ORLETON PARISH COUNCIL – WHAT ARE WE DOING
December 2023
Well would you believe it, December is here already! Having witnessed the excitement of Bonfire Night and the wonderful display put on by Orleton Young Farmers we have yet another hugely popular event looming on the horizon. Youngsters, and those not so young, will be so looking forward to Christmas Day and all the festive activities that happen! This has reminded me to thank everyone in the village who has taken part in assisting the Parish Council in carrying out its duties this year. There are too many to mention individually but you know who you are!
Merry Christmas everyone.
Remembrance Sunday
On 12 November Orleton villagers gathered at the War Memorial to pay their respects to those who made the ultimate sacrifice in the service of their countries. Thanks must go to Cllrs Barry Rodgers and David Lane who toiled away on Saturday to ensure the Memorial was spick and span for the event! A job made much easier following the extensive refurbishment organised by the Parish Council. With black painted railings, stonework cleaned and repainted lettering; it looked as it should – a fitting monument of honour and tribute for the fallen; showing that Orleton cares and remembers.
Thank you to all involved in making this happen, not least to the stonemason who did such a sterling job. But mostly to all of our residents who continue to demonstrate reverence and respect for the nation’s history and those loved ones and neighbours who gave their lives for our today.
It was pleasing to note that there were approximately some 50 people in attendance; ranging from serving personnel resplendent in dress uniform and gleaming medals; ex-service individuals, again, with their medals on display; together with the cubs and leaders in uniform. Not to mention, of course, villagers who had braved the awful wind and rain to pay their own respects. Delightful to witness despite the weather continually doing its worst to try and put a damper on the proceedings! Wreaths and crosses were ceremonially laid together with the reading of the names of the villagers who gave their lives in the two world wars. This was followed up by a reading, hymn and a bugler with the last post and reveille. Thanks must go to Rev Neil Richardson , retired methodist minister, who admirably carried out the proceedings. Also congratulations to John Best who, with some aplomb, played the bugle in difficult conditions.
Altogether a worthy event and I am sure one that has already taken place for generations will continue for decades to come.
LEST WE FORGET
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Street furniture
Following residents’ reports that a bench in Tunnel Lane was in a bad state of repair and unsafe, we removed it and replaced it with the green bench which was previously sited in Hallets Well green space. We have purchased a new bench and it is now installed in Hallets Well.
Storm Babet
On 20 November 2023 storm Babet hit the UK and Orleton did not escape the ravages of its aftermath. In particular the road to the north side of the bridge in Millbrook Way was flooded. Not by Mill Brook overflowing but by the water run-off from fields alongside the B4361 outside the Maidenhead pub. The silt and debris this carried blocked up both the catchpits (drains) and pipes to the Mill Brook resulting in water backing up and flooding Millbrook Way. Hereford Councillor Dan Hurcomb was quickly on the scene to help divert traffic until Balfour Beattie arrived on the scene with traffic barriers. Read more about the recent flooding incident and aftermath report.
Sand Bag Distribution
In anticipation of Storm Ciaran some villagers requested sand bags to protect their property in the event of potential flooding. Our thanks go to Adrian Beaumont, Councillors Brian Powell and David Lane in distributing 34 sandbags to local residents on 1 November 2023. The Parish Council maintains a supply of sandbags for residents use in the event of potential flooding so please contact the clerk should you require any.
Following Storm Babet on 20th October, and Ciaran in early November, Adrian Beaumont, David Robbins, Jane Bingham, Mark Wetton and Cllr David Lane, cleared silt and debris from around Millbrook Way bridge culvert on the 5th November. They also dredged the culvert under the roadway.
We also are delighted to report that Herefordshire County Council has chosen Orleton to pilot a scheme under which volunteers from Orleton LDV Group will deploy flood signage and barriers during flooding of Millbrook Way to close the road with the authority of the County Council. For decades this has been a very real issue for householders affected by the bow waves from traffic going through flood waters on both sides of the bridge. We hope the success of a pilot scheme will allow this approach to be repeated across the county in other similarly affected communities.
Colin Mitchell
Chairman
Orleton Parish Council