South Hill Connection

South Hill Connection Guestbook

EDITORIAL

Welcome to the latest edition of the South Hill Connection newsletter

February is a strange month. One day it seems as if Spring is just round the corner, and the next one the weathermen start talking about snow again. Not a lot seems to happen in South Hill at this time of year, and that is reflected in the very few contributions we have had for this issue. Hopefully, as the weather gets warmer, we shall hear about all the exciting things that are going to happen this summer - and I don't mean the General Election !

Of course there is always St Valentine's Day. No-one seems to know quite when and why it acquired its romantic associations, but it has been celebrated throughout Europe and North America, and the custom goes back hundreds of years. Some Islamic countries have even tried to ban it. February seems an odd time to be buying red roses, but no doubt the florists don't mind.

Perhaps we should let Shakespeare's Ophelia, in Hamlet, have the last word.

To-morrow is Saint Valentine's day,
All in the morning betime,
And I a maid at your window,
To be your Valentine.
Then up he rose, and donn'd his clothes,
And dupp'd the chamber-door;
Let in the maid, that out a maid
Never departed more.

Geoff (editor@south-hill.co.uk or telephone 362623)

Messages from "out there"...

The arrival of occasional messages from the old Golberdon website has prompted us to get our own Guest Book attached to the South Hill Connection.

Go on - check it out and leave a Christmas greeting for the Parish...

The new Guest Book is hosted by 123Guestbook.com. Messages are moderated and do not appear until they have been checked.

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Click here to get a printable copy of THIS NEWSLETTER...

(Click here to get copies of previous newsletters...)

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-- Advertisement --
Keadeen - Bed and Breakfast

Keadeen Bed & Breakfast, Golberdon, South Hill, Cornwall A warm welcome awaits you at our home, situated on the outskirts of the village of Golberdon.
The following facilities are offered to make your stay with us a comfortable and pleasant one:

Ensuite room with TV and tea-making facilities
Pleasant lounge with TV for relaxation
Breakfast room with view of surrounding countryside
Home cooking
Child-friendly environment (Cot and high-chair available)

Roger & Geraldine Parkyn : Tel 01579 384197
e-mail gparkyn@tiscali.co.uk, website www.keadeen.co.uk

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In this edition...

South Hill Parish Hall

Parish Hall Committee Report

A meeting was held on Monday 18th January at 7.30 pm.

Feedback from the Barn Dance was excellent. The evening was enjoyed by all and provided a good income for the Parish Hall.

Progress on the Hearing Loop and Photovoltaic cells are on hold for the time being. There appears to be new funding criteria for the cells so we may have missed the boat but we are awaiting further feedback from Charlie Tyas. It was suggested that it might be worthwhile getting someone to come and talk about photovoltaic cells.

Charlie has also completed repairs to the roof and painted where required. There are also some lights that need attention (David Skelton to be contacted) and a leak from the water heater under the sink. This is now 11 years old and probably needs replacing. We will take advice from Rick Cornell regarding this. Other than this the Hall is in a very good state of repair at the moment.

Thanks were extended to the Christian Fellowship for their kind donation towards the Hall Funds.

As there was no further business to deal with we have looked at the rest of the year and suggested dates for various fund raising activities for 2010. These are as follows and confirmation and further information will be available later in the year:

Fun Day in conjunction with Horticultural Show - Saturday 21st August
Harvest Supper - Saturday 11th September
Barn Dance - either Saturday 30th October or 20th November.

Date for the next meeting is the AGM on Tuesday 25th May. There will be no meeting in March unless this becomes necessary.

Everyone is welcome to attend the AGM. All suggestions for the useful continuation of the Hall are welcome.

Please enter the fund raising events in your diaries and help support our efforts to maintain the Parish Hall

Parish Hall Contacts:

Pat Moren (Chairperson)
parishhall@south-hill.co.uk Tel. 363440

Wendy Trewin (Secretary)
hallsecretary@south-hill.co.uk Tel.370460

Peta Emmerson (Bookings Secretary)
hallbooking@south-hill.co.uk Tel. 382841

Does your club or organisation need somewhere to meet?

