Speed Limit Consultation on the Bidford/Broom Road

The document below describes a proposal to extend the 40mph speed limit on Bidford Road/Victoria Road. Any objections must be received by 24 September 2010.

Read details and map here

Notice of Completion of Audit

Notice is hereby given that the Audit for Bidford-on-Avon for the year ended 31 March 2010 was completed on 26 August 2010.

Elisabeth Uggerløse
Clerk to the Parish Council

Read full notice here

Clerk Annual Leave Notice

The Parish Clerk will be away on annual leave from Sat 4 to Sat 18 September, both dates inclusive.

If necessary, you can contact the Clerk by email or mobile telephone. A list of Councillors and their contact details can be found here.

During her absence, anyone wishing to look at building plans may do so at:

• The Planning Applications page on this web site
• Stratford-on-Avon District Council, Elizabeth House, Church Street

Next Planning Committee Meeting is on Monday 13 September at 7.30pm at the Parish Council Meeting room in Bramley Way.

Web will not be Updated

This web site will not be updated from 11 to 25 September inclusive, due to annual leave by the webmaster.

Please notice that the Parish Office is open and functioning as normal for the second week of this fortnight (see Clerk's annual leave notice above).

SDC Open Space, Sport and Recreation Survey - Summer 2010

What do you think about open spaces, sports facilities, children's play and allotments in the district? Stratford-on-Avon District Council want to know!

The District Council would be very grateful if residents could spend some time completing the questionnaire below.

The closing date for the return of the questionnaire is Friday 3 September 2010.

Survey Questionnaire here

Victoria Road and Waterloo Road Speed Surveys

The full speed surveys for Victoria Road and Waterloo Road have been completed. The results are as follows:

• Victoria Road
  Average Speed = 28.7mph
  85th%ile = 34.5mph
• Waterloo Road
  Average Speed = 27.2mph
  85th%ile = 33.2mph

The 85%ile does not meet the threshold for mobile camera enforcemen. The average speeds show that drivers are complying with the speed limit. We will continue with SpeedAware on both these roads.

Road Safety Unit
Warwickshire County Council

Warwickshire County Council 12 Week Consultation on Local Transport

What are your views on transport?

Warwickshire County Council has launched a 12 week consultation on local transport in the county.

Warwickshire's third Local Transport Plan (LTP) will come into effect on 1 April 2011. The consultation is an opportunity for the public to comment on the draft strategy before the final plan is produced and adopted.

The Local Transport Plan sets out the transport strategy for Warwickshire and outlines a programme of transport schemes and initiatives to be delivered over the short to medium term. Targets are set within the plan so that progress towards meeting the strategy objectives can be measured.

The plan covers all modes of transport - including walking, cycling, public transport, car based travel and freight - and the effect of transport on the economy, environment and social inclusion.

Cllr Alan Cockburn, Warwickshire County Council's Portfolio Holder for Environment and Economy, said: "Warwickshire's current Local Transport Plan covers a five year period from 2006 and is due to expire on 31 March 2011. We are currently in the process of updating and reviewing our LTP so that a new version can be ready to be published in April next year.

"Work on the review of the LTP started last summer. This included consulting with stakeholders and the public to help prioritise goals and issues for the new plan. This has now been drafted and we are keen to hear what the residents of Warwickshire and key stakeholders think of LTP3."

The consultation began on June 3 and runs until August 27. Members of the public will be able to access the draft strategy on line at www.warwickshire.gov.uk/ltp3. A copy of the document will also be available at each Warwickshire library and in Shire Hall reception.

Members of the public are encouraged to complete the feedback form that is available to download from the website and email the completed form to the Transport Planning team at ltp3@warwickshire.gov.uk. Alternatively, post completed forms to: Warwickshire County Council, Environment and Economy Directorate, FREEPOST LG1111, PO BOX 43, CV34 4BR.

