Welcome to the Village Park Residents Association. Thornaby on Tees

Your residents group for the Village Area.

Membership is free to every household in the Village Area.

(Supported by Stockton Residents & Community Groups Association)

If you see any Anti Social Behaviour no matter how small call Neighbourhood policing on 302930

The VPRA News Blog (click here for past months)

Your VPRA at work reports for April 2009

 Click here for CFYA Bin and Recycle Collection Days

30.04.2009 Bee Update

VPRA reps contacted SBC about a swarm of Bees which had settled on a fence on Millbank Lane, following residents expressing great concern. SBC do not get involved with bees swarming only wasps, hornets and other infestations. So, this morning the VPRA contacted Mr John Law, an apiculturist (Bee Farmer) based in Thorpe Thewles to come and inspect the site and help as best he can. Mr Laws was very informative and explained that May(ish) and June are the swarming months for bees and it is to be expected.

Mr. Law attended this morning and collected the swarm and said he is gratefull for the “freebies” 

30.04.2009 Park Update

CLS were back in the park today to finish off putting the old small goal posts in place on the grass pitch in front of the CCTV camera. They also re cemented the legs on the Teen Shelters they installed yesterday.

SBC official was in the park checking out part of the new play trail where someone had tried to light a fire last night.

The park is being constantly patrolled by PCSO`s on their way to their own patches and and on their way back at the end of shifts. Well done Thornaby Police and thanks.

29.04.2009 VPRA Meeting Reminder

The next VPRA meeting is Tuesday 5th May at 7 pm in the Robert Atkinson Centre.

Main Agenda Items:-

1} Eastern Area Traffic Strategy Meeting.

2}Future Changes for Tristar Customers.

3)Windows and Doors in Northumberland Road and The Crescent.

4}Community Payback working in our area.

5}Five Lamps Organisation - What they can do for You.

29.04.2009 Park Report

CLS were back in the park again today to put the Teen Shelters in place at their new home in front of the Muga.

Police and PCSO`s visible in the park especially at shift changes, Ingleby Barwick PCSO was in there at teatime having a walk around before his shift ended, joined by a Mandale PCSO on the way out. Nice to see visible presence especially at teatime when the kids are flocking to the park.

29.04.2009 Free Dog

Robin the Dog Warden was in the Village Park this lunchtime giving out poop bags as he usually does and had a little friend with him. Duke has been handed in to hopefully re home. If you are interested Robin is keeping Duke until the end of the week then will try and get him into the Dog Trust at Sadberge.

28.04.2009 Parking

Call back from Enforcement to explain the rules for parking caravans in the street. It is permitted to park up for 24 hours only and that it must be connected to the vehicle of the same registration. All gas bottles must be removed and no-one is allowed to sleep in it.

The owner of the caravan reported by residents in Fordy Grove will be getting a visit to remove it.    

28.04.2009 Grass Cutting

Complaints from residents about state of pavements on Redcar Road after the cutters had been this morning. This was caused by the heavy rain at the time and the wheels of the cutters spreading grass on to the paths. A quick mail to the Horticultural Manager had the follow up team clearing the paths within the hour.Well done to CFYA again for swift work.

28.04.2009 Village Park Update

VPRA reps spent an hour walking round the park preparing a snag list for SBC to pass on to their contractors. There are a lot of dandelions growing through the newly laid tarmac at the back of the Muga. Contractors are to be asked to put this right.

27.04.2009 Holmes Close Gateway Garden

VPRA reps met with Teesside Probation Service early this morning to discuss the possibility of help clearing the weeds again from the Holmes Gateway. This is the plot of land we rescued two years ago and planted up with sunflowers etc to compliment the Hawthorn and Blackthorn that was struggling to grow there. The Hawthorn and Blackthorn are now thriving but unfortunately so are the nettles and other weeds. Community Payback are to help clear the weeds and remove some Elders that are spreading all over the place. Within an hour CP had a team of men working with strimmers  and lopers to start the tidy up.

Well done Community Payback for your swift work. With a bit of luck we may be able to start planting this years sunflowers soon.

