newsletter@higherkinnerton.org.

uk October 2018

OURVILLAGE
Your Monthly Higher Kinnerton Community Newsletter

Special Edition!
Yes, twice the size this month as we needed to make space for a special draft report on Our Village Plan.
Included in this edition is a summary of the ideas that residents have suggested and after discussion, how the steering
group has decided which initiatives can go forward into the draft plan. A separate report gives more information.

Winner of Young Person Community Award

Recently, Flintshire Local Voluntary Council
(FLVC) invited Local Town and Community
Councils to submit applications for a new
young person’s award in memory of the
late Tom Jones OBE who was a trustee of
the voluntary council for many years and
was a great supporter of young people in
Flintshire.
Higher Kinnerton Community Council
applied for nine year old Olivia Cottam to
be recognised for the award. Olivia is a
very busy 9-year-old young lady who has
demonstrated kindness, understanding and a willingness to make use of every
spare minute she is given.

She is a member of the 1st Kinnerton Brownie group which involves

volunteering and fundraising, a school council member at Ysgol Derwen and
volunteers at the school discos and school fetes as a helper to the Friends of
Derwen School. She, along with her friend gave up chocolate, crisps, sweets,
biscuits and cake for a month and raised £70 for A little girl called Seren in the school who is recovering from cancer.
The £70 went to The Joshua Tree charity which is Seren’s charity that is currently supporting her family.
Earlier this year Olivia responded to an advertisement to attend workshops at Chester University for the Chester
Mystery Plays. Olivia became one of the youngest members to join the cast.

