously approved.

5. ELECTION OF OFFICERS
Mr Alderson proposed Mr Smart as Chairman and this was seconded by Mrs Atkinson and meeting duly agreed. Vice Chairman Mr Alex McWhirter was proposed by Mrs Atkinson and seconded by Mrs Hamilton and was duly re-elected The Clerk, Mr Paul Watson, was proposed by Mrs Atkinson and seconded by Mr Hill, and was duly re-elected.

6. ANY OTHER BUSINESS

(a) The Millennium - How to mark it
The Chairman handed around the meeting a leaflet regarding `Grants for Woods. Voluntary Action Cumbria was keen to assist and promote the planting of trees.
Mrs Cousins suggested that perhaps would it not be better rather than to plant the trees all in one place as a wood, to scatter them throughout the Dale. Mr Hutton said that the trouble is that if you go down the route of individual planting of trees people might plant their own tree but the argument against that such trees might not be identifiable.
Mr Hutton said that if we plant in a central place that would be accessible to people throughout the Dale and suggested Pendragon Castle. Mrs Cousins said that she thought that would spoil the Castle and Mr Alderson said that he thought a lot depended on how many trees the Dale bought. Mr Hutton suggested that there should be a record of who was resident in the Dale as at January 1st in the year 2000, and that each person should be allocated a tree and a record of where the tree was planted.
Mrs Hamilton suggested that Boggle Green would be a good place and said that Giles Thompson would have no objection but the commoners would need to be consulted. Mrs Alderson said that common land should not be planted, trees should be planted on private land. Mr Hutton then said that clusters of trees could be spread about and Mr Alderson said that he would accept 10 trees and folk could come and look at them.
Mr McWhirter said that the most important thing was to have the right type of tree. Mr Hutton said that the most important thing he thought was that the tree was recorded. Mr Smart said that he would produce a map of the dale. Mr Alderson indicated that we could get plenty of trees for £200. 
The meeting then decided that that £200 should be earmarked towards the purchase of trees. Mr Howard said that he favoured a large area of trees but small clumps would be acceptable if they were planted where wild life was present such as squirrels.
Mr Hutton said that if grants were obtained towards the purchase of trees they would have to be accessible. Mr Hutton said that they would have to hurry up and decide what to do. Mr Smart said he would investigate further what grants were available and where then could be planted. Mr Alderson pointed out that many of the trees in the Dale would only live a further twenty to fifty years. Mr Hutton then reiterated the most important aspect of all was the record of the trees.
It was generally agreed that a Time Capsule would be a good idea. Mrs Cousins suggested that it be buried at Pendragon Castle and Mr Hutton suggested the Church. Mrs Hamilton suggested that could the Dale publish a book.

(b) Archie Naysmith
The meeting discussed with sadness the death of Archie and all present at the meeting wished their condolences be recorded in the minutes.
(c) The Minutes in General
Mr Alderson indicated that he would like the minutes which had been produced separately and not written in the minute's book for the past several years to be rewritten in the minute's book and Mrs Atkinson offered to transcribe them.
(d) The Millennium
The meeting returned to the subject again and Mr Howard said, and the meeting concurred that families within the Dale could be asked to put together their life history, which could then be put in a book and printed as a record for the Millennium. Mr Howard emphasised that only the barest of details would be required such as where they were born etc. The Chairman Mr Smart agreed to formulate ideas for the Millennium for the November Newsletter.
The meeting then returned to the question of a burial of a Time Capsule and Mrs Hamilton suggested the Village Green. The Meeting further decided that the Capsule be opened up in one hundred years time. The appropriateness of putting the Capsule in the Church with a plaque was discussed and Mr Howard indicated that he would ask Mrs Howard the Churchwarden to raise it at the next Parochial Parish Meeting. Mr Howard then suggested that perhaps it would be a good idea to ask the Records Office in Kendal for ideas of what would be a suitable vehicle. Mr Smart agreed to do so. Mr Smart also agreed to contact Voluntary Action Cumbria.
Mrs Hamilton suggested that it would be a good idea to celebrate the Millennium by a 'Walking of the Bounds'. The last Walking of the Bounds she said was in 1904 and there is a photograph. Mr Smart said should there be a discussion about having a party? Mr Alderson thought it was a good idea and the meeting agreed.
Mrs Hamilton said we would have to have fund raising, barbecues etc to raise money. Mrs Hamilton said that nearer the time the meeting should form a committee to organise the celebrations for the Millennium.

The meeting then closed at 9 o-clock.

 

MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF MALLERSTANG PARISH MEETING 

AT THE BLACK BULL HOTEL KIRKBY STEPHEN, HELD ON 3rd DECEMBER 1998

1. ATTENDANCE


Eleven members of the Dale were present under the Chairmanship of Mr Ian Smart. Apologises for absences were received from Greta Nay Smith, Alex McWhirter, Steve e Alderson, Linda Alderson and Beverley Smart.


2. MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD ON 26th MARCH 1998
These were approved approved by the meeting.


