This is a website for and about the Char Valley and its residents.
On this page you'll find what to do if you need help and links to local information and resources. Use the menu above to find other local information, including a section on and about the Char Valley Parish Council. |
How would you like to hear from Char Valley Parish Council? We have three kinds of useful local information we send to residents:
1) Important news (about road closures, flooding, emergencies) and Parish updates (local info on farming, tourism, planning, etc) - sent as necessary by email 2) News about our River Char Community Project and how you can take part (roughly once a month) 3) Char Chat magazine - (3 times a year by email and/or by post) To tell us what information you want to receive from us, and how, please visit our sign-up page. |
2024 is election year, this means a while new council.....
Are you passionate about your community? Do you want to help make a long-lasting change? Do you have innovative ideas for the council? Do you have concerns about a specific issue and want to do something about it? If this is you, then we need you to apply for a seat as a Parish Councillor! We need people from all backgrounds and experiences who reflect their community to put themselves forward. Make a change and become a Councillor. Here you will find everything you need to know about what local councils and Councillors do, how you can become a Councillor, details of the role and what to expect, and local councils a range of resources to help recruit candidates. Please contact the clerk for more information and nomination forms. Notice of Election Read the December 2023 issue of Char Chat magazine Read the January 2024 newsletter of the River Char Community Project. See our Climate Action PlanSee full details of the next events planned by the River Char Community Project:
Power Cuts and the ‘Priority Services Register‘
As you all know, we do suffer from occasional power cuts in our local area. They are probably more frequent here than in urban areas because of the complexity of the infrastructure needed to get power to so many locations. What you may not know is who is responsible for what in relation to your power. The company that you have a contract with and whom you pay, do not have responsibility for the infrastructure needed to get it to your house, that is the responsibility of National Grid plc (it used to be Western Power but were recently taken over by National Grid plc). So, when your lights stop working, that is the company you need to contact. The number to call (and it may be worth having this somewhere to hand) is either 105 or 0800 6783 105.
Many of you doubtless know all this already. What is perhaps less well known is that National Grid also keep a ‘Priority Services Register ‘. This is for people who may be old, infirm, seriously unwell, have hearing or sight problems or, most important of all, have medical equipment in the home that requires electricity. Once you are on the register, they can offer a dedicated phone number to call for updates, advice on what to do and how long the power cut will last, and support from charity partners such as the Red Cross, if an intervention is required. We do need to manage your expectations! They are not promising to get your power up and running before anybody else’s. But the support and advice could be very useful and reassuring. The simplest way to register is go on to the National Grid plc UK website, click on ‘Customers and Community’ and then click on ‘Priority Services’: https://www.nationalgrid.co.uk/customers-and-community/priority-services There is a simple form to fill in. If you do not feel confident doing this, or do not have access to a computer, you may wish to enlist the help of friends or neighbours to help you. Be reassured, once you are registered, you do not need a computer to engage with this service. There will be a dedicated phone line to help you. Good Luck! Next Parish Council Meetings:
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Flood Wardens
Char Valley Parish Council need new flood wardens. The new wardens need to be situated near to known flood risk areas within the parish to be available as a point of contact. Please contact the clerk if interested in this position!
Rural Mounted Volunteers Launched to Help Tackle Rural Crime
This week I am delighted to announce the launch of the Dorset Police Rural Mounted Volunteers scheme. The scheme will see volunteers on horseback work with the Dorset Police Rural Crime Team, providing intelligence and information to support and protect local rural communities.
Yesterday, I was pleased to welcome the first four volunteers into the scheme at the launch ceremony at Kingston Maurward College. The volunteers will engage with local rural communities while out on their regular hacks along bridleways, lanes and country roads, gathering intelligence and reporting anything suspicious. I have wanted to introduce this scheme for a while, so seeing it come to fruition is really pleasing. Having mounted rural volunteers will help further connect the Dorset Police Rural Crime Team with the communities they serve as well as offer a unique vantage point that will not only gather intelligence that may have been missed by standard patrols but improve visibility within our rural communities. Rural Mounted Volunteers will be the eyes and ears for rural communities, similar to Neighbourhood Watch groups. They will work closely with the Dorset Police Rural Crime Team, providing intelligence and information to help support crime prevention. With their elevated positions on horseback, the Rural Mounted Volunteers have a unique vantage point and can spot many things that someone on foot or in a vehicle might not otherwise be able to see or even be able to get near to. This is all valuable information, which might not otherwise come to police attention. Dorset Police volunteers come from all walks of life and bring with them an array of skills and experiences. Sharing their knowledge and time with the police will make a positive impact on all rural communities across Dorset. All volunteers are issued with a high-visibility jacket featuring the Rural Mounted Volunteer logo, while their horses are equipped with reflective sheets and leg wrappings. I look forward to seeing the scheme expand and encourage anyone with a horse who wants to support police in their communities to get involved. This is just one more weapon in the armoury when it comes to taking the fight to the criminals who plague our countryside. If you are interested in becoming a Rural Mounted Volunteer please email: vol@dorset.pnn.uk David Sidwick Dorset Police and Crime Commissioner Recycling message from Dorset Council:
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Local information, help and support
Local information
Citizens Advice offer a full range of advice including help with:
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Other Local InformationFirst Group Bus Information and Timetables X51 and X53
Transport Updates from WATAG: W. Dorset Western Area Transport Action Grp Bridport Food Matters initiative and website - fantastic site for everything to do with local food Bridport Local Area Partnership
Bridport Co-Housing
Local Shops
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