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Lake upgrade is about to bear fruit
WELL, both Christmas and New Year have been and gone. Whatever your view of them, I hope the time was one of enjoyment for you.
The mayoral chain only had one outing during December, and that was on the 18th when I was the guest of Askern Littlemoor School, to view their annual nativity production.
I would like to say a big thank you to the staff and pupils for such an enjoyable morning. A tremendous amount of hard work must have been given by all. Every pupil in the school took part and from my vantage point in the audience, they certainly enjoyed themselves. Well done and please invite me next year!
On December 1, the Askern Steering Group met to receive the interim report together with feed back regarding the Green Corridor project, from the consultants John Thompson and Partners. Sadly members were thin on the ground, but the submission will go forward in accordance with stipulated time scales.
The monthly meeting of FOAL was held on December 2 in Alexander House – the main topics being the acquisition of funding for the provision of lighting, in the form of Victorian lanterns, and hopefully the provision of closed circuit television.
I must say that it is an uphill struggle to find and identify sponsors willing to fund these two elements. Congratulations were also in order, as part one of the master plan – the Victorian Bridge – is now in position.
Remember, FOAL's monthly meetings are generally on the first Tuesday of each month, held in Alexander House convening at 10.30am, and members of the community who wish to become involved can express their interest by attending the meetings.
It's your town and environment so take this opportunity to share your ideas. For those of you who have access to a computer, a new website has been set up by Derek Collins, containing a dedicated section on FOAL. Visit www.askernspa.com
Obviously the site will be developed as time goes on, and I'm sure Derek would welcome any material. He can be contacted via the site.
December 7 saw members of FOAL once again descend on Askern Lake, for a clean-up but more importantly to position the Christmas lights.
Alas like many of us know whilst they worked last year and worked fine prior to being packed away, on having them PAT tested, the gremlins had been at work resulting in some being deceased and they had to be scrapped. Next year's lights, though, will be grandeur with great splendour!
Only minor works now need to be done on the northern island, as the shrubs and trees that have been planted already bring colour to the area. Come spring next year, we hope to see the fruits of everyone's efforts and hard labour.
There will be future clean-up days and any volunteers would be greatly appreciated. Please watch out for local advertisements or make contact with the newly appointed Champion and Co-ordinator Mr Graham Moss who can be contacted through Askern Town Council on (01302) 707252 to confirm future dates.
In my last report I asked if anybody knew where the fifth signet had come from.
Well, not to worry... it's done a runner and we are back to four!
I'm sure we have all noticed that the lake water level has now gone
back to its normal level. Although the civil work incorporated a revised method of controlling the lake levels, minor adjustment is to be carried out in the New Year, as at the southern end of the lake water continues to infringe on the bank. So if you do walk in this area please do so with care.
YES! The Victorian Bridge is a reality. The bridge is in position and the contractor, Cheetham Hill Construction Ltd, of Bury, have now left the site. Inevitably there are minor hiccups that need to be addressed and we may well see the return of the contractor.
With hindsight, 18mm gravel loosely laid probably wasn't the best material to use when edging the limestone boulders. Already it is causing a hazard when walking in that vicinity.
I would just like to say to the motor cyclists and trials bikers, whoever you are that the bridge is for pedestrian traffic only. The lake is not for trial bikes. Stick to the highway.
If you must ride a trials bike, do it in the correct environment and stay away from the lake side. Why do people act so irresponsibly?
Recently, the town council has had to consider those members of the dog owning fraternity who allow their pets to foul the grass verges and wander around the lake unleashed, causing a nuisance to people and wildlife.
As a result, bylaws are to be introduced which will make it compulsory to have dogs on a lead when in the vicinity of the lake. Once again it is the mindless actions and thoughts of the minority which impacts on the majority. You can't blame the dog – it's the owner.
On December 9, together with other invited members of the community, I took part in a survey group convened by the University of York.
The University is currently gathering information for a paper discussing living in Rural Britain, the results and findings of the study to be published some time in 2009.
Sunday, December 14 saw my wife and I, together with a number of other adults, accompanying 220 children, of various ages, to the pantomime at the Civic Theatre.
This is an annual event provided by Unison Doncaster local government branch of the trade union movement on behalf of member's children. What a way to spend a Sunday afternoon with so many happy and smiling faces.
Recently, a poster protesting about the acquisition of replacement boats for the benefit of the community was exhibited in the village.
I can report that three of the junior rowing boats have been delivered and are safely stored in the boathouse. The fourth boat is expected in early January 2009 with the four family rowing boats now on order being delivered March time.
Again I express my disappointment and dismay that there are those in the community who, for their own mischievous reasons, are bent on trying to disrupt the workings of the council, by inaccurate campaigning.
If you have something to say and need to raise concerns, then at least do it through the correct channels and not by anonymous untrue campaigns.
On December 11, the community took part in a ballot to find a replacement Town Councillor. Although the attendance was low, it does show that some people do want a say in who represents them.
Mrs Janice Connell was duly elected to represent and serve the township – our congratulations go to Janice.
Askern Town Council holds its meetings in Alexander House on the fourth Monday of each month, commencing at 6pm. Members of the community have a right to attend those meetings. Whilst the majority of the meetings' business is only for members of the council, there is provision within the agenda for members of the public to participate.
And if you are looking for a venue for a celebration party or get together, right on your doorstep is Alexander House, which is available for hire at competitive rates for functions. A licensed bar is available.
Contact the town clerk on (01302) 707252.
Do you know the strike baby?
IN one of my previous columns, I reported on a photographic exhibition held at the National Coal Mining Museum for England, highlighting the 1984-5 miners' strike.
The photograph above was taken at Askern Miners' Welfare. It features a young child sitting at a table presumably with their mother.
Do you know who this child is and where he or she is now? Replies to Askern Town Council please.
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Weather for Doncaster
Sunday 05 February 2012
Today
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Temperature: 2 C to 6 C
Wind Speed: 9 mph
Wind direction: West
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Cloudy
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