27.04.2009 Village Park Update

VPRA rep filled in all of the holes left where youths have removed grass sods around the play trail.

This teatime even though it was raining it was noted that someone had been writing on some of the new play equipment. This happened between lunchtime and 4-30 pm. at least it disproves the stories or Thornaby kids being thick, some neat handwriting too.

26.04.2009 Church Update

Anti Vandal paint is to be spread around the drainpipes and top of the walls at St Peters Church. This will be done above head height to stop innocent visitors getting marked. Hopefully this will stop the latest craze of climbing on to the top roof and kicking the bells.

26.04.2009 Village Park Report.

Busy day in the park again, football game on the big pitch. Some grass sods have been pulled up again by one of the new roundabouts on the new trail. Soil to be laid on Monday to replace it.

25.04.2009 Church Vandalism

After talks with VPRA rep in the centre this lunchtime , Thornaby Town Councillors and  MP Dari Taylor are to contact the authorities on our behalf to see what can be done to prevent this vandalism in future.

25.04.2009 Litter Picking

Our good friend and CFYA cleaner Dave Snowdon is going to litter pick the Village Park this afternoon in between other jobs he has to do. This is not a planned job but a favour to the VPRA and proves that some people will give that bit extra.

25.04.2009 Thornaby Town Centre

Today was the official opening of the newly rebuilt centre. A large crowd was evident on a nice sunny spring morning. Pictures below and others on our twitter pages.

A nice touch spotted in the centre were the many hanging baskets in the shape of a propellor retaining the links between the old airfield and the centre.

There was also a protest by Thornaby Councillors and Residents about an article in the Sun which was disparaging towards Thornaby. They held up copies of the rag and tore them up a a statement of defiance towards it.

24.04.2009 Village Area

VPRA reps were out tonight watching for potential trouble spots around the Village Green, Village Park and Nature Reserves between 6 and 9 pm. Only one incident involving young people was spotted and that was some young girls on Black Bobbies Nature Reserve.

The Village Park was very busy with teenagers all over the place using the new play equipment but apart from  some litter there was no bother and no alcohol in sight.

In two separate incidents two VPRA committee members found tins of paint in the park which looked as though they had been dumped over the fence by a nearby resident. This has been reported and CCTV being checked to see if anything is visible.

24.04.2009 Village Green

Blossom is now out all around the green and makes a welcome sight away from the vandalism we have had lately.

24.04.2009 St Peters Church

Vandals have struck again at the rear of St. Peters Church with what looks like spray paint. All of the local authorities have been informed and ideas put forward to stop it happening again.

23.04.2009 Village Park Update

CFYA Clerk of Works was in the park reviewing some safety issues we have reported. Some were corrected and others will be done Friday when the remedial works team are in the park.

Horticultural Services men were in the park spraying weed killer around the perimeter fences and gates.

23.04.2009 Town Centre Artwork

With the opening of the centre fast approaching all of the stanchions from the old Pavilion have had a make over and clad in stainless steel artworks which were designed by local school children.

23.04.2009 New Library.

The newly refurbished library opened this morning.  What a difference, open plan in the same hall as the SBC Customer Services and Tristar Rent office .Official opening is in May

22.04.2009 Village Park Report.

CFYA paid an urgent visit to sweep out the play area after someone decided to throw stones at others last night while they were playing on the climbing frame. Well done and thanks CFYA, excellent work again.

22.04.2009 Thornaby Old Peoples Welfare

VPRA reps attended an emergency meeting at the hall in Peel Street. The hall is grossly underused and although not in financial trouble at the moment they do need extra bookings. Hall hire is £10 per hour and does have a fully operational kitchen. In fact they have two kitchens. A working group was set up to explore ways of getting community groups to use the hall and will meet again on May 27th at the AGM. Details will be posted here nearer the day. If you do need use of a hall then contact the VPRA and we will put you in touch with the caretaker.  

22.04.2009 VPRA Meeting

The next VPRA meeting is Tuesday 5th May at 7 pm in the Robert Atkinson Centre.

