RED COW SITE Latest news from Percy Prowse

Percy reports that the Council is finally getting serious with the owners of the site.  If the owner does not comply by 27th November 2008, the Enforcement Officer will "be commencing legal proceedings which will include obtaining authorisation for an injunction from the County Court without further warning to the owners".

The full letter is on the noticeboard.

Neighbourhood Watch Burglaries

This message relates to police log 297 of the 18th November 2008.  A number of dwelling burglaries have been committed recently in the Exeter area.  The point of entry is often through patio doors.  Unfortunately several of these were insecure at the time.

Please be reminded that roughly 25% of burglaries are via insecurities of one type or another. Please do not get caught out.

Please phone us with any information on 08452 777 444.

Thank you for your continued support of the Community Messaging System.

Garden Group Update from Vivienne

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Apologies in the delay in going to press; life is just too complicated sometimes!

The cuttings session went very well and for those who really got stuck in, well done!  My ill-gotten gains of the day seem to be doing admirably.

Jeremy would still like to hear from anyone who would like to share a shredder/chipper.

Carole has done some great detective work on the trading shed and the results are attached.

I've got root trainer prices from Lynda.      [Sorry table layout problems encountered.M]

Description      Price £ Saving £

3" single tray - 32 cells 07.99

3" four trays - 128 cells 22.85 9.11

5" single tray - 32 cells 07.99

5: four trays - 128 cells 24.85 7.11

Mixed double tray - 64 cells- 1X5", 1X3" 13.45

Mixed four trays - 128 cells - 2x5", 2x3"    24.00 7.06

If you want more details... www.rootrainers.co.uk

So there you have it.  Anyone interested in bulk purchase, see you next meeting.

I'm not going to bang on about what to do in the garden in December.  Only to say that when the weather is clement, get out and do something!

As far as suggestions for the rest of the year, how about a trip on Sunday November 20th to Sherwood, Newton St. Cyres?  The garden is open under the National Garden Scheme every Sunday from 2 - 5.  It is a 15 acre garden spanning two wooded valleys.  Sounds good; admission is £3.  Try to let me know if you fancy going and perhaps we can arrange the minimum number of cars.

For December I would like to invite you all on Sunday 14th to have a glass of mulled wine and some nibbles (contribute if you like to the nibbles).  At that stage we ought to try and come up with a plan for next year, perhaps starting with a January trip to R.H.S. Rosemoor to see the winter garden.

We should come up with a calendar for next year so please start thinking about things you would like to do or discuss.

I have been asked to have our get-togethers on Sunday during the winter to allow those who work to come.  We can change to weekday evenings when there is enough light and the weather is better.

Attached:

FROM THE EXWICK ALLOTMENTS TRADING SHED - SOME SAMPLE PRICES.

• Potatoes - mainly £1.60 for 3kg bag, or £12.50 for 25kg (we could combine orders and split the latter). (See below for varieties).
  
• A brand new variety that appears to be much more blight resistant, bred in Hungary and in short supply so orders needed immediately: Sarpo Axona (maincrop I think) £3 for 3kg.
  
• Multi-purpose compost; £3.20 for quite a big bag.
  
• Growbags @ £1.20
  
• Mushroom compost @ £7.25 for 5 bags.
  
• Finer mushroom compost combined with horse manure @ £7.25 for 5 bags.
  
• Chicken pellets @ £8 for 20kg.
  
• "Groworganic" (also based on chicken pellets) @ £4.85 (similar sized bag but no weight given).
  
• Wormcasts at £1.10 per decent sized bag.
  
• Unwins seeds @ 40% below retail prices.
  

If people want to place orders with me and pay in advance, I'll place a combined order.  For the potatoes, we need to order NOW.  The full seed stock is not in yet so that can wait till later.  Some of the bagged compost will be more expensive when the new stock comes in and stocks are limited at the moment.

The shed also provides onion sets, shallots and pea and bean seeds (loose) at the appropriate season.

Carol Burgoyne - phone 274568

Neighbourhood Watch : Christmas Crime Prevention

This message relates to police log 586 of the 11th November 2008.

Every year there are burglars who do their Christmas shopping in other people's houses.  They steal presents and sell them to fund their own Christmas or just pass them on to family members.  

There are measures you can take to reduce the chances of this happening to you, some specific to Christmas, some not.  Always secure all doors and windows when leaving the property or retiring for the night.  Always keep keys to doors, windows and vehicles out of sight, but accessible in case of fire.  Now would be a good time to check burglar alarms and CCTV systems if fitted.  Never leave brightly wrapped presents where they can be seen from outside the property.  They are as attractive to the burglar as they are to you.  Leaving shopping on the back seat of your car could cost you the price of a new window as well as of replacing the shopping.  Please put it in the boot, or at least out of sight.  Each year a tremendous amount of effort goes into choosing appropriate presents.  Let's hope this year all yours reach the person they were intended for.

Please phone us with any information on 08452 777 444

RED COW SITE Latest news from Percy Prowse

Percy Prowse has written the following letter:

Dear Resident

Today I spoke with our enforcement officer who has been steering the above subject to resolve the Untidy Site Notice which, as a result of your concerns, was started by me quite some time ago.  This is the next stage.

As can be seen nothing has prompted the owner/developer to clear the site.  However I did notice last week that the fence was put back up.

Options for the City Council:

1. We employ our Direct Services department to clear the site and put a charge on the Freehold if the owner/developer does not pay the clearance charge,

2. We prosecute.

3. We go to the County Court to seek an injunction for the site to be cleared and apply for costs.

Our enforcement officer will visit the site this week to take further photos to confirm non-compliance.

At present I do no know which of the three options will be chosen.

Yours sincerely, 

Percy Prowse.

Taddyforde Targeted?

Another break-in

Last night the garage of Taddyforde House South was broken into.  This is the latest in a string of recent suspicious incidents and crime.  It suggests that some young, and not very successful, criminals are using us as practice territory because it is a quiet area.

Please do keep your eyes peeled for strangers and politely challenge anyone unfamiliar.  The more they feel spotted and identified the more likely they are to move away.

Burglars

Peter Brock came across another couple of lads on bikes apparently "casing" The Chalet today.  He challenged them politely and they went off.  However, it reinforces the feeling that we are in constant danger of being burgled.  Be extra careful about security.

Red Cow Path

Volunteers needed to help repair the path.

Could you tell Margaret or Jeremy at Hickling Cottage if you are up for it and if so which weekends between now and Christmas you could be available.

Would involve lots of carrying gravel (sculpings) up the path and spreading it out.  Bring own shovel and rake if possible, the odd extra wheelbarrow might be useful.