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In the April newsletter we mentioned three major projects on which we might focus in the next few years. We have now chosen one - restoration of Pittville Gates at the end of Winchcombe Street.
We want to make the entrance to Pittville something to be proud of, not a cause of embarrassment and shame. Renewal of this area was high on the list at the time of the Heritage Lottery Fund bid, and since then the gates have deteriorated further. The surroundings are not in sympathy with the grandeur of the gates and the surface in front of the gates is unattractive and in poor condition.
We are currently discussing the project with Cheltenham Borough Council (CBC) staff and will agree terms of reference with them in the next few weeks. This is a large, complex and expensive undertaking - our principal role is client and fund-raiser.
To help us with the latter we have applied for an HM Revenue and Customs charity number. With this we are in a better position to apply to specialist charities for help with, e.g. stonework and metalwork replacement and repair. CBC will provide professional advice and logistical support – and some funding we hope!
Other, less expensive, projects on which we hope to work with CBC are opening up the vista from the Pump Room across the upper lake to Pittville Lawn; commissioning interpretation boards on wildlife, trees, and possibly the various historic structures in the park, such as the bandstand, boathouse, Central Cross Cafe and the underpass; and placing duck food dispensers at strategic locations around the lakes.
One way in which we hope to raise small amounts of money is through selling postcards and Christmas cards depicting scenes of Pittville. The first opportunity for purchasing these is at Cheltenham Local History Society’s Local History Afternoon on Sunday 18 July at St Andrew’s Church, Montpellier; from 2-5pm. Admission is £1. Friends of Pittville is participating in this event for the first time, and we hope to attract more members and gather support for our plans. For more details on the event check http://www.cheltlocalhist.btik.com/
We are also participating in Cheltenham Horticultural Society’s Summer Flower and Craft Show in Pittville Pump Room on Saturday 14 August, from 12.30-4pm. For more about the CHS check http://www.cheltenhamhorticultural.co.uk/programevents.asp
A warm welcome at St Pauls’ Tavern
If you are a dog walker in Pittville Park you will be sure of a warm welcome at St Paul's Tavern in St Paul's Road. http://www.thisisgloucestershire.co.uk/news/St-Paul-s-Tavern-revived/article-1978364-detail/article.html
Nichola Morrison, who took over as co-lessee with life-long friend Ben Callow, owns two dogs herself and she sees them as an integral part of the family atmosphere she is creating in the revamped pub.
It has received good reviews from racing enthusiast JP who, on his Cheltenham Festival 2011 JP Festival - Cheltenham Festival 2011 http://www.jpfestival.com/p/cheltenham-festival-pub-guide.html says 'The recently refurbed 'Tav' won't get many mentions elsewhere but is a real find. It's a really great student/local type pub with great food and excellent prices. If you want somewhere friendly and a bit quieter than town centre pubs this could be the place'. Real Ale in Gloucestershire (RAIG) http://www.gloucestershirecamra.org.uk/pubs/raig/WEBPUB.HTM says, 'An enthusiastic landlady with an interest in real ale has breathed new community life into this one-bar corner pub. No longer tied to a large pub-group has given the pub the freedom to experiment with its choice of beers'.
For those who are not into racing or real ale, Nichola and her team also serve cider, soft drinks, tea and coffee, light snacks during the week and, on Sunday, a roast dinner. She wants to offer more vegetarian options and to expand the menu, using local produce. She also has plans for the area, including a summer street party, tying in with regeneration of St Paul's, especially around the historic St Paul's Church http://www.cheltenham4u.co.uk/stpauls_church.asp?area=St%2E+Paul%27s and Like the Pump Room, St Pauls’ Church was designed by John Forbes. Nichola has applied for funding for further improvements to the pub.
Nichola’s father was born and raised in Manser Street and, for many years, the whole extended Morrison family gathered in front of the Pump Room for a picnic on the Sunday of late August bank holiday. Her mother remembers being taken for afternoon tea, as a child, to the park keeper's cottage at the entrance to the west park.
59 St. Pauls Road, Cheltenham GL50 4JA tel. (01242) 234765
Looking ahead to the AGM in early October, we need more people on the Executive Committee. Some of the current committee will be standing down after several years of valuable service. If you would like to find out more about what is involved, please contact the Hon. Secretary, Fiona Clarke on 01242 227 720 or on e-mail secretary@friendsofpittville.org
The committee: Hon. Chairman: Judy Langhorn; Hon. Secretary: Fiona Clarke; Hon. Treasurer: Paul Weston; Members: Colin Eynon, Judy Hodsdon, Anne Roberts, Christine Sharpe; Co-opted members: CBC Pittville Ward Councillors Tim Cooper and Diane Hibbert, and Park Watch representative Desmond Fitzgerald.