Main Agenda Items:-

1} Eastern Area Traffic Strategy Meeting.

2}Future Changes for Tristar Customers.

3)Windows and Doors in Northumberland Road and The Crescent.

4}Community Payback working in our area.

5}Five Lamps Organisation - What they can do for You.

22.04.2009 Twitter

Do you Twitter, have a dabble and follow the VPRA and the many others who are creating the new phenomenon. Follow local folk or go world wide. Start at  VPRA Twitter

21.04.2009 Town Centre

Official opening this Saturday at 11 am. Town Centre website now on line. Pavilion

21.04.2009 Village Park Report

Contractors dug up and removed the big concrete slab near to the old home. Soil pile put in the hole and tidied up.

VPRA rep met up with SBC official during Health and Safety check this morning. Pointed oit one or two problem areas and action will be taken.

Robin Hunter of SBC was in the park this afternoon installing Dog Fouling notices at the request of VPRA. Thanks Robin, excellent work again.

20.04.2009 Village School

Well done to children at the Village School, it was noticed today that they had instructors out teaching road safety and awareness along Windsor Road and Windsor Oval.

Another group of small children were kitted out in wellies ready for a trip onto Thornaby Green and the riverbank.

20.04.2009 Road Safety

Child badly injured on Richardson Road yesterday, in a road traffic incident. The young man was one of many local children who play in the road and no doubt more so now the warmer days are here. Locals regularly express concern about this as those in cars fear an accident could take place due to density of parked vehicles.
VPRA have, some months ago, begun talking with Stockton Borough Council and the Eastern Area Traffic Strategy about funding formal parking areas "off road". Tristar Homes have equally expressed a willingness to work at making this a safer area for everyone regardless of their being customers or not. The VPRA offer best wishes to the child and family.
 

20.04.2009 Village Park Update

Contractors back in the park today to erect the final piece of play equipment and replacing the matting pulled up on Easter Monday. Hopefully this will be left undamaged but don’t hold your breath. At least the contractors have put soil down rather than just grass sods. Well done to the lads as they had to work while being harassed by the local loony tunes. See our twitter site for their pictures.

20.04.2009 Unity Sphere and Town Centre.

The new artwork is gleaming with the bright morning sunshine, contractors dashing about all over the place trying to get the whole place finished for Saturdays official opening.

20.04.2009 Shopping Trolleys

Shopping trolleys reported to Asda this morning, 1 on Thorntree Road near park gates and 2 along the Blackpath.

19.04.2009 Village Park ASB Update

VPRA buoyed by messages of support from residents, enforcement, police and SBC officers since the report in the Gazette on Friday.

A busy morning in the park this morning had quite a number of residents expressing their disgust at the problems of last week. Everyone is very pleased with the additional  play equipment and new paths, which means people pushing disabled family members can have a longer walk, similarly parents with young children in prams and buggies can walk around the new paths without getting their feet wet or dirty. The new paths extend the walk by nearly 400 metres.

19.04.2009 Where`s The Bridge Gone

Work was done ahead of time and Mitchell Avenue back open this morning. Tidy up work to do on both sides of the road and that is the last of the old Brus and Appleby house gone forever.

Move your curser over the image to see the before and after .

18.04.2009 Don’t Forget

The old Town Centre bridge comes down during tonight and early Sunday Morning. That means Mitchell avenue access is closed from the Town Centre roundabout and Baysdale Road. Diversions are in place to take motorists down Thorntree and along Humber then Baysdale. Road is closed from 11 pm until noon Sunday.

18.04.2009 Allotments.

Following numerous complaints, concerning cockerels crowing on the Thornaby allotments to members of the Thornaby Allotments management committee, they have asked the VPRA to point out that they are aware that cockerels are not supposed to be on these allotments and steps will be taken to reach a mutually beneficial solution to the noise problem caused by the birds. You can contact the allotments via the VPRA and we will pass on any sensible comments or requests for information.

