News and events in Ewyas Harold

COUNCILLORS CONSIDER FRENCH TWIN

Ewyas Harold has received an enticing invitation from the village of Segonzac in France requesting our village consider “twinning” with them.

Councillors were initially surprised, and responded by modestly explaining that Ewyas Harold was a small village, without any particular pretensions to economic wealth, history or grandeur. The gallant citizens of Segonzac were not at all dismayed and invited councillors to pay a 3-day visit to compare facilities before making any commitment.

Councillors were not slow to realise the advantages of a French “twin” in an area famous for its cuisine and cognac. With astonishing alacrity a sub-committee was formed, and diaries consulted.

The Value of Twinning
The idea of twinning is to foster international friendship and goodwill. It stimulates interest in learning other languages and travelling abroad. The idea is to widen educational, cultural, sporting and social opportunities. This could be a great opportunity for young people as well as local businesses. Segonzac has a tiny but very special ”University”.

Segonzac
Segonzac lies in the region of Poitou Charentes at the heart of an important wine-growing area, north of Bordeaux. More than half the land is devoted to vineyards and the economy includes B&Bs, with tourist and craft businesses. The area has a population of 2,300 who call themselves “les Segonzacais”. Their emblem is the escargot!

The Cost
Councillors will be responsible for their own expenses for any visits or trips connected with their onerous voluntary duties. Anxious taxpayers may wish to read the Clerk’s article on The Precept or (in other words) “How the parish council gets and spends its money” which appears in the Newsletter on page 6. Or come to a Parish Council meeting (first Tuesday in the month, 7.30pm at the Memorial Hall) to learn more.

To find out about our new French friends and to practise your language skills see

http://www.cc-grandechampagne.fr/article.php3?id_article=773

How to become a Councillor?... Contact the Clerk, Andy Shipp

INTERNET CAFE & COMMUNITY ACCESS POINT OPEN

With the help of Herefordhsire Council and partners, Community Access Points (CAPS) have been set up in over twenty villages in the county. They are Community Internet Cafes where users can surf the net, get help and training and access specialised software which is not normally in the home.

WHERE IS IT? The Ewyas Harold CAP has been set up at the back of the Memorial Hall. There are also satellite facilities available at the Post Office and the Dog public house.

WHATS ON OFFER? The CAP has 6 laptop computers, a video projector, a digital camera and a video camera. Software packages inlcude SKype and an audio/video editing program. This equipment will be available for 2 sessions each week AT NO CHARGE TO REGISTERED USERS. A broadband connection is available to enable users to surf the internet.

To use the CAPs you will need to register. Bring two of the following: a current utility bill identifying you with your address, a driving licence, a passport. ALL CAPS EQUIPMENT IS SECURITY MARKED.

CAPS OPENING TIMES
Ewyas Harold Shop and Post Office 9am - 3pm Monday to Saturday
The Dog Inn 6.30pm to 11pm every day except Tuesday and Saturday
The Memorial Hall: Tuesday 6.30 - 9pm Saturday 4pm to 6.30pm
Further information - contact: Ewyasharold@yahoo.co.uk

YOUNG PEOPLE GET A BETTER DEAL

In October 2007, Ewyas Harold's teenage group "High Voltage" succeeded in getting a Herefordshire Youth Opportunities Grant to buy equipment for an under-18s music and photographic club. The equipment consisted of: an I-Mac computer, headphones, microphones, a projector, a digital camera and software. Training comes in the package too, with sessions on the use of digital cameras, the Nintendo wii and the I-Mac.

High Voltage have teamed up with Ewyas Haorld CAPS Scheme and will use the CAPs room at the Memorial Hall to get to grips with their new equipment. High Voltage and CAPS will share equipment and know-how. Membership cards will be available to those who wish to join the club, or the CAPs.

GRAEME MICHESON'S STONE CARVING

FOR THE VILLAGE ARTMARKERS PROJECT

Ewyas Harold is one of only 12 villages to receive a professional artwork commissioned by the Village Artmarkers Project. We are honoured to have a stone carving made by artist Graeme Mitcheson installed in the centre of the village. The trustees of the Catholic Church have kindly allowed the GPC to adopt a piece of land between the Church and the Doctor's surgery. We have installed a gate and path leading to a bench, so that villagers and visitors can take a rest while admiring Graeme's stone carving. This tranquil site in the centre of the village is ideal for chatting with friends or quiet meditation. All we need is some good weather!

The stone carving reflects Ewyas Harold's heritage but also make a statement about the modern village today. Antique tools point to Ewyas Harold's agricultural links, while otters, meadow saffron and crayfish represent the rare wildlife that can be seen around the village. The texture of chain-mail refers to the large Norman Castle that once towered above the village. Ewyas Harold's was almost a town in medieval times, when the village would have been a much bigger and busier place than it is today.

