Parish Plan projects outlined at Annual Village Meeting

By Bob Cartwright, chairman Parish Plan Steering Group

At the Annual Village Meeting in the Public Hall on Thursday 24th May, there was an update on the work of the Audlem Parish Plan team. Its Community Projects Working Group has continued to meet regularly since the launch of the Plan in January 2006.

The Group consists of three Parish Councillors; two members of the Parish Plan Steering Committee; the financial officer to Audlem Parish Council and a representative of the village sports clubs and Audlem Public Hall management committee. The Group is chaired by Roland Hall.

Over the past fifteen months, the Group has concentrated on three major projects. As only one was mentioned in any detail in the Plan itself, the Group feels it is important to update local residents with details on the three projects. They are:

Indoor Sports and Community FacilityThis was the major project highlighted in the Plan in January 2006. The ambition was to improve Audlem's sports facilities by developing an indoor facility that would include changing facilities, a hall large enough to accommodate badminton etc and a fitness facility. There should also be a meeting room/place which younger members of the community, and other groups, could use – Malpas has an excellent facility like this.

After considering a number of locations, siting the facility behind the Public Hall was thought preferable – the central location; proximity to the tennis courts and football field – and football's urgent requirement for changing facilities – and linking with the established management team at the Public Hall, were overwhelming arguments, despite space being limited. Some initial feasibility drawings indicated space would be just about sufficient and applications have been made to fund-holders.

This is a project that will cost in excess of £1 million and will require a massive effort to achieve. It is, however, considered particularly important to improve sports and community provision for the younger age groups, particularly as no suitable facilities exist within a reasonable distance.

Various public meetings in 2005 and 2006 saw general support for the long-term aspiration to build such a facility by 2012. Over the coming years, there will have to be extensive fundraising activity with public bodies such as local councils; Sport England; the Football Foundation etc.

The ValeAs confidential discussions were under way with the landowner when the Parish Plan was published, the proposal to acquire land beside the stream, known locally as Audlem Vale, and including Holmes Bank with its views over the village, was not included in the Plan. This project has, however, been a key objective and negotiations have continued for almost two years between the land-owner, Mr Edwards, and Mike Hill, on behalf of the Parish Plan and Parish Council.

The current situation is that Mr Edwards has indicated in writing a willingness to sell; the District Valuer has visited the site and measured the land to be acquired – 14 acres. The Public Works Loans Board has indicated that money can be borrowed by the Parish Council. This will require local approval through a referendum as it will add approximately £5 p.a. to each householder's Council Tax due to the increased Parish Precept needed to service the loan.

If residents approve, and an offer is accepted by Mr Edwards, the proposal would be to establish a Trust, reporting to the Parish Council, which would manage the land for the benefit of local residents, visitors and the wildlife. There would be some regular out-goings, which it is felt would be covered by local fund-raising and by applications to bodies such as WREN and the Woodland Trust. Some of the land would be planted as woodland, a relatively scarce commodity in the area; a pond/bog area would be created and the existing public footpath improved to allow better access throughout the year.

The area is partly designated 'floodplain' in the Local Plan while Holmes Bank is a notable landmark that is particularly popular whenever snow falls. One 3-acre field, the most south-westerly of the area to be bought, contiguous to the canal and existing woodland to the south, would be ideal for tree planting. Re-contouring the footpath would also help make it more accessible to the disabled at the canal-end of the path. A first step after purchase would be to fence off the area to protect it from cattle and then possibly grazing the land with sheep.

Thomas Telford MuseumThe Parish Plan Community Projects Group believe providing an additional tourist attraction in Audlem would help sustain many local businesses. Audlem Wharf and the canal already attract many people. Providing even more to interest visitors of all ages should be examined.

'Attractions experts' say that the ideal is to provide visitors with at least two hours of interest, divided between:
1. Something of interest, ideally educational.
2. Eating and drinking.
3. Buying souvenirs/gifts.
Audlem Wharf already covers points 2 and 3, particularly now the Mill Shop has re-opened. A museum, particularly one linked to the canal, could provide for Point 1.

Research has shown that there is no museum anywhere dedicated to Thomas Telford, arguably Britain's most famous civil engineer. The Nantwich to Wolverhampton stretch of what is now the Shropshire Union Canal was his final project and the canal he built was the first to adopt a new civil engineering principle. Rather than following the contours, as did the canals of James Brindley and others, Telford built in as straight a line as possible with flights of locks and embankments. Audlem is the finest example of his work and, with his death a year before the canal was opened, was his final project.

A small museum, partly housed in the Mill Shop (the new proprietors have expressed interest); on the canal with possibly a borrowed historical boat; and displays alongside the canal itself, would provide an educational and tourist interest focussed on the Thomas Telford name and Audlem's most famous attraction – its flight of locks. It would attract school groups and many other interested parties and provide a considerable boost to local businesses such as the Mill Shop, the pubs, and other village shops.

If there is support for the idea, applications can be made for funding from the Heritage Lottery Fund and other bodies. The absence of a 'Thomas Telford' facility anywhere else should prove beneficial. With public support of the idea, more detailed plans can be drawn up and discussions start with potential fund-holders to test the feasibility.

If you have any thoughts on any of the three proposals, do let the webteam or a Parish Councillor know. The Parish Council has unanimously endorsed the three projects but public support is essential if there are to be a successful bids for funding.

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