 

18.04.2009 Bus Users Forum

The latest in the Stockton Bus Users Forums takes place Saturday 18.04.2009 at the Arc from 10 till 12. All welcome, find out about any planned changes and improvements to buses in the borough. More information on SBC website

17.04.2009 Village Park Bowls

Open day is this Saturday and the public is welcome to have a look in. Visit their website

17.04.2009 Park Update

Residents from near to the park  claimed to be over the moon with the new paths in the Village Park and claimed that the VPRA management committee had kept their promise to her that she would be able to bring her husband into the park in his wheel chair on new paths, "within the year" at the last VPRA & Tristar Fun Day, during our consultation exercise. THANK YOU for mentioning it.

Tarmac have just about finished the new surfaces around the footpaths and should be clear by tonight.

SBC workers were in the park today moving the big soil mound prior to digging the old garage concrete floors up next week.

The Muga is now open for use, all of the temporary fences have been removed and the final parts added to the Muga this morning. It is now open for football, basketball and cricket. It will be getting marked out properly before the end of this month.

17.04.2009 Vandalism Update

VPRA fight to defend the Village Park is covered in the Evening Gazette tonight with the
story of this weeks vandalism. visit Gazette Online.

Remember, Vandalism, crime or Anti Social behaviour, call it what you will report it regardless and keep on reporting it until something gets done.
 

17.04.2009 Town Centre Art Work

The new Unity Sphere art work was lifted on top of the soon to be opened cafe in St. Peters Square this lunchtime. VPRA first to have a picture of it in situ online.

16.04.2009 Village Park News

Tarmac are onsite today to begin to repair the many old worn out  paths around the park.By this afternoon they had done about half of them and hopefully be finished this week.

CLS are also on site grading the soil areas where the old tennis courts were. Once done then this will be seeded and the security fences removed. The new Muga is already being used  by both boys and girls and should be clear for them to use properly from Friday. Only downside at the moment is the amount of soil that has been kicked or thrown at the Children’s Play Area. 

16.04.2009 TIP Meeting

VPRA rep attended this afternoons Thornaby Intergenerational Project meeting to submit photographs taken around the town. VPRA will be supplying most of the images to be used by the older generation for this project. Once everything is cleared next week VPRA will be providing web space to display the pictures taken by the selection of Thornaby Folk of all age groups. Watch this space.

15.04.2009 Illegal Dumping

It appears that April is the month for dumping your rubbish along with pinching Asda Trolleys. This was was dumped in the Village Park this morning between 9 am and noon.

It has been reported to CFYA and action is being taken to remove the rubbish and return the trolley. If you see any wayward shopping trolleys either contact CFYA or if they belong to Asda then Asda direct on 769898 . Wilkinsons on  751112 and Iceland on 750316

15.04.2009 Yorkshire Day

VPRA rep attended this afternoons Yorkshire Day Meeting in Thornaby Town Hall. At present the VPRA will be attending the event on August 1st at the new Linear Park over on Mandale.  It is hoped to have a junior 5  a side football competition between the junior schools along with a mix of fun sports events. All Thornaby community groups are welcome, contact Thornaby Town Council for more details.

15.04.2009 Letter to Gazette

A copy of the letter sent to the Evening Gazette to get the park problems to a wider audience.

 To Have Your Say
(Editor)
Evening Gazette

The Village Park Residents' Association has worked hard with Stockton Borough Council officers
such as Tony Raine and Keith Mathews to make the Village Park on Thorntree Road, a place worth
going to rather than passing through on the way to the Town centre. However, a handful of youths,
and it is literally a handful of youths seem intent on wrecking the latest play equipment to be installed there. These youths are from the immediate area surrounding the park yet they seem to be allowed to run free despite lacking the sense to exist alongside other people.
One of the youths involved was witnessed recently as he tried to smash a phone box window from
from the inside. Despite the brick bouncing back and knocking his glasses of he was foolish enough
to try it again until he got the message. So, we are not dealing with the cleverest element of the local
community.
I would like to add that having discussed such issues as  this wanton vandalism and the behaviour of
these youths with Tristar Homes Anti Social Behaviour Officer, Richard Parks, Tristar customers
and family members could find themselves having tenancies being affected by such destructive
behaviour when these youths are caught. Rest assured they will be caught as it's just a matter of
putting names to faces and a great many of the young people who use the Village Park are only too
keen to give names to VPRA reps and the police. Tristar will get involved, even when the Anti Social
Behaviour is not in the immediate vicinity of a customer’s home.

