Rosedale & Hartoft Parish Plan

Resume (March 2010) 

Background

After nearly three years of community consultation and involvement, The Parish Plan, was published and launched in the Autumn of 2006. Encapsulating the hopes and aspirations of our total community, the plan could so easily have been consigned to ‘the top shelf.’ However, in 2007 a dedicated group of enthusiasts was established and met regularly throughout that year to define what ingredient in the plan might be achievable in the short medium and long term. By January 2008 the group had devised key aims and objectives and agreed a constitution. A committee, to be known as The Rosedale and Hartoft Community Group was duly formed in January 2008 to progress schemes deemed feasible at that time. 

From the outset, it has been recognised that the group will at all times work with the Parish Council and report to it on a regular basis. Where projects are of major community significance and /or require P.C. approval and input, ongoing liason will be paramount. 

Successes and progress to date. 

Our Community Services. The Reading Room (Village Hall), has been upgraded by significant improvements to its insulation / heat retention qualities and developing its stock of equipment including 5 computers, display materials and installing links to the internet. Improved / secure storage has also been developed.

 The Uphill Downdale news magazine has been reintroduced offering local people up to date information on ‘happenings’ in the Dale.

 Our Housing Needs. Along with the P.C, instigating a joint approach with Ryedale D.C. to develop an Affordable Housing Scheme in Rosedale Abbey. Significant progress has now been made.

Our Transport Needs. Indications from prospective funders suggest that their support could well be possible for bus/walkers rest shelters at Hill Cottages and High Bell End. However, response from some residents at the former site suggests that further consultation is required on the best location. A proposed shelter in the village has received an offer of financial support from the North Yorkshire C.C. Education Department through the Primary School. This option requires progress.

Our Businesses. A master web site to cover ‘all things Rosedale and Hartoft’ has always been a major aim of the group but cost and technical knowledge prevented a quick solution. However, the opportunity recently presented by Ryedale District Council to link the Rosedale and Hartoft Parish Councils to a regional master web site has been grasped by your Clerk and offers an opportunity for all businesses and interest groups to develop a more coordinated approach instead of / as well as ‘ploughing their own furrow’. Several new persons now living in Rosedale and Hartoft are willing, along with your Clerk to develop the project and this opportunity should be further explored.

Our visitors. The Group has developed a close working relationship with the North East Yorkshire Geology Trust who have funded and lead training initiatives for locals and visitors alike. The Trust is soon to publish two trail guides to walking /studying the Geology of Rosedale 

Our Heritage. The Rosedale & Hartoft History Society, founded in 2008 has established itself as a thriving and popular addition to the cultural, social and educational framework of our community. Some thirty people regularly attend  monthly meetings in the Reading Room whilst its collection of artefacts and materials, some of major significance, are also stored there. It has established links with several other societies in the region and is vital to the recording and maintenance of our rich heritage. The R&HCG obtained grants for relevant equipment to get the History Group started and continues to support it wherever necessary. The Society founders are presently drawing together material for a publication on our heritage.

Other projects. Several courses have been run in the Reading Room including first aid, use of computers and digital photography whilst a one year ‘artist in residence’ project was concluded with an outstanding exhibition of his works and those of the school and art group with whom he worked.     

Projects / developments identified in the Parish Plan which have not been pursued to date..

The Group is mindful that certain constraints will at worst totally prevent progress and at best require much patience and persistence in developing other initiatives identified in the Parish Plan (see below).

Community:-

                   A restored Post Office will require input from the private sector.

                   Improved local health facilities based on a new school will be unlikely

                   in the light of low pupil numbers not justifying a new build. 

                   Continued efforts will be made to improve the Reading Room

                   Digital TV for our area is due in 2012?

Housing

                   Permanent use of additional housing (continue to lobby)

                   Affordable Housing land availability/funding may be difficult

School

                   A new school cannot be justified at present ?(reduced pupil rolls)

                   Legislation (welfare of pupils) makes public school use difficult.

Security/safety

                   The quality of our roads remains poor (drainage, verges, overhanging

                    ‘new’ trees, surfaces etc. Lack of funding a major problem

Businesses

                   Tourism related businesses continue to require a better support                            

                   infrastructure at local level (mobile phone reception, range of attractions

                   including events and ‘things to see and do’, general services etc.

Visitors.

                  Much good work has been undertaken by the P.C.(retention/development

                  of toilets, village caretaker and his excellent work at expanded sites,

                  increased and improved signage etc. The improvements are probably

                  as good as it can get in the present budgetary climate.

Religion

                  Whilst contact with the Estate over acquisition/purchase of additional

                  graveyard space has been made, no agreement or contractual arrangement

                  has been reached.

                  An excellent job has been made in rerouting access to the Church for

                  wheelchair users

Heritage

                 Very little progress has been made ref. finding a site for two model villages

                 depicting the mining and monastery eras.

                 .Initial feedback would suggest that the availability of land for a suitable

                 plot measuring say 25x25m reasonably adjacent to the village centre may

                 be difficult.

                 The placing of interpretation board at key points around the valleys has

                 ‘informally’ met with some resistance from planners and requires much

                debate with them. 

Conclusion

Land ownership issues, planning constraints, lack of volunteer numbers, time and expertise, limited funds and ‘politics’ are the key problems faced in progressing the outstanding tasks. However, in conjunction with the P.C. it may well be a good time to attempt a ‘reinvigoration ‘process through, -dare I say it – a public meeting, news release/other. Maybe we should be looking at new needs! Short term, I think we can all be pleased with the progress made and feel that  we need to celebrate it. Let’s get on the front foot for a change.

 Colin Westwood (Secretary to The Rosedale and Hartoft Community Group)  

11.03.10.