St Mabyn Village News

News from the village of St.Mabyn in North Cornwall...

Friday, July 27, 2012

St Mabena and the Beast

from Derek Sturch
Stands tall Mabena`s proud church tower
Presiding o`er the village hours.
Congregation`s songs of praise,
Peals of bells its rafters raise.
Within its walls the history kept,
Births and Christenings, Marriage, Deaths.

Cross brooding, mystical, untamed Moor.
From Camel`s mouth and far from shore,
Trusted landmark, welcome beacon
Guiding those safe haven seeking.
Though now it seems in future time
You`ll bow to a cash cow wind turbine.
So bid your Parish congregation
Say NO to this Beast`s application.

Monday, July 23, 2012

WIND TURBINE INDUSTRIALISATION IN ST MABYN AND SURROUNDING VILLAGES

From Richard Jenkin
Currently there are several planning applications to install wind turbines across St Tudy , St Mabyn and Chapel Amble. These are the same size as the one recently erected in Bodmin—being taller than the spire of Truro Cathedral and 3 times higher than St Mabyn church tower.

This wind turbine threat to your village - will soon change your favourite view, ruin the landscape and disrupt your life. There is a rush of enquiries to Cornwall Council for single turbines, almost 400 across the county. There are currently 60 Planning Applications awaiting a decision, and 47 single turbines already approved. This rush is fuelled by the generous payments available through our electricity bills, and the developer's fear that these payments will soon be cut. You can be assured there is a turbine planned for a hill top near you.

Why have you not been told of these developments? Where is the debate about the impact on the landscape, and the tourism on which Cornwall depends? This threat to our greatest sustainable asset is poised to become a massive cumulative disaster. Who is assessing the impact on communities and wildlife?
The current proposal for St Mabyn is to site one of these turbines on land 500 m behind St Mabyn Holiday Park and 550m from Tor View. It is even closer to some of the houses in the hamlet of Tregaddock.
Turbine distance (approx.) to Mabena Lea 770 metres, Church 980 metres,The Crescent 816 metres.
Everyone in the village is nearer to it than the current safe distance applied in Scotland and Wales and recommended in a Bill which has already had one reading in the House of Lords, it suggests this size turbine should not be located within 1.5km(1500m) of any residential property. It will become the view for people from Bodmin Moor and for miles around as opposed to the tower of St Mabyn Church, which people like to admire. There is some evidence to show there can be long-term negative effects on health. Those who are pro the turbine will come up with counter arguments to this but do you want to take the risk for you and your family?
Make no mistake these industrial turbines are not designed for an individual to supply their own private houses or businesses but are simply a commercial ‘cash cow’ for the developers. They are not windmills which conjure up lovely pictures of canals in East Anglia or the Netherlands but are equivalent to jet engines, thus changing the land from being agricultural to commercial, for which anyone else would have to apply for change of use.
The developers use incentives to try and encourage people to support their cause such as offering cash to the community, in this case £10,000 (or perhaps more has been suggested), to set up a community fund, but ask yourself is money more important than peoples quality of life, livelihood and our beautiful Cornish countryside?
The key to stopping this proposal going forward is to make your views known. The Parish Council are very important in the decision making process. The developers, Clean Earth Energy (CEE), took the opportunity to speak to them and put their case forward at the last council meeting, however, very few people were aware of this. The next meeting of the Parish Council takes place on August 7th and the public have a right to attend. If you are unable to do so, write letters to members of the Parish Council and indeed to the Planning Committee, every letter counts.
Do not sit on the fence and then realise it is too late. This application is being submitted to Cornwall Council Planning on 21st July- Let us have your details – telephone, E mail, address so that we can keep you informed of any developments.

Richard Jenkin representing concerns of many people in Tregaddock and adjacent areas. 07773623680
Richard, Penny, David and Emma Lloyd – St Mabyn Holiday Park, 01208 841677 or Email:info@stmabyn.co.uk

Sunday, July 22, 2012

Gerald Richards

Donations in lieu of flowers for Gerald's funeral raised the grand sum of £1000. This will be shared between the Port Isaac Practice and the Cornwall Air Ambulance. Val would like to thank all those who donated.

