Bradworthy hosted a pioneering meeting at the Methodist Schoolroom on Tuesday 9th February. It was attended by officers from Devon County and Torridge District Councils, members of Bradworthy's Parish Council and Local Agenda 21 Group, with Alan Balsdon in the chair. The aim of the meeting was to establish a new way for local government to work with the people it serves. By building on the recent parish appraisal and meeting with the community, it was hoped to identify and try to meet their needs. Bradworthy shares with East-the-Water the privilege of participating in this exciting new approach, which may then be adopted in other Torridge communities.
Present were Tony Lawrence (Devon County Council Officer), Ian Hobbs, Gail Bowering & Delores Riordan (Torridge District Council officers), Annie Brenton (Torridge District Councillor), Beth Dowdeswell (Torridge Transport Group), Jane Whittaker (Torridge Voluntary Services), Martyn Laidlaw (Torridge Agenda 21 Group), Alan Balsdon, Angela Yeo, Sheila Wright & Bill Jarvis (Bradworthy Parish Councillors), Cecil Collacott, Mick Jones, Pat Regardsoe and Jane Addy (Bradworthy Agenda 21 Group).
Gail Bowering introduced the idea of the Community Profiling Project (CPP). A joint consultative committee (JCC) has been set up, bringing together elected members, and representatives from county and district councils, police, health authority and other bodies responsible for the well-being of communities in Torridge. The project is partly based on research undertaken by Joyce Halliday at Exeter University on factors indicating need in rural communities. These can be grouped under three headings: physical isolation, social isolation and lack of local opportunities. Key areas of concern in Bradworthy, identified in Bradworthy's recent parish appraisal, were outlined by Jane Addy and formed the basis of much of the ensuing discussion, with eagerness to turn expressed ideas into practical action.
Lack of rural transport was a major issue and Bradworthy will be exploring various options for improving this since there is several million pounds of govermnent money available for communities wishing to do so. A meeting for interested parties will be arranged by Beth Dowdeswell and the parish council, and a feasibility study undertaken.
Improving road safety for pedestrians and cyclists, especially at Bradworthy Mill and near the school, was also felt to be essential and Bradworthy will continue to press Tony Lawrence from Devon County to address our concerns.
Jane Whittaker offered to attend any future meetings concerning the possible refurbishment of the Parish Church Hall so that it may again be used as a community facility, with particular reference to young people and others with specific needs. She has particular expertise on fund-raising, essential for such a large undertaking. Ideas will be discussed with the new vicar, Richard Dorrington. Jane may also be able to help with funding for the new Memorial Hall extension.
The need for local vocational training to enhance employment prospects was also a priority identified in the parish appraisal. The provision of training in computer skills and distance learning courses at a village telecentre is a strong possibility. Further advice will be sought from Vicky Rolleson and David Blowers of the Centre for Lifelong Learning in Bamstaple.
The provision of housing was a contentious issue and there was criticism of the way council housing is allocated on a points system instead of meeting the needs of local people as the priority. Enabling locals to stay in their own parish helps strengthen community bonds and prevent the kind of social problems which can result from an influx of those without roots here. The feeling that Bradworthy was now at its optimum size was expressed by many in the parish appraisal, and it is to be hoped that planners and other official bodies will take note of the community's wishes in this new process of community consultation.