the
free to members
November 2015
OXTON SOCIETY In this Issue Georgia Heathman on How to Relax: ‘Coffee. Bacon. The weekend newspapers’ P4 Lend your Spade to the Arno Planters: 14 and 15 November P8 Our Christmas Lights Need Volunteers: 28 November P2
Join a Conversation with the Oxton Artists!
Painting by David Tolley
On the last weekend of November, the Oxton Art Fair will, once again, take place within the walls of the Williamson Art Gallery and Museum. It has been an exciting and busy year for all at the Williamson, and the artists are, as ever, grateful to be showing there, and supporting the Gallery. We have invited several guests, some fine artists, a potter, and a textile artist. The artists are a friendly bunch, each of us showing our work in our little corner, but having worked all together in the last few months to organise the Fair. It is most emphatically a team effort. This is our 11th year, and going down memory lane brings back many happy thoughts of artists who have moved on, or left us. Artists create and express themselves through their work. Whatever the medium they use, the contents and meanderings of their thoughts are, ultimately revealed in materials, colours, forms, and patterns that open a conversation with the viewer. So come along and join our conversation. We do look forward to welcoming you on Saturday 28th and Sunday 29th November. As always, there will be Children’s Activities and the Café. It’s a perfect way to spend a few hours that weekend.
Mixed media by Pam Pauling
Saturday, 28th November at 4.00pm: When Oxton Switches On As the cold nights draw in, we can help lift the gloom by looking forward to our traditional celebration of the beginning of the winter season. It’s that time of year again for the Society to invite you to Oxton Village’s launch of the 2015 Christmas season with the switching-on of the Christmas lights. We will be putting on the usual variety of stalls of food and entertainment to suit all ages. Hot dogs, mulled wine and mince pies will be sold on the street. The carousel will be running for children and Father Christmas has confirmed that he will be making a special visit to take orders. We need your support, especially for our collections for the Salvation Army and Mayor’s local charities, who do so much good work throughout the year. Here is the programme: 4.00pm News. 4.05pm singers. 4.20pm 6.00pm
Stalls and other attractions open. Father Christmas arrives at Edwards Carol singing led by the Salvation Army band supported by local choir Countdown to the Lights switch-on. Enjoy the scene! Event closes.
Please get baking and help us this year by providing a dozen or so mince pies to be sold with the mulled wine. These will be gratefully received up to the Saturday lunchtime, the day of the event. You can drop these off at the Drawing Room on Christchurch Road. Alternatively you can make a ‘donation order ‘ at The Pantry on Rose Mount in the Village. They will ensure that your order is delivered to the event. Most importantly, we need volunteers who help run the stalls and ensure that the event passes off safely. Don’t leave it to others; come along and lend a hand. If you can help then please contact Peter Wright on 0151 652 3826. We only need, at most, 1 hour of your time, so you can still have plenty of time to enjoy the event with friends and family.
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Report Back From the Annual General Meeting With 102 members present as well as local businesses, the chair, Rhiannon Evans, outlined the Society’s objectives, proposing these priorities for 2015/16: • Conservation and planning – working with the Council to ensure that conservation and planning issues are not downgraded following the slimming down and restructuring of the Council’s conservation team. • Oxton Village Centre – working with businesses, members and council officers to maximize the potential for a thriving village centre, including securing the development of the former bank site • Partnerships – with the Council, the Wirral Conservation Area Forum, businesses and others • Financial sustainability – reviewing membership subscription rates, which have remained unchanged for many years • Succession planning for the Committee and other roles The Society was in good financial health and the accounts were adopted. The AGM re-elected the following to serve as officers: Chair, Rhiannon Evans; Vice-Chair, Jeff Willis; Secretary, Alan Chape; Treasurer, Jane Horton. Steve Ferguson, Ann Fordham, Patrick Toosey, Steve Weber, Dave Barden, John Booth, Bob Knowles, Jenny O’Sullivan, Carolyn Weber were re-elected to serve on the Committee. Local councillors Pat Williams, Alan Brighouse and Paul Doughty would continue as co-opted members. Four vacancies remain on the Committee and the Chair invited anyone interested in joining the Committee to contact her. There had been a good response to The Oxton Design Awards for 2015 with six entries. Winning projects are publicised in this newsletter and on the website, which also features the other excellent nominations.
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Two awards were made for outstanding contributions to Oxton. The award to Sandra Griffiths of ‘The Quandary’ recognised her contribution as a champion of the village and the Oxton Society. Sandra has sold Secret Gardens tickets for many years and become a focal point on-line ticket sales, promoted the village and the society, registered new members and been an active business partner. The award to Phill Jenkins recognised his contributions as graphic designer over four years, transforming the look of the Society’s publications, flyers, banners and Secret Gardens programmes, and helping to introduce the Society’s new e-mail system.
