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If it’s the Wednesday after a WTC Monday meeting, then it must mean that it’s to the Nottage! …for a committee meeting catch up with the good folk of WivSoc.

And keeping in with the calendar theme, here’s the monthly disclaimer: I am a member of the Wivenhoe Society, although not a committee member. All views expressed within this blog post are mine alone, and not that of the committee, or the Society in general.

Phew.

Thirteen agenda items were up for discussion on Wednesday evening. You won’t find any of Mr Tony’s sofa style lounging around at the top table either. Mr Chair runs a tight ship at the Nottage (ahoy!) although all members get a chance to offer views and influence the direction of the group.

Minutes approved, no matter arising and then we were straight into the WTC meeting report from two days previous. Once again, I refer my honourable colleagues to the blog post I bashed out on Monday evening.

The only reference to add is that WivSoc collectively shares a frustration that the 20mph speed limit has yet to be formally implemented around the lower end of the town. The signs are up, the under secret wraps style bin bags have long since been blown into the Colne.

All we need right now is Colchester Borough Council to rubber stamp the deal…

The Treasurer’s Report came up with the rabbit out of a hat trick of balancing the books.

Blimey.

There is an incoming profit over an outgoing expenditure of *shhh* I really couldn’t say. If you’re holding out for WivSoc to buy up the Engine Shed and convert it into a state of the art nightclub with laser shows, a hot tub and pole dancers, than you’ll probably be waiting for a little while longer. No worries however in paying the cost for printing up the latest WivSoc newsletter though.

The Secretary’s Report updated the committee with the current state of play over the Parish Paths Partnership. This is essentially a local working group that meets regularly to keep our much-valued walking routes clear and unobstructed.

It appears that the P3 (clever) do such a good job, that they have actually sourced themselves out of any work. The suggestion for the next step ahead is to work with neighbouring villages that don’t quite share the same enthusiasm for this type of project. Lending a hand in helping to clear the Elmstead paths was put up as the suggestion.

With this being the final committee meeting ahead of the WivSoc AGM at the Nottage next Wednesday, plans were finalised over the formalities. It is greatly encouraging to hear that three new committee members have stepped forward; it is equally encouraging to know that the booze is already in place for the evening.

Chin Chin.

On to Planning…

“I’ve lost the plot on this,” confessed a rather prominent WivSoc committee member. Haven’t we all, Comrade, haven’t we all.

The committee collectively welcomed the very generous offer of Colchester Borough Councillor Steve Ford of Wivenhoe Quay to attend the monthly meetings. This is a challenging time for anyone with an interest in preserving the unique local character of a town like Wivenhoe.

Changes in planning law are about to make any objections to an application to be channelled through a councillor. On a wider scale, the budget of earlier in the day seemed to side with developers as the scramble to build new homes continues apace.

On a #hyperlocal level and two new applications have been received within Wivenhoe in the past month. A De Vere Close property has put in a planning application for a change in the exterior, following the demolition of an existing structure; a property in Brook Street is planning to demolish some existing walls.

Once again, time to repeat my personal mantra of not publicly commenting on any residential planning applications. You never know when you may want to build that superstore in your own back garden…

WivSoc has formally lodged an objection (pre-budget…) on the planned re-development of Rowhedge Wharf. Whilst not objecting to the overall use of what is currently an empty shack, the access road right along Rowhedge Quay is considered to be an issue for Wivenhoe residents. The alternative suggestion is to locate this behind the first row of new houses, as is the case with West Quay.

But it’s not all about building new structures - sometimes it’s about trying to knock them down. Here we go again then with the Engine Shied.

Oh Lordy.

There seems to be a growing consensus around the town that it is finally time to give up the ghost with the dilapidated old building outside the station. Fund raising attempts to save the structure have unfortunately failed. What we are left with is a great big eyesore within the heart of Wivenhoe.

This was the personal view put forward by Cllr Liddy in the recent WTC newsletter. WivSoc is also of this opinion, with the committee discussing on Wednesday evening possible ways to de-list the building. Dialogue with Network Rail, Colchester Borough Council, WTC, English Heritage and most importantly, local residents, is being explored.

