From Newsletter, September 2007

Dear Member

It's all my fault. Oh why did I say in the last newsletter 'Now that the weather is better'. Never mind, I hope you have had an enjoyable 'period of longer days'. Time now to think about our evening meetings including the AGM and our annual Quiz night.

But before then we have the Timperley Country Fair - and we could do with some help with the Civic Society's stall. It's not hard work, and you don't have to stay all day, and as they say - many hands do make it easier for all. If you can help out please contact Geoff Flood on 980 1675.

Timperley Walks No. 3 is now ready for you to try out - 'pioneered' by Hazel, tested by Naomi and her husband. Number 4 is on hold as the 'pioneering' proved to be more like jungle bashing - must get on to Trafford about that footpath. Get your copy - price 50p - at the Country Fair.

Recent meetings
Visit to Fletcher Moss Gardens in Didsbury - this was a very enjoyable and interesting visit. If you couldn't make it, why not visit on your own and have a good wander round the gardens.

Footpaths have cropped up again. How many people read the official notice in the Messenger about Trafford's proposal for a 'Gating Order' for several paths? Most of these relate to alleyways between rows of houses in Stretford and Old Trafford, but for us the important one relates to our famous Timperley footpath called "The Boggart Path". If you are not familiar with it, this old path (pre 1838 at least) goes between numbers 36 and 38 Heyes Lane, turns right and runs along behind gardens, with two exits onto Ladybrook Ave and Grange Road. We have written to Trafford commenting that we think a 'gating order' is not appropriate for this path, and that it would effectively close the path to all local residents, except the ones whose gardens adjoin the path.

Committee members have attended meetings and been involved with some consultation over the last few months, including the AGM of the NW Association of Civic Trusts, and a special Neighbourhood Forum to get our views on the future in Trafford for health, housing, employment etc, for their new plan which will replace the UDP and take us up to 2020.

Planning Applications. There have not been as many applications relating to Timperley over the sum­mer and few that we have commented on. The plans for a children's nursery at 20 Mainwood Road -seem to have been refused, as there is a new application for a lesser extension, stressing that the house will be for residential only.
If you haven't been past lately - the big house next to St Hugh's Primary School on Park Road has been demolished, after standing empty for several weeks following a fire. There had been an application a long while back for flats to be built and it looks as though that will now take place.
There is also a new plan for the proposed flats to be built at 43 Park Road (corner of Frieston Road).
Watling Gate has been in the news again, and we wait to see what the outcome will be.
If you have noticed the animal welfare charity shop on Stockport Road has been closed and there is a new application for change of use to a 'Health Food Cafe' - sounds good. Also the cycle shop has closed after many years in the village.

Timperley on the web
Have a look at the Messenger's 'Timperley District' page on its website. Mark has been adding information about the Civic Society, and is waiting for people to add their comments. So have a look and have your say: http://www.messengernewspapers.co.uk/news/timperleydistrict/

We have had a contact via the society's website following mention of Park Road Primary School -'Viewing your site has brought back many memories. I attended the school from August 1945 until I had, with the other boys, to spend the final primary year at Wellington Rd school, I presume due to lack of space at Frieston Rd..... I can recall about ten names from my class, and do remember that in those days we had classes of 50 pupils!'

Timperley Country Fair Committee is trying to get a "Timperley Cookbook" together with recipes that can loosely be associated with Timperley. Clearly they will need a little more than Timperley Rhubarb Pie but I guess we could have Quarry Bank Quiche, Pickering Pancakes, Moss Lane Mousse, Frieston Flan or Watling Gate Waffles .... Come on guys you can do much better than that! Can you please send any offers to Graham Cliff- gpcliff@tiscali.co.uk who will forward them to the "cookbook editor".

Data Protection - Members' details are kept on computer, for use of the Society only.
See you around
Hazel Pryor