It is no longer hot news that Cranfield’s church clock is chiming again. But time isn't standing still in the village anymore.
On December 7 there was a flurry of radio, TV and newspaper reports about the decision of Bedford magistrates to quash the noise abatement order imposed in July by Mid Beds District Council (MBDC).
On the whole, the media got the story pretty accurate although there was the usual confusion about bells and clocks.
But the press of course descend on a juicy story hang around for a day or two and then they are off. Today’s hot news on-line is yesterday’s archive material waiting to be googled.
For the parish council however it has been a long six months and a lot of time spent seeking a resolution at first and then preparing its appeal against the abatement order. This was a highly unusual case compared to most noise problems. It did not involve a business running a jackhammer in a residential area or a 16 year-old with a hyperactive drumkit. Whether a church clock chiming is the same kind of noise as an industrial process was a key issue in the hearing.
For many, the clock is a public sound rather than a localised ‘noise’ and it did not divide the Cranfield public into those who were bothered and those who were not bothered. There was a very vocal section of the population (90 per cent in the area affected by the parish council survey) who positively wanted the clock to chime during the night and day.
The Parish Council, therefore, felt it had to represent the strong majority views of the village who saw this as a quality of life issue affecting the whole community. Its argument was with MBDC throughout, not with its own parishioners who chose to make a complaint.
It was fortunate to have services of Palmers solicitors and barrister Philip Kolvin. The case was meticulously prepared by solicitor Simon Parrot and deftly presented by Mr Kolvin.
The setting, Bedford Magistrates’ Court, is an old, traditional building. But there was plenty of informality – no gowns or wigs or judges looking down on the world.
Apart from witnesses, there was a strong turnout from Cranfield. They heard opening statements from both Mr Kolvin and MBDC’s legal representative and then a series of witnesses for both parties. A key part of the case was the evidence given by MBDC’s technical officer. This has been extensively reported in the local media. The public complainants also gave evidence regarding the church clock and the court heard from an expert witness on acoustics.
There was an occasional question from the three magistrates and they listened intently throughout the proceedings. Towards lunch there was some discussion about how much was left to do. Legal representatives assured the bench that their closing speeches would be brief. They were.
The magistrates told us to be back for 2 pm and said they would give a decision between 2.30 and 3.00. Witnesses, lawyers, members of the public exited into St Paul’s square where the men with big cameras and furry microphones were still hanging around.
We were back for two, standing around, locked out of the courtroom. Eventually everyone was admitted and then there was some more hanging around. The usual debates took place about whether the magistrates were a long time deciding and what this meant.
Eventually the usher got us to our feet and the magistrates returned to their bench. The chairman then proceeded to deliver their judgement.
Judges, after all that sitting quietly, must enjoy the undivided attention they receive when giving judgement. You hang on every word. The early part was simply a historical reconstruction of events. Then the chairman moved into their assessment of the evidence.
There was a series of criticisms of aspects of MBDC’s case. This was looking good but you had to be on the lookout for the words ‘however’, ‘nevertheless’ or ‘notwithstanding this’. These could herald a veering in the other direction. But these expressions were not used and the chairman proceeded smoothly to his announcement that they were quashing the abatement order.
There were no unseemly scenes in court and a slight anti-climax as Mr Kolvin applied for the Parish Council’s costs to be paid by MBDC. After a short whispered discussion between the magistrates, this was agreed.
We spilled out past the furry mike folk and bigcams. I made a statement on behalf of the Parish Council and answered a few questions. Michael Barnicott-White, who gathered a great deal of the evidence for the Parish council case was interviewed on Three Counties Radio. When we arrived back at the church, Beds on Sunday was waiting. It did a picture outside the church which, like a lot of media images, showed the non-clock side of the tower. We will forgive them that.
Rev. Hugh Symes Thompson then led those present in a short prayer themed around time and its meaning in our lives. Mr Barnicott–White ascended into the bell tower and did his stuff with the relevant levers. The clock chimed at 4.45 pm. It was back in business.
At time of writing we do not know if MBDC will appeal. However the Parish Council is confident it has done the right thing and it will continue to preserve the village’s historic traditions and identity.
