f) Able to accommodate fetes and social events.
g) Capable of hosting childrens sports days.
At the present time the parish does not possess an area for the elderly to walk and young children to play. All village outdoor social events and fetes are held in private gardens and not readily available to all residents of the community.
After careful consideration of several options it was agreed the only open space that satisfied all the criteria was land situated to the east of Caernarvon Lane in the centre of the village.
The committees investigations into the feasibility of this land being developed as a village green revealed the possibility of solving a frequent flooding problem in Caernarvon Lane. It is understood that if a pond is included in the Village Green a balanced drainage system could be incorporated to maintain the level of the pond. We are also exploring the suggestion that by planting trees and bushes on the land they will absorb some of the surplus water. Additional advice will be employed to investigate the balanced drainage system.
SHORT TERM OBJECTIVES
Commence dialogue with Shrewsbury and Atcham Borough Council to explain our objectives and take steps to acquire the land for the village.
Make contact with landscape architects to discuss a plan to accommodate all the features listed above and obtain quotations.
Commence development of the Village Green with professional landscape architects and advice from
Shrewsbury and Atcham Borough Council
MEDIUM TO LONG TERM OBJECTIVES
Complete the layout of the Village Green incorporating any guidelines suggested by Shrewsbury and Atcham Borough Council.
Set up a programme for maintenance.
THE CHURCH
The exact date of the church in the village is not known, however as the village appears in the Domesday Book (1086) it is quite likely that some place of worship existed then. There is a Parish Register going back to 1592 but the earliest mention of a church is 1160. The present church building was designed by the famous architect, George Edmund Street in 1874 and paid for by public subscription.
Withington Parochial Church Council (P.C.C.) has the responsibility of co-operating with Revd Graham Horner (Team Rector), the Revd Gillian Goodwin (Team Vicar) and the Revd Christopher Penn (Curate), in promoting in the eccle-siastical parish the whole mission of the church: pastoral, evangelistic, social and ecumenical. It also has mainte-nance responsibilities for the church of St John the Baptist Withington, the churchyard and the Parish Room. Our parish is one of twelve that make up the Wrockwardine Deanery Team Ministry.
The average weekly attendance is small but relative to the size of the parish in percentage terms the average attendance is greater than in many larger villages, towns and cities.
Due to the generosity of many people in the village and the tireless fundraising of the social committee the church is managing to pay its way in these currently financially difficult times. There are likely to be harder times ahead and it is of the utmost importance that more parishioners can be encouraged to support the existing church activities to avoid reduced services or closure.
SHORT TERM OBJECTIVES
Encourage more parishioners to support the church activities, particularly younger residents.
Continue to hold weekly services.
MEDIUM AND LONG TERM OBJECTIVES
These will be determined by the success of the short term objectives.
HARE AND HOUNDS PUBLIC HOUSE
The results of our questionnaire endorsed the need for the public house to continue to be the focal point of the village. As a result of the comments received from the residents the public house management intend to implement some of the improvements suggested but, at the same time retain the important elements of a village pub. Although the Hare and Hounds is an important meeting place for the community providing social facilities, the extent of future development will be determined by increased trade and the restoration of the Shrewsbury / Newport canal.
SHORT TERM OBJECTIVES
Upgrade the exterior of the building, including painting and improved lighting.
Upgrade the interior of the building including painting and upholstering
MEDIUM TO LONG TERM OBJECTIVES
Improve car park
Develop garden
Provide catering
RESTORATION OF THE SHREWSBURY TO NEWPORT CANAL
In 2001 the Parish Council were advised by the Shrewsbury and Newport Canal Trust of their inten-
tion to restore the canal between Shrewsbury and Newport. During that year they invited a repre-
sentative of the trust to explain their plans to a village meeting. It was decided to include the issue in the Parish Plan questionnaire as it could have a considerable impact on the whole parish. The results revealed 73% of households supported the development however concerns were raised with regard to the following:
Safety
Privacy and Security
Risk of Flooding
Impact of Visitors
Landowner Access
Impact on Wildlife.
A sub-committee was formed to investigate these concerns and the benefits the project could create. They decided to carry out another survey in the parish specifically targeting the canal restoration issue. They received sixty responses with 76% in favour of the restoration. It is understood from the Canal Trust that if the restoration is agreed it is unlikely work will begin within the next five years.
SHORT TERM OBJECTIVES
The sub-committee will maintain dialogue with the Canal Trust to monitor developments
The sub-committee to advise parish residents and the Parish Council of the outcome of a feasibility study currently being carried out and due for completion at the end of 2003.
MEDIUM TO LONG TERM OBJECTIVES
If the restoration goes ahead the sub-committee will work with the Parish Council to ensure the concerns and interests of the community are addressed.
