Implementation of Moulton Parish Plan

About IMPP’S IMPP stands for the Implementation of Moulton Parish Plan. It was was formed after the completion of the Moulton Parish Plan in June 2004 with the remit of ensuring that the various the Action Plans created during the consultation period were brought to fruition.

The Steering Committee Officers are:  Chairman Allan Burgess Secretary Fran Bennett Treasurer Laura Williams.

COMMUNITY AND SOCIAL ( EVENTS)
The main focus for your Events Committee this year is the Crow Fair, which will have the theme of “Rural Life” and take place over the weekend 15/16th July with events and stalls on the field, a Barn Dance, a combined religious service and a Fun Run.
We are really keen to reintroduce the historic Crow Dance for which the village used to be famed. To do so we need adult male volunteers, so far we have 6 volunteers but we require another 12. Training will start in May and you will be
anonymous, behind a mask so you don’t need to feel embarrassed. If you wish to help recreate our heritage please give your name to either,
Peter Hulme tel: 860584; Barry Barnes tel: 593770 or Laura Williams tel: 594339

All village organisations have been contacted and asked to participate in the fair but if you have ideas, contacts or access to resources which you feel would fit in with the theme of rural life then please contact
Peter Hulme at moulton.eventsec@btinternet.com or tel 860584
Let's all contribute to making this an event which puts Moulton on the map and shows what a community working together can achieve!

Local adult volunteers who have had CRB checks organise the sessions, and we would welcome any new volunteers to help staff the club. This need only be when you are available as the club is run on a rota basis.
If you are willing to help with the club you are very welcome and if you have any enquiries please contact our groups secretary: Angela Bush 552580

TRAFFIC
We recently had a joint meeting with the Parish Council and Richard Flood from Cheshire Highways. The poor state of the roads was discussed as pot holes have been appearing at many places in the village. Other points highlighted were the lack of a sign for Moulton when coming from Peckmill Roundabout and the lack of working cats eyes on the unlit section of Jack Lane.
Longer term issues such as parking within the village and the visibility problems with the mini roundabout at the Jack Lane and Main Road junction will take longer to resolve but we will keep trying.
We have been trying to get a safe route for the children of Moulton to walk or cycle to the County High High School, Leftwich. A petition was presented from Moulton and Davenham villagers to our MP, Stephen O’Brien and County Councillor Shirley Harris, which was then presented to Cheshire County Council. There has been much discussion but without any result so far so the campaign will continue.

BUSINESS
IMPPS is looking into the possibility of producing a Village Directory in which all village organisations will be listed together with local businesses.
The Directory will be distributed to every household within the village as a handy reference. Businesses will be asked to pay for the adverts so contributing to the cost of printing. Ideally the directory would be self financing.
The school will do the computer work as part of their Healthy Schools Initiative.

ENVIRONMENT
The Parish Plan suggested a number of ways we could improve the environment within the village for example more trees, seats at various locations and extra waste bin provision. Seats must be a welcome village facility especially to older people who would enjoy a rest when walking within the village. The location of these seats will be in public places as the other sites proposed met with opposition mainly due to fears of vandalism. The issue needs to be pursued further to resolve any doubts.

Additional waste bins are currently being provided by the Parish Council so that the opportunity to reduce litter will now be available. The Healthy School’s Initiative at Moulton Primary School has organised an anti -litter poster competition and the winners will be announced at the end of January. The winners of the competition will have their posters printed and displayed around the village to make people aware of their responsibilities to our environment.

WINSFORD ROCKSALT MINE BLASTING
Following a request for information to be included in this newsletter Salt Union Ltd would like to clarify the following points regarding underground blasting taking place at the mine.

Around three quarters of the mine's output is extracted by a mining machine, often called “the mole”, which was purchased 4 years ago to reduce the amount of blasting carried out at the mine. The remaining salt is extracted by bench mining which
involves blasting once or twice per day, particularly in high periods of demand such as winter.
We regularly monitor blasting vibration levels at the closest residential properties to ensure compliance with the limits set for us by the County Council; these results are submitted for them to review. The levels measured since the start of bench mining in 2003 are significantly below our permitted ground vibration levels. Bench blasting is currently taking place below ground just to the south west of the Peckmill roundabout.
The mine does not have planning consent to mine below residential areas, therefore we are not, and shall not, be mining under any properties in the Moulton area.
We would like to apologise for any inconvenience or concerns our operation may have caused residents.

Steve Reece
Mine Manager