MINUTES 25 June 2009

Attendees: Fran Markotic (chair), Claudia Hodds (minutes), Sharon Draper, Mary Carter, Hilly Prendergast, Melton Howe, Samantha Wiltshire, John Knight, Stewart Palmen, Justin Hodds, Graham Hedley, Clive Blackmore, PCSO Chris McLoughlin, PCSO Joe Leeds.

Apologies: Teresa Hibbs, Eunja Palmen, Sharon Rogers, Mary Beer, PCSO Peter Tscherniawsky.

Amendment to last month’s minutes: Both Graham and Clive had sent their apologies.
Otherwise, the minutes of the June meeting were approved.

Police Update
- Trowbridge Central Neighbourhood Policing Team (NPT) now established with four members: 3 PCSOs and PC Jim Adams. PCSO Peter Tscherniawsky specifically assigned to Newtown area.
- Criminal damage to vehicles in Gloucester Rd area was identified as a priority at the last Neighbourhood Tasking Group meeting. Everyone is welcome to attend the Tasking Group meetings. These help the police to identify issues so that they can do something about them. Next meeting will be held on Wed 9 Sep at 14:00 in The Shires meeting room.
- It was pointed out that the Pub Watch and the Tasking Group meetings clashed last time. Joe Leeds will pass this comment on to Jam Adams.
- NPT newsletter has just been published.
- Website for Neighbourhood Policing Team: trowbridgecentralnpt@wiltshire.pnn.police.uk

NARA Newsletter
Was edited by Andi Caswell and is ready for distribution. Should be delivered before 12 July as the Car Boot Sale is advertised in the newsletter. NPT newsletter to be distributed together with NARA newsletter in Gloucester Road to show residents that their area is receiving police attention.

NARA Activities

Car Boot Sale in Wesley Road Club car park –Sunday 12th July
Set-up from 12:30, selling from 13:00. Please would everyone print out and put up some posters to advertise this. Fran will also let the Wiltshire Times know. Joan & Eddy will control parking, they will also distribute leaflets on the day before to stop people from parking in the car park. Claudia will collect the money on the day: £3 per table / car. Fran will make sure that all rubbish is collected at the end.

The Big Lunch – Sunday 19 July
Nationwide initiative trying to encourage people to get together for lunch in open spaces in order to get to know their neighbours. NARA supports this idea and will advertise it at the Car Boot Sale. The idea is to use any space in the area, suggestions were either on the wasteland behind Wesley Road Club or on the grass at the bottom of Waterworks Road.

West Wilts Show – Sat 25 July
NARA is participating in the Residents’ Association stand in the Civic Hall. No volunteers came forward at the meeting – if you would like to man the stand for an hour or two,(between 12:00 and 3:00pm) please contact Fran.

Front Garden Fiesta
Please forward the addresses of any prize-worthy gardens to Fran by early July. Fran will then tour the area and identify the winners.

Community Swap evening
Not discussed at this meeting – to be discussed in September.

Old Rectory – the hedge has now been cut.

Speakers – oral history series!
Roy Berrett gave a very interesting talk about the history of the wool and textile business in Trowbridge. He will speak again in Trowbridge Museum on 12 September.

In July, Arthur Hillman will be sharing his recollections about Newtown area pre 1933 and post 1966, when he lived here. He might be joined by his friend, who also lived in the area in the 20s/30s

Suggestion: Invite someone from ‘Transform Trowbridge’ to talk about the plans for the town.

Newtown
If you spot large lorries on Newtown, let the police know their registration numbers so they can be made aware that they are not supposed to drive through the area.

Parking

Residents’ Parking on Newtown and in Gloucester Road
Mr Harris would like to meet with NARA residents to discuss residents’ parking. Sharon Draper, Melton Howe and Fran are interested in meeting him. The general feeling of the meeting is that this is a money making scheme and will not improve the situation for residents.

Bond Street Buildings
People have received parking tickets early on Sunday morning when they have parked on the grass verges at the bottom of Waterworks Road, despite the fact that they did not obstruct access.

NARA committee
Fran has re-iterated that she will stand down as chair in September. Claudia will continue to stand as treasurer but is not going to act as chair. Andi Caswell is happy to be secretary but can’t always attend meetings. She would be happy to type up the minutes afterwards.
We therefore still need a permanent chair – please do consider taking up this position. Fran will provide a thorough hand-over, and training can be arranged through Selwood Housing.

AOB
- 27 & 28 June 10:00am – 5:00pm at Trowbridge Park – Wiltshire British Armed Forces & Veterans Celebrations – there will be several bands, re-enactors of WW2, a 70 ft trench, a Lancer with his horse, a Helicopter, a Spitfire, loads of military vehicles and vintage fire engines, a field hospital and catering of the times, a climbing tower, inflatable, paint ball, shooting range, motorbikes, workshops and trade stalls. This promises to be an amazing 2 day event and on Saturday night there is a RAFA concert in the Civil Hall.
- 12 September – Trowbridge Carnival –NARA and/or Town Council is looking for participants in fancy dress to parade and for floats. Andi Caswell has volunteered to coordinate a float. – Call Fran (710457)soon, if interested in participating.

Neighbourhood Tasking Group – next meeting on Wednesday 9 September at 14:00 in The Shires meeting room – anyone welcome!

NEXT MEETINGS : Tuesday 21 July (in Function Room) – guest speaker: Arthur Hillman
Wednesday 23 September Thursday 22nd October
Tuesday 17 November Thursday 17 December

Email for Neighbourhood Policing Team: trowbridgecentralnpt@wiltshire.pnn.police.uk
PC 2274 Jim Adams
PCSO 6182 Peter Tscherniawsky Peter.Tscherniawsky@wiltshire.pnn.police.uk
Telephone: 0845 408 7000

For potholes and flooding problems in the roads: Call CLARENCE on 0800 23 23 23

Fran Markotic is NARA Chair: 01225 710457 fran.jason@btinternet.com

DO HAVE A LOOK AT OUR UPDATED WEBSITE ON http://newtownarearesidentsassociation.blogspot.com/
And do send interesting photos of the area for inclusion to newtown.residents@rocketmail.com