MATTERS ARISING

Matters Arising Wendover Parish Council Page

View from the Chair

Wendover Parish Council continues to be committed to a “business as usual” approach during this time of pandemic. The Clock Tower remains unattended for most of the time; it’s hard to think of a building less suited for staff social distancing than the Clock Tower, but the work of the council goes on. The Thursday market is back. It’s a bit different from the usual bustling free for all but I think it’s a milestone on the path back to normality. Most of the tasks that keep Wendover safe and tidy are being carried out by our grounds team and hanging baskets and flowers are perking up the village centre and the approaches.

Council meetings are taking place on screens rather than face to face and they are no less lively or productive for that. The Council is changing with some members stepping down and new, co-opted, members joining. This kind of change will bring new skills, opinions and thoughts, and so look out for a flurry of ideas being put into practice.

One such idea, from a newish councillor Steve Campbell, is to construct a time capsule with features relating to the COVID-19 crisis. These are momentous times and a community record of where we are now, and where we’ve been, should be of great interest to people in the future. You will no doubt hear much more of this as we ask for community input.

One member leaving the council is Cllr Robert Duggan, the former chairman. As chairman he helped to set the council on the path to be the organisation that it is today. He and I have been friends for thirty odd years, and we joined WPC on the same day ten years ago. Robert will continue to be active in the community, but I and the other councillors shall miss him at council meetings. Tom Walsh

Wendover Markets

The weekly Thursday market returned to Manor Waste on Thursday 11 June, opening at 9am and closing at 3pm. Community safety is paramount, and to establish a safe system of working, only a few traders returned. The Parish Council are reassessing the situation each week and are planning for all the traders to return over time. A one-way system has been imposed with sanitiser stations positioned at the entry points, and where possible, you are encouraged to use contactless payments. We ask you to follow the set-out guidelines to ensure everyone can shop safely and enjoy the experience. For those who enjoy the monthly Local Produce Market, we are planning to reopen it on Saturday 18 July. Please follow our Facebook page or visit our website for the latest news and updates.

Hampden Pond Update

Wendover Parish council are pleased to confirm the commencement of due diligence activities for the development of the pond into an area where families can meet for picnics, and enjoy the natural environment we endeavour to create, to support wildlife and aquatic plants. WPC envisage a substantive path suitable for the disabled, areas with picnic tables, additional trees to replace those in trauma, and aquatic plants to entice a greater variety of wildlife to the pond. A borehole will also be investigated to maintain a suitable water level, so that fish stock and angling can be reintroduced. It is early days and we have a three-year plan to achieve these goals. The community will be engaged throughout the project to ensure we deliver an area which is practical, appealing, and somewhere Wendover residents can enjoy and be proud of!

Wendover Rocks

Wendover Parish Council is supporting an initiative started by a local resident called Wendover Rocks. To show support for the NHS and key workers we are encouraging people to paint rocks and leave them in the area near the flower trough outside the Clock Tower. If there is a good response, we can then think about casting the pebbles in either concrete or a clear resin at a central point in the village. Let’s see how big our collection can grow!

WPC Mailing List

Wendover Parish Council have started a mailing list for important updates, news, and event information. It is very easy to join, just visit our website www.wendover-pc.gov.uk and a box will pop up asking you to enter your email address to join the mailing list. Your data will not be shared with third parties. www.facebook.com/wendoverparish/