Please, if you witness any anti social behaviour or vandalism in the Village Park, or anywhere else for
that matter, contact the local community officers on 01642 302930 or phone 01642 326326. Please don't fall victim to the self fulfilling prophecy of "I won't phone they won't come" we need people to report  the behaviour of these youths regardless, so that no one can ever say they were not told what was  going on.  This is not tax payer’s money being attacked here. The Play Trail and the Multi Use Games Area are being funded by grants which the VPRA had to search and apply for not to mention proving the Village Park was worth defending for future generations. Lottery money and a grant from Impetus has resulted in the work to protect the Village Park for our whole community being made possible.
Remember, there's soon to be a new sports facility built on the Harold Wilson Sports Field. This is
being paid for through a combination of council money and grants, organised by Stockton Borough
Council and a coalition of residents groups.  Will these youths simply move their attentions to smashing that to pieces or do we call the scheme off because a handful of louts want to destroy life for the majority? Of course not. We have to act as best we can to tackle these enemies of the community.
Support for the Village Park Residents' Association on this issue is support for your community the
community which we regard as our home. It's our town let's not let a gang of thuggish youths
smash it as we look on.

Thank you all; in advance for your help

Management Committee of the
Village Park Resident's Association
Thornaby

 

14.04.2009 Village Park

On a happier note concerning the park, there is a team of contractors in there this week preparing the old paths for new tarmac. They are scraping  and brushing the old worn areas and making ready for the new smoother top surface.

Contractors are also working on the MUGA to finish of the safety issues and complete remedial work  on the corner that was too low. Another delay but we want it right before we can open it to the public. 

14.04.2009 Park Play Trail

VPRA appalled this morning to find that the rubber safety matting has been ripped up from around the new small roundabout. Within half and hour of this being reported CFYA officers were on hand in the park to review the damage and within an hour they had a clean up team in there to remove the matting for safe keeping until a decision can be made on the play area. The road sweeper was also on hand to tidy up the mass of litter left after the busy Easter Monday. It is a pity that we have to call on these folk to pick up the pieces caused by the few which affects many in the area.

12.04.2009 Village Park

CLS contractors were on site again (Easter Sunday) checking and replacing perimeter fence around the new Muga. First class service as promised. VPRA rep met on site and offered to zip tie any fences that are being pulled down by children. This was done at 2 pm and by 2-15 pm, 4 young lads had found a way under the fence and were playing football in the Muga. They did leave when asked and the problems they could be in if seen in there by Police or CCTV cameras. Once the safety issues are sorted early next week we should be able to open the facility to all.

In an earlier report last week we mentioned a problem with youths throwing paint about on the new play trail but until today we were unaware that a half empty tin was thrown over a residents fence and landed on a newly laid patio. Steps are being taken to identify the people concerned with the aim of an exclusion order being placed against them to keep them out of the park. It is evident that most of the problems caused in the park and surrounding areas is caused by a small group of youths around 14-15 years old. The VPRA will strive to stop the problems caused and make the park the fun place it is supposed to be.  

12.04.2009 This site

The VPRA website is totally free which explains the forced adverts that appear from time to time by our network providers. We now have new providers who at the moment do not force adverts or pop ups on the site .Please change your bookmarks to either www.vpra.org.uk or www.vpra.co.uk or www.vpra.110mb.com .  A divert has been put on vpra.150m.com  and vpra.orgfree.com and they will no longer be updated..   This should stop the adverts and pop ups.

11.04.2009 Rumour Mill

VPRA would like to state categorically the a couple of the rumours being spread around the area are untrue.