BACKGROUND

The village participated in deciding the design and the siting of the artwork. In 2006 the GPC hosted a "Hands on Art" week (18th -20th May) with a Pub Quiz at the Temple Bar, a Cheese and Wine Party at the Memorial Hall, a History Walk round the village and a Stone Carving workshop at the school. All these events were well attended, particularly the stone carving workshop where 38 children and adults learned to carve in stone. An Exhibition was held in September 2006 at St. Michaels and All Angels Church. Villagers voiced the opinion that the artwork should be sited in a central position. As a result the GPC consulted with the trustees of the Catholic Church .

HISTORY AND ARCHAEOLOGY GROUP

The Ewyas Harold Castle Archaeological Project has been awarded a grant of nearly £25,000 by the Local Heritage Initiative. The project aims to let local people actively participate in a programme of earthwork mapping, geophysical surveying, documentary research, analysis and interpretation.

If you wish to volunteer, please contact one of the secretaries: Margaret Woodward or Hilary Trapp. The group's AGM will be held at 7.30pm on Friday March 10th in Ewyas Harold Memorial Hall when the professional archaeologists will fully explain the Castle project. The officers of the group have offered themselves for re-election. Other nominations should be notified to the secretaries.

VE Day VJ Day Celebrations - October 2005 Events

SECRET SOLDIER PHOTOGRAPHIC EXHIBITION

The Secret Solder Photographic Exhibition was a tremendous success with over 1,200 visitors. Many World War II veterans turned out to enjoy the show. A superb collection of photographs from the Imperial War Museum were supported by a fascinating collection of local material including details of the local "maquis" which would have been activated in the event of German invasion. Secret agents working behind the lines were represented by the Violette Szabo Museum. The origins of the SAS were illustrated with superb desert photographs. Our local regiment was able to provide what is bellieved to be David Stirling's own jeep - although sceptics remarked that "he probably got through a lot of them!".

The exhibition included a selction of archive radio and film material, with famous speeches and news clips delivered over 1940's radios. Visitors were able to enjoy free refreshments (in the NAAFI) with super home-baked cakes provided by a welcoming team of volunteers. The NAAFI was much appreciated by everyone as it gave visitors a chance to sit down and chat about their experiences. The BBC were on hand to record tales of the war for their "Have I Got a Story for You" project.

Eighty five people attended the evening film shows which were mounted by Flicks in the Sticks. Now equipped with new black-out blinds, the Memorial Hall can host films anytime and we have a brand-new Film Club.

The Second World War Concert featuring the Hereford Big Band, Maggie O'Hara and local artistes was a tremendous success. Seventy children came to the Halloween party and had a really good time with refreshments provided by a spooky anonymous donor. The Churches Together remembrance service (and tea) was much appreciated, with more tales of wartime experiences from older residents

THE COMMUNITY COMMONS PROJECT

Ewyas Harold Common is one of 12 Herefordshire commons taking part in the Community Commons Project. Financed by the Heritage Lottery Fund, this project is supported by Herefordshire Council, English Nature and the Hereford Nature Trust (HNT).

Ecological Management Plan

The HNT are acting as advisers to a working group of commoners and residents who are drawing up a management plan. This plan aims to preserve the common's rural character and protect it as a haven for native plants and wildlife, as well as improving it as a recreation area for the public.

Public Access

The public is legally entitled to access and to walk freely on the Common under the CRoW Act 2000 and other legislation. Dogs must be kept on a lead to prevent the harrassment of sheep. Following the advice of HNT, the number of sheep currently grazing the common has been increased. Ponies are being considered.

"Jewel in the Crown" of Herefordshire Commons

The Common was recently described as "the jewel in the crown of Herefordshire's commons" by a visiting expert from Southampton University because of the many rare butterflies found here.

Freedom of Information Act January 2005

The Freedom of Information Act came into force on January 1st 2005. It gives a general right of access to all types of recorded information held by public bodies such as local councils and parish meetings. We are working towards a written policy on the implementation of the Act at GPC level. At the moment we are awaiting formal guidance from government.

This website has been constructed to allow the public access to our Minutes Archive. Any information that is not on this website can be obtained by writing to the Clerk stating what is required and giving the approximate date of the document. In some circumstances charges may be made. This council stores documents more than five years old at the Records Office in Hereford where they can be viewed by the public by appointment.

THE NEWSLETTER

The GPC prints a Newsletter free of charge approximately every three months. It goes to most homes in the area. Available from the Post Office in Ewyas Harold, it is also delivered with the milk as well as being distributed by hand in the remoter areas of the Parishes.

The Newsletter is not a charge on the precept as printing costs are kept extremely low and are covered by advertising revenue.

The Editorship of the Newsletter is a rotating post and is currently undertaken by:

Richard Baker

Rowlestone

HR2 0HE

Suggestions and contributions are extremely welcome

Editor's email address can be found on the CONTACT US page.

To obtain a pdf copy of the last issue click the download button at the top of this page. It's a big file and may take some time to download on to your computer.

Advertisements: If you have a local business and would like to place an advertisement in the Newsletter, the cost is £25 for the year. This is a BARGAIN as our Newsletter goes to EVERYONE in the community and it is FREE. You couldn’t find a better place to put your ad. If you want to just place an ad for one month, the cost is £7