BIG MEADOW
Car fobs are available from the Parish Council Office, Bramley Way, daily from 10am to 1pm. Please ensure you bring proof of residence (Council Tax or driving licence) as well as your car registration number.

Current fobs continue to be valid: if you have changed your vehicle, please email info@bidfordonavon-pc.gov.uk giving your fob number and the new car registration so your records can be updated.
Damaged fobs can be replaced free of charge but lost fobs may incur a charge of £5.

The use of BBQs and Open Fires were banned last summer, and this ban continues. Plaques have been placed on the picnic benches reminding users of this ban.

The Big Meadow will remain open until 9pm. The Entrance Gate will close at 8pm and although the Exit Gate will remain open, any vehicle leaving after 9pm, whether a resident (with a car fob) or a paying visitor, will incur a fine of £100.

Parking will be restricted to approx. 200, with sustainable logs being placed parallel to the access road as guidance.

Having fenced off the “beach area” for safety reasons, the Parish Council is working with the Avon Navigation Trust (ANT) to install a “floating pontoon” by the moorings for canoes and paddles.  The project was approved by Council at its April meeting.

PARISH COUNCIL SURGERY
This continues to take place as part of the Bidford Village Market in the village centre on the first Saturday of the month. Two Councillors will be there from 10am – 12pm so please ensure you pay them a visit. The move to the Bidford Village Market has proved to be very successful and Council hopes that by making itself more available, residents will take the opportunity of getting to know their Councillors and what the Parish Council does for its local community – as well as what it is not responsible for, though it can signpost to the appropriate party. Next Bidford Village Markets are on 7^th June and 5^th July – make sure you visit both the many stalls of local businesses and the Parish Council.

BIDFORD COMMUNITY FRIDGE – HELP REDUCE FOOD WASTE
This excellent community service is available at the Methodist Church Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays: 10.30am – 11.30am and Wednesdays: 5.30pm - 6.30pm.

Community Café will be open Mondays and Tuesdays: 10.30am – 12.30pm. The Community Fridge is open to everyone, not just those in need.  It is about stopping good food from being thrown away. Want to volunteer for this essential local service? Please contact Hilary at admin@bidfordonavon-pc.gov.uk.

WARWICKSHIRE ROAD SAFETY PARTNERSHIP (WRSP) CENTRAL REPORTING SYSTEM (CRS)
Speeding has always been a big concern for local communities which is recognised by the members of the WRSP, which includes County Council Highways, Warwickshire Police, and Warwickshire Fire & Rescue Service.

To address this concern, and to make it easier to report and manage, WRSP has set up a Central Reporting System and would encourage any concerned resident to report any speeding issue via this system, available on the website at warksspeedconcerns.org/.  This ensures all concerns are centralised and available to all parties for the appropriate action to be taken. Concerned about speeding in the village? Please use the Central Reporting System.

CITIZENS ADVICE - BIDFORD OUTREACH
The First Thursday of the month in the Parish Council Room (in the library) 10am–1pm. Please note you must pre-book.  This provides essential advice in these difficult times and is carried out in complete confidence. Please note the library is closed on Thursdays. To book a slot, please call 0808 250 5715.

WARM HUB
This excellent community service takes place at the Crawford Memorial Hall every Wednesday from 10am–12pm, run by a team of hardworking volunteers dedicated to ensuring the wellbeing of residents. Now in its fourth year, a new service has been added; hot food is now available. So, if you are feeling lonely, need company and a bite to eat, go to the WARM HUB.

CONCERNS/ISSUES
If you have a concern or issue about anything within the Parish, please use the Love Clean Street App and send by email info@bidfordonavon-pc.gov.uk. Alternatively, you can contact the Clerk on 07718 628925 or by email as above. Please don’t post on Social Media (Bidford Forum) as this is not monitored by the Parish Council and, therefore, may be missed and remain unanswered or unsolved.

WEEKLY EVENTS

• Mondays 10.30am-11.30am BIDFORD COMMUNITY FRIDGE Methodist Church
• Mondays 10.30am-12.30pm BIDFORD COMMUNITY CAFÉ Methodist Church
• Mondays 10.30am–11.30am STORYTOTS Bidford Community Library
• Mondays 10.30am–12.30pm DEMENTIA CAFÉ Westholme Court
• Mondays 1pm–2.30pm ARTY AVON Church Hall
• Tuesdays 10.30am-11.30am BIDFORD COMMUNITY FRIDGE Methodist Church
• Tuesdays 10.30am-12.30pm BIDFORD COMMUNITY CAFÉ Methodist Church
• Tuesdays 10am-11.30am ARTBASE IN PERSON ART CLASSES Church Hall
• Wednesdays 10am–12pm WARM HUB Crawford Memorial Hall
• Wednesdays 5.30pm-6.30pm BIDFORD COMMUNITY FRIDGE Methodist Church
• Thursdays 10am-11.30am THE JOLLY TEAPOT Church Hall
• Thursdays 10.30am-11.30pm BIDFORD COMMUNITY FRIDGE Methodist Church
• Fridays 10.30am-11.30am BIDFORD COMMUNITY FRIDGE Methodist Church
• Fridays 6.30pm for 7.15pm BINGO EVENING Bidford Bowling Club – all welcome

MEETINGS

• 9th June and 7th July at 7.30pm Planning Consultative Committee Meetings
• 30th June and 28th July at 7.30pm Parish Council Meetings

All meetings, which are open to the public, are held at the Parish Council Meeting Room, Bramley Way, B50 4QG. It is at these meetings that decisions that directly affect our village and our local community are made – so be part of it and come and see it happen.

BIDFORD EMAIL INFORMATION
Want to know what is happening in the village every week? Nothing easier, simply sign up by emailing the Clerk at info@bidfordonavon-pc.gov.uk and your name will be added to the Weekly Email Information list to receive an email regarding upcoming Events and Notices. As Your Call Magazine is bi-monthly, this is a good way to ensure you are up to date with everything local.

SOCIAL MEDIA
Another way the Parish Council is trying to keep the local community informed is by the use of Social Media. Please follow us via Facebook (Bidford on Avon) Twitter (@Bidford_PC) and Instagram (bidfordpc). A lot of information and updates are published through social media, so do make sure you follow us to stay informed.

PARISH COUNCIL CONTACTS

• Clerk to the Parish Council – Mrs Elisabeth Uggerløese
• Administrative Assistant (Part time) – Hilary Wren
• Parish Council Office is located in Bramley Way and is open to the public 10am-1pm. If you are unable to attend during this time, please contact the office to make an appointment
• Tel:  01789 778653/07718 628925 Email: info@bidfordonavon-pc.gov.uk Website: www.bidfordonavon-pc.gov.uk
• Parish Councillors – a list of Parish Councillors can be found online at www.bidfordonavon-pc.gov.uk/councillors.htm

It was with a heavy heart that the Parish Council received the resignation of Cllr Penny Taylor at the end of the March Parish Council Meeting. Cllr Taylor was elected as a Parish Councillor for Bidford East Ward at the 2015 Elections and has been a great representative of the village.

She became Chairman in 2023 and, as such, was greatly involved in the campaign to ensure Bidford Fire Station remained operational. She attended every meeting, raised questions and prepared a comprehensive reply on behalf of the Parish Council, showing the viability and efficiency of Bidford Fire Station. Thankfully, it is still here and still offering great service to the village.

Thank you, Penny, for everything you have done.

Elisabeth Uggerløese – Clerk to the Parish Council

PS. Keep an eye on the What’s On page of the website (bidfordonavon-pc.gov.uk/whats-on/) for events. They will also be advertised on Social Media.