WHAT HAPPENED IN THE FIRST HALF OF 2021 - DESPITE THE PROLONGED LOCKDOWN
Local things that have been happening throughout 2021 from April onwards despite the expanded continuation of Covid 19 restrictions.
COUNTRYSIDE COMMITTEE
Parish Field
Eric has been busy again keeping the area in really good condition. The plants are really coming into their own, ponds doing well (given the type of spring we had. Dry, then cold and dry then wet, just right for the needs of our area. Things are still moving forward, despite the continuation of the restrictions the area is still maintaining a high level of visitors, given the amount of litter being left in the bin provided.
Conservation Area
An additional offer has come forward for a creation of another local conservation area that will provide a further haven for our local wildlife ( there will be access only by invitation but it will designed and constructed to allow any overspill of species to expand into the surrounding area. These type of constructed area offer the best long term sustainable existence, it maintains a centre core from which wildlife can expand, but should conditions go bad outside the area the condensed core can be looked after and when conditions improve the overspill from it can happen again.
The Village Green
I regret to say that the return on our efforts have not been good this year and I feel they will diminish over the next few years (not due to global warming but more the natural progress of trees being the most dominating weed on the planet. (Some would say there are no such thing as weeds, just plants in the wrong place).
Mr David Garrard's front verge (Torrington Lane)
Regretfully the verge has been struggling to provide a crop of Cuckoo flower seeds, these due to the spring conditions, so it was decided to leave the ones that did flower and let their seeds drop where they stand and we would like to thank him for his efforts.
Churchyard
The wildflowers have managed to do well in the Churchyard (thanks to the work of the churchyard management team ) their seeds have been harvested and will be used to support the existing areas that are established and to help establish new ones in our new conservation areas (a new one is about to be established.) I wish to take this opportunity to thank the land owners for allowing an area to be constructed and again just goes to show more people are willing to support the environment than the national press would like you think.
CHURCHYARD GRAVE FLOWERS
An issue has arisen over the placing of silk flowers on the graves (in accordance to the Church guidance) on our local souls is in reference to the ones where visitors are only able to visit once or twice a year. They put a wreath on at Christmas time and silk for the rest of year. Over the past nineteen years (that I have been involved with the Churchyard with a lot of others) flowers have only been taken away when they have become shabby and unsightly, same ruling as with natural flowers that get placed on the graves. If you have a view on this situation, please contact a member of the Church Committee. They can either support the local request for them to remain or follow the guidance of the diocese of Lincoln and beyond. Its up to you not them - so let them know your view.
BARKWITH BIG BASH
A proposal has been put forward to the Parish Council to hold a large Village even.
Cllr Wilson is looking to arrange a promotional even at the Village Hall once it is permitted to re-open in a relatively normal fashion. Councillors were generally in favour of this provided that the even did not take place too early in the process of lifting the Covid restrictions.
All initial details are set out in the last newsletter but please contact Chris Wilson with your views or if you wish to join in and help.
Parish Council
The Parish Council will soon be holding a face to face meeting which will be open for the public to attend. It is currently producing a draft emergency plan, where local resources could be brought into action should they be needed to assist the main emergency services if needed, or deal with small localized events, like local flooding, trees down and many other small incidents.
Speed Camera Update
It has three locations to be sited in the village, Lincoln Road, Louth Road and Willingham Road. It has just done its time on Louth and has now gone to be recharged ready to go on to Willingham Road. The Parish Council is also considering additional speed Calming Measures on the entrances to the Village. Comments from the residents for further action to be taken by the Council will provide positive support for them to get funding that will be required to enable it to get them done.
Icecream evening
The village turn out for an icecream was a reminder of how life used to be when the icecream van arrived in the Village Hall car park. It may have been a small event, but it marked a great step forward in our way of getting back to some level of normality for us all.
Cross Roads Inn
On a personal note I would like to wish the new owners all the best for the future.
History Group
The group is still going strong despite the extended situation of still not being able hold face to face group meetings. They are holding their meeting electronically for now. We have been invited to return to the Crossroads Inn to hold our meetings - thank you to the new Landlord and Landlady.
If you would like to join the group, please contact Chris 01673 858138
WHAT HAPPENED AT THE BEGINNING OF 2021
These are some of things that have been happening throughout the early part of 2021, despite the Covid 19 restrictions. Even though we are still in a lowkey mode and times are steady things are still being done around our Parishes.
Even more people are going out walking and cycling around the Parishes.
Countryside Committee
The Parish Field
Again, Eric has been working through the winter months and early spring pruning and tidying up and it shows (thank you Eric - it has turned out brilliantly) He has managed to cut a new path through the back of the blackthorn thicket.
It is the intention to place a picnic table next to the bench.