Parish Council Meeting

There is a parish council meeting on 7th August 2012 at 7.00pm in the village Hall the first hour of this meeting is specifically to discuss the planning proposal of the wind turbine at Tregaddock.

Friday, July 20, 2012

Wind turbine at Tregaddock near St Mabyn and broader issues

From Mike Heywood
It is a shame that we have not had an open meeting to discuss the implications of this project together as a community, respectfully listening to the pros and cons. My views are heavily influenced by what I think is going to happen globally, both in the short term (the next 2 years) and longer term (affecting our grandchildren and future generations). This embraces climate change, global economics, the banking system, population growth, resource depletion, species extinction and peak oil  which are all completely interlinked and impact on our daily lives in increasing ways. Over the last couple of years, I have given lectures on this subject at several Universities all over the UK and Ireland, including the London School of Economics.
My personal view of the near future is that there are going to be massive changes, some of which we are already experiencing. Whatever is happening now, it will not be the same in 5 years time.  My triptych “Amazing Grace” hanging in St Mabyn Church is an allegory of the situation.
Regarding our current lifestyles, if we, collectively (Mankind) make the right decisions now, our grand children just might have a chance of survival. But will Mankind, driven by each individual’s personal greed, come together before it is too late? The decisions have to be made now, and there is absolutely no sign of any consensus between the 7 billion humans on the Planet (which has doubled in my lifetime), so we can’t expect the politicians to solve the problems. It seems collectively we can’t see the wood for the trees.
Here’s some questions about broader political and economic issues in the short and long term, which are relevant to the turbine debate.
1)     Will there be a complete collapse of the global debt based banking system, which nearly happened in October 2008?
2)     Will this lead to erosion of trust in political systems in most Countries and the rise of extreme political parties and mass civil unrest?
3)     Will there be deflation and a Global Economic Depression? How will this affect local businesses, power supplies and food production?
4)     In the UK, will there be falling tax revenues and massive cuts in Government spending, including all pension benefits, NHS/ social funding and schemes such as the electricity tariff? Will a future government be forced to renege on current promises to all sections of the community, particularly those with the least political clout.
5)     Will local communities have to become less reliant on State support and more locally focused, as it was in the past.
6)     Can we expect power outages from the National grid, so making any local production of energy critical, if it can be tapped locally.

You will note that there are no Government, local authority or Parish plans in place to cover this scenario, so is anyone asking these questions?

“In individuals, insanity is rare; but in groups, parties, nations, and epochs it is the rule.”……… Friedrich Nietzsche

Well done Sam Every

Sam has won a scholarship to The Purcell School of Music, one of the top specialist music schools in the country.
Read the article on This is Cornwall

St Mabyn Parish Council June 2012

Minutes of the Meeting of St Mabyn Parish Council held on Wednesday, 13 th June 2012 in the Memorial Hall, St Mabyn at 7.30pm.
(The regular day / date of this meeting had changed owing to the Queens Diamond Jubilee Bank Holiday on Tuesday, 5th June 2012)

Present: Cllrs. A Finnmaore (Chairman), N Embley (Vice Chairman), Mrs A Bunney, Mrs C Bray, Mrs H Barrett, R Chadwick, M Menhenitt, D Masters., M Grigg.
Also attending: Mrs J Hoskin (Parish Clerk) Two members of the public (Mr James Mutton / Mr Andy Cameron – Clean Earth Energy)

1.Public Session: The Chairman welcomed Mr Mutton and Mr Cameron to the meeting and invited them to address the Council, if they so wished. Mr Mutton outlined proposals for further renewable energy projects being considered by himself and another land owner in the parish. Surveys were being conducted but a planning application had not yet been submitted. The Chairman thanked Mr Mutton for attending.

(Mr Mutton and Mr Cameron left the meeting at 7.45pm)
Police: No report received.
Cornwall Council: No report received.

2. Apologies for non attendance were received from Cllr J Rowe (Cornwall Council).

3. Members Declaration of Interest: Cllr Mrs A Bunney declared an interest on Agenda item 14.2 and any matters relating to the Queens Diamond Jubilee Celebrations.

