Redhill couple trek cuba for Max Appeal!

Mike and Claire Hennessey with Maxi

With the Maxi Bear, the charity bear mascot, in tow, Claire and Mike Hennessey of Redhill set off on their trekking adventure in Cuba on October 23 to raise money for Max Appeal!, a charity close to their hearts.

After a delay at the airport due to Hurricane Wilma being forecast to hit Havana when their flight was due to land, Claire and Mike finally arrived at their Cuban destination, some 30 hours late, with a group of other fundraisers from two charities; Read a Million Words and Northern Ireland Mothers and Babies in Action.

None of them were really sure what was in store both with the weather and the trekking. With the assistance of a local guide, the group walked in the natural park of Guanayara, in extremely humid conditions, over mountainous ground encountering sharp climbs through tropical rainforest and coffee plantations as well as picking their way through undergrowth, mud and over rivers and mountain streams. Along the way the 20-strong group were lucky enough to find out about the 'real' Cuba, learning about Cuba's history, current social issues and the environment, seeing a number of different species of flowers, trees and wildlife such as humming birds and plants that offer natural remedies.

Claire Hennessey commented: "I found the experience both mentally and physically challenging. Flying into a hurricane zone, not knowing what to expect and not being sure we could leave was a concern. The trek itself was very tiring, carrying large quantities of water and walking in hot conditions was difficult".

It's safe to say that Claire and Mike can definitely be proud that they have given something back to Max Appeal!, the charity that has offered so much support to themselves and their daughter, Alicia, through the early years of Alicia's life. From this trek, the couple have raised in excess of £5,000 for the children's charity.

Mike said: "A lot of effort and time went into fundraising over many months. On behalf of us both, we would like to thank everyone who has supported Max Appeal! and our once in a lifetime experience in Cuba". Maxi Bear's next adventure with Claire and Mike was planned for the Annual Conference in Newcastle on November 25 which promises to be a more civilised affair!

Niki Martini

For more information on Max Appeal! and its charity work, visit the website at www.maxappeal.org.uk

Chew Valley Primary Learning Network

The Chew Valley's Primary School Headteachers, from left to right: Daphne Spitzer (Chew Stoke), Dieter Cook (Cameley), Lynda Bills (Bishop Sutton), Avril Connelly (Pensford), Carol Wheatley (East Harptree), Robert Lane (Stanton Drew), Marie Mallett (Acting Head Chew Magna, due to resume as deputy head in January)

Eight of the Primary schools in the Chew Valley have got together to form the Chew Valley Primary Learning Network. Cameley, Chew Stoke, Stanton Drew, Pensford, Bishop Sutton, Chew Magna, Ubley and East Harptree schools will be working closely together to develop the learning of children and adults amongst their school communities. (There is also a Chew Valley Heads Cluster group that include those eight plus Chew Valley School, Winford, Felton and Dundry.)

Much work has gone into planning how the schools can work effectively together, making the best use of the resources they have and introducing new and exciting ways of working for both children and staff. The project will run for two years and in the first year the focus is on developing writing and problem solving in maths. Underpinning all the work is an ethos of Building Learning Power, introduced by Professor Guy Claxton, where children learn how to learn, using strategies that match their individual needs to make progress. In his book 'Building 101 ways to Learning Power' Professor Claxton says: "When teachers focus on building learning power in their classrooms, the impact can be startling. I¹ve seen this happen in schools across the UK when teachers have begun to think creatively about the ways in which they can help young people become better learners."

Staff from the schools involved will be getting together in enquiry groups, each term, to concentrate on different aspects of improving the quality of teaching and learning and will have the opportunity to visit other schools to see work in action. There is a wealth of talent in the Chew Valley Primary schools, identifying common goals, pooling resources and using new methods can really make a difference to children's learning. Robert Lane

75th anniversary for Wrington YFC

Andy Wear, Jennifer Hunter, Margaret and Richard Wear

A glittering dinner dance was held at the Cadbury House Country Club at the end of last month to celebrate Wrington Young Farmers Club 75th anniversary. Among the guests were founder members one of whom, Eleanor Hares (nee Collins) from Wrington, who became County Chairman of the Young Farmers in the 1930s. Local farming brothers Frank and Richard Wear from Butcombe were also founder members and Richard's son, Andrew, is club president, quite a family affair. The dance was well supported and £2000 was raised, whilst the dancing continued into the early hours.

Rosie Sage

Another car park appeal is lost

Another appeal against an enforcement notice served on an unauthorised car park near Bristol International Airport has been rejected. This is the eighth unsuccessful appeal by operators of unlawful car parks around the airport. Government Planning Inspector, Mr G F Self, has dismissed the appeal by Mr N A Ball against North Somerset Council's enforcement notice requiring the closure of the car park at The Oaks, Downside Road, Backwell.