Committee Future Meeting Dates Your committee has decided to restructure the timetable for future Committee meetings to make the process more streamlined. The new dates are here. Ordinary members of the Society can of course attend the meetings and we encourage you to do so. Meetings are held in St Saviours Church Hall starting at 7.30pm on: 3 November 2015, 12 January 2016, 1 March 2016, 3 May 2016, 5 July 2016, 6 September 2016, 1 November 2016.
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OXTON people
Georgia Heathman is one of Oxton’s keenest young volunteers and was awarded the Young Volunteer of the Year in 2011. She is the eldest of three sisters, all of whom are away at University this year.
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Georgia was born in 1990. Her parents lived in Port Sunlight until she was around 3 years old. She remembers the fountain and the enormous Christmas tree. Later she was interested to learn how Lord Leverhulme developed the village for the benefit of his employees. Georgia attended several schools before she went to University : Birkenhead Girls School, West Kirby Grammar, and Caldy Boys School. She described her early interest in the economies of other countries especially China and its predicted growth. She followed this through when she went to the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS ). She spent a year in Beijing with a group of fellow students from SOAS learning Mandarin. This was an exciting experience but challenging because of the culture clash; missing her home and family she felt she learnt to be resourceful. For the past 6 months Georgia has been drawing on her Mandarin when employed in St Helens by a mining company involved in international assessment and trading of metals. Soon she and her sister Milly are off to Sheffield University for another year, living together and planning to see their other sister Eleanor, who is studying at Newcastle University. Georgia said that Xmas Lights was a family event they all looked forward to when they all met up and helped their Dad, one of the organisers. This led to other involvement with the Oxton Society as a volunteer, a role she enjoys very much. What is your earliest memory? I was about three or four and I was helping my dad to empty the dishwasher when he dropped my Mum’s favourite mug and it smashed all over the kitchen floor. I remember feeling so sad for my mum but my dad didn’t get in trouble much to my relief.
What are you most proud of doing? My undergraduate year in China. I realised just how big and different the world was, it was a culture shock and a hard, hard year. I made some amazing friends, people who I know I will have in my life forever and we now laugh at how tough it was. Who would play you in the film of yourlife Jennifer Lawrence - she’s never made a bad film! I think people would be surprised to know this about me? My first job was as a waitress for Restaurant Fraiche in the village. I worked there while studying for my A-levels and during the summers home from university. I still haven’t eaten there myself only the few delights Marc would allow us to try - one being his sensational peanut butter ice cream. How do you like to chill out? Coffee. Bacon. Reading the weekend papers and discussing the headlines round my family’s kitchen table. Which famous person do most admire? Lena Dunham - the award winning writer, director, actress, producer and voice. She is my generation. She does not conform. She writes about real experiences, real life and encourages young women to feel empowered and not be silent. Lena’s refreshing honesty is a great comfort to every young woman trying to find her feet. What do you like about Oxton? Its eccentric British character. It’s in the residents, the beautiful houses, the shops and restaurants. Oxton has a special way of making you feel like you could be in a hidden place and time that only you and a few lucky ones have the pleasure of enjoying. I love it. It’s home. What changes or improvements would you like to see in Oxton Village? I would like to see Oxton remain the village that I love. Not become tainted or commercial. I would like more of its residents and businesses to become involved with the society and appreciate the precious place they protect.
Planning and Trees
Wirral Borough Council makes all final decisions on planning matters. In arriving at its decisions it seeks the comments of the Society on planning applications and applications for tree work in or adjacent to the Oxton Conservation Area. The Society’s role is to present informed arguments to the Council in the light of its commitment to the protection and sensitive enhancement of the Conservation Area. The Society has a ‘Planning Group’ and a ‘Tree Group’ which prepares the Society’s comments on these proposals. These Groups use as guidance the Council’s own published planning framework and they work within the Society’s Polices and Code of Practice. These are published on the Society’s website and available from the Honorary Secretary (see contact details in this newsletter). Individuals may have their own views and the Society expects them to exercise their right to make representations direct to the Council and/or their elected Councillors. Below are the reports submitted to Wirral Council since the last newsletter. The reference numbers are those quoted by the Wirral Planning Department.
