NOW SWEPT Following complaints over a longish period, Yarlington Mill is now being swept regularly.

Now in its third year, the Belmont Best Front Garden competition, organised by Cllr Brian Hubbard and judged in early July, attracted a record thirty entries. Co-sponsors were Belmont Rural Parish Council and Belmont Lodge and Golf.
Judge Chris Bennewith, Wyevale Nurseries, said the event was a credit to all residents of the Belmont estate, “not just those taking part in the competition”.

First prize of £50 in gift vouchers and a meal for two at Belmont Lodge and Golf went to Sandra Pritchard of 36 Oulton Avenue. Chris Bennewith added a further £25-worth of plants from his nurseries. Second prize went to Joyce Claire, 28 Abbotsmead Road, and third prize to Edith and William Corbett, 22 Westholme Road.

For pictures of the winners click here

Misdemeanours and
counter-measures
Local police have reported an increase in under-age drinking and smoking. Retailers who appear to sell alcohol to youths are to be targeted by police and Herefordshire’s Trading Standards Division.

Regular patrols also aim to catch graffiti offenders whose activities have increased. Asked about the provision of “graffiti walls” as a solution, PC Andy Larkin said these are unlikely to eradicate the problem since the current wave takes the form of territory marking.

The possibility of planting dense or thorny shrubs adjacent to such sites is to be raised with the Parks and Countryside Department.

Discussion needed
on games area
Informal suggestions have been made that the open land behind Dorchester Way might be acquired as a games area. Cllr Brian Hubbard has requested that the District Council consult local residents before any decision is made.

Play signs
The PC is setting aside over £700 to pay for six Children at Play signs adjacent to the play areas on Northolme Road (Benjamin Park, and the Community Centre) and Dorchester Way.

Info sites
Meeting the requirements of the Freedom of Information Act, notices have been placed on all boards advising residents on the location of documents to which they have access. A file held in the library contains minutes, annual accounts and other information

Switch-off
Herefordshire Council has written to Tesco regarding the practice of leaving lights on when the filling station is closed. This has led motorists to conclude that service is still available, with cars driving unnecessarily onto the forecourt, often late at night.

Rubbish dates
Popular in Belmont, the Parish Freighter bi-monthly rubbish collection is popular elsewhere and Belmont’s dates and times are already booked until 2007. The clerk has been authorised to arrange with Herefordshire Council twice monthly visits on dates and times to be agreed between the clerk, chairman and vice-chairman

Elsewhere in Belmont
Organisations linked variously to the Parish Council reported their activities during the year at the annual meeting:

South Wye Community Association (which manages the Eastholme Community Centre). Highlights include a regular fitness group, a theatre and travel group, the Christmas Party and a visit from Father Christmas. Vandalism is still a problem, with 14 windows broken during the year. External lighting has been improved to alleviate this.

South Wye Foundation (aiming to manage Northolme Centre). Draft lease now in acceptable formbut the transfer of £52,000 from Tesco, as part of their gaining permission for the store extension, has not yet been addressed.

Mums and Tots Group. Now able to meet weekly following PC’s donation towards expenses. Between six and eighteen mums (and dads!) with tots attend. Special sessions organised.

West Mercia Police. The main change was the opening of the police station in Goodrich Grove, now manned 4 - 8 pm on Wednesdays and 10 am - 2 pm on other weekdays.