Ossett News Posted December 19, 2021 Report Share Posted December 19, 2021 Week ending Sunday 19th December 2021 One week to go to the very big day. From watching all the adverts on television, I guess it must be Christmas soon. The week started with the senior’s lunch club at Christ Church and their volunteers Christmas lunch. The lunch was attended by around 20 people who ate well and thoroughly enjoyed their Christmas meal. We were joined for lunch by the Deputy Mayor and Mayoress who thanked the group for the work that they do and wished everyone a very Happy and Safe Christmas. The food was prepared by our volunteers and local company Crocodile Sisters of Ossett. On Monday afternoon I attended a very important meeting with Council Officers, the Police and fellow Councillors to discuss the ongoing issues on Benton Hill. Speeding traffic is not an easy issue to deal with, as the Police and Councils have little power to affect moving traffic. Having said that we had a very productive meeting and agreed the following measures as a first step. A review of current signage on Benton Hill and to look at what additional signs could be installed. This may include additional speed indicators similar to the ones outside Horbury Academy and at the top of Quarry Hill. Repainting of all white lines and the ‘SLOW’ white and red markings on the road surface. A review of the side streets that join Benton Hill with a view to improving their access and sightlines. And finally, with the Police, set up a series of action days where Police will monitor traffic speed and issue tickets as required. As always, I will keep you updated on this important and serious issue. On a separate issue, the Deputy Mayor of West Yorkshire, Alison Lowe, is lobbying Government to ease the regulations around the installation of speed/safety cameras. If you have any mobile ‘phone video of speeding traffic on Benton Hill, please send the video to the Police. The Police have a dedicated web portal where the videos can be uploaded. You can use this service at -https://www.westyorkshire.police.uk/SaferRoadsSubmissions On Monday evening our local Royal British Legion held their monthly meeting. At this meeting they thanked everyone who had been involved in this year’s Poppy Appeal. This year’s appeal raised over £47,000, from Horbury, Ossett and surrounding areas. An amazing amount of money. The one person who makes all this possible is our branch Chair, Malcolm Patterson. Thank you, Malcolm. Tuesday evening was Horbury Civic Society’s first ever Design Awards. The evening was well attended and Chair, Graham Roberts did a great job as host for the evening. The 3 award winners were – • Architecture 1B for the Restoration & Refurbishment Award • West Wakefield Wombles & Chantelle Ineson for the Community Achievement Awards On Wednesday and Thursday of this week the Senior Citizens’ Support Group (SCSG) held their Christmas lunch for 200+ of their members and volunteers. As a trustee of this amazing group, I attended the Wednesday lunch which was held at the Capri restaurant in Horbury Bridge. Fellow trustee and colleague Deb Nicholls attended the Thursday session. I can confirm that both meals were amazing and very well received. A massive thank you to Moira, Alan and Gillian who created this successful annual event. I managed to get my Christmas hair cut on Thursday morning, I then noticed how cold the weather was, as my ears were very cold! Thursday morning, I paid what is becoming a regular visit to Horbury Bridge Academy and had a great meeting with Santa Claus. Santa met with around 130 children and gave each & every one of them a small chocolate gift. A great time was had by all. Friday evening was a great community event organised by the Pride in Horbury Bridge groups. Their annual Carols around the Christmas tree was attended by around 100 people. It featured the amazing Horbury Victoria Band, mulled wine and mice pies. A wonderful event, that brings together the whole community. Santa was in attendance, and he gave out selection boxes which had been donated by my trade union UNITE. On Saturday morning I held my final Advice Surgery for 2021. The next session will be on the 3rd Saturday in Horbury Library, then back to its normal pattern, of 1st Saturday in the Baptist Church in South Ossett and 3rd Saturday in Horbury Library. Each session starts at 10:15 and runs until 11:30am No appointment required, just tur up and I will try and help. On Saturday evening I attended another event that featured Horbury Victoria Band. This was the annual Methodist Church’s Christmas concert. Usually, this event is attended by around 200 paying guest, this year due to COVID it was limited to 100, who wore masks. This week it was confirmed that two of our local community groups had been successful in obtaining grants from Wakefield Council. The Friends of Horbury Cemetery received a grant of £4,950, to buy some benches, flower planters and professional tools to help with their restoration work. The Methodist Church were awarded a grant of £3,600, to allow them to install ventilation in their much-used Community Rooms. If you are a community group based in Horbury & South Ossett, you may be eligible for a grant from Wakefield Council. Contact me for further details and I will try and help you. Over the past 2 years groups all over the ward, including Friends of Illingworth Park, the Brownies in South Ossett, Christ Church, South Ossett, Friends of Horbury’s Parks, Horbury Craft and Street Fayre, plus many other groups have benefited from grants. As you know I also have a Cabinet role within the Council, as Cabinet member for Regeneration, Economic Growth, Adult Education and Property. As I am sure you can imagine this keeps me busy. In brief, these are some of the meetings I have attended this week as a Cabinet member. • Weekly property review • Westgate Heritage Action Zone meeting • Cabinet meeting with senior Council Officers • Catch up with the Council’s Comm’s team • Meeting with the Leader of the Council This is my last weekly blog for this year. The next one will be in early January. Please visit my Facebook page as their will be a review of 2021. Please keep safe and take care in these difficult times and if you need help, give me a shout! Happy Christmas and have a great New Year. Darren View the full article Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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