Written by Cally Morris on behalf of Silchester Parish Council

I would like to start this month by thanking all the people who help to keep Silchester clean and tidy. Firstly, to our litter wardens, Janice & Len Rowden who go out on a Monday, whatever the weather, and clear as much litter as they can from the central area of the village. There hard work really does make a difference.

I would also like to thank a local resident, James Pearce, who contacted me asking if he could become involved in helping to keep the area clean and tidy. James has been out with his family, all armed with litter pickers and bin bags, at the weekend doing his bit to help! Thank you.

The council have also noted how BDBC have made sure all verges within the local area have been cleared. Highways carried out the three yearly extra wide cut this year which unfortunately, unearthed rather a lot of litter. However, BDBC have been and cleared as much of this litter as possible and we feel it has made a real difference in so many areas. Another thank you!!

We do have a number of bins around the village that are well used and help in keeping the area tidy. There are a few areas that seem to struggle, for example, the Monkey bumps. We would really like to encourage the use of the bin at the top of footpath 1 (Dukes Ride entrance) for the depositing of litter from the monkey bumps. Lets all work together in keeping Silchester something much more than just a “village”.

Further to the questionnaire having been sent out during the summer, the council are now trying to get a group together to take the project to the next stage. If you would like to become involved in listening to the needs of people locally and in shaping the future of Silchester, please do get in touch with me via either email (clerk@silchester.org) or by phone (0118 970 1754)

We are still working hard to ensure that people adhere to the new 30mph speed limit within the central area of the village. Please make sure you are one of those people sticking to the new limit too. The more of us who adhere to it the more who will follow!!

A meeting has also been held with the traffic officers from BDBC to determine which traffic calming measures could be introduced at the Three Ashes area. We are awaiting the draft proposal of ideas and we hope to be able to approve at our meeting in November. 

Please be reminded that, due to customer feedback, the village link service has been expanded to allow people to go to Reading on market days, Wednesday & Fridays. The new link service gives shoppers two and a half hours in Reading to shop on these days. We are also currently investigating the possibility of linking with market days in Newbury and whether this is something people would use. I will keep you updated.

Date of next meeting - Monday 2nd November 2009
Club room, Silchester Village Hall
Hope to see you there