Pant
Be part of the UK’s largest art exhibition
Local artist Gill Crozier is encouraging people in Pant to make works of art to put up in their front windows as part of a national project to create the nation’s largest ever art exhibition.
The Great Big Art Exhibition was launched on 28 January 2021 with a call to the nation to create a work. Leading artists will choose a different theme each fortnight. The opening theme, chosen by Antony Gormley, is animals, with portraits, chosen by Sonia Boyce, to follow. Other artists supporting the project include Etel Adnan and Siomone Fattal, Anish Kapoor, Tai Shani, Jeremy Deller, David Shrigley, Ai Weiwei and Ryan Gander.
Welcoming the initiative artist Gill Crozier said: “The Great Big Art Exhibition is a wonderful idea to encourage people (especially children) to create. There’s nothing like a bit of creativity to focus the mind and take it away from these stressful times.”
People will be encouraged to draw, paint, sculpt, build or create their own artwork and put it up in their front windows, on their front door, balcony or garden as a celebration of creativity to counter the gloom of the pandemic.
Presented by Firstsite, Colchester to celebrate its 10th anniversary and supported by the Plus Tate Network which includes leading museums and galleries across the UK, artworks can be made of anything, and Firstsite will be making key works from across the UK available for download – to use as a template, for colouring in or as an inspiration. The Directors of the National Gallery, Tate, British Museum, National Portrait Gallery, National Galleries of Scotland, V&A, National Museums Liverpool, Royal Academy of Arts, the Ashmolean Museum, The Courtauld, The Wallace Collection, Arts Council Collection and museums and galleries across the country have selected works which they think will be inspiring. Partners include: Art UK, The Big Draw, Voluntary Arts and the Great Big Art Exhibition is supported by Arts Council England.
Sally Shaw MBE, Director of Firstsite, said: “The doors to our collections and galleries might be shut but our imaginations are forever open. Making, showing and experiencing art has created so much joy, connection and solace for many thousands of people. I can’t wait to see a brand new nationwide art gallery appearing before our eyes in coming days, weeks and months. This is sure to be an incredible expression of people’s creativity.”
Local people wishing to take part should visit www.thegreatbigartexhibition.com for instructions and all creative resources to help get making and showing art everywhere. and remember if you are on Facebook or Twitter upload your artwork and tag Pant Today.
February Parish Council Meeting
Llanymynech and Pant Parish Council have published the agenda for the next meeting to take place on Thursday 25th February 2021 at 3.00pm.
If you are a member of the public who wants to contribute to the public engagement section of the meeting or who would like to find out more about what the council does, you can log into the meeting via Zoom using this link – https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83912982583?pwd=UVdlcTNhM2F2RGxyNnRzSFloc0hjUT09
A copy of the Agenda for the meeting is available here.
January Parish Council
Llanymynech and Pant Parish Council have published the agenda for the next meeting to take place on Thursday 28th January 2021 at 2.00pm.
If you are a member of the public who wants to contribute to the public engagement section of the meeting or who would like to find out more about what the council does, you can log into the meeting via Zoom using this link – https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89686926864?pwd=TVdZT3gvdUJJQ0w3YVVycXFIbWZEdz09
A copy of the Agenda for the meeting is here – Agenda.
Season’s Greetings!
When, this time last year, we wished you all a happy Christmas and looked forward to a new year, we couldn’t have imagined how the world would change.
Each year we look back at the changes that have taken place in the village – as well as the country at large – but the idea that the pub and village hall would be closed for a significant part of the year was certainly not something we had contemplated – or at least not due to a brand new virus.
The committee at the village hall have been very proactive during the year, not only in ensuring that the hall met COVID-19 regulations and was able to reopen with robust measures in place, but they have also taken the time to improve the hall. As well as a very deep clean, the hall has seen the installation of new energy-saving lighting, thanks to a grant from the National Lottery. The hall has also been successful in funding 40 new comfortable chairs thanks to money from the Tirgwynt Wind Farm Community Grant.
Obviously, the hall has been used much less in 2020 than in more usual times, and we hope that people will support new events that will hopefully come on stream in 2021 – especially as the world returns to some sort of normality following the roll out of vaccinations.
The Cross Guns too has had an interesting year to say the least. With the lockdown affecting the hospitality sector so badly, Maureen and her team at the pub have had to do what many others have had to do and offer takeaway when they could, and open as per the guidelines. The ‘Friends of Cross Guns Pant‘ Facebook group, which was set up last year, is still there if villagers want to join.
