09/01013/FUL
The erection of a dwelling and 2 garages, one to serve Lone Pine and one to serve new
dwelling. Lone Pine, Church Road, Sparkford. Mr & Mrs G Tate.
· 09/01029/LBC & 09/00987/FUL Conversion
of redundant barn to form dwelling and associated outbuilding to provide storage and
parking. Barn at Brains Lane, Sparkford. Highways Agency.
· 09/01271/FUL & 09/01260/ADV Alterations
and refurbishment of restaurant and patio area and the display of various
illuminated and non-illuminated signs. McDonalds, Sparkford Hill.
The Parish Council are pleased to announce that Mr. David Braithwaite has been co-opted
onto the Parish Council.
Following the resignation of Mr. Alan Rankin as Parish Paths Liaison Officer this post has
now been taken over by Mr. Ian Campbell, Konkers, Church Road, Sparkford, 01963 440642,
ianatkonkers@yahoo.com. We would like to take this opportunity of thanking Alan Rankin for
all his hard work in this post. Should anyone notice a problem on any of the parish
paths/rights of way would you please contact Ian Campbell. Anyone wishing to become a
volunteer to help keep these paths clear please contact Ian.
A reminder to all parishioners that elections take place on Thursday, 4th
June, for your local County Councillor and also European MEP.
The date of the next Parish Council Meeting is Monday, 11th May, in the Parish
Hall following the Annual Parish Meeting which commences at 7.30pm.
Karen Bourke Clerk to Sparkford Parish Council sparkford.clerk@googlemail.com
SPARKFORD NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCH
HOW DOES MY GARDEN GO? The answer is, quite easily, as with the longer days and
more time spent in the garden, we leave all sorts of things lying around. Other people are
also out and about and it only takes minutes to help themselves. Don’t forget to post
code all mowing machines etc. The Summer BBQ will be held on Saturday, 4th
July, at Weston Bampfylde Village Hall. Please make a note in your diary. We now have 114
member households. Are you a member? If not, why don’t you join. It only costs
£1 and there are many benefits. All you need to do is contact your local contact person.
Bill Westcott
CHRISTIAN AID APPEAL, 9th-16th MAY
Due to the lack of organised door-to-door collections throughout the village and to
assist with the annual appeal, envelopes are being distributed via The Parish News.
Envelopes containing donations can be left either in the church (wooden box on book case)
or handed to the following persons: Sally Strelley, High Road; Betty Henville, Manor
Close; Ellen Marsh, Green Close; Betty Yeates, Church Road; and Rene Carpenter, Church
Road.
BEAT SURGERY DATES AND OTHER POLICE NEWS
The next Beat Surgery date at the Evergreen Club is the 4th June, in the Parish Hall.
There will be no Beat Surgery in May, as Thelma Mead is away on Annual Leave. Everyone is welcome to attend and speak with Thelma about
Police matters. Advice for this month "Kill Your
Speed".
Open Day (Wincanton)
The Avon and Somerset Police will be holding an open day at Wincanton on 3rd
May, starting at 11am and finishing at 5pm. This is to promote the co-location of the
Wincanton police station with the council at Churchfields. Ther will be lots of different
partnerships in attendance, including police horses, dogs, CSI and others, ambulance, fire
brigade, Orchard FM, the Western Gazette, town councils, community speed watch,
Neighbourhood Watch, air ambulance, Connexions, Youth Opportunity Group, dog warden,
Street Scene and much more. There will also be fun activities such as photos,
fingerprinting, badge-making, hook a boat stalls, find the key, and even more! There will
be a raffle with prizes donated from local businesses, and all money raised is going to
the air ambulance. Food and drinks will also be available…as well as the chance for
people to see the new cell!
The Ride Along Scheme
Gives members of the Parish councils an opportunity to get a taste of Police life. An
opportunity to Speak to Officers and Staff about what goes on in your neighbourhood.
Thelma Mead has some leaflets available. If anyone is interested, please contact her.
FARM WATCH
The Avon and Somerset Police are endeavouring to get local farmers to sign up to FARM
WATCH. It is run on the same lines as the Neighbourhood Watch scheme.
The aims of the Farm Watch Scheme
1) To reduce local opportunities for crime and vandalism
2) To reinforce the community spirit so that everyone can contribute towards the
protection of their
property by mutual co-operation and communication.
3) To introduce early warning systems in farming and countryside areas.
4) To improve the intelligence flow between the countryside communities and the
police.
Environmental Day
It’s to take place on the 14th May. The subject is litter in and around
McDonalds, Sparkford. We would encourage the Parish Council to
attend and support the police on this day. More information to follow.
3rd SPARKFORD SCOUT GROUP REPORT
The daffodil bulbs have been lovely this year. It seems a long time since that cold
winter’s day when we planted them but the Cubs and Scouts can look at them each year
and think – I planted them and it helped towards their environmental badge work.
Beavers have been learning about simple maps and map reading around the village and by
setting and Easter Egg Hunt for each other and drawing a map of where to find them. Two
eggs were very difficult to find! Cubs have been up the copse having a scavenger hunt and
toasting marshmallows. Scouts have also been to the woods for a blind trail, low ropes,
and bivi building. The camping season fast approaches. Nine boys are entered into the Fox
Trophy, a Yeovil District Competition Hike similar to a Duke of Edinburgh’s bronze
award in mid-April. Then, they’re having a practice camp in Sparkford followed by
County Jamboree at the end of May. In the meantime, we are planning canoeing sessions and
the District Summer Camp. Our oldest son, James, is District Explorer leader (for boys and
girls, 14.5 – 18). They are busy training the Explorers for the Ten Tours on Dartmoor
in May. To enable Cubs and Scouts to expand any further, we must recruit additional
leaders in these sections. Without anyone coming forward, we will have to result to using
waiting lists to join the group. If you or anyone you know can help, please contact me,
Trevor Tuck, Group Scout Leader at 01963 440860 or 07775 666155. Thank you.
A BIG ‘THANK YOU’ FOR THE DAFFODILS!
THANK YOU to the Cubs and Scouts for planting out the daffodils in the green
verges around the village. What a lovely sight. One which has made this glorious
Spring even more beautiful. I am sure many others in the village have
appreciated this fine effort.
Carol Lock
CASH BINGO IN THE PARISH HALL
Once a month, the Cary Comedians Carnival Club hold a Cash Bingo at the
Sparkford Parish Hall. 7.30pm Start, Doors open at 6.15pm. Children under 16 must be
accompanied by an adult. Mark your calendars for these upcoming bingo nights: 22nd
May and 26th June. We hope to see you there.
A SPARKFORD CHURCH FLOWER GUILD COFFEE MORNING
The Sparkford Church Flower Guild Coffee Morning will be held on Saturday, 16th
May, 10.30am-12.00pm (noon), at Grey Gables, with the usual Bring-and-Buy and Raffle.
Please come. Norman and Betty Yeates
