issue 44

CradleyEnquirer.com editor@cradleyenquirer.com
Online News & Topics for Cradley, Storridge & Mathon
asking the questions you want asked and seeking the answers you deserve
issue 44
29th December 2018
Page 2
Page 3
Page 4
Page 5
in this issue
Happy New Year
Chairs Resignation
Election of Chair
Secrecy
From The Editor
Once again we have to
work production around
our volunteers family
need especially over this
extended holiday period
Page 6
Page 7
Page 8
Page 9
Page 10
Page 12
Page11
Page 13&14
Page12
Page 13
Page 15
Page 16
Page 17
Page 18
Page 19-20
Soup and Plough
CMS Impartial?
Festival of Trees
Fish & Chips
Mirrorbrook
OneAchord
Winter Wassail
Grumpy George
Our Ethos
Local Businesses
Life’s like that…….
Cradley Village Hall
Useful Information
So a shortened
but hopefully
interesting
edition to carry
you over into
2019
Simon
For your opinions, articles and
observations Just email us
editor@cradleyenquirer.com or click
on the contact button in the web site
menu. We don’t require your name,
address, or passport to put your
opinions forward and we will not
require you have your name
broadcast with your opinion or
question
This is OUR community.

Simon

What is the truth behind the last Chair of the PC’s
Resignation?
On 14th November 2018 Geoff Fielding, the then Chair of the Parish Council
wrote to the Clerk to tender his resignation with effect from 30th November.
His reasons given, therein give courtesy to the PC rather than paying homage
to the reasoning that led to his resigning from his position as chair and as a
long serving councillor. There he was happy to let the matter lie.
The Cradley, Mathon and Storridge newsletter editorial staff decided to print
in their January edition (compiled a short time after 12th December) the
findings of the Monitoring Officer at Hereford. The Monitoring Officer is
tasked with investigating complaints made against councillors (at all levels
including Parish level) taking evidence and ruling on the matter and
suggesting requirements to be followed as a result of any findings.
The fact that this item found its way onto the CMS newsletter pages is a
complete mystery as the CMS has steadfastly refused to print any items that
it has seen as the least controversial or drawing responses ( which again they
have refused to print), but more of the CMS policies later on.
By printing the findings of the MO Mr Fielding feels aggrieved that his
position has not been fully taken into account and the publication is a
continuation of the orchestrated campaign that he has had to endure during
his tenure as chair. Not included in his resignation but requiring to be now
made public we, at the Enquirer are prepared to present in the support of
balance, the facts of the matter for the community to decide where real
blame lies.
Mr Miles Meager( A former councillor enrolled in Jan 2018 resigned and the
PC were informed at the 14th August PC meeting) made a formal complaint
to the monitoring officer on 8th June which was not resolved until 14th
November.
If you click the link to the Enquirer site you can access the actual complaint
placed against Mr Fielding( dated 22 march) and Mr Fielding’s response to
the allegations made to the MO by Mr Meager. Read it through and see that
other than the politically correct reaction to the word BULLYING there is no
basis for the complaint. Mr Fielding acted at all times in the best interests of
the council he served. Mr Fielding addressed every complaint raised by Mr
Meager.
Click to read and download the documents

What is displayed therein is not the driving force for Mr Fielding’s resignation
as it transpired that there were also two other complaints made against him
whilst this one was being considered. These will be illuminated in next
week’s issue and it will be seen that there was collusion and conspiring
taking place. Don’t miss issue 45
Parish Council
Is it healthy or indeed
good practice
for the PC to operate
without an elected Chair?
Since the resignation of the Chair the Vice Chair has fulfilled his duty of
deputising for his absence. There are those who feel that he should
continue up until the May election rather than elect a new chair.
Is this healthy? Is the question that must be asked. The Chair must have
involvement in a close relationship with the Clerk on day to day matters
relating to the council and its business. This information and consultation
must also be made privy to the vice chair so he can “step in” if required in
full knowledge of what is going on. A very important part of such a
relationship is that it also provides an insurance against either the clerk,
chair or vice chair making unaccountable or unilateral decisions outside of
their positions and without the knowledge of the council members. Whilst
there is no elected chair then this insurance is no longer in place.
This cannot be allowed. From past history of happenings in our Parish
Council they must elect a chair at the next meeting even if it is for only 4
months running up to the election. The new council in May will elect their
own chair.
THERE MUST BE IN PLACE CHECKS AND BALANCES ON THE ACTIONS OF
CHAIR, VICE CHAIR AND CLERK.