Consultation for Forest Management Evaluation of Ragley Woodlands

Below is a consultation document from Forest and Land Management Ltd. regardng the forest management evaluation of Ragley Woodlands (amongst other areas).

They would like to hear from anyone who has any comments to make. This can be any user, walkers, horse riders, etc. who may feel they want to make positive or negative comments, or perhaps draw attention to a particular issue in respect of the woodland.

Read Public Announcement of Evauation here

Election Results

Here are the results of the Parliamentary and District Council Elections, as held on Thursday 6 May 2010.

• Member of Parliament for Stratford-on-Avon Constituency
• District Councillor for the Bidford and Salford Ward

Inspection of Accounts

Each year the annual return of accounts for the Parish Council is audited by an auditor appointed by the Audit Commission. Any person interested has the right to inspect the accounts and make copies of the annual return and all books, deeds, contracts, bills, vouchers and reseipts relating to the accounting statements.

For the year ended 31 March 2010, these documents will be available on reasonable notice on application to the Parish Clerk from Thursday 27 May to Friday 25 June.

Bidford for a Disabled Person: A Report on Travelling Around Bidford

The report below was carried out by one of the Parish Councillors, together with a disabled resident. It reports on some of the problems encountered whilst trying to travel around the village.

We would welcome input from other disabled persons, and request that you contact the Parish Council Office with your comments:

• Do your agree/disagree?
• Are there other areas that need looking at? This particular resident lives in Icknield Street.
• Other issues that disabled residents encounter that they would like to bring to the attention of the Parish Council.

Read Report here

Bring Back Bidford Guide Group!

There are moves afoot to restart Guides in Bidford. Are you interested?

Girls 10 years plus can be Guides. From 14 years you can be a Young Leader and from 18 years an Adult Leader. So, whatever age you are, if you are interested in learning more about having a good time please email to Jackie Williams at bidford.paper@hotmail.co.uk

Information on Walking Dogs in the Countryside

Dogs can harm farm animals. Keep your dog on a lead near farm animals, but let go if chased. Dogs worrying farm animals can be shot.

For information on walking your dog in the countryside visit:
www.warwickshire.gov.uk/paths

Read Poster here

Recycling Update - From December 2009 more items can be recycled than before

From December 2009 you will also be able to recycle:

• Plastic food trays
• Yoghurt pots
• Margarine tubs
• Clean foil

But not plastic bags or plastic wrapping. For all details on what can (and cannot) be recycled, see the poster below.

Read recycling poster here

Have Your Say on Parish Matters

The Parish Council are updating the Parish Plan, and are seeking the opinion of Bidford residents on a range of matters such as transport and traffic, the environment, service and facilities and the future development of the parish.

The survey, hosted by Stratford District Council, is open to all residents of Bidford, Barton, Broom and Marlcliff, and will be available until mid-February.

Please don't miss this opportunity to have your say, and influence the plan for the future of the parish.

BIDFORD PARISH SURVEY HERE
YOUNG PEOPLE'S SURVEY HERE

Three Computers with Internet Access for Residents' Use

The Parish Council can now offer three computers for use by the local community. They are situated in the lobby outside the Parish Council office.

Read more here

Your Local Hospice Needs You Now!

Do you have some free time?

Want to use your IT and admin skills to help us? Could you help us at our fundraising events? Could you organise an event with the support of the Fundraising Team?

Why not join us for an informal chat on 10th July at 10.00am or 2.00pm at the Hospice, Church Lane, Shottery or ring Linda, Community Fundraiser for more information on 01789 416950.

The Shakespeare Hospice - for everyone touched by a life limiting illness: the highest standards of care, provided locally.

PRESS RELEASE: 'GUARDIAN ANGELS' SUPPORT GROUP

Guardian Angels tender has been won by South Warwickshire Carers' Support Service.

Read Press Rehease here (May 2009)

JOT - Jobs on Tuesdays

Starting on Tuesday 12 April and subsequent Tuesdays from 10.00am to 2.00pm at Church House, Butter Street, Alcester.