Additional posts will be installed at the entrance to allow gates to be installed, making it a bit safer to use for picnics. The intention is to help stop children running out of the site onto the main road.
Wildlife area is now being established in Panton
A local landowner has kindly allowed a section of his land to be used to benefit the local wildlife and the environment in general. Work is being undertaken by members of the Countryside Committee to set out and establish the basic layout of the area. With the owner's consent access has been granted, for the countryside members, to construct a quality space where wildlife can expand and thrive.
The plan is to produce a comprehensive range of habitats for our local wildlife to flourish. This will have a positive contribution to the adjoining areas. It will require volunteers to help plant seeds, trees and putting up nest boxes (please contact Chris if you are able to help 01673 858138)
After being set up it will require a low level of supervision with limited disturbance by humans, this will be done to allow it to grow without prejudice.
The area, given will be a great asset to its location and to our Parish overall (you have to think of the long term to get sustainable results in conservation) it will provide a situation where it will allow species to thrive and then they can overspill into the surrounding area
Litter Pickers
A very big thank you to all the walkers who have been going round picking up rubbish from the roadsides. Four of them have volunteered and have stepped forward and become fully equipped litter pickers. The Council has managed to get the required equipment to help them to work safely. David Ward, Kate Wright, Jane Perkins and Steven Freer. If you would like to join the fab four and help to keep our Parish clean please contact the Parish Clerk.
Floods
We had a spell of heavy rai and it managed to get close to coming over the top in places on Torrington Lane and Panton Road. Work was started to help prevent it happening again.
Conservation
Work has commenced on improving a local conservation area, the work involved the installation of nest and bat boxes. The effort made will ensure that the area will continue to contribute to overall surrounding environment providing continuity for the locations future. A variety of styles of nest boxes are being manufacture to suit other types of birds and they will be place in the area.
Speed Monitors
Thanks must go to Councillor Stamp for helping to install the holding brackets on Lincoln Road, Louth Road and Willingham Road for the new speed monitor.
Village Hall
New doors have now been installed at the rear of the hall.
Election Day 6th May - the Hall has been thoroughly cleaned and will be open for election day. Direction on how it will work will be shown on the day. The Officers will set up a one-way system to allow voters to go in the front door and vote and return out the back door, preventing any chance of congestion in the entrance lobby. Tables and chairs will be used as barriers to help to maintain the required two metres distance.
Community Event
A proposal has been put forward to the Parish Council to hold a large Village event. Cllr Wilson is looking to arrange a promotional even at the Village Hall once it is permitted to re-open in a relatively normal fashion. The Councillors were generally in favour of this provided that the event did not take place too early in the process of lifting the Covid restrictions.
The initial proposals from Cllr Wilson are outlined below:
Probably the earliest date would be mid to end of August (subject to conditions)
The setting would be the Play Area and Village Hall and its car park, holding events that would involve Children's activities (mid age group) and the Play Area. A soft play area could be set up in the Hall for the young ones. the
Outside in the car park it would give us the space for a Hog Roast. Hopefully we could get the pub to be involved by providing a bar. The stage could be set up of live music. It would be free to all Parish Residents ( East and West Barkwith and Panton) and guests of residents could come along for a small contribution. Sponsorship and funding is currently being sought and we have already had a lot of offers of help.
We just need a name for our event?????
HRH Prince Philip Duke of Edinburgh
On his death the flag was flown at half mast until after his funeral.
East Egg Hunt that was held in the Parish Field on Sunday 4th April
Thanks go to Chrissie and Clive Yates for setting it up and to all the very kind people who donated the chocolate eggs. Thanks to Eric for doing the white rabbit trail markers and to Tricia for making the nests for the eggs to go in. Many children came and thoroughly enjoyed themselves. A really big thankyou to Jorja, Sarah and Samuel for their help in replenishing the nests with the donated eggs.
Advance Notice
The Queen's Platinum Jubilee occurs next year and suggestions to mark the occasion have included a Street Party and a Community Barbecue again focussing on something to bring all our residents together. Further ideas would be welcome and will be discussed in more detail at a later date.
Personal note from Chris: if you have any stories or things you have done so far this year that contributed to the wellbeing of the community or you feel it will bring a smile to people's faces please let me know so I can include them in the next edition. I also would like to thank everyone who contributed to the events, activities and for supplying material for this publication.
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Life in East Barkwith is still very quiet during this very trying time of Covid-19 and we hope that everyone is staying safe during lockdown.
The Parish has still been busy and we have seen more people out walking and cycling and finding places they have not seen up close and have been pleasantly rewarded for their endeavours.
