Author: FVCA

Cty Cllr. Webb has shared the following update from Worcestershire Highways:

“As I know you are aware, Swan Lane, as a small unclassified rural lane, and in light of the total saturation of the ground surrounding it (with the wettest February on record), has for some considerable time had a large amount of water arriving on it from the surrounding land.

Regarding the temporary repairs, these were only ever meant to be very short term. We had intended to go out and do some full blown structural patches to repair the key sections of the Lane, however, this was not practicable in light of the amount of water still on the lane at the time, thus we completed these temporary repairs to at least fill in the worst potholes, whilst recognising in such saturated wet conditions that they would not last very long.

We have now been in and completed the aforementioned structural patching works which should hold reasonably well. We did visit the lane with a gulley emptier last week, however, some of the gullies in question we believe drain into the surrounding ditches and some of those ditches are overgrown and blocked. Most ditches are the responsibility of the neighbouring landowner ref clearance, so we will endeavour to sort this with them as soon as practicable. There is one section of lane, where a gulley is still surcharging onto the lane. We have attempted to clear this, but there appears to be a break/blockage further on in the pipe, which will require works. In addition during this week will also look at what other issues ref drainage matters exist on this lane & then programme works as necessary. This will hopefully improve the drainage on the lane (alongside the issues with the ditches as aforementioned). However, if the total ground saturation conditions did return due to more poor weather (let’s hope not), then it would be likely that water may well run off the fields onto and down the lane.”

At the Community Association’s  AGM, Residents gave an emphatic message that Worcestershire County Council MUST address local traffic issues and, contrary to instructions from the County Council, FVCA will continue to lobby County Hall directly as well through the Divisional County Councillor.
 

With vehicles travelling in excess of 70mph, traffic calming engineering works is urgently needed to slow down vehicles just before the village entrance.  This work is urgently needed before someone is killed.

Other work that is needed includes repairing Swan Lane and Wood Lane, drop kerbs to be sited at all junctions and footpaths cleared & secured enabling safe passage by all pedestrians, inc. the elderly, disabled and young children.

Residents gathered at the Village Hall on Saturday 7^th March for the Community Association’s AGM, celebrating the many achievements over the past 12 months.   These include monthly litter picks, social drop-ins, Dining Group, rambles, Floral Fairfield, Festive Fairfield and a new addition Fairfield Flicks. 
 
The Chairman thanked everyone for their support over the past year and asked that residents keep on supporting, as Fairfield, Wildmoor & Stoneybridges is YOUR Community. Without YOUR involvement we would not have a beating village heart, we would be akin to a private estate, called a village, with no spirit.
 
The full Chair’s report, along with a copy of the Independently Examined accounts can be downloaded from http://fvca.org.uk/documents/agm-2020/
 
During the AGM the following persons were elected to serve on the Community Association committee:

Chairperson: Conrad Palmer
Secretary: Vacant
Treasurer: Robert Garvin
Officers: Carol Brogan, Mary Gibbs, Carole Morris & Carol Edwards

Dear Fellow Residents,

As many of you are aware, the Community Association has been fighting for a safe and accessible village, requesting Worcestershire County Council to adopt suitable measures that address speeding along our roads, to alleviate congestion, open up our footpaths, cut back hedges and to unblock our gullies.

We wish to share with you our most recent emails with County Hall and their reply.  Copies of these emails can be picked up on Saturday 6^th March, at the Association’s AGM.

Before the Community Association’s committee replies to the email received, we would like to hear from YOU.

Following Saturday’s brief AGM, which starts at 10am (Village Hall), we would like to discuss the response received and seek your thoughts.  The meeting to discuss Highways issues will end at 11am

Any response that the Community Association gives needs the mandate of the community, we do hope that you can join us on Saturday.

Conrad Palmer

Chairman

T:  01527 833583

E:  chair@fvca.org.uk

On Sunday 12^th January at 18:06  fire crews from Bromsgrove extinguished a fire in chimney stack in house in Fairfield, with a further reinspection being carried out using a thermal image camera.

Hereford & Worcester Fire and Rescue Service is urging homeowners to get their chimneys swept by a registered sweep to prevent chimney damage, and, in worse cases, household fires.

Having your chimney swept regularly can prevent chimney fires, and all it takes is one phone call (to a registered sweep), one modest payment and one hour of your time.

To keep you and your family safe from fire:

• always use a fire guard to protect against flying sparks from hot embers
• make sure embers are properly put outbefore you go to bed
• keep chimneys and flues clean and well maintained
• never burn rubbish
• never use flammable liquids such as petrol or paraffin to light your fire.

Station Commander Amy Bailey from HWFRS’s Community Risk department said: “To keep you and your family safe from fire make sure you have your chimney swept regularly, depending on what fuel you burn.”

Station Commander Bailey continued: “A stove or open fire can be an ideal and pleasant way to keep warm, but without proper maintenance a chimney can become dangerous.” She urged people to make an appointment now with a registered chimney sweep if their chimney is due a clean. Further chimney safety advice and full details of chimney sweeps operating locally are listed on the Service’s website at www.hwfire.org.uk under the Safety and Advice heading.