We also reported this time last year that plans were progressing for work on Schoolhouse Bridge over the Montgomery Canal between Pant and Crickheath. If you have been down that way, you will see that a new temporary roadway was built this year to enable the road to be redirected to let building work commence – hopefully in 2021. The Friends of the Montgomery Canal launched a new website during the year at www.themontgomerycanal.org.uk which has much information about the canal and its restoration.
We were lucky in Pant, at the beginning of the pandemic, that a number of people in the village got together to set up the Pant Coronavirus Support Group. This bunch of fantastic volunteers has been there throughout the year to help local people needing assistance, whether that was with food and medicines deliveries, getting to medical appointments or just a friendly voice at the end of the phone. A huge thank you to everyone in our community who has been able to help.
Many of us have increasingly used online services such as Zoom and Skype for social contact and meetings, and even more have turned to online shopping. Pant Today remains a place where local business can advertise (only £20 a year). Not only will your support help us keep this village website going but it can help your business gain exposure to local customers. Please consider an advert with us.
.
May we wish you Happy Christmas and Season’s Greetings!
Plans for bus stops and crossings in Pant
Residents in Pant will possibly already be aware that Highways England – the organisation responsible for the management of the A483 – has plans to replace the electrical cabling through the village.
In a letter received by residents this week, Highways England have advised that work on re-cabling will occur between December 7th 2020 and December 20th. Temporary traffic lights could be in operation during this time and work will generally take place between 9am and 3.30pm. During 2021, Highways England plan to return to replace the street lamps with more energy efficient ones.
Highways England has also been in the village recently to look at the possibility of improvements to the bus stops and pedestrian crossings in Pant.
New pedestrian crossing?
Residents in Pant had campaigned for a pedestrian crossing in the village for a while and a few years back one was installed near the village hall and shop. Over the years, it had also been suggested that a crossing near to the school would be beneficial and now there are very early plans for a Puffin crossing, which is a pedestrian operated crossing with smart sensors to regulate the length of time pedestrians are given to cross the road.
A spokesperson for Highways England confirmed to Pant.Today that engineers had been to the village to conduct topographical surveys in advance of plans being drawn up.
According to Highways England route manager Richard Timothy, however, the project is in the very early stages of development and will need to secure funding to progress into construction.
He said: “We’re listening to the people of Pant and have been carrying out surveys which will help us draw up plans to upgrade the existing bus stops and crossing points on the A483, as well as install a Puffin crossing near the Bryn Offa C of E Primary School.”
To find out more about Highways England’s work or to raise any questions visit www.highwaysengland.co.uk/roads or call 0300 123 5000.
News from Pant Memorial Hall
When the hall reopened in September, we knew that a second closure was not impossible and had made plans accordingly.
This planning paid off on the announcement of the November lockdown, hopefully without too much inconvenience for our hirers. The hall is reopening under ‘tier 2’ restrictions on Wednesday December 2nd.
Among many lessons this year; a closed hall does not mean no work for the committee of unpaid volunteers. We discovered how much we can get done over Zoom, email and telephone. The Thursday evening ‘reopening subcommittee’ clocked up 14 video calls, and this group continues to ‘meet’ fortnightly to manage the ever-changing situation.
Sadly many of our previous hirers cannot return at the moment, although some events are possible with the new measures. We’ve had some lovely feedback from hirers and attendees, which has made all the hard work worthwhile.
Plans for our socially-distanced poppy placing were also stopped by the lockdown. Nonetheless we were still able to put up a display inside the lobby and also around the artwork. Thank you to one of our trustees for arranging all this, which allowed passers-by to ‘pause to remember’ in safety.
The hall came out of the first lockdown with a greatly improved lighting system, funded by the National Lottery. Some will consider that an even bigger improvement will be 40 new padded chairs. These will have wipe-clean upholstery so will be usable under the restrictions. Thanks to the Tirgwynt Wind Farm Community Fund for funding these. The purchase has also been supported by the sale of 40 of the old chairs, plus donations from the Calor crowdfunder earlier in the year. We are hoping to have our new chairs in a few weeks.
The committee wishes everyone a happy Christmas and a peaceful and healthy new year. 2021 will be the 99th year of operation for the hall. Thank you to all who have supported us, and here’s hoping for better times for all of us.
To contact us: (open or closed!)
