A grant was obtained for setting up the site and is maintained free of charge by the group.We intend the site to be a platform for news and views about our village.From small beginnings the site is now attracting over 2,000 visits per month.We have not taken advertising up till now but are considering doing so to help maintain the website in the future.
Playpark Gates
After being contacted by a concerned resident about safety issues surrounding the new gates to the village playground, we contacted Stafford Borough Council, who agreed to make improvements.
Flash Footpath
After lobbying our local councillors and Highways Division, the overgrowing vegetation was cut back so that two people can now walk abreast and that pushchairs can be more easily pushed along the path.We are aware that the surface is still not very good but will continue to lobby the Highways Department.
Best Kept Village Competition 2009
Oulton Community Group entered the Best Kept Village Competition for the first time in 2009.
Although we did not win our category, we gained a Highly Commended certificate.
Martin Robinson reports – ‘with the combined help of OVH and OCG, over the last twelve months, we have thinned the trees, removing self set invasive Sycamores, planted Hornbeam and a choice Acer tree.Last spring we planted large quantities of primroses and miniature daffodils on the grassy banks.
The Brownies have planted out delightful tubs of flowers by the side of the Village hall twice, last summer and again this winter.
We have had four nesting boxes donated this winter, they have been put up in the trees in this wild area and await residents!’(Our thanks go to Martin and Elaine Robinson for their hard work in organizing the work and to those who helped in any way).
Events organised for the competition also included litter picks, weed clearing and sign cleaning.We entered the Children’s Best Kept Village Poster Campaign, supported by Oulton First School. (Thank you to all the children and teachers who organized this for us).
Support for Village Hall activities
Food Market in Oulton Village Hall
For a number of years residents in Oulton have had no village shop and therefore nowhere to buy fresh local produce.Early in 2009 the Oulton Community Group, with the help of the Village Agent, applied for a grant from Stafford & District Voluntary Services in order to establish a Food Market in Oulton Village Hall specialising in produce from local traders and farmers.The application was successful and a grant of £450 plus £50 for publicity was received and conveyed to Oulton Village Hall with the understanding that they would have responsibility and ownership of the market.The Food Market is held monthly on the third Monday morning of each month.After a fairly slow start it has now become well established and currently free range eggs from Cheddleton, cheeses from Eccleshall, hand made bread, cakes, pies, patés, jams and pickles are available each month as well as Fair Trade goods and produce,when available, from local gardens.
In conjunction with the Village Hall Committee and volunteers we have recently organised a musical event in the hall, The Steve Steinhaus Swing Band, to raise funds for Village Hall improvements.
Village Electricity Supply
We arranged for representatives from EON Central Networks to attend one of our meetings with regard to an ‘incident’ in May 2008 which resulted in damage to domestic electricity supplies.This was an opportunity for those who attended the meeting to express their worries and dissatisfaction with the service that EON was providing.Since that meeting, the service EON provides seems to have improved.
4.ONGOING INITIATIVES
Oulton Cricket Club
Oulton Community Group is in discussions with the Cricket Club to identify areas where they might be eligible for financial support from various bodies.
Sustainability Grant
In conjunction with the Village Hall Committee, we are looking into the possibility of applying for a sustainability grant to improve energy efficiency at the Village Hall.
Telephone Kiosk
We have been in talks with the Parish Council about the adoption, through BT, of the telephone kiosk in Kibblestone Road in order for the village to make use of it as an Information centre.A decision on this is still pending.
Hedge Cutting
A request has been made for the hedges towards the top end of Kibblestone Road, opposite the houses, to be reduced in height.A decision on this is pending
Thank you to Martin Robinson for the photographs.
We wish to thank all those who have given their time and support at our meetings and who have participated in many different ways to improve the environment and amenities in the village.