Laurence Pollock
Monday 17 December 2007
Sunday 18 November 2007
Person spec for a parish councillor
What makes a good parish councillor? Everyone will have a different opinion and there is no objective rating system. Forty years in the job might be impressive but it could just be four decades opposing all change and whinging endlessly. Some members of the public believe we are all dead wood. That often changes when there is some issue that radically affects their local quality of life. They look round and the most recognisable bit of local government on their radar is the parish council. A delegation soon appears and asks first 'why have you done this?' and if we haven't done it, 'What are you going to do it about it'.
The chair will usually politely explain that we have few powers but we can make a fuss at the local council - district or county in our area or with some utility or service provider. Working with local people we will do our best to stop this, start that or make appropriate chnages. We can't guarantee results and it might be a long, tedious and bureaucratic struggle. As far as Cranfield Parish Council is concerned, however, we will take it as far we need to, to get a result. With others we can make a difference. Campaigning groups, the Brogborough community, Cranfield Parish Council, local councillors and active individuals managed to stop the extension of the Brogborough landfill.
So what should be on your mind if you are thinking of applying to join? First of all there are very few quick wins. The monthly rhythm of committees, then full parish council ensures that a decision and its implementation can take a while - sometimes a long while. That is, in fact, part of all democratic processes and is no bad thing. So you need patience and be prepared for the long haul.
Secondly, while the Parish Council is not the House of Commons there is disagreement and debate. You have to be prepared to be on the losing side on some issues and accept that someone will say they think your idea is a bad one. Toys must stay in pram. So a certain open-mindedness - and a sense of humour - is essential.
Lastly, you must either know or learn or be shown how the pariish council works. Some people have spent their lives with minutes, matters arising, agendas, recommendations and standing orders. For others this is a new, exotic and needlessly complicated world. It may discourage newcomers from hanging around. Cranfield Parish Council is moving towards better induction of new parish councillors and there is training provided by the Bedfordshire Rural Communities Charity. But more needs to be done.
The parish council, of course, needs all sorts. The aim is to be as representative as possible and then, hopefully, to be effective. But the hard grind of improving their local quality of life is maybe not for everyone. If you are interested in membership you should first contact the clerk at cranfieldpc@btconnect.com.
If you want to check us out the next meeting, 'Full Council' is at at 8 pm this Wed, 21 November in the village hall. The next 'committees' will meet at 8 pm on Wednesday 5 December at the same time. Members of the public can speak, with the discretion of chair, for three minutes. If there are issues you would like to raise you can either email the clerk or myself, Laurence Pollock on broadgreen68@btinternet.com.
The chair will usually politely explain that we have few powers but we can make a fuss at the local council - district or county in our area or with some utility or service provider. Working with local people we will do our best to stop this, start that or make appropriate chnages. We can't guarantee results and it might be a long, tedious and bureaucratic struggle. As far as Cranfield Parish Council is concerned, however, we will take it as far we need to, to get a result. With others we can make a difference. Campaigning groups, the Brogborough community, Cranfield Parish Council, local councillors and active individuals managed to stop the extension of the Brogborough landfill.
So what should be on your mind if you are thinking of applying to join? First of all there are very few quick wins. The monthly rhythm of committees, then full parish council ensures that a decision and its implementation can take a while - sometimes a long while. That is, in fact, part of all democratic processes and is no bad thing. So you need patience and be prepared for the long haul.
Secondly, while the Parish Council is not the House of Commons there is disagreement and debate. You have to be prepared to be on the losing side on some issues and accept that someone will say they think your idea is a bad one. Toys must stay in pram. So a certain open-mindedness - and a sense of humour - is essential.
Lastly, you must either know or learn or be shown how the pariish council works. Some people have spent their lives with minutes, matters arising, agendas, recommendations and standing orders. For others this is a new, exotic and needlessly complicated world. It may discourage newcomers from hanging around. Cranfield Parish Council is moving towards better induction of new parish councillors and there is training provided by the Bedfordshire Rural Communities Charity. But more needs to be done.
The parish council, of course, needs all sorts. The aim is to be as representative as possible and then, hopefully, to be effective. But the hard grind of improving their local quality of life is maybe not for everyone. If you are interested in membership you should first contact the clerk at cranfieldpc@btconnect.com.
If you want to check us out the next meeting, 'Full Council' is at at 8 pm this Wed, 21 November in the village hall. The next 'committees' will meet at 8 pm on Wednesday 5 December at the same time. Members of the public can speak, with the discretion of chair, for three minutes. If there are issues you would like to raise you can either email the clerk or myself, Laurence Pollock on broadgreen68@btinternet.com.
