Car Accident On Hale Road

Road users on Hale Road near the Thatches on Wednesday, were greeted with an up-turned car, by the traffic calming-chicane.

For this black car to be upside down, possibly the motorist was chancing their luck at the cross-over of the chicane and/or speeding?

Even though there is a speed limit of 30mph and a 30mph warning sign that flashes to those breaking the limit, some motorists still speed on this section of the road –  not to mention in general, through the village!?

Villagers still witness speeding vehicles through the village on a daily basis, along with those who attend Parish Council meetings, still report to the council and the PCSO’s (Police) that speeding is still a problem.

Halloween

It’s been a fairly quiet Halloween here in the village, nearby a couple of locals had  Halloween Party’s for the young kiddies – scary things and a few little fireworks etc, very nice. This was possibly between 4 and 8 oclock, then it all died down, until 8pm.  About 11 kids in total all from the village seemed to hang around the rear of the shops dressed in the normal black attire and then went off, upto wards were they live-the Wimpy!  It was clear they were up to no good, cos 5 minutes later the Police were in pursuit of all of them as they legged it up Howells Way and down to the Park.  There were a few little short tubby kids and a tall lad, all the rest were normal size, for kids of  about 9 or 11 etc,, some were younger too! Most people will have seen them about the village.  The Police must have collard them cos they seemed to drift back towards the Wimpy Estate in  2’s and 3’s, followed by a few making off for the shops again and possibly going home. 

I can’t see the attraction of the shops for these kids and hoodies,  may be it’s because it is a quick getaway through Howells Way around the back of the village hall and into the darkness of the night of the park while they are on the run or upto no good. Or may be they like tormenting the old folk in the Flats above the shops?

Apart from it being quiet,, the odd speeding Flash Harry could be seen razzing down Town Lane in their flash cars, as though they were trying to beat the lap speed of the circuit off  Top Gear!?  Think I seen Jools Holland have go last week, 1 minute 40 odd he did it in I think, may be they are trying to beat that in simulated time-from the High Street to the chicane past the Curledner Estate-or “White City” to us yocals!?

Still though it’s not as bad as some places, but as some yocals say,, “the place isn’t the same as it was”.  We still have 3  months or so of dark evenings and shenanigans  to get through from the mischief makers, so I reckon we’re  lucky the village hasn’t been twinned with Beirut yet?

Edit 21.55

Ah well, looks like I spoke too soon,,, as the small triangle roundabout on Cocklaide Lane,  has had one of the lit Bollards set on fire from the looks of it and, there is smoke drifting up Pepper Street! A  Fire Engine has just arrived and the crew are putting it out.   I thought bomby night was next Saturday night (7th November), not Saturday October 31st!?

Edit Novemeber 1st

Below you can see the burnt/melted bollard on the triangle at the end of Pepper Street.

Click to enlarge

Village Christmas Tree

Hale Parish Council will be erecting a Christmas Tree on the village green this year, in the same location as last years one-which was brought about by Hale Carnival Committee of 2008.  The same protocol will be followed this year, as last- to allow local children to hang named baubles of loved ones and those who have names of family members engraved on the sandstone monument can also dedicate a bauble to be hung on the tree.

New means of lighting the tree are currently being looked into, from sola power to a secured mains feed.

The 2008 Peace Tree

Hale Parish Council will be funding this event from now on.

Autumn Colours

Well, Autumn is well and truly with us now, here in Hale Village, the lovely trees around the village are starting to shed their leaves.  There are all kinds of shades of yellows, browns, reds and so on.  Even in the park and down by old Mrs Evans-past Orchard Dell Cottage, things are looking more colourful than ever, as you can see below.

Click on images to enlarge

From the new interpretation boards sporting a youthful make over, to the ancient walled garden-wall, looking more colourful than ever, the place looks more colourful than an explosion in a (spray)paint factory!?

 

Hale Carnival 2010

The first meeting of Hale Carnival Committee took place, on the second week of October, Wednesday 7th, in the Childe Of Hale Public House-upstairs in the function room. The Carnival Committee, normally take a rest-bite after each carnival in June and this was their first meeting since the event, to re-group, elect new officers and plan ahead for the next carnival.

Below is a brief account of the meeting.

Carnival Chairman-Peter Platt, welcomed everyone and thanked them for their hard work and support, before, during and after the 2009 Carnival in June.  He welcomed several new members and introduced them to the meeting, which also included the legendary Bob Whittley from Hale Bank attending.  The Treasure, Carol Mason, presented a well detailed spread sheet of the carnivals accounts to the meeting, Carol followed this up by explaining the in’s and out’s of the accounts in some detail.

The next part of the meeting included the election of officers, Peter Platt was re-elected as Carnival Chairman, Carol Mason was elected as Carnival Treasurer and Maurine Ellis was elected as Carnival Secretary. Carol Parry agreed to continue with the organisation of the Carnival Rose Queen-Rose Buds and Page Boys etc.

Chairman Peter Platt then presented a proposal of great magnitude concerning the 2010 Hale Village Carnival.  Several weeks-if not months of researching and behind the scenes negotiating, had resulted in Peter envisaging that the importance of the year “2010″ as a 10 year mile stone (after the Millennium celebrations), to mark the Hale Village Carnival with some style and great contribution to the village of Hale was not an opportunity to be missed, if at some great expense to the Carnival Committee to see it through!?

The 2010 Hale Village Carnival will take place on Saturday 12th and Sunday 13th of June and will be a two day event if planned as speculated, it will begin even earlier, such as 10.30am on the Saturday in question.  The main attraction of the two day event, will be a mass of authentic Vikings in Hale Park, a Viking village will be built in the park along with a spectacular Viking Long Boat/Ship present. Further details were presented by Peter, which included School, Church and local pubs involvement  hoped for, for which non had been involved at past Carnivals-the carnival committee hoped for involvement from them at the 2010 Carnival!?   The main push of the event will be visitor involvement, such as taking part in Viking crafts in the viking village, watching mock viking battles. It is hoped that local schools will get involved such as with the learning of viking crafts, history and way of life, by visiting the viking village over  the two day event. The Vikings will also take part in the traditional village parade, it is envisaged that a large viking boat/ship will be in the procession along with viking warriors and with village groups, marching bands and the Rose Queen entourage

The carnival will also host the usual fun events over the two days, from the fun fair to side shows, donkey rides and events in the main show arena.

With the new members now on board, doubling the Carnival committee/group, everyone will now take on various tasks, from promotion, fund raising and management of the two day event. 

A representative from the Viking re-enactment group will be visiting Hale Village soon, to visit the site of where the Carnival takes place-Hale Park.

Further details of progress regarding the 2010 Hale Carnival, will be added to the village website/blog after each monthly Carnival meeting.