Two major planning applications were dealt with during the year, one for 22 affordable houses which was not supported by the Parish Council and refused by Taunton Deane, the other an application for13 chalets and 50 camping pitches with amenity block, the Parish Council objected to this as did Taunton Deane, it went to appeal in April, the 13 chalets were turned down but the Inspectorate allowed the 50 camping pitches.

The Chairman thanked the Clerk for all her hard work during the year and also thanked the members of the Parish Council for their support.

The Churches – Reverend David Ager

This year’s report represents two firsts.

For the first time it comes from the Deane Vale Benefice, the new – and now official – name for the churches in the parishes of Oake, Hillfarrance and Heathfield with Cotford St Luke.

For the first time, I have the privilege of writing it, This is due to the fact that on March 20 th, Alison Norris began a well-earned three-month sabbatical and is presently resting from active duty in order to give herself to rest, recreation and some reflection which the pressures of the normal routines never seem to allow. We look forward to her return in June.

Each of the three parish churches, and the worshipping communities they host, has been active during the year with the regular pattern of public worship, as well as welcoming families bringing their children to baptism or for thanksgiving, coming to celebrate before God their marriage, or commending themselves to God’s love at the end of the earthly journey of a loved one. Once again, we held a special service for those recently bereaved, this year at Hillfarrance, giving space for thanksgiving, quiet reflection and the acknowledgement of the continuing pain of loss.

There are certain key times of the year when everyone expects the church to be in evidence. So Harvest was celebrated, with a supper in Hillfarrance (putting their new kitchen facility to very good use) and Sunday services too. In fact, Hillfarrance Church is becoming one of the catering hotspots of the area with regular lunches and cream teas, not to mention the great abseil on Easter Monday.

There seemed to be even more Christmas celebrations this year, in each corner of the benefice, and Holy Week and Easter largely followed our traditional pattern, including the Good Friday walk the length of the benefice, with acts of worship in each place. This year, one of the benefice Lent courses was held in Oake over six Wednesday evenings.

We continue to value greatly our links with Oake and Bradford School and are enormously gratefulto the Governors, to Angela Bridgland and her staff for making us so welcome. We have seen Class 2 in Oake Church one Friday morning for an exploration of its layout and significance, and welcomed the whole school there for Harvest and Easter celebration services.

It is our fervent hope and prayer that the churches of the benefice will continue to be a key part of the life of the communities they serve. Please be assured that the needs of those communities are regularly held in our prayers to God and that each has a wide open door for any to come through.

Oake & Bradford School – Miss Angela Bridgland – No report.

Toddlers & Pre-School report – Annie Barrett.

We now have 3 staff as two are now job sharing, Lisa has started another part-time job and the two days she is elsewhere are now covered by Dianne Wood who lives in Oake and is a registered Child Minder.

The new sign still hasn’t been finished as we are having great difficulty designing a new logo.

Generally things are looking good, we have purchased new indoor play equipment, which includes a house, slide and crash mats, most of this was paid for by fundraising and donations and a grant from S.C.C.

We had 4 new children start over the past two months.

However, we are still struggling with volunteers, I think it is likely we will have to employ an administrator to try and get all the accounts up to date as the last committee hadn’t finished the 2006/7 accounts and we are now very behind. Does anyone know of somebody who may be able to help out?

We do have one other problem and that is we cannot find any volunteers to take over running the Toddler Group once Pat has moved and Welly has had her baby.

Oake Tree Short Mat Bowls Club – Cheryl Low

The Club recently held its eighteenth A.G.M. and the following officers were elected:
Chairman                                                Mr. T. Hull
Vice Chairman                                        Mrs. C. Low
Captain                                                   Mr. D. Smith
Vice Captain                                           Mr. G. Nicholls
Treasurer                                                Mr. D. Martin
Secretary                                                Mrs. C. Low

We had a fairly successful year finishing fourth in the league for the second year running, let’s hope we do better next year!

As I have said in my previous letter we had a very successful first Tournament in April, Fourteen teems took part the winners being Broadclyst. We hope to make this a yearly Tournament with the proceeds to our chosen Charity.

Last year we were successful in obtaining a Grant from Awards for All Lottery which enabled us to replace our three bowling mats plus a new electric winding machine for the mats. We still hold our bowling nights on Monday and Thursdays from 7.00 to 10.00 pm. New members always welcome.

Oake & District Hall – Dave Sedgewick

A new room has been built by volunteers and it is thanks to Dave Sedgewick mainly who did the planning application and a good deal of the build himself with help from a couple of others, it has saved the hall thousands of pounds. This room is extremely useful as it now houses all the chairs, play equipment etc.

The hall has been repainted recently and there are now some 20,000 bookings a year.

Oake Mini Day Centre – Vivienne Russell.

We Still continue to enjoy our Wednesday sessions – 10.30 am to 2.30 pm including lunch. We have celebrations at Christmas, Harvest Festival and also two very successful ‘Bring & Buy’ mornings, also local outings three times a year for lunch.

We have room for new members – both sexes. If you would like to join or know of someone in need to go out, either ring Care Direct on 0845 345 9133 or give me a ring on 01823 400488.

Footpaths – Jim Paul

This time of year is not good for reporting on the footpaths in Oake Parish Council area. All the local farmers are busy ploughing and planting so there is bound to be minor disruptions. However, during the past year I have had only one or two problems to sort out and most farmers/landowners have co-operated.

There have been styles partially blocked with fallen trees but are still usable with care. I have been given permission to clear the one on ground owned by the Mitford Slades, the other I still have to approach the owner (Mr. Dunn?)

The footbridge closed by S.C.C. is still closed at the time of writing but I have personally used it with care (Broom Farm)

Tree Wardens – Roger Earthrowl

The only significant thing that occurred during the year is that two trees from the Parish were nominated to be included in the ’50 most notable trees in Taunton Dean’.

I am still waiting for Ian Clark to advise when the details will be on the TD Web site.

Computer Room – Sue Earthrowl

A lap top computer was obtained from BT, this will enable students to borrow it to practise on. The web site was once again a runner up in the Community Councils technology competition.

The Parish Council donated £300 to assist with the running of the web site and room.

Student’s fees for classes cover the costs of a tutor and the hall together with the Parish Councils donation cover the additional costs.

A Cyber Café has been running for the past couple of months and people have been welcome to come along and use the facilities, so far no one has.

Oake Family History Group – Sue Earthrowl

Perhaps it is the BBC TV series ‘Who do you think you are?’ which has stimulated interest in family tree research.

The newly formed Oake group has met three times, twice informally and once with a presentation by Bob Steed about how to research your family history.

The It suite is available at meetings for access to relevant websites and some new funding from Somerset Active Living will enable us to purchase some resources and invite more speakers.

There is plenty of help and support within the group and all are very welcome whether you are new to genealogy or have enjoyed it as a hobby for some time.

The next meeting will be on Wednesday 14 th May at 7.30 pm in the Pig and Whistle lounge at the hall.

On Tuesday 1 st July David Hawkings will be coming to talk about his family which he has traced back to Oake in 1649. That should include some local history too.

We charge £2 for each meeting, including refreshments.

If you would like to join us please phone Sue 401043 or Kirsten 400570

Chairman……………………………………………

Oake Parish
parishclerk@oake.org.uk

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