The Parish Field
The field has had many more visitors strolling around it with a keen eye out for the rare species that exist on our doorstep, some said they did not know it was so nice. Thanks to all the hard work by Eric Brady and David for managing the area with their steady commitment to the improvement program which includes the maintenance of the ponds, trees and walkways providing safe access. Additional trees have been planted, locally harvested seeds being planted in the are to establish new colonies of ragged robin, cowslips, pink campion, king cup and cuckoo flower. The bluebells are getting nicely established as well.
The Countryside committee is also involved in many other projects around the Parishes that aim to improve our local environment. This includes obtaining support funding to provide materials for increasing habitat for our local wildlife, manufacture of nest boxes for Barn and Tawny owls and bats. Locals stepped forward and offered their time and skill in helping to manufacture these nesting boxes. Recently an injured owl was found on Hatton Road, Panton and was taken to the Lincoln Owl Rescue Group, nursed back to health and brought back to where it was found.
Village Green
Unfortunately one of the oak trees has succumbed to a disease and will have to be taken down, the remaining ones will be trimmed back (lower branches and ones overhanging the lane), opening up the canopy will help to support existing flowers below.
Thanks again to Mr and Mrs D Garred for allowing their front verge to be left to grow wild flowers so the seeds could be harvested for planting around the Parishes. Seed from the pink forget-me-not in the Churchyard have been harvested and will be taken down to the Parish Field for distribution.
Roadside Verges
Local heroes Colin and Eric continue keeping the roadside verges tidy throughout the cutting season. Also a quick thankyou to the small army of volunteers of walkers who pick up litter from the verges that get thrown out of passing vehicles by drivers that have no respect for the area or the wellbeing of the environment.
Dog Warden
After having one or two complaints of people not picking up after their dogs I contacted East Lindsey Council who checked the area and said we should be pleased how well the village was kept. They supplied me with extra posters which I put up down Willingham Road and one at the top of Panton Road (there is only one post to use). They also moved the bin at the bottom of Willingham Road and it is now waiting to be repaired. We continue to check the area and would like to remind all dog walkers to clean up after your dogs and hope that you will all respect our villages. It takes just one irresponsible dog owner to allow their dog to foul a place and then all dog owners get the blame.
War Memorial
It has been a very busy year, VE Day, VJ Day and an Act of Remembrance. Flowers were laid for one of our local veteran servicemen who passed away in March.
There were plans to hold a full-blown Village street party to celebrate VE Day and then Covid came along, but being British we did something to mark the occasion - bunting and flags were distributed around the Parish for individuals to put up in their gardens to hold their own celebrations on their drives/front gardens or on the verge and many did.
The Memorial was dressed up for the occasion to allow anyone wishing to come along and take time to remember and pay their respects to our fallen. There was a display on the history of our fallen. There were many visitors throughout the day from near and far, 40's style music was played all day.
Then along came VJ Day - again an opportunity to show our respect for own Mr Bradley and all the others who gave their lives in what became known as the Forgotten War. IT WILL NOT BE FORGOTTEN HERE. Thanks to everyone who cam along and participated in the event (fifty plus) and thanks to the many who called in to view our tribute and to all those who pipped their car horns in passing, showing respect for the fallen (requested on a sign). Thanks to all the helpers who worked to put the event on. If you would like to know the History of all our local fallen heroes please contact a member of our local History Group or go to East Barkwith website.
Act of Remembrance
This was held on Sunday 8th November at East Barkwith Memorial. Due to the current national Covid restrictions only a limited number of people were in attendance, all had to follow the latest guidelines and the strict rules requiring regulation on social distancing and the wearing of face masks. Thanks to the following who took part: Paul Fuller for conducting the service, Ned Chamberlin and Layla Bollan for laying the wreaths, Mr and Mrs Bollan for reading out the names, the Scouts, Girl Guides, Brownies and Rainbows for painting the stones (poppies) also Robert Copeland for playing the Last Post which was followed by a two minute silence. Panton's own tribute was displayed by Mr and Mrs C Fincham. The Wragby and Barkwith Scouts could not attend the service so they did their own small Act of Remembrance at their hut in Wragby. They laid the poppy painted pebbles at the foot of the shadows as a mark of respect. It must be noted that the passing traffic showed a high level of respect by slowing right down, even to the extent that a car stopped and the occupant got out and joined in the service (from the other side of the road)
Churchyard
This too has had a busy year so far, after the Spring storms that affected the trees the Church Committee, for reasons of safety, conducted an inspection of all the trees. As a result work was undertaken to remove branches that were showing signs of decay. Although the Church had to be closed there is a small selection of secondhand books and puzzles in the porch entrance with all donations going to the Church funds. Progree is being made towards getting the toilet extension built on the site of the old boiler house. With the relaxing of the rules of lockdown Rev'd Chris Hewitt has started to do services at St Mary's as part of his extended group.
