Crooke Village Residents Association Meeting
Crooke Hall Inn
Tuesday 8th April 2025

Attendees

Howard Cain, Linda Kellie, Paul Green, Kathy Bradley, Trisha Poole, John Whiteley, Ken & Yasmin (51).

Apologies

Mike Thomas, Morag Tebbit, Steve Tebbit, Charlie Neve, Sue Neve, Dawn Glynn, Pete Glynn, Stacey & Sam.

Minutes of March CVRA Meeting

Accepted as a true record. Proposed by Paul Green, seconded by Howard Cain

Matters arising

No matters arising from previous minutes.

Shevington Parish Council

John Whiteley provided an update on SPC matters.

1. SPC has receiver 6 applications for Clerk and have carried out 4 interviews.

2. JW explained that the Parish Council website required professional oversite to meet the requirements of a gov.uk website.

3. JW highlighted the availability of the Shevington Library information screen to publicise CVRA; e.g. CVRA meetings and events, contact numbers, links to CVRA website.

4. Annual Parish Meeting will take place on Wednesday 30th April - everyone is welcome.

Charlies, Shevington Report.

Reports from CVRA Officers

Chair (in absentia) - reported that no update had been recieved from Jigsaw regarding additional funding for flood defences. Will seek to re-open communications again during the following week.

Vice Chair

No issues to report.

Treasurer's Report

Monies for flood defences have been received from SPC and Brighter Borough funding. CVRA Unify account currently stands at £1625. Confirmed that signatories to the account are Chair,Treasurer and Secretary; will seek to include Vice Chair.

The Deputy Vice Chair and Secretary were not present; Howard Cane taking minutes.

Agenda Items

ITEM 1. Acquisition of moveable flood barriers

Covered in notes above.

ITEM 2. Shevington Fete - Saturday 21st June

HC confirmed CVRA booking for the Shevington Fete. MT confirmed that he would be prepared to host the stall but will require additional support. PG confirmed his attendance to help setup the marquee and display and there to assist.

The meeting discussed ideas for fundraising at the fete to boost CVRA funds as £250 has been allocated to flood defences. A raffle was proposed with Trisha and Yasmin on ticket sales. Ideas for prizes included a hamper (identify potential donors), free tyres and fitting from Ken and a personalised yoga session from Kathy. Other ideas and prizes would be very helpful.

Pavement parking notices.

HC said this was something Councillor Galligan had made CVRA aware of. It is regarding cars being parked on Wigan Borough pavements, blocking pedestrian access. A link for this will be put on the Crooke Village website.

ITEM 3. St. Annes Primary School Volunteering

HC confirmed that a response has been received from Victoria Briscoe - Community Officer to the CVRA’s offer of help for the school’s ‘Roots and Shoots’ programme. She is awaiting further information from the headmaster Mr Ivory.

AOB

PG asked again about cutting the hedge adjacent to the park (opposite the marina) as it is encroaching the path significantly. It was agreed to reach out the Groundworks team to see if they could undertake the work as specialised tools would be required to tackle the heavy growth.

Ken and Yasmin raised the subject of the village allotment. They are looking to take an active role in completely transforming the allotment both for themselves and for the benefit of the community. It was agreed to add this to the May agenda so it can be formally discussed and, if appropriate, agreed. Yasmin will provide a brief outline of the proposal ahead of the May meeting.

KB raised concerns over one of the elderly and long standing residents of the village and their particular need to help and support. It was a reminder of the importance of looking out for one another in such a small community and a request to help wherever you can.

HC shared a series of notices from the Wigan Council Network.

. 9th April - Wigan Athletic Memories at the Chairman's Lounge from 1.30pm. Book at: barryworthington@hotmail.com

. Saturday 26th April - Pamper Day for Carers & Loved Ones at Wigan Wellness Web & Wigan and Leigh Carers Centre. Call Suzanne on 01942 ` 679885 to book.

. First Thursday of every month from 2:00 - 4.00pm - Carer Wellbeing Group meets at the Clifton Street Community Centre WN3 5HN. Contact Megan Houghton on 01942 764462.

. 6th May 10:00am - 12:00 (and monthly - time vary) - Wigan Borough Palliative and End of Life Care Hub at Thomas Linacre Centre. Contact pdt@wlh.ork.uk or 01942 525666.

The meeting discussed the value and importance of updating the Crooke village noticeboard with such information and requested that a key be made available to the CVRA committee for that purpose.

The next meeting will at 7:00pm on the 10th June at the Crooke Hall Inn.

This concluded the Meeting of the CVRA for April 2025.