Kingsway Villagers

Today we found an injured cat by our back garden gate - a long furred grey/brown tabby - wearing a gold collar.

We were trying to establish the cats injures in our kitchen and it looked like he had been struck on the back legs, we think by a car but not 100% certain.

We took the cat to the Animal Hospital in Quedgeley.
The vet said he was in shock and had very little pulse… (for further information please call him on 01452 520056).

I do hope he recovers to full health.

Walking down Thatcham Avenue tonight 26/12/08, my wife and myself were followed by a small black kitten, all the way down to Holbeach Drive.

We first spotted the kitten near the island half way up Thatcham Avenue next to the man-made stream that runs under the road.

The kitten has been given a warm bed and some food and water for tonight.

In the morning we are going to knock on a few doors in the area and - if nobody knows about him/her - then we will be dropping the kitten into the Vet / Animal Hospital on Bristol Road tomorrow afternoon…
(Animal Hospital. 125, Bristol Road, Quedgeley, Gloucester, GL2 4NB - 01452 520056)

If you need to contact me, send me an email to dazfozatgmaildotcom

A few months ago (at our 2nd Residents Association meeting), Adrian Hughes mentioned that he had claimed a refund/reduction in his water rates from Severn Trent Water, due to the fact that his surface water doesn’t drain into the main sewage system.

He said that he thought this might apply to many Kingsway Village Residents.

Since then he has furnished me with much information and advice to allow me to pass it on to you all.

Severn Trent Water’s website has an article about surface water drainage (here) which says:

Surface water drainage:

For most of our customers, the rain that falls onto your roofs, yards and other parts of your property drains to the public sewers. We call this water surface water. We include the cost of removing surface water in the sewerage charges on your bill.

At your property, surface water or groundwater may not drain to the public sewer. If you think you fall in to this category you can claim for a reduction in your sewerage charges of around 36%.

The page includes a link to a surface water drainage leaflet (which includes an application form) and they also say that you can "call us on 08457 500 500 (local rate) to request a printed copy of the leaflet if you would prefer it."

The leaflet (which you can download and print) covers such subjects as:
Claiming lower sewerage charges
How will I know if I am eligible to claim?
How can I claim a lower sewerage charge?
How will my bills be affected?

Their contact details are:
Severn Trent Water Ltd
2297 Coventry Road
Birmingham B26 3PU
08457 500 500

As a leaflet it looks quite daunting, requiring a house plan etc, but Adrian says:
"They seem to want a lot from the application form but it’s really simple as to what’s required! Draw up a plan of the property, scale not important, and highlight all the positions of down pipes and drains that are soak aways including any on the drive, which I had!
Don’t be to concerned about all the waffle, just draw up your property and submit the application!"

He added "Severn Trent are not very quick in responding but I found withholding payment focuses their attention, just something to make the applicants be aware of!"

So get your copy today and claim your 2008/2009 water rates reduction.

…and finally Adrian said "Unfortunately I cannot claim any praise for this as my neighbour was the one who put me on to it…
His name is Mr Ken Mumford and he lives at 75, Thatcham Ave"

Sorry it’s taken me so long to publish this information, (I won’t bore you with the reasons why excuses)

Many thanks to Adrian for all your help, and also to Ken for passing this on.

When the RA was formed, the positions were elected on the proviso that we would have more elections in 6 months (due to us not knowing much about each other etc).

Thus in January there will be new elections for all positions in the Residents Association Committee. These currently being:
-Chairman
-Secretary
-Treasurer
-Web Officer

So that people have a fair chance of electing someone they would like, everybody can nominate themselves for any position. All it takes is a post on here or an email to [email protected]

In it, you need to state your name, address and a blurb about yourself. This blurb will go on the blog and literature we post round the estate to advertise the meeting.

I have had plenty of emails telling me how to be a better Chair, so here is the ideal opportunity for someone else to come in and make a difference.

There will also be the opportunity to make more positions, such as Social Secretary etc, so any volunteers/ideas, don’t hold back.

If anyone has questions about how much time and what each position involves, then please ask we are more than happy to advise.

We believe the Election will be at the school in the middle of Jan’, actual date to be advised, so watch this space.

Cheers
Barry

I began this website to try to help create a community in Kingsway and was truly gratified to find so many other Kingsway Residents willing to get involved and build a real community here.

We now have a Residents Association, a Neighbourhood Watch Programme and are included in the Community Police Neighbourhood Panel as well as having influenced facilities for Youths and many other community facilities and programmes.

True the housing market problem has had a huge negative effect on our progress but - as witnessed by the BBC (here) - we have bucked the national trend and made real progress in terms of building a community.

For myself, although I’ve spent half my time recently being interviewed for BBC Radio and TV (less fun than it sounds - lol) and the other half attending meetings and forging relationships with Housing Association representatives, youth workers, Police and other influencial figures and organisations (to the detriment of my business), I now know hundreds of my new neighbours, have dozens of new friends… and my daughter Phoenix seems to know even more!

And there are many other - Like Barry, Richard and Ian from the Residents Association, the School Governors and the many, many people who regularly attend RA meetings and contribute to this website, and to other community activities and facilities (many of whom don’t even live in Kingsway).

All in all, despite the lack of facilities and the state of the roads etc, I really love living in Kingsway Village and have high hopes that it will grow into a thriving and friendly community during the next few years.

Thank you all and…

MERRY CHRISTMAS KINGSWAY VILLAGERS…

from Angelina, Clive and all the family at…
35, Thatcham Avenue, Kingsway.

This morning BBC Radio Gloucestershire did a series of features about Kingsway Village in their breakfast show between 6 & 9am.

In an interview by Andy Vivien, I mentioned problems with road surfacing, the shopping centre and the recent loss of support and assistance from the QUVL with residents issues, as well as the adoption of the roads by the Council. Andy mentioned gritting and the massive downturn in builders and developers activity.

They also broadcast an interview with Andrew Hunter (QUVL) who said that they are still actively involved in dealing with Residents issues on a daily basis (hmmm) and that they have a contract with a road gritting company (uhu)!

On the subject of the Kingsway Shopping Centre, Health Centre and Pub’, Jane Tooley - a Robert Hitchins employee and QUVL representative - said that building will start in October 2009 and estimated that it will take 12 months to complete.

Several callers - from other areas - rang in offering advice and support.