😀Week ending Saturday 30th October 2022
The weather has been very strange this past week. Wet, wet, a bit blowy and then some more rain. However, planning for the rest of this year’s activities continue and we have already started to plan for next summer. We cannot believe we are talking about Christmas and Summer 2023 in the same sentence!
Our litter pick on Wednesday morning started at 10:30am, with a gathering of volunteers from Wakefield Council, Wakefield District Housing, and the community litter pickers. They spent around 90 minutes on The Avenues, Parker Road, and the by-pass close to the junction of Daw Lane.
An amazing amount was collected, 10 bags in total. Having litter pickers from the Council and WDH, allowed their staff to see the issues being created by a few individuals in the wider area. The weather was really kind to us as we walked, chatted and litter picked. The 90 minutes invested by the team was a great investment in our community, which has made a massive difference.
We would like to say thank you to the residents and those walking in the area for their words of support, they were greatly appreciated.
Whilst we were out ‘n’ about litter picking we went to have a look at the new pedestrian crossing outside Horbury Primary School. We were approached by a local resident who was most grateful for the crossing and the removal of the subway. The resident also stated that the workers had been very courteous and polite.
The final works to be completed have been delayed, as the fabricator making the banisters and final barriers is having difficulties obtaining supplies. Fingers crossed that the whole project should be completed and fully opened within the next few weeks.
On Wednesday lunchtime we had planned to visit Horbury Lagoons with members of our local Royal British Legion. The purpose of the visit to find a location to plant 15 whip trees as part of the White Rose Forest Project. The site visit was cancelled due to the previous days rain and it being very slippery underfoot. The site visit will take place over the next few weeks.
Next year’s Horbury Craft and Street Fayre will be held on the weekend of 17 & 18th June. The planning for the event started this week. Both Deb and Darren are part of this great team, with Darren acting as Chair. If you are aware of anyone who would like a stall for the two-day event, please let us know via Facebook.
Next year we intend to have a few stalls at a much-reduced rate for local – Horbury and/or Ossett based charities or community groups. You can apply to be considered for one of these stalls via Facebook.
The group hope to have a greater range of food stalls and entertainment on offer and to involve more local businesses from Horbury and Ossett. Whatever happens it will be an amazing weekend. If you are planning an event for later this year or Spring/Summer 2023, please let us know and we will try to advertise via our Facebook page.
Most weeks Darren and Deb spend time walking around the ward, identifying issues and calling on residents who have contacted us for help, advice, or assistance. This is an important part of being a local Councillor and we will continue to do this all year round.
It is worth pointing out that Wakefield does not have any ‘Council Houses’ The majority of homes belong to Wakefield District Housing known as WDH. WDH and Wakefield Council are two separate organisations and are not connected.
This means that if a WDH resident is experiencing issues we have limited ability to help. In the first instance they should contact WDH directly by ‘phone on 0345 8 507 507 or via their website – www.wdh.co.uk If we can help, we will try, please contact us via our usual details shown above.
One of the biggest issues we are often asked about relates to trees. This is a very complex subject and often there is little that can be done. If you are having an issue with a tree or trees, the first thing you need to do is find out if the tree is subject to a Tree Preservation Order (TPO). This can be done by visiting the Council’s website and using the tools on the ‘Where I Live’ section.
Then you need to find out who owns the tree, is it the Council, WDH, Network Rail, Canal & Rivers Trust or is it on private land or in a resident’s garden? Next you should contact the tree owner and let them know what your concerns are.
You can find out what you can legally do & cannot do to a tree by visiting - www.rhs.org.uk/plants/types/trees/the-law We strongly suggest you read up on trees before you carry out any work on any trees.
On Thursday morning Darren called in to the coffee morning being held at Christ Church in South Ossett. The session was attended by around 20+ local residents. They shared coffee, chat, and companionship. This is a great place for people to come together – if you would like more information, this can be found on their website – www.christchurchsouthossett.co.uk
As I am sure you have gathered both Deb and Darren enjoy a good cup of coffee and a lump of cake. Most weeks we call into the twice weekly Horbury Methodist Church coffee morning; and to the twice monthly ones held by the Senior Citizen’s Support Group and the monthly one held at St Peter’s. Calling into these sessions give us a great opportunity to speak with residents to listen and act upon their concerns.
Friday morning was an important day as it was the launch of this year’s Poppy Appeal for the Horbury, Sitlington and Ossett Royal British Legion. The event took place at Ossett Market, the Legion had their own stall. At 11am the Mayor of Wakefield, Councillor David Jones and his Mayoress Annette, gave a short speech and officially declared the launch of this year’s appeal.
Great thanks are given to an amazing group of volunteers, led by Malcolm, who manages the entire event, planning who does what and delivering the dozens of collecting tins to the various sites across our area. In 2021 appeal we collected over £40,000. This year we have contact card readers at many of our collection points as well as the very traditional red cash collecting tins.
Watch out for this year’s poppy display outside Ossett Town Hall and the one in Horbury’s Memorial Park. Please make a note that Remembrance Sunday will be on the 13th of November.
Horbury’s event will be in the morning with Ossett following on in the afternoon.
Finally, this week, Darren and Deb, along with Carol from the Friends of Horbury Library were judges at our annual Pumpkin Competition. The competition is sponsored by the friend’s group and Deb and Darren. This year, nearly 40 pumpkins were provided, free to families. Twenty plus were returned and placed in front of the judges. Agreeing the winners was not an easy task. There are some very talented young people out there and their knife and carving skills are truly amazing.
Please keep safe and take care.
Darren & Deb
Working for our Communities, throughout the whole year!
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Please welcome new signing James Cadman The 26 year old midfielder joins us from Scarborough Athletic FC as a dual registered player and is available for selection for our game at North Shields FC on Saturday. Welcome James. https://www.ossettutd.com/news/article/james-cadman-swaps-seadogs-for-sheepicorns/ View the full article