When will the cloak of secrecy be
lifted from PC business?
One of the most basic of requirements of the parish
council is communication with the community.
We are sad to say that our PC appears to be failing
outstandingly in this respect as little is being done to
meet this most basic of requirements.
Parish Council
• Minutes do not convey much detail of what actually w a s
discussed or debated at council meetings and appears to only convey
decisions.
• Minutes of working groups are well behind what would be a reasonable
time for publication or non existent.
• The PC Reporter has not appeared for some considerable time and will
apparently be decided at the January meeting.
• No monthly list is made public of communications received by the PC
so that members of the community can track those communications
and the PC’s response or action.
• The web site is woefully lacking in information with such important
documents missing as the NDP documentation.
• It appears that people who signed up to be kept informed of
developments via the site are receiving no information whatsoever.
• Councillors appear to be rather reluctant to let the community know
what they look like.
• No link has been made from the PC website to members declarations
of interests on the Hereford Council website-why not?
Those who promoted and argued for this HALC promoted website over the
previous one seem to have been sadly short changed and overcharged
along with increasing the Clerks workload and increasing the cost to the
community.
A website is only fit for purpose if it is up to date and maintained properly
otherwise it fails the community.

SOUP & PLOUGHMAN’S
SUPPER
Saturday 26th January
7:30pm
Cradley Village Hall
With guest speaker
Jane Fanshawe on
David Fanshawe, composer and
ethnomusicologist
tickets
£10
(in aid of Cradley Church)
Telephone: Ian Bailey on 01886 884682

No apology yet received
from our Discovery driver
Impartial and unbiased?
The question arises regarding the actions of the editorial staff at the
Cradley, Mathon and Storridge newsletter.
For some time now they have refused to print any submissions made
by people in response to dubious articles they have printed. They have
thereby censured free speech by not allowing a “right of reply” to
anyone who has a grievance over what they have printed.
The prime example is of course the printing of Bruce Herriot’s
statement made at the Annual Parish Meeting( which was a repeat of
his personal and acusational statement at an earlier PC meeting}
CMS were informed by those defamed by this statement and the
allegations made therein but refused to allow those indicted by these
statements the right of similar exposure.
They have now repeated the same thing by printing a full page
reproduction of the findings of the Monitoring Officer regarding the
then Chair Geoff Fielding. We sincerely hope that they allow Mr
Fielding his “right of reply” but on past history we won’t hold our
breath.
Perhaps if the CMS had bothered to adhere to the ethos of journalism
rather than that of fear of pc lawyers they might have discovered that
the item they glibly copied onto their pages should never have been
placed in the public domain by Hereford Council. Check the dates and
conditions of the original complaint CMS and you will see where your
error was.
We look forward to CMS returning to being a true community
magazine of value rather than a pc advertising vehicle.

FESTIVAL OF CHRISTMAS TREES
IN
CRADLEY CHURCH
FROM SUNDAY DECEMBER 16th
UNTIL
JANUARY 6th
NOW
ON!
Church open daily
from 8:00am until 4:00pm
Bringing
Come along and
Community see the display of
Christmas Trees
together
decorated by local groups

Butlers Mobile Fish and Chips (and lots more!)
In Cradley on Mondays 5pm-8pm outside the Cradley Butchers and Stores.
Take a break from cooking and enjoy a traditional fish and chip supper for all the family
WE ARE CURRENTLY LOOKING INTO EXTENDING OUR PRESENCE IN
CRADLEY TO COVER THE OTHER SIDE OF THE VILLAGE AS WELL
PLEASE LET US KNOW IF THIS IS DESIRABLE TO YOU
EMAIL US:
http://www.butlersfishandchips.co.uk