We have a pleasant, well equipped village hall available for hire.

Hall Hire rates (please note these have been revised this summer):

Regular users: £12 per session
Other users: £20 per session
Commercial use: £50 per session
Evening party: £30 + £10 setting up or clearing up time
Wedding packages £150 (includes Friday, Saturday and Sunday morning)
Short bookings: £5 per hour
If rubbish is not removed, there will be a £5 surcharge

There are three sessions a day, morning; afternoon; evening.

For more information contact:

Peta Emmerson on 382841
or email hallbooking@south-hill.co.uk

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In this edition...

Callington Fairtrade Fortnight

Fairtrade Fortnight 2010 takes place from Monday 22nd February to Saturday 6th March Callington, as a Fairtrade Town, will be celebrating big -time.

Launch yourself into the this year’s theme, TEA, by treating yourself to a cuppa and cake at Langmans Fairtrade Tea Party on Monday 22nd February from 3-5pm. Langmans Restaurant is in Church Street.

For the more outrageous join us for a Madhatter’s Tea Party at 11am on St Mary’s Square on Saturday 27th February. Bring Your Own flask of Fairtrade tea/coffee/chocolate and umbrella! Cake optional, hat compulsory!!

Friday 5th March is Fairtrade Fun Day in the Town Hall. Local primary schools and college students have been busy designing a logo or character to spread the Fairtrade message in Callington (entry forms available from Callington Library). Their crazy ideas will be on show and winners chosen. There will be a raffle, quiz, games , fairly traded crafts on sale, plus refreshments (Tea of course) 2-5pm. All welcome.

We are told that buying fairly traded products makes a difference to people’s lives. We are told it can mean the difference between education or not, clean water or fatal water borne diseases, life or death. But how much of this do you believe? Come and find out on March 6th when on Saturday at 2.15, in Callington library, we are honoured to present Nicholas, Head of Research and Development for Kuapa Kokoo, a Fairtrade cooperative in Ghana who supply cocoa beans for Fairtrade chocolate . He will give a talk followed by Question Time. On the panel of Question Time will not only be Nicholas but our forthcoming parliamentary candidates, ready to field questions on International Development and Local Trade.

Also on on Saturday 6th March - Children, this chocolate tasting and African Art /craft session is for you! In the library, from 2-4pm. Come early at 2pm to meet Nicholas.

If you can’t make either of those the Co-op has invited you to meet Nicholas (and do a bit of Fairtrade sampling) in their cafe on Saturday morning 6th March from 11-12am. Don’t be shy; it’s a great opportunity to find out more about life in Africa and Fairtrade.

It’s really easy to be involved, just ask for that Fairtrade cuppa!! Or go one step further and hold your own Fairtrade Tea Party (free campaign resources from www.fairtrade.org.uk ) and send us the photos. There’s a prize for the most original tea party.

You can download a poster with all of the main events here...

Finally, look out for further information around town, you‘ll find it hard to miss us. See you there.

Contact Jane Weatherby (01579 382785) for more information

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-- Advertisement --

Berrio Mill Farm Holiday Cottages

These two holiday cottages are a conversion of an old stone built shippen in the grounds of Berrio Mill (click on the picture to enlarge)

Enjoy the peace and tranquillity of the undiscovered Lynher valley. For those who really want to escape
from it all or just visit friends and family here in Cornwall.

For more details please go to www.berriomill.co.uk or call 01579 363252

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In this edition...

NOTICES

For full details of what is happening in the Parish, please visit our Events page, which is kept as up-to-date as possible...

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Events

Callington Fairtrade Fortnight
22nd February to
Saturday 6th March 2010

As a Fairtrade Town, Callington will be celebrating big -time

Fairtrade Tea Parties, Fun Day, a Fairtrade expert visitor from Ghana, African Arts & Crafts, and a Question Time session at the Community College.

Find out more above...