But then with any grand gesture or movement, you need to plan for the what next scenario. More car park space for the station? This certainly might ease the congestion around West Quay. Private property? Isn’t Wivenhoe already full?

It is an incredibly delicate situation that the town has to face up to over the coming months. The old building is crumbling by the day, It ‘aint gonna win any architectural beauty contests, and the land could be put to far better use.

After such gloom, it was encouraging to address the next item agenda of the Local List. This is essentially a working party of interested locals who want to identify any buildings within the town of cultural or historical interest.

Not all of the many grand old structures are listed - some, such as the Engine Shed, we wish weren’t. But with developers hovering around Wivenhoe like architectural ravens waiting for their prey, now is the time to protect some of our most historic buildings within the town.

An inclusive working group is growing around the Local List. WivSoc has two members representing. Anyone else wanting to join is more than welcome. It seems a most social gathering, and speaking of which, here comes the WivSoc social updates.

Hurrah!

The Heritage Walk is confirmed for 8th May (Hello Mum! Hello Dad! Do come…) Bookings are already coming in for the WivSoc Fun Day on 10th September. Some Young Turk has even suggested the idea of inflatable sumo wrestling in St Mary’s churchyard.

Cripes.

Debate then turned towards which local group to donate the money raised for Open Gardens. In these uncertain economic times, and for all the folly of the #bigsociety, there was no shortage of worthy causes around Wivenhoe who could do with a little financial boost right now.

In the end, the committee was unanimous in supporting Helping Hands, a relatively new group that offers very real and practical assistance to those that need it around the town.

Any Other Business wrapped up with a call for copy for the most excellent WivSoc newsletter, currently scheduled to go to the printers at the start of April.

And so it’s WivSoc AGM night next Wednesday. A few committee formalities, and then a speech by the Artistic Director of the Colchester Arts Centre.

Conversation, booze and the historic surrounds of the Nottage - splendid.

If it’s Wednesday Week then it must mean that it’s time for a meeting of the lovely Wivenhoe Society committee in the library upstairs at the Nottage.

Hurrah!

Not that I officially sit at the top table for the local group that has Wivenhoe, its heritage and its future at its heart - simply that I have been very kindly invited to come along to the meetings as an interested observer. I think that’s a polite way of putting that I’m a nosey parker.

With kitten commitments eating into my early evening (update: we have litter tray lift off. Oh Lordy…) no surprises that I was running slightly late as I headed quayside.

No worries - the first agenda item was a report on the most recent Wivenhoe Town Council meeting that took place on Monday. Our fine man from the Council was double-booked (and possibly double-parked) and so we had a read out of the minutes from the fine Chair.

It was an interesting blow-by-blow account of potholes, police station sell-offs and public convenience refurbishment updates. It was also a repeat performance for me, and so I wasn’t going to be taken in by any cliffhanger.

Mr Mayor‘s bike left unlocked outside The Greyhound, you say? It ‘aint gonna be a happy ending, fella.

Sticking with WTC, and WivSoc heard how our local councillors are a little cash strapped right now. Not in a personal sense - although there’s no dosh to be made out of volunteering for civic service - but as a consequences of the cuts coming our way via Colchester Borough Council and beyond.

The consequences for WivSoc are all connected to the Colne clean up on the 10th April. Breaking tradition, and WTC has asked for a small payment to cover the cost of two employees to help take away all the crap that has sadly found its way by the banks of the Colne.

A ‘friendly and constructive conversation’ followed. I’m no kiss and teller: in fact I’m lucky if I ever get to reach the kissing stage. But I’m breaking no confidences is stating that the balance sheet of the WivSoc probably can’t stretch to TWO groundsmen, Sunday overtime et al.

At a wider level, this opens up very real questions about who actually holds the responsibility for looking after the Colne: CBC? WTC? WivSoc? *shhh* Dave’s #bigsociety?

Blimey.

It’s all about doing your bit, and helping out wherever and whenever you can. We are blessed in Wivenhoe to have wonderful organisations such as The Hub youth club and Transition Town Wivenhoe, both of whom have very kindly offered to lend some helping hands on the big day of the riverbank clean up.

The river is sadly looking a right old mess heading out towards the Hythe. Time allowing and I sometimes stop to pick up the odd can. Many hands make light work. Two WTC groundsmen may make light work, but they will also lighten the load on the WivSoc bank account.

