Archive for category: News

🌟 Maiden Newton & Frome Vauchurch Parish Council Newsletter

📢 Parish Council Update – March 2026

🚒 Fire Station Consultation
The Parish Council has submitted an objection to the proposed changes that could impact Maiden Newton. Residents are encouraged to complete the consultation and attend the public meetings at the Village Hall on 19 March plus other events on 14^th April and 16^th April please check noticeboards and Facebook for more information.

🌧 Flooding Update
Residents, councillors and the Flood Warden recently met with MP Edward Morello and the Ward Councillor to discuss the flooding issues affecting the village. Work is now beginning on an updated Flood and Community Resilience Plan for Maiden Newton and Frome Vauchurch.

⚽ Playing Field & Youth Football Club
Positive discussions have taken place with the Maiden Newton Youth Football Club about a lease for the playing field. The club will continue to maintain the area and pay an annual fee while the Parish Council continues grass cutting.

🔧 Village Maintenance
Recent work includes repairs to the MUGA hut lock and water supply also investigating lighting faults, planning repairs to the village clock and the replacement of bollards by the Cross.
The allotment gate remains locked until ground conditions improve, and quotes are being obtained to carry out repairs the track following flood damage.

🦫 Beaver Consultation
Dorset Wildlife Trust is consulting on a potential beaver release in the River Frome catchment. A representative will be invited to speak at the Annual Parish Assembly.

🧹 Community Litter Pick
📅 Saturday 22^nd March
🕙 10:00am
📍 Meet at the War Memorial
Gloves recommended – bags and litter pickers provided.

🏡 Annual Parish Assembly followed by a Parish Council meeting
📅 9 April – 6:30pm
📍 Village Hall
All residents welcome to attend.

For more info see the noticeboards and Parish website where you will find the contact details of Councillors.

Get in touch- For inquiries or assistance please contact the Clerk/RFO

Mrs Michele Harding, C/o West Elworth Farm, Portesham Weymouth, Dorset DT3 4HF.

Email clerk@maidennewtonandfromevauchurch-pc.gov.uk  Tel: 07831 029677

Website: www.maidennewtonandfromevauchurch-pc.gov.uk

🎄✨ Merry Christmas from Maiden Newton and Frome Vauchurch Parish Council ✨🎄

As we approach the end of another year, we would like to take this opportunity to wish all our residents a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Thank you for your continued support and engagement with our community throughout 2025. We look forward to working with you all in the year ahead.

May your festive season be filled with warmth, joy, and time spent with loved ones.

Wishing you all a peaceful and prosperous 2026! 🎅🎁

Maiden Newton and Frome Vauchurch Parish Council

🌟 Maiden Newton & Frome Vauchurch Parish Council Newsletter

December 2025

🪴 Chair’s Comments

Thanks to everyone involved in preparing the Skips Field consultation paper (closing December 15th).
🎄 A special thank-you to all who helped install the Christmas tree and light up the Cross — it looks wonderful!
🏀 We’re also delighted to report that the new MUGA fence has now been installed.

🌊 Flood Update

📘 A geomorphologist’s report confirms the river channel is stable. Removing gravel bars would damage our precious chalk stream habitat without reducing flood risk.
🚰 Residents are kindly encouraged to help by keeping drains clear and reporting any blockages.
🌳 The Countryside team will clear grips, and Dorset Council has reported the tree trunk in the River Frome to the Environment Agency for action.

🏡 Council Property & Maintenance

🌿 Allotments: Annual hedge maintenance will take place December 15–17.
🛠️ Bus Shelters: Repairs have been approved for Dorchester Road and Webber’s Piece.
🎠 Play Area: Works approved include filling safety-surface gaps, removing broken equipment, and treating the area for moss.

📊 Skips Field Survey – Early Results

So far, 32 out of 42 respondents support the Parish Council acquiring Skips Field — showing strong community enthusiasm for local ownership!
💚 Ways residents are willing to help: financial support, fundraising, planning input, and practical/professional expertise.
🤔 Concerns raised: cost, maintenance, management, and limited use.
🌼 Key priorities emerging:
• Wildlife & conservation
• Benches and quiet space
• Children’s play
• Improved access
• Tackling vandalism & dog mess

🗓️ The survey closes December 15th, and results will be considered further in February.

📁 Planning & Finance

🏡 Planning: No objections were raised regarding the proposed extension at 3 Back Lane, Frome Vauchurch.
💷 Council funds currently total: £119,815.88.
💻 To support smoother operations, the Council agreed to purchase Microsoft Office Premium via Cloudy IT.

🚶 Highways & Rights of Way

🚏 The sign location on Chapel Lane has been reported for improvement.

🛣️ Dorset Council Update

👷 New County Highways Officers will be starting soon, alongside a refreshed management system planned for 2026.
📑 Asset transfers were discussed — with reassurance that no assets will be imposed on parishes.
📅 The Dorset Local Plan is now expected around 2028–29.

🏘️ Community Updates

🗓️ Next Parish Council meeting: February 6th, 2026
👶 The preschool/after-school committee welcomes new members, including grandparents.
🌐 Residents are encouraged to register interest with Wessex Internet to support fibre rollout in the village.

🎁 The Parish Council wishes everyone a very Merry Christmas, and a Happy & Healthy New Year!

📰 Maiden Newton & Frome Vauchurch Parish Council – November 2025 Update

Welcome & Remembrance
The Chair welcomed residents to the meeting and reminded everyone about the Remembrance service at the War Memorial on 11th Nov at 10:50 am. The hearing loop is now operational for meetings.

💻 Full Fibre Broadband
Wessex Internet is rolling out full fibre in the village and Cruxton. Residents can register online to express interest. Pop-up stalls will share info locally.

🛠 Village Projects & Maintenance

• Play Area: Minor repairs underway; surfacing interim fixes until full funding available.
• MUGA: Surfacing delayed until spring; reopened for use.
• Bus Shelters: Ivy removal, repainting, and glass/roof repairs planned.
• Skips Field: Public consultation coming soon to gauge support.
• Oak Tree Planting & Christmas Tree: Approved! Village tree and cross to be decorated for festive season.

🌊 Flooding & River Update
Concerns raised about silt and debris around village bridges. Councillor Neil Eysenck will contact the MP and Environment Agency. Tree trunk in river to be reported.

🏡 Planning Updates

• Cruxton Solar Farm application refused.
• Local Plan & Transport Plan consultations submitted.

💰 Finance & Budget 2026–27

• Precept rises 5% to £39,590.
• Budget returns to normal after major 2025–26 projects.
• £3.3k surplus to rebuild reserves for future village projects.

🚶 Community Updates

• New footpath signs installed.
• Winter road resurfacing paused; will resume in spring.
• Suggestions received for visitor toilet access and Chapel Lane signage issues.

Follow us on social media for village updates, consultations, and ways to get involved!

Full minutes of the meeting are available on the website

📅 Next Meeting:  Thursday 4th December 7pm
📍 Maiden Newton Village Hall
👥 Everyone is welcome — come along and have your say!

For more info see the noticeboards and Parish website where you will find the contact details of Councillors.

Get in touch- For inquiries or assistance please contact the Clerk/RFO

Mrs Michele Harding, C/o West Elworth Farm, Portesham Weymouth, Dorset DT3 4HF.

Email clerk@maidennewtonandfromevauchurch-pc.gov.uk  Tel: 07831 029677

Website: www.maidennewtonandfromevauchurch-pc.gov.uk