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Open Meeting
Wednesday 10th March 2010

7:30pm
in the Parish Hall

Come and have your say about the Parish Council's plans for a new children's play area in the Recreation Field at Golberdon.

Everybody welcome

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Parish Hall AGM
Tuesday 25th May 2010

7:30pm
in the Parish Hall

Everybody welcome

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Horticultural Show & Fun Day

Saturday 21st August 2010

more details to follow

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Harvest Supper

Saturday 11th September 2010

in the Parish Hall
More details to follow

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St Sampson's Church Services

Services are held in St Sampson's Church, South Hill every Sunday at 11:15am. All are welcome.

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Golberdon Christian Fellowship Meetings

The Fellowship meet in the Parish Hall every Sunday at 6:00pm. All are welcome.

Download the latest list of speakers here...

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In this edition...

Parish Council News

Children’s Play Area

South Hill Parish Council have reviewed the facilities at the recreation field and plan to upgrade the play area and equipment.

To enable this project to be successful we need your help in creating the right environment for the children to indulge their vivid imaginations and to ensure they maximise free play opportunities.

The Parish Council have allocated a considerable sum of money and have already procured initial funding to start this process.

We have arranged an Open Evening on Wednesday 10th March at 7:30pm, in the Parish Hall, Golberdon, so that you can come along with your ideas for equipment needed and fund raising.

This open evening will allow you to voice your opinions and contribute to the design, construction and redevelopment of your site.

Your attendance will allow us to gauge the level of interest and support for this project. If insufficient interest is shown, the project will be scaled back, and funds may be withdrawn.

We look forward to seeing as many of you as possible and please bring your illustrations or photos of suitable play equipment.

Download a poster to display

Dennis Hicks, Chairman

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From our Cornwall Council Representative

Thank goodness that the very cold weather seems to have gone and that we are more able to get around more easily. Seeing snowdrops and camellias out gives real hope for the arrival of spring but February can be fickle and I am not holding my breath just yet.

Cornwall Council has been preoccupied with a number of important issues, not least of which is the forthcoming budget. This will be the start of a long period of austerity nationally and much thought is being given to how services will be delivered in the light of a need to save up to £40 million next year. I sit on the Health and Adult Services Committee and am pleased that there has been a recognition of the importance of that department. A modest increase in the amount available for services is planned subject to ratification by the Council. Other back office services however will receive correspondingly less whilst trying to ensure that priority services are maintained.

On the health front the public concern over the transfer of specific cancer treatments to specialist centres shows no sign of abating. Whether treatment should be available locally or patients sent to centres of excellence will be decided by the Health Secretary, Andy Burnham, given the concerns of the Cornwall & Plymouth Health Scrutiny Committees. The benefits of both options are finely balanced.

The ambulance service will be addressing a problem highlighted in a report which said that the response time for serious (but not life threatening) responses was too long and a new way of working to address this is being introduced.

The office accommodation provided by Cornwall Council is under review and there is a vision to reduce the number of buildings in which these are housed from some 70 to 30.

Leases on buildings which are about to expire will not normally be renewed, an example of this is the transfer of staff from Westbourne House to the Council offices in Liskeard. The proposal for just three major hubs with the eastern one located in Bodmin is being challenged but this does not mean that local facilities in the form of One Stop Shops will be taken away in S E Cornwall so access to services by the public should remain unchanged. I am not endorsing the new structure merely reporting on it.

A recent survey in a sample area showed that 39% of households now participated in recycling. The amount has increased over the years but I would encourage everybody to participate as costs of sending items to landfill are set rise dramatically. Very shortly it will cost £3.75p for an average black bag weighing just 56lbs and the Council Tax payers will be footing the bill. This is in addition to the collection costs.

I have dealt with a number of local concerns from the public and will always try to help if I can.

Cllr. John Turner
Cornwall Council
St. Ive ED

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In this edition...

Parish Broadband Survey

We have been conducting a survey of broadband provision in South Hill Parish.

You may have seen Internet Service Providers (ISPs) advertising broadband speeds of up to 10Mbps!

