April 2013

Part night streetlight petition gathers pace

Since 1st April 2013, many of Shipston’s streetlights have been switched off between 12:00-5:30am on Sundays to Thursdays and 1:00-6:30am on Fridays and Saturdays. The move has been introduced to save money and reduce carbon emissions. However, many are concerned about the impact on safety of pedestrians and possible increases in crime.

Town councillor, Melanie Trapp, has set up an open group on Facebook called ‘No lighty no likey’ which has over 300 members and has attracted a number of comments about the new policy.

Mayor, Fay Ivens, said "As a town council, we strongly oppose both the policy itself and the inconsistent way it has been applied. If residents share our view, please sign the petition which is available at New Clark House".

Warwickshire County Council estimates that £500,000 will be saved across the county by the reduction in street lighting, with a reduction in carbon emissions of approximately 3,000 tonnes.

Shipston charities receive £1,000 windfall

files/stc/news-assets/img/IMG_3879.jpgTwo charities are £500 better off thanks to the fundraising efforts of Shipston's outgoing Mayor, Fay Ivens.

At her final Town Council meeting as Mayor, Fay was delighted to award two cheques of £500 each to Shipston Youth Club and Shipston First Responders. The funds were raised through a series of stalls, raffles and events led by the mayor.

Fay Ivens said "it gives me great pleasure to award this money to two such important local charities. I would like to thank everyone who has helped organise and support our fundraising efforts over the last twelve months."

May 2013 Shipston Forum is now available online

The May 2013 issue of the Shipston Forum is now available to download.  For the latest news on this year's Wool Fair, forthcoming events and local achievements, simply download the pdf or look out for your copy delivered inside this week's Midweek Newspaper.

Partnership with local GPs strengthens health services in Shipston-on-Stour

A new medical model has been introduced in Shipston on Stour in partnership with local GPs. This has involved increasing the resource in the community to provide more care in the patient’s own home and by reducing the number of beds at Ellen Badger Hospital from 24 to 18 as in-patient demand decreases. There are many benefits for patients receiving care at home which includes: 

- Builds patient confidence in their own environment

- Reduces the risk of falls and losing muscle strength

- Less risk of catching healthcare acquired infections

- Enables tailored care plans

- Eases the transition from hospital to home 

Last year this model was introduced in the Nicol Unit at Stratford upon Avon Hospital. Although we reduced the number of beds we were actually able to treat more patients through better use of beds and enhanced and expanded services in the community. 

What does the community team do? 

The team work with patients who are over 18 years old to offer care in the patient’s own home. This group of patients require support from health care professionals but it is not appropriate for them to be in the acute setting. The team also work to facilitate ‘early supported discharge’ where patients can return home from the hospital setting when they no longer require acute medical care. They also help with ‘admission prevention’ by working closely with GPs and Community/Specialist nursing to enable patients to recover at home, for example, patients with chest or kidney infections. 

The team responds 7 days a week from 8.30am to 10pm. At any one time the team may be supporting 30 patients to stay at home by working with them daily. The team respond to patients within two hours and conduct short-term assessment within three days in order to establish a suitable pathway for each patient. This may include referral to social services or a financial assessment if they have ongoing social care needs. 

The team also offers rehabilitation to regain confidence and strength with daily living tasks that are necessary to remain living at home, for example, mobilising indoors, managing their stairs, maintaining personal care or preparing meals and drinks. 

What staff are in the team? 

Team members include rehabilitation assistants, nurses, occupational therapists and physiotherapists. At any one time there may be 30 people working intensively to enable patients to remain living in their own home. 

What are the aims of the team? 

The team aims to reduce rising emergency admissions for people aged 65+ and reduce hospital length of stay for this group. There are many benefits to this, including preventing loss of strength and confidence. This team also aims to integrate services across acute, community, GPs, social services and other organisations, for example Age UK. These processes will ensure that only people who require hospital care will be in the hospital setting. 