In his decision letter Mr Self said there were three compelling reasons why planning permission should not be granted for this development: 1) The parking detracts from the openness of the Green Belt and spoils the rural character of the area. 2) The development would create road safety hazards because visibility at the junction between the access to the site and Downside Road is dangerously sub-standard. 3)The car park spoils the outlook from nearby houses and causes noise and disturbance to the occupiers of properties near the access.

Mr Self gave Mr Ball until December 2 to close the car park and a further two weeks to remove hard surfacing and restore the land to a condition suitable for agricultural use. This decision follows the judgement by Flax Bourton Magistrates to fine the operators of an illegal car park at Hailstones Farm, Redhill, £15,000 for failure to comply with a stop notice issued by North Somerset Council and £2,000 for putting up an illegal advertisement for the car park next to the A38. The operators were also ordered to pay the council¹s costs of £2,882.

Another site is also closing. Mr A McCormack, of Leighdown Farm, Crown Hill, Winford, has withdrawn his appeal against the enforcement notice served on him by the council and his site must now close. NSC says local residents have suffered a lot from the unlawful car parks around the airport and these decisions show how the council is acting to protect them and the Green Belt.

Disappointment at policing plan
The Government has outlined its preferred options for all forces in the restructuring. Avon and Somerset Constabulary and the Police Authority had submitted four preferred options to the Government. One of the options for a regional South West force has been included in the Governments preferred options which are 'suitable for progression'.

The other options which included Avon and Somerset as a stand alone force have been deemed 'not suitable', the Government said: "In developing solutions, all partners must take account of the need to ensure a coherent fit with the wider regional and national landscape and this option would severely limit available options for the remaining forces in the region". The Government has put forward a second preferred option which would be Avon and Somerset joining with Dorset, Wiltshire and Gloucestershire to create one force. Devon and Cornwall would stand alone.

Chief Constable Colin Port said: "I have previously stated that I consider the time right to examine the structures of policing across the UK. Myself and my staff are committed to providing the best service to the public that we can. Our team of experts will now work on these options to ensure the best result for the communities of Avon and Somerset. We will meet regionally with the other forces to ensure whatever option is chosen it is the best one to take policing in the region into the future."

Dr Moira Hamlin, chair of the police authority, said: "We are disappointed Avon and Somerset is not being considered as a stand- alone force. However, we will meet with our regional counterparts and ensure we are working together to make sure any restructuring is the best option for all involved forces and their communities. The overriding consideration for the police authority is to continue to strongly support neighbourhood policing which is being developed on a local level as the core service to our communities for the future."

GPs' thumbs down for PCT plan
The planned reorganisation of local health services in Bath and North East Somerset (reported in the November Gazette) has being slammed by Conservative councillors who revealed that 25 out of 27 GP practices are dead set against the plans. Lib-Dem councillors were equally unhappy about the proposal which will lump B&NES Primary Care Trust in with Wiltshire Trusts if the plan is adopted. B&NES councillors discussed the proposals at a meeting of full Council on November 17.

The Conservative group issued a motion requesting the Council protest about the changes to the Government and local MPs. Avon, Gloucestershire, and Wiltshire Strategic Health Authority (SHA) are proposing to place the B&NES Primary Care Trust (PCT) within a new organisation incorporating Wiltshire and Swindon health services. Councillor Francine Haeberling, Leader of the Conservative Group, said she felt sure other political groups on the Council would support the motion and added: "Little thought appears to have been put into these plans. Our local NHS is at high risk from financial and organisational implosion, which would be a disaster for patients."

Councillor Tim Ball, Liberal Democrat, Twerton, said; "Health care for residents will suffer if the high quality partnership between the Council and BathNES PCT is weakened as is threatened following government proposals to amalgamate PCTs in a cost cutting exercise. Sharing the burden of Wiltshire's financial problems could have a serious impact on patient care in Bath, which is unacceptable. Despite strong opposition from health workers, politicians and the public the government has continued with their cuts-driven reorganisation plans which will see inequalities in access to quality services deepen."

This follows a move last week by Bath MP Don Foster to raise awareness of the possible impact of proposals on health care users and providers. Mr Foster publicly voiced his concerns and announced that he had written to Secretary of State for Health, Patricia Hewitt detailing his fundamental opposition to the recommendations. Cllr Ball supported his Liberal Democrat colleague's stance and welcomed Don Foster's signing of the Early Day Motion calling for PCT reorganisation to be scrapped. Cllr Ball said: "Local politicians should represent these grave concerns of their residents over the future of health care and I urge the Labour MP Dan Norris to listen to his residents and sign this necessary Early Day Motion."