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Mayor and Deputy Mayor 2010 - 2011
Mr Trevor Gear has been elected for Mayor of Aspatria for the 6th year running.
Mrs Christine Mitchel was elected as the Deputy Mayor.
Certificate of Appreciation
The Mayor of Aspatria Trevor Gear
presented a Certificate of Appreciation to
Dr E Ajai-Ajagbe for services to Aspatria.
Dr Wheatley was unable to attend and will receive his
Certificate next month.
Annual Report 2009 - 2010
This year has been one of progress and change. We have completed some of the projects that have been ongoing for a number of years and we have seen a complete change of council staff.
In July we held our Civic Service in St Kentigern’s Church which was again well attended by the Mayor of Allerdale, Mayors from surrounding towns, the Leader of Cumbria County Council and the Deputy Leader of Allerdale Borough Council and other dignities.
This year the annual senior citizens trip went to Skipton followed by a visit to Hawes.
The weather was kind to us and many people seemed to buy a bargain in the market and enjoy the whole day.
The students at Beacon Hill excelled and produced their best ever GCSE results which drew comment from Ed Balls, the government minister responsible for education and Richmond Hill appointed a new head teacher.
During the summer the Youth Wing with support of the Council ran events for our young people in Memorial Park that proved very popular and were well received by parents and grandparents.
In September after five years we saw the departure of Walter as our clerk and the appointment of Allison as Walter’s excellent replacement.
Remembrance Sunday Parade and following service were very well supported by the various organisations and our residents of our town. In recognition of those that had given their lives for our country and those that continue to do so.
In December the workshop extension to the Changing Rooms was substantially completed which affords the Town Caretaker somewhere to work out of the elements.
The Christmas lights switch took place on 6th December. Father Christmas visited Harriston and the main streets of the town before assisting with the actual ‘switch on’.
We thank Sealy UK for the bed as first prize for our free drawing and the small group of businesses who made donations towards the ever increasing cost of the lights
The Senior Citizens Christmas Treat was held on in the Masonic hall when over 120 residents enjoyed a meal and entertainment by Richmond Hill and Beacon Hill Schools, dancing to Roe Valley and the obligatory game of Bingo. After a false start the raffle distributed a large number of donated prizes and everybody seemed to have a good afternoon. I thank everybody who made donations or helped in any way to make the afternoon another success.
January saw the launch of the much awaited new play equipment in Memorial Park which was the result of nearly two years work by a small group of residents. When the date was arranged we never expected the six inches of snow that greeted us that morning.
Over the last few months it has been very pleasing and satisfying to see the large number of children using the new equipment.
In February to everybody’s surprise Clark, the Town Caretaker resigned. We had 65 applications for the position and after interview Michael Blair was appointed as Town Caretaker and has settled in well.
Speeding traffic and the general inconsiderate behaviour of some drivers particularly in and around Brandraw Car Park have been identified as a priority and whilst the police have also made this a priority I am concerned that it will take a long time to change some peoples attitudes.
During the year the Mayors Charity has been to raise money to improve facilities in the Community Centre and at the last council meeting I was pleased to present a cheque for over £300 to that cause.
There has been some concern and frustration within the town that the Borough Council proposed changing the parking conditions on Queen Street Car Park without any consultation. These concerns well were expressed at a public meeting that has resulted in the matter being reconsidered.
We have received support from a number of residents who give up their time to assist in looking after the park and delivering the newsletters and I take this opportunity to thank them for their support.
I also thank all my fellow councillors for their support particularly Councillor Tinnion as the Deputy Mayor, who has stood in for me at some functions. Councillor Reay as Chairman of the Parks and Allotments, Councillor Barker as editor of the Newsletter, Councillor Mitchell for her work with the Friends of Memorial Park.
Last but not least I also thank Allison for her hard work as our clerk who with little support has quickly got to grips with her duties and provides excellent support to the council
Welcome to the Town Council
The Town Council Welcomes our latest Councillor Mr Chris Hamilton who was elected to the position left vacant by Mr Alan Mcourt.
Aspatria says Goodbye to PCSO Mark Hutchinson
Unfortunatly our PCSO Mark Hutchinson will be leaving us to work nearer home.
Aspatria Town Council expressed their thanks for the hard work he has done in
the town, particuarly his high visibility and presence which has been commented on
by lots of residents in Aspatria.
The Council wishes him Good Luck for the future.
Welcome to our New Town Clerk
Mrs Allison Paterson has now taken over the role of Town Clerk,
her contact details can be found at the top of the Councillor`s
page.
Aspatria Town Council
Christmas Raffle Winners
1st Mrs Hewitson - Sealy Bed
31 Brayton Rd, Aspatria.
2nd Margaret Thompson - £100
22 North View, Aspatria.
3rd David Hind - £60
72 North View, Aspatria.
4th Helen Armstrong - £40
1 Springkell, Aspatria.
5th Margaret James - £10
63 North View, Aspatria.
6th Landells - £10
9 St Kentigerns Way, Aspatria.
7th Millstone House - £10
Queen St, Aspatria.