Friday 19 October 2007
It's catching
It’s catching
It’s strange calling them "bus shelters" because they don’t shelter buses. They are really “people covers” or urban windbreaks - to avoid confusion with the seaside versions.
Waiting for a bus on a cold November morning can be a miserable experience (and yes, I have done it). A robust, well maintained bus shelter can stop Cranfield High Street feeling like the Russian steppes. Unfortunately, we don’t have too many of them. There’s one that was demolished in Mill Road, taking the bus stop with it and a second at the Swan which serves only one of two bus stops. The third is semi-redundant, barely used since Stagecoach started leaving the village via Crane Way instead of Bedford Road.
That is roughly one and half bus shelters for 18 bus stops (not counting the ‘ghost’ bus stop near the former Leathern Bottel). The bus stops at the top of Lodge Road are so exposed it’s a wonder squadrons of Cossacks aren’t spotted riding by. With snow on their boots of course.
It must cause rejoicing, therefore, or amusement, that the Parish Council is talking about bus shelters. It has, in fact, done a survey looking at the state of the shelters and stops, their siting and how easy it is to use each bus stop. It’s been prompted by numerous complaints about the stop opposite Lodge Road. There is no shelter and the stop simply stands in the grass verge, not a great place to be on wet day. There is also a concentration of older people in the alms houses and Villa Park and so there is a demand.
But there is demand elsewhere including Mill Road. We had to make a fuss last year to get a bus stop reinstated in Mill Road after it disappeared along with the old shelter. Stagecoach drivers regularly failed to stop.
The Parish Council wants to invest in some new shelters and has prioritised what it believes are the most important. First up will be two shelters at Lodge Road. The next priority is sets of shelters at either end of Mill Road. This a is a long term programme but vital to ensure that when you stand at a bus stop you only catch a bus, not a flaming cold.
Key facts: It is the County Council that is responsible for bus stops, the parish council that erects and maintains the bus shelters and Stagecoach/MK Metro that run the buses. Could anything be simpler?
It’s strange calling them "bus shelters" because they don’t shelter buses. They are really “people covers” or urban windbreaks - to avoid confusion with the seaside versions.
Waiting for a bus on a cold November morning can be a miserable experience (and yes, I have done it). A robust, well maintained bus shelter can stop Cranfield High Street feeling like the Russian steppes. Unfortunately, we don’t have too many of them. There’s one that was demolished in Mill Road, taking the bus stop with it and a second at the Swan which serves only one of two bus stops. The third is semi-redundant, barely used since Stagecoach started leaving the village via Crane Way instead of Bedford Road.
That is roughly one and half bus shelters for 18 bus stops (not counting the ‘ghost’ bus stop near the former Leathern Bottel). The bus stops at the top of Lodge Road are so exposed it’s a wonder squadrons of Cossacks aren’t spotted riding by. With snow on their boots of course.
It must cause rejoicing, therefore, or amusement, that the Parish Council is talking about bus shelters. It has, in fact, done a survey looking at the state of the shelters and stops, their siting and how easy it is to use each bus stop. It’s been prompted by numerous complaints about the stop opposite Lodge Road. There is no shelter and the stop simply stands in the grass verge, not a great place to be on wet day. There is also a concentration of older people in the alms houses and Villa Park and so there is a demand.
But there is demand elsewhere including Mill Road. We had to make a fuss last year to get a bus stop reinstated in Mill Road after it disappeared along with the old shelter. Stagecoach drivers regularly failed to stop.
The Parish Council wants to invest in some new shelters and has prioritised what it believes are the most important. First up will be two shelters at Lodge Road. The next priority is sets of shelters at either end of Mill Road. This a is a long term programme but vital to ensure that when you stand at a bus stop you only catch a bus, not a flaming cold.
Key facts: It is the County Council that is responsible for bus stops, the parish council that erects and maintains the bus shelters and Stagecoach/MK Metro that run the buses. Could anything be simpler?
Monday 1 October 2007
Making a noise in Cranfield
How often have you tried to keep a committee going? It usually ends up with one or two people doing all the work, burning out and then the whole thing collapsing.
