This is the 43rd annual report of the Association.
The Association has again been very active on behalf of its
members.
The Web Site
The Web Site is continuing to play its part in the Association’s
affairs. Not only does it enable the Executive Committee to inform members
of actions it is taking on members behalf, but it also is able to draw to
the attention of the membership matters of which they may not be aware,
and which they may as individuals wish to take some action in a private
capacity. Please therefore continue to log on to site at www.colnestour.org
at regular intervals so as to keep abreast of events. This can only make
the Association more effective, as the more people who write to the
relevant Authorities on any issue can only result in a stronger case being
made and a greater chance of a satisfactory outcome.
Mark Dawson puts a great deal of effort in to the web site and we owe
him a big debt of gratitude for all his hard work. As always, if any of
you have any suggestions or ideas to improve the web site please let Mark
know.
The Expansion of Stansted Airport and Increasing Aircraft
Noise
At the time of writing this report, we are still awaiting the decision
from the Ministers of Transport and the Environment on the application by
BAA to increase the number of passengers and flights using the existing
runway. The Association submitted its views to the Inspector in writing
and also made a verbal submission to the Inspector when he held a session
of the Inquiry at Sudbury on September 4th last year. The Inspector, as
one would expect, listened courteously to the views of all parties,
including those of the Association, and there are currently some grounds
for thinking that he may recommend upholding the decision by Uttlesford
Council to reject the application but, with this Government, it never pays
to count one’s chickens. However on a more optimistic note, it does seem
from statements made, by some ministers, that they are coming round to the
view
that an extra runway at Heathrow is preferable to a second runway at
Stansted, but experience has taught us that it is unwise to take anything
at face value at this stage. We still have a long way to go on this matter
and we shall continue to support, (and work closely with) the “Stop
Stansted Expansion” organisation.
The National Air Traffic Service (NATS) hope to finalise soon their
plans for the airways and stacking areas for Stansted and Luton Airports
which will, of course, have a major impact on which areas of our
countryside will suffer the nuisance of aircraft noise in the future. They
have indicated that they may be ready to enter into a consultation phase
by March, in which case we shall have more information for members by the
time of the AGM in April. Also please watch the website for further
information.
Planning Matters
The Association is still awaiting the next application for the
development of The Horkesley Park and Heritage and Conservation Centre at
Bunting’s Farm, Great Horkesley, to which the Association and other
organisations had strong objections in the past. As reported at the
AGM last year, the Buntings have been going through what they call a
“consultation process” with probably the aim of softening up the
opposition. It does not seem that many of the original objectors have
changed their minds.
The Association has been active on behalf of a number of members and
Parish councils in the cases of individual planning applications. In some
cases our intervention along with others has been successful; in others we
have been disappointed. Unfortunately, I as Chairman have often been
notified rather late in the day, which may well limit and restrict the
influence the Association can have on any planning decision. It is
important that the Association is notified as soon as is possible after a
planning application is made if it is thought that the application is
detrimental to the countryside. This is so important now that central
government is putting such huge pressure on local councils to find room
for more and more houses.
The Sluice Gates on the Rivers
As I verbally reported at last year’s AGM, the Environment Agency has
gone ahead with their
programme of installing new sluice gates. It would
appear that action by the Association, particularly in bringing all the
sluice gate owners together, has had a most beneficial effect. It would
seem that relations between the Agency, and the owners, is now much more
harmonious. At the time of writing, four gates have been installed at
various sites on the Stour between Nayland and Clare. Each gate has been
individually designed and engineered to fit its own location. I think it
fair to say that the four sites selected are those where it has been
relatively easy to install the new gates. There are some sites where the
existing gate and sluice are in very poor condition, and one can only hope
that the Agency will not decide to walk away from these because of reasons
of expense. We need to remain vigilant.
Summer Visit
We were very grateful to Mr and Mrs Geoffrey Probert for allowing us
to visit their beautiful Elizabethan House, Bevills, near Bures.
Despite the weather being rather inclement a large number of members were
able to enjoy the beautiful garden, and the rain towards the end of the
evening did nothing to dampen our spirits.
Membership
The membership continues to grow, but as I have
intimated in my letter to members at the front of this newsletter, because
of the age profile of the Association, it almost loses in a year, as many
as it gains. The Association currently has a total membership of 577 made
up 351 life members and 226 annual. This compares with a total membership
of 565 the previous year.
Last year to encourage you all to recruit new members the committee
decided to offer a prize of a magnum of champagne to the member, excluding
the committee, who introduced the most new members. The above figures
speak for themselves and as most of the few new members were in fact
introduced by committee members, it is clear that the offer was not an
effective incentive and not surprisingly the committee has decided not to
award the prize.
WE MUST INCREASE THE MEMBERSHIP TO BE MORE EFFECTIVE.
Therefore enclosed with this newsletter is the same
sheet as last year, setting out the aims of the Association, the need for
new members, and how this can help the Association achieve its objectives.
On the reverse side is a membership application form. Further forms and
sheets can be downloaded from the website or obtained from Michael
Goodbody. Please liaise with Michael so as to ensure that a banker’s
order is completed for annual members or a cheque can be accepted for
those becoming Life Members.
Executive Committee
I would like to thank all members of the Executive
Committee for their work, help, and support not only for the last year but
also for the three years that I have been Chairman. During these three
years Jeremy Hill has been persuaded to continue writing his excellent
articles for this Newsletter; Michael Goodbody has brought our membership
records into perfect order, and has always ensured that they are up to
date, and that our finances are in good order. Mark Dawson has not only
created the website, but he is responsible for keeping it up to date.
Finally, but by no means least, my thanks go to our invaluable secretary,
Ros Henderson, for her considerable assistance to me personally.
SIMON
WARD
Retiring Chairman