Patients have responded very positively to these changes in Stratford: 

Patient Comment about care at home from the community team “My husband became ill and it was very worrying, the nurse came and examined him. She worked with the out of hours GP and I found nothing but help, kindness, understanding and reassurance.  Thank you it is such a comfort to know you are there if we ever needed you again.” 

This new model in Shipston on Stour has already improved care with more patients being discharged from hospital to their own homes with continued rehab and suppot at home. 

The Day Unit at Ellen Badger is also changing in line with this new medical model and has been renamed to an ‘Assessment and Rehabilitation Centre’, refocusing care for patients and reflecting a new approach to rehabilitation. 

Ian Philp, Medical Director at South Warwickshire NHS Foundation Trust said: “I am delighted to see that the lessons we learnt on the Nicol Unit in Stratford upon Avon, to improve services for local people, are being transferred to Shipston. I am looking forward to working closely with colleagues at Ellen Badger Hospital and GPs in Shipston to improve services for patients.” 

Dr Daniel, GP, Shipston Medical Centre said: “This is a really positive change in the way we provide medical care at the Ellen Badger Hospital that will improve quality of care provided, benefiting the local and wider community.


“We now have two doctors providing all the medical cover with daily ward rounds improving both continuity and communication. We also plan to increase the medical services we offer at the Ellen Badger Hospital, such as intravenous treatments and blood transfusion in certain circumstances. This will allow us, the local GPs and nurses, to treat more patients closer to home and the closer links with community services this will enable a quicker supported discharge home for inpatients.” 

Notes to editors: 

For more information please contact Communications on 01926 495321 ext 4673

Country & Western Night!

27th April at the Sheldon Bosley Hub

Knoxville Highway to play Sheldon Bosley Hub April 27th. Tickets only £7.50. Dancing, singing and pig roast.files/stc/news-assets/img/Philip's upload folder - images/1366834165460.jpg

County Council Elections - Thursday May 2nd

List of candidates

files/stc/news-assets/img/Philip's upload folder - images/IMG_20130424_005453.JPG

Italian Market returns to Shipston

Monday May 6th

files/stc/news-assets/img/Philip's upload folder - images/IMG_20130424_002520.JPGfiles/stc/news-assets/img/Philip's upload folder - images/IMG_20130424_003329.JPG

Shipston Wool Fair

Monday 27th May 2013

files/stc/news-assets/img/Philip's upload folder - images/Wool Fair child.jpg

Shipston on Stour is a lovely little market town on the edge of the Cotswolds, with roots in the sheep and wool industries.  Indeed, the name ‘Shipston’ derives from the old ‘sheep wash town’, as it was here, in the river Stour, that farmers from the surrounding hills would drive their sheep to be washed for shearing.

In times gone by a Sheep and Wool Fair’ was held every year, but the tradition died out early last century until 2009, when it was revived by the late Mayor elect Angela Noyce.  It was so successful that a group of volunteers aimed to stage the Wool Fair every year, and indeed it is going ahead for it’s fifth consecutive time, this year on Bank Holiday Monday 27th May.

Its purpose is to put people in touch with their heritage in a ‘fun’ and quirky way, fostering inter-generational contact and local enterprise.  The highlight of the fair, as always, is the real life exhibition of sheep including many rare breeds and ‘celebrity’ sheep.  Brought to the fair with long coats, they will leave after being shorn in front of a captive audience, led by shearer Alan Scorer.  This is no mean feat as traditional shearing methods will be demonstrated alongside the more modern electrical cutters.  And of course there will be a heated competition to guess the time taken to shear a sheep!  Amongst the rare breeds will be Portland Sheep from nearby Armscote Manor.  For the first time, this year their fleeces have been spun and a range of double knit Portland Wool and Portland with a dash of Black Welsh Mountain sheep can now be purchased locally.

A ‘Wool Process’ marquee will be showing the evolution of the product from fleece through spinning, weaving, knitting and felting.  The Stratford upon Avon Guild of Weavers, Spinners and Dyers will be on hand with their support and craft demonstrations showing the many applications of wool, and there will be knitting tuition for all ages!  Large screen entertainment will be a new addition this year, showing marvellous sheep dog demonstrations, filmed especially for the Wool fair. 