I have lived in Cranfield for 20 years - I've been involved with a variety of voluntary and local public bodies and I recognise the problems. I personally find community involvement rewarding, sometimes frustrating and nearly always exhausting. But for me, if you live in a community you should take part in its activities and whatever decision-making is available to it.
The nearest thing we have to local decision-making is Cranfield Parish Council (CPC). This Blog is principally about the Parish Council which I have been a member of, for more than four years. Parish councils are the butt of jokes from time immemorial and the Vicar of Dibley didn't help (though I'm a huge fan). Nevertheless there is no other 'council' that will be more aware of local problems and be prepared to take some action.
I'm aware that parish councils vary and some are probably quite sleepy. On CPC however there is always something to keep you awake. Issues such as traffic, housing, anti-social behaviour and the state of our recreation grounds are among the hot favs. Over the summer however, a local issue came right out of the blue - or out of the church bell tower more likely.
It arose because our church clock, which for eccentric historical reasons is maintained and managed by CPC, was out of action for several years. When it was repaired and rehung Mid Beds District Council received complaints from two residents who had moved in to earshot during the maintainance period. They argued that the chiming clock kept them awake in the middle of the night. The district council facilitated readings and then issued CPC with a 'noise abatement order'. I.e stop that clock.
As chairman of the Burial Grounds Committee (which manages the clock) I recommended that we abide by this and members agreed. Nevertheless we are appealing the decision and this is due to be heard in December. There were silly season news reports on Look East and Anglia Reports and even some interest from national newspapers. Nevertheless this bizarre development engaged conversation in Cranfield and provoked some very strong opinions. You only had to read Cranfield Express, the village's high quality local newsletter, to see that. The whole issue has touched some nerves about what makes us a community and what is taken as given. I have enormous sympathy with anyone who experiences disruptive noise but I never expected to be faced with an issue like this one and I felt the needs of the whole community should come first.
For the moment the issue has gone quiet - like the clock - and we are dealing with the nitty gritty of parish council life. That includes giving our views on planning applications for rear extensions and renovating the memorial garden in the cemetery. But you never know when the weather will change and you find yourself hoisting the storm cones.
Parish council life can be pretty lively!
I have lived in Cranfield for 20 years - I've been involved with a variety of voluntary and local public bodies and I recognise the problems. I personally find community involvement rewarding, sometimes frustrating and nearly always exhausting. But for me, if you live in a community you should take part in its activities and whatever decision-making is available to it.
The nearest thing we have to local decision-making is Cranfield Parish Council (CPC). This Blog is principally about the Parish Council which I have been a member of, for more than four years. Parish councils are the butt of jokes from time immemorial and the Vicar of Dibley didn't help (though I'm a huge fan). Nevertheless there is no other 'council' that will be more aware of local problems and be prepared to take some action.
I'm aware that parish councils vary and some are probably quite sleepy. On CPC however there is always something to keep you awake. Issues such as traffic, housing, anti-social behaviour and the state of our recreation grounds are among the hot favs. Over the summer however, a local issue came right out of the blue - or out of the church bell tower more likely.
It arose because our church clock, which for eccentric historical reasons is maintained and managed by CPC, was out of action for several years. When it was repaired and rehung Mid Beds District Council received complaints from two residents who had moved in to earshot during the maintainance period. They argued that the chiming clock kept them awake in the middle of the night. The district council facilitated readings and then issued CPC with a 'noise abatement order'. I.e stop that clock.
As chairman of the Burial Grounds Committee (which manages the clock) I recommended that we abide by this and members agreed. Nevertheless we are appealing the decision and this is due to be heard in December. There were silly season news reports on Look East and Anglia Reports and even some interest from national newspapers. Nevertheless this bizarre development engaged conversation in Cranfield and provoked some very strong opinions. You only had to read Cranfield Express, the village's high quality local newsletter, to see that. The whole issue has touched some nerves about what makes us a community and what is taken as given. I have enormous sympathy with anyone who experiences disruptive noise but I never expected to be faced with an issue like this one and I felt the needs of the whole community should come first.
For the moment the issue has gone quiet - like the clock - and we are dealing with the nitty gritty of parish council life. That includes giving our views on planning applications for rear extensions and renovating the memorial garden in the cemetery. But you never know when the weather will change and you find yourself hoisting the storm cones.
Parish council life can be pretty lively!
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