If you are not already a member of Friends of Pittville and would like to become one, please complete the Membership Application Form and send it, with your membership fee, to The Treasurer, Friends of Pittville, 11 Monica Drive, Cheltenham, GL50 4NQ. The fee is £2 (or 50p concession) per year. However, if you would like to contribute more, please do so. And if you wish to set up a Standing Order please complete that form as well.
With access to the internet you can download both forms at http://www.friendsofpittville.org/docs/CombinedMembershipApplication&BankSO.pdf
If you pay up till the end of September, your fee covers the rest of 2010. From 1 October you will be paying for 2011 as the membership actually runs for the calendar year. Sounds complicated but it isn’t really – we are just aligning membership to the AGM date.
Volunteers in Pittville Park
Our group of about twelve volunteers has continued to meet on the third Thursday of each month, from 9-11am, to help borough council staff with maintenance tasks such as sweeping leaves, cleaning the underpass and its approaches, weeding and cleaning around Pittville Gates and the two bridges on the East Lake, and litter picking everywhere! If you would like to join us, contact secretary@friendsofpittville.org ; you don’t have to come every time and you can choose what work you do. Our next working party is on 15 July
Police encourage people to help keep Pittville Park nice
Whaddon police are working with Park Watch to keep Pittville Park a safe and pleasant place for people to enjoy over the spring and summer months.
PCSO Steve Yetton from the Whaddon Police Safer Community Team (SCT), which covers Pittville Park, says “We’re very lucky in Cheltenham to have such beautiful parks to enjoy in the warmer weather, and as such we asking those that use them to help us keep them that way.”
Officers are encouraging people to report any incidents of anti social behaviour, underage drinking and criminal damage in the park. They are also reminding those using the park that it is an alcohol-free zone.
“Whilst the vast majority of people make the most of the park without spoiling anyone else's enjoyment, we have in the past had reports of a small number of people whose irresponsible behaviour causes disruption,” continues PCSO Yetton. “For the sake of everyone who enjoys the park we are asking people to report incidents so that we can take appropriate action.”
Police Officers and PCSOs regularly patrol the park and will be ensuring the prohibition is enforced and will deal robustly with any incidents of anti-social behaviour or criminal damage.
“We know from our work in the park over the last year and listening to members of the community that reducing incidents of anti social behaviour in the park is important to them and we are dedicated to working with our partner agencies to do this,” adds PCSO Yetton.
The Pittville ParkWatch Scheme comprises of a group of park-users who work alongside the Police, Cheltenham Borough Council Officers, and Ward Councillors with the aim of providing additional protection for the listed historic regency park. This group of people promote safety in the area, protect the wildlife, greenery and historic structures, ensure that any incidents of graffiti, damage or anti social behaviour are reported to the police and promote the use of the park to legitimate users.
PCSO Yetton concludes; “I hope that local residents are confident that we, along with our partner agencies, will do all we can to enable residents and visitors to make the most of the park and keep it a safe and pleasant place to socialise.”
Whaddon Safer Community Team’s website can be accessed through http://www.gloucestershire.police.uk/ and can be contacted on the non-emergency number 0845 090 1234.
At time of going to press there is no further news on the proposed bridge across the lower lake. Most of you will be aware that CBC cancelled the procurement process, ‘in response to the unexpectedly high costs of the tenders’. More details are in CBC’s press release on http://www.cheltenham.gov.uk/site/scripts/news_article.php?newsID=547 Keep an eye on their website and also on the Gloucestershire Echo where we might hear more in the next week or two.
You may also be aware of the recent item in the Echo about the proposed rationalisation of staffing at the Pump Room and Town Hall which might lead to closure of the Pump Room, except for events. This is disturbing to say the least and our co-opted Executive Committee members, Councillors Diane Hibbert and Tim Cooper, are seeking clarification. See the Echo at http://www.thisisgloucestershire.co.uk/news/Jobs-threat-Town-Hall-Pump-Rooms/article-2351521-detail/article.html
Finally, good news – the bandstand in front of the Pump Room has been repaired after the damage sustained late last year.
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