Draft Radnor Street Cemetery Development

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KARA Meeting: Tuesday 7th December 2010

Community Spaces funding bid – inspiring project name needed!

At the last meeting I was mandated by the meeting to prepare a funding bid for the Community Spaces grant, to develop the nature reserve in Radnor Street Cemetery. I’ve since met with the Biodiversity and Education Ranger to discuss options. As a result of that, I’ve prepared the attached funding bid and met with the Swindon manager for Groundwork South West and I’m continuing to develop the proposal ahead of the deadline on 7th January 2011. It’s all pretty exciting and could be amazing for our area, but competition for the funding is fierce. What we need is a project name for this development – please do have a look at the draft bid and let me know any inspiring names you come up with. Unfortunately due to the bid deadline we won’t be able to decide it at the next meeting, but I am keen to hear your thoughts. I was toying with “Swindon’s Secret Garden” but I’ve recently learnt that another project is being set up with that tagline. This is your project, so let’s hear your ideas!
A sad farewell – but can you help?

I’m sad to say that our Secretary, Lynne O’Shaughnessy, has reluctantly resigned her position as Secretary due to competing work demands and working away from Swindon more. Lynne has done a fantastic job since we founded KARA and I know we’ll all miss her greatly. She will try to come to meetings that fall when she’s in town so we look forward to catching up with her in the future. We do now, however, need a new Secretary. We have to fill this position in order to “legally” exist. The role requires the person to take minutes at meetings (including apologies and amendments) and type them up to forward to the Chair, as well as keeping the Association’s records (e.g. constitution, minutes, agendas etc.). It would be great if we could fill this position at our January meeting, so if you are interested in the role, please do get in touch and let me know!
Grit Bins, Grit and Snowy Weather!

At the last meeting, it was requested that grit bins be sought for the junction of Sunnyside/Grosvenor/Valleyside, Hillside and Hillcrest and for Dunsford Close. The request has been made, but it’s unlikely to happen this winter. For those of us that are fortunate to have bins on our streets, if they have become empty, then you can call nnnnnnnn to request replenishment. For personal grit supplies – as mentioned at the meeting – local social enterprise LEAVES are offering home delivery on bags of grit and they can be reached on nnnnnnnnnn.
A lot of what we talk about in KARA is about becoming better neighbours, and we’ve already had some good news stories result, but it’s probably this time of year that it’s needed more than most. Let’s remember to keep an eye out for our neighbours and those that are perhaps struggling to leave their homes in the snow and ice. I know we’d all want to help those that may need extra help at this time, and I’m certainly around a fair bit over the next fortnight, as I’m sure a many of us are, if there’s anyone we know that might need help with groceries etc.
Second Kingshill Crossing – volunteers needed!

We’ve talked in KARA about continuing the campaign for a second Kingshill crossing and I was mandated by the association to lobby the Council, through Mark Walker, to state our commitment to this cause. What I’m looking to do in the early New Year is conduct a pedestrian survey of those that cross this road and I’m looking for volunteers that can help with this. Please do let me know if this is something you’re interested in helping with.
Next meeting: The next KARA meeting will be Tuesday 11th January 2011 at the Clifton Inn, Clifton Street at the new time of 7.30pm.

To think that 5 months ago KARA hadn’t yet begun, we’ve come such a long way in such a short space of time and that’s down to you. It’s down to everyone that’s shown interest in the association, everyone that’s been to meetings, everyone that’s volunteered in delivering newsletters, being on the committee and becoming road reps, and it’s down to everyone that lives in the KARA area for making such an inspiring area in which to live. Thank you to all of you. We have much planned for 2011 and many more plans to come and I don’t know about you, but I think it’s a hugely exciting time to live in our area. Here’s to a bigger, stronger and even more successful KARA in 2011!
Wherever you are, whatever you’re doing, have a safe and peaceful Christmas and New Year and I look forward to seeing you in 2011!
Warmest wishes
Nicky

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