8th Alwyn Williams - £10
56 Harriston, Aspatria.
9th Richey - £10
7 Meadowcroft, Aspatria.
Letters of Support
Letters of support have been sent by our Mayor Trevor Gear to
the Mayor`s of the three towns affected by the flooding.
Town Clerk - Mr Walter Armstrong retires.
The Mayor presented Mr Walter Armstong a gift on behalf of the Town Council and gave a speech thanking him for his years of service to the Council.
Certificate of achievement
Presented by the Mayor on behalf of the Town Council to Mrs Julie Richardson, The Head of Beacon Hill Community College in recognition of sustained improvement at GCSE.
Mrs Richardson accepted the award on behalf of Beacon Hill School.
Certificate of achievement awards
Presented by the Mayor on behalf of the Town Council to:
Mr Alan Reynolds, Mr Malcolm Barclay and Mr Philip Rumney in recognition of their
charity cycle ride from Lands End to John O` Groats. A cheque for £100 was
donated by the Council for the Eden Valley Hospice.
Annual
Parish Meeting held on 19th May 2009
At the Annual Meeting of the Council the first business was to
elect a Mayor and Deputy Mayor for the next twelve months.
I am honoured to be elected Mayor for 2009/10 by my fellow
Councillors and Councillor Audrey Tinnion was elected Deputy Mayor
Trevor Gear
Mayor of Aspatria
Aspatria
Town Council - Chairman's Report 2008-2009
During
the past year Aspatria Town Council has been involved in a number
of projects that we hope will have a positive impact on the quality
of life for theresidents of Aspatria.
We have installed a new bus shelter in King Street and have circulated
our quarterly newsletter to each household in the town.
We have continued to maintain Memorial Park to a very high standard
and the Bowling Club continues to improve the facilities around
the bowling green. A number of people have completed their Community
Service Orders by assisting the Town Caretaker with various projects
all of which has contributed to the park being one of the best in
the area. In the summer holidays the PARCS Scheme ran a number of
events for the children in the park.
Other projects that have been completed most with financial support
of the council are the Resources Room at West Street Practice, the
Astro Turf at Beacon hill School and the
Poly-tunnel Project at Beacon Hill School.
We have also seen the Local Links Centre has open in the Library
and Boots Chemist now have a presence in the town which all go to
make Aspatria a good place to live.
This year we had our annual coach trip for the senior citizens who
went to Gretna Gateway, Dumfries and Moffat. The weather in general
was poor but most people enjoyed the day.
We had our Civic Service in July which was well attended by visiting
Mayors and other dignitaries and in August the annual Best Kept
Garden Competition was judged by a representative of our sponsor
the Cumberland Building Society.
At Christmas we again provided the lights for the two Christmas
Trees and strings along the main streets of the town some of which
were replaced with energy saving bulbs.
Unfortunately the lights on the Christmas tree in Queen Street Car
Park were
damaged early into the festive period and could not be repaired.
The residents once again responded magnificently to the call to
display festive lights in their windows. We thank Sealy UK for the
bed as first prize for our free drawing, the Charity Shop for their
generous donation and our small but faithful group of businesses
who made donations.
The Senior Citizens Treat took place in the Masonic Hall and everybody
enjoyed the afternoon particularly the singing by the children of
Richmond Hill School.
The council continues to be frustrated by the lack of support it
receives from the Borough and County Councils and other organisations
including the Press.
Whilst there are problems with mindless vandalism and young people
and their cars there are many positive activities and events in
the town which never receive the credit or support they truly deserve.
Our ongoing projects are to provide a workshop for the Caretaker
and to support the Friends of Memorial Park raising funds for new
play equipment in Memorial Park both of which are nearing fruition.
We will also continue to support the Aspatria Community Centre Steering
Group with their aspirations to develop
and improve facilities in this centre.
The Mayors Charity for the last twelve months has been the refurbishment
of Play Equipment in Memorial Park. Money was raised from quizzes
and a coffee morning,
and I take this opportunity to thank everybody who supported the
events.
The Council continues to move forward and I would take this opportunity
thank the Deputy Mayor Cllr Christine Mitchell who accompanied me
to several civic events, Cllr Reay for being Chair of the Parks
and Allotments Committee, Cllr Barker for her work with the Newsletter
and all our Councillors for giving up their time and their support
at
meetings and delivery of the newsletter during the past year.
I also thank our clerk Walter for all his work behind the
scenes and being there to offer support and advice.
Trevor Gear
Mayor of Aspatria
May 2009
Town
Council Newsletter
The
next Newsletter is due out around the middle of September, please
remember if you want any articles to be included in the next Newsletter
the closing date for articles will be the 31st August 2009, please
email all articles to janice.barker@tiscali.co.uk
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