Although Olivia wasn’t the overall winner, she has received a “Highly Commended” certificate and a voucher in
recognition of all the work she undertakes in the village. We are delighted to have such an active member of the
community here in Higher Kinnerton. The full application can be viewed on the Higher Kinnerton website
Higher Kinnerton Village Hall
The AGM will be held on Thursday 18th October
2018 at 7:30pm in the Blue Room at Hall to be
followed by the annual wine & cheese supper.
All residents over the age of 18 who live within the
electoral district of HKCC are invited to join the
committee at the AGM.
Please RSVP to hall.bookings@btinternet.com
with any items you would like included on agenda.
Nominations to join the committee are invited
from anyone over the age of 18 living in the
electoral district.
For further details contact the Secretary at
email address above, or phone 07563159012,
applications must be submitted by 3rd October.
Kinnerton Craft Group
The October meetings of Kinnerton craft group
are the 5th & 19th of October at
1-30pm in the blue room of the village hall.
We will be making poppies. The main craft will be
needle felting but also crochet and knitting.
Materials will be provided.
The visit to the craft show at event city in
Manchester was very successful with most
people coming home with lots of new projects.
New members are always welcome so why not
come along have a cuppa and a chat and see
what we get up to. For more information please
contact Margie 661090 or June 660615.
Weekend Walking Group Trial
Residents commented during the village survey
that they were unable to join in many of the
activities in the village as they took place in the
week or daytime when people were working.
We are pleased to let you know that in response
to your comments a weekend walking group is to
be trialed to test the level of interest.
The leader led walks will all start from the Swan
car park at 11.00am on a Sunday. If you are
walking for the first time you will need arrive 15
minutes before the start to register (health &
safety requirement).
All the walks will be 4 or 5 miles long and take
no more than a couple of hours. The first walk
has already taken place but if you want to join in
future walks they will take place on 7th October,
21st October and 4th November. Depending on
the level of interest, a decision will be taken after
the final walk if the weekend walking group will
become a permanent fixture in the village – we
do hope so.
We would like to thank Mike Collins, a lead walker
from the mid-week group who has volunteered
his time to lead these trial walks.
All Saints Church
Due to the very hot summer altering garden conditions and the
nights’ drawing in, I will not be running a churchyard clean up this
autumn, but I hope all our ‘churchyard friends’ will come back and
support our churchyard clean up next spring, when I shall start again
in earnest.
Should anyone have any time and wish to assist in any way in the
meantime, strimming in the churchyard round the headstones is
always needed and is a great help, – (I am happy for people to go and
do this when they are able and without me being there).
This is obviously at their own risk and Health and Safety precautions
should always be observed when using equipment.
I just want everyone who assists with the clean-up at All Saints’
church to know just how much they are appreciated and how much
difference they are making to the churchyard, – it is always a fun
evening and a great way for the community to get together, see old
friends, enjoy a cuppa and cake and have a good old chin wag!
Hopefully, I will see you all next year and my very best wishes and
thanks to you all.
Elaine Davies, All Saints’ Church warden, Dodleston Parish.
A GREAT BIG THANK YOU TO EVERYONE WHO WORKED SO HARD TO
MAKE THE PARISH BBQ SUCH A GREAT SUCCESS.
WE COULDN’T HAVE DONE IT WITHOUT YOU!!!
Bible-based Family fun at All Saints Church, held on the third Sunday
of the month at 4.00pm. We explore the Bible together with laughter
and action. Making things to take home, we have refreshments
together, sing and get to know each other. Ideal for young families.
Sunday 2st October – ‘Feeding the 5000’
Sunday 18th November – Advent and Angels’
ADVANCE NOTICE
Craft workshop – Friday 2nd November, 7.00pm, in the Church. £5.
Look out for posters with more details.
Cricket Club
Our season ended
with two brilliant away
friendly games against
Mynydd Isa and Mold.
We finished in fifth
position in our first
outing in the Chester
midweek League 5 with
which we are reasonably
happy but we feel that
we should have been
higher. Purely for information some of the teams in our league are
able to bring players from the Welsh and Wirral premier leagues and it
makes a huge difference with just two or three of those players.
We will be attending the League Presentation Evening where the
speaker is ex England player Chris Cowdrey.
We may have been fifth in the league but every team will tell you that
we are by far the best at post match entertainment and that is down
to the fabulous reception we get at the Swan. Barbara and Neil put
on a great spread and the picture shows Barbara with a few of the
players and supporters and some pizzas (the others are scoffing the
sandwiches and chips)
Our AGM will be held at 8pm on Tuesday 9 October in the Swan.
Anyone wishing to get involved just turn up and you will be made very
welcome
Walking Group
Following a change of plan we headed for our out of the village
walk to Loggerheads Country Park. We set out on the circular
walk from the car park and headed across the main road and
into the fields. We continued through Cascade Wood and
around past Colomendy Hall which played a huge part in the
childhood of many Scousers but is now a corporate activity
centre. However, there is a trail of mosaics depicting the
activities inspired by the Merseyside residents and evacuees.
The photo is taken outside of the park cafe.
Next month we are heading to Hilbre Island for a picnic.
Everyone is welcome to join us.
1st Kinnerton Scouts Group
This term, Kinnerton Scouts have a packed programme
which includes learning about how Fairtrade works and how
it benefits workers in less well-off countries. We’ll also be
learning about Media and marketing and designing a new
logo for Kinnerton Scouts.
On the more active side we will be climbing at the Boardroom
and doing a night hike. A special event is planned for
Remembrance where an ex-soldier will come and talk about
what life was like in WW1, and we will be selling poppies
leading up to Remembrance Sunday.
If this sounds like the kind of things your kids, both girls and
boys, aged between 10.5yrs to 14years old would enjoy, then
they are welcome to come and join us on Mondays 7.30 pm
till 9pm.
Kinnerton Cubs would dearly love to have more adult helpers
as the Cub Leader has work commitments that sometimes
means that the youngsters cannot pursue the full range
of activities that are planned. Being a Cub Scout fosters a
sense of adventure, with the variety of their programme
offering a huge range of activities, including allowing them
to be creative and get involved in their local communities.
Cubs are introduced to exciting outdoor skills and take part
in adventurous activities. If you would like to join in the fun
please email kinnertonscouts@gmail.com
Don’t Forget: - the Jumble Sale is on Saturday 6th October at
2pm at the Scout HQ, Main Road.
Bus Service Update
As reported in last month’s newsletter changes to services
of buses running through the village will come into force
at the beginning of October. Discontinuation of the X9
and Community Shuttle Bus service were confirmed by
Streetscene representatives at the September Community
Council meeting.
In its place is a new community service bus which will connect
the village with Caergwrle, Hope, Bretton and Broughton
Retail Park. The new service will continue to use the bus stops
in Sandy Lane and Bennett’s Lane. A timetable for the new
service is included in the newsletter and also can be found on
our Facebook page as well as the Higher Kinnerton website.
At Caergwrle, bus users can connect to the 26 & 27 service
for onward travel to/from Wrexham. At Broughton Retail
Park, bus users can connect to the many services to Mold,
Buckley and Deeside and the 15-minute regular bus service
into Chester.
The 63 service to/from Mold will continue up until April 2019
and the 61 service to/from Chester will continue until we are
advised otherwise by Cheshire County Council.
Streetscene representatives assured the Community Council
that the new service was comprehensive and sustainable to
meet current bus service use. HKCC, with the assistance of
Streetscene will continue to monitor bus usage and investigate
if there is a demand for any improved bus service provision
and the cost to the Community Council and its residents of
providing such additional services.
We would encourage residents to favour the new service
as the more it is used, the more sustainable it will become
and the more service improvements we can ask for. The 61
Chester service is not the solution to bus provision into the
future. Cheshire County Council can discontinue this service
at any time and we would have no input into that decision. Yes,
the new village service means connecting to another service
in Broughton Park but with connecting services into Chester
being at such a regular interval, journeys into the city centre
will be quicker and more sustainable. Please give our new
service the opportunity to succeed. We will jointly be holding
a roadshow in the Village Hall in the near future where you
can discuss your experiences and how to get the most out of
the new service with representatives of the Streetscene team.
Be Aware!
There have been a number of reported incidences recently
of thefts from vehicles. Opportunist thieves have stolen items
from vehicles which had momentarily been left unlocked. The
item pictured was stolen from a car in Lester’s lane.
Please ensure you take care of all your personal items and
keep your vehicles locked at all
times.
As the darker nights start getting
earlier and earlier it might be time
to check all your outside lighting is
in full working order and locks on
sheds and garages are checked –
just in case!
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Macmillan Afternoon Tea
Macmillan Afternoon Tea on 3rd September was a huge
success. We raised £900 our best yet.
The village hall was full to capacity with all tables set for a
traditional afternoon tea.
Many thanks to everyone who joined us on the day or
donated cash or raffle prizes. Also, thanks to Tesco who
provided scones and sandwich fillings.
Special thanks to those behind the scenes who baked
cakes and helped serve and clear away.
This was a wonderful community event and we should
be proud of our achievement for this very special cause.

