Filton Town Council in the news.

Here are some of the recent stories that may effect or be of interest to you.

Some of the stories can be downloaded in PDF format as it appeared in the newspaper.
Simply click on the link underneath each story.

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Toast To Groundsman on Retirement

Filton Town Councils most senior groundsman has retired after nearly 40 years of service.

Site manager Terry McCormack had his last morning at work 26th March 2010, before spending the afternoon at a special retirement reception in the Ratepayers Arms. The 64-year-old started work for the council on Monday November 29, 1971 - when his wage was just 60p and hour. He had trained to be a groundsman before working at a private sports centre in Stokes Bishop, and took on the job with the Council aged 25.  Mr McCormack who lives in Filton with his wife Penny, said: " I had worked on a farm before that but left when the M5 was built through it. I knew I wouldnt have wanted to work in an office - i wanted to be working outside.

In the years that he has worked for the council, he has been a handyman, mown the lawns and done anything that needed doing in the council grounds at the swimming pool and sports pavilion.  "You name it, we do it," he said.  Mr McCormack has seen many changes along the way - including the resiting of the original childrens play area, the opening of the recreation centre in 1981 and the refurbishment of the dolphin swimming pool which reopened its doors in 2002. He said he had chosen to retire because it was the right time, but is looking forward to years ahead.  Mr McCormack and his wife plan to travel the country in their touring caravan a pass time they have enjoyed since 1976.

He is a keen amature photographer and hopes to have more time for his hobby, as well as for indoor and outdoor bowls.  Town clerk Lesley Reuben said: "Terry has always been an important part of the town council team and involved in many of the events which have taken place over the years, such as Filton Festival, Dog shows, football tournements, visits from the circus and travelling fairgrounds. Despite this he has always ensured that the playing fields are maintained to a high standard.

"He has promised to carry on using the leisure centre for his regular game of snooker, enjoying a pint at the Ratepayers Arms and perhaps even taking a dip in the Dolphin Pool.

Ratepayers Arms Quiz Raises over £1000 for Charity  

The monthly quiz, organised by the Independent Order of Foresters at the Ratepayers Arms raised over £1,031 for the Jessie May Trust during 2009, taking the total since the charity was chosen to over £10,000

The quiz is held in the Ratepayers Arms bar on the third Sunday of every month, except August.  It  is open to anyone who enjoys a challenge and wants to hep a local charity.

Filton based, Western Air Ambulance, has been chosen by the “Foresters” as their charity for 2010 and it is hoped that the money raised for the coming year will match or exceed that raised in the past.

There are a number of regular teams, made up of various numbers of people, but new teams are always welcome.  Each team member pays a pound to enter and there is a raffle during the interval.  As the intention of the quiz is to have fun, raise money for charity, prizes are very modest, but a good evening is always guaranteed.

Council welcomes Planning Consent for Elm Park

Filton Town Council is delighted to be able to announce that planning permission has been received from South Gloucestershire Council for the Council's ambitious plans to massive improvements in sports and leisure facilities which will result from new the levelling and adding of new drainage to the fields at the Town Council owned Sports and Leisure Centre. The work, being undertaken on the Council's behalf by Churngold, will result in 3 new pitch areas for football, rugby and other sports; a new cricket pitch, landscaping to change the profile of the fields and planting to create vastly increased habitat to attract birds and butterflies,.fitness equipment and new pathways to allow greater access for all. Once work begins it is expected to take up to 18 months to complete.  The work will be done in 5 phases to allow as much access to the fields as possible to be retained and to limit the amount of disruption to neighbouring properties as possible. The Council will not only create some first class facilities but will also gained financially, which will help to finance the planned improvements to the sports and leisure centre buildings and facilities, for the benefit of a wider range of residents in the future

The Council’s Vision for Elm Park

In the issue of Town Council News currently being delivered to Filton households, the Council has outlined it’s plans for big improvements to Filton Sports and Leisure Centre and the fields at Elm Park. Residents and users are being invited to comment on the plans and give their suggestions on changes and/or further improvements that they would like to see. Plans will be displayed in the reception of the Leisure Centre from 7th to 16th July and will also be featured at the Planning for Real marquee at Filton Community Fun Day (Festival) at the Northville Millennium Green on Sunday 13th July between 12:00 hrs and 17:30 hrs. A consultation event is to be held at the centre on Thursday 17th July starting at 18:30hrs.

See more about the plans by opening edition 36 of Town Council News 

Kids learn to be safe in the water.

"A number of young people who had signed up for a holiday session in the Dolphin swimming pool at Filton Sports and Leisure Centre were featured in the August 24th issue of the Observer as the session included the chance to try out lifeguard equipment and learn about safety in and around the pool".

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Filton is a Quality Council - It's official

Filton Town Council is delighted to have been awarded Quality Council status.

The Quality Parish and Town Council scheme was launched in June 2003, following the publication of the governments Rural White Paper, 2003.  The scheme was designed to provide benchmark minimum standards for parish and town councils and enable them to better represent the communities they serve. The scheme also aims to enhance relationships between local councils, principal authorities and community and voluntary sector organisations.
In order to achieve Quality status, Filton Town Council has had to demonstrate that we have reached the standard required by passing several tests.

These tests as summarised below;
• Electoral Mandate
• Qualifications of the Clerk
• Council Meetings
• Communications
• Annual Report
• Accounts and
• Code of Conduct
The tests exceed the statutory duties of parish and town councils and represent the standards that an efficient , well run parish council should achieve.

Sign of times at Britain's only council boozer

The Ratepayers Arms in Filton - believed to be the only pub in Britain to be run by a town council - is celebrating the unveiling of it's new sign.

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