4. Minutes: The Minutes of the Meeting held on the 1st May 2012, as circulated, were confirmed and signed following amendments to items 6, 12 and 17.2.

5. Matters Arising:
Item 3 Cllr Mrs H Barrett’s Chairman’s Report: Some councilors expressed their concerns on parts of the report that reflected upon co-opted councilors and that these comments should not be accepted.
Item 6 – Minutes: Cllr Mrs H Barrett repeated her request to receive a second copy of the minutes by email, for ease of filing. Councillors resolved to adhere to the previous decision not to send the minutes electronically.
Item 12 – Playing Field: Cllr Mrs C Bray reported that she had endeavored to contact the owner of the cottage who was depositing tree cuttings into the playing field but she had received no response to the message’s left. It was agreed that a letter be sent.

6. Planning Applications / Planning Matters:
PA12/00727 Mr Paul Camp – Belectric Solar Ltd, Middle Treworder, Egloshayle –
The development of a 5MW solar farm (additional information).
The Council approved the report from the planning committee that the revised design would consist of rows of static panels orientated east to west across the site. The height would also be increased on average by 50cm, resulting in the panels being above the roadside hedgerows from the lanes that run along the north-eastern and south site boundaries, also from the A39 at Three Holes Cross.
It is therefore recommended that this application be refused on the grounds of visual impact.

Protocal for Local Councils – Cllr Mrs H Barrett gave the Parish Council information from Cornwall Council on the protocol for local councils relating to planning matters.
6.1 Devon & Cornwall Housing S106 shared ownership / lettings policy for Mabena Lea: Proposed changes to the S106 were discussed at the previous meeting. The Clerk agreed to establish if any S.106 funding was available from this development.

6.2 Section 106 development money held by Cornwall Council: Item deferred.

7. Accounts / Financial Matters: Financial report issues as Part 2 of these minutes.

To approve the Audited Accounts 2011/2012 (year ended 31 st March 2012): The Clerk notified the Council that she would circulate a copy of the audited accounts and associated documents to councilors for their approval.

8. Grass Cutting Contract It was noted that the new contractor was completing the work to an excellent standard but would be reminded to strim around the base of the boundary hedges of the playing field.
Also the verge of the boundary hedge to the right of the junction out onto Station Road from WatergateLane required cutting further back to the fence.

9. CC Local Maintenance Project – Footpaths: Cllr M Menhenitt was appointed to review the footpaths and identify any work required.
Cllr Mrs H Barrett provided the Council with an email from TCV Conservation Volunteers, a conservation charity that worked with local communities to conserve green spaces, and promote the recently Natural England fund called “Paths for Parishes”.
The Clerk had received an email from Cornwall Council regarding the condition of Footpath No. 7, the overgrowth and a fallen tree. The information had been passed on to the Cornwall Council Countryside Department and the Clerk agreed to liaise with the Chairman on this matter.
Cllr Mrs H Barrett reminded the Council that they must not lose sight of any applications submitted by private individuals to modify public rights of way.

10. Playing Field: Discussed under item 5 of this meeting.
Cllr A Finnamore reported on recent inspections and Cllr N Embley agreed to complete the inspections for the forthcoming weeks.
The Clerk read a letter from local residents living in Watergate Lane requesting that the junior football goal posts be placed in a different direction to resolve the issue of balls being kicked over into their garden or hitting their windows or car. The Council agreed to remove these goal posts from the field and store them in the shed where they could be taken out and used if and when required. The full sized fixed goal posts would remain.

11. St Mabyn Community Plan: Resolved to defer this item until October 2012 when further
information may be available and interested parties identified. An amended draft of the letter
written by Cllr Mrs H Barrett, along with the revised list of people interested will be brought to the next meeting.

12. To review the Parish Council Policies – Standing Orders etc: Agreed that Councillors meet at the Hall at 7.00pm on Tuesday, 3rd July 2012 prior to the Parish Council meeting at 7.30pm to review the Standing Orders, Financial Regulations and Risk Management policies.