However, the reality here in South Hill is disappointing to say the least. Not only is our broadband often less than a tenth of the speed advertised, there is also a huge variation in speeds, even between next door neighbours.

We asked people to make a note of their download speed, upload speed and ping rate.

Ping rate is the time in milliseconds taken for a server to reply to a ping request from your computer.
Download speed is the number of megabits per second (mbps or mb/s) that your computer receives from a server.
Upload speed, also in mbps, is the amount of information your computer sends to a server.

We download information whenever we receive information form the internet - just browsing websites, but more importantly when we collect our email messages, or install programs from the internet, listen to music or watch film or video. We upload when we request information from the internet, send email, update a blog, ask questions on a forum or update our own website.

Results so far:

	Download speed (Mbps)	Upload speed (Mbps)	Ping Rate (ms)
Average	1.97	0.32	67.63
Minimum	0.24	0.20	41.00
Maximum	5.75	0.38	214.00

So, what can we tell from the results so far? Unfortunately, not much yet. Twenty six households have returned the survey. There is a good mix from all the hamlets and using the 3 telephone exchanges, but a total of 10 different Service Providers. Both the fastest and the slowest download speeds are with BT. The three fastest are located in Maders, Golberdon and Berrio. The three slowest are in Maders, Golberdon and Mornick! Obviously this is more complicated than we had hoped.

We are hoping to get some help in looking at the statistics from The Cornwall Development Company, which is a partner to actnow Broadband Cornwall. Their Development Manager tells us that a significant uplift in Cornwall’s broadband infrastructure is planned over the 2010-2013 period, hopefully starting this year. He suggests we can read about it at actnow - The Future, where there is a copy of the strategy document to download.

In the meantime, we already know that, of the households surveyed so far, 55% use the internet for business, under-18 education and/or adult education, so there is good reason to explore ways in which to improve our broadband experience.

If you haven'tcontributed your results yet, check out the SURVEY LINK HERE (this is a Word document).

1. Download and Save the Survey attachment somewhere you know you can find it again.
2. Open the saved document and follow the instructions on the page. When you have filled in all the boxes, Save it.
3. Then email webmaster@south-hill.co.uk, and Attach the saved survey.

We do hope for a good response to this survey. The more information we have, the more meaningful the results will be.

Thank you.

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In this edition...

Home Is Where The Heart Is
or
You Don't Know What You've Got Till It's Gone

I am typical of the younger generation today: I cannot keep still. I’m always off travelling: looking for new people, new places, and new experiences. If I were to take two minutes out of this frenzied lifestyle and count, I am sure I have spent no more than about six weeks actually at home over the past twelve months. But where is home anyway?

I am now in my final year at Royal Holloway, a constituent College of the University of London. Upon returning to Cornwall for a weekend during my second year, I remember saying something to my Mum which I think shocked her as much as it shocked me: “When I get home I need to sort my washing out.” Whilst I’m sure my Mum was shocked by the idea of me, a twenty year old male, actually doing my washing, we were both equally shocked by me referring to my house at university as ‘home’. It’s not my home. I always thought of ‘home’ as our house in Mornick.

Was this reference to University as "home" a Freudian slip, I wondered? Deep in my subconscious mind, had home ceased to be a house in Cornwall? After all, the dictionary defines home as your "permanent residence". Now at risk of sounding like a hormonal, confused youngster, I don’t have a "permanent residence" any more. Over the last twelve months, I have spent roughly six months at Uni, a couple of months at home, and the rest of the time I spent working on the Isles of Scilly. Not a bad life, I agree, but it means I don’t have a "permanent residence". Nothing proves this more than my post: my bank statements get sent to Uni, whilst my building society statements are delivered to Mornick. My magazine subscriptions end up in Mornick, whilst my Student Loan Statements are sent to Uni (where they will remain until I pluck up the courage to look at them).

