Oil Buyers' Scheme
This scheme provides regular top-up deliveries in January, March, June, September and November (according to agreed individual schedules) at a specially discounted price tied to the Rotterdam oil market.
As well as benefiting from savings averaging 1-2 p/litre in 2004 and 2005 (more on smaller, normally higher-priced deliveries) residents have seen tanker movements through the village cut dramatically.
They have also had all the hassle and worry of delivery scheduling eliminated.
Anyone living in or close to the village can join the scheme at any time in the year.
For information, call Oakleys on 01952 684600 and ask for the Little Wenlock Top-Up Service.
Playing Field
Located just behind the Huntsman pub in the centre of the village, the playing field boasts a state-of-the-art children’s play area.
Divided into separate sections for the under 5s and 6-12s, the play area includes two adventure frames, a high tech roundabout, several individual swingers and springers, a springing see-saw, and cradle and ordinary swings. The equipment is constructed on a high quality rubberised safety surface, and is linked by tarmac paths for complete pushchair and wheelchair access.
The Kompan play equipment was chosen by the children themselves as part of the extensive consultations involved in the six-year project. Its £50,000 cost was financed by sustained fund-raising, a donation from the Parish Council and grants from Awards for All, Living Spaces, the Countryside Agency and Onyx Environmental Trust.
In the early 1990s, funding from the Playing Fields Association and the Parish Council, together with planning obligations from the original village playing field lost to open cast mining in the 1960s was used to construct a tennis court on the relocated playing field.
An activity wall was included to extend the value of the court to youngsters and a basketball net added with funding from the Outdoor Basketball Initiative.
Help of NACRO enabled the original barn alongside the tennis court to be renovated.
Used as an informal youth shelter, its role is currently being assessed with older children as part of a wider playing field project to further improve the recreational facilities available to them.
As well as informal recreation, the playing field has played host to a number of community events over the years. These include fancy dress competitions, tennis tournaments, five-a-side football tournaments, tug-of-war competitions and, on two occasions, major fun days attracting large numbers of visitors from beyond the village.
Regular playground inspections are carried out to ensure the facilities and equipment remain in good and safe condition, and users are asked to report any problems as they are encountered.
Outdoor Gym Equipment
At the June 2009 Village Hall and Playing Field Committee meeting, plans for the siting of outdoor gym equipment on the playing field were submitted to the Committee by the Parish Council. It is planned to have an open evening when everyone can see the plans and photographs of the types of equipment available.
An open meeting was held in the Village Hall on Monday 14th September to provide an opportunity for residents to look at initial proposals for the Outdoor Gym equipment.
Here is the report from the meeting:
LITTLE WENLOCK PARISH COUNCIL
SUMMARY OF THE OPEN MEETING HELD ON MONDAY 14TH SEPTEMBER 2009
TO DISCUSS THE OUTDOOR GYM.
11 Parishioners attended the open meeting.
Councillor Patrick Pietroni, who had been given the brief to look at the proposal for an outdoor gym, outlined the history behind the concept and that the proposal had been on the Parish Plan.
Various views were put forward. Sue Parsons, Chair of the Village Hall and Playing Field Committee made it clear that the final decision on whether or not an outdoor gym would be placed on the playing field rested with them.
The view was expressed that the proposed site was ideal as there would be added value in as much as children would see their parents exercising on the equipment.
Concerns were expressed about vandalism but it was pointed out that none of the new play equipment had been vandalised. The equipment was guaranteed for 10 to 15 years if used appropriately.
There were 4 or 5 funders willing to pay for the project already.
There were 9 units of equipment and all three contractors who had been approached felt that there was more than enough space on the site. It was better if the units were close together as observation was one of the best ways of encouraging people to use them.
The view was expressed that there were too many pieces of equipment and that they could be fairly intrusive. They could be placed between the tennis courts and the football pitch. There was a need not to interfere with the land drains on the site and to avoid wet areas. The location of the future proposed cycle track needed to be considered.
It was felt that the equipment was better close together as this gave a degree of social interaction. The range of equipment had been selected to meet the medical needs and age groups of those using it. The use of all 9 pieces of equipment by one individual in a session would be taxing, but the use of a singe unit chosen from each of the three groups would be appropriate.
The projected cost had included the placement of artificial grass or rubber around the equipment.
If the VH & PFC agreed to the proposal then a working sub committee could be formed to finalise the details such as the exact location of the equipment.
It was pointed out that the VH & PFC check all the play equipment on a weekly basis and that RoSPA makes an annual inspection of the play equipment which is paid for by the Parish Council.
The view was expressed that one is more likely to go to the playing field rather than the gym. It was also pointed out that parents using the outdoor gym would need to be in sight of their children using the play equipment.
The VH & PFC would make a decision on the 7th October. It was further suggested that there was similar equipment to that proposed in Telford Town Park which could be inspected.
Councillor Patrick Pietroni thanked all those who attended.
Outdoor Gym Success February 2010
Little Wenlock Parish council is delighted to inform you that it has obtained a Big Lottery Fund of £10,000 and a further grant of £550 from Telford and Wrekin Council to achieve this project. The Parish Council has contributed £2,500 from its financial reserves.
The original concept arose at a Parish Council meeting when Councillor Debbie Peace remarked that it would be nice for mums to have something to do when they take their children to the play area. The concept was developed further and became part of the revised Parish Plan. The main objective behind the project is to establish an adult fitness area to address the needs of the residents aged between 18 and 80+.
When Debbie Peace left the Parish Council Councillor Patrick Pietroni was invited to develop the project. He drew up the proposals for the initiative and invited three companies to present their proposals and costings. “Fresh Air Fitness” was the company chosen to install the equipment.
An Open Meeting was held on the 14th September for members of the community to present their views and meetings were held with the Village Hall and Playing Field Committee and a working party established.
There will be nine free to use pieces of equipment to meet the different needs of the whole community. It can be used casually or as the basis for a serious fitness workout. Two or more people can use many of the pieces at the same time so that friends can work out together.
The equipment has now been ordered and the anticipated completion of the project is by Easter. Once installed there will be a Saturday “open day” event when those who attend will be taken through their “paces” by a representative from the Primary Care Trust.
Thank you to everyone who has contributed to making this project so successful.
Bike Track
A request has been made to the Village Hall and Playing Field Committee for a bike track to be made on the playing field. It would offer young people a safe area for them to ride their bikes. During June 2009, the Committee are finding out the costs involved in making a track and whether grant funding would be available.
Contact Sue Parsons 01952 505888