Planning
The Courtyard, 7-9 Rose Mount, Oxton APP/15/00958: Extension of opening hours, up to 0130 on Friday and SaturdayComments: Objected on the grounds that the proposal conflicts with the Council’s planning policies, including the policies in Supplementary Planning Document 3 on the location of drinking establishments. The license condition states that the sale of alcohol for consumption on the premises is primarily for patrons eating at the premises. The extended hours would appear to be more in keeping with the use of premises as a drinking establishment than in support of its restaurant function. The Society considers that the Council’s decision to refuse a similar application in January was correct and that the additional information provided with this application, including a noise assessment, does not invalidate the reasons for refusal. 26 Glenmore Road APP/15/00986: Demolition of an existing rear conservatory and replacement with a dining room / garden room integrated with the remodelling of the existing kitchen outrigger. Comments: No comment, not visible from public areas Lidl Store, Oxton Road/Balls Road APP/15/01067: Demolition of existing buildings and erection of Lidl retail store with car parking, servicing areas, site access and associated works. Comments: Welcome redevelopment of derelict site. Commented on the proposed layout, design and use of materials with a view to ensuring that the development is of high quality commensurate with the prominence of this gateway site. 35 Village Road APP/15/01160: A two storey side extension to a substantial semidetached house. Comments: No comment. The roof design and materials will match the main dwelling and the scale of the extension is not disproportionate.
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Trees
All trees in the Conservation Area, including fruit trees, with a trunk diameter (at chest height) of more than 7.5 cm (about 3”) are protected by law. Wirral Borough Council’s Arboricultural Officer must be informed in writing six weeks in advance of all proposed work on such trees. This includes the cutting of branches, roots or felling. The Society’s comments concentrate on trees, or part of trees, which can be seen from a place where the public has access. 22 Rose Mount T15/0129: to trim the lower lateral branches of a horse chestnut and a sycamore which are extending over the gardens of Rosemount Park Gardens. Comment: we offered no objection as this represents good arboricultural management. 23 Hughes Lane CA15/0168: to fell an apple tree in the rear garden because of concerns over its height and because it is causing excessive shading. Comment: we offered no comment as this tree cannot be seen from public area. 39 Rose Mount SE15/0176: to remove a low scaffold branch over the road, to remove deadwood and to retain as a low pollard. Comment: this tree is in a dangerous condition, the TCP (Tree Preservation) (England) Regulations 2012 exempt tree works relating to trees which are dead or dangerous. 3 Poplar Road CA15/0181 & T15/0181: i. to remove a tree covered with ivy (so of unknown variety) to allow widening of the drive ii. to prune and reshape an ash tree which has been badly pruned in the past. iii. to fell a flowering cherry which is a poor specimen. iv. to prune the basal growth of a lime tree (which has been felled in the past) to mid fence level and train into a hedge. v. to fell a group of 11 overgrown conifers in the rear garden. vi. to fell a further group of 6 overgrown conifers in the rear garden. Comment: we visited the site at the invitation of the new owners prior to the application being submitted and the application is in line with our advice. The work proposed to the trees in the front garden is necessary and good practice. We gave no formal comments in respect of the trees in the rear garden as they are not visible from a publicly accessible place. 24 Shrewsbury Road CA15/0192: to remove 1No sycamore and to prune 4No sycamores so that they are ‘at a practical distance’ away from the adjoining property. The trees are all adjacent to the boundary wall separating No22 and No24. The tree that the applicant wishes to remove has a substantial covering of (what appears from the photographs submitted) ivy. Comment: we had no objection. The tree proposed for felling is difficult to see from the road. 25 Glenmore Road CA15/0202: to remove a flowering cherry in the front garden which has split and it is considered may become dangerous. Comment: no objection.
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Oxton Society Design Award: This Year’s Winners The Design Award is presented annually to a project which can be: a new build; addition to an existing structure; a renovation, upgrade or repair of an existing structure. Winning projects will make a significant contribution to the conservation area by achieving a high standard of design in keeping with the character of the conservation area and sets an example for others to aspire to, and demonstrate how appropriate materials can be used to respect the appearance and retain the character of the conservation area. The project will have been completed in the 12 months prior to the AGM We received 6 nominations in 2015 and all were of extremely high quality. The projects were judged on the following criteria – visibility, setting an example, materials, workmanship and design. For 2015 the two winners of the Award were: Grassguards, 13 Mount Pleasant, Heather and David Alcock: renovation and repair of a fine 1900 house
The judges commented that: ‘The project shows what can be done to if we are to protect the slow degradation of Oxton’s fine buildings which, although not listed, are identified in the conservation area character appraisal as making a positive contribution to the area. None of the works done (except re-location of satellite dishes) is actually required by conservation rules as they stand – but they show how to protect and restore the original fabric of the building’. 2 Roslin Road, Richard and Sarah Azurdia: rebuilding an original sandstone boundary wall demolished by a falling tree. The judges commented that: ‘Oxton’s sandstone walls are the defining feature of the area. This particular example is especially valuable with its dressed stone look. It presented a special challenge to restore it to its original form and the contractor, Steve Walling (the mason), has achieved an excellent result both in terms of matching the stone and shaping the blocks to fit the original design’.