Flytipping Prevention
PCSO Peter Jones has fitted some signage and a CCTV
camera on Bramley Lane after receiving numerous
reports of flytipping in the preceding few months.
Special thanks to Fly Tipping Action Wales, Natural
Resource Wales and to Flintshire County Council for
providing the items and their assistance in getting the
signs up
Park Avenue Willow Arch
Early in the summer we made an appeal for volunteers to help
weave the willow on the Park Avenue play area so we could
keep it as an attraction and play area for young children. Two
or three people came forward and did some initial weaving just
to start to make the shape of the arch. We are now at the time
of year where weaving can be done to shape the willow into a
permanent tunnel.

We are looking to set up a group of volunteers to do the initial

work required now and also maintain the arch for the future
so it keeps its shape so it doesn’t grow out of control. Can you
help? If you are interested in learning how to weave and also
be part of the group who will look after the willow arch, then
please contact Liz Corner on 01244 144745 or email liz.corner@
btinternet.com This is a great way to keep something young
children enjoy playing in and also join a village social group as
well as learning a new skill.
 Higher Kinnerton Vision, Draft Themes & Objectives
The following pages give an outline on what the Village Plan would contain based on the SWOT (Strengths,
Weaknesses, Opportunities & Threats) analysis carried out during the plan process and analysis of the results from the
village survey in which 21% of eligible residents took part.

At this stage, we are setting the main aims, aspirations and objectives that residents highlighted they would like to see
in our village during the life of Flintshire’s LDP (Local Development Plan) 2018 – 2030.

Further work by both HKCC and the Steering group will be required to check the feasibility of introducing the objectives
that have been highlighted.

Vision for Higher Kinnerton

“To continue to be a prosperous, caring community preserving the quiet village feel within an
attractive and safe rural setting.
To meet the aspirations of all residents irrespective of age in a thriving community, embracing change and
development while protecting and enhancing the environment to improve the wellbeing of residents”.

Our Village Plan Priorities.