We take dictionary definitions to be gospel truth. Yet, if "Blackadder" is to be believed, the first dictionary was written by a grotesquely obese man with a drinking problem, and was burned on the fire by Balderick. Blackadder refers to the book as "the most pointless book since "How to learn French" was translated into French'” Indeed, we may do well to, pardon the pun, take a leaf from Blackadder’s book here, and disagree with the definition of "home".

A house is your "permanent residence" – it is bricks and mortar. A "home" is something much more. Home is where the heart is, as the saying goes. It is where you feel you belong, a place of memories and relationships with people you know and care about.

"Home" to me will always be South Hill. It is not my "permanent residence", but it is where I will always think of as "home", no matter where I am or what I am doing. No matter how much I travel, and no matter where I eventually choose to make my "home", a part of me will always see South Hill as home. Wherever you live in the Parish of South Hill, you are very fortunate to be able to call the area your home. It’s true what they say: sometimes you really don’t know what you’ve got until you leave a place behind.

Englefield Green, the Surrey town where I live during term-time, is a pleasant enough village with a number of corner shops, a Church, and - being near a University - numerous pubs. But for all this, it lacks something: a sense of community. People get up in the morning and stand at the bus stop with twenty others in absolute silence, all plugged into their iPods and afraid to look at anyone else in case it’s taken as a confrontation. They go off to their jobs in London, and return at night, whereupon they settle down in front of the television before it all starts over again the next day. Neighbours do not know each other’s names.

Don’t get me wrong: the place is not all bad. Our neighbours are a charming elderly couple who we know well. They know they can always come to us if they need anything, and we know the same. In Englefield Green however, this is the exception rather than the rule. The opposite is true in South Hill: this sort of community is commonplace, and to me, that is what makes it home.

Tom Matthews

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In this edition...

Winter Gardening

The weather for the last few months has been terrible, snow, frost, wind and rain. The only good thing about the cold is that hopefully it will kill a lot of the pests in the garden. February is usually the time I start to tidy up and work on part of my garden, but it is too wet to do much, so instead I have looked to see what frost and wind damage I have got. I have been lucky the only shrub I may have lost is my Tetrapanax Papyrifer (rice paper plant); it doesn’t look good at all! I’m going to leave it to see what happens, it may spring into life when it gets a little warmer, so don’t rush in with pruning shears just yet, give plants a chance to recover. I was telling a gardener I know about my rice paper plant, he said, “any losses should be looked upon has an opportunity to plant something new”, and he is right. There are so many beautiful plants out there that we should try something new, not just the most popular plants, why not try something a little different, give yourself a little challenge, and just think of the joy of seeing it come into leaf and flower for the first time.

As soon as the weather improves we can start planting again, new roses, trees or shrubs and of course there are seeds to be sown, and vegetables to be planted . There is a product you can use called ‘Rootgrow’ that is a friendly mycorrhizal fungus. The granules should be put into direct contact with the plant roots , so put some in the hole you have dug when planting. Treated plants will grow a secondary root system, which will support them for their lifetime. It is also easy to treat established plants as well. Rootgrow plants are better able to cope with the effects of drought and are more resistant to diseases, they establish quicker and grow better. It also helps plants thrive in difficult soil conditions. But, a word of warning; it does not seem to work with brassicas, rhodendrons, azaleas, or heathers.

The benefit to roses is enormous. It will not only help them establish well with good flowers, but it also enables you to grow roses in soil that has previously had roses in it without the new plants suffering rose sickness. Last year I planted out a new small rose garden; all the roses were treated with rootgrow and I have been very pleased with the outcome.

Pictured: Tetrapanax Papyrifer (looking sad); Witch Hazel Pallida; Snowdrops

B.J.Clemerson

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Seasons & Celebrations - Florist

Beautiful arrangements of flowers for any special occasion including:

Weddings
Birthdays
Anniversaries
Funerals
Corporate functions & events

Treharcoe, Golberdon, Callington PL17 7ND

Elaine Brewer : Phone 01579 384787
e-mail treharcoe@treharcoe.plus.com
website www.seasonscelebrations.co.uk

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In this edition...