This year’s event will also offer attendees a chance to see the progress of the Shipston Tapestry, which was last year’s event highlight.  Designed by Ros Lobb of the Stratford Guild of Weavers, Spinners and Dyers, the tapestry which will measure almost 5ft in length, has been steadily evolving, under the watchful eye of one of the Guild’s founder members Ann Howells.  The tapestry, which is being woven on a traditional wooden loom, depicts the wonderful landscape which surrounds Shipston, including the famous river Stour where sheep were once brought to be washed, some of Shipston’s prominent buildings from its iconic Georgian Architecture to its much used churches and schools.  The wooden loom was commissioned by Shipston Wool Fair and has been getting good use outside of the event too, most recently at Compton Verney where it was used as part of a larger exhibition and helped with tutorials in the age old art of weaving.  

The Shipston Wool Fair will be celebrating all that Shipston has to offer and is a great chance for visitors and residents alike to have a look around the vibrant independent retailers that Shipston is proud to boast.  From eateries, delicatessens, to ladies fashion boutiques, florists and furniture stores, Shipston has it all.

There will be an abundance of games for children of all ages in the High Street, all manned by volunteers from Shipston Young Farmers.  The day’s entertainment will be showcasing all that the local community has to offer through a musical and dancing line up that is sure to satiate all tastes.   And whilst you’re listening, why not peruse the variety of stalls that will be present in the square which will be selling local crafts, all things woolly, and much more besides.  Hook Norton brewery will be running a promotion as well as bringing along their heavy horses and dray!

The Shipston Wool Fair is a great day out for all the family, with lots to see, do and discover, held in the pretty historic market town of Shipston-on-Stour.  So, join us at 10am on Bank Holiday Monday 27th May, for the opening ceremony led by Claire Bowry of the Rare Breeds Survival Trust and Hook Norton Brewery.  It’s sure to be a fantastic day!

For more information, visit www.shipstonwoolfair.org

Photo’s supplied courtesy of Philip Vial

Shipston on Stour Town Meeting

Notice of Meeting

 

ANNUAL TOWN MEETING

The Annual Town Meeting will take place as follows. All electors of the town are invited

 Date               Thursday 18th April, 2013

 Venue             Shipston High School, Darlingscote Road

 Start               7.00pm

 Chairman         The Town Mayor, Cllr. Mrs Fay Ivens

 YOUR OPPORTUNITY

TO HAVE YOUR SAY

Meet, Make and Eat a local lunch

From 11am on Saturday 20th April at the Townsend Hall

Transition Shipston is inviting everyone to join in a “Local Lunch” at the Townsend Hall. The "Local Lunch" will showcase some of the great locally produced and available food that is out there, to share skills and recipes, and of course to enjoy a sociable and delicious lunch out.

Visitors to the event will have the opportunity to sample some local produce get involved in some 'mini-making workshops', contribute to our 'Recipe Sharing Wall' for the chance to win a prize, eat some of the wares they have help create, or simply relax and have a bite to eat! Bread, pizzas and soups will be made on the day, using locally produced ingredients as much as possible.

Entry to the event is free and food will be available to buy at £1 per portion in the ‘all-ages-friendly’ eatery.

Don’t forget to bring along your favourite recipe to add to the recipe wall - there will be a prize for the best entry and everyone is encourage to photograph the recipes to then use at home.

For more details, about this hand-on, family-friendly event, visit the Transition Shipston website or call Erry Lilley on 01608 638422

Local resident to run London Marathon

files/stc/news-assets/img/Philip's upload folder - images/IMG_20130413_124802.JPG

Local resident, Shauni Warner, is running the London marathon next Sunday 21st April. It's 26.2 miles for her chosen charity of Whizz Kids. She's trying to raise as much money as she can and you can donate through Just Giving here.