Flag Pole
Thanks to Mr Tom Bollan for putting up the flags on the Village Flagpole on the days required throughout the year, for the Queen, the Merchant Navy, the Royals and for our Fallen.
Village Hall
Though the hall had to be closed due to Covid-19 it gave us an opportunity to get new heating installed in the main room. Work also has been undertaken to enable the hall to reopen when conditions permit, the whole of the hall and its equipment had been given a deep clean. New hand sanitizers have been installed along with cleaning equipment in all the toilets, line marking on the floor to help with social distancing. A full risk assessment and method statement has been undertaken, providing a set of guidelines to enable hirers to follow so they can use the hall safely. The Management Committee have been carrying on by having meetings electronically ensuring that the Hall is able to run and be ready when things are back to normal (or what will be normal when the current situation is over)
Dr Richard Starbuck M.B.Ch.B
Not everyone will know about our late Doctor. He lived in and served the people of East Barkwith and the surrounding Parishes from 1973 to 1995. Annually flowers are placed on the memorial stone, outside the Village Hall, to show gratitude for his outstanding contribution he made to the people he served.
Play Area
During the lockdown maintenance work was carried out to keep it safe to use. Additional work was undertaken that was recommended by the RoSAP annual inspection, on top of what gets done on our early year clean up. New seats fitted to the main swings, bird guards fitted to the swing top rails, kick about wall topped off, goal post concreted in, swings painted, benches and seat stained. The Management Committee has been kept in touch electronically and by paper and phone. A full risk assessment and method statement has been undertaken providing a set of guidelines to enable it to be reopened. The weekly inspections are still being carried out by members of the committee, checking to ensure that the area is safe to be used.
But should you see anything that requires attention please contact on the committee members or let them know at the Post Office and they will let Chris Wilson know.
It is proposed to relocate the boundary fence closer to the Hall to better utilise the land for the benefit of the children ie play area.
Request from the children of the Parish on what they would like to have in the play area as follows:
Replace the slide
Thanks to all Play Area Management Committee Members for the continued commitment in ensuring that the area remains safe.
A few members of our community are looking to start up a table tennis club that will be run in the Village Hall. A request has been sent to the Parish Council for support funding, for equipment, tables, nets etc. The Council are looking into the use of the old youth club funds which have been kept for the sole purpose of being used to help youngsters keep active.
History Group
The group is still going strong despite the situation of not being able to hold face to face group meetings, they are holding their meetings electronically for now. Keeping up to date with new finds coming in and with people outside that are making contact through the website requesting information. Thanks to all members for their continued effort in their projects - Mrs Campion for her work on the history of dairy farms in the Parishes, Mr Copeland for continuing to work on the Church records and to Mrs Perkins for her continued work on the school.
If you would like to join the group, please contact Chris 01673 858138. We are not yet holding face to face meetings but can supply you with up to date projects.
Hallowe'en Walk
Thanks must go to Chrissy Yates, Simone Hofer and Flo Kileo who organised the walk for the children of the village and to everyone who carved and lit up the pumpkins showing the way through the Churchyard and along Torrington Lane, many young children (with their guardians) ventured out on the walk.
Talking of an adventure
Thanks must go to Mr Tom Bollan and his daughter Layla for setting up a Geo-cache trail around the village with five locations set up for you to find (Barkwith Treasure Hunt) A fun way to explore the Parish with the family and find out some of our local history at the same time - why not try our new Geo-Caching trail! Geo-caching is effectively a real-life treasure hunt where 'caches' (treasure) is hidden in a location identified by a clue, on the Geo-caching website You can register for free on www.geocaching.com and find the treasure for yourself. Many visitors have come to the area taking part in this adventure giving the exercise gained from walking even more purpose.
A note from John and Pat Atkin - they regret not being able to hold a coffee morning in aid of MacMillan Nurses this year but they did get support from the post office which enabled them to place a fund-raising box in the shop for the month of October and managed to raise £120.00. They would like to thank everyone for their kind support.
A note from Chris - after everyone went out into the street to clap for the NHS what to you think about a one off Christmas Day special as most of us will be at home for the day - maybe about 3.30pm - let me know what you think - ring Chris 01673 858138 or email: cnwilsondesign@gmail.com
Also if you have any stories or things you did throughout 2020 that contributed to the wellbeing of the community or you feel will bring a smile to peoples faces please let me know so I can include them
in the next edition.
We might be in lockdown but we are still here together.
I wish to thank everyone who contributed to the events, activities and for supplying material for this publication.
For more information on the village please go to our website www.eastbarkwith.com
or email : ewbpc@outlook.com
Take care of yourselves and stay safe.
Copyright © 2019 Parish of East and West Barkwith with Panton - All Rights Reserved.