News and Events
November 2007
Just published – A Socio-economic Profile and Strategy Review for Highworth. Click on the link and find out how your comments are helping us to set out a plan for the future of Highworth.
Click here to see the review.
November 30 th and December 1 st
Ice Skating in Highworth!
HCPG are supporting the Mayor and Council by providing a synthetic ice rink for the Friday evening and all day Saturday. Don't miss the fun!
Click here to see the poster.
Launch Event - Wed 23 May 2007
You are cordially invited to the launch of the Highworth Market and Coastal Town Initiative on Wednesday 23 rd May. This is the start of an exciting process where residents and businesses in Highworth can contribute towards planning the future of this lovely Market Town. Research has shown that many of the old market towns are in danger of going into decline unless positive action is taken to reverse the trend. We are aware of these dangers in Highworth and want to act now to ensure a secure and economically sound future for generations to come.
Charles Coffin of the market and Coastal Towns Association will briefly explain how the process of consultation and planning will work. This will be followed by an opportunity for you to share your ideas on the future of Highworth.
If you, like us, would like to see a better Highworth, then take this opportunity to find out how you can contribute directly.
Please click here to see poster Highworth Community Partnership Group
Market and Coastal Towns Initiative
Launch Meeting on Wednesday 23 rd May 2007 at 7pm for 7.30pm
Southfield School , Shrivenham Road , Highworth , SN6 7BZ
Submitted May 2007
Do you want to be a 'Climate Friendly Community'?
Well, Here's How:
We can meet the sustainability challenge! Whilst the editor was writing his thoughtful piece on sustainability last month, I was attending a meeting called by Michael Wills MP. He invited us to listen to a report given by the Wiltshire Wildlife Trust (WWT) on, ‘A living landscape'. This is a call to restore the UK 's battered ecosystems, for wildlife and the people. The report painted an urgent picture of the need to assist wildlife to adapt to change. The message was, ‘If we don't give our wildlife enough room to manoeuvre, a collapse of biodiversity is inevitable.' The challenge for Highworth is twofold. Firstly, we need to become a climate friendly community and secondly we need to create an environment where our wildlife can safely adapt and change. Today, I want to address the former.
A Climate Friendly Community
One of the areas Highworth Community Partnership Group intends to tackle is ‘Green issues and the environment'. We would like to demonstrate our commitment in a very practical way.
Wiltshire Wildlife Trust has set up a pilot community award scheme called ‘Climate Friendly Communities' . It is aimed at encouraging and supporting towns and villages across Swindon and Wiltshire to adopt more sustainable lifestyles and help prevent climate change. The climate friendly community will take action on waste, energy efficiency and renewable energy, local food and transport.
The Challenge!
HCPG would like a group of residents in Highworth or the surrounding villages to become involved in the WWT project. It could be your street or close, a group or an association or just a few like minded people. It does not matter how big or small, it is about caring for our future and that of our children, grandchildren and beyond.
What do we have to do?
Your mission is to reduce CO 2 emissions through activities on the four topics above. You can work on just one issue or a number together. Once you have chosen a topic you need to:
engage: involve more people to become climate friendly;
exemplify: show and demonstrate what you have achieved;
enable: help other people to make changes in their homes and lives by providing information and assisting with problem solving.
WWT have a co-ordinator who will help you and at the successful completion of each stage your community will receive a bronze, silver or gold award.
Think about the challenge, but not for too long, then contact me and say, “We are up for it!” I shall be delighted to help you get started.
Keith Smith
Chairman, HCPG
Contact: 01793 764372 or contact@highworthpartnership.org.uk
Submitted May 2007
Market & Coastal Towns Initiative
After two months of a nail biting wait Highworth Community Partnership Group has finally been accepted into the Market and Coastal Towns Initiative. This means the Group will receive up to £20,000 in grants, dedicated support from a Community Facilitator, professional assistance from consultants and templates and toolkits to aid us in the planning process. In return we shall be investing our time, energy, commitment and enthusiasm to help to develop a better future for the residents of Highworth.
The Strategy Group is absolutely thrilled with the result and are eagerly looking forward to getting down to work. We will post information on our progress in the Library and in businesses around the Town.
Other News
The Chairman was recently invited to a meeting by Michael Wills MP of the Wiltshire Wildlife Trust. He was particularly attracted to the new initiative of ‘Climate Friendly Communities'. He tells me that this will definitely be part of our Plan. Also at that meeting the Group was promised support from Swindon Borough Council and the Leader Councillor Roderick Bluh will be happy to attend one of our meetings.
Press Releases
Market and Coastal Towns Association - 24 January 2007
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