STONEY CROSS JUNCTION A4103
No this isn’t another crash at this “improved
and safer” junction.
Over the last few weeks there have been
several crashes at this junction despite
many thousands of pounds being spent in
making it safer.
Fair play to those on the PC and at Hereford
for their efforts in bringing it about….
Now we are faced by complete madness
brought about by the person determined to
develop the land adjoining the junction.
He has, against opposition, gained planning
permission for five houses. He now has an
application for a further 11 dwellings (as is
his right to apply for). Unfortunately his
architects have taken no account of the
road junction and its history in their plans to allow an access directly from the
site onto the A4103 onto this dangerous junction. Taking into account the fact
that he blatantly intends to develop the remainder of this site and thereby
intends to increase the traffic accessing the A4103.
The Enquirer sincerely hopes that the PC at the January meeting will make
robust objections to this development (which contravenes the NDP) and was
specified in the 2010 Parish Plan as a “Village Gateway” of visual importance.
The fact that his own development has altered the landscape assessment
level for the site should be totally ignored.
Profit from development should never be at a cost of
potential injury and death of road users
Members of the community are reminded that they can
make representation on all planning applications for our
Parish as individuals giving planning reasons as a basis
https://www.herefordshire.gov.uk/info/200142/planning_s
ervices/planning_application_search

An entertaining evening of seasonal songs,
poems & stories with the emphasis on apples,
cider and traditional wassailing! ..............start the
New Year with a journey of 'Discovery," a 'Gala'
evening of season and tradition!
(Be sure to bring your 'Granny Smith!')
Compiled and presented by Fold Theatre.
Available from:01886 880952 or
online at www.cradleyvillagehall.org.uk

Meet George the Enquirer’s very own Grumpy
Old Man
George has gone
down the pub
Happy New Year

Cradley Village Hall is always looking for volunteers to help with
planning and making fund raising events successful.
So if you think that you can give some time to keep our beautiful
16th Century building surviving into the 21st Century give us a call.
We want help at all levels even if it is just making tea and coffee.
Call Jeff on 01886 880000
or email: chair@cradleyvillagehall.org.uk
It’s YOUR Community--GET INVOLVED

THE CRADLEY ENQUIRER
OUR ETHOS
Giving an open forum for members
of the communities to seek and
find the facts behind the gossip,
rumours and news that circulate
within small communities so that
they are better informed to make
measured choices.
1
OUR OPEN POLICY
We have an open policy in posting
comments submitted by anyone providing
they meet our conditions
2
RIGHT OF REPLY
We will grant the right of reply to anyone
who feels that anything we publish is
inaccurate or controversial
3
BASIS
Open and honest debate is the very basis
of free speech and should exist in
communities as a matter of priority

FREE ADVERTISING SPACE FOR LOCAL BUSINESS

LIFE’S LIKE THAT…..
SACCC
Society Against Cruelty to Coffee Cups

open to all
Mon 10:30-12:30
Thurs 2:00-4:00
Cradley Heritage group are based
in the Village Hall and hold dropin
sessions for you to come along
and get expert advice on local
history, records and photos
The resource centre is based in
the Village Hall and is available
to drop in for computer advice
and help, photo copying and
free internet use
Cradley, Mathon and Storridge
Art group have a permanent
exhibition their members
work in the main hall for
visitors to view free of charge
Cradley Village Hall is looking for
volunteers to help with planning and
making fund raising events successful.
So if you think that you can give some
time to keep our beautiful 16th
Century building surviving into the
21st Century give us a call. We want
help at all levels even if it is just
making tea and coffee.
Call Jeff on 01886 880000
or email:
chair@cradleyvillagehall.org.uk
Book the Hall online
www.cradleyvillagehall.org.uk
Cradley Village Hall is a registered charity

SOME USEFUL CONTACTS, NUMBERS, EMAILS & WEB SITES
editor@cradleyenquirer.com
cradleyparishcouncil.gov.uk
clerk@cradleyparishcouncil.gov.uk
cradleydiary.com
storridgevillagehall.org.uk
cradleyvillagehall.org.uk
Map of Herefordshire
Roadworks and
Traffic Flow
Parish Councils and Wards
Highways and Public
Rights of Way Map
Report a Problem

CradleyDiary.com
Now lists all planning applications for Cradley
Storridge and Mathon and includes updates and
decisions which are not shown on the Cradley Parish
Council web site (which just shows applications)
PLEASE NOTE: CLOSING DAY FOR ITEMS
(adverts, Comments, opinions,articles etc.)
FOR THE
WEEKLY MAGAZINE IS NOON ON THE DAY
BEFORE SATURDAY PUBLISHING DAY(Friday)
editor@cradleyenquirer.com