Newsletters

Spring 2021

Hello everyone

It seems an age since the Autumn edition went out and here we are with glimpses of Spring weather, flowers,  birdsong, longer days and hope as we enter a new phase of restrictions being gradually reduced to brighten us up from the past months. The Covid pandemic has meant your Parish Council has had to rethink on how to conduct its business, as normal meetings in the Church are suspended. A trial run in January using the social media ‘Zoom’ to connect councillors so that debate was possible, showed up one or two snags, but these were mainly sorted during the March meeting which went reasonably well. But this is leaping ahead of a sequence of events. A few weeks before Christmas a resident enquired of a Councillor whether the village could have a Christmas tree on display. The idea was given considerable thought, particularly as there had never been one before, according to the memory of one of the eldest residents, in the 55 years of living here. A tree and modern LED lights were purchased through a community fund and erected. A few days before the festive time, the lights were switched on. The council was a little taken aback at the very positive responses it received, not only from residents, but from those passing through the village. The lit up tree seemed to bring hope and much pleasure at a time when we were so restricted on how this special time could celebrated. Two residents kindly supplied amplified carols for Christmas Eve which despite a bitter cold wind blowing attracted over 30 people all very socially distanced. It has been heartening how pockets of neighbours have and still are looking after one another in the true community style. This spirit of welfare sparked yet another suggestion, resulting in small token gift bags of ‘goodies’ being distributed to those single residents who would be spending Christmas alone. Once again appreciation was shown that they had not been forgotten.

Communications

The original Parish Council website was withdrawn by the supplier LCC. The Clerk has and is working hard and long to supply a new one. It is still in its infancy as yet and items are gradually being introduced to give viewers updated information. To view the site use your search engine for www.wickenby parish council and a list of headings will appear for selection. Also, because the parish magazine is no longer published, a resident suggested using the social media ‘Facebook’ as a means of passing information around the parish. It was decided the system would be restricted to applicants only. If you wish to become a member use your search engine to apply through Mrs. Julie Grant. So far it has attracted 50 members with interesting items displayed.

New Councillors

Following the Autumn appeal for new councilors, the very depleted council was pleased to welcome Mrs. J. Grant and Mrs. Tracy Keat who applied to become Councillors and were co-opted onto the council swelling its number to five. They have much to contribute to the parish with fresh ideas. There are still two vacancies available to make up the full complement, so if you are interested or merely making enquiries as to what is involved contact the Clerk, Mrs. Richardson on wickparcoun2004@yahoo.co.uk or any of the councilors listed at the end of this edition. Your contribution would be very welcome.

Street Lighting

Finally after 2 years of requests the street light on Station Road near the junction with Snarford Road has been repaired. Also the light outside No1, Snelland Road is now working. Since those repairs were carried out the light at  Station Road junction with Lissington Road has failed. The matter has been reported.

Sewage

The ditch on the west side of Station Road is full of grey water and suspected sewage. The matter has been reported to the Environment Agency and apparently will be investigated in priority order. The situation will be closely monitored and further communication with the agency will be undertaken.

BT cable – Staion Road

For over a year a cable belonging to BT/Open Reach has lain exposed along the east ditch of Station Road. Enquiries of the company have had no success despite site visits from engineers. This council needs to know whether the cable is a main feeder line to the village and what if any inconveniences would be caused to the residents if the cable was damaged by being run over by vehicles As there has been no success in receiving a reply from the main company by electronic means, a letter will be sent to its head office. Further action is in hand if this letter is not replied to within a reasonable time frame.

2.

Tree planting scheme

In accordance with Central Government’s recommendations, the council is considering a tree planting scheme throughout the parish. Enquiries for grants have been negative so far and so this council is considering whether match funding could be a solution. Land owners will be approached to consider any unused areas that could be used for planting and householders will be eligible also. This will be a long term project subject to money available, hoping to increase the tree population for all the environmental reasons.

Water overflow – Lissington Road

Excessive water has been flowing into catch pits on the north side of Lissingon Road and at its worst overflowing and causing the front gardens of properties in this particular area to become sodden. Investigative excavation by a resident revealed an outflow pipe under the road was discharging water into the catch pit. A recent planning application gave the parish council an opportunity to request WLDC, LCC Highways Authority and Environmental Agency to research the issue and correct it. To date WLDC Planning have quoted extracts of Lincolnshire Structure Plan Policies to avoid taking further action and the other agencies have failed to reply. This council will continue to follow up the matter hopefully to a positive conclusion.

New trainee

As there was no response from the appeal for a young person from the parish to fill the role of ‘general maintenance operative’, the catchment area was extended through ‘Facebook’ by linking up with neighbouring sites. This was successful and a 13 year old male youth from Faldingworth will become an employed trainee as soon as a work permit has been approved by LCC. Being so very young he will be limited in the type of tasks he can undertake, but it is hoped he will remain long enough to take full advantage of the training programme so that when he leaves school he will have adequate experience for full employment of his choosing..

New residents

A very very belated welcome to Mr. Daniel James, daughter Ruby and son James who moved from Hemswell into Snelland Road just after the Autumn edition was printed. Also extensive upgrading to No.2 Snelland Road by Acis Group has made it habitable and welcoming for a new resident Mr. Richard (Rik) Kennedy who has moved here from Lincoln. It is hoped they will all remain here long term and become integrated members of this community.

Newsletter

The next edition of the newsletter will be in the Autumn 2021

Current Councillors

Cllr. J. Hairsine (Vice - chair) – 1, The Barns, Westlaby

Cllr. J. Gill-Stafford – The Holding, Snelland Road, Wickenby

Cllr. Mrs. J. Grant – Fieldhouse Farm, Lissington Road, Wickenby

Cllr. Mrs. T. Keat – Glebe Barn Farm, Snarford Road, Wickenby

Cllr. Mrs. S. Wheeldon – The Manor, Lissington Road, Wickenby

Mrs. L. Richardson (Clerk) – e.mail wickparcoun2004@yahoo.co.uk

If you have any community issues you consider the parish council may be able to assist in, please contact your nearest Councillor or the Clerk

Keep Well  Keep safe