Speaking of which, I’m playing my cards closer to my chest than a 44FF gifted young lady who is holding all the aces: Yep - it’s only the WivSoc Treasurer’s Report.

A small amount of money has been made from selling calendars. Costs have occurred in printing out the Newsletter up at University, plus the very kind donation from WivSoc to Wivenhoe in Bloom (£200 seeing as though you ask. I think the tight lipped 44FF gifted young lady has just undone a singular bra strap.)

The Secretary’s Report confirmed that the speaker at the WivSoc AGM in April will be the Director of Colchester Arts Centre. This is an ace choice of guest, with three decades of sex, drugs and rock’n roll to tell tall tales of. Oh - and Fairport Convention.

Other AGM plans are now all in place. Most importantly these include the news that Dave Harrison, the Wivenhoe Wine Toaster Extraordinaire is well on the case. Or even the cases.

Chin Chin.

Perhaps the most important part of the evening was the monthly analysis of planning applications. Wivenhoe is full (so said the man who has just moved in…) Even minor alterations can have an impact upon the local infrastructure.

The application for a block of flats along Rectory Road has been withdrawn. WivSoc welcomes this, taking the view that the original plans were cramp and ill conceived.

But the real biggie when it comes to proposed new buildings right now is all about that other lot over the river. The planning application has now been formally submitted for the redevelopment of Rowhedge Warf. It seems that our near neighbours are about to go through what Wivenhoe went through over the past two decades with the residential opening up of the waterfront.

With the original application for 300 new builds being thrown out by CBC, the developers have now come back with a proposal for 170 new homes on the site of the empty wharf.

Don’t be fooled by the reduction - this is the application for only the first stage. Today’s Cook’s Phase 3 is the future Phase 3 for our friends at Rowhedge. A total of 250 new builds is believed to be the aim of the developer.

And so what interest is all of this to WivSoc? Well… that beautiful scenic waterfront view just as the sun is setting over West Quay could look drastically different in a decade from now.

The derelict wharf ‘aint exactly a beauty spot right now, but the opportunity is there to guide and advise as to what might take its place, and help keep the Colne a scenic place in which to live around.

The newly submitted plans seem to suggest that an access road will be built right along the Rowhedge waterfront. On a practical level this allows more property to be tightly packed in.

WivSoc takes the view that the increase in traffic levels, and subsequent noise, are sufficient reasons to oppose this. An access road behind the first row of houses, similar to West Quay, would seem more sensible.

The new set of plans has dropped the proposal for a series of tall residential properties. Two and a half storey is now the average height, with a single flagship taller property as the centerpiece, designed to mirror the splendor of our own St Mary’s.

Good luck on that one.

And so the Rowhedge redevelopment seems inevitable, and if put in place sensibly, most certainly an improvement on the current abandoned wharf. But there’s a huge gulf between local sensibilities and the balance sheet of a corporate developer.

Moving on…

A domestic planning application for Belle Vue Road was briefly touched upon. I have a personal policy of publicly not passing any judgment on non-commercial planning applications - there but for the grace of God, ‘n all that twaddle. Did I mention the plans for a skyscraper extension to our back garden?

Concluding the planning update and the application for Cedric’s Bus Garage has been withdrawn. No reason has been stated. CBC has turned down the planning application for a care home for special needs kids on Cracknall Close, up towards Broomgorve.

Planning sorted, time for some Front of House hospitality. We’re talking in particular here the annual competition to see who can tart up their two up, two down best with hanging baskets and other fauna and flora. Excitement is building within WivSoc (seriously) with the publicity, prizes and judges being organised.

A request was then considered from WTC for a call of interest in helping to put together plans for the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee celebrations in the town next year. WivSoc collectively may be supportive of the Monarchy, but then again WivSoc *may not* be collectively supportive of the Monarchy. Either way, no official Royalist response is being sent back to the Town Council offices.

On the Social front and a quick read of the officer’s report suggests that WivSoc is one wild abandon of a social party, with an occasional eye on planning applications.

Possibly.

Bookings are already coming in for the November Craft Fair (phew - rock ‘n roll.) A serious fiscal debate then followed, regarding the raising of the entry price from 20p to 50p. It is under such circumstances that revolutions take hold.