A drop-in centre with tea/coffee for those fearing redundancy and those who are unemployed and seeking work.

Access to Job Centre, Employment lawyer, HR Specialist, councellor, Credit Union, etc.

If we cannot help we will point you in the right direction.

More than 90 Warwickshire walks to download and print FREE!

There's no doubt about it, walking is good for you. It's good for your heart, it's good for your lungs, it's good for the muscle and bone growth of your children and it's good for your feeling of wellbeing!

Strong scientific evidence now supports the many benefits to health of regular walking – it is recommended that we take at least 10,000 steps a day.

Studies show that walking can:

• Reduce the risk of coronary heart disease and stroke
• Lower blood pressure
• Reduce high cholesterol
• Reduce body fat
• Enhance mental well being

Walking offers a great way to help kids get the active habit. If parents express excitement about the prospect of a walk in the countryside, they are more likely to transmit this feeling to their children. It's important to treat the walk as an exploration or adventure and to go at the child's pace, no matter how often they want to stop and look at things; take treats to eat and plenty to drink; and head for some landmark that will appeal to them such as a castle, a playground, an ice cream van or a boating pond. If children experience walking as part of a fun activity they are more likely to want to go again.

So, how do you find out what is on offer? John Harris, a keen walker, got fed up with the lack of information on walks that were going on in the County. So, he decided that if he couldn't find what he was looking for – he had better create it! So www.walkinginwarwickshire.co.uk came into being.

www.walkinginwarwickshire.co.uk gives you all the information you need for the best walking in the County: Details of more than 90 walks to download and print free, details of all the Warwickshire walking groups, maps and walk books – plus loads more information.

So check out the website and get walking!

Sunday Morning Runners

We are calling for all runners from beginners to marathon runners to join us on a Sunday morning for a run!

We will meet at 9.00am at Budgens car park.

We have two young runners that are also keen to meet fellow runners so nobody is restricted by age. We are not a running club(yet) but are aware that there are plenty of keen runners in and around Bidford on Avon.

For an informal chat or more information please contact Karen on 07919181002 or 01789 491091 or by email

How Recycling Works

A presentation on the process and benefits of recycling, by Pure Recycling, can be read below:

See the PowerPoint presentation here
Read the presentation in pdf format here

Broom High Street Speed Analysis

A further analysis of the speed survey data on High Street Broom, based on the speed survey carried out on 26 November 2008 following further concerns by residents into traffic speeds on the High Street, can be read below:

Read the report here

Policy for Grant Applications (and Application Form)

The document below explains the Parish Council's policy for grant applications (for financial assistance by voluntary organisations and groups), and includes an application form.

Grant Applications Form (Word version)
Grant Applications Form (pdf)

Barton Traffic Volume and Speed Survey

A Traffic volume and Speed Survey was undertaken on Welford Road for a period of seven days from the 26th November 2008.

The results of the survey are summarised in the report below:

Read the report here

Still Remembered Grave Tending Services

A quite unique service to the community has been recently started for the West Midlands and Warwickshire areas of the UK specifically designed to help those who are unable to look after the graves of their friends or loved ones themselves.

Read more details here, or see www.stillremembered.co.uk or contact Mike by telephone on: 0247 6590924 or 07970 159085.

Broom Traffic Calming – Feasibility Report

Following a meeting with the Parish Council and Councillor Barnes in July 2008 in High Street Broom it was agreed that Speed Surveys should be carried out to establish the level of speeding in Broom and surrounding roads in Bidford on Avon.

The results of these surveys have now been analysed and a course of action recommended.

Read the report here

The Chaucer Experience

A proposal to present Chaucer's masterpiece The Canterbury Tales in the manner of medieval story-telling.

This will follow the way that Chaucer himself would have read them to small groups of friends or guests as after-dinner entertainment. A group of 3-4 persons will present the Tales jointly as narrators/story-tellers, and will present the various characters as they occur in each Tale. This reflects the entertainment style of the 15th century medieval troubadours and their 'Interludes'.