Firstly, there are no plans to close the Blackpath and extend the Fordy Grove house  gardens on to it and alternatively there are no plans to tarmac the existing pathway to tidy it up. Planning and funding would need to be sourced and this can take at least a year to do. This was only a suggestion at the end of the last VPRA meeting and as yet nothing has been done until it can be discussed properly at the next meeting in May.

Secondly, the requested works on digging out the grass verges in Fordy Grove and replacing with Tarmac parking spaces are not planned for the near future. The project will be discussed at Eastern Area Highways Strategy meeting in May and if accepted then consultation and funding applications will be requested. Once again this process can take up to a year to happen. The original preferred option by residents when asked last year was for block paving or grass mats, this may be the cheaper and greener solution. There is only a very limited budget for such work so  the cheapest possible option may have to be the one taken.    

11.04.2009  For Gardeners.

The BBC are giving away free veg seeds for anyone who wants them.1 Million packets up for grabs Go to .the BBC Gardening website and fill in the online form

11.04.2009 Police Warnings

Police warning for the Village and Stainsby Hill areas for damage and theft from cars and vans. Sat Navs are a prime target. 

10.04.2009 New Muga

CLS contractors were on site today even though it was a Bank Holiday eradicating health and safety problems and tidying the newly formed soil areas ready for grass seeds to  be set.

10.04.2009 New Play Trail

While the new play trail is being well used one of the pieces of equipment is causing concern. The small roundabout which is adjacent to houses on Lilac Avenue seems to be a gathering point for older youths and the noise and bad language is causing problems for residents especially those with young children.  VPRA have asked for an urgent site meeting with Stockton Council to see if it is possible to move the equipment to another site or remove it totally. Residents peace of life has to come first. Example below shows how it should be used.

10.04.2009 In Bloom

Daffodils are still flowering in most of the area although coming to the end of their life. CFYA have began grass cutting in the past week and are taking care to leave the Daffodil and Crocus leaves for another month to allow the bulbs to grow and build up through photosynthesis.

10.04.2009  Community Payback

VPRA have contacted the Community Payback team to se if they want to help with our tidy up on the Holmes Close garden and Lower Green entrance to the Black Bobbies Nature Reserve area. A meeting is to be arranged in the near future to discuss when the work can be done.

09.04.2009 Park Patrol

While a VPRA rep was in the park tonight checking the fences around the Muga it was noted that a group of older youths were sitting in the children’s play area under some of the larger slides and frames. This means they are not visible to the CCTV unit and because of the recent vandalism on the new play trail a quick call to Neighbourhood Policing was made. No names needed, just the area of concern, call was logged immediately for and officer to check the park and make sure the youths were behaving. We do not mind them being there as long as they respect the park is for all and the play area is used by a lot of toddlers. 

Late Update. Call from Neighbourhood Policing to say they were patrolling the park during the late shift but as of 10 pm there were no problems .Probably because of the rain.

09.04.2009 Muga

The planned opening off the new Muga in the Village Park for this weekend has had to be cancelled due to a small problem in one of the corners. There is a potential trip hazard where the tarmac has not been laid to the pin kerb level. As a result the Muga will remain fenced off until all Health and safety issues are resolved, this will also include another one spotted tonight by VPRA rep whilst inspecting the fencing. The contractors have been requested to check the fencing each day during the Easter Holidays and make safe any that have been disturbed by eager kids wanting to get on the Muga. 

09.04.2009 Intergenerational Project

VPRA rep attended meeting today at the 5 Lamps Centre. Once the pictures are available for display they will be published onto a web site courtesy of VPRA Webworks. It is hoped to have them on exhibition in Thornaby Library at the end of May or early June.

08.04.2009 Play Trail Markings.

The artists selected by SBC and VPRA will be in the park from the 17th. April to lay down all the games and trails.

Someone thought they would help them last night when they scattered a tin of white paint on part of the trail. This had been dumped in the park by an inconsiderate resident in one of the nearby roads.

SBC have been contacted and Shaun their Clerk of Works has organised for the cleansing department to come into the park and clean up before the artists are due. As a temporary measure VPRA reps spread soil  over the paint to try and stop it spreading on peoples feet.

