Dymock

Andrew Winterbotham, Chairman of the PTFA commented ‘the event is a celebration of May Day for the whole community of Dymock and beyond and will be held on the playing field at Ann Cam. The gates open at 1pm and the afternoon will be full of attractions and activities until 4pm. We are asking for donations on entrance and we are also extremely thrilled to have our local MP Mark Harper as our special guest of honour’.

The May Day celebrations are aimed at the whole family and include pupils of the school dancing around the may pole. Other fun filled activities to delight the youngsters are a bouncy slide, face painting, tattoos, cookie and cake stalls and an animal corner.

For the grown ups there will be the opportunity to indulge in a range of tasty foods and drinks, to listen to the Newent School Community Choir and to shop at a range of craft stores.

A large range of local voluntary groups and charities will also be joining in with this community event in order to encourage new members and to provide talks and displays.

Andrew concludes ‘the celebration is set to be a fun filled festival and we are hoping to have a good turnout from the local community and beyond.

Everyone is welcome. We would also like to thank Western Way Chapel, who have kindly offered to provide car-parking for the event.’ On Thursday, April 16 the annual Dymock Parish Meeting was held in Dymock parish hall. The first report was from the community police officer who reported that the figures for crime in the village had stayed at the figure of 24 for the second year running. Though this was reassuring we were all urged to keep an eye open for neighbours and to report anything straight away as communication is the key to solving crimes. For road accidents full figures were unavailable but four were reported.

Due to lack of response the mobile police unit will be not be visiting the village from November to March. Newent Police station will be open for two hours a week if anyone has anything to report. Stuart Cunningham is one of the PCSO for this area along with four others which will cover the 24 parishes around here.

There will be a new Neighbourhood Panel set up to help co-ordinate things with the police, details will follow. The existing neighbourhood watch will expand to cover more of the isolated areas such as farms. This way any suspicious incidents can be reported immediately.

After this Dorothy Brooks paid tribute to two village residents who have passed away since the last meeting, Bill Harris and Alf Smallman.

The village toilets have now been refurbished. This was much needed and the condition is now very satisfactory.

In the parish hall car park the oak tree had to be investigated due to the growth of fungi in the base. After a referral to a tree surgeon it was reported that the fungi is of no problem to the tree but cars hitting the tree is causing a problem so more care is urged.

The Forest of Dean dog fouling act is now passed and on the spot fines will now be issued, a dog warden is now patrolling the village. Signs are being put up in the churchyard and have already gone up in the village warning people of the consequences of dog fouling.

A new lease has been signed for the Beauchamp Arms for five years. The Friends of the Beauchamp Arms events have been a great success and the new front windows installed are a great success.

On June 10 there will be a meeting to discuss affordable housing in the village.

There are now three first responders trained in the village with a further five more soon. Andrew Winterbottom is one of the first trained responders. The responders cannot treat traffic accident victims and children under 12 but with the Forest of Dean having some of the worst heart attack figures in the country it is hoped the first responders will be able to help reduce some of the statistics. There are also six responders in Kempley so with the Dymock volunteers it is hoped full cover will be achievable.

The two defibilators are supplied by the British Heart Foundation but future equipment will need to be bought by donations so it is hoped that the village will support fundraising in the future. Dymock will have its own registered charity for this.

Tony Reese gave a governors report on Ann Cam school. Much praise was given as regards Mr Ward who has been acting head and it is decided that he will remain as such until September 2009 to sustain continuity for the children.

Mr Ward has been praised by external bodies as well as pupils parents and staff. More training is being offered to Mr Ward.

Governors are delighted to report that the school has teaching of the highest quality and the pupils behaviour is excellent.

The junior classes have recently been studying World War two and the pupils enjoyed a visit to Swindon Steam complete with period costume!

With the low number of pupils in school at the moment 7 year groups are being housed in 4 classrooms. Due to the high number going last September to secondary schools 3 year groups are being taught in class 4 which due to the staff expertise is working out very well indeed. The school has prefect and buddy schemes and the Christian ethos is apparent in the pupils being supportive and polite to one another.

Mr Ward has been very instrumental in bringing the pupils into the village and the church. The Christmas carol concert at St Marys church organised by Kathryn Skipp in conjunction with Philomusica from Gloucester. Mrs Skipps love of music has resulted in over half the school joining an after school music club. Also Mr Ward has organised maypole dancing at the school fete on May 2 something which has not been seen in the village for a while so will be very interesting to see.

The school gardening club has recently benefited from a greenhouse donated by Dymock Parish council. The money from this was prize monies from the recent best kept village win of which the children made a contribution of helping to keep the village tidy.

Other interests at the school include tag rugby, running, cooking, IT, striking and fielding, netball, football, art, pupil council and swimming.

At the moment the school has 100 pupils but this will increase after September with the new intake including from surrounding areas. At present the Governors are compiling a report which if accepted by the local education authority will mean the Governors will be taking responsibility for the preschool instead of the parents management committee which are running it at present.

It has been decided to fit double glazing to the north facing classrooms and offices. For safety a covered walkway between the hall and school is recommended. This will have doors and windows, due to the cost Governors will have to fund 10% of the cost. Other works are health and safety updates to toilets plumbing and perimeter fences.

Tony concluded that the school was a definite asset to the community and was a thriving establishment. The fundraising events are always well supported by the village for which the governors thank everyone.

There were refreshments served and a very interesting talk was given by David Clowes on Dymock Railway with a powerpoint display.

Many thanks to all who attended.

The recent lent lunches and teas in the church raised a marvellous sum of £3,137! This money will be going towards St Mary’s loo fund. Well done to Jean Eversham and thanks to all who held lunches, made cakes, served teas or helped in any way.