Ten of the Canterbury Tales have been arranged for this style of presentation. These texts follow original Chaucer but they will be presented in modern English; some Tales have been shortened. The Tales can be presented singly or in groups of 2-3 Tales in a particular evening.

This style of presenting 'authentic' Chaucer in the manner of medieval story-telling would draw on the presenters' own intuitive skills and experience of narrative story-telling within a family or small group of friends. These basic skills can be developed using appropriate acting techniques.

It is envisaged that these presentations will take place in a drawing room where a local Host invites friends and neighbours for a social occasion as in Chaucer's day. The audience size would be kept small and probably not exceed thirty people in order to maintain the intimate and authentic style of the period. Appropriate music might be added. The events may be used as opportunities for fund-raising for the Host's particular charity or good cause.

Other venues might include schools, libraries and museums. Medieval chambers and 'heritage' buildings would also be appropriate where performances might then take the form of 'living history'.

There is also significant potential for the development of these opportunities and events beyond The Chaucer Experience.

Initially, an absolute minimum of two ladies will be needed to initiate the project but a larger company would enable further development. It would be particularly useful to find a production assistant/PR person to assist with the foundation work in establishing the group and making contacts with potential Hosts.

For more information please contact Roy Tabor on 01789 772181.

Quality Parish Council

The Quality Parish Status (QPS) is a Charter Mark awarded to a Parish or Town Council that is well run and working effectively on behalf of its community. Councils attaining Quality Parish Status may take on extra functions for the benefit of their communities, if they wish, by negotiating with County and District Councils for the devolution of functions and services down to grassroots level.

Bidford Parish Council is delighted to have achieved this status.

Parish Council Newsletter

Bidford Parish Council is establishing a new Newsletter, which will come out either bi-monthly or quarterly.

We would welcome contributions from residents, such as letters, snippets of information, events, etc.

Please email any contributions to: bidford.paper@yahoo.com

Information on Dredging Rivers

This information from the Environment Agency is about dredging rivers, particularly in regard to flooding

• Leaflet on Dredging and Flood Risk
• Presentation on River Dredging and Flood Defence

Local Involvement Networks Explained

This leaflet from the Department of Health explains the concept of Local Involvement Networks (LINk) - a network of local people, organisations and groups that want to make care services better.

Read LINk flyer here.

National Flood Forum's 'Blue Pages'

This is a directory of flood protection products and services put together to advise and inform you of the range of products available to help you protect your home or business against flooding.

Whilst the National Flood Forum cannot endorse any of these products they are happy to provide a platform to enable the public to make informed decisions.

Read the NFF's Blue Pages here

DVD of the Floods

The DVD of the floods is now available at many of the local shops. Price £8.99. It is entitled 'Bidford-IN-Avon: The record flood of July 21st 2007 at Bidford-on-Avon'.

Great Britain Online have filmed before and after the floods, and done some research into previous (historical) floods.

DVD is also for sale at www.greatbritainonline.co.uk

Your Photographs

We are delighted to announce a new addition to this web site - a showcase for your own photographs of the parish.

The photographs can be seen on our new Bidford - Your Photos page.

If you would like to submit your own photograph(s) for this page, please email them to the Parish Clerk, and don't forget to include your full name and provide a short title for each photograph.

Alcester Hospital Consultation

Below are various documents relating to the Alcester Hospital Consultation.

• Statement read by Councillor Eric Payne at the Warwickshire PCT Board Meeting on 30 Jan 2008.
• Report to the PCT Board presented by Paul Maubach.
• Presentation 'Healthcare in the Alcester area' made to Alcester Town Council.
• Presentation 'Commissioning for a Healthy Warwickshire' by David Rose, Chief Executive Warwickshire PCT.

Notice of adoption of the Code of Conduct for Parish and Town Councils

Bidford-on-Avon Parish Council adopted the Local Authorities (Model Code of Conduct) Order 2007 No. 1159 for Parish and Town Councils, including Paragraph 12(2) on 20th August 2007.