The fine Wivenhoe Folk Club and Transition Town Wivenhoe group have both been offered free stalls for the WivSoc Fun Day on 10th September. The rather excellent Judith Chalmers popular combo band has been booked once again for the Post Christmas Party on 7th January.

The NAP minutes were then up for discussion. Once again, I refer my honorable friend to the answer I gave some three weeks ago.

And finally, Any Other Business - always the best part of any local meeting, and the one time when I feel like taking to my feet for a spot of stand up.

But there wasn’t much to laugh about when we went over the escalation during the past month of the blatant vandalism of the Colne vegetation by the Environment Agency. This is an area that was discussed in mild terms last month when the signs first went up.

What has happened in-between has been well documented. There’s one hell of a difference between the posting of some A4 signs along the Colne, and the complete destruction of the once wonderful area of natural beauty.

With spring finally starting to shoot through along the estuary, the one uplifting thought to come out of the very depressing debate was the hint of some guerilla gardening taking place by the Colne.

Cripes.

And then a final, final item agenda, which seems to have slipped into our little local patch almost undetected. Heads up the good folk of the Queens Road Resident’s Association who were very early on the case in highlighting the proposed waste dump site across the river at Fingringhoe Wick.

What is up for grabs here is essentially landfill:

“Thames and Colne have a plan to import and process waste at Ballast Quay. Part of the company’s plans for the expansion of four quarry sites in Fingringhoe involves the import and processing of inert waste material to infill the quarry sites. Processing of the waste will take place at Ballast Quay.”

A huge variety of materials are proposed to be part of the project. This includes plastic and other non-biogradable items. Where this leaves the long-term plan of flooding the marsh remains to be seen.

Of more immediate concern is the 24/7 schedule for the operation. The noise of the mechanical machinery will travel around 1km in distance - easily within reach of the residential accommodation down by Wivenhoe Quay. It is also expected to be a light pollutant as well.

As this is a business proposal and not a residential property development, it seems that the usual channels for alerting and consulting with local residents has passed by under the radar. WivSoc is going to urgently raise the matter with Essex County Councillor Julie Young, and Bernard Jenkin MP.

And so that was WivSoc for another month. With issues covering major commercial and residential development, down to the cost of entering the Craft Fair. The agenda reflects the diverse issues currently taking place around the town, and likewise the need for a diverse range of local representation.

Once again, I feel guided to point you in the direction of the membership page on the WivSoc website. If you join up rather prompt, you might just be in time for the AGM, the debate and… the booze.

Chin chin.

Midweek downtown, and so it must be a Committee Meeting with the good folk of the Wivenhoe Society. Except I’m not a committee member. No worries - a very kind invite to come along as an interested observer, and there I was, sitting around the top table at The Nottage and noting how the inner workings of WivSoc rotate.

Truth be told and there wasn’t a great deal of gossip. Actually, there wasn’t any gossip - just a small (ish) but passionate committee of locals, talking through current developments within the town, and trying to come up with solutions or suggestions.

Once again I found myself at the heart of the #bigsociety; once again those involved were thankfully operating apolitically, and all for the love of the community in which they live. The #bigsociety has always been around us. It’s such a shame that those who understand it the least have now hijacked this concept of community.

But anyway - The Nottage on a Wednesday night.

Each time I enter the hallowed walls of the Nottage and I have nothing but complete homage. This is a building where the history doesn’t just drip off the walls - it comes out and greets you, reminding you of the proud history of shipbuilding within Wivenhoe.

The WivSoc Committee took up position on the top table, accompanied by the constant (but reassuring) bang bang of the boat building down below. Come eight in the evening and the industrial back beats were joined by the sweet sound of the Wednesday evening bell ringers practise session.

Only in Wivenhoe…

It was rather wonderful to be invited to observe how WivSoc operates. Essentially this is an organisation that at the heart of its constitution has the aim to keep a watchful and supportive eye over the town.

We started off with some feedback from Councillor Needham, coming out of the Wivenhoe Town Council meeting that took place the previous Monday. I’m finding that something of a familiar theme is the opening / closing of Queens Road, which once was an issue that our good Councillor friends have been thinking about much of late.