- call 07913 565708
- email secretary@pantmemorialhall.org.uk
- see our website www.pantmemorialhall.org.uk
- facebook @pantmemorialhall
- twitter @pantmemhall
- leave us a note in the postbox!
Agenda for November Parish Council meeting
Llanymynech and Pant Parish Council have published the agenda for the next meeting to take place on Thursday 26th November 2020 at 2.00pm.
Members of the public who want to contribute to the public engagement section of the meeting or who would like to find out more about what the council does, can log into the meeting via Zoom using this link – https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84019799656?pwd=N0NEV3lpYU1YVzNGN3lSUzA0TVVWZz09
AGENDA
FILMING AND RECORDING OF COUNCIL MEETINGS AND THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE DATA PROTECTION ACT 2018 Any person present at a Council meeting may not orally report or comment about a Council meeting as it takes place but otherwise may; film photograph, or make an audio recording of a meeting; use any other means for enabling persons not present to see or hear proceedings at a meeting as it takes place or later; report or comment on the proceedings in writing during or after a meeting, or orally report or comment after the meeting. Anyone making a recording for non-domestic purposes is advised to seek advice on their obligations to ensure any processing of personal information complies with the Data Protection Act. Anyone who objects to being filmed or recorded should notify the Parish Clerk prior to the commencement of the meeting.
1 APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE.
A POLICE REPORT for the Parish.
B MATTERS RAISED BY THE PUBLIC. Members of the public are given an opportunity to make representations to the Parish Council on matters which are included on the agenda or are of public interest.
C SHROPSHIRE COUNCIL. Report by Cllr Matt Lee.
COUNCIL IN SESSION
2 DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST or REQUESTS FOR DISPENSATION. To receive Declarations of Pecuniary Interest in accordance with the Adopted Code of Conduct.
Members are required to declare a disclosable pecuniary interest in a matter to be discussed at this meeting and which is not included in the Register of Interests. Members should leave the room during the discussion and voting on matters in which they have a disclosable pecuniary interest, whether or not the interest is entered in the Register of Members’ Interests maintained by the Monitoring Officer.
3 PLANNING. To consider for comments any applications received (none to hand).
Response for 20/07385/ENF for information.
4 HIGHWAY MATTERS. Matters relating to the A483 and other roads in the parish.
5 MINUTES. To confirm Minutes of the virtual meeting held on the 22.10.2020.
6 ROCKWELL MEADOW. a) Request for boundary re-alignment – Mr. D. Jones.
b) Report from Clerk.
7 FINANCIAL MATTERS AND ACCOUNTS. To approve the statement of expenditure v budget to November 2020 and payments made as shown below totalling £4,766.36.
8 COMPLETION OF EXTERNAL AUDIT. To note external audit completion and comments from Auditor.
9 VILLAGE MAINTENANCE. Matters relating to the Parish including: Llanymynech tennis courts use agreement.
10 DONATIONS. Request for donations under s137 of the L.G.A. – Llanymynech Village Hall, Pant Memorial Hall, St. Agatha’s Church PCC, Marie Curie Nurses, Macmillan Nurses and Samaritans.
11 CORRESPONDENCE. CRT Montgomery Canal restoration, School House Bridge diversion due to Long Lane closure.
12 RIGHTS OF WAY. To raise any matters relating.
13 STREET LIGHTING. To receive any fault reports and to note invoice payments.
Click here for a copy of the minutes of the October 2020 meeting.
Road diversions for canal restoration
As many people will know, work has started on preparation for the reinstatement of Schoolhouse Bridge over the Montgomery Canal between Pant and Crickheath.
In the first week of November, contractors will be drilling an underground route through the fields and under the canal bed, avoiding the bridge site, ready for Severn Trent Water to make the connection to the existing main and to cut off the supply across the bridge site later in the month.
Severn Trent has notified residents in the immediate area that they may close the road while the connections are being made. And they have suggested an alternative route via the A483 and B4398 but those with local knowledge may use alternative routes through lanes by the canal. Residents should, however, be aware that there may be extra traffic on these lanes for a short period.
The project to reconstruct the bridge is scheduled to start next spring and will involve closing the lane while the bridge is rebuilt to modern highway standards.
After the crops were harvested last month, the bridge restoration team were able to access the final field by the bridge site. They fenced the area to be used for the project and then created a bypass track for the use of any heavy goods vehicle which would not be able to use alternative routes past the bridge site when the road is closed.