“Protecting Our Environment and Open Spaces”

“Community Life and Social Cohesion”.
“Community Growth through sensitive development”
“Commerce in the Community”

1. Protecting the environment and open spaces

Introduction

Residents place considerable value on the fact that the village is surrounded by green areas. There were many posi-
tive comments expressed by residents. They referred to the fact they moved to the village to ‘bring our family up in the
countryside’ and that ‘the green spaces’ were a significant reason for wanting to reside in Higher Kinnerton.
The village’s ‘Rural’ aspect was the third most popular reason for people wanting to live in the village. Almost half of
respondents indicated they valued the attractive and rural approach to the village: 48% said it was something they
regarded as very important and 33% said it was important. 25% of respondents are currently considering leaving the
village. 20% of that group said it was due to village expansion and/or too much building taking place.
Under new legislation, developers now have to consult with communities and this is supported by almost 98% of re-
spondents stating they wished to be properly consulted on any future developments

Aims, Aspirations and Objectives of the plan (2018 – 2030)

1. Creation of a green wedge between the village and neighbouring communities – Penyffordd, Penymynydd and
Broughton to prevent both erosion of the community and the boundary expanding too close proximity to other
areas.
2. Protecting and enhancing existing open spaces, both within and around the village, is a priority for people living
in Higher Kinnerton. In particular, the protection of wildlife, ponds, hedgerows and trees that surround the village
area.
3. Putting up nesting boxes and bat boxes, creating a ‘walkable’ wildlife corridor along the old railway line embank-
ment and the development of the ‘mini-park’ to encourage wildlife.
4. Investigate the possibility of creating a village wildlife pond (considering safety issues).
5. As well as preserving all existing trees in the village, consideration is to be given to increasing planting of trees in
the area to offset and screen some of the damage being done to green spaces by house building.
6. Create a village community trail around the perimeter of the village. Walking is hugely important with over 98% of
residents taking advantage of exercising around our rural footpaths and lanes,
7. Development of cycle paths to link Higher Kinnerton to new and existing cycle paths in the local area.
8. Develop Main Road Recreation Ground with benches and a mini garden (possible Community Garden location).
9. Explore expanding current allotment provision with the potential of including a community composting scheme.
10. Work with All saints Church to gain access to the additional land that has been granted to them and explore the
opportunity of creating a community wild life garden in the same space.

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2. Community life & social cohesion
Introduction

The Village Plan survey demonstrated the value residents place on community spirit, the friendliness of its residents,
the importance of village volunteers and the joy of living in a rural, thriving community. The survey also highlighted
the limitations there are for working residents to get involved in activities and the availability of activities for younger
members of the community. The continuing need for the important facilities that promote community life and social
cohesion were also highlighted and usage needs to be encouraged.
The existing village volunteers and the Community Council would be unable to achieve all the aspirations residents
have on their own, therefor more residents and village organisations need to come together to help achieve the kind
of community residents aspire to in the future. Some of the aspirations could quite quickly be achieved, others will
take time, money and a willingness to make things happen but they can happen if everyone pulls together on the work
needed. In particular, future development monies should be earmarked to meet the aspirations and objectives defined
in the plan.

Aims, Aspirations and Objectives of the plan (2018 – 2030)

1. Formation of a volunteer group who expressed a willingness to be involved in the community and agree a
programme of work that can be undertaken.
2. Form a youth council to understand and deliver the needs of young people in the village.
3. Creation of open spaces where residents can sit and socialise within the community.
4. Investigate how to get the maximum use out of our existing play area spaces – Park Ave, St David’s play area and
Main Road Recreation Ground.
5. Work with both our public houses on how they could engage with the community e.g. lunchtime clubs, coffee
mornings, parents’ groups.
6. There is a real need that our two community buildings committees (Village Hall & Scout HQ) work together and
offer residents what they expect from this limited but vital resource.
7. The Community Council to work with FCC in providing a bus service that meets the needs of village residents to
access work places and other local facilities e.g. Broughton Park.
8. Re-establish a full-time Post Office service within the community.

3. Community growth through sensitive development

Introduction

After many years of limited growth, recent times has seen housing developments of varying size being built in the
village. This is due to the growing popularity of the area of the county, employment opportunities, the rural setting and
the excellent links to major cities in the region. However, village services (transport, school, access to GP’s) and
amenities (local businesses) have not kept pace with this growth and has put pressure and limitations on people living
here.
Flintshire’s LDP has identified several sites within the village as meeting their requirements for potential future
development under the plan. It is also anticipated that the proposed development of Warren Hall as a mixed-use site
with up to 300 houses could place even more pressure on our community.
Further development should be phased in with very careful consideration for the rural aspect of Higher Kinnerton. The
village and surrounding area are likely to suffer greatly from the impact of any permitted construction at Warren Hall
with what is feared could be intended as an enormous project in fields adjacent to our village.

Aims, Aspirations and Objectives of the plan (2018 – 2030)

The following conditions need to be considered before any future development is granted.