Cllr Needham reported back on a recent site visit with the developers for Cook’s Shipyard. Although traffic was encountered around East Street and Alma Street, the conclusion from WTC, and the developers, is that there is no scope to re-open Queens Road.

Moving swiftly on…

The feedback from Cllr Needham also included various cost saving measures, as no doubt faced by local councils throughout the land. The current one-to-one escort of SEN pupils within Wivenhoe en route to school is looking at being reduced. Colchester Borough Council is also carrying out an audit of the sums involved in keeping the Philip Road Centre a going concern.

Potholes meanwhile are something of a political hot potato. Wivenhoe seems to fare no better, or no worse, than most areas following the December freeze. Station Road was identified as being something of a problem area. There is also a part of Park Road where potholes now appear to be the norm. Essex County Council is currently putting together a strategy to repair these.

The much talked about dedicated cycleway to the University has also been keeping our good councillors busy of late. This has now become a competitive process, with the budget to put this in place continuing to head northwards - £600k is the latest figure, with the bulk of the bill arising from compensation from the farmer over the land, as well as re-routing utility services.

The budget suggestion is to simply upgrade the public footpath across the field that currently takes you towards the University. By pure coincidence, @AnnaJCowen and I walked across this at the weekend. We were puffing and panting midway through the field. I don’t think my Moulton would cope with the steep incline.

CBC Cllr Steve Ford has been working to help the elderly folk at Britannia Court that have recently had heating problems. A positive outcome appears to have been reached, with CBC agreeing to offer help with the payment of bills.

The final update from Cllr Needham to WivSoc centred on the Speed Catch training sessions. This is an initiative that is being sponsored by WTC, to try and keep Wivenhoe a safe place for all to commute within. Elmstead Road has been identified as one location. WTC is currently on the look out for other areas that might benefit.

Something of a busy night for Cllr Needham, who then had to disappear for further local civic meetings. Someone should make that man the Mayor one day, donctha know…

WivSoc continued apace, with a very healthy Treasurer’s report. The balance books are looking so good, that a rather generous donation to Wivenhoe in Bloom is being considered. I felt it not appropriate to ask for a grant to help re-seed by back lawn.

Updates from our fine Secretary followed. WivSoc has heard from our friends up the road at The University, trying to once again generate local interest and participation in the Knowledge Gateway meeting scheduled to take place on Friday 28th, 7pm at The Nottage.

Yep - that’s right: just as the weekend has kicked in, and with a bottle of bolly on the go and Eastenders soon to start, the University couldn’t have chosen a more inconsiderate time to tell Wivenhoe folk of how the planned feeder route into Clinghoe Hill is going to cause even further congestion.

Not quite in Knowledge Gateway territory, but the clearing of Ferry Marsh is an issue that WivSoc has also been busy corresponding with various organisations. Concern was raised that the Environment Agency has made something of a mess of Ferry Marsh with the recent structural work to the sea wall.

WivSoc has been reassured by the Agency that this is only the first part of the planned work. Now that the landscape has been cleared, the plan if for the walkway to be resurfaced, and for the natural habitat to be encouraged to grow once again.

And relax…

But not for long - here comes Planning.

Oh Lordy.

Surprise was raised that nothing official has surfaced as yet regarding the proposed re-development of Rowhedge Wharf. One to keep a friendly local eye out for. Alterations are also apparently in place for the Royal British Legion. Few details are available, but WivSoc was broadly supportive of any help that the building needed.

And finally we came to the Station Master’s House, and the input from the highly energetic Transition Town Wivenhoe. Once again, the view from WivSoc was one of support and enthusiasm. The momentum of the group was recognised as one that can only be good for the town. Plans were made to partner TTW, and to encourage the members to participate in WivSoc’s Open Gardens event.

And that was about your lot. As an interested (and invited) observer, I thought it only good etiquette to observe how booze then follows these meetings along the Quay at the British Legion.

WivSoc is an ever-evolving organisation, and can only really reflect the views of those in the community that decide to join and participate. If you have any issues or suggestions as to how to make Wivenhoe an even better place to live or work, then joining WivSoc has to be the way ahead.

#bigsociety and booze?

Blimey.