 

She also has a bingo night at 'The Hub,' Shipston on Stour on Saturday 11th May at 7.30pm.

 

Good luck from everyone at the Town Council!

Three Peaks Challenge - 18th July 2013

Shipston Cricket Club to raise funds for Shipston Home Nursing

files/stc/news-assets/img/Philip's upload folder - images/threepeakschallenge.jpg

Shipston Sports Club's cricket section are aiming to complete a gruelling mountaineering challenge in July to raise funds for their club and for local charity Shipston Home Nursing.

Five intrepid cricketers must climb Ben Nevis, Snowdon and Scafell Pike all within a 24 hour period to complete their challenge successfully.

They will be hoping for public donations to raise funds and are also selling commemorative wristbands from various outlets around Shipston-on-Stour.

Please give generously to this worthy cause - click here to donate, buy a wristband or dig deep when the climbers come calling with their sponsorship forms!

Protection for your catalytic converter and shed

files/stc/news-assets/img/ploice-tape.jpg

Shipston Safer Neighbourhood Team now have access to Selectamark DNA Catalytic Converter marking kits, in response to the theft of Catalytic Converters from 4x4 vehicles and Vans in the area. The kits are easy to apply and permanently mark the CAT with a unique reference code. They are available from the Team at a cost of £5.  Shed / Van PIR, battery powered alarms also available from the SNT at a cost of £10.

Both items will need to be paid for by cheque. As we are acting as a third party, it is easier for us to handle cheques.

CAT Markers - £5 and cheque needs to be made payable to Warwickshire PCC. Shed Alarms - £10 and cheque needs to be made payable to Earlswood Nurseries.

The items are currently being sold from Shipston Town Council.

Potholes beware – Town Councillors are on the warpath

Shipston Town Councillors are to conduct a thorough assessment of the roads in Shipston after repeated complaints about potholes and blocked drains.

The town has been split into ten segments, with most councillors taking on at least one section. Armed with maps, the councillors will be recording any hazardous potholes that present a danger to road users or which could damage cars or bicycles. The results will be collated by the Town Clerk and fed back to Warwickshire County Council’s Highways Department for urgent action.

Mayor, Fay Ivens, said "although we accept that the recent weather conditions have damaged the road surfaces, the number and severity of potholes and blocked drains around Shipston has got out of hand. Despite repeated efforts to get these problems fixed, progress has been slow. We hope that this thorough assessment will encourage the county council to take the necessary action."Although the audit will focus on potholes, blocked drains and other highways issues will be recorded where possible.

In the meantime, residents are encouraged to continue reporting potholes via the county council website at www.warwickshire.gov.uk/potholes or by calling 01926 412515.

New Youth Shelter to be installed this month

Shipston’s youngsters will soon have a new place to gather and socialise thanks to the combined efforts of the Safer Neighbourhood Team, Shipston Town Council, Stratford District Council and the youngsters themselves.

As previously reported (Shipston Forum, March 2013), the shelter concept was agreed as a priority at a recent Community Forum meeting.

Following the award of a larger than expected grant from the town council last month, PCSO Andy Steventon was tasked with finding out what type of shelter young people really wanted, and finding a suitable solution within a budget of £5,000.

After discussion with students at the High School and youngsters in the town, it became clear that the shelter needed to be inviting and weather-proof, while avoiding a closed structure that would restrict visibility and accessibility.

Following careful research and some impressive bartering by Andy Steventon, a new shelter has been purchased from Sutcliffe Play and is due to be installed mid to late April. The structure has been custom made and finished to match the existing materials at the Skate Park, where the shelter will be installed.

Andy Steventon said “I have been overwhelmed by the amount of support and the speed with which we have been able to progress this project. I’m delighted we have been

able to find the right solution for Shipston’s youngsters and would like to thank everyone who has helped this project come to fruition.”

Mayor, Fay Ivens, added “Shipston Town Council is very pleased to have been able to fund this shelter as part of our commitment to improving services for younger people. We hope to see the shelter put to good use in the coming months.”