Copies of the adopted Code of Conduct are available at the Parish Council Office, situated in Bramley Way, Monday to Friday from 10.00am to 12.30pm and on the Procedures page of this web site.

Bidford-on-Avon - ICT Award Winner (Calor Village of the Year Competition) 2006/07

Bidford-on-Avon is a village with a vibrant community and groups and associations catering for all ages and interests.

The village has an extensive range of local businesses employing many local people and by increasing tourism with natural attractions such as the river, the economy is benefiting. Businesses are also evident in helping support the community with significant sponsorships highlighting strong relationships.

Accessibility to Bidford couldn't be easier. Their website is easy to use and navigate and very up to date. Due to the large number of companies in the village, broadband access has facilitated an innovative approach to use of ICT within the village. The library offers five free computers and free lessons, the youth club members have three complementary computers, and silver surfers meet every Friday. Bidford's wide scale use of free IT involves all local residents who navigate cyberspace with ease.

Young and old are kept active with groups, outings, events and even a Young Firefighters initiative that is enthusiastically embraced. The 'Jolly Teapot', aptly named, is used as a venue where members of the Bidford Community Group can meet to express their views over a cup of tea. These meetings are also regularly attended by the Parish Council which takes this opportunity to hear the views of residents and improve village life.

Bidford is blessed with natural beauty and its history dating back to Roman and Anglo Saxon times makes it ripe for conservation. Preservation is the villages focus with the three P's – Parish, Paths and Partnership, driving this by encouraging walkers with way marking, path improvements and guidebooks and maps.

The village also has extensive allotments which encourage green fingers to produce beautiful vegetables and fruit, so much so that there is a waiting list. Recycling and energy schemes are also prevalent with the Parish being lit by 'green energy'.

Bidford has a lot to shout about and has just appointed a Village Crier to help pass on information about all the events and activities going on in Bidford for all the 4,950 local residents and visitors.

Calor Village of the Year Awards

Internet Computer for Residents' Use

The Parish Council has recently been awarded a computer under the Warwickshire County Council Community Computers scheme.

This computer, with internet access, is now available for the use of residents at the Parish Council Office, Bramley Way.

Residents will be asked to sign a Register Book and to adhere to the Access Guidelines.

The Parish Council trusts this extra facility being offered will be welcome and looks forward to it being widely used.

Car Parking at the Big Meadow: Important Notice

Please note that ALL cars must pay the £2 Parking Fee unless they hold a FREE PASS.

Residents of the Bidford-on-Avon Parish can have this reimbursed at the Parish Council Office, Bramley Way (next to the library) when applying for their Free Pass.

Please note that Free Pass Applications Forms are only available from the Parish Council Office, or you can download one here.

Five Good Reasons to Compost at Home

1. Reduce the amount of rubbish you put out for collection and send to landfill.

2. Produce a fantastic free fertiliser for your garden, vegetable plots, patio planters and hanging baskets.

3. Save money by reducing the amount of compost you have to buy for your garden.

4. Help to reduce the production of methane – when organic waste is sent to landfill, it rots without oxygen producing methane – a powerful greenhouse gas which contributes to global warming.

5. Save time and petrol on taking garden waste to the tip.

The most important tips for making good compost are:

• Ensure that you get a good mix of wet (eg. food scraps, grass clippings) and dry (eg. paper, card, straw, leaves) materials. The dry materials will trap air spaces in the compost, which it needs to work properly.
• Do not include meat, fish, dairy or cooked food scraps. These are the things that might attract unwanted visitors to the bin!

Compost bins can be purchased at subsidised prices. The Recycle Now Home Compost programme is a partnership between Warwickshire County Council and WRAP (the Waste & Resources Action Programme). Three designs of bin are available, starting at £8 including delivery.