FOOTPATHS
Walkers and dog owners of the community recognise a need for clearly marked and well-
maintained Rights of Way in and around the parish of Withington. A sub-committee was formed to
investigate the current state of footpaths and formulate a policy together with the Parish Council
and landowners to retain the existing rights of way.
Contact has already been made with the Shropshire County Council Community and Environment Services who have formed the Parish Paths Partnership. This encourages local groups to carry out maintenance work on footpaths in the parish on behalf of Shropshire County Council; the work and workers are covered by the S.C.C. public liability insurance. A survey of the current footpaths in the parish reveals some obstacles where footpaths crossed neighbouring parish boundaries. Where this has occurred some dialogue has begun with the landowner and the Parish Councils concerned.
SHORT TERM OBJECTIVES
To assist and encourage the local authorities to clear and sign all footpaths.
To work with local landowners to improve access, and maintain footpaths in accordance with their legal obligations.
To co-operate with neighbouring parishes and establish through routes.
To discuss and consider suggestions for re-routing or closure of footpaths that no longer serve any useful function.
MEDIUM TO LONG TERM OBJECTIVES
To investigate the possibility of creating new paths. We would like a path from the village to the River Tern south of the village centre.
To assist in the publication of walking maps in association with other parishes in order to encourage greater use of paths and local facilities.
ADDITIONAL AMENITIES
The community expressed support for more social events and services in the village. As an
Amenities Committee already exists all the results and comments have been passed to them.
The Withington Amenities Committee was formed in 1981 to administer money raised as the result of the series of Summer Day events held jointly with Upton Magna.
The sole purpose of the committee is to improve social and other amenities for the village. As a result of the Parish Plan questionnaire the committee are already following up proposals to provide additional entertainment and services.
Money raised from events is used to provide equipment and facilities for the community. The Amenities Committee recently provided financial support to launch the Withington Youth Club.
SHORT TERM OBJECTIVES
Explore new forms of entertainment for the village, including a travelling cinema and visiting drama groups.
Investigate mobile services available to the village including a weekly medical clinic.
MEDIUM TO LONG TERM OBJECTIVES
Organise more outdoor fund raising events on a Village Green.
CONCLUSION OF PARISH NEEDS
In this plan the parish community have formulated their needs and concerns identified through the
questionnaire. The plan clearly states the expectation of the people of Withington for the next ten
years and is viewed as an opportunity to work in Partnership with the Shrewsbury and Atcham
Borough Council and Shropshire County Council.
A summary of our conclusions is as follows:
1. The Parish opposes any new housing or commercial property developments; the questionnaire and consultation meetings with residents underlined grave concerns about the effect of additional
development on declining services, road safety and the environment. The residents? decision has been recorded by the Parish Council and will be conveyed to the necessary authorities during the presentation of the plan to the Shrewsbury and Atcham Borough Council.
2. Road surfaces and edges have deteriorated dramatically recently due mainly to the increase of heavy traffic through the parish. As a rural parish we accept the need of the farming community to transport farm machinery and equipment on the roads. However in recent years the volume and weight of vehicles through the village has increased to dangerous proportions. This increase coincided with the development of commercial premises in the neighbouring parish of Upton Magna. The potential danger to residents has been heightened by the introduction of a new sign posted cycle route, No. 81, which brings a large number of cyclists a week face to face with heavy farm equipment and lorries in Withington.
The Parish Council will work with the Shropshire County Council Highways Department to introduce
some ongoing traffic control and procedures to maintain the road verges.
3. The construction of a Village Green, on the site identified in the centre of the village, is regarded as a major priority. A sub-committee was formed to investigate the health and safety issues surrounding a Village Green, the suitability of the site for young children, accessibility for the disadvantaged, the sustainability and long term maintenance of the Green. The site selected is the only one that satisfies all requirements.
The sub-committee and Parish Council propose working with a professional company to landscape the site to incorporate the necessary facilities for young and old, together with features to attract wildlife.
4. The Church is an essential feature in the village for a large percentage of residents. Local support and a commitment by the church authorities are vital to the survival of this spiritual need.
5. The restoration of the Shrewsbury to Newport Canal through Withington is welcomed by the majority of residents. A sub-committee will monitor its potential impact and report back to the Parish Council.
6. The Parish Room is an integral part of the community and the improvements are necessary.
7. The identification, restoration and maintenance of footpaths in the parish and in neighbouring parishes is recognised as a need. The sub-committee and the Parish Council will pursue the issues with the Shropshire County Council.
8. The Hare and Hounds Public House is an important focal point of the Village and the management decision to upgrade the facilities is welcomed by a large section of the community.
9. The Amenities Committee are planning to organise more social events at the request of the community, especially outdoor events, should the Village Green be created.
How the Parish Plan Evolved
THE DECISION TO PUBLISH A PARISH PLAN
At the beginning of 2002 Withington Parish Council received correspondence from the Countryside
Agency promoting their Vital Villages scheme which outlined the advantages and benefits of a
Parish Plan.