Letters to the Editors
That Field Again
Dear Editors
I have tried to maintain an informed awareness of what is going on re Dencora field since I do live next to it, but something significant appears to have slipped past without crossing my field of vision. I would like to know what has changed since the last I had heard not so very long ago, that Dencora were not allowed to propose anything again until 2006. Reported in the last Crier, various proposals have been flown between the parties to that former ruling, without any reference in that report to that decision or dates by which anything could take place. Are these proposals post-2006, or was that decision set aside?
PS for the record, my preference would be to pipe in as much water as possible and join it to Wicken Fen as the first instance of a chalk upland wetland marsh. Nobody would dare build on it then, as it would be too boggy and completely unique as the first chalk marsh in the country. The chalk would erode relatively quickly - over a few decades - down to Fen level, leaving some quite pleasant cliffs alongside the road to Burwell, and an attractive river from the runoff, down in Lower End. I know it would involve a lot of digging and plastic sheeting but that's what National Trust volunteers are for, after all.
SWAFFHAM PRIOR PAROCHIAL CHARITIES
Dear Editors,
Once again I have to anticipate the festive season to remind all who consider themselves eligible for our Christmas grant that they should apply as soon as possible.
As usual, the majority of these applications will come from our pensioners, particularly those who have to manage on the basic state pension, but if you are in particular need, or know of anybody who may be in difficulty, but is unlikely to apply on their own behalf, the Trustees will always be happy to consider requests for assistance.
Applications should be sent to me, or to any Trustee, and I stress that this assistance is available at all times, not merely at Christmas.
Yours faithfully,
Bonfires!
Dear Editors,
Burning garden rubbish is part and parcel of living in the countryside, as most country folk know. In fact, bonfire smoke smells no worse than the smell of smoke coming from burning food on a BBQ and wafting over gardens (cough! splutter!).
With a large garden we have no choice but to burn our garden rubbish, and after contacting Environmental Health, we find there is no law to say you cannot have a garden fire, as long as nothing toxic is being burnt.
When I know someone's having a fire on my washdays, I simply use my tumbledrier. Washing smells the same, especially if one uses "fragrance from a bottle" (containing no allergens, of course! Ahem!).
Anyway, I am sure my garden smoke doesn't reach as far as Tothill. Maybe 16 Mill Hill or the main road, depending which way the wind blows or the crow flies, so the next time I light my bonfire (and I will) I will see that the smoke goes upwards, not outwards, somehow!
...and the story promised from Great Bonfire Debates past is as follows: a certain resident of Swaffham Prior, alas, now deceased, was in the habit of "anonymously" phoning neighbours by day to the effect that their bonfires were quite unacceptable, not to say, illegal, and by night, of leaping over the garden fence and depositing - yes, you guessed! - their own garden rubbish on the offending bonfire! Eds.
Parking on the High Street
Dear Editors,
I am surprised that Alastair Everitt is almost condoning anarchy, - or am I? (August issue). The double yellow lines on the High Street are painted there for a very good reason, to prevent accidents, and protect the houses which are so close to the highway. In spite of these restrictions there has been several accidents, and goodness knows how many "near shaves".
I have lived close to High Street for nearly half a century, and find that the behaviour of drivers on the whole is good; very little speeding and careful negotiation of the corners, so long as the road is clear.
Recently parking with one wheel on the footway (pavement) in an attempt not to block the road, has put pedestrians in considerable danger. The other day a pram, its occupant and the pusher had to "overtake" a parked vehicle as there was not enough room on the pavement between the car and the house, a very dangerous manoeuvre.
It is tough if your house has not room for a parking space on the site, and the occupier has to find a safe place nearby: but to leave a vehicle on double yellow lines for whatever reasons is unlawful, and a potential danger.
The new parking signs of which Alistair complains, are part of the legal requirement to confirm that the restriction is for twenty four hours a day, or at any time. The unloading concession is just that, and as soon as the vehicle is unloaded, it must be removed to a safe place. An "extended" unloading is also unlawful, and may lead to a prosecution, so be warned.