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Trees for Oxton
Forty-six trees have been planted by the Society in the Conservation Area and these pictures, all taken this year, show samples of their variety and colour. All 46 were selected by members themselves for planting on their own property and all are growing where they can be seen from the road. The Society’s Tree Planting Fund is now open for requests for planting this winter and the deadline is December 13. The trees are usually more than 2m tall when planted and there is no cost to members. The Society pays for everything and the owners agree to water them throughout the first summer … that’s all. To find out more about the Fund and how it works look under “Trees” on the Society’s website or email info@oxtonsociety.org.uk to get more information and/or arrange to have a chat about possibilities … before December 13 please.
14 and 15 November: Join the Arno’s Cheerful Rose Planters As reported in the last newsletter, the generosity of the local community is making it possible to revive the Arno Rose Garden after its recent period of neglect. The new stock is more robust, disease resistant and scented, and the rose bushes we planted in March have flowered well over the summer. A second planting of 520 roses, filling a further five beds, will take place over the weekend of 14th and 15th November. The work depends on volunteers, and any help that members of the Oxton Society can give will be much appreciated. We will be starting around 10.00am on both the Saturday and Sunday mornings; please bring a spade with you. We can provide gardening gloves and cheerful company.
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The Oxton Christmas Shrub
Goodbye to Oxton’s Village Christmas tree. The tree planted in 2011 is a tree no more despite a security device to
prevent it being cut down. Three months later in December 2011 an abortive attempt to steal the Christmas lights snapped-off its top growing point, its leader. But the Society’s Tree Group identified five remaining buds at the tree’s top and, on professional advice, these were nurtured to replace the leader. The selection was successful and last winter the three shoots were carefully trained toward the vertical. The plan was that by 2017 the progressive removal of the weakest would give the tree a single leader. It will not happen. Early this year the three ‘leaders’ were vandalised. There are no replacement buds left.
local what’s on
October/November2015 The Oxton Society: November 28 : Christmas Lights Turn On Oxton Society Guided Walks in Oxton. These free walks start 11.00 at the Notice Board, Village Centre. Book your place with Oxton Village Books (for current contact details consult www.oxtonvillagebooks .co.uk) Friends of the Arno rose planting in the Rose Garden, volunteers welcome, 14 and 15 November Williamson Art Gallery and Museum 10.00 to 5.00 (closed Mondays, Tuesdays and Bank Holidays). Coffee shop, local arts & crafts shop, disabled access throughout. October 31: STARKERS selected exhibitions form the collection November 7: The Fear Factor with Ullaloom for children 8-11 November 28/29: Oxton Art Fair Wirral Archives Service. A series of free workshops on a variety of family and local history topics, illustrated by original documents. From, except where noted, 2pm - 4pm in the Lower Ground Floor Conference Room, Cheshire Lines Building, CH41 1ND. http://www.wirral.gov.uk/my-services/leisure-and-culture/wirral-archives-service November 12: Wirral and the First World War, 1915 at 2 p.m., to be given by William Meredith
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A Conservation Trail for the Wirral? The Wirral Circular Trail is a 35 mile sign posted trail, connecting the public rights of way network with other routes around Wirral. It starts and finishes at the Seacombe Ferry Terminal and can be downloaded from the Visit Wirral web site. The Trail can be started at any other point and the description is divided into sections with instructions and information. The Wirral Conservation Area Forum is proposing that this Trail should be complemented by a Conservation Area Trail linking up the Wirral’s 26 conservation areas. The conservation areas are diverse in terms of character and scale. They vary from the internationally acclaimed (Port Sunlight, Hamilton Square and Birkenhead Park) to the little known smaller areas (The Magazines in Wallasey and Gayton, adjacent to Heswall) and the more substantial (Oxton, Caldy and Heswall Village). The map shows the location of these areas. This would provide complementary walking, cycling and public transport routes which would allow people to plan trips around the trail. The Conservation Area Forum believe that the 26 conservation areas have not been properly publicised and marketed as feature and attraction. They are also conscious of the considerable growth, especially of walking groups, across the Wirral and the increasing number of cyclists using the circular trail for safe bike riding. Discussions have been taking place with the Council’s Rights of Way and the Tourism Officers and the initial response has been encouraging. What do you think about this proposal?
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Contacting the Oxton Society and the Newsletter Contributions to the Newsletter are welcome and should be sent to the Editor by email to info@oxtonsociety.org.uk or by post to the secretary, 4 Willan Street, CH43 5ST. You can also contact the society by any of the telephone numbers or email addresses given in this Newsletter and via the Oxton Society website or via the page on Facebook. Many smart phone apps will get you straight to the Oxton Society website by means of the code printed here. If you are having difficulty with this, you may find the appropriate free download @www.neoreader.com. Do you have an email address? If you are not receiving e-mails with news updates, your current email address is not in the database. Please send it. Details are confidential and never passed to 3rd parties.
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