We’ve changed the clocks from British Summer Time and are looking towards starting preparations for Christmas. Although, Shiela, the lovely Corserv cleaning operative had already bought and wrapped all of her gifts, by mid-August! That’s organised!
When walking the footpaths over the past few weeks I’ve picked a lot of field mushroom, so many that I’ve frozen some and will use them for cooking in sauces etc. I’m not an expert on fungi and am always cautious to only pick ones I’m sure are OK. Doing this and walking my dogs is a perk of the work, but don’t worry I don’t clock foraging as part of my working day! This month I’ve walked most of the busier paths, including Port Isaac valley to Trewetha, Trewetha to Port Gaverne, Port Gaverne valley. Lobber, down to Pine Awn, then back up to Washing Pool Lane. To Lower Trefreock, to check out the new stile then on to Roscarrcock Farm. I’ve checked issues on a couple of other paths and raised them with Cornwall Council’s Countryside Access Team. Besides these I regularly walk the Main at Port Gaverne and have put up a way marker at beginning of the Port Gaverne valley walk.
In the play area the small hut and slide and the larger multi-play unit have both received some much needed wood treatment. The wood stain was virtually sucked away from the brushes! The applications will help preserve the wood and they both look much better for it. Now that these have been done I’m thinking other pieces could benefit from some attention too.
The quotes sought for replacement galvanised or powder coated railings or the perimeter were more than the Councillors had suspected. It was suggested that the existing fence could be reconditioned. It hasn’t had any work done on it for a long time. Apart from some of the uprights being reattached when they come off. And on a closer inspection isn’t in a terrible state. So, I’ve added it to the list of work.
Quotes have been obtained for the lowering of pavements in order for some homeowners to park off road. Terry Harris & Sons will be carrying out the work, however, there’s still some red tape to get through before any work can begin. Licences for individual driveways need to be arranged with Cornwall Council.
The behind the scenes organising for two bus shelters is ongoing. As soon as I have any more info I’ll let you know. Groundwork has to be carried out to create bases, paths and areas for people to wait. The shelters need to be ordered and some lighting for the Trelights one sourced.
I’m waiting for some designs for the additional plaque for the War Memorial. Once they’ve been received I’d like to think they will be available for anyone to take a look at before advice is sought from Cornwall Council’s Historic Dept. Following that, Listed Building Consent has to be applied for.
At the end of September I attended a ‘workshop’ laid on by Cornwall Council’s Highways Dept. and Cormac/Corserv. It’s a complicated arrangement whereby Cormac/Corserv are a subsidiary of Cornwall Council and operate as a separate business, I think! The purpose was to try to provide information regarding these two entities and how each operates. There were quite a few people from other Parish and Town Councils in north Cornwall. A number of them had specific queries regarding their respective parishes to put forward between the presentations by the various personnel. It was quite informative; giving insights into how their budgets are spend, what positive environmental measures are being implemented, such as becoming carbon neutral by 2030. How to access more information from the Cornwall Council website and overall designed to encourage better communications. I probably shouldn’t say this but the Barnie’s pasty for lunch (provided), was a highlight of the day!
No pasties at the Full Council Meeting on 10th October, but I was still there!
Other meeting this month have been with the parking enforcement company. To hand over cash from a ticket machine when they were unable to arrange anyone to come from their office, which is on the other side of Truro. Those guys are quite something, big and burly, but I’d like to think with a heart of gold!
An engineer came to fix the ticket machines in the Main car park due to a break in mobile signal once EE had repaired it. He also showed me some little processes I can follow to help get the machines back on line in the future should there be a break in the electricity supply. This won’t necessarily save the Parish Council money, as there is a service contract for this sort of work, but it’ll save the engineer having to visit Port Isaac.
Also, at the Main car park the meteorological station had stopped transmitting data. I received a call from a tech chap in Portsmouth asking if I would be able to help. I did my best but as the important box of tricks is in the loft space and I’m not very good up ladders, I was of limited assistance! Fortunately, Symon from Maggie’s Kiosk was there and he climbed right inside the attic to do stuff as instructed over the phone. However, there must be more than an issue with the internet connection, so the system is still off line at the time of writing.
I heard about a Peregrine Falcon that had been trapped inside the old Central Garage (New Road) it was successfully caught and released. But it highlighted the neglected condition of the building. Anyone who parks there should take a look at the state of the canopy. I believe that our Clerk has written to the owners to point out the condition of the site and it’s been drawn to the attention of Cornwall Council’s Dangerous Structures Dept. The side door fell out recently. Smashing glass and wood onto the forecourt, thankfully no cars were damaged. It’s not part of my job, so acting as a member of the public, I cleared the glass and moved the rest of the door. Later I believe Mark Meacher put the door back in the doorway and covered the hole, where the glass had been. However, the building is still accessible and dangerous to enter, so my advice is, don’t!
That’s about it for this month, apart from the inevitable public toilet problems! A couple of jammed coin machines at Roscarrock Hill. The Ladies was accepting 20p’s but not releasing the door. That info reached my quite quickly! It was sorted with the traditional switching the system off and on, my favourite! The lock on the accessible toilet is still not repaired, although it might be by the time this is published, fingers crossed. Sheila has had to deal with some horrendous things in a couple of the cubicle recently. Beyond what anyone should have to, so I would like to thank her for taking it all in her stride and sorting them out.
If you’d like to contact me about any parish issues my mobile is: 07494 589 638 or email: clarejonsten@gmail.com