3. MATTERS ARISING
(a) Telephone Box
The Chairman told the meeting that the telephone box in Outhgill was being replaced and refurbished and would be moved to its new position on the 25 th January 1999.
(b) Notice Board
Mr Smart reported that the Notice Board would be put into position once the telephone box had been put in place.
(c) Library Service
Mr Roger Howard said he was concerned about the Library Service as the vehicle had broken down on occasions. Mr Howard said that he had previously been promised if services were missed on one day they would come back the following Friday. Mr Paul Watson, Parish Clerk, was asked to look into what the procedure is if the van breaks down.
(d) Millennium
A letter had been received from East Cumbria, Countryside Project prior to the meeting on the 3 rd December 1998 which discussed the possibility of landscaping the village green area at Outhgill and also the possibility of trees being planted within the Dale. Mr Howarth thought some resident might adversely be affected if trees were planted in Outhgill and suggested that bushes could be planted instead.
The general view of the meeting was that the village green area in Outhgill needed tidying up and that East Cumbria, Countryside Project should be approached for them to advise as to a possible scheme.

The possibility of burying a time capsule was discussed and it was said by the Chairman that Voluntary Action Cumbria suggested a piece of drainpipe could be used. Marjorie Spargo said that there is a patch of land south west of Shoregill between Sycamore and Shoregill and that could possibly be utilised for matters in connection with the Millennium but it was noted there was no right of way to it.
Mrs Anne Hamilton said that was it possible to plant trees at Boggle Green. It was discussed that this is a fell area and the commoners would need to provide permission. The Clerk was asked to contact the commoners committee for permission for East Cumbria Countryside Project to plant trees on that area because East Cumbria
Countryside Project were able to provide £1300 towards that project, but it was noted that the area would need fencing. The trees be visible from the road. The area is owned by Giles Thompson, so his permission would be required as well.
The meeting thought that it was a very good idea to plant trees on Boggle Green if possible, as it would improve the area greatly. Ian Smart, the Chairman, said he would produce a map and would liaise with the East Cumbria, Countryside Project.
The meeting then referred back to the Time Capsule. Mr Howarth proposed a cairn on the village green with a notice board, he said it would be an interesting project and the Time Capsule could go in there. Ian Wade thought that the village green might be a bit full. Gordon Hutton suggested that the cairn and the Time Capsule could go into the Wood and the meeting agreed.
Wyn Hamilton suggested that the history of the valley for the last hundred years be looked into and also the names of the people who lived in the valley be recorded together with photographs of the houses. Wyn Hamilton said she would endeavour to produce a book. She would do a résumé of what she would like everyone to include ready for the next meeting


4. PRECEPT
The meeting agreed to set the Precept at £150.


5. ANY OTHER BUSINESS
  (a) Use of Monies from the Travers Institute
Different possibilities for spending the Licence monies of £200 with respect to the Travers Institute which was let on Licence to Mrs Smart were discussed including the possibility of using it to buy school books for children, using the money for children in the valley to go on school trips, the possibility of it being used to produce the Millennium book on the valley but no firm recommendation was made by the meeting.
  (b) Travers Institute
It was reported to the Meeting that Mr and Mrs Smart were selling Fanny House and the Meeting agreed that a licence should be extended in any event for another year from the date of the expiry of the existing Licence, which is the 1st January 1999, and that in the event that the Smarts left Fanny house part way through the new Licence agreement that another licence for the period up to the 31st January 2000 could be entered into with the new proprietors if they wished. The Clerk explained to the meeting that the Licence did not give exclusive possession to the Licensee.
Mrs Atkinson raised the question as to who owned the fence in the vicinity of the Old School and who placed it there given that it was Common Land. The Clerk was asked to look into the matter and in particular what was the Commoners view of the fence and what was its purpose and was permission of the Commoners Committee sought first before it was put up.
Gordon Hutton said that when the Village Green has been redone, can the County Council provide a new sign for Outhgill. The Clerk was asked to write to the County Council.
  (c) Planning Applications
Gordon Hutton said there had been at least six applications in the last year but on the 30`" March 1995 it was minuted in the Meeting that the Meeting decided to continue its policy not to look at planning applications unless they were exceptional in nature, for example an application for a Wind Farm to be established or an Underground Nuclear Shelter. Mr Hutton pointed out that amongst the 6 applications, 2 related to the building of new houses. Mr Hutton said that he had heard from an "authoritative source" that there was a potential commercial development is being considered in the valley. Mr Hutton thought that the meeting needed a "Watchdog" to look at applications. Mrs Hamilton said that the farming community was under great stress and may need to diversify. It was decided that the Parish Clerk would be asked to put new planning applications on the Parish Notice Board when the notice board was available. After much discussion the Meeting decided that the clerk would be obliged to call an Extra Ordinary General Meeting in the event that at least 12 residents of the Dale wrote to him to request a meeting to discuss planning matters of an exceptional nature which affected the whole valley and not just the individuals.
  (d) Mr Alex McWhirter was concerned about gypsies moving from Fell End to Watergate Bottom now that restrictions had been made on gypsies camping at Fell End during the period of the Appleby Horse Fair. The Clerk was asked to write to the Council accordingly.

The meeting closed at 9.35 pm and it was announced that the next meeting would be scheduled for the end of March 1999

Back to Past Minutes Index Page

Parish Meeting General Index Page