13. Correspondence: The Clerk presented correspondence file.
The Chairman had received a letter from an ex councilor in response to the Clerks letter dated 6th June 2012 that related to a request for information on matters already discussed by the Parish Council. The Council had previously resolved to close this matter and owing to the nature of these repeated requests, and taking into consideration the individuals’ relationship with the Parish Council, agreed that a reply be sent stating that all future correspondence be sent and received via the person’s solicitor. The letter would also state the advice received from the Parish Council legal advisor that “any further repeated correspondence of this nature will not be actioned and no reply will be sent”.
The Council also agreed to seek information on the procedures for a court injunction should this nature of correspondence continue.
Cllr Mrs H Barrett declared an interest and took no part in the discussions on this matter.

Code of Conduct: A copy of the new Interim Code of Conduct effective from the 1st July 2012 was circulated to Councillors and it was agreed that it be adopted at the next meeting.

Clerks Annual Appraisal: The document file used by the staffing committee to complete the Clerk appraisal was passed amongst Councillors for them to view and be made aware of the procedure.

16. To Agree / Discuss:
1) Cornwall Council Community Network Meeting: No reports, the next meeting was scheduled for the 28th June 2012.

2) Queens Diamond Jubilee Celebrations – 4th June 2012: Events throughout the day to celebrate the Queens Diamond Jubilee were well attended and 69 children had so far received or ordered commemorative money boxes. A further order may be required.
The Council having purchased the money boxes on behalf of the committee agreed to discuss the financial costs of the days events when all receipts and payments had been made.
Although the Parish Council had initially decided not to financially support the jubilee events, it was noted that within the Councils budget for this financial year money had been saved on another project so funds could possibly be allocated to support the community celebrations.
Cllr Mrs A Bunney declared an interest.

3) Parish Council Vacancy: The Clerk had received notification from Cornwall Council that no election had been called and the Parish Council was now able to fill the vacancy by co-option. Co-option notices had been produced advertising the position.

4) Removal of the old Bus Shelter at Longstone: Having re-considered this matter, previously discussed in the last financial year, the Council resolved to leave the old bus shelter at Longstone and monitor the condition of the structure.

15. Parish Matters / Any other Business:
a) Highway Matters: The Chairman reported that the white lines and “sharks teeth” road marking in the village and at Longstone had now been repainted.

16. Agenda for next Meeting: To consider a Councillors request to place items on the agenda previously discussed by the Parish Council. This item was not discussed. Cllr Mrs H Barrett had to leave the meeting before this matter was considered. Cllr Mrs H Barrett had submitted an email requesting that items previously discussed be placed on the agenda.

17. Date of next Meeting: Tuesday, 3rd July 2012.

18. To close the Meeting: There being no further business the meeting closed at 9.25pm.
A closed session was not required.

Putting the wind up 'em

Two Cornish Farmers are struggling to convince the local community over plans to put up a 250ft wind turbine.
Read the article in Cornwall Community News

Wednesday, July 18, 2012

A Celebration of Music

Chris Treglown aged 23 died tragically in a road accident in February.   At the time of the accident he was returning from rehearsals in Gloucester.  In tribute to his memory many of the cast of the show in which he was due to perform are coming to St Minver church to give a concert on 18th August - which will, of course, be of an exceptionally high standard and very well supported.

Tuesday, July 03, 2012

Jubilee photos

Richard and Carol Bray dancing Barbecue on the village green

Beacon

St Mabyn jubilee beacon with David Masters, Richard Brown, Richard Bray, Angela Bunney and Carol Bray. The beacon was visible from Padstow!

Monday, July 02, 2012

Garden Party on the Green

A fundraising event for both St Mabyn Pre-School and St Mabyn CE VA Primary School on Friday 20th July. Please join us for an afternoon of fun on the village green from 1.00—3.00pm. Refreshments will be available—including pasties and scones, hot drinks and fresh lemonade. A range of fund raising stalls and activities will be around the green—a bouncy castle for the energetic, face painting and hair braiding for a quiet sit down! Organised games and activities for all ages. All funds raised will support the purchase of outdoor equipment. So please come along, help to raise some funds, all welcome.

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