For more information or to order a compost bin visit the website: www.recyclenow.com/compost or call: 0845 077 0757

Don't forget that you also have a local composting advisor – Penny Holmes - who attends events, gives talks and works with schools to promote successful home composting. If you have an event that you would like the advisor to attend please email: penny.holmes@wrap.org.uk

Vulnerable Household Scheme: DO YOU HAVE A WATER METER?

The vulnerable household scheme is a capped charge, which is intended to help metered customers who are experiencing difficulties as a result of high water usage or low income.

If a member of your household is on receipt of benefits and has a medical condition that makes you use more water, or you are in receipt of benefit and have three children under the age of 19, then you may be able to apply for this scheme.

For further information to see if you qualify for the scheme, please telephone 0845 7500 500

Application forms are now available at the Parish Council Office. Help to complete the form can be obtained from the Bidford Benefits Advice Group - please contact Mike Gerrard on 01789 778493.

Coventry and Warwickshire Learning Consortium

WANT TO DEVELOP YOUR SKILLS? BE A BETTER WORKER? SHORT OF SKILLS? WANT A JOB?

Get yourself a National Vocational Qualification (NVQ)

Coventry and Warwickshire Learning Consortium are offering NVQ courses at heavily discounted prices - many of them absolutely FREE. To apply you must:

a) Work in a voluntary community organization; b) Be working in, or moving into, an administrative or management role; c) Be aged 19 or over.

You can qualify in Business Administration, Team Leadership, Retail skills, Health & Social Care, Child Care & Development, and other valuable capabilities with NO CHARGE at the lower levels and at only a fraction of the normal cost for the higher level qualifications.

Information sheets may be obtained from the Parish Council Office, Bramley Way (next to the library) open daily from 10.00 am to 12.30 pm or downloaded here

Calor Village of the Year Awards 2006

County's Top Villages Revealed

Warwickshire's top villages are celebrating as the county results of the 2006 Calor Warwickshire Best Kept Village and Village of the Year competitions have been revealed.

Over 80 communities took part this year in one or both competitions, which are run by Warwickshire Rural Community Council (WRCC) and sponsored by Calor - the UK's leading supplier of LPG (liquefied petroleum gas).

The Warwickshire Best Kept Village competition, which also incorporated the Best Kept Churchyard competition this year, encourages communities to work together to keep their surroundings tidy and well maintained. The results of this competition are as follows:

• Best Kept Small Village Winner
  - Sambourne
• Best Kept Large Village Winner
  - Leek Wootton
• Best Kept Churchyard Winner
  - Church of St Peter and St Paul, Butlers Marston

The Warwickshire Village of the Year competition judged villages of up to 5,000 residents on six key aspects of village life with categories covering Building Community Life, Business, Young People, Older People, the Environment and Information Communication Technology (ICT). Thanks to continued competition support from Defra (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs) at both county and national level, the winning village in the Building Community Life category will benefit from £500 prize money. The results of this competition are as follows:

• 2006 Calor Warwickshire Village of the Year
  - BIDFORD-ON-AVON
• Information Communication Technology Winner
  - Barton-on-the-Heath
• Building Community Life Winner
  - Middleton

As the 2006 Calor Warwickshire Village of the Year, Bidford-on-Avon has the added honour of being nominated to go forward and represent the county in the prestigious national Calor Village of the Year® for England competition. More than 40 villages across the country will be competing in the competition, which has a total prize fund of over £39,000 and a top prize of £7,000. Bidford-on-Avon will initially be representing Warwickshire in the Central England region of the competition against villages from Derbyshire, Leicestershire, Lincolnshire, Northamptonshire, Nottinghamshire, Rutland and Staffordshire.

The Warwickshire Village of the Year winners will be presented with their prizes at the Annual General Meeting of the WRCC on Saturday 14 October at Bidford-on-Avon Village Hall.

Competition organiser, Ariadne Uslu, commented: "This year's competitions have once again highlighted some excellent communities here in Warwickshire. Standards have been very high throughout and our judges had a difficult task selecting the final winners. We very much look forward to celebrating with representatives of the winning villages."

