Town Council News

I haven't been going to the meetings lately, but I was pleased to see the Town Council's sixth newsletter tucked into the latest edition of WyeLocal.
They start by asking if any local group would be willing to take over the annual firework display at Clyro Court - the Black Mountain Lions have been running it for years, but this year was the last year they were prepared to organise. They will be on hand, though, to give advice to any new group that wants to step into their shoes.
The Council have set up a Low Carbon Hay Steering Group, to look at lowering the carbon footprint in Hay and looking at various energy solutions. They are looking for local residents, businesses and landowners to take part in the planning.
The annual senior citizens' party will be at the Masonic Hall on 8th January this year, with Dial-a-Ride involved to get people there and home again.
The Recycling Fund awarded a £500 grant to the Canoe Club to put on free taster sessions this summer. They organised nearly thirty free canoeing sessions with over a hundred local children, and also managed to support a regular group of twenty paddlers.
The Hay in Bloom prize for best dressed window display went to Golesworthy's this year. The prize was a gift voucher from the Old Railway Line Nursery and a certificate and silver salver to keep. The hanging baskets were themed red, white and blue to commemorate the end of the First World War. In the small window category, the winners were Satori, Otherworldz and the Fudge Shop on the Craft Centre. Runners up were the Old Black Lion and Oscars Bistro. Private gardens also got prizes for best hanging baskets and best container, and the Town Council hopes to encourage more people to take part next year. It not only makes the town look nice, but it encourages bio-diversity as well!
As part of the Hay in Bloom scheme, the Town Council is hoping to plant native trees and bulbs around Hay, and encourage more wild flowers in the open spaces.
As well as putting a lot of energy into the Hay in Bloom scheme, the Council would like to revive the Hay and District Show, if they can find someone local who would like to organise it.
Miles Without Stiles is still continuing, with new kissing gates planned for footpaths around Hay to improved disabled access, and also ramps for businesses around town to use.
The Community Speed Watch group is looking for new members, too.
Nigel Lewis has now retired as Town Clerk, after many years of service, and Nick Burdekin (his assistant) has been promoted. Nigel will continue to work for the Council as the Responsible Financial Officer.
And there's a new Councillor, Syd Morris - reviving the Hay and District Show was his idea. He's a shopkeeper and part-time gamekeeper, and was a volunteer fire fighter for twenty years.

Contact details are:
davidjames.23@btinternet.com for the Lions Fireworks Display
haytownclerk@hotmail.co.uk for Low Carbon Hay, the senior citizens' party, Hay in Bloom and the Hay and District Show
helen.scott@dyfed-powys.pnn.police.uk for Speed Watch.

Meanwhile, the saga of the Transfer of Assets still rumbles on in the background....