08.04.2009 Muga

The Muga is now entering its final stages of building. and should be complete on Thursday barring disasters. Marking out will take place in a couple of weeks time once the oils in the tarmac have dissipated.

08.04.2009 Parks and Countryside Events.

VPRA reps and residents attended the event in South Thornaby Community Centre in support of the Parks and Countryside section from SBC. Please try and attend one of the events scheduled through the borough. Have your say on what you think is needed in our area or throughout the borough. PDF Leaflet.  

07.04.2009 Play Trail

VPRA contacted SBC to inform them that some of the grass sods around the new play areas have been removed. VPRA offered to go and replace the grass sods with soil which will bed in easier. SBC have asked the contractors to come back and put the area right.

06.04.2009 Muga Area

Local residents and children informed VPRA that some young boys had taken some of the temporary fence fence panels out and have been writing with soil and mud on the new tarmac surface. This is in full view of the CCTV and Police and Enforcement have been asked to view footage to identify the offenders. Picture’s of the scribbling have been taken and a number of the names are known to police. One fool even put his home address in two foot high lettering.

05.04.2009 Mobile Fraud

Urgent message from Cleveland Police

If you receive a phone call on your mobile from any person, saying that he or she is a company engineer, or telling that they're checking your mobile line, and you have to press #90 or #09 or any other number, end this call immediately without pressing any numbers.

There is a fraud company using a device that once you press #90 or #09 they can access your 'SIM' card and make calls at your expense.

Forward this message to as many colleagues, relatives and friends as you can, to stop it.

Many thanks for your time regarding this matter, take care and regards.

Phil Corris
Police Constable/Crime Prevention Officer

05.04.2009 Litter Again

VPRA residents incensed by the amount of beer cans and Vodka bottles left by visitors to Black Bobbies  ended up doing an impromptu litter pick this morning. Litter is being left by anglers and youngsters who are using the area to drink out of sight of the police. Technically the anglers should not be there as it is close season for coarse fish unless they are fishing for Trout. If that’s the case then they should not have keep nets with them.

03.04.2009 Messy Streets

VPRA rep reported this mess this morning to CFYA . This is not the first time this particular area has had litter and tipping problems. It was clear at 6 pm last night so must have happened around dusk.

03.04.2009 Interesting find in Basselton Woods

During a visit to Basselton woods this afternoon to pick Wild Garlic to distribute to local residents for cooking we spotted this “Shrine” . Anyone know anything about it please let us know.

03.04.2009 Litter Picks

VPRA volunteers and local resident carried out an impromptu litter pick around the park paying
particular attention to the play trail and rides. The popularity of these new games and rides is sadly indicated by increase of litter around the favourite games. Sadly, a resident from an adjacent house has been dumping boulders of earth into the park, these have then been smashed onto the path by youths. VPRA volunteers cleared soil away.

It must be added, the litter pick was made possible by Christine James and Nicky Betts of Care For Your Area, who organised and delivered litter pickers and waste bags being delivered to the homes of VPRA volunteers. Another big THANK YOU, to our CFYA Friends
 

03.04.2009 Town Centre Post Box

VPRA contacted to be told the much sought after post box for the outside of the Post Office in the
Town centre will be in situ by Saturday 4th of April.

02.04.2009 Green Waste

Village Residents are advised to check when their green Waste collections are. A lot of bags have been left out this week and collections do not start until w/c 13/04/09 and 20/04/09 depending on which colour you are on. Quick check here.

02.04.2009  Vandalism

Vandals struck between tea time 01/04/2009 and early morning 02/04/2009 ripping up some of the daffodils planted by Care For Your Area near the Airman’s Statue. 

02.04.2009 Muga “Carpet “Laid

Work started this morning on laying the asphalt top coat on the new Muga, as the pictures show from different times during the day.

01.04.2009 Park Uodate

A couple of the smaller lads in the park could not reach one of the new play items but not to be outdone they tied some rope on to help them get on to the top.

01.04.2009 Lidl Store

Work has begun on erecting the new Lidl store in the Town Centre.

Neighbourhood Police

Phone 302930