For further information on the competitions please contact Ariadne Uslu at WRCC on 02476 303232, or email her at ariadneu@wrccrural.org.uk.

Rural Outreach Fund Criteria

General

• The fund will only be accepted with the support of a VLO
• The fund can only be used to support projects which will provide additional resources, or enhance existing resources, not subsidise existing services or resources, other than in exceptional circumstances
• Projects should demonstrate that they address rural isolation and/or improve access to services or facilities
• The fund will only support projects which are to the benefit of communities or organisations where a VLO is present.

Only bids which fall/come under the following headings will be supported by the funds:

• Improving access to services & facilities
• Improving access to information
• Provision of training
• Building the capacity of community groups
• Support to Voluntary Organisations
• Community safety initiatives

Questionnaires are available at the Parish Council Office, Telephone 01789 778653

Silver Surfers Warwickshire - A Village Liaison Project

Come and learn to use the Internet with Silver Surfers. It's free of charge and no need to book - just pop along!

Every Friday from 10.00 am to 11.00 am at Bidford Library

This service is offered to you by Silver Surfers Volunteers who are available to offer support. Why not pod down to the library next Friday and see what it's all about?

Notice Regarding Planning Applications

It has come to the notice of the Parish Council that not all neighbours receive advice of planning applications. Full details of planning applications are available at the Parish Council Office (next to the library), which is open daily from 10.00am to 12.30pm. If you believe an application has been sent in and you have not been notified, please contact the Clerk.

All applications received by the Parish Council are discussed at its monthly Planning Meeting or its monthly Parish Council Meeting. Dates of the meetings are on this web site and the Parish Council's Notice Boards and Agendas, giving details of the applications that will be discussed, are also published on the web site and the notice boards.

Please feel free to contact the Clerk on 01789 778653 if you would like any further information.

Free Fire Home Safety Check

Bidford Fire Station is offering a Free Home Fire Safety Check, which includes free smoke alarm fitting.

To arrange a visit, please contact Stratford-upon-Avon Fire Station on 01789 293271, ask for Area Risk Team and give your details - these will be passed on to members of Bidford Fire Station who will contact you to arrange a suitable time.

Alternatively, you can contact Bidford Fire Station direct on 01789 772223 Wednesday or Thursday between 7.00 and 9.00 pm.

Age Concern Services

The following documents detail the services provided by Age Concern in these districts:

• Stratford upon Avon District
• Warwick District
• North Warks and Nuneaton and Bedworth Borough

Are You Over 60? Or Know Someone Who Is?

The Citizens Advice Bureau would like to offer help to people in this age group.

• We would like to give you information about pension credits and other financial help available.
• If poor health is an issue we can discuss this too.
• We can complete the forms with you and post them for you.

Everything can be done in the privacy of your own home.

For more information, please phone Patricia on 01789 295399 (this number is often covered by an answering machine, but please leave your name and number and I will call you back).

Housing Needs Report

A detailed investigation into the housing needs of Bidford-on-Avon was carried out by Warwickshire Rural Housing Association at the request of the Parish Council.

Read the full report here - Feb 2005

Bogus Caller Initiative

The Warwickshire Police aim to make our county 'The Safest Place to Be'. They have launched an initiative to educate the public on what to do if somebody calls at your door who you do not recognise.

Read the Bogus Caller Information Sheet - which also includes a notice that you can show to callers. This information is also available at the Parish Office and the Library.

Flood Watch

Flooding is a serious issue. Around 6,000 properties are at risk of flooding in the Warwickshire area. While the Environmental Agency aims to provide advance warning of flooding, and local authorities may provide assistance, the person who can do most to help is you! Below is some useful information and guidance.

Information Sheet - This sheet from the Environmental Agency explains your local flood warning service and lists important contact numbers.

Leaflet - This leaflet, aimed at older residents, helps you plan ahead and reduce the risk to you and your belongings.