Proposed sale of Cwmcarvan schoolroom
SIR,
A number of friends and neighbours attended an open meeting on 26th October 2009 at Cwmcarvan Schoolroom, to discuss its imminent sale by the Monmouth Diocesan Trust. I would like to thank all who attended and gave their views on the schoolroom's future, and those who have telephoned me to offer their support.
Although the meeting was unanimous in wishing that the schoolroom and schoolhouse should be kept for use by the parish as a community centre, some people felt that if the property had to be sold, the proceeds of the sale should be used to benefit the parish.
It was noted that the church had not contributed a penny toward building, running or maintaining the school, from its construction in 1869 to the late 1990s, when its sale was first considered
At the meeting, Mr Miles, one of our churchwardens, reported that the Bishop of Monmouth had expressed a wish for the Diocesan Trust to state its own point of view. The meeting agreed that this was desirable, and asked me to arrange another public meeting.
I wrote to Bishop Dominic on 3rd November 2009, and his reply said that he had "noted the contents" of my letter, but did not feel able to respond in his capacity as Chairman of the Diocesan Trust, "and that the contents of [my] letter needs to be considered by all the trustees".
Although the Diocesan Trust has met since that date, I have received no reply regarding a meeting. In the meantime, the Trust has placed the property for sale at the Usk office of estate agent Elstons, with a guide price of £250,000.
A number of newspaper and television articles appeared regarding the sale of the school. From what I have read, the feelings of local people are genuinely portrayed, and they still wish to see the parish continue to benefit from the generous original bequest of land by the Bosanquet family and the work of many local families to fund and erect the subsequent building.
One quotes a spokesperson for the Diocese of Monmouth, claiming that "the trustees have to discharge their legal responsibilities, so the building is being sold and, as required by the terms of the trust, the proceeds will be used for the provision of statutory education in the area covered by the diocese."
This statement may be what the Monmouth Diocesan Trust intend to do, but the statement is untrue in that this course of action is not required by the terms of the Trust.
All registered charities have to deposit documents with the Charity Commission stating their objectives. The objectives of the Monmouth Diocesan Trust are to assist and promote the work of the Church in Wales in the Diocese of Monmouth.
Although the Trust's objectives include the provision and finance for Church in Wales' schools, that provision should not preclude other methods of benefiting the Diocese of Monmouth. The Charity Commission has confirmed to me that the Diocesan Trust is not limited to the provision and financing of Church in Wales schools.
No mention of 'education' appears in the Trust's objectives. The Diocesan Trust seems very keen to emphasise the legal duties of the trustees; however, it would appear that the Monmouth Diocesan Trust could perfectly well support the use of Cwmcarvan schoolroom and schoolhouse as a community centre, providing it assisted or promoted the work of the Church in the Diocese of Monmouth.
Our latest Parochial Church Council meeting, which was to be held in the schoolroom on the 25th January, had to be been re-scheduled for the Somerset Arms public house, thus illustrating the need for a parish meeting place.
I hope that many of your readers will continue to protest against this decision by the Diocesan Trust that ignores the views of this local community, and could well act against the wider interests of the Church in Wales.
Dr P H G Penny
(Chairman, Cwmcarvan Schoolroom Association)
Irregularities in planning process
SIR,
On Tuesday 19th January, I attended a meeting of Monmouthshire County Council's Planning Committee, which, after a wait of more than two years, was due to debate a contentious application for six 'affordable' houses to be built in the hamlet of Broadstone/Parkhouse.
There was a full attendance of Planning Committee members, and I looked forward to a lively debate on the many issues surrounding this application. What a disappointment! What is the purpose of a committee that does not discuss issues?
1. Why did no-one ask how much public money will be spent on this application?
2. Why was there no debate about the alternative site, situated only two miles away and offered by the owner at an advantageous price? This site is in a village, chosen by democratic means by local people as a preferred site with some important facilities and amenities, and immediately available.
3. Why was there only scant reference to the 90 letters of protest, and no mention of a petition that had been handed in a few days before?
4. Why did no-one recognise that recent planning policies – allowing houses to be extended, allowing small houses to be replaced by large ones, and allowing barns to be converted into large houses, etc – have taken much of the modestly priced property out of the area? Instead "old, retired people" were blamed for "coming into" our villages and being the only ones able to afford the high prices.
5. Why did a councillor from the top table call a Planning Requirement a 'red herring', and suggest it should be ignored – and why did no other member of the Planning Committee question the probity of such a statement?
This was like a football match where one team – the Majority – had their hands tied behind their backs, and the referee, who knew all the rules, chose to ignore them if they didn't suit.
The result of the match? Majority 90, Minority 6. The Minority were duly declared the winners, and went away with the prize.
What price democracy?
PW Butler
(Broadstone)
This letter was sent to Monmouthshire County Council, and is reprinted here by permission.
Lottery nomination deadline nears
SIR,
We are calling on the people of Monmouthshire to nominate their favourite Lottery-funded projects for the 2010 National Lottery Awards.
The awards conclude the annual search to find the UK's favourite Lottery-funded projects and recognise the dedication of the people behind them. Every week, Lottery players raise £25 million for projects all across the UK, making a difference to people, places and communities.
We want to hear from your readers about any Lottery-funded projects that have had a positive impact on the local area and made a real difference to people's lives.
The awards are split into seven categories, reflecting the main areas of Lottery funding: arts, sport, heritage, health, environment, education, voluntary and charity projects.
The projects that make it to the finals of the National Lottery Awards will appear on a star-studded, prime-time BBC1 show later this year. They will also have a chance to win a £2,000 cash prize.
Visit http://www.lotterygoodcauses.org.uk">www.lotterygoodcauses.org.uk to find out more. Entries must be received by 5pm on Friday 12th February.
Ceri Doyle, Chair
(Welsh Lottery Forum)
Thanks from Rotary Club
SIR,
I would like to thank the residents of Monmouth and outlying districts for their fantastic response to Monmouth Rotary Club's street collection on Saturday, which raised funds for relief in Haiti.
Rotary club members were on Monnow Street from 10am to 4pm with an example of a Shelterbox, which is used to house up to six people made homeless by the earthquake. We collected the amazing sum of £1,175.
Together with cheques received as a result of our article in last week's Beacon, we will have accrued sufficient funds to purchase a further three Shelterboxes, which will be immediately despatched to Haiti.
Thank you, Monmouth residents, for your support.
Bill Parnell
(President, Monmouth Rotary Club)
School reunion
SIR,
I wonder if through your letters page you could help us.
A group of former Monmouth Comprehensive pupils is organising a school reunion, for former pupils who started Monmouth Comprehensive in September 1975 (or who took O-Levels/CSEs in 1980).
There were over 150 pupils in our year, and we are hoping to get together as many as possible, including any teachers, to swap stories, share experiences, and generally have a good time.
The reunion is to be held at Monmouth Rugby Club, on Saturday 27th February at 7:30pm. Tickets are £10 each (with guests welcome) to include food with any profits going to a local charity.
Tickets may become limited closer to the date, owing to capacity of the venue, and we may not be able to allow people in who turn up at the door, so please get your tickets ASAP. Contact us [email protected]">[email protected] for details on how to reserve tickets, or you can obtain them from Judith & Doug at the Royal Oak, from 12th February.
You can also get information at www.
facebook.com/event.php?eid=229296450364.
Gail Jones (Jerred), Judith Morris (Ward), Neil Hoggins & Anthony Cope
Lost a cat?
A young, male cat, black with white bib, has been found in the Far Hill area (Trellech). He's very friendly. If he's yours, please call Sally on 01600 860982.