On a lighter note, we received the other day a letter giving advice on how to remove the smell of moth-balls from furniture of a certain vintage; possibly over sixty years old. The first paragraph expressed sorrow at "the persistent smell of your Aunties' drawers": the rest was irrelevant.
Re: Village Sewerage Works
Dear Editors,
I am enclosing herewith three copy letters which I consider should be brought to the attention of my fellow villagers.
A few days after my letter of the 7th May, work started on the sewage digester where the initial failure will have taken place. It was indicative that there had been no sound of pumping in recent weeks. The reed bed, which is a shallow concrete tank, was excavated clearing out all the white deposit and the dead reeds. New soil was installed and then young reeds, about one foot tall, complete with green leaves.
When I stopped at the works on the 29th June, everything seemed to be working O.K. I could hear the digester, the reeds looked well and the effluent discharging into the ditch was nice and clean.
The Anglian letter of 7th July will be standard reply regarding a works reported to them in bad condition.
I suggest villagers should watch their own sewerage works in future. The reed bed, which is the key to its state of health, can be readily inspected through the large hand holes in the gate and the effluent discharges into the ditch a few yards to the left of the gates.
I have had no communication from the Parish Council, and I note the matter has not been on an agenda. I imagine that the Cbairman has handed the Correspondence to one of the members and has told him to file it. The Councillors are obviously sedentary types, so the walkers and cyclists in the village will have to keep a watch on this basic facility.
Yours sincerely
Anglian Water
7th May 2003
Dear Sirs,
Re: Swaffham Prior Parish Sewerage Works, Station Road
I cycle past the sewerage works once or twice a month and have in recent weeks noticed a strong smell coming from the works, and also that the effluent coming out of the works is a muddy colour. About 10 days ago I noticed the gate of the works was open, so I went inside to have a look round. I immediately noticed that the reed bed to the left was a mass of white deposit, with only stubs of reeds showing. The reed bed is, of course, the final stage before effluent is discharged. It would appear that there has been a breakdown in the process and the reeds have been inundated and killed.
Would you please advise me what is the current situation and what action you are to take to rectify the matter.
I am writing this letter at the suggestion of the Chairman of the S.P. Parish Council, Mr T. Jones who will be advised of your response.
Yours faithfully,
Mr H Brown
21 May 2003
Dear Mr Brown,
Thank you for your recent letter dated 7 May 2003.
I regret that I am unable to answer your letter with a full reply at present. My colleague Paul Hunter who is the Treatment Manager for the Sewerage Treatment Works in question, has been away on leave and therefore has only just been made aware of the points raised in your letter. He is now in a position to liaise with the staff on site and will provide myself with a full reply within the next seven working days. You will, of course, be notified of the results of his findings in due course.
I enclose for your information a copy of our leaflet, Concerning your recent complaint, which outlines our complaints handling procedures.
If we can be of further assistance, please write to the above address or telephone on 08457 145 145 where our customer services staff will be pleased to help.
Yours sincerely,
Mr H Brown
7 July 2003
Dear Mr Brown
I am writing with regards your letter dated 7 May 2003.
Please accept my apologies for the delay in providing this reply. I can confirm that as part of our ongoing investment programme the old reed bed at Swaffham Prior had been showing signs of deterioration and has recently been replaced. This is why the reeds are relatively small at this stage. However even though the reeds are not fully established yet they are providing the level of treatment we require to meet our discharge consent.
Over the period in question our records show that the works has been performing well but we will monitor the site more closely to ensure the effluent remains at the usual high standard.
Whilst we normally ensure the gates are kept locked should you ever find them open again, for your own safety, please do not enter the works unaccompanied.
If we can be of further assistance, please write to the above address or telephone on 08457 145 145 where our customer services staff will be pleased to help.
Yours sincerely
Farewell from Walter
Dear Editors,
Walter Bradley wishes to thank everyone for their friendship and support over the last few years. Although he is moving to North Yorkshire to live near his daughter and family, he hopes to maintain strong links with Swaffham Prior. If anyone is in the area, he would be pleased to see them.
Good luck, Walter, and all the best in your new abode! Eds