Buntingford Civic Society

We hope you managed to have a break away during the school holidays and for those of you that prefer to holiday outside of school time we hope you are enjoying some decent late summer weather. My wife and I had planned a break away with our grandchildren during August, but a family issue meant we had to curtail the time away. We decided to travel back from North Devon by train and I must say the journey was quite painless. The journey started at Umberleigh and we were picked up from Ware 4 hours later. It's a shame that it was quite expensive but if that is measured against the driving, we found it most relaxing. We did the return journey 4 days later.

By the time you read this, the Classic Car Show will have come and gone. Although I was not able to attend myself, due to family commitments, I understand that, as usual, it was well organized and well attended, with the prizes being presented by our town mayor, Cllr Duncan Wallace. Our heartfelt thanks go to Graham and Sean Bonner and their merry band of volunteer helpers for all the hard work before, during and after the event.

I understand that preparations for the next events are well under way. They are Remembrance Sunday, November 10th at the War Memorial on Market Hill, and on Friday, November 29th the annual Isobel Hospice "Lights of Love" ceremony, Festive lights switch on and Late-Night Shopping, something to look forward to as we move towards Christmas.

Now that Autumn is with us, my thoughts, as with many of you, have turned to what to plant in the garden to see us through the winter and into Spring 2025. Preparations in the Waite household have already started with the removal of those plants that are no longer at their best and the planning of the next planting phase.

You will probably be aware by now that the planning appeal by Countryside Partnerships Ltd and Wattsdown Developments Ltd for 350 dwellings to the west of the town was upheld by the planning inspector at the Planning Inquiry held between the 16th and 25th July. The full decision document can be viewed by visiting the EHDC website and searching for planning application 3/23/1447/OUT. We know many people will be disappointed at this decision after spending a lot of time and effort to defend that area of land against development and that this decision could lead to a landslide of other speculative applications.

We are pleased to welcome two new Executive Committee members, Jenny Keeling and Chris Dobner, my thanks to you both for volunteering for this and I, along with the other committee members, hope you find it interesting and rewarding.

If you have any queries about Buntingford Civic Society or issues you would like to raise, you can email the Chairman direct at chairman@buntingfordcivic.org.uk.

The October issue of the Buntingford Journal will be available from the usual retailers from 27th September.

More information about the Buntingford Civic Society can be found here and membership forms can be found here.