1. It is sincerely hoped there will be a significant pause before any new building projects are agreed. This would
enable existing and new residents, as well as the local infrastructure, to adjust after a period of upheaval.
2. A full impact assessment should be carried out on development as a whole and not on a site by site basis. This
needs to cover but not exclusively public transport, education, highway infrastructure, water and sewerage
provision.
3. Any future development should have wide footpaths /cycleways connecting it to the village centre.
4. Sufficient off-road parking and additional parking should be incorporated to any development design to minimise
the impact of more vehicles in the community.
 5. Tree planting would be encouraged to maintain the village rural feel and act as a carbon capture mechanism to
minimise the impact on our environment.
6. The latest green technology and housing design should be incorporated into any development.
7. Developments would need to recognise the local need of ‘whole life housing”. Young people need to be able
to buy a home in their village, older people need to have access to suitable housing, Availability of housing for
young couples wishing to settle and bring up a family needs to be available.
8. The lowest possible housing density needs to be applied with open spaces for residents to meet and socialise.
9. Any development should not detract from the aesthetically pleasing rural aspect to the village as it is entered.
10. The community needs to be consulted on how any monies coming from development could be used to support
community assets identified during the village plan process.

4. Commerce in the community

Introduction

While there are few actual commercial businesses in the village, a key part to village life are our village pubs and our
shop. It is important that the community continues to support these businesses to help them remain viable into the
future.

We have seen over many years the decline of local services, not just in this community but other similar villages and
the loss of our Post Office is keenly felt.

Village residents through the survey, expressed a desire to have more commercial businesses such as a café,
hairdressers and other similar businesses within the community.

Aims, Aspirations and Objectives of the plan (2018 – 2030)

1. The Community Council have indicated that they would not stand in the way of any current residential property
in the centre of the village being converted partly or wholly into a commercial premise (subject to all planning and
regulatory requirements) and would support any resident who wished to explore this opportunity.
2. The village hall and scout headquarters should be open to the opportunity of offering the buildings to be used by
business for functions and meetings.

History on our Doorstep

Plans to transform a disused quarry into a major tourist attraction with a Roman fort look set to take a further step forward.
It comes after the Park in the Past community group has entered an application addressing the final conditions which will allow
their ambitious proposals for the Fagl Lane quarry, near Hope, to progress.
The community park would include a fully functional Roman fort, an Iron Age farmstead and state of the art visitor centre.
It also includes plans for a number of activities, including watersports, horse riding, fishing and education.
Setting out their vision for the park on the Park in the Past website, the organisation said: “We want to create a unique window
into the past so that visitors can step back in time and see how our ancestors lived.
“We want you to join us to work with University-based experts to build a fully functional Roman fort and an Iron Age farmstead
set within the original environment, which will be sustainably managed to allow us to supply, maintain and operate these
facilities using locally produced materials and produce.
“We want to support and encourage experimental archaeology and original research into how these buildings were used by the
people who lived in them.
“We aim to build a state of the art visitor centre which will provide modern facilities for the community and visitors, telling the
story of Park in The Past as part of the Alyn valley and Flintshire’s rich heritage.”
The proposals were originally given the green light by Flintshire Council in December 2016.
The planning permission is subject to 33 conditions, which the group has addressed in a series of documents submitted to the
planning authority, dealing with traffic and ecology issues.
They launched their first crowdfunding campaign in June 2018 to raise £20,000 to start to build the main gate tower of the
Roman fort.
In less than four weeks, they reached their target and are hoping to raise £2 million in total in order to transform the former
quarry.
In a report, they added: “Park in the Past plan to implement a scheme that will bring the site into a use as an historical,
educational and environmental visitor attraction and country park based around the creation of a Roman fort together with a
small Iron Age settlement.
“The project would also involve the management, restoration and recreation of various wildlife habitats within the site.”
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 PCSO Peter Jones 07989 169127 Flintshire Street Scene 01352 701234

Cllr Mike Allport 01244 660796 Kinnerton Village Hall 07563 159012

Flintshire County Council 01352 701234 Castell Alun School 01978 760238

Ysgol Derwen School 01244 660291 HK Community Council 01244 660277

A Note from the Newsletter Team:

Entries to the newsletter can be made by emailing us at newsletter@higherkinnerton.org.uk or by submitting in person at 3 Main Road, by the 18th of the
month. The newsletter is produced by Higher Kinnerton Community Council (HKCC) on behalf of the community. HKCC reserves the right to amend submissions
to ensure best fit. All content provided in this newsletter is for informational purposes only and HKCC makes no representations as to the accuracy of any
information contained herein.