The work involved volunteers using hired machines to drive fence posts, lay the track and roll the track surface. The materials for this work were generously supplied by the Tudor Griffiths Group at cost as will those for the bridge itself next year. Tudor Griffiths himself has been interested in the restoration for a long time: he provided the land for the nature reserves by Aston Locks, near Queen’s Head, and many years ago he volunteered when the Inland Waterways Association’s Waterway Recovery Group was restoring the locks themselves.
Speaking for the Restore the Montgomery Canal! group, Chairman Michael Limbrey said: “This final stage of this year’s volunteer effort at Schoolhouse Bridge has been a modest project compared with what we shall be doing next year but it has shown what canal volunteers can do.
“The main work starts next year. We have to excavate the old embankment across the canal and construct the reinforced concrete base and abutments for the bridge. Contractors will then install the bridge arch – and it will be really exciting when they crane the arch into position. The final stages will involve building up to road level, surfacing, kerbing and landscaping. This will be one of the major canal restoration projects of 2021 and it has to be completed in a matter of months.
“We are always on the lookout for more volunteers to help us next year, especially anyone with construction site experience – though that’s not essential. With enough volunteers signed up we would not need everyone on site every day and of course the project will only be running for a limited period. It would be great to hear from anyone who would like to help this exciting project.
“We are particularly keen to bolster the site management team for next year: this could be valuable experience for a younger person looking to build up a CV, or an opportunity for someone between jobs or retired or approaching retirement.
“We are very grateful to local landowners for generously allowing us to use their land and to Shropshire Council and the Canal & River Trust for their support and assistance over the years we have been planning this project. The rebuilt bridge will remove a major obstruction to our ambition to reopen the canal to Llanymynech and into mid-Wales, restoring the connection to the national canal network that was lost over eighty years ago.”
The Restore the Montgomery Canal! appeal is run by the local canal charities supporting the Montgomery Canal restoration: the Friends of the Montgomery Canal, Shropshire Union Canal Society and the Inland Waterways Association.
Anyone interested in volunteering can contact project team member Ken Jackson via email on kgjackson@btinternet.com.
Meanwhile, readers may well have seen the Charity Garden Stall in Pen-y-Garreg Lane and the organisers want to say a very big thank you to everyone who contributed to or made a donation. £200 has now been paid into the Restore the Montgomery Canal campaign, and as a donation is eligible for gift aid making a total of £250.
The organisers still have a few of the donated books which hopefully will be sold at canal events next year and if still locked down they will be reopening the stall next Spring!
Marking Remembrance Sunday
This year, Remembrance Sunday falls on Sunday 8th November and COVID-19 will significantly affect how it is observed in Pant and the surrounding areas.
The annual Act of Remembrance that has been organised at Pant Memorial Hall in recent years will not be going ahead inside the hall due to the current pandemic restrictions, but a local resident has stepped in to put a display in the entrance hallway for anyone who might like to see the memorials held at the hall for individual quiet reflection. Unfortunately, access to the hall will not be possible, but local people are welcome to look through the hall doors to see the memorial and poppy display.
If you would like to attend, please observe social distancing and bring a facemask, unless you are exempt.
The marble tablet in Pant Memorial Hall was initially in Pant United Reform Chapel and records the names of those fallen in the Second World War. The hall also displays a copy of a Roll of Honour for those who fell in the First World War. Details about the war memorials in Pant Memorial Hall can be found on the hall’s website – https://pantmemorialhall.org.uk/war-memorials-and-commemorations-at-pant
On Sunday 8 November, Acts of Remembrance will also take place at the War Memorials at the two local churches for serving members of armed forces and veterans – Government advice is that most people should mark the commemoration at home:
- In Morton Churchyard around the War Memorial, gathering from 10.15am to allow for Test and Trace, with an Act of Remembrance at 10.30am.
- At Llanymynech War Memorial at 2.30pm for an Act of Remembrance.
Cross Gun Inn reopens
The Cross Guns Inn has today (Monday 26 October 2020) reopened following its recent closure due to a staff member testing positive for the virus that causes COVID-19.
According to Maureen at the pub, although the pub is open, the kitchen will not reopen until next week while the kitchen is restocked.
More information about coronavirus and COVID-19 is available on the NHS website: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19
© 2021 Pant Today – About the village of Pant in Shropshire